asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the chiefs of Persian Baluchistan are still raiding Persia, in spite of the advent of the new Governor-General; and whether they now pay taxes to or have any political connection with Persia?

According to reports from His Majesty's representative on the spot, received since the date of the hon. Member's last question on the subject, which was 15th March, the new Governor-General of Kerman, immediately on his arrival at his post, began to make preparations for an expedition to Baluchistan to restore order and subdue the rebellious chief, Bahram Khan. The expedition, consisting of 1,500 men, left Kerman on 18th February for Barn, where is was to be joined by another 1,500 men. On the 12th April news was received at Tehran that this force had taken Bampur fort, and intended to proceed against Fahraj. It may therefore be anticipated that the political supremacy of Persia will be re-established in Persian Baluchistan, but I have no specific information as to how far taxes are being paid in that district to the Persian Government. Four robberies of caravans and one of the post were reported as having taken place in Kerman in January, but according to the latest information received the new Governor-General is maintaining order in the province.

asked the Secretary of State whether he has any official information showing that the Archangel Fishery Bill has passed the Duma Committee and that the principle of prohibition of all foreign fishing within a 12-mile limit has been adopted; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government propose to address any representations to the Russian Government on the subject.

I have received official information that the Fisheries Committee of the Duma has advised the acceptance of the Archangel Fishery Bill. Representations on the subject have already been addressed to the Russian Government to the effect that the three-mile limit cannot be altered without international agreement.

asked on what grounds were the terms of the new opium trade agreement concluded with China not communicated to the House of Commons although Parliament was in Session before the ratification of that treaty; why were the representatives of the people precluded from the gratification of expressing their approval of that measure while still inchoate; what is the reason of the distinction in method of procedure between the ratification of the opium trade agreement by the Government without the taking of the people into its confidence and the proposed Anglo-American arbitration treaty on which it has been promised to take the view of the House of Commons before ratification; what are the principles which govern the communication to the people of proposed treaties with foreign Powers and the obtaining of their consent thereto as a condition precedent to ratification in some cases and the withholding from them in other cases of the knowledge of treaties till their ratification in the name of the people and consequent binding force in matters of national obligation or responsibility have been unalterably determined; and will any, and, if so, what, steps be taken to modify the present control of the Executive over foreign policy?

The answer to the first question is that the agreement does not require ratification, and that even if it were otherwise it would be consistent with constitutional practice to conclude it before publication. To the second question: that if the course advocated had been followed no agreement at all might have been concluded. To publish terms while still inchoate would often lead to breaking off negotiations. To the third question: that one subject falls within the class of exceptional cases, and the other has followed the general rule. To the fourth question: that the matter is one of constitutional practice and expediency rather than of principle; and that when exceptions have been made, as in the case of the agreement ceding Heligoland to Germany, it has been for exceptional reasons peculiar to the individual case. To the fifth question: that no steps of the 'nature indicated to alter the Constitution are in contemplation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say under what exceptional category does the Arbitration Treaty between England and the United States fall; what is the distinction with reference to this Treaty which the House is to have the opportunity of sanctioning and the other Treaty in regard to the opium trade which this House had not the opportunity of sanctioning What is the distinction?

There is no exceptional category as I have said in my answer, but when exceptions are made they are for reasons peculiar to the individual case. When any individual case comes before the House I shall of course be prepared to explain why an exception has been made.

Am T to understand that the exception in this case of the British Treaty with the United States in which this House is to have the power of sanction arises from the fact that the United States Senate have the power of ratification of Treaties, whereas this other power has not, and therefore there is a distinction?

There is not at present any Treaty in existence, and can be no exception. When it does occur, and if an exception is made, I shall of course be prepared to state why.

asked in what papers the press campaign against the present Egyptian Government and the British occupation, referred to on page 7 of His Majesty's Agent-General's Report [Cd. 5633], was published; whether all such papers were warned under the Press Acts; and what steps were taken by the Government to stop such a campaign?

I do not know what are the papers referred to particularly in this passage. The names of papers actually warned were given in reply to a question on the 28th of March.

asked the Secretary of State whether the complaints, if any, of the Coptic community in Egypt have ever been brought personally to his notice or to the notice of His Majesty's Agent-General in Egypt by any accredited representative of the Coptic community or Coptic Congress; and whether any such Coptic representative has ever made any request to place the views of Copts personally before him or His Majesty's Agent-General?

As far as His Majesty's Consul-General in Egypt is concerned, the answer about the complaints of the Copts is contained in Sir Eldon Gorst's Report, and I entirely approve of what he says. I have received a request for a personal interview from Mr. Fanous, who stated that he had been authorised by the Coptic Congress to represent their views; but I consider it better that the question should be dealt with in Egypt.

asked if the Government of the United States has consented to refer all questions arising out of the Monroe doctrine in which this country may be concerned to arbitration by any international or other court?

I have in previous answers explained to the hon. Member that no one can answer questions about the scope of a treaty which is not yet in existence, and I must, therefore, ask him not to put questions of this kind prematurely.

As the right hon. Gentleman has not answered this question, may I ask whether it is a fact that President Taft has withdrawn the offer of arbitra- tion of all questions that was stated to be made by the Prime Minister? Is it so or not?

No; I have not heard of any withdrawal.

asked the Secretary of State whether, in his letter of the 27th ultimo, addressed to the Congo Reform Association, in which he states that the information supplied by the Reverend D. C. Davies, was of too indefinite a character, he had also before him letters from other missionaries, corroborative of Mr. Davies's reports, in which definite charges were made and districts given where the cruelties took place; and whether he is now willing to lay the reports of our consuls upon the Table, some of which have been withheld for more than two years, in order that the House may judge for itself as to the correctness or otherwise of these reports?

