asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received the particulars about the trial of Farid Bey which he undertook to procure from Egypt; and, if so, whether he would communicate them to the House?

Farid Bey was tried on 23rd January last by the Cairo Court of Assize, composed of three Judges of the Court of Appeal, who sit without a jury. These Assize Courts were instituted in Egypt by a law dated 12th January, 1905. Farid Bey was condemned to six months' imprisonment without labour. The offence for which he was tried and condemned was the writing of a preface in justification of a volume which contained a collection of poems, some of which constituted offences against the criminal law. Farid Bey appealed to the Court of Cassation on points of law. The case was heard on 4th March, and the appeal was rejected on 11th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement contained in the Report of the Consul-General for Egypt that the Egyptian National Assembly displayed an unreasonable hostility to the Suez Canal scheme, he would now lay upon the Table a translation of the Report of the Committee of the General Assembly in which the reasons for rejecting the proposed convention was set forth?

I do not consider that there is sufficient reason to justify the expense and labour of translating into English and laying the report as a Parliamentary Paper; but I will obtain copies of the French version of the report and of the Egyptian Government's observations upon it, and send them to the library of the House.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—seeing that the report of the Consul-General contained the statement that the Egyptian National Assembly showed an unreasonable hostility—whether it would not be fair to give the same publicity to the report of the Assembly, in order to give this House an opportunity of judging of the facts?

I will put copies of the original version of the report in the library. There would be considerable labour and expense involved in the translation of the report. If this proposed convention were to be revived, I think there might be a case for publishing a translation of the report and laying it before the House, but as it is not being revived we are hardly justified in undertaking the labour and expense of translating it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Baptist Missionary Society in the Congo have for a long time been denied their rights under the Berlin Act to obtain sites for mission stations, whilst Roman Catholic missions are freely granted whatever land they may require; and whether, as the Act referred to guarantees the right to erect buildings and organise missions belonging to any creed, free of any restriction or impediment whatsoever, he will call the attention of the Belgian Government to this violation of our treaty rights?

I have recently received a letter from the Baptist Missionary Society on the subject of the difficulties the society is experiencing in obtaining sites for missions in the Congo. Of course, no improper difficulties should be placed in the way of the society, and it should receive as favourable treatment as any other religious mission. I propose to instruct His Majesty's Minister in Brussels to make representations on the society's behalf.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if there has been a marked increase in the emigration from Ireland in the first four months of this year compared with the corresponding period in the preceding three years; and, if so, can he state if such increase is chiefly to the United States, or to Canada, or where?

The number of persons who emigrated from Ireland during the first four months of 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911 were respectively, 7,619, 10,114, 10,757, and 11,455. The increase is almost entirely due to increased emigration to Canada and the United States, but while the number of emigrants to the United States has increased from 5,435 during the first four months of 1908 to 8,595 in the corresponding period of this year, or 58 per cent., the emigration to Canada has increased in the same period from 866 to 1,921, or 122 per cent.

May I ask whether there is a monthly return of these figures issued in Ireland by the Registrar-General, and, if so, whether it would be possible to make that return available generally for Members of the House?

Well, if there is any demand for it, I will see what can be done.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that one of the causes of emigration is the want of land for landless people, and will he endeavour to make the distribution of land what it ought to be in accordance with the intention of Parliament?

Does the right hon. Gentleman ascribe the emigration to the grave fears of the people in regard to Home Rule?

May I ask whether it is not; the fact that this emigration is caused by the desire of the people to go to countries where there is Home Rule?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received any reports from Ireland that the emigrants leaving that country at the present time are of a more prosperous class than in former years, and are taking with them larger sums of money; and if he can give any reason or explanation of this or any particulars on the subject?

The official information available with regard to emigration from Ireland does not enable me to answer this question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the emigrants are of a more prosperous class than in former years?

I really do not know that there is a class distinction between emigrants. That is a matter which would require careful investigation. At present I have not got the information.

asked whether the estate of the representatives of H. B. Brabazon, situated in the parish of Ballinlough; county Roscommon, has been offered to the Congested Districts Board; and whether, in view of the fact that the holdings upon this estate have been injured by the drainage works carried out on the Dillon Estate by the Congested Districts Board and not continued through the Brabazon Estate, the Board will take immediate action for its purchase and improvement?

This estate has been offered to the Congested Districts Board and will be inspected as soon as practicable. The hon. Member is, in the opinion of the Board, under a misapprehension in thinking that the drainage words carried out on the Dillon Estate have caused injury to the holdings on the Brabazon Estate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that, according to certificates received from the County Council Office, Galway, the amount of land formerly held by the Messrs. Payne on the Pollock Estate, in the county Galway, and now taken over by the Estates Commnssioners, is 409 acres 3 roods 29 poles, and that the valuation of the same is £228; that, according to these certificates the land held by the firm in the townland of Glinsk is 74 acres 1 rood 34 poles, Ardagh 277 acres 3 roods 12 poles, and Ardagh 57 acres 2 roods 23 poles; whether land in any other places besides these formerly held by Messrs. Payne has been surrendered by them to the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, whether he would explain the figures given by the Estates Commissioners that the area of the land acquired by them in exchange for land on the Crofton estate in the county Roscommon is 523 acres and the valuation £326 10s.?

