asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what day representations were first made to the Russian Government asking that particulars of the charge against Miss Malecka might be furnished; and whether such particulars have yet been received?

Representations on the particular point in question were first made on the 11th instant. No reply on the subject has yet been received from the Russian-Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table the Note received from the Persian Government on the occasion, of the landing in Persia of the ex-Shah, and the reply of the British Government to that Note?

The Note in question reached me only on the 25th instant, and no reply has yet been returned to it. I do not propose to lay it on the Table at present.

asked whether any communications have passed between the Russian Government and the British Government as to the landing in Persia of the ex-Shah; and, if so, whether he will lay these communications upon the Table?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is in the negative, but the attitude of both Governments will be one of non-intervention in internal affairs of Persia that do not affect their subjects.

asked how many Russian troops were still stationed in Northern Persia; and whether His Majesty's Government will draw the attention of the Russian Government to the desirability of using these troops for the purpose of compelling the ex-Shah to return to Odessa.

I have no recent information as to the exact numbers of Russian troops. Those from Kazvin, except eighty as a Consular guard, were withdrawn. I have not heard that those at Tabriz and Ardebil have been reduced. I am not prepared to ask the Russian Government to intervene actively in the internal affairs of Persia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the repeated protests, in reference to the intrigues of the ex-Shah and his agents, which have been addressed by the Government of Persia to the Russian Government during the last year; whether any explanation has reached the British Government how the ex-Shah has been allowed to leave Odessa, to travel freely about Europe, and finally to cross Russian territory and land in Persia from a Russian boat, in contraven- tion of the undertakings given by the Russian and British Governments to the Persian Government, and in spite of the repeated protests of the Persian Government?

I am not aware that the Persian Government addressed the Russian Government on this subject on more than one occasion last year, though they may in fact have done so; but I can inform the hon. Member that the Russian Government repeatedly warned the ex-Shah against intrigues, both last year and this. I have received no official explanation of the circumstances referred to in the second part of the question; the ex-Shah succeeded in eluding the Russian authorities, and there has been no contravention of the undertakings mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that Mahomed Ali, the ex-Shah, had arrived in Persia with his entourage on a Russian boat; whether he can state if he had done so with the knowledge and help of the Russian Government, after the Persian Government had repeatedly called attention to the intrigues that were being carried on by the emissaries of the ex-Shah; whether the British Government will, in conjunction with the Russian Government, take steps to notify to Mahomed Ali that they will not recognise his pretensions to the throne of Persia, in accordance with the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1909; whether he is aware that Russia has some 4,000 troops in Persia at the present time; and whether that was in accordance with the understanding between the two countries?

The reply to the first question is in the affirmative, and that to the second in the negative. As regards the third, I can make no statement as to what either Government may do in a contingency that has not yet arisen. The Agreement of 1909 is in no way concerned with such a situation as this question contemplates. As regards the fourth question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply just returned to the hon. Member for East Mayo, which gives the information in my possession on the subject. As regards the fifth and last question, such Russian troops as remain in Northern Persia are there in the interests of order and for the protection of foreign lives and property, and their presence cannot under the circumstances be construed as a violation of the Anglo-Russian Agreement.

Is it not a fact that the protocol of 1909 to which Great Britain, Russia, and Persia were signatories, did refer to such contingency?

We do not think it referred to the contingency raised in the question.

asked what German warships have been in the port of Agadir since 15th July?

asked (1) whether the Secretary of State will advise the despatch of a British war vessel to Agadir for the protection of British interests at that port; (2) whether German sailors have recently been landed at or in the neighbourhood of Agadir; and, if so, on what dates, what were their numbers, and why were they landed?

In view of the fact that a statement is to be made about Morocco, I must ask the hon. Members not to press their questions till they have heard what is to be said.

asked whether the special mission from the Sultan of Morocco was refused permission to take part in the Coronation celebrations; and, if so, on what ground this action was taken?

The King, on the advice of His Majesty's Government, refused to receive on the occasion of His Majesty's Coronation, any special mission from the Sultan of Morocco, on the ground of the cruelties perpetrated by the Moorish troops acting under his orders.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the hon. Member for Mayo did not bring pressure to bear upon the Lord Mayor of Dublin to take part in the Coronation ceremonies?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to give detailed information as to the alleged atrocities committed by the troops of the Sultan of Morocco on the inhabitants of the district of Lemta on the day on which the French troops entered Fez; and whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Sultan that the troops who committed these atrocities were commanded by European officers?

There have been conflicting statements as to the details of what occurred. Cruelties were undoubtedly perpetrated. I am awaiting further reports from His Majesty's Consul at Fez. I am not aware that any European officers were with the troops at the actual time the cruelties were committed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether if he receives further reports he will lay them upon the Table?

I cannot make an absolute pledge to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table any reports from British consuls, or other information which had reached the British Government before the announcement of the proposed French expedition to Fez, and which was calculated to convey the impression that the lives of Europeans in Fez were in danger, or that it was not possible for Europeans to leave Fez and reach the coast in safety; and whether he can now state the total number of Europeans in Fez at the time the French expedition started?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I returned to his questions on the same subject on 30th May last, and to which I have nothing to add. An opportunity for discussing recent events in Morocco will arise on the Debate on the Foreign Office Estimates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what part of Ireland Morocco is situated?

asked whether His Majesty's Government have lately received, directly or indirectly, any communication from the King of Montenegro with regard to the situation in Albania; and whether he is in a position to make a statement as to the nature of any answer given or contemplated thereto?