I had before me two letters from other missionaries, but the incidents mentioned in them did not take place in the districts referred to in Mr. Davies's report. Those letters have been forwarded to His Majesty's Consul at Boma for inquiry. As I have already stated, it is my intention to publish Consular reports as soon as I receive those of two Consuls who are now on tour in the Congo.

asked the Secretary of State whether his attention has been called to the fact that a league has been formed in the United States of America for the avowed purpose of bringing about the annexation of Canada to that country; that the present Speaker of the American House of Representatives as well as other Members, and also Members of the American Senate, have openly advocated this policy; and whether he proposes to take any action to avert this plan for breaking up the British Empire?

The answer to all the questions is in the negative.

Is it not the fact that the American Foreign Secretary would protest at once most strongly if a responsible Minister in this country proposed to annex part of the United States?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to cases in which an appeal to the cow has not been allowed before any farmer has been convicted and fined on the ground that the percentage of butterfat in his milk has been proved to be below the 3 per cent. standard; and whether he will take steps to secure that no farmer shall suffer from a refusal to be allowed to appeal to such a test?

Yes, sir, but the Board have no power to compel local authorities to adopt this practice.

Will the hon. Gentleman take care that no legislation affecting British dairymen shall be of such a character as to benefit the foreign producer?

I will bring the desire of the hon. Member before the President of the Board of Agriculture.

What steps do the Board of Agriculture mean to take to remedy this position which is admitted on all hands to be unfair?

I am about to answer a question on that point.

asked whether legislation will be introduced to provide that no fine shall be inflicted on a farmer for selling milk below the 3 per cent. standard where the quality of the milk as offered for sale is identical with its quality as it comes from the cow?

This reply answers the question the Noble Lord has just asked. This, with other matters connected with this question, are under the consideration of the Board of Agriculture.

May I ask whether, in cases where an appeal to the cow is made, no fine shall be inflicted upon a farmer where the milk sold is believed to be still in the state in which it was taken from the cow?

I have already informed the hon. Member that the Board of Agriculture have no power to compel the authorities to adopt the practice which he desires, and I have also informed him that the whole of these questions and their treatment by legislation, or otherwise, is under the consideration of the President of the Board.

Will the hon. Baronet circularise local authorities, pointing out to them the hardships which may be imposed on farmers unless they are reasonable in the matter?

A circular of that kind was issued by Mr. Hanbury, when he was President of the Board of Agriculture.

Will the hon. Baronet promise that no farmer shall be fined who is willing to allow his cows to be tested?

I have no power to make that promise.

Supplementary questions must not be abused.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture could see their way to have an inquiry into the question of the legal three per cent. basis of butter-fat as to whether or no this is a fair basis on which to standardise the purity of milk?

The Board are considering whether it would be desirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked what are the dates on which the thirteen reports made by the Small Holdings Commissioner in Lancashire were forwarded to the county-council; what schemes have been prepared by the county council or the commissioner to give effect to these reports; and whether any scheme has yet been carried through?

The thirteen reports were sent to the county council at various dates between July, 1909, and October, 1910. The county council made two compulsory orders for the acquisition of 450 acres, one of which was confirmed as to 181 acres, but the rent awarded was such that the council were unable to take the whole of the land. The other order was abandoned, as the council acquired by agreement 165 acres. In addition four schemes have been prepared for the acquisition of 105 acres by agreement. Two of these have been carried out, and in the case of the other two the land has been purchased, but vacant possession has not yet been obtained.

Was the action taken in accordance with any of the reports under Section 3 of the Act, and, if so, with how many of them?

I think my hon. Friend will see that questions of that sort require notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will give particulars of the 181 acres of land for which the Lancashire County Council recently obtained a compulsory hiring order; whether the land had been previously let as a separate holding; if so, at what rent per acre it was let; what is the present rateable value of the land; and what was the amount of the rent per acre fixed by the valuers?

The land consisted of one holding of 120 acres, and parts of two other holdings of 178 acres and 105 acres respectively. The county council have not informed me whether the land had been previously let as a small holding, but will inquire again. The rent awarded by the valuer was 51s. an acre. When part of a farm is taken it is impossible to give the rateable value of the part taken, as it was not separately assessed by the overseers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether the General Reserve of officers is up to its full strength; and, if not, whether he will reconsider the decision, announced in the "London Gazette" of 12th April, to remove a number of officers from the Reserve on the sole ground that they have not reported their address; and (2) whether, seeing that retired officers get no pay for joining the Reserve of officers, he can see his way to alter Royal Warrant, Article 634, which re-quire's them to report their address annually, and to lay down instead that they shall be written to annually from the War Office?

There is no establishment for the 'Reserve of officers. To enable the State to make use of their services on mobilisation at very short notice it is essential that their addresses should be known, and it is held that the best method of securing that the addresses are up to date is that laid down in the Article of the Pay Warrant quoted. In the case under review ninety-five officers had failed to report, and though sixty-three officers reported themselves in reply to an official reminder, no replies were received from thirty-two—these thirty-two officers were accordingly removed from the list.

asked (1) whether, in view of the fact that Colonel Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., is to place his whole time at the disposal of the War Office, he has been asked to give up the ten directorships now held by him; and (2) whether he is to be allowed to continue as managing director of the Army and Navy House Furnishing Company after he takes up his appointment at the War Office?

