I desire to ask whether the Government Department responsible for this Bill are entitled to put it down for consideration of the Lords Amendments in view of the fact that those Amendments are not printed and are not to be found in any part of the House. I have inquired at the Private Bill Office and the Library in this House, and they have not been received. I inquired at the Private Bill Office in the Lords, and they are not in print there either.

The hon. Member can object, and the Bill will be held over.

I wish to know whether it is in order to put these Amendments down for consideration when hon. Members have had no opportunity of seeing them?

This Bill, I understand, came down from the Lords last night, and when a Provisional Order Bill comes down from the Lords it is put on the Paper as a matter of course for the next day. If the hon. Member or any hon. Member is dissatisfied with these Amendments and desires that they shall not be taken now, of course, he can object, and they will go over.

I do not know whether I am satisfied or not. I do not know what the Amendments are, and I have no way of finding out. What I submit is that before a Bill is set down for the consideration of Amendments hon. Members ought to have an opportunity of seeing those Amendments.

The best way is for the hon. Member to object, and then the Bill can stand over until to-morrow, and then the Amendments may be available. The hon. Member will see that I and the Clerks at the Table have no option in the matter. The Bill comes down from the House of Lords. It is sent by the Clerk of the House of Lords, and as soon as it is received it must be put down. We have no option of delaying the Bill even if we desired to delay it. It must be put down, and it appears on the Paper the next day. It is always open for hon. Members to object.

Then I object.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether an agreement regarding Pacific sealing has been completed between the Powers concerned; and, if so, whether he will communicate its terms to the House?

The Convention has been signed. It will be laid before Parliament as soon as the Powers who are parties to it have agreed upon a date for its publication.

asked whether the right hon. Baronet had yet discovered if Miss Malecka is a British subject, and, if so, seeing that in Russia the period of preliminary investigation sometimes lasts as long as 2½ years, and seeing that this lady has already been three months in prison without trial, whether he will now take the necessary steps to get the matter dealt with and instruct the Consul-General to see that she is properly represented by counsel at her trial?

Miss Malecka is undoubtedly a British subject, in contemplation of English law; but whether she is a Russian subject, in contemplation of Russian law, depends on the result of certain investigations which the Russian Government have been asked to make. His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has been instructed to represent to the Russian Government that she should not be kept in prison without trial and without furnishing particulars of the charge against her, and to urge the desirability of bringing her to a trial at which she will be allowed counsel to defend her, and at which His Majesty's Consul will be given facilities to attend, or else that she should be released and required to quit Russia.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would state on what day Miss Malecka was arrested in Warsaw; whether the British Consul at Warsaw at once applied for permission to visit her; whether such permission was first granted and afterwards withdrawn; on what day the Consul was at last allowed to see her; how long the visit lasted; and whether, pending her trial or release, the Government will obtain permission both for the British Consul and her friends to have other interviews with her?

As regards the first point, I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply returned by the right hon. Member for the St. Rollox division of Glasgow to a question asked by him on the 11th instant on behalf of the hon. Member for North Norfolk. As regards the second point, His Majesty's Consul applied for permission to visit Miss Malecka as soon as he heard of her arrest. The answer to the third point is in the affirmative. The Consul visited Miss Malecka on the 23rd of June, but I have no precise information as to how long the visit lasted. As regards the two remaining points, I have nothing to add to the reply just returned to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrews Burghs.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will urge that the conversations between the British Consul and Miss Malecka should be carried on in English and not in German?

I do not know that that is very important so long as the conversations are carried on in a language which both of them thoroughly understand.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is not. made a precedent in future cases?

If the question of nationality was decided we should insist that the conversations should be carried on in English.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he has received a full report of the interview from the British Consul?

I have received a report and I gave the substance of it on Tuesday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that this lady knows German well?

The Consul in his report does not say that there was the least difficulty in communicating in German. The conversations might also have taken place in Russian or Polish. There was an interpreter present.

Will further visits be allowed to this lady from her legal advisers pending her trial?

I can only say that I have given the purport of the representations we have made to the Russian Government on this subject, and I think my hon. Friend will find that it covers those points when he reads the answer.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has applied to the Russian Government for full particulars of the charge in respect of which Miss Malecka had now been kept for three months in solitary confinement without trial; and whether, in the event of no satisfactory particulars' being furnished to him by the Russian Government, he will press for her immediate release?