The King of Montenegro on the 20th instant made certain proposals in regard to the situa- tion in Albania to the British, French, Russian, Austrian, and Italian representatives in Cettinje; but I am not in a position to make any statement in regard to these proposals, as they are under the consideration of the Powers concerned.

asked how, in the event of an attack upon either party to the Anglo-Japanese alliance by two or more allied Powers with whom one of the contrasting parties have concluded an arbitration treaty, the terms of the alliance would apply?

The terms of Article IV. of the Treaty clearly show that in no case is either of the contracting parties obliged to go to war with a third Power with whom either of them may have concluded a treaty of general arbitration.

asked whether Article V. of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty does not, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, permit the Japanese Government to inquire as to the availability of the Australian Fleet in the event of war; whether any such inquiry has been made; whether His Majesty's Government has replied or, in the event of inquiry, intends to reply that the action to be taken by the Dominions in the event of war is not a subject for discussion with any foreign Government; and whether such a reply would be in accordance with the full and free consultation stipulated for by the article in question?

I cannot reply to hypothetical questions; the terms of the Treaty are public.

asked whether the American Government has agreed to reduce the number of their warships on the Great Lakes so as to keep the terms of the existing treaty with this country before the new treaty of arbitration is signed between the United Kingdom and the United States?

The question of the Rush-Bagot Agreement has not been introduced into the negotiations for an Arbitration Treaty.

What is the use of making treaties with countries when it has been proved that they will not keep them when made?

asked whether a special staff is employed in the Irish Land Commission for dealing with defaulting tenants under Section 35 of the Land Act, 1906, whose annuities were in arrear when the owners of the various estates were being paid the purchase money; what is the extent of the staff; and can he say in how many cases the proceedings taken were abortive for the years 1908, 1909 and 1910?

It is presumed that the hon. Member, in speaking of annuities in arrear when advances are being made, means interest in lieu of rent. Land Purchase Annuities only become payable when the advance has been made. No special staff is employed for the purpose of dealing with defaulters who are in arrear with the payment of interest in lieu of rent. In no case can it be said that proceedings for the recovery of interest in lieu of rent have been finally abortive. In some instances proceedings for the recovery of such interest have so far failed, but in these cases proceedings for the sale of the holdings have been, or will be, taken under Section 34 of the Act of 1909.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several sales have been abortive, and yet the tenants go on paying the interest just as if nothing had happened?

I have given to the hon. Member the information supplied to me by the Estates Commissioners.

I am personally aware of the facts. The hon. Member further asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state in how many cases have Land Commission sales taken place for unpaid interest in lieu of rent which accrued prior to vesting holdings in the tenants under the 1903 and 1909 Land Acts; is it possible to deduct the arrears of interest from the purchase money payable to the owners; and, in view of the fact that in all such cases referred to the owners have so to speak stripped the tenants and the lands prior to sale, will he take steps to prevent such owners from profiting at the expense of the State for these methods?

The sale of holdings for non-payment of interest in lieu of rent was first provided for by Section 34 of the Irish Land Act, 1909. The number of holdings, which have since been so sold is fifteen. The answer to the second paragraph of the question is in the negative. Interest in lieu of rent is not paid to the landlord at the expense of the State. The purchase agreement signed by the tenant covenants for the payment of such interest, which is always considerably less than the rent previously payable, and the Land Commission is bound under statute to collect it pending the making of the advance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state who pays the auctioneer when the sales are abortive, if it is not the State?

The answer is that the sales were not abortive.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the action of two large farmers in the Boyle union in demanding the return to them of two acre plots of land which had been compulsorily acquired by the Boyle District Council for the erection of labourers' cottages, on the ground that these cottages were not built inside-two years from the date of the order authorising erection; whether he is aware that a number of cottages await erection in the Granard and Longford unions, respectively, because it is stated that contractors cannot be found to erect them at the price limit fixed by the Local Government Board; whether he is aware that, owing to increased cost of labour and materials, a house, according to the accepted plans, cannot now be erected for much less than £200, the present average being £170; and will he direct, in the interest of hastening the erection of cottages for which orders have been issued that the limit be left at the discretion of the local authority in each case in future?

The Boyle Rural District Council failed to make arrangements for the erection of labourers' dwellings within two years after the confirmation of the Order, and the Council propose to reconvey the sites to the persons interested, under Section 15 of the Labourers Act of 1883. Fair progress has been made in the carrying out of the current schemes in the rural districts of Granard and Longford. Delay is not always attributable to the unwillingness of contractors to build at prices within the estimate. The number of contractors in a district is generally small, so that only a limited number of cottages can be erected at a time. In Longford the rural district council have been obliged to press contractors on account of their dilatoriness, whilst a number of tenders for the erection of cottages were recently accepted at slightly over £130 per cottage. In Granard the average amount of a tender has been about £134 per cottage. In the majority of rural districts it has been found that £170 is sufficient to cover the cost of acquiring and fencing land, erecting a cottage, and providing for all professional and other expenses. Rule 40 of the Labourers (Ireland) Order, 1906, makes provision for cases in which a council fails to obtain tenders at the sum estimated.