Colonel Morgan will be required to give up all directorships which do not allow of his whole time being at the disposal of the War Office. I am informed that his directorship of the company named entails merely nominal duties, but should it be found in any way to interfere with the performance of his duties under the War Office he will be called upon to resign it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what kind of directorship it is that entails only nominal duties, and is he aware that Colonel Morgan is described as both managing-director and secretary of the company named?

I have said if any appointment that this officer holds prevents his giving his full time to the War Office and the new duties imposed upon him he will be called upon to resign it.

Is it on account of his financial experience that he is appointed?

Will the right hon. Gentleman extend the same liberty of action to other Civil Servants that it is proposed to give to Colonel Morgan?

This is a retired officer, and the rule has always been that they are entitled to hold directorships. I again repeat if it is inconsistent with his duties at the War Office he be asked to resign this or any other directorship.

Under what circumstances was this officer retired?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he was aware that Colonel Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., whom he had lately appointed to a responsible post at the War Office, was the same officer who, as director of supplies at Pretoria during the war, sold oats at a low price to the farm of which he was manager, and thence resold them at a greatly enhanced price; and whether he would reconsider the appointment of this officer to superintend the management of soldiers' messing; and (2) if he was aware that the Royal Commission on War Stores in South Africa, presided over by Mr. Justice Farwell, reported that the conduct of Colonel Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., who had lately received an appointment at the War Office, in arranging for his brother's employment at a large salary, and also in respect of other matters, was open to grave comment; and, seeing that the Lord Chief Justice, in his judgment in Imperial Cold Storage Company v. The King, said that he could not altogether accept the story told by Colonel Morgan in his evidence, whether he would withhold his confirmation of the appointment until this House had had an opportunity of expressing its opinion on it?

The Report of the Farwell Commission contained comments on Colonel Morgan's action in regard both to the sale to Eloff's Farm and the employment of his brother. The Army Council, after full review of the cases, decided to call upon him to retire. The consideration, however, which moved them to take this course was not suspicion as to the bona fides of Colonel Morgan, such as appears to be implied in the hon. and gallant Member's questions, but regard for the necessity of securing compliance with the Regulations the general spirit of which Colonel Morgan was held to have contravened. As regards the statement of the Lord Chief Justice, it would appear that it was Colonel Morgan's memory of what had passed that he considered was at fault. The selection of this officer for the new post has been made after full consideration of all the circumstances, and no good purpose would be served by delaying the appointment.

Is the War Office still of the opinion expressed by the Financial Secretary that there is no other officer in the Service who is capable of filling this position?

The Secretary of State considered that this officer was the best qualified of all persons whom he could find to fulfil this particular duty, and he accordingly selected him. So far as I have been able to ascertain, he is probably- the best qualified of any officer whom we could find for the purpose of this particular duty.

Was this officer, in fact, responsible for a fraud on the public?

No, I do not think that is so. I do not think it is fair to pursue this officer vindictively. He has suffered very much for an error of judgment, and I do not think it would be right now, in the interest of the public service, to vindictively pursue an officer who committed an error of judgment when he is found to be the most capable person to perform a particular service.

Is it not a fact that when aspersions on this officer's character were published in "The Times" and other newspapers when he was on full pay, he took the first possible opportunity of bringing a libel action against "The Times," and won his case?

I believe that is the case. Colonel Morgan completely cleared his character in the courts of law.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that a quartermaster only on suspicion was dismissed without a pension, and that no right of appeal and no chance to secure reinstatement into the Army is granted to a non-commissioned officer? Why should we not have sacked this man?

As long as I hold my present post there shall be no distinction of persons in these matters. I have said, I believe, Colonel Morgan is the best officer for the post, that he cleared his character in the courts of law, and that it would be against the interests of the public service to pursue him with vindictive hate, and I cannot advise the Secretary of State to alter the decision he has come to.

Is it in consequence of the usefulness of Colonel Morgan in the case of the Imperial Cold Storage Co. v. the King that he was offered this new post?

No; he was chosen because he was considered to be the best officer for the post.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in the trial of an action brought by the Imperial Cold Storage Company, Limited, against the Crown, in the King's Bench Division, in the autumn of 1909, the then Attorney-General, Sir W. Robson, K.C., M.P., now Lord Robson, in his final speech drew attention to the fact that in his opinion the evidence in that case had absolutely disproved any slight aspersions against Colonel Morgan resulting from the Report of the War Stores Commission; if he will say whether this was brought to the notice of the Secretary of State by Sir W. Robson; and whether Colonel Morgan's appointment as messing adviser was due to the opinion that he had been somewhat harshly treated in addition to his special qualifications and ability?

As regards the first two parts of the question, the reply is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question this officer was selected because of his exceptional qualifications for the post.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant H. B. Strickley, of the Army Ordnance Corps, at present serving in the Orange Free State, who has been twice placed under arrest, court-martialled, and sentenced to lose five years' seniority, because he refused to have his four children vaccinated, on the ground that they had been certified free from disease and fit to embark for South Africa by Major Boyle, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and also that he had secured exemption orders for each of them under the 1898 and 1907 Vaccination Acts; and whether he will state under what law or regulation this action was taken; (2), whether be is aware that, during the period of arrest of Staff-Quartermaster-Sergeant H. B. Strickley, for refusal to submit to the vaccination of his children, a sentry was placed over his wife and children by the order of the General Officer Commanding, Orange Free State, and that orders were issued that they were not to communicate with other married families, although they were perfectly healthy; whether, on the day following the promulgation of the sentence of the district court-martial, Major Oldfield attended at Strickley's quarters with a vehicle and party to turn the wife and children out; whether it was only to escape that experience that Strickley consented to have the children vaccinated; whether the children were not allowed to attend the military school at Tempe until they were vaccinated; and whether he will say under what law or regulations the privacy of home life was disturbed by these various acts; and (3), whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the proceedings of the district court martial at Tempe, on the 8th March, 1911, whereby Staff-Quartermaster-Sergeant H. B. Strickley was deprived of five years' seniority for refusing to have his four children vaccinated?