The hon. Member has kindly furnished me with certificates showing that the area and valuation of the lands mentioned in the question are as stated therein, but the Estates Commissioners inform me that the lands surrendered by the Messrs. Payne on the Pollock Estate included the lands of Ballincurry in addition to those mentioned by the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the area of distribution and the valuation?

I have not the valuation, but the area is 177 acres 2 roods 20 perches.

asked the Chief-Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have sent an inspector to inquire and report on the condition of the tenants on the estate of Captain Murphy, at Lullymore, Rathangan, county Kildare; if he can state how many tenants on this property occupy uneconomic holdings; how much grass land Captain Murphy has on his own hands; how much grass land on his property Captain Murphy has let on the eleven months' system; will he explain why the inspector did not visit these lands; can he say whether the tenants will be apprised of his coming in order that they may be able to point out the existing conditions, or their solicitor, who has sent a memorial to the Estates Commissioners on their behalf, will be informed of the date of visit; and what steps the Estates Commissioners are prepared to take to relieve the congestion on this estate and give the occupiers the benefit of the provisions of the Land Act of 1903?

The Estates Commissioners have referred the Papers in this case to an inspector, who will visit the property and make inquiries, pending which the Commissioners are not in a position to answer the points raised in the question. The tenants and their solicitors will be duly advised of the date of the inspector's visit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could say on what date the sale of the Latouche estate, in South Kildare, was sanctioned by the Estates Commissioners; whether the schedule of tenants in occupation, with area of farms and amount of purchase money agreed upon, has been carefully examined; has this schedule been supplied by the landlord, his land agent, or solicitor acting on his behalf; did it include all the tenants, large and small, in occupation of holdings on the estate; if not, why were any excluded; can he state the amount of advance sanctioned for purchase on this estate to any one family consisting of father and son; whether the Commissioners have satisfied themselves that both were genuine tenants and entitled to such advance; and whether care has been taken that the limit allowed by the Act of 1903 has not been exceeded, and that no collusion has taken place between any of the parties concerned with the object of obtaining an advance for purchase in excess of the amount sanctioned by law, thereby defeating the provision of the Act of 1903 limiting the amount of State aid for purchase?

The advances in respect of the greater part of this estate were sanctioned by the Estate Commissioners in March last. The vendor lodged a Schedule of Tenancies in the prescribed form which included particulars of all tenancies proposed to be sold. The case of advances to father and son referred to is probably that of William Ashe and William W. A she, who obtained advances of £4,687 and £7,000 respectively. The Commissioners satisfied themselves by inquiry that both the Ashes were bonâ fide tenants, and that the circumstances of each case were such that the advances applied for should be sanctioned.

Am I to understand that the schedule furnished to the Estates Commissioners of tenancies on this estate contained the names of all the tenancies?

Yes, the names of all the tenancies which were proposed to be sold.

There were some not included in the schedule. Why were they left out?

I do not know whether that was so or not. If any of the tenancies were left out, it would be because the Estates Commissioners thought they could not be treated properly under the Act.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that the land agents in supplying the Commissioners did not leave out purposely the names of about ten small tenants?

I have no knowledge whatever of the circumstances of the case. All I know is that the schedule contained all the tenancies proposed to be sold. Whether some small tenancies were omitted I do not know.

On what principle did they sanction the sale of a portion of the property?

The hon. Member knows perfectly well that it is within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners to decide in regard to a particular holding whether it could be properly treated under the Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say when the loan sanctioned by the Local Government Board will be made to the Ennis Urban Council for the purpose of erecting houses for the working men of Ennis under the Housing of the Working Classes Act?

The Treasury authorised on the 17th instant the issue of a loan of 13,760 to the Ennis Urban District Council under the Housing of the Working Classes Act.

asked how it has been possible for the British Census authorities to give approximate returns of the last Census for cities like Glasgow and other places, while the Irish Registrar General is unable to give returns for Portadown, with about 12,000 inhabitants; and what experience, if any, of Census work this official has ever had, and on what qualification was he appointed by the Government to his present position?

The Commissioners appointed under the Irish Census Act consider that they are not authorised to give any information in connection with the Census prior to the presentation to Parliament of the abstract referred to in Section (6) of the Act. Their preliminary report is completed, and will be in the hands of the Irish Government to-day, which is two days earlier than on the occasion of the last Census. The Registrar-General possessed the medical qualifications which have usually been considered necessary in the ease of those holding that office, and has, since his appointment, discharged all his duties with the most marked efficiency. Like most of his predecessors he has had to acquire his experience of Census work after appointment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that, this official will devote himself to his work instead of going about the country making speeches for the Lord-Lieutenant?