asked whether any decision has yet been come to by the Estates Commissioners on the report of their inspector, Mr. Ryan, as regards the distribution of bog on the Douglas estate, at Kilnashee, Cloonmacart, and Bann, in county Longford; whether any step has since been taken to push through this sale without reference to the protest and the memorial of forty-nine of the tenants out of the ninety-six on the property; and whether he will take care that the fullest investigation takes place before this sale is sanctioned?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 13th February last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can say what progress the Estates Commissioners are making with the sale of the Mahony estate, situate at Mount Collins, Abbey-feale, in the county of Limerick; and whether it is their intention to include the sub-tenants in the sale?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the inspector has the matter in hand, and the case of the sub-tenants will be considered.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman could say why the Estates Commissioners have not reinstated Nicholas Mulvihill in his farm at Asdee, Ballylongford, from which he was evicted fifteen years ago by the landlord, Mr. Creagh Hickie, of Kilelton, for non-payment of rent, but have given the holding to another who had no claim whatever to it; whether they have received Nicholas Mulvihill's statement setting out the full facts of his case; and whether they will now take into their consideration these facts and reinstate him, and accordingly carry out the provisions of the Land Acts dealing with evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Nicholas Mulvihill for reinstatement in a holding on the Creagh Hickie Estate, county Kerry, formerly occupied by him. He was in occupation of a holding for reinstatement in which an application had been received from his nephew, Edmond Mulvihill, and the Commissioners informed Nicholas Mulvihill that they would not take any action on his application unless he agreed to surrender the holding actually occupied by him for the purpose of reinstating Edmond Mulvihill. He refused to do this, and the Commissioners gave his former holding to Edmond Mulvihill, and they can take no action as regards Nicholas Mulvihill's application.

On what grounds did the Commissioners give this farm to the nephew, who had no claim whatever to it and from which he had not been evicted?

I have already stated that the uncle had one farm, and was asked to surrender the holding occupied by him for the purpose of reinstating the other, but he refused to do this.

May I ask, if Nicholas Mulvihill is willing to give up the farm which he is now in occupation of, will the Commissioners get another farm for him?

I must ask the hon. Member to give me notice of that question.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners inspected the townland of Derrycarbery, on the estate of Mrs. Grace Calhem Pakenham, Mahan, county Roscommon; and, if so, with what result; and what were the contents of the rulings of the Estates Commissioners issued to Messrs. Browne and Maunsell, the vendor's solicitors, on 10th March last; and will the Estates Commissioners, in view of the tenants of the townland of Derrycarbery being unable to agree with the vendor as to the price to be paid for the purchase of their holdings, fix the price of each holding and submit the same to the solicitors for vendor and tenants?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners have requested the solicitors for the vendor to lodge purchase agreements in the case of the tenants who have not yet agreed to purchase. In the case of the holding not subject to a judicial rent the Commissioners have intimated the sum they are prepared to advance having regard to security. They have not fixed any price in the case of the remaining holdings which are subject, to judicial rents. Under the law such holdings are security for suck prices as fall within the zone limits, and as the estate is being sold direct to the tenants the terms of sale is a matter for arrangement between the parties.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners, notwithstanding the want of land for the tenants on the Goodall estate who hold uneconomic holdings, agreed to exclude the Deer Park grazing farm, in the hands of Mr. James Ryan, from the sale, which farm Mr. Ryan took from the vendor in the year 1901, after another occupier who held it on the grazing system surrendered it; have the Estates Commissioners, after inspecting this estate and seeing the need of land to enlarge the tenants' holdings, and seeing that this farm was not offered for sale to them as untenanted land, made an offer to the vendor for the purchase of the remaining portion of this estate, to the detriment of the tenants; have the Estates Commissioners asked Mr. Goodall to offer this farm for sale as untenanted land; and, if so, with what result?

The Estates Commissioners' offer to purchase in this matter has been accepted by the owner. It includes some 147 acres to be sold to (he Commissioners as untenanted land for distribution. The Commissioners are not prepared to make any advance to Ryan to purchase his holding. The Commissioners have no power to acquire the lands com- pulsorily, nor can they compel the owner to sell same to them as untenanted land, and it has not been included in the lands which the Commissioners propose to purchase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the representatives of deceased farmers who have signed agreements to purchase their farms under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts, but who have not had their farms vested in them by the Estates Commissioners before their death, and who are debarred from receiving the benefits of Sub-section (2) of Section 61 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, are obliged by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in Ireland to pay Death Duties on the farms before they can obtain probate or administration instead of being allowed the benefits of Sub-section (3) of Section 61 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and will he state what action he proposes to take?

The amount of the unpaid purchase money can be deducted, as explained in the reply to the previous question, in ascertaining the value chargeable with duty, and it is the practice to treat Sub-section (3) of Section 61 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as sanctioning the payment by instalments of Estate Duty (other than the fixed duty) in respect of farms the subject of agreements to purchase under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the non-vesting of farms where farmers have signed agreements to purchase their farms under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts, thereby depriving their representatives on their death of the benefits of Sub-section (3) of Section 61 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is in many cases due to the Irish Land Act of 1909, as well as to the delay in providing funds for the completion of land purchase in Ireland; and, having regard to the fact that the representatives of the deceased farmers who have purchased their holdings are in no way to blame for the non-vesting of the holdings, will he undertake to introduce an Amendment to the present Finance Bill to provide that the benefits of Sub-section (3) of Section 61 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, shall apply to all land subject to the payment of interest to the Irish Land Commission in lieu of rent?