I would refer to the reply to a question put yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty, giving full particulars as to this case. As the court-martial proceedings were quashed, it would not be proper to lay them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council have decided to publish a periodical entitled "The Army Review"; whether it is proposed that this periodical shall be self-supporting; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of expending any such sums on the extension of the Service periodicals which already exist rather than in establishing a, competitive and official journal?

It has been decided by the Army Council to enlarge the scope of the quarterly official publication entitled "Recent Publications of Military Interest," which will in future be called "The Army Review." It will be printed at: the public expense, but it is hoped that the moneys derived from its sale will eventually cover the cost of publication. The advisability of utilising existing journals was fully considered, but it was decided that the purpose in view could not be attained without establishing an official journal.

Who will take charge of the publication?

I cannot say at present, but I have no doubt he will be an eminent and distinguished man.

What are the actual considerations which led to the decision to enlarge the present periodical?

We ask our officers now to keep themselves abreast of modern information in regard to the science of war. The periodical contains many items of interest, and it was thought that the officers could not really keep abreast of the time without having the official publication.

Is it proposed to pay?

No, Sir; it is not proposed to pay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the practice of making an allowance of 2d. per day to gunlayers who had been awarded a good conduct stripe has been abolished; has a similar policy been adopted in other branches of the Service; and what steps, if any, have been taken to give such encouragement to good conduct as was provided by the system which has been abandoned?

Gunlayers, like all other soldiers, at one time drew good conduct pay according to the number of good conduct badges they possessed. There was never any special good conduct rate for gunlayers. On the introduction of service pay in 1904 the principle of giving extra pay in respect of good conduct and of withdrawing it in respect of misconduct was abandoned and has not been re-introduced. This applies to all branches of the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, under the Royal Warrant of 1881, majors in the Army were placed on the retired list at the age of forty-eight with a pension of £300 a year; whether, in April, 1909, that warrant was altered, and majors are now compelled to serve for the same pension till the age of fifty; and whether, seeing that the Amendment of 1909 changed the conditions of service under which officers had joined and been serving for twenty-eight years, he would consider the desirability of making the retirement of majors optional on the terms of the warrant under which they joined the service?

Will the hon. and gallant Member kindly refer to the reply given to a similar question put by the hon. Member for York on this subject on Monday, 13th March, to which I have nothing to add.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how he reconciles that answer with the decision arrived at as regards Territorial adjutants in whose case one day precludes them from participating in the advantage given to those who were appointed after a certain date?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to give notice of any further particular points on which he wishes information. I have nothing to add to the answer to which I have referred him.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the memorandum and correspondence on this subject? A great act of injustice has been done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that, under the scheme of linking Cavalry regiments introduced in 1903, every regiment in a normal cycle of twenty-eight years is intended to receive fourteen years' home and fourteen years' foreign service, that the 7th Hussars have already completed sixteen years' foreign service compared with eight years and a-half at home, and that if sent to India this next autumn they will have served thirty years abroad as against nine years at home, whether he will consider the advisability of a modification of the linking system whereby another Hussar regiment could be detailed for India in. their stead?

I have nothing to add to the reply given in reply to a similar question on the 20th of last month.

May I ask if the officers and men were warned beforehand that they would have to serve thirty years abroad?

I do not suppose it was possible to warn them at that time. I have explained fully how it has arisen. It is regrettable, but unavoidable.

Surely it is not impossible to see that an act of justice should be done to the officers and men.

No, Sir; but the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that what he calls an act of justice would cause also what he would think an act of injustice to other corps.

How would it be an act of injustice to other corps?

How long has the present linking system been in force?

I could not say exactly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what extra daily pay is granted to officers who join the air battalion?

Officers other than of the Royal Engineers who are selected for duty with the air battalion, draw extra pay under Article 187 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc.—namely, subalterns 4s. a day; captains 6s. a day; and majors, it any, 9s. a day.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether officers connected with the Engineers draw extra pay?

They do not draw anything extra.

Should they not receive extra pay for risking their lives?

Well, some people risk their lives like the Leader of the Opposition, and get nothing. I fully admit that this is not a final arrangement. It was an arrangement which was made when the matter was in its infancy. I quite admit that it is not adequate remuneration.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could give the figures showing the population of each of the rural parishes of Scotland and each of the counties of Scotland, excluding towns and burghs of a population exceeding 5,000, for each of the last five Census periods, including the recent Census, and indicating the increase or decrease for each period?

The preliminary report of the Scottish Census, much of which is already in the printers' hands, will, I think, contain the substance of the information desired by ray hon. Friend as regards 1901 and 1911, in a form which can be compared with similar information published in earlier Census reports.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can state the number of emigrants from Scotland that went from British ports to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States respectively, during the month of April, and what proportion of these were farm hands?

