asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will furnish the House with a descriptive list of all the documentary evidence so far submitted to the Committee now investigating Ireland's financial relations?

I do not know what documentary evidence has been submitted to the Committee; and any information on the subject which the Committee may wish to disclose would naturally appear with their report.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistants of Customs and Excise (Customs Department) have reached, by length of service, the salary scale of the grade immediately above them; whether similar conditions prevail in the Excise Department; and whether any steps are to be taken to give the assistants the full status of the grade which their salaries represent?

There are forty-six Customs assistants who have attained the salary scale of examining officers, second class. There is no Excise assistant in a similar position. The question is under the consideration of the Amalgamation Committee, of which I am chairman.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistants of Customs and Excise (Customs Department) are performing the duties of the grade immediately above them, and how many promotions have been kept back by this system of working the Customs Department?

Assistants are liable to be called upon to act temporarily for the grade above them "during times of emergency or exceptional pressure, or otherwise, as required." The numbers so acting could not be ascertained without collecting special returns from every port in the United Kingdom. No promotions to the grade above are being kept back, as there are no vacancies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if, owing to the number of complaints made by the tenants who have signed purchase agreements on the Earl of Kenmare's estate, county Kerry, that Lord Kenmare is not carrying out the terms of the written agreement signed by him, and on the faith of which the tenants signed their purchase agreements, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to send one of their inspectors to inquire locally into these complaints, and if, after having made inquiries in the locality, the inspector reports that the tenants' complaints are well founded, proper steps will be taken by the Estates Commissioners to see that the tenants get the benefit of their agreements; and if they will suspend the collection of interest until this is done?

The Estates Commissioners understand that Lord Kenmare is prepared to carry out the arrangements come to between him and the tenants. The Commissioners will cause inquiries to be made into any complaints when the estate is being inspected in its proper order, and will take such steps as may be necessary in the matter.

asked whether a formal offer has been made by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the Aylmer estate, in the county of Kildare; has the offer, if any, been accepted by the landlord; and if not, do the Estates Commissioners contemplate putting into operation the compulsory sections of the Land Act?

The Estates Commissioners have issued a formal proposal for the purchase of this estate, which has not yet been accepted by the owner, and the Commissioners are in communication with his solicitors on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Lord Kenmare, having in May, 1907, entered into an agreement for the sale of his Kerry estates to his tenants, which agreement contained a clause to the effect that all the turbary on the estate should be vested in the Estates Commissioners for the benefit of the tenants, Mr. Drennan, the assistant secretary to the Estates Commissioners, refused to allow this clause to be inserted in the tenants' purchase agreement (Form F), or to allow a clause relating to the vesting of turbary in committees for the use of the tenants to be inserted in the purchase agreements (Form F); and will he say if these proceedings by Mr. Drennan had the sanction of the Estates Commissioners, and, if so, why the Estates Commissioners acted in this manner without even communicating with the tenants?

The Estates Commissioners were not parties to the agreement stated to have been entered into between Lord Kenmare and his tenants. The proposal to vest the turbary in the Commissioners was not one which could be carried out and the insertion of any such clause in the purchase agreements of the tenants would have been irregular, and the officials were acting in accordance with directions in pointing this out to the vendor's solicitor. The question of the turbary will be inquired into when the estate is being dealt with in its proper turn. Where portion of tenants' holdings consists of bog and the tenants of such holdings had not an exclusive right of turbary before the sale, the purchase agreements of such tenants contain a clause that the management and the disposal of the turbary is to be vested in trustees to be selected by the tenants or the Estates Commissioners, and the Commissioners have appointed trustees for the management of such turbary pending the completion of the sale.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are in possession of about 1,000 acres of untenanted land on the St. George estate, Cam, near Athlone, county Roscommon; whether they have prepared a scheme for the redistribution of this land; whether according to this scheme the whole of this land will be divided amongst about fifteen persons; whether possession has yet been given to any of these persons; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the district in connection with this scheme, especially considering that there are several occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the immediate vicinity whose names have been forwarded to the Estates Commissioners; and whether, in view of these facts, the Estates Commissioners will take local feeling into consideration in connection with their scheme or, as an alternative, transfer this land to the Congested Districts Board?