I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply returned to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrews Burghs, showing the most recent steps which have been taken at St. Petersburg with regard to this matter.

Do I understand that at present no representations have been made to the Russian Government asking for her deportation or release and that this will be asked for unless a satisfactory answer is received?

The hon. Member cannot have heard my answer to the hon. Member for St. Andrews Burghs. I will read the answer again. [The right hon. Gentleman repeated the answer already reported.]

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can state whether he has any official information showing that America has made any representations to Germany with regard to their occupation of Agadir, on the ground that its occupation by her would be prejudicial to the interests of the Panama Canal?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether this country has yet given full recognition to the Portuguese Republic; and, if not, will he state the reason way?

It would be contrary to precedent for His Majesty's Government to recognise the Portuguese Republic before a new Constitution has been definitely set up.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that between ten and eleven p.m. on Easter Monday a man accompanied by his wife entered the licensed premises of Mr. Thomas Cloonan, 68, Lower George's Street, Kingstown, and were both refused drink upon the ground that the man was already under the influence of drink; that they were subsequently brought back to the licensed premises by a sergeant of police, who was assured that no drink had been supplied, and that notwithstanding this assurance Mr. Cloonan was summoned for permitting drunkenness; and whether, having regard to the statement of the magistrate that the case was one which ought not to have been brought, he will cause an instruction to be issued to the police authorities instructing them to make more careful inquiries in licensing cases in future before allowing summonses to issue?

I am informed that the police found a man named Lewis, who was already under the influence of drink, and his wife on the licensed premises referred to. There was reason to believe that they had been supplied with drink. Mr. Cloonan was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his premises, and the case against him was dismissed and Lewis fined 5s. The magistrate when hearing the case did not make the statement attributed to him in the question. The police authorities were satisfied that it was a proper case to bring into court.

asked what reply has been received from the owner of the F. G. Williams estate, near Mastergeehy, county Kerry, with respect to the negotiations for the purchase of the property by the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board are in correspondence with the owner regarding this estate, and they understand that the documents necessary for a sale are being prepared for lodgment with them.

asked when the Estates Commissioners propose to inspect the farm of Thomas Gill, an evicted tenant, on the Orpen estate, Kilgarvan, and to make an offer of purchase to the landlord who has the holding at present in his own hands, and who is willing to sell it to the Estates Commissioners, with a view to the reinstatement of this evicted tenant?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question on this subject on 6th April last. This estate is on the Principal Register of Direct Sales, and the Estates Commissioners are not in a position at present to say when it will be reached.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have been communicated with regarding the Boyd estate, at Duncormack, South Wexford, which is lying derelict; and whether any negotiations have been entered into with the owner with a view to purchase the estate and divide it amongst the labourers and persons in that neighbourhood with uneconomic holdings?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts, nor from the particulars given can they trace any correspondence on this subject.

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 there is 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.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement contained in the question, that nearly 1,000 acres are to be divided amongst fifteen people, is a fact?

I can only say 848 acres is the amount of land the owner has agreed to sell to the Estates Commissioners?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the assistant mistress of Currigbyrne national school, South Wexford, has been notified that the salary is withdrawn in consequence of the average attendance for the quarter ending 31st March falling two below what is considered sufficient, whilst the average attendance for the year ending 31st December, 1910, was up to the requirement; and whether, as a swing of ten in the average attendance has been allowed with reference to assistant masters, he will see that a swing of at least five shall be allowed in the case of assistant mistresses, as many of them are at present losing their employment?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the grants to the junior assistant mistress of the school mentioned, which were withdrawn from 31st March, 1911, owing to the decline in the number of pupils in average attendance, have now been restored, as it appears from the returns for the June quarter, 1911, that the attendance has recovered, and is again sufficient for the continued recognition of the teacher in question. The restoration of the grants takes effect from 1st April, 1911, and as the teacher has continued to serve in the school no loss of salary has occurred. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question of the hon. Member for North Westmeath on this subject on 15th June.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that in twenty-five cases at the recent Louth Assizes, in which persons were charged with corrupt and illegal practices at the last North Louth election, the trials were adjourned on the application of counsel for the Crown, and without any previous notice to the persons charged or their advisers; whether he is aware that one of the results of such adjournment, which was granted after considerable expense had been incurred by the accused in payments to counsel and otherwise in preparation for their defence, will be to compel them to incur all such expense afresh, though many of them are poor men; and whether, under these circumstances, he proposes to take any, and, if so, what, steps to prevent such avoidable oppression?