It is a pity that the hon. Member should put to me a question of that sort reflecting on the character of a most efficient public servant who is not here to defend himself. I understand that he discharges all his duties with the most marked efficiency, and I hear from the staff that they are very glad to be under the control of so eminent and energetic a gentleman.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire how often this gentleman has been absent from his duties in the course of the last year?

I will do nothing of the kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he went to France with the Lord-Lieutenant?

No.

Is he aware that he makes speeches once a month for the Lord-Lieutenant through the country?

I must protest against these imputations against an efficient public servant.

asked whether the Local Government Board for Ireland will immediately arrange for a fresh county council election in the Finea division of Westmeath, in the room of the member recently elected and since deceased, in order to have the vacancy filled by the electors instead of by the new council?

The Local Government Board are in correspondence with the County Council on the subject.

asked, having regard to complaints relating to former local government elections, whether the Local Government Board for Ireland will on the present occasion issue positive instructions to presiding and returning officers to allow every candidate so desiring to seal with his private seal the ballot-boxes and the rooms in which they are kept pending count?

No complaints have been been received by the Local Government Board. There is no necessity for issuing any special instructions on the subject as the provisions of the Ballot Act, which are applied to Local Government Elections in Ireland, require the returning officers to open the sealed ballot-boxes only in the presence of the agents of the candidates. An election officer who commits any breach of the above provisions is liable to severe penalties under Section (3) of the Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he is aware that sergeants in charge of stations in the Royal Irish Constabulary are permitted to grant leave to men not required for duty for a period not exceeding eight hours per month; and whether he will advise the authorities to extend the privilege to eight hours per week?

I am aware of the regulation referred to in the first part of the question. I understand that the Royal Irish Constabulary are more favourably treated with respect to leave of absence than most police forces, and I see no proper grounds for extending the privilege as suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sergeants in charge in the larger towns have now the privilege indicated in the latter portion of the question, and when the constables are not required in country districts would it be possible to extend to them at least some of the privileges which they are allowed in the larger towns?

I have had before me quite lately the privileges with regard to outdoor hours which the Constabulary enjoy and I do not think that there is any occasion for a relaxation of the rules.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give this deserving class even one-sixteenth of the leave of absence which is taken by the Irish Registrar-General?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will make an effort to arrange with the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to permit those National school teachers, who so desire, to have a full week's holiday at Coronation time in order to visit London and view the procession, and otherwise take part in the National rejoicings?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on 6th April, the Commissioners of National Education have decided to allow managers to close their schools on 22nd and 23rd June, and on 10th and 11th July. The Commissioners no doubt considered that this would be a more convenient arrangement in Ireland than to give a full week's holiday at the time of the Coronation. National teachers who wish to visit London to view the Coronation procession will have an opportunity of doing so.

Does that mean that all teachers who desire to do so will get leave from the Commissioners if they make application in time?

Yes.

asked whether, where the managers of National schools in Ireland are so disposed, they will be permitted to fly the Union Jack on the school buildings for the day of the King's Coronation?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they adhere to the decision which they arrived at some years ago that they cannot sanction flags of any description in or on National schools.

On this special occasion will the right hon. Gentleman not issue instructions that where the managers and teachers and the majority of the parents of the children attending the schools desire it they may fly the National flag outside the schools?

I think it would be very undesirable to have on the National schools any particular flag.

Did the Commissioners arrive at that decision before or after they allowed certain Roman Catholic schools to have religious emblems in their schools?

I think that the date when they arrived at their decision was some time in 1888.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Sir Alexander Hosie's Report as to poppy growing in the Chinese province of Szchuan has now been received; and whether he will communicate its contents to the House?

The Report in question has been received, and will shortly be laid before Parliament, together with Sir Alexander Hosie's Reports on opium production in the provinces of Shensi, Shansi, Kansu, and Yunnan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has any information as to the Gold Law, 1908, and Townships Amendment Acts of the Transvaal, 1908; and whether British-Indian merchants, and others, will in the future find it impossible to reside or trade in proclaimed gold-bearing areas, Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, etc., by reason of these laws?

I am aware of the legislation referred to. It is provided under the Gold Law, 1908, that no right may be acquired by a coloured person, and that no such person may reside on land proclaimed for mining in certain mining districts, except in bazaars, locations, and such other places as a mining commissioner may permit. In the view of the late Transvaal Government, these provisions simply continued the existing state of affairs, but they nevertheless decided to provide for possible cases of hardship by safeguarding existing rights. In these circumstances my predecessor decided that His Majesty should not be advised to disallow the legislation.

May I take this opportunity of appealing to the House that during the sittings of the Imperial Conference, which commences next week, I may be allowed to answer any questions that may be put to me in writing on the Paper?

asked the Postmaster-General if any action had yet been taken to remove the grievance from which the employés in the Cable Room admittedly suffer in connection with special allowances to which they are entitled?

I am still in communication with the Treasury on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a letter from Mr. Wilfrid Blunt, dated 20th April, formally complaining of his correspondence with native Egyptians at Cairo having been subjected to inquisitorial action, delay, and sequestration during the months of March and April; whether there is any regulation with regard to Egyptian correspondence, recognised by the British Government or the British postal department, which authorises delay in the transmission, the opening, and the non-delivery of letters either at Cairo or in London or on the way between those two places; and whether registered letters between England and Egypt enjoy the same special security against miscarriage guaranteed to those in transmission elsewhere?