The owner of this estate has accepted the formal proposal of the Estates Commissioners to purchase 840 acres of untenanted land for the sum of £5,800, but the Commissioners have not yet acquired possession of the lands. The Commissioners have approved of a scheme for the allotment of these lands, and as at present advised see no reason for altering it. They are not prepared to discuss the details of a scheme prepared in the exercise of the discretion vested in them. If the Congested Districts Board desire to purchase this estate, and the owner consents, the Estates Commissioners will place no obstacle in the way of this being done.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he will ascertain from the Estates Commissioners whether, prior to the tenants on the Earl of Kenmare's estate, county Kerry, signing agreements to purchase their holdings, Lord Kenmare signed an agreement undertaking to vest all the turbary on his estate in committees for the benefit of his tenants, yet, notwithstanding this fact, on the maps lodged with the Estates Commissioners over 1,000 acres of valuable turbary are marked as excluded from the sale; if he will get the Estates Commissioners to cause immediate inquiries to be made into this matter and see that this turbary is vested in committees for the benefit of the tenants; and (2) if a memorial has been forwarded by a large number of tenants on the estate of the Earl of Kenmare, county Kerry, to the Estates Commissioners, setting forth that prior to their having signed their purchase agreements under the Land Purchese Acts Lord Kenmare signed an agreement agreeing to vest all the turbary on his estate in committees for the benefit of his tenants, so that all the tenants might be provided with turbary; if he is aware that Lord Kenmare or his agent has refused to provide those tenants with turf; if the Estates Commissioners will cause inquiries to be made into the subject of the tenants' memorial; and if they find that the facts are correctly stated therein, if they will cease to collect interest on the tenants' purchase money until Lord Kenmare carries out his part of the agreement and provides the tenants with turbary?

The Estates Commissioners understand from the solicitor having carriage that the vendor does not propose to reserve any turbary, and that it will all be included in the sale. When this estate is being inspected in order of priority due inquiry will be made as regards the memorial signed by a number of tenants on the estate and other communications received relative to turbary. Having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Commissioners cannot accede to the hon. Member's request that an inspector should be sent at once to inquire into this matter. In the purchase agreements signed by the tenants they contracted to pay interest in lieu of rent, and the Commissioners are under statutory obligations to proceed with its collection.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the Irish Government inquired into the character and standing of the London and Provincial Assurance Company and the Provincial Homes Investment Company before permitting the persons who run them to obtain money from poor people in Ireland under the name of an Irish provident assurance company; whether, as director of public prosecutions in Ireland, he is watching the winding-up of this latter company; how many persons in Ireland are suffering loss through it; and whether any precautions are to be taken for the protection of the public against such enterprises?

I am not aware that the Irish Government made the inquiries indicated in the hon. Gentleman's question, and to my knowledge the matter was not one under the control of the Irish Government or calling for inquiry on its part. I have not been made aware of any case in connection with the winding-up proceedings referred to which called for my intervention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether companies making direct appeal to ill-informed poor people, such as insurance companies, are required, before commencing operations, to lodge any deposit or give any guarantee for the indemnification of possible victims; if so, what precaution of this nature has been taken in the case of the London and Provincial Assurance Company, the Provincial Homes Investment Company, and the so-called Irish Provident Assurance Company, respectively, all run by the same persons; when did this latter commence operations; how many persons have been induced to insure with this company; what percentage of the money entrusted to them has been spent in salaries and expenses; what terms are now offered by the liquidator to the insured; and, if the present law is inadequate for dealing with persons trading on the credulity of the poor, whether any amendment of the law is contemplated?

All companies which carry on life assurance business are, under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, required to make a deposit of £20,000, and all companies formed after the commencement of the Act to carry on one of the other forms of business named in the Act have also to make a like deposit. Of the companies named by the hon. Member the London and Provincial Insurance Company, Limited, has powers to carry on life assurance business, and has duly made a deposit. The Provincial Homes Investment Company, Limited, has made no deposit, and is under no liability to make a deposit. With regard to the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, I am informed that it is being wound up by the Irish Courts of Law, an Order to wind up having been made by Mr. Justice Barton on 24th April last. The date of registration of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, was 6th December, 1900. The winding-up of the company is not under the control of the Board of Trade, but of the Irish courts, and there are no official facts or figures relating to the company in the possession of the Board of Trade. The question whether the law is adequate has engaged the careful attention of each successive President of the Board of Trade, and, as at present advised, I do not contemplate any amendment in the law until the provisions of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, have had a fair trial.

asked whether the Department of Agriculture in Ireland have allotted plots on the model farm, Glasnevin, for the cultivation of tobacco, and whether they are giving instructions in tobacco culture; whether it is proposed to make experiments in the species most suited to the soil and climate of Ireland; and whether the model farm is open for inspection to the public or to the elected bodies.

Experiments in tobacco growing are not conducted on the farm attached to the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin. No necessity for instituting such experiments has arisen as the growers who are carrying out the experiments on a commercial scale now in progress have undertaken to make, in addition, such tests of manures, varieties of seed, as the Department of Agriculture may require from time to time. All experiments are carried out under the supervision of the tobacco expert employed by the Department, who gives instruction as required to the growers. One hundred and sixty-two varieties, hybrids and selections of seed, have already been tested, and several varieties have been selected as suitable for growing in Ireland. The Department are glad to afford facilities for inspecting the farm at the Albert Agricultural College to members of public bodies and others interested in the work.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will arrange that the opening hour of the Botanic Gardens, Dublin, on Sundays be changed from 1 p.m. to 10 or 11 a.m.; and whether he is aware that there is a demand for this change from a section of the people?