I am informed that the cases referred to in which bills of indictment were found by the Grand Jury were adjourned on the application of the Crown made on the ground that a fair and impartial trial could not be had at the Assizes. Notice of the application was given at the first possible moment, namely, when the bills were found by the Grand Jury. The application was unavoidable on the part of the Crown, and the course taken was the usual and proper one. There is no foundation for the suggestion that the proceeding was either harsh or unfair.

Is it not the usual practice, when an application of this kind for adjournment has to be made, to give private notice to the persons concerned for the defence, although notice cannot be formally given?

Notice was given at the first possible moment.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the question I put to him. Under the circumstances mentioned here is it not the usual practice to give private notice to the persons concerned for the defence, and that not having been done has not an injustice been inflicted on these persons?

Notice could not be given until Bills were found by the Grand Jury, and immediately Bills were found notice was given.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the question. Perhaps he does not understand it, and, if I am not trespassing on the time of the House, I will ask it again.

Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down. It is evident the hon. Gentleman who has undertaken to reply cannot be expected to know.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland upon what grounds the Local Government Board (Ireland) have decided that James Farrell, of Spencer Street, Castlebar, is not entitled to an old age pension; is he aware that no record of Farrell's age can be found in the Census returns or parish registers of his native place, but that according to his Army papers he was seventy years old in 1910; can he state why the Local Government Board have impounded Farrell's Army papers, and will he direct that these documents shall be returned to Farrell forthwith?

The only evidence put forward by the claimant to show that he fulfilled the statutory condition as to age were the Army papers referred to, but the Local Government Board asked him for a baptismal certificate, which they understood could be obtained from the parish records. Farrell made no effort to obtain a certificate, choosing to rely solely upon the record of his statement to the Army authorities regarding his age made when he enlisted in 1859, which statement was presumably accepted without verification. He also mentioned two different places for his birth, and as he could not be traced in the Census Returns, and as the pension officer reported that he did not appear to be seventy years of age, the Board were not satisfied that he had attained the statutory age, and disallowed his claims. In the event of a fresh claim coming before the Board on appeal, further investigation will be made into the case. In the meantime his papers have been returned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Roscommon County Council in which a claim for the removal of extra police stationed in that county has been based on the very peaceable con- dition of all parts of that county; and whether, in view of this fact and of this expression of opinion from the elected representatives of the ratepayers, immediate steps will be taken to relieve the people of the liability incurred owing to the presence of extra police?

The resolution referred to has been received. The police authorities hope shortly to be able to effect a substantial reduction in the number of extra police employed in the county.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State in Council has yet decided in regard to the scheme for the reorganisation of the Political Department of the Government of India; and, if so, whether that decision has been communicated to the Government of India, and when its details will be made known?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer this question. The Secretary of State in Council has approved general lines of reorganisation for the Indian Political Department, and his decision has been conveyed to the Government of India, who are now engaged in working out the details. I hope that it will be possible to make these public at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the trial at the Nakuru High Court, British East Africa, of the Honourable G. Cole for murdering a native; whether he has observed that the accused person admitted having shot the man, in spite of which the jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned to court with the verdict of not guilty; and whether he has received any communication from Nairobi or has made or proposes to make any representations to the British East African Government on the subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which the Secretary of State for the Colonies gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Leeds, stating that a report was coming from the Governor.

Has not the Report been actually received, and has it not been in the hands of the Colonial Office for some considerable time?

I do not think that can be so, according to the answer of my right hon. Friend. The answer was:—

"The Governor of the East Africa Protectorate is sending a full report on the matter, and pending the receipt of his despatch, I think it would be premature to make any statement."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th July, 1911, col. 368.]

May I ask whether he questions the justice of the jury's decision?

It is not for me to say. I could not possibly answer a question of that kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware Mr. Cole admitted he killed the man?

I think we had better wait for the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of the loyal address to the King from the Trinidad Working Men's Association, in which they pray for extended powers of self-government for the people of Trinidad; and whether he can show his appreciation of their professions of loyalty by taking the necessary steps to grant a more representative system of government?