Mr. Wilfrid Blunt's letter of 20th April was duly received. He was informed in reply that there was no reason to think that his correspondence was being irregularly treated in this country, and that inquiry was being made of the Egyptian Post Office on the subject. There has been no time for a reply to be received. So far as I am aware, there is no regulation such as that which the hon. Member describes. The Post Office regulations dealing with registered letters sent between England and Egypt are those of the Postal Union Convention, which are the same for all countries adhering to it.

If any reply is received will the Postmaster-General communicate with me or Mr. Wilfrid Blunt?

I will consult my right hon. Friend about that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will endeavour to obtain for the information of the House, in view of the intention of the Post Office to provide post-cards to the public at face value, the number of post-cards passing through the post offices of France, Germany, and the United States, and, if possible, classified, of private origin, provided by Government, and pictorial postcards for the years from 1890 to 1910?

The answer to the first question is that I do not feel justified in asking the Postal Administrations of France, Germany, and the United States to undertake the task of providing the return for which the lion. Member asks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he took any means to consult members of the retail stationery trade regarding the effect of his proposals to supply the public with letter- cards and post-cards at the face value of the stamp upon their trade before declaring his intention?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is successful in carrying out his proposals to give the public letter-cards and post-cards at the face value of the stamp, whether it is his intention to recommend to the House that the stationer postmasters be compensated for loss of business, as the Treasury did in the case of rural postmen on the introduction of the parcel post?

The answer is in the negative. The compensation given to rural postmen on the introduction of the parcel post cannot be regarded as an analagous case.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state what increase of staff he considers necessary to cope with the work of storing, checking, and the distributing of the free post-cards and letter-cards in the post offices, and the cost of same?

I do not anticipate that any increase in staff at post offices will be necessary.

I mean in reference to the work of checking and distributing. I do not mean merely in the post offices.

I will ask my right hon. Friend to inquire into that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that of the 15,822 hours extra duty performed by postmen and sorters in the East Central section, General Post Office, for the two weeks ending 8th and 15th April only 3,300 were clue to the additional staff being under training in the school of instruction; if these officers are frequently withdrawn from their tuition on the midday duty to assist in the disposal of correspondence owing to insufficient staff at that time of the day; whether over 13,000 hours overtime had to be incurred for the week ending 6th May through insufficient staff; and, if so, whether, in the circumstances, the additional staff granted by the Treasury in March last is sufficient to meet the requirements of the public service in this section.

It is a fact that of the extra duty performed by sorters and postmen in the Eastern Central Section during the two weeks ended April 15 only about 3,300 hours were due to fresh staff being under tuition, and to this extent my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 3rd instant requires correction. Officers are occasionally withdrawn from the school to perform elementary duties, but this arrangement is part of their training, and conduces to efficiency. During the week ended May 6 there was slightly over 13,000 hours of extra duty performed by all ranks in the Eastern Central Section of the London postal service, but this total includes all Sunday work (about 1,000 hours), which is entirely voluntary, and extra duty of an intermittent nature which cannot be converted into regular force without great waste. The hon. Member may rest assured that if it be found practicable to proceed further in the direction of converting overtime into regular force this will be done. It is in the interest alike of efficiency and economy that such conversions should be made in every case in which it will not involve at any time of the year men being paid for whom there is no work.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps, either by administrative order or by the introduction of legislation, to make all cases of phthisis compulsorily notifiable?

As I explained in the House a short time ago, I have recently extended the range of notification of pulmonary tuberculosis. Before proceeding further in that direction, I propose to await the results of that extension.

asked whether there have been received representations from local authorities as to the unsatisfactory state of the law relative to sewers and drains; and whether the President of the Local Government Board proposes to introduce legislation dealing with the matter during the present Session of Parliament?

I have received a number of representations of the kind referred to, but I could not promise to introduce legis- lation on the subject this Session. Perhaps, I may say, that the Public Health (Sewers and Drains) Bill, which is now before the House, would, with some Amendment, go a long way, in my opinion, to meet the difficulty caused by the present unsatisfactory state of the law.

Will the Government give support to the Bill?

If we can see our way to getting through a Bill unopposed, naturally we shall be pleased to do the rest of the business.

asked whether the President of the Local Government Board's attention has been called to the action of the Cardiff guardians in handing over a fifteen-year-old girl to a convent institution over which they exercise no control, and where they have no visiting power, and which is not registered for the reception of such children; whether the relatives have been consulted; and will he insist that in such cases the right of entry shall be insisted upon or the children removed to institutions where inspection is allowed?

I am making inquiries with regard to this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked whether, in view of the recommendation made by the Royal Commission on the Poor Law in 1909 in favour of the abolition or reduction to the lowest possible limits of the present practice of compounding for rates, there is any intention on the part of the Government to legislate thereon at an early date?