It is the practice to treat the Sub-section in question as sanctioning the payment by instalments of Estate Duty (other than the fixed duty) in respect of land which is subject to the payment of interest to the Irish Land Commission in lieu of rent.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that under Rule 105 (a) of the Rules of the Board of National Education in Ireland a teacher is entitled to an increase of salary from the date of promotion; if he can state how many national school teachers there are at present under the Board who have received promotion but not any increase of salary; what is the reason why their increased salaries have not been paid, having regard to the fact that the unexpended balance from the Vote for Public Education (Ireland) for the year ending 31st March last was about £25,000; and whether he will lake steps to have the arrears of Salary paid to these teachers?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the question of the hon. Member for South Donegal on the 19th July, this matter is receiving most careful consideration I have nothing to add to the information contained in that answer and the answer given to the question of the hon. Member for South Cork on the 16th May last.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the proceedings at the last meeting of the Midleton Board of Guardians and District Council when Mr. C. J. Engledew, J.P., elected as an All-for-Ireland candidate for the district of Rostellan at the late elections, claimed the right to take his seat; whether he is aware that Mr. Bransfield objected to Mr. Engledew being heard, and by a majority of eleven to ten it was decided to refuse him a hearing; whether Mr. Engledew was informed that it was the chairman of the district council, who is father of Timon Murphy, an absconding official of the Board, who disqualified Mr. Engledew and Miss Mira Riordan, both of whom had been elected at the late elections, on the ground that they had not signed declarations of office within ten days after their election; whether the Local Government Board wrote a letter to the district council warning them that no disqualification arose unless the elected members received official notice of their election; that Mr. Engledew denied that he received any such notice; whether, notwithstanding the warning from the Local Government Board, the district council proceeded to co-opt in the room of the elected members, Mr. Engledew and Miss Riordan, two members of the Molly Maguire organisation; and whether any steps will be taken by the Local Government Board to enforce the law?

The Local Government Board inform me that the facts are generally as stated in the first two paragraphs of the question, but the Board do not know in which interest Mr. Engledew was a candidate at the election, or by whom the objection referred to in the question was made. The Board have no knowledge of the allegations made regarding the chairman of the council, but they understand that the ground of objection taken is correctly given by the hon. Gentleman. The Board did write a letter to the council substantially to the effect indicated. Mr. Engledew stated to the Board that the notice of election, although dated 2nd June, did not reach him till 6th July. On the 15th instant the co-option mentioned took place, and in the circumstances the Board consider it is for Mr. Engledew and Miss Riordan to take such steps as they may be advised to establish their claim to act as members.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the house of Mrs. Riordan, mother of Miss Mira Riordan, who was elected a member of the Midleton rural district council for the district of Cloyne at the late elections, has been wrecked by persons belonging to an organisation styling themselves Molly Maguires; that an old woman who looked out while the outrage was going on had her windows broken and her life threatened if she told the names of the perpetrators; and that it was proved at the late East Cork election petition trial that in the same neighbourhood the house of two unprotected ladies named O'Neill was attacked by a mob headed by a Poor Law officer named Timon Murphy, was was reported by the election judges for treating and corrupt practices, and who subsequently decamped as a swindler of public funds, and that an effigy of one of the ladies was burned under peculiar circumstances, which were denounced by the court as unmanly and revolting; whether anybody has been prosecuted in connection with these outrages; and whether instructions will be given to the police to take steps to put an end to this war upon women and to the condition of terror which prevails in the district?

The Inspector-General informs me that on the night of the 27th June the windows of an unoccupied house, the property of Mrs. Riordan, were broken, apparently by a stick. The people in the adjoining houses heard the glass being broken about 2 or 3 a.m., but they deny having seen any person about at the time. On the same night two panes were broken in a window of a tenement house belonging to Mrs. Riordan and occupied by an old woman, who states that she does not know who broke them, and it does not appear that her life was threatened in any way. The amount of damage done was about £2, and no claim for compensation has been made. In December last the local band, headed by Timon Murphy, who was then relieving officer, paraded the streets and burnt an effigy of one of the Misses O'Neill. Timon Murphy has since left Cloyne. The Misses O'Neill have not been interfered with in any way since. The police are making every effort to procure evidence in connection with the injury to Mrs. Riordan's property, but so far without success. Apart from some little local political feeling the district is exceedingly well ordered and peaceable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman's informant contradict the following statement of the lady guardian, Miss Riordan, as to the attack made upon her mother's house which appears to be so insignificant in the eyes of the right hon. Gentleman's informant:—

"They did not leave a single pane of glass unbroken in the back or front of the house. They broke the window panes, tore the slates off the roof, and all this within a stone's throw of the police barracks."

The answer I have just made is an exact reproduction of the report of the police authorities upon the matter.

I will ask the Chief Secretary if he will be kind enough to examine the recent promotions in the police, and to inquire for himself whether extensive promotions and rewards have not been granted to policemen who took part in prosecutions of "All-for-Irelanders"? [Interruption.] This is not a Molly Maguire convention. And if he will inquire, whether on the other side or not, policemen who have come into collision with the Molly Maguires—[Interruption.] —Hero are the Molly Maguires in full cry—have got any chance whatever of promotion?