The opening of the Botanic Gardens on Sundays at the earlier hours mentioned in the question would involve the employment of additional men at considerable cost. There has not been any general demand for such opening, so far as I am aware, and there do not appear to be sufficient grounds to warrant the adoption of the course suggested.

asked what decision the Local Government Board have come to in the case of Maurice Tobin, Ballinanima, Kilfinane, county Limerick, whose claim for a pension was passed by the local committee three times, but whose decision was appealed against on each occasion by the pension officer?

The Local Government Board do not appear to have received up to the present any appeal in respect of the case of Maurice Tobin, of Ballinanima, Kilfinane, county Limerick, subsequent to their decision of 4th August, 1910. Claimant's family was not traced in the Census Returns of 1841, and he was unable to furnish satisfactory evidence showing that he had attained the statutory age. The Board therefore decided, on the 4th August, 1910, in respect of his second claim, that he was not entitled to any pension. His previous claim was disallowed by the Board on the 9th July, 1909, for the same reasons.

asked whether the Local Government Board has come to any decision in the case of Mary Kennedy, of Knocklong, county Limerick, whose case was pased by the local pension committee at Killmanoch; and on what grounds has the appeal been lodged?

The case of Mary Kennedy, of Knocklong Hill, is at present under the consideration of the Local Government Board. The pension officer ap- pealed against the sub-committee's decision awarding a pension of 5s. a week, on the ground that there is no evidence to show that claimant is seventy years of age. No evidence of age has been produced by the claimant, and the pension officer reports that no record of her age can be traced in the Census Returns. The Board have addressed a communication to the claimant giving her an opportunity of furnishing evidence of her age, but up to the present no reply has been received.

asked on what grounds was Mary Kirwan, of Castlerea, deprived of her pension, in view of the fact that her sister, who is younger, is in receipt of a pension?

The only evidence Mary Kirwan forwarded was a declaration that she is older than her sister, Catherine Griffin, who is apparently in receipt of a pension; but she furnished no corroborative evidence. She could not be traced in either of the Census Returns. The Local Government Board therefore considered they had no option but to disallow the claim, on the ground that she had failed to show that she had attained the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether James Walsh, of Castlegar, county Mayo, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mrs. Du Roche in that county, received so far back as the 29th October, 1907, promises of reinstatement from the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether he will state the cause of the delay in providing this man with a farm?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from James Walsh for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by his father on the estate of Mrs. Hind, county Mayo, and now in possession of another tenant, and noted his name for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by them. They subsequently understood that Walsh was not willing to accept any land unless it was within the vicinity of his former holding, but they have since been informed that he is willing to take a holding elsewhere, and his application will be further considered by the Commissioners in the event of their acquiring suitable untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the books used in national schools in Ireland are published by two firms only; whether there is any, and, if so, what, reason for limiting the publication to those firms; whether he is aware that the favoured firms decline to supply more than one agent in the same town; and whether, in the interests of education, he will take steps to abolish this monopoly?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the books used in national schools are not published by two firms only. The list of the Looks sanctioned by the Commissioners for use in Irish national schools contains the publications of several school publishers in England, Ireland and Scotland. The appointment of agents is a matter entirely in the hands of the firms concerned, and is one outside the jurisdiction of the Commissioners.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of persons engaged in mines and quarries during the year 1910?

The total number of persons engaged in mines in 1910 was 1,078,083, and in quarries 85,837; and in mines and quarries together, 1,163,920.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the new Basha of Marrakesh is the man who tortured the wife of Hadj Ben Aisa, in Mequinez, some months ago; and whether he will instruct His Majesty's representative at Tangier to protest against this appointment?

Such reports as I have received are to the effect stated in the first part of the question, but His Majesty's Government are not in a position to interfere with internal appointments in Morocco.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French Custom House officials in the ports of Morocco are seriously hampering British traders engaged in the export and import of British goods by giving preferential treatment to French subjects; and whether he will cause representations to be made to the French Government with a view to securing equality of treatment for British traders in Morocco?

I have received a complaint from a private source to this effect. I am making inquiries respecting it, as I have not yet had similar information from any official source.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the Consular Report on the state of the prisons in Morocco which was received at the Foreign Office last year, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to urge a scheme of prison reform upon the Moorish Government; and whether he will consider the inclusion in such a scheme of the restoration of the system of prison inspectors which was introduced by the late Sultan Abdul Azziz in 1903?