I am collecting, through the district auditors information as to the extent of compounding for rates. I cannot at the present time make any statement as to the possibility of legislation on the subject.

Considering that the evidence in favour of the abolition of compounding for rates was very strong and conclusive, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give facilities for the introduction of a Bill by a private Member?

Looking at the number of Orders on the Paper, I do not think I could hold out that hope.

asked in how many cases during the past twelve months have analyses been made of dried milk or milk powder imported into this country; in how many cases has such analysis disclosed the existence of impurity or disease; and whether any and, if so, what steps are taken to ascertain the conditions under which such commodity is manufactured and to what extent, if at all, cow's milk enters into its constitution?

I understand that during the past twelve months, twenty-three samples of milk powder have been taken at ports by Customs officials and examined at the Government laboratory. In every case the analysis showed that the powder consisted of genuine cow's milk, either whole or machine-skimmed, from which nearly the whole of the water had been removed by evaporation, leaving the milk solids in a practically dry condition. All the samples were examined for preservatives, but none were found. I may add that, with a view to ascertaining the liability or otherwise of dried milk to contain deleterious organisms, investigations are in progress in regard to a process largely employed in the preparation of dried milks of home and foreign origin.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent the cream or butter-fat of the milk has been extracted?

I think the hon. Member must await the result of the examination which is being made. The report on a matter like that would certainly be presented to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of unskilled labourers employed in loading and unloading vessels in the ports of the United Kingdom, in the docks at Liverpool, and in Manchester and Salford, respectively; the numbers in each case in fairly regular employment; and the numbers that have applied for Poor Law relief during the last three years?

The best approximate estimate which can be given of the number of labourers engaged at ports in the United Kingdom, in the loading and unloading of vessels, including the storage of goods at dock warehouses and wharves, is from 120,000 to 140,000 As regards the other matters referred to in the question, I am not at present in a position to give statistical details, but if the hon. Member will communicate with the Board of Trade we shall be glad to give him any assistance in our power.

asked if Mr. Harry B. Tress registered himself as unemployed at the Islington Labour Exchange at 133, Holloway Road, on 6th May, 1910; and, if so, can the President of the Board of Trade say whether any employment has been found for him through the agency of the exchange since that date?

Mr. Tress first registered at the exchange on 4th May, 1910, and has since been on the register at intervals for periods of varying length. His qualifications have been submitted to employers who had notified vacancies on various occasions, but on each occasion without success.

Is it not the fact that in this time of booming trade there are tens of thousands of men on the register who are in exactly the same position as the man referred to in the question?

I am not able to answer that question. I should have to examine each case.

asked the Prime Minister whether the reasons given by certain Irishmen for declining to act on the Financial Relations Committee were that it was appointed for the sole benefit of the Cabinet, that its ex parte character made their agreement with it impossible, and that its secret character precluded the publication of their reasons for disagreeing; and if he will say how many Irishmen declined on these grounds to act on the Committee, and how many declined on other grounds?

I must ask the hon. Member to put these questions to the Chief Secretary, as the matter is one in which I have no direct concern. As a matter of courtesy, how- ever, I may say that I have nothing to add to the answers already given to the hon. Member on this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the gentlemen who were asked to serve on the Committee were informed in advance of its secret character, and of the fact that only one of the two countries concerned was to be represented on the Committee?

asked whether, as various Reports upon Scottish matters have not yet been published, the Prime Minister will give another day besides the day proposed for Scottish Estimates on which to discuss these matters?

I will consider the Noble Lord's suggestion.

asked whether, under the Government scheme for the grant of Home Rule to Ireland, the Irish Parliament would have power similar to the power possessed by the self-governing Colonies to impose a tariff on goods of British origin imported into Ireland?

As I have said before, it is impossible for me to make any statement on such matters as these.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman considers the question of an Irish tariff was settled at the last election?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked whether the First Lord of the Admiralty will quote the paragraph in Circular Letter No. 140, of 19th December, 1902, which states that the rate of pay laid down in Table C had reference solely to engineer-officers advanced to the rank of engineer-commander under the regulations then in force; whether he will state under what regulations the engineer-lieutenant who is specially promoted to engineer-commander receives the rate of 24s. a day; whether he will state why the rate of pay laid down in Table C of Circular Letter No. 140, of 19th December, 1902, had reference solely to engineer-officers advanced to the rank of engineer-commander under the regulations then in force for the advancement of engineer sub-lieutenants; and whether these officers on advancement were paid at the rate as laid down in Table C of Circular Letter No. 140, of 19th December, 1902, for engineer-lieutenants?