Arising out of the answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that all this controversy has been caused by the descendant of Pierce Nagle, who is now the Member for the City of Cork?

Under ordinary circumstances I should desire to avoid any discreditable scene, but I beg to ask you, Sir, as a question of order, whether, when a Member puts a legitimate question in this House, it is open to a Member behind to utter an insult of the most atrocious character, prompted by more considerable persons, and with the deliberate object of provoking discreditable scenes in this House?

I think the hon. Member will know I have done my best during the time I have occupied the Chair to discourage any of these questions which involve some personal reflection upon hon. Members. Hon. Members ought to be entitled to do their duty and to ask such questions and make such speeches as they think right without observations of a personal nature being made.

I quite realise your difficulty in dealing with these matters, but I must ask you, having reference to the fact that this hon. Gentleman—I really do not know his name or his constituency —has repeated that this infamous insult is true, whether or not you will deem it your duty to call upon the hon. Gentleman to withdraw?

I cannot do anything further than I have done. I deprecate any of these questions and references as strongly as I can.

May I ask you, Sir, whether you understood the import of the question? It may not have caught your ears. I beg, Sir, to tell you what it was. The hon. Gentleman the Member for Cork asked a question with regard to the police, whereupon an hon. Gentleman behind him, whom I do not know, asked if the Government were aware that the Member for Cork was the descendant of one of the most blackguardly informers ever known in Ireland. He had nothing whatever to say of a Parliamentary character. It was purely an insult. Therefore, as it was intended purely as an insult, and had not even a pretence of reference to any Parliamentary proceeding, I wish to ask if that kind of thing is to be tolerated, because, if it is to be tolerated by the Speaker, we will not tolerate it?

I had not quite caught the purport of the question of the hon. Member. Perhaps now it has been made clear the hon. Member will see it is not a proper question to put?

I am satisfied every word I uttered is absolutely true, and I have nothing to withdraw or to retract.

Then you are an infamous liar and scoundrel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he could now state what will be the total cost of the Royal visit to India; whether the sum of £1,000,000 voted by the Legislative Council will be fully expended; and what sums have been voted by local councils in addition to this?

I gave this information to the House in my Budget speech yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement that in the first week of July there were 1,848 deaths from plague in India; whether this rate of mortality is unusually high for the time of year; and whether the Government are taking exceptional measures for dealing with this outbreak?

Having regard to the fact that plague, unhappily, has been very prevalent this year, the mortality reported for the first week in July cannot be regarded as exceptionally high from a seasonal point of view. It marks a great decrease on the June figures, and is much below the mortality in the corresponding week of 1907, a year in which plague was similarly prevalent. As I informed the House yesterday, the local governments are fully alive to the responsibilities resting upon them in the matter, and are endeavouring to arrest the disease by the use of all means within their power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the anxiety prevailing in Scotland among relatives of Canadian settlers, he would obtain and publish as soon as possible an accurate list of the districts and townships affected by, and of the deaths resulting from, the recent forest fires in Canada?

I understand from the High Commissioner for Canada that he has already telegraphed to his Government for this information, which will be published when received.

asked (1) whether the Northern Nigerian Government insist on their foreman engineers on the Lagos Railway Northern Extension working on Sundays; whether the weekly hours of work have recently been increased from 48 to 56½, the 8½ hours additional being Sunday labour; whether any extra pay is allowed these men for Sunday work; if so, is it calculated as if working on Sundays is paid for in the annual salary; and (2) whether the Northern Nigerian Government, in computing the rates of wages of the railway engineers from their annual salaries, do so on the basis of 365 working days in the year; and whether it is expressly stipulated that any overtime paid for Sunday labour must be taken as a bonus liable to be withheld on any pretext; and, if so, will he explain to the House why this system has been adopted?

I do not possess the detailed information necessary to enable me to reply to the two questions of my hon. Friend, but I will address an inquiry on the subject to the Acting Governors of Northern and Southern Nigeria. I may explain that the Lagos Northern Extension is being constructed by Southern, not Northern, Nigeria.

asked whether the despatch recently received from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth dealing with the working of the referendum in Australia has been printed; and when the same will be available for distribution?

Papers are now being printed, and I hope will be available for distribution about Thursday next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has information that the gunnery practice carried out by the German Fleet is more frequent and more generous as to duration than similar practice in the British Navy?

We have no official information regarding this question.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the decision of the House of Lords on Friday, 14th July, whereby the fishery of Lough Neagh, which supports 900 families, has been declared to belong exclusively to Lord Shaftesbury and his lessees under a patent of Charles II.; will he ascertain whether at the trial it was conceded that the public had always fished in Lough Neagh with nets and lines without hindrance since before the English Conquest, and that a previous attempt to restrain free fishing on the lake had failed by the judgment of the House of Lords in 1876; whether he would circulate as a State paper its recent judgment, with the evidence and arguments on both sides; whether the Law Lords were divided four to three, and on what lines did this division proceed; will he instruct the Law Officers to inquire into the validity of the patent of Charles II. as against the Crown, and into the reality of the consideration alleged to Charles II. for making the grant, or introduce legislation analogous to that necessitated by previous decisions of the Lords in the Scottish Free Church and the Taff Vale cases, with a view to enabling the fishermen of Lough Neagh to earn their livelihood as heretofore?