The address to which my hon. Friend refers has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that both the elected members of the Malta Executive Council and six out of the eight elected members of the Legislative Council have again resigned their seats; whether, in face of this latest evidence of the dissatisfaction of the people of Malta with their system of representative government, he will now consider the desirability of some alteration?

Six of the elected members of the Legislative Council of Malta (including one member of the Executive Council) have resigned. As to an alteration in the Constitution, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary of State's reply to his question of the 4th instant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when his right hon. Friend is going to cease replying in this stereotype manner? Is there never going to be a time when we get a satisfactory answer?

I saw the reply that the right hon. Gentleman gave, and I do not think there is anything to add to it.

asked whether a military officer holding the rank of major has been appointed to the Governorship of Mauritius; if so, is the appointment caused by a lack of officials in the Colonial Service of sufficient character and ability to fill the appointment; and what are the emoluments attaching to the office?

Yes, Sir. After most careful consideration the Secretary of State for the Colonies recommended to His Majesty an officer whom he considers in all respects fitted for a very difficult and responsible post. It must be understood that a Governorship lies quite outside of the ordinary course of promotion in the Colonial Service. The salary of the office will be in future Rs.50,000, of which Rs.10,000 are to be an entertainment allowance, drawn by the officer Administering the Government in the Governor's absence from the colony.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Colonial Office considered the disappointment that an outside appointment of this sort causes among all the senior officers in the Colonial Service who have given the best years of their lives to the Service and also the discouragement to good men from entering a Department where seniority counts for so little?

I will represent to my right hon. Friend what the hon. Gentleman has said. I cannot say more myself.

Has the Governorship any relation to the ordinary official work of the Colonial Office, or any connection whatever with the course of promotion?

The answer I read says, "a governorship lies quite outside the ordinary course of promotion in the Colonial Service."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Clifford Lloyd—not a member of the Civil Service, but an ex-Irish Resident Magistrate—was appointed to a Governorship in the Mauritius, and hon. Members above the Gangway did not object to that.

Does the salary, as stated, represent a reduction on the former salary, and are the recommendations of the Royal Commission in regard to economy going to be carried out?

Speaking from recollection, I believe the salary does represent a large reduction on the previous salary, and the presumption is that that means that economies are to be effected.

Is the statement that Governorships lie outside the scope of the Colonial Service to be accepted as a recognised dictum in future?

It is not outside the scope of the Colonial Service; it is within it. The words I have read out are that it lies outside the ordinary course of promotion. I think a Governorship must be so regarded.

asked what progress has been made by His Majesty's Government in their communication with the Government of Portugal with regard to the incidence of the Portuguese tariff on British goods, more particularly with regard to pneumatic tyres, cycles, and motorcycles of British make?

Communications are still proceeding between His Majesty's Government and the Portuguese Government, but no-conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the practice at the Bristol post office with regard to date-stamping letters received there; and whether the practice at the Bristol post office differs from that obtaining in London and elsewhere?

The back stamping of inward letters received at Bristol is sus- pended from the time of the last delivery at night until after the first delivery in the morning. The arrangement is a common one.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has seen an appeal issued in. Birkenhead for a sum of £11,000 to be spent on the following seven schools: Holy Trinity, St. Anne's, St. Catherine's, St. James's, St. Mary's, St. Paul's, and St. Peter's; whether he has also seen the statement that the Board of Education has given assurances that if this sum is spent there will be no need for any more money to be spent for a good many years to come; will he communicate to the House the exact terms of the alleged assurance; whether he has seen the reports of His Majesty's inspectors on the structural defects of the said schools; and whether he is satisfied that the expenditure of £11,000 will completely remove all those defects?

I have not seen the appeal referred to, but the seven schools in question require improvement. I am aware of the terms of the inspector's reports on the premises. On the 18th March, 1911, the Birkenhead branch of the Chester Diocesan Association informed the Board that they intended to raise a large sum of money and expend it upon the schools if they could be assured that the work which they should do would be regarded as permanently satisfying the requirements of the Board. The Board replied on the 31st March that while they could not, of course, pledge themselves to recognise any school for a fixed term of years, they would not approve any plans without satisfying themselves that the proposed alterations would render the premises satisfactory for a reasonable period, and that the managers would be well advised in embarking upon the expenditure which might be necessary. Until specific proposals and plans are submitted by the managers, it will be quite impossible to judge whether their proposals are satisfactory and adequate.

asked the President whether his attention has been called to the case of the children of Mr. Hayzen, 16, Revesby Street, Walworth, who, after having attended the King and Queen Street London County Council school, are now excluded on account of the refusal of their parents to have them medically inspected under Section 13 of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act or under The Children Act, 1908; whether the ground of the refusal of admission is reasonable within the meaning of the Code; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure the readmission of these children?