New prison regulations were introduced into Morocco, which it was hoped would have a beneficial effect. The scheme did include inspection by the medical officers attached to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that under the French monopoly of tobacco obtained from the Moorish Sultan, eleven British families resident in Tangier have been deprived of their livelihood; and whether any steps have been taken by His Majesty's representative at Tangier to obtain compensation for these British subjects?

In accordance with Article 73 of the Algeciras Act, compensation was paid to the foreign firms in Morocco who suffered loss when tobacco-was made a monopoly. If the hon. Member can furnish me with information that in any case such compensation was not-paid to a British subject, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the regulations recently issued by the London Central Meat and Poultry Markets Association have been issued with the sanction of the Common Council?

I am informed by the City Remembrancer that the reply to this question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state how many officials have been appointed under the Small Holdings Act, 1908; what is the total cost of their salaries; and what is the highest salary of those who have been so appointed?

submitted the following officers employed on business arising under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908:—

No. of Officers.		Rank		Scale of Salary.	Present annual cost.
					£
	1	Assistant Secretary	…	£800, after five years £1,000 (present holder receives £1,200)	1,200
	8	Small Holdings Commissioners	…	£800 (one receives £1,200; two receive £1,000)	7,200
	2	General Inspectors	…	£300—£15—£400 (one receives an additional allowance of £100)	900
	4*	Inspectors (Non-established)	…	£350 fixed (one receives an additional allowance of £100)	1,500
	1	Head of Branch	…	£500—£20—£700	560
Clerical Staff.	2	Assistants to Head of Branch	…	£150— £15— £400	414
	8	Second Division Clerks	…	£70— £7 10s.—£300 £10	936
	1	Women Typist	…	20s.—2s.—26s. per week	68
	1	Boy Clerk	…	15s. to 16s. per week	42
	28			Totals	£12,820
* Sanctioned for three years only.

NOTE.—The above statement does not include additions to the staff of the typists, boy clerks, messengers, and charwomen which have been made in consequence of the increase of the work of the Department generally—except in those instances in which the increase has been specificially attributed to the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts. The assistant secretary, the senior Small Holdings Commissioner, the head of the branch and the clerical staff are also employed on business arising under other Acts administered by the Board.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a news message handed in at the House of Commons at 10.35 p.m. on 4th June, addressed to a Cardiff newspaper, was not completed until 12.46 a.m. on 5th June; and, seeing that instances such as this are of

The 4th June was a Sunday, a day on which the telegraph office at the House of Commons is closed. The question probably refers to the night of the 4th-5th July, a time when there was great and unexpected pressure of telegraph traffic from London to Cardiff. One message alone, which is probably that to which the hon. Members refers,contained fifty-six pages consisting of nearly 4,000 words, and was handed in without notice. I am afraid, however, that there was some mishap in the transmission of this message, which caused delay and trouble. The amount of press work telegraphed from London every night at the present time is very great, but I am satisfied that all possible efforts are made to dispose of the work rapidly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a resolution adopted by the Mullingar Town Commissioners with reference to telephonic communication with that town; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take thereon?

I have received the resolution referred to by the hon. Member, and I am having inquiry made in the matter. I fear, however, that the amount of telephone traffic between Mullingar and Dublin is not sufficient to justify the provision of a direct circuit.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the Central Telegraph Office numbers of the staff are detained on overtime nightly up to as late as midnight after having already performed, in some cases, upwards of twelve hours' continuous duty; whether he is aware that by the system of rounding down overtime certain time is worked by the staff for which no payment is made; and will he make inquiry into the matter?

The pressure in the Central Telegraph Office in consequence of the Coronation arrangements was, of course, quite abnormal, and, in addition, the Parliamentary work has been, and continues to be, very heavy. I am glad to say that there has been no difficulty in obtaining willing volunteers to perform the necessary overtime during this period of pressure, and I find, on inquiry, that in few, if any, instances, has it been necessary to retain officers who had asked to leave after completing twelve hours' duty. Of course, in normal circumstances overtime is kept at the lowest possible point. The present system of payment for overtime work, taken as a whole, is, in my opinion, liberal.

asked the Postmaster-General why letters are not delivered to the open air sanatorium at Oakshott Hanger, Hawkley, East Liss, Hampshire, although it has been built four years, is less than 1½ miles from Hawkley post office, is only 400 yards distant from a farm at which two deliveries daily are made, and although repeated applications have been made for letters to be delivered?

I have now arranged For a delivery of letter to be made at Oakshott Hanger. I am sorry that some delay occurred in dealing with the matter, but I am informed that the house was not permanently occupied till February of this year and that application was not made till the 12th May.