As regards the first part of the question, no statement of the nature indicated was made in the circular letter referred to. When the regulations then in force were altered by the circular letter of the 1st November, 1903, it was then clearly stated that the accelerated promotion temporarily introduced was not intended to carry with it any benefit as regards full pay. The answer to the second part of the question is Order in Council of 24th July, 1901, which was made applicable to engineer officers under the revised regulations announced in December, 1902, by Section viii. of Order in Council of 28th March, 1903. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, it was laid down in Section viii. of Order in Council of 28th March, 1903, that existing regulations for engineer officers were to be applicable to officers under their new titles, except as otherwise provided therein. One of the regulations then existing was that, except in the case of promotion for meritorious service, an officer must serve for eight years on the list of chief engineers (now senior engineer lieutenants) before being eligible for the rank of fleet, engineer (now engineer commander). Officers who have been or may be advanced to the rank of engineer commander after eight years on the senior list of engineer lieutenants, have been and will be paid at the rate laid down for engineer commander in Circular Letter No. 140 of 19th December, 1902, namely, 24s. a day.

Under this Circular will the position not be that the officers will have exactly the same work to do at a different rate of pay, and will this not be a very great disadvantage to the Service? With regard, also, to the answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave the other day, in which he distinctly said that a pledge was given to these officers that they were to have 24s. a day, has not that pledge been broken?

No, Sir. In regard to the first part of the Noble Lord's question it will be quite true that engineer-commanders will in some cases be receiving 18s., and in other cases 24s., but there will be difference of seniority in the Service in the two cases. With regard to the second question, at the time that the pledge was given, the engineer-commanders had to serve sixteen years altogether as lieutenants before they became entitled to 24s., and when the change of the rate of promotion was mad those who were promoted more particularly were told that they would not get the higher rate of pay, but would continue at the old rate of 18s. until they had completed their sixteen years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any report as to the cause of accidents which occurred to two workmen named John Bradley and William Forbes at the new dock works at Rosyth; and what was the nature of their injuries and their present condition?

I have been informed of the cause of the accidents to these two men. Bradley was injured by a travelling crane running over his finger whilst holding on to crane road on monolith staging. The first finger of his left hand was amputated, and thumb and second finger were lacerated. Forbes was injured by rubble rolling down the face of a quarry and fracturing his right leg. I am glad to say that both men are progressing quite satisfactorily.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention drawn to the unsatisfactory nature of the staging?

No, Sir. No report has been made to me that the staging is unsatisfactory, but I shall inquire into the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has yet withdrawn the charge contained in the Admiralty Letter of 17th October, 1908, to Mr. Archer-Shee, informing Mr. Archer-Shee that he must remove his son from the Royal Naval College at Osborne, as the Admiralty had come to the conclusion that Mr. Archer-Shee's son had stolen a postal order from the college; and whether he has in any way expressed his regret to Mr. Archer-Shee or his son for having allowed this young gentleman to remain under serious and unfounded charges for two years and five months?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the statements made by me in this House on 6th April last, in which he will find both a public withdrawal of the charge and an unqualified expression of regret.

May I ask whether it has not hitherto been the practice when an unfounded charge has been made and subsequently found to be incorrect to apologise to the individual personally concerned for any pain, trouble and annoyance that may have been caused, and whether in this case, as the charge was one of the grossest character affecting the honour of an officer in His Majesty's Service the usual apology among gentlemen will be made?

I hardly think that is a proper question to put in the way of a supplementary question. If the Noble Lord has anything of the kind to ask me, I prefer that he should put it on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that when the Panama Canal is opened the whole strategic position in the Pacific will be altered as far as the British Empire is concerned; whether any steps are going to be taken to make Jamaica a proper naval base; whether he is aware that there is on the northern side of Jamaica, near Montego Bay, a perfectly land-locked harbour; whether this harbour has ever been surveyed by the Admiralty; and, if not, whether there is any intention of a survey of this bay being made; and whether there is any intention of recognising the important base that Jamaica will be to the British Empire when the strategic position in the Pacific is altered by the opening of the Panama Canal?

No perfectly landlocked harbour near Montego Bay is known. The strategic effect of the opening of the Panama Canal has engaged the attention of the Admiralty.

asked if any of the floating docks are completed and ready to take in for repair ships of the "Dreadnought" type; and if the moorings for all the floating docks are prepared?

The two large floating docks are not yet completed. The arrange- ments for securing the docks in position will be ready before the docks are delivered by the contractors.

May I ask when those docks will be completed, and if the necessary dredging has been done for the moorings?

Yes. The second part of the hon. Gentleman's question has already been answered. Arrangements will be completed before the docks are delivered. The contract date for delivery is September of the current year, but I anticipate that there may be a certain amount of delay.

Will they be completed before the end of the financial year?

Yes, I hope so.

asked if there is now any dock in the North Sea capable of taking in one of the "Dreadnought" or super "Dreadnought" ships; and if any dock in the North Sea has on any occasion taken in one of these ships?

The only British dock at the present time that meets the conditions of the hon. Member's question is the Hebburn Dock, and the "Hercules" is at present in it.

asked the Lord Advocate when the Report upon the Congested Districts Board, and other Scottish Reports will be published?

The reports of the Local Government Board for Scotland of the Registrar-General for Scotland, and of the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland are already issued, the Report of the Crofters Commission will probably be issued early next week, and every effort is being made to expedite the issue of the other reports. In regard to the report of the Congested Districts Board, I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Ayr Burghs.

asked if an application has yet been made by the Scottish Office to the Development Commissioners for grants for the extension of harbours on the North-east of Scotland; and, if not, when such application will be made?