My attention was first called to the case by the hon. Member's question. I have made inquiries, and am informed that the children in question were excluded under Section 122 of the Children Act, 1908, because they were verminous. It appears from the information furnished to me that the children were not excluded on account of the refusal of the parents to have them medically inspected, but that the parents were informed that the children could only be re-admitted if a satisfactory medical certificate was furnished in respect of their cleanliness, or if they were found to be clean by the school nurse. On the information at present before me I do not think that any occasion for the interference of the Board has arisen, but I will make further inquiries.

Is there any power of prosecuting in such a case?

I do not know.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the memorandum published on 15th May by the Manchester Education Committee was sent to him; and, if so, whether he noted the protests in the memorandum and can cause any repudiation of the incorrect statements contained in the Holmes circular with regard to local inspectors and elementary school teachers.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirma- tive. With regard to the rest of the question I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29th March to the hon. Member for the Southern Division of Salford.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would state upon what grounds legal, or constitutional, provisions were introduced into the secondary school regulations of 1907, making grants conditional upon the observance of various prohibitions against denominational religion in connection with teaching, teachers, and governing body; and why under the secondary school regulations now in force no grant whatever is to be given to any new school unless it conforms to the undenominational requirements of the regulations?

I am advised that there is no legal or constitutional objection to the provisions referred to in the first part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question. The point raised in the second part of the question involves a matter of policy, which cannot be disposed of within the limits of question and answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Admiral Bridgeman, as commander-in-chief of the Home Fleet, is the man on whom will depend in war our defence against invasion and starvation, he will ascertain whether the Declaration of London has his full approval?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord on 6th July.

Why not have a Memorandum, as in the case of the Army? Is the right hon. Gentleman afraid to have these opinions published?

A series of questions have been put regarding this Memorandum, and I must refer the hon. Member to the answers already given.

There has been no answer to this question?

Yes

I say no.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any indication as to what decision has been arrived at by the Development Grant Commissioners with regard to the applications from the authorities of the ports of St. Andrews, Anstruther, Pittenween and St. Monans, respectively; and whether he can state when a decision is likely to be come to?

The applications referred to in the question have not at present reached the Development Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of Exchequer whether he is aware that an Irish farmer who improves his holding by putting up farm buildings, hay barns, etc., is liable to have his rates increased on his own improvements, even though they are paid for by money borrowed from the Board of Works; and whether, with a view to prevent a restriction of the employment of labour, he will consider the advisability of devising some other method of taxation whereby an improving tenant or occupying owner is not so heavily taxed on his own improvements?

My right hon. Friend cannot make any statement with regard to measures for the relief of rates in anticipation of the report of the Committee now considering the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that United States Government Two per Cent. Stock is now quoted at 100 and Consols at 79; whether he is aware that in the seventies the United States had to borrow at 5 per cent., while Consols returned 3¼ per cent.; and if he can give any reason for the change in the credit of the two countries?

As the National banks in the United States are compelled to deposit with the Treasury Government bonds as part security for their capital, as full security for Government moneys deposited with them, and as a full equivalent for every bank note issued to them, the Government has been able to issue two per cent, bonds at par, the greater portion of such bonds being necessarily acquired for banking purposes. An issue of fifty million dollars of Panama Canal Bonds Three per cent, has just been made by the Government at an average premium of 2½ per cent. These bonds have no circulation privilege but may be held as collateral security by the banks against Government deposits. For this reason, the price realised, even in the case of these bonds, is probably in excess of their value upon a purely investment basis. That the United States Government had to borrow in the 'seventies at 5 per cent, is not surprising seeing that the Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865 and that the total Public Debt increased from £13,509,000 on the 30th June, 1860, to £577,758,000 six years later. It has now been reduced to about £200,000,000, and the improvement in public credit reflects the stronger financial position of the Government, as compared with 1866. Any comparison of the public credit of the United States with that of this country at the present time on the basis of the current market prices of the respective securities would be misleading owing to the special circumstances affecting the market for United States Bonds to which I have referred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he was aware that a request from the Census enumerators of certain parts of Portsmouth was first forwarded to the Registrar-General, who regretted he was unable to acceds thereto in consequence of Treasury regulations, and that on the Treasury being approached the officials declined to deal with the matter but referred the applicants to the registrar; and if he would give instructions that the request of these enumerators should be attended to and considered?