During the month of April, 1911, 8,149 passengers stated to be of Scottish nationality sailed from ports in the United Kingdom for ports in British North America, 722 for ports in Australia, 90 for ports in New Zealand, and 3,808 for ports in the United States. Total, 12,769. Of this number, 636 were described as engaged in agricultural occupations.

asked how many aliens are included in the Census Returns for Scotland; and how many annually settle in Scotland?

The answer to the first part of the question cannot be given until the returns of the recent Census throughout Scotland have been tabulated. As regards the second part no information, so far as I am aware, is available.

asked the Lord Advocate if there is an precedent since that of Roger Montgommery for an advocate-depute continuing to hold office and receive £700 a year from the public funds after such depute's election to the Imperial Parliament?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he will state in how many cases have the analyses of milk imported from foreign countries proved unsatisfactory; and what steps have been taken to prevent milk being sold in this country which has either been proved to be impure or which has not been subject to the same degree of inspection as milk produced in this country; and (2) how many analyses of foreign milk imported into this country have been made during the last three years?

I will answer these questions together. Some 140 analyses have been made during the past three years of milk imported into this country. Only eight samples were reported against, and proceedings were taken in three cases, in two of which fines were imposed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether foreign countries have been exporting milk to this country, and whether it is allowed to be consumed here on the analysis which has been made abroad?

The foreign milk imported in this country is mainly used by confectioners, who use it chiefly for the manufacture of milk chocolate. It is superintended on arrival by the medical officers at the ports, and it is frequently inspected on the way, sometimes at Vauxhall and sometimes at Waterloo, both by the local officers and the Local Government Board officers.

May I ask whether the milk can be sold in this country?

Certainly.

Does this analysis include desiccated milk or only liquid milk?

The question refers only to liquid milk.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state whether, having regard to the public health, he will take steps to see that no milk is imported into this country unless its production and inspection are under the same conditions as in this country?

At the present moment the question is not a pressing one, as I understand that milk is not now being imported into this country. I am, however, considering in what way the milk supply of the country, whether imported or home produced, may be further safeguarded.

How many inspectors have we abroad?

At this moment none. The Local Government Board inspectors sometimes when on holidays keep their eyes open.

Do they never look after the milk which is sent to this country except when they are on holidays?

No. They look after the milk brought to this country whenever it arrives here.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the main cesspool at Clock Face, Lancashire, has not been cleaned out for nearly two years; that on 26th April last the cesspool overflowed and flooded neighbouring gardens, yards, and fields, with putrifying sewage; whether he will inquire from the Whiston Rural District Council by what date they anticipate that the drainage arrangements about to be initiated will be completed; and what compensation they propose to make to those inhabitants who have suffered in the meanwhile?

I am informed that, although the tank referred to has not been completely emptied for the period named, it had been kept in working order until last month, when some flooding resulted from the outlet pipe from the tank becoming blocked. I have arranged for the local inquiry into the application of the district council for sanction to a loan in respect of the cost of the new scheme of sewerage and sewage disposal to be held on 30th instant, and I understand that the engineer for that scheme thinks it can be completed within six months from the date of the contract for its execution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Company refuses to issue week-end tickets from Merthyr to Barry, whilst doing so to other towns on each side of the Bristol Channel; whether his Department has any powers to interfere in the matter; and, if not, whether he will seek for fresh powers to enable him to compel railway companies to treat all towns alike?

The Great Western Railway Company have no line of their own to Barry, and they inform me that no application has been made to them for through week-end tickets between Merthyr and Barry. They add that they do not book ordinary passengers through from Merthyr to Barry, but such passengers are booked by the Taff Vale route between those places.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Chambers of Commerce of Merthyr, Aberdare, and Barry have all petitioned in favour of this reform?

That has not come to my notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he was aware that the Prussian State Railway administration are vigorously pursuing a policy of electrifying the Prussian railway system; and seeing that electric railways in Germany will facilitate the supply of cheap electric power to industry and greatly increase German productive power, what steps he proposed to take to confer similar advantages upon. British railway traffic and British industry; and (2) if, in view of the importance of the subject, he would present to the House a translation of the Report to the Prussian Diet by the State Railway administration upon the economy and advantages of electric traction for long-distance railway traffic?

I will answer my hon. Friend's two questions together. I am aware that it is proposed to equip certain sections of main line on the Prussian State Railways for electric traction. I do not think that we have so far any reason to be disappointed with the progress of electric traction in. this country, and the Railways (Electrical Power) Act, 1903, provides facilities for its introduction on railways. But Parliament has not been inclined to encourage the supply of energy by a railway company to other industries. I will see if I can obtain a copy of the report to which my hon. Friend refers, and. will consider his suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister, whether there is any and, if so, what precedent for the appointment by one country of a Committee to investigate its financial relations with another country, with a view to the readjustment of their political and financial relations, without consulting any representative of the other country regarding the composition of the Committee or giving it any effective representation on that body?

rose to reply.

This question is addressed to the Prime Minister, as it belongs to his Department. As a Member of this House I claim the common courtesy of a reply.

I would ask my right hon. Friend (Mr. Birrell) to answer the question.

If it is convenient to the right hon. Gentleman, I. will postpone it until to-morrow.

It comes to the same thing.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to the question.

I beg to ask for a reply from the Minister to whom the question is addressed.

Obviously, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, it does not come within his Department. If he thought it did, I have not the slightest doubt he would be prepared to answer it. The reason why he has asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant to answer it is because, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, it comes within the Department of the Chief Secretary.

The Committee now sitting has not been appointed by the country, but by the Cabinet.