Applications for grants out of the Development Fund have been made by certain harbour authorities in the North-east of Scotland to the Treasury, and are at present under consideration of the departments interested in terms of the Development Act. As my hon. Friend is aware, certain inquiries have been held, and I understand that reports will shortly be made to the Development Commissioners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether all the small holdings Commissioners at present appointed, or shortly to be appointed, have agricultural knowledge so as to comply with the provisions of the Act?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Are those people supposed to possess a knowledge of the management of land, or the cultvation of land, or both?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, in what counties outbreaks of gooseberry mildew have occurred this season; will lie state what is the extent of these outbreaks; and how does the existing prevalence of this disease compare with that in previous years?

Up to the 16th instant nine cases of American gooseberry mildew had been reported from Cambridgeshire, three from Huntingdonshire, and two from Hampshire. These cases showed merely traces of mildew on the fruit and young shoots. As yet it is to soon to institute any useful comparison between the outbreaks of this and previous seasons as disease has only just appeared.

Is the Board not aware that serious cases exist in Gloucestershire at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a statement from the Automobile Association and Motor Union as to the possible difficulties under the Shops Bill in respect to the hire of motor cars on Sundays; and whether he will deal with the point in Committee?

I have received a statement on the subject from the association, but I am advised that the hiring of motor cars at, a garage would not come within the scope of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any and, if so, how many of the officials of the Board of Education engaged in the preparation of evening school regulations have ever taught in or been responsible for the conduct of an evening school, and during what periods?

The officers concerned are very well qualified for the work they are required to do. An analysis of their qualifications on the lines suggested would not be relevant to the purposes for which the regulations are framed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman then consider that practical experience in these matters is a positive disqualification?

I have never said so. That is a matter of opinion.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in preparing regulations for the conduct of day and evening schools, elementary and secondary, it is the practice of the Board to obtain advice from those who, by long experience as local administrators or teachers, are familiar with the work of such schools; whether he is aware that regulations prepared and published under the present system frequently evoke considerable criticism, and often have to be hastily changed; whether the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education was established by Parliament for the purpose of advising the Board on educational questions; and whether any of the regulations affecting the schools of the country are ever submitted to the Consultative Committee for their advice before publication?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on this subject on 20th April and 2nd and 8th May, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered the last part of my question?

If the hon. Gentleman refers to the Consultative Committee it is quite true that the Consultative Committee was established by Parliament. That is information which is given in the question.

The last part of my question is "whether any of the regulations affecting the schools of the country are ever submitted to the Consultative Committee for their advice before publication"?

If the hon. Member wants a return of the subjects submitted to the Consultative Committee I shall be very glad to let him have it. He will then see the subjects which have been dealt with and which are being dealt with.

Are the regulations included in the subjects dealt with by the Consultative Committee?

The hon. Gentleman must know the subject discussed by the Consultative Committee must necessarily deal with the regulations.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what county councils in Ireland have so far received grants from the Road Board for road improvements; and how many Irish county councils have applied for grants?

All the county councils in Ireland (thirty-three in number) have applied for grants. Grants have been indicated to all of them and details of the proposed works of road improvement are now in course of settlement. In only one case so far has the grant been actually received, namely, in the case of Sligo, the county council of which received £2,000 on the 10th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, on the sale of land by a deceased owner's executors, the officials of the Land Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue are entitled, under any circumtstances, to demand payment of Increment Value Duty in respect of the sale from the purchaser of the property?

The answer to the Noble Lord's question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimate for the current year of the cost of collecting the £50,000 which he expected to receive from the Increment Value Duty?

Apart from the cost of preliminary valuations, which are of permanent utility, the cost of collecting the anticipated yield of Increment Value Duty for the current year will be insignificant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take any steps to safeguard the interests of collectors of industrial insurance companies and collecting societies whose occupation will be jeopardised by the National Insurance Bill?

asked if he has any information as to the number of life insurance agents now being employed throughout the United Kingdom and in Lancashire, respectively; and whether he can indicate how they will be affected by the State Insurance Bill?

asked whether, in making the appointments to carry out the administration of the National Insurance Bill when it becomes law, he will give priority to those agents of collecting societies or any other persons who can prove that they have been deprived of their employment as the result of that Bill being passed into law?

As I have already explained to the House more than once, there is not the slightest interference in the Bill with the work of the collecting societies or their agents.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received, or will he receive, a deputation from the representatives of the societies?

Yes, I shall be very glad to receive any representations.

Would the right hon. Gentleman print the answer with the Votes in order that we may send it to our Constituents?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the societies and companies in question take a different view?

On the contrary, I am quite sure that they do not take that view.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the number of life insurance agents?

No. If the hon. Member puts down a question I will inquire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could give the names and the approximate number of members in each of the societies in Ireland, registered or established under any Act of Parliament, having each at least 5,000 members, which would constitute approved societies for the arministration of benefits under the National Insurance Bill?