The scale of allowances was fixed by regulation made under the Census Act and approved by the Treasury. Any representations on the subject of the scale should be made to the Registrar-General, who will exercise his discretion as to dealing with them

May I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement made in the question that a request was made to the Registrar and that he referred it to the Treasury, and that the Treasury referred it back to the Registrar, and can he suggest any course which was open to these gentlemen to obtain an answer to their question?

As a matter of fact the question does not state what the request of these petitioners had reference to. But I made inquiries into the facts, and I understand it had reference to the scale of payment desired. The Registrar-General has got a scale laid down by the regulations which he ought to apply. If there was any reason for a departure from that scale he ought to have made application to the Treasury for leave to depart from that scale. Any application to that effect would have been considered. No application to that effect has been received.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in view of the evidence of the Secretary of State for War before a Select Committee on the Employment of the Military in Case of Disturbance, issued by the War Office, 17th December, 1908, that the King's Regulations cannot repeal the common law; that he proposed to revise the King's Regulations to make it clear that they are in accordance with the common law; and that there is no statutory authority that he knew of anywhere to alter the common law by the King's Regulations and that he thought it should be made perfectly clear that the two do remain consistent, he will say why that opinion is not made applicable to the Vaccination Act, 1907, in the case of the exempted children of His Majesty's soldiers?

I assume that my hon. Friend is alluding to the regulations regarding the vaccination of the families of soldiers residing in barracks. Such residence is a privilege, and in order to obtain the privilege the families must conform with the regulations which the Army medical authorities consider necessary for the protection of the troops from infection. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, there does not appear to be any infringement of the common law by the regulation in question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that there was any infringement of the Statute?

No, I do not admit any infringement of any law.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that those units who have volunteered for duty in Edinburgh during the forthcoming visit of His Majesty, in addition to having to pay the hire of horses, pay of men, railway journey, forage and rations of both horses and men, have also been informed that they must pay the hire of camping grounds, extension of water supplies, all engineer services, including water troughs and ablution tables, but also all sanitary services, including the freight of latrine screens from Stirling, and all camp equipment, including tents and head ropes from the ordnance; and whether, seeing that the cost to regiments will be several hundreds of pounds for railway and maintenance, he can see his way to defraying the cost of freight of ordnance and engineer stores out of public funds, and their erection where necessary?

Inquiry is being made with a view to seeing whether anything can be done towards meeting part of the expenses referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain commanding officers, in order to have the privilege of attending, willingly made certain bargains, and they are asked to pay these things at the end?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable to provide individuals in Scotland with part of these expenses in order that His Majesty may be properly received by the loyal inhabitants?

The question referred to those units who volunteered of their own free will to come to Edinburgh on this occasion. It does not apply to those who were formally invited or ordered to attend. It is only those who volunteered to come.

May I ask whether in view of the fact that these regiments have already made considerable sacrifices in order to perform this duty, he cannot see his way to bear the whole of these expenses?

I have said inquiries are being made in order to see if anything can be done to meet part of the expenses. It would not be reasonable to bear all the expenses, nor is that asked for. Certain troops were invited, and others were ordered; but it is to those who volunteered that I am referring.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the regiments outside the locality who were ordered or invited to attend?

No, Sir. I think the Noble Lord refers to his own regiment. It was not invited, but he was good enough to express an intention to come.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the volunteers in Edinburgh get precisely the same terms as those in London?

Certainly; if the circumstances were the same they should be treated alike.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of inviting representatives from all the regiments in Scotland?

I think it is too late to make that arrangement now; much too late.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether only two Coronation medals per regiment, one for the officer in charge and one for the senior non-commissioned officer, are being issued to Territorial regiments; and whether, where Territorial regiments were represented by one of their permanent staff instructors, these instructors are to receive the medal in preference to the senior Territorial non-commissioned officer?

The allotment of these medals has not yet been finally settled.

Is it the intention of the Government to recognise the police in this way by giving them medals for their services during the Coronation?

The police do not come within the scope of the question.