Was any Member of this House consulted on the question of this Committee before it was appointed?

Certainly not.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government accept or reject the unanimous findings of the Financial Relations Commission that identity of rates of taxation in two countries does not necessarily involve equality of burden, and that the true measure of the taxable capacity of a country is its surplus revenue after having provided the necessaries of life for its inhabitants; and, seeing that all Treasury officials and a majority of the secret Committee on this subject reject these principles, what measures, if any, are taken to ensure that the statistics, calculations, and information prepared for the Committee shall be in accordance with those principles?

I am not prepared to discuss the questions referred to in the first part of the question. The Committee will obtain such information as they may think necessary in order to enable them to discharge their duty, the nature of which I have already explained.

asked the Prime Minister whether all the documents and information submitted to the Committee on Irish Financial Relations will be submitted simultaneously to this House?

No, Sir.

I must ask leave later to move the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what time limit is imposed upon the secret ex parte Committee investigating Ireland's financial relations for the sole benefit of the Cabinet; when will the result be communicated to other Members of Parliament; and will it be communicated to all Members simultaneously?

The Committee have not been tied down to any particular date for completing their task. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply of 6th April.

Under the circumstances will the Committee state the financial relations of Scotland and Wales separately while about it?

No; we do not ask for that.

If this Committee reports that it is impossible to devise a financial scheme, will that be communicated to the House?

I think it most probable that the Cabinet would assume then the responsibility of dealing with the matter themselves.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the total of advances made under the Irish Land Purchase Acts, 1903 and 1909, respectively, to the period ending 31st August last, which shows that under the Act of 1903 a sum of £35,292,216 was advanced, as compared with £36,805, the total advanced under the Act of 1909; and what measures the Government intend to take to remove the consequent deadlock in respect of the transfer of land from landlord to tenant occupiers?

The Rules prescribing the procedure and the forms to be used in proceedings under the Irish Land Act, 1909, were not issued until May, 1910. The figures quoted by the hon. Member represent the advances made under the Act between June and the end of August last. In the financial year ended 31st March last the purchase money advanced by the Land Commission amounted to over seven millions, of which over £400,000 was in respect of sales under the Act of 1909.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the average number of years' purchase of rent, first and second term respectively, paid by purchasing tenants in Ireland under the Land Purchase Acts of 1885, 1891, 1896, 1903, and 1909, respectively?

Neither the Irish Land Commission nor the Estates Commissioners, in the preparation of their statistics, distinguish between first and second term judicial rents in cases of proceedings under the Land Purchase Acts. In the tables appearing in the Appendix to the Annual Reports of the Irish Land Commission full particulars are given as to the number of years' purchase in all cases where advances have been made by them under the Land Purchase Acts. In the tables appearing in the Appendix to the Annual Reports of the Estates Commissioners similar information is also given both for "zone" and "non-zone" cases. The hon. Member will also find information on the subject in a foot-note appended to House of Commons Paper No. 90 of 1903.

asked whether Mr. R. E. Hudson, agent to Sir J. Arnott, has signed an agreement to purchase a holding on the Arnott estate, Bandon, which has been in possession of Mr. James Corcoran for over forty-five years; whether Mr. Corcoran paid a yearly rent of £12 for this holding, which the agent proposes to buy over his head for a sum of £141 to be advanced by the Estates Commissioners; whether, seeing that Mr. Hudson states in his purchase agreement that he has been residing on the lands since 1889, inquiries will be immediately set on foot to test the bona fides of this whole transaction; and whether, in view of the policy of land purchase, agents will be assisted to buy up lands which they do not occupy so that they may afterwards let them at a profit rent to tenants?

Mr. R. E. Hudson has signed an agreement under the Irish Land Act, 1909, for the purchase of about three and a-half acres of the lands of Coolfadda on the Arnott Estate for the sum of £141. The agreement stated that Mr. Hudson has been residing on, and in occupation of, this holding since 25th March, 1889, and that there is no other person in occupation of it. The Commissioners have no information as regards the other matters referred to in the question, but when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority due inquiries will be made by them.

asked whether the holding on the Arnott estate, Coolfadda, Bandon, from which Mr. John Desmond was evicted in 1903, remained unoccupied till the sale of the estate; whether Mr. Craig, a sub-agent on the estate, signed for this holding and now proposes to purchase it; and whether, in face of such conduct, an inquiry will be immediately instituted into the methods by which the sale of this whole estate was carried through?

The estate of Sir John Arnott at Coolfadda is the subject of direct sale proceedings under the Irish Land Act, 1909. James Craig signed an agreement for the purchase of his holding, comprising about six acres, for the sum of £259. The tenancy is stated to have been created in March, 1906. The Estates Commissioners received an application from John Desmond for reinstatement, but ascertained, on inquiry, that the holding was a town park, and had been sub-let to Desmond's mother by a Miss Wheeler, an aunt of Mr. Craig the present occupier. The Desmonds tried to get a rent fixed under the Land Purchase Acts, but the case was dismissed, and the Desmonds were subsequently evicted. Not being a case to which the Land Law Acts applied, the Commissioners had no power to consider John Desmond's application for reinstatement.

Owing to the peculiar condition of this estate will the right hon. Gentleman make inquires?