My attention has been called to the decision in question, but I have not yet had an opportunity of going into the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to facilitate friendly pairing among Members who may be desirous, of a short holiday in the month of September, he will be able to indicate early next month the order of precedence that will be given by Government to those measures of secondary importance, namely, Trades Union (No. 2) Bill, Shops Bill, Copyright Bill, Coal Mines Bill, and Finance Bill of 1911, which it is intended are to become law during the course of the present Session?

I hope shortly to be able to make a statement as to the business of the Session.

May I ask what "shortly" means? Does it mean this month, next month, or September?

It means shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government Motion to allow a Grand Committee to continue its labours indefinitely after four o'clock, and which passed the House sub silentio, creates an entirely novel precedent; whether it obliges a section of the House to be absent from duty either in the House or in Committee; and whether he will undertake that such a dilemma, depriving the constituencies of the service of their representatives, shall not be again proposed?

The Motion made last Wednesday was in accordance with the Standing Orders. It was proposed to ensure the completion of the consideration of the Shops Bill in Committee. As a matter of fact, the Committee rose before four o'clock.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the reason was for the motion of the Home-Secretary on that day?

I imagine it was to secure the completion of the Committee stage of the Shops Bill.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has refreshed his memory of the Long Parliament when several chairmen of committees died of exhaustion?

asked whether, in view of the importance to the poorer agriculturists of the extension of agricultural credit banks in Great Britain and the delay which has occurred in initiating legislation on this subject since it was first promised by the President of the Board of Agriculture, the Government propose to afford facilities for the passing into law this Session of the Agricultural Credit and Insurance Societies Bill recently introduced into the House of Lords?

I am afraid I cannot hold out any great hope of this Bill, the importance of which I fully recognise, being passed into law during the present Session.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the continued postponement of legislation on this subject has been standing in the way of voluntary effort with the same desirable object?

I quite agree as to the importance of the matter?

asked what is the total amount now standing to the credit of the small holdings account, and what proportion of this it is proposed to devote to the purposes of the Agricultural Credit and Insurance Societies Bill?

The amount now standing to the credit of the account is £49,597 2s. 5d. It is not possible to make any estimate of the amount which will be required for the purposes of the Credit and Insurance Societies Bill.

Is it proposed altogether to divert this fund from the original purpose for which it is intended under the Act?

As far as I am aware there will be no power to divert it for any purpose for which it is not intended to be applied.

Is it not possible under this proposed Bill that the whole of it will be diverted to a purpose for which it was not originally intended?

If the hon. Member is not satisfied with my answer he must give me notice of another question.

asked when the Local Government Board Estimates are to be taken?

I understand that communications are taking place on this subject through the usual channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether he had taken note of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's declaration at the Imperial Conference that they had taken the position in Canada that they did not think they were bound to take part in every war, and that their fleet might not be called upon in all cases; whether this doctrine is held by any of the other dominions; whether it is accepted by the British Government; whether its converse also applies; whether he has obtained or will endeavour to obtain from the Canadian Government some definition of the wars and cases referred to; and whether wars originating under Article 2 of the Japanese alliance are among them?

The matters referred to are too grave and delicate to be dealt with by way of question and answer. Nor could I without a breach of confidence disclose the discussions and decisions of the secret sessions of the Imperial Conference.

asked whether it is intended to pay Members of Parliament their salaries before the close of the present Session, or whether the whole matter has been indefinitely postponed?

Notice will be given very shortly of the Motion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a premium, in the nature of higher pay or additional emoluments, is placed on efficiency in marksmanship in the German navy; and, if so, whether he will consider the direct and tangible recognition of such proficiency in our own ships?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In our own ships efficiency in marksmanship with ships' guns has received direct and tangible recognition for some years. The marksmen receive permanent addi- tional pay whilst efficient. In addition to this, considerable amounts are given in annual prizes, for which the marksmen compete.

asked what name it is proposed to give to the battleship of the "King Edward VII." class, at present called the "New Zealand"?

The matter is now under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the suggestion that the name should be the "Caledonian"?

No, Sir, I have not.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the terms used in the assessment of character and ability of men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are to be altered; and, if so, will he state to the House in what manner?

No alteration has been made in the terms used for the assessment of the characters of seamen and marines. The same terms were used also for assessing their ability, but they were found to be unsuitable for the latter purpose, and the system of assessment of ability was revised in May last. It would take too long to give the changes and the reasons for them in an answer to a question, but I have forwarded to the Noble Lord a copy of a circular letter to the Fleet which gives all particulars.

asked how many men of all grades have been discharged from His Majesty's dockyards since the 1st April, 1911; and whether further reductions are contemplated before the 1st November, 1911?

The total number of men of all grades discharged from the dockyards since the 1st April, 1911, is 1,503, of which 876 were entered for temporary service and were discharged on completion of the work. In addition, there were 593 discharges due to natural wastage. As regards the second part of the question, further reductions are contemplated at Portsmouth before November next.

In what class or Department will the reductions take place?

I cannot say without notice. I shall be happy to answer any question by the Noble Lord on the point.

asked how many officers and men have joined the Trawler Reserve up to the present date?

The numbers asked for are: forty-three officers and 296 men.

Are they trawling fishermen, or men from the Royal Navy or Reserve?