It is impossible to say what societies in Ireland will be entitled to become approved societies by obtaining a membershop of 5,000 insured persons under the Bill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the Ancient Order of Hibernians is not included?

asked whether a trade union which, if valued on the friendly society basis, would be found to have insufficient assets to meet all its prospective liabilities would be eligible for admission under the Insurance Bill as an approved society; and whether, if admitted, it would on valuation three years after admission, be required to adopt the financial basis of a friendly society?

An approved society will not be required by the Bill to hold an accumulated reserve against liabilities which are altogether outside the national insurance scheme, or to adopt for such liabilities, the financial basis of a friendly society. For the contributions and benefits provided for in the national scheme, however, it will be required to adopt the financial system contemplated by the Bill, and it will, under the financial Clauses of the Bill, be provided at the commencement with the reserves necessary for that purpose.

Will trade unions be allowed to use for strike purposes the 4d. per week contributions provided by their own members?

If the hon. Member refers to the 4d. per week levied under the Act they certainly will not be able to use that for such a purpose. It must be used for the purposes prescribed in the Act.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the case of unions of unskilled labourers, which cannot raise much more than this sum, and would be prevented from using their contributions for strike purposes?

The hon. Member is quite wrong. They can raise any levies they like for strike purposes. But the sums levied compulsorily under this scheme, which involve a compulsory levy of 3d. from the employer and another 2d. from the State, surely should not be used for militant purposes against employers.

asked whether, under the National Insurance Bill, a woman insured person suffering from scarlet fever would be entitled to sickness benefit of 7s. 6d. per week in cash and medical attendance in addition, whereas such a woman in childbirth would receive only maternity benefit of 30s, for four weeks without medical attendance?

It is not the practice of friendly societies to give sick pay in maternity cases. Consequently the maternity benefit under the Bill (which covers medical attendance) must be regarded as a benefit additional to sickness benefit and not as a substitute for it.

Is not this the most generous scheme of maternity insurance ever proposed?

That is certainly the case. It is much more generous than any scheme of maternity benefit provided by the friendly societies; it is also more generous than any scheme in Germany or any other country.

asked whether the National Insurance Bill would go to Grand Committee or whether it would be discussed in Committee of the whole House?

I will refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Colchester last Monday. The arrangements are still under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he proposed to exclude from sick and disablement benefit those men and women who might be provided with board and lodging by their employers?

The intention of the scheme of National Health insurance is so far as practicable to provide insurance aganst those risks which are not already covered. A person provided with board and lodging by his employer is only excluded from sickness and disablement benefit so long as he is so provided. He is of course, very unlikely to be provided with board and lodging when he would otherwise be entitled to disablement benefit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain to the House the kind of sickness which, being attributable to an insured person's own misconduct, disqualifies him from sickness or disablement benefit?

If my hon. Friend will refer to Clause 13 (4) of the Bill he will see that this is a matter which an approved society will be left to regulate by its own rules. In the actual practice of friendly societies the most usual cases are those of venereal disease or bad cases of drunkenness.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether medical benefit under the National Insurance Bill will include the attendance of a doctor in maternity cases if summoned in an emergency on the advice of a midwife acting under the rules of the Central Midwives Board?

The attendance of a doctor in maternity cases is provided for by the maternity benefit, not by the ordinary medical benefit.

asked whether, in view of the provisions in the National Insurance Bill for the formation of local health committees, the Government proposed to abandon their Health Visitors Bill or to defer taking its subsequent stages until after the duties of the above committees have been defined by statute?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The provisions of the National Insurance Bill do not touch the question of the appoint- ment by local authorities of health visitors, which is the subject dealt with in the Health Visitors Bill.

Will there not be danger of overlapping if another local authority is appointed, and a different body is appointed under the National Insurance Bill?

Not under this Bill. The Health Visitors Bill deals with children under five years of age. The National Insurance Bill does not deal with persons so young as that.

asked by what authority the revaluation of property for the purpose of assessments to Income Tax, which took place in Ireland in 1910–11 was made; how many forms of claim for Income Tax, under Schedules A and B, respectively, were issued in each of the years 1908, 1909, and 1910; and what objection there was to setting out on every form of claim the statute under which it was made?

The reassessment of property in Ireland to Income Tax under Schedules A and B was made in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1853. It is not possible to state the number of demand notes issued. The tax is charged and collected under the provisions of Acts passed from 1842 onwards, and it would not be practicable, nor would it serve any useful purpose, to specify those Acts upon the demand notes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision, because, according to our information, there has been an enormous increase in the number of demand notes issued, and we would like to have the figures?

If the hon. Member will give me any information on the subject, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would be willing to grant a Return showing by counties the amount of Licence Duty paid by hotels in Ireland before the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, came into operation, the amount paid since, and the amount that would have been payable except for the operation of the provisions of Clause 45 of that Act?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available. I may perhaps add that it seems to be doubtful whether this or any similar return would afford any useful comparison, owing to the fact that the definition of a hotel is different now from what is was before the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.