I have already made inquiries into the matter. I will inquire again.

asked whether any request was addressed by the Congested Districts Board to Mr. Shaw Taylor, of Castle Taylor, Ardrahan, county Galway, in reference to the grazing farm at Shegganagh Kinvarra, containing about 500 acres; was the farm offered for sale to the Board; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board communicated with Mr. Shaw Taylor with reference to the farm referred to, and were informed that he did not wish to sell it.

asked whether any negotiations have taken place between the Congested Districts Board and the agent of the Blake Forster estate at Crushva, Towns, and Mount Scribe, representing the Scottish Insurance Company, in reference to the sale of the property; and, if so, what was the result?

The Blake Forster estate, county Galway, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and will be inspected as soon as practicable.

asked whether the Blake Forster estate, Kinvarra, has been inspected by the Congested Districts Board with a view to purchase; whether the Chief Secretary is aware that the estate is one very congested and the most of it held in rundale; and whether, in view of the condition of this property, he will ask the Congested Districts Board to deal with it immediately?

The estate referred to has not yet been inspected. It will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked whether the claims of the evicted tenants for the farm of Ballybranagan Kinvarra, and the mansion and lands of Hermitage, Kinvarra, have been considered; and what do the Estates Commissioners propose doing for them?

The lands referred to are included in the estate of Blake Forster offered to the Congested Districts Board, and will be inspected as soon as practicable. Unless the Board acquire the estate they cannot consider the claims of evicted tenants. The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the evicted tenants referred to from the particulars given in the question.

asked whether a man named Thomas Abraham, Ballymooney, Tullamore, has applied for an advance of £7,000 to purchase his holding at Ballymooney, King's County, on the Digby, Geashill, estate; whether his brother, Frederick Abraham, has applied for an advance of £3,334 to purchase a farm on the Sandes estate, at Kilcavan, Mountmellick, Queen's County; whether he is aware that both brothers reside at Ballymooney, and work those farms jointly as one farm; and can he say, under those circumstances, whether the Estates Commissioners are prepared to sanction the advances above-mentioned?

Thomas and Frederick Abraham have applied for advances for the purchase of their holdings on the Digby and Sandes estates, as stated in the question. The estates have not yet reached their turn to be dealt with, but when so reached the Estates Commissioners will cause due inquiry to be made into the matter referred to by the hon. Member.

asked whether he is aware that the estate of George A. Newcomen, situated in the townlands of Carrowcrin, Lisgobbin, Derrycummy, Culleen, and Ballinaboy, in the parish of Kilbride, county Roscommon, has been on offer to the Estates Commissioners for the past four years, and that the Commissioners obtained the consent of the Congested Districts Board under the Act of 1909 to continue negotiations; and if so, whether he can explain the cause of the delay in bringing these negotiations to a termination?

Formal proceedings for the sale to the Estates Commissioners of 629 acres of untenanted land situated on the estate of G. A. Newcomen, county Roscommon, were instituted in January, 1908. The Congested Districts Board have consented under Section 58 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, to the Commissioners entering into an agreement for the purchase of this estate. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority, but when so reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that negotiations for the sale and purchase of the Downstrands portion of the Marquis Conyngham's estate in county Donegal have been going on for over seven years; that a purchase agreement was come to as far back as May, 1908; that this agreement would have been carried into effect but for delay on the part of the owner in lodging the agreement with the Estates Commissioners within a reasonable time prior to the Act of 1909; and whether, under these circumstances, and in view of the fact that there is untenanted land in this district suitable for the enlargement of holdings, the Congested Districts Board will now proceed at once with the purchase of this portion of the estate?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 4th April. The Congested Districts Board recently decided to make an offer for the Downstrands portion of the estate if they were furnished with the necessary particulars to enable a valuation to be made.

May I ask whether the Congested Districts Board fully considered the circumstances of this particular portion, which is separated from the rest of the estate, and applications for which were forwarded by the tenants seven years ago?

I will consider that case. As I understand, it is that particular portion of the estate which they are prepared to deal with.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken or propose to take in reference to the estate of Owen Phibs, D.L., near Collooney, county Sligo, and comprising the townlands of Knoxpark, Carrickneggatt, Ardcotton, and Kilnamonagh; whether he is aware of the fact that the tenants in these townlands petitioned the Board in February 1911, for the purpose of asking the Board to purchase the property in question; if he will state whether the Board have approached Major O'Hara for the sale of his estate, comprising the townlands of Elon, Largon, Kinnagrelly, and Beela, near Collooney; whether Major O'Hara has agreed to sell to the Board; and, if not, what steps the Board intend to adopt?

The Congested Districts Board informed Mr. Phibs that they were willing to negotiate for the purchase of his estate, but it has not yet been offered to them. The tenants on this estate petitioned the Board to purchase the property in January, 1910, not in February, 1909, as stated. Proceedings for the sale of the lands of Bella and Kinnagrelly, on the estate of Major C. K. O'Hara, direct from the vendor to the tenants under Section 1 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, are pending before the Estates Commissioners. The estate will be dealt with in. order of priority. The Commissioners cannot identify the lands of Elon and Largon as pending before them for sale under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that President Taft has definitely stated that his object is to prevent preferential trade and commercial union within the British Empire, and that Mr. Meyer, the American Naval Secretary, in his published statement has not attempted to deny that America has trebly violated the Bagot-Rush treaty by reason of the number, size, and armament of American war vessels now stationed on the Great Lakes, he can see his way to give a day before Whitsuntide, or immediately afterwards, for the consideration of these questions?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 4th May by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I do not see my way to give a day for the consideration of these questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the expediency of requesting the Leader of the Opposition to demand a day?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been,drawn to the regulations issued by Local Government Board, in which the Board intimate generally that in future, unless very special grounds are shown, they will not be prepared to sanction the appointment to any office, in respect of which their sanction may be requested, of any person who is or has been within twelve months a member of the council making the appointment; and whether he will consider the propriety of adopting a similar policy in future public appointments?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in what he compares the two cases which are not analogous?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to state the result of his inquiry into the allegations against the firm of Messrs. Gwynnes, engineers, of Hammersmith, of non-compliance with the Fair-Wages Clause in their Government contracts?