They are fishermen who have joined.

asked the hon. Member for the Eccleshall Division if he intends to proceed with the Old Metal Dealers Act (Amendment) Bill set down for this day; and, if so, will he order it to be printed?

I regret that I have been unable to have this Bill printed, as negotiations have been proceeding between the parties interested in and affected by it. I propose, therefore, to withdraw the Bill, and hope that this course will ease the present congested state of business, and enable hon. Members to get away for their holidays at a somewhat earlier date than they otherwise would.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what fees are demandable from county justices on being sworn in at quarter sessions; to whom such fees are paid; whether they differ in amount in each county; what Government Department approves the scale before it is legalised; and whether, as it is desirable that such fees should be uniform, he will direct his attention to this matter?

A complete return of the fees chargeable is given in a Paper laid before this House and published in the Session of 1907 (H.C. 314). The amount varies in different counties: the fee is ordinarily paid into the county fund, but in some cases, as will be seen, from the Return, it forms part of the remuneration of the clerk of the peace. Any alteration in an existing table of fees chargeable by a clerk of the peace is subject to the Secretary of State's approval; but in most counties very old tables are in force, and new tables are rarely submitted for approval. I have therefore no power to secure uniformity, and I do not at present see my way to introduce legislation for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether the fees payable by a county justice on being sworn in at quarter sessions in the county of Dorset amount to £5 5s.; whether £3 3s. of this amount is claimed for payment of lunches; under what statute this latter sum is demanded; and whether, seeing that the Report of the Commission on the Appointment of Justices of the Peace recommended that working men should be appointed magistrates, he will take steps to abolish these fees?

I am informed that in Dorset in addition to a charge of £2 to cover the fees payable on appointment, every new justice of the peace pays a sum of £3 3s. to cover the cost of luncheons supplied to him for the rest of his life when attending quarter sessions. There may be some difficulty about putting an end to this practice, but I will make further inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that while practice was going on at Messrs. Vickers and Maxim's butts at Swanley, Kent, on the 18th July, a dummy shell was shot into a field near Dartford Heath; whether similar cases have been previously brought under his notice; and whether he can take any action to safeguard the public?

It appears that the accident occurred in connection with the range at Dartford. I am assured by Messrs. Vickers, Sons and Maxim that steps have been taken to render a recurrence of such a very serious mishap impossible.

asked how many Metropolitan police have been drafted since October last to South Wales, Hull, Manchester, Salford, and Cardiff; what proportion of the expenses has been demanded from each of the particular local authorities; how much each has paid; and what amount has fallen upon the local rates, the Imperial Exchequer, and the London rates?

Nine hundred and two members of the Metropolitan Police were sent to South Wales last November, 500 to Hull in June, 253 to Salford at the beginning of this month, and 320 are now in Cardiff. In the case of South Wales, the extra allowances granted to the men were paid from Imperial funds, a sum of £15,000 being voted by Parliament for this purpose; the other expenses were charged to the County Authority, but have not yet been paid. At Hull, Salford and Cardiff, all expenses will be paid by the local authority. In no case will any extra charge be allowed to fall on the London ratepayer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate being able to recover any money from South Wales?

Certainly, the Bill before the House provides for that.

Is there any reason why a difference should be made between the cases of Hull and Salford and that of South Wales? Why should not the same consideration be shown to Hull, Salford, and Cardiff as to South Wales?

The three places named agreed to pay the whole expense and I have no doubt that such important municipalities will do so of their own free will.

Did Hull agree to pay the full amount?

Yes, they agreed to pay the whole amount.

Does the right hon. Gentleman, as far as possible, use the same men for these special services? When their services are dispensed with in South Wales are they sent on to be used in Hull or Cardiff or are the men chosen indiscriminately?

No, all the men take their chance of being sent.

Is the London force so large that there are always men available for this extra service?

No, Sir. The Metropolitan police is a large force, but all police forces are liable to be called upon. London, however, is the only place where at very short notice 200 or 250 men can be obtained. On the whole, the calls upon London in this respect are less than on other forces.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take to ensure a fair proportion of Scotsmen being appointed as mines inspectors in Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by him on the same subject on the 8th April last. I may say that in the examination which was recently held to fill six vacancies for junior inspectors of mines two of the successful candidates were Scotsmen. A regulation which would restrict these appointments to natives of the country in which they are to act would not operate favourably to Scotsmen.

Will the examinations and interviews with these men take place in Scotland instead of in London?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the total number of experiments on living animals, as set forth in the Return for the year 1910, has increased from 86,277 in 1909 to 95,731 in 1910, showing an increase of 9,454; how many inspectors there now are under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876; and whether he can say how many of these 95,731 experiments were actually seen by such inspectors?

Yes, Sir; but to prevent misapprehension it may be well to point out that of the increase of 9,454 8,403 were experiments of the nature of simple inoculations, hypodermic injections and similar proceedings. There are two inspectors under the Act; 129 experiments were actually seen by them, and a very large number of animals under observation after experiment were examined.

also asked whether the statement that the irregularities mentioned on page 6 of the Return of Experiments on Living Animals during the year 1910 are the only irregularities that have occurred during that year is based on unchecked information supplied by licensed vivisectors themselves; or whether any and, if so, what means are taken to check such information and to detect and report any irregularities which may not be reported voluntarily by the persons guilty of them?