Many of the allegations which have reached the Admiralty do not refer to Admiralty work, and where they do, the investigations showed that Messrs. Gwynnes have complied with the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that it is the rule and the custom of the building trade at Portsmouth to pay men extra for working overtime, whether worked at the request of the employer or not, and that Mr. Davis, who has the contract for the carpenters' and joiners' work at Portsmouth Dockyard, discharged two joiners from the job 'because they would not work overtime for the ordinary rate of pay; and whether he will make inquiries into this violation of the Fair-Wages Clause?

From inquiries made I find that the rule and the custom of the building trade at Portsmouth is only to pay extra for overtime when worked at the request of the employer. The two joiners referred to were not discharged for the reason suggested, but owing to the work drawing to a close. No violation of the Fair-Wages Clause has occurred.

I can supply the right hon. Gentleman with a copy of the rules, from which he will see that that is not accurate.

I have inquired into this case and seen the rules, and certainly from the document I have seen overtime would not be paid except when worked at the request of the employers.

I will supply the right hon. Gentleman with the rules. I have them with me.

Is not it a fact that the Department always does support the contractors against the men?

No. I can assure my hon. Friend that I investigate all these cases as carefully as I can, and whenever I find the contractors at fault I act accordingly. In this case the contractors have not done anything that they were not fully justified in doing.

Can the right hon. Gentleman describe to me one case in which he decided in favour of the men?

Yes. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question on the Paper I shall be happy to give him a long list.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consult the men at all in connection with this matter?

Yes. I understand that in this particular case the men were consulted upon the point and expressed themselves as satisfied.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the National Telephone Company are refusing to supply applicants with telephones on the Gerrard Exchange, and whether the Post Office is refusing to supply applicants with telephones on the Mayfair Exchange; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to enable inhabitants in the neighbour-hoods of those exchanges to instal instruments?

I understand that the existing equipment at the National Telephone Company's Gerrard Exchange is working to its full capacity; and the same is practically true of the Post Office Mayfair Exchange. New apparatus is, however, now being added at Mayfair to provide accommodation for additional subscribers, and is expected to be ready next month. As soon as the Gerrard Exchange comes into my hands steps will be taken to provide additional accommodation there also. The company state that they are unable to undertake any extension at present.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to improve the postal facilities and to provide telephonic facilities at Mere, in Wilts, in the interests of its growing trade and industry?

Improvements of the postal services will be carried out next week. I am having a canvass made for telephone subscribers at Mere; but am not yet in a position to decide whether an exchange there would be justified.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that all voluntary conveyances in Ireland have to be presented personally or by agent at the office of the solicitor of the Inland Revenue, Dublin, for adjudication before being stamped; and whether, in order to save expense, he will have some arrangement made by which these documents may be sent direct by post to the solicitor of the Inland Revenue, Dublin, and that when the documents are adjudicated on, the decisions shall be communicated by letter to the parties who sent the documents, and that these parties may be at liberty to remit the amount of the duty direct by letter to Dublin?

I beg to refer to the concluding sentence in the reply given to the hon. Member for North East Cork on 13th February last. I am informed that the necessary arrangements for giving early effect to the course indicated therein are now in progress.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state why the preventive men of His Majesty's Customs, Cardiff, when ordered to Fishguard to perform duties in connection with the arrival of the boat from New York, are not paid for the overtime they make to which they are entitled under Paragraph 100 of the Establishment Code; will he take steps to see that when the attendance at Fish-guard, together with attendance at Cardiff, exceeds forty-eight hours in any one week these men receive overtime pay at the usual rate; and will he see that overtime rate is paid when attendance is given between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. at the merchants' request?

The officers receive subsistence allowance while absent from Cardiff and also overtime pay for any work, whether performed at Cardiff or at Fishguard, in excess of forty-eight hours a week. This is all that they are entitled to under the regulations governing overtime pay, including the one referred to. The attendance being required in the interests of the Crown, no charge for overtime is made on the merchant.

asked whether the Financial Secretary to the Treasury is aware that discontent prevails among preventive men at the stagnation in the process of promotion into the class of preventive officers; and whether, in view of the inability to carry into practice the spirit of the Goschen Minute of 1891, he can see his way to recommend that preventive men who have reached the maximum salary and passed a qualifying examination as preventive officers should receive increased pay equivalent to that paid to the lower section of preventive officers?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject addressed to me on 1st March last by the Noble Lord the Member for Newton.

asked what quantity of offal tobacco or snuff is now supplied from the King's warehouses; and at what price is it sold at the present time?

The quantity of tobacco refuse deposited varies considerably from year to year. In 1910 the quantity so deposited, consisting of tobacco stalks, shorts, and offal snuff, amounted to 1,352 tons. The prices obtained vary for the different kinds of refuse and at different ports.

asked whether tobacco extract is entirely prohibited from importation into this country; and, if so, whether, in view of the increasing demand for nicotine for manufacturing purposes, the Board of Customs can admit its introduction under proper regulations?

Tobacco extracts are by law prohibited to be imported into this country, except in transit., but this prohibition is not held to apply to nicotine, which may be imported for home use.