The statement that only two irregularities occurred in 1910 was intended to mean that these were the only ones which are known to have occurred. This statement is not founded only on the returns and other information which licensees are required to furnish, but also on numerous inspections, on examination of laboratory books by the inspectors, and on information given to them by the heads of laboratories and others.

Is it the case, then, that these irregularities were discovered by inspection of 129 experiments out of a total of 95,000?

Inspections of this, kind are by sample.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a Post Office servant named Harry Holmes, who was recently sentenced to six months' hard labour at the Birmingham Assizes for stealing a postal packet; whether, as a consequence of a serious cycling accident, it has been necessary for the postal authorities to inquire on two occasions into his mental fitness; whether since his arrest his wife has committed suicide, after killing her child; and, if so, whether he will recommend that the sentence should be reduced?

I have had this case under my notice. It appears that the judge had before him the fact that the prisoner's wife had killed her child and committed suicide, and reduced by one-half the sentence he would otherwise have passed; and I do not find any sufficient ground for recommending a further reduction of sentence. The prisoner is reported to be in good health: he describes himself as feeling well and says that since the accident referred to, which occurred three years ago, he has not been off duty on account of illness except on one occasion in February last.

May I ask whether, in view of the conflicting evidence at the trial as to the mental fitness of this man, the right hon. Gentleman will order a special inquiry in order to ascertain whether or not, and how far, he was responsible for his acts?

All such cases as these are watched from day to day. In this case the reports are good both as to the man's mental and his general physical health.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that only two applications have been received from county councils under Section 49 (2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, he will urge county councils to make full use of their powers under the Act for the purpose of assisting credit banking, cooperative, and other societies?

A scheme for the promotion of co-operation in connection with the Agricultural Organisation Society is being prepared, and it is proposed that county councils should be represented on the district committees administrating the scheme. When the scheme is settled, I will draw the attention of county councils to its advantages.

Will the scheme soon be published?

I hope so.

asked when the Annual Reports of Proceedings under Acts relating to Sea Fisheries for the years 1909 and 1910 will be presented to Parliament; and what reason can be given for the delay in the preparation of these Reports?

The 1909 Report is now with the printers, and the 1910 Report will, it is hoped, be completed before the end of this year. Delay has arisen in consequence of the pressure of work arising out of the preparation of special reports, four of which have been issued during the past three years.

asked if, considering the repeated outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, the Board of Agriculture will now take steps to prohibit the importation of hay and straw from those countries in which the disease is known to be rampant?

The importation of hay and straw for fodder or litter from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is known to exist is prohibited by Order of the Board of 1908.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Huntingdonshire County Council contemplate making a compulsory order for the purchase of Park Farm, in the parish of Farcet, for small holdings; and whether he will use his influence to prevent this, in view of the fact that the farm in question is virtually a small holding already?

The matter is still under consideration by the county council.

asked the President of the Board of Education when the training college regulations for the year will be issued?

The revised regulations for the training of teachers for elementary schools were issued on 20th July last.

asked how many secondary schools in receipt of grants from the Board have preparatory departments for children under the normal age of admission to secondary schools; and whether it is the policy of the Board to encourage the establishment of preparatory departments for children of about the age of nine years?

It would be difficult to name any precise age as being, at present in England, the normal age of admission to secondary schools. The younger children at a secondary school are in some schools organised as a preparatory department under that name, and in others not. It is, therefore, not possible to give any exact answer to the first paragraph of the question. As my right hon. Friend stated in his speech on the Education Estimates on 13th July, the best educational opinion holds that elementary scholars who are proceeding to secondary schools should, if they are to receive the fullest benefit, come in at the age of nine or ten.

Is it the policy of the Board to encourage that type of preparatory school in connection with existing secondary schools?

Yes.

asked whether inspectors of the Board have visited the school of the Royal Soldiers' Daughters' Home at Hampstead; and, if so, will their reports be published?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Reports of such inspections are communicated only to those responsible for the schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can reconsider his decision that the time taken by scholars who attended the recent Boy Scouts' Review at Windsor should not be counted as equivalent to attendance at a public elementary school for the purpose of Article 44 (b) of the Code?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information regarding the mutinous behaviour of the Chinese crew of the British steamer "Skerries" on a voyage from New York to Australia, necessitating the steamer putting back to Mauritius, some 820 miles, where the Chinese were paid off and a fresh crew of Creoles shipped to enable the steamer to proceed on her voyage; whether he can state at what port these Chinese were shipped, the period of engagement, and the rate of wages; and whether, in view of the danger to British lives and property, he will issue a notice to British shipowners warning them of the danger of employing Chinese on board their vessels?

I have seen reports in the Press of the behaviour of the Chinese crew of the s.s. "Skerries," but I have as yet no further information as to the circumstances. This vessel engaged her crew at North Shields on the 9th September, 1910, for a voyage not exceeding three years' duration. The wages paid to the Chinese seamen were as follows:—

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire whether a language test was applied before the crew was shipped?

Yes, I will make that inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, if all grants from the Development Fund are to be conditional upon proportional local contributions to the objects for which such grants are made, private benefactions will be reckoned as fulfilling the conditions of such grants equally with the rate-provided expenditure of local authorities; and, (2), whether it is the intention of the Development Commissioners to recommend grants from the Development Fund for the various purposes specified in the Development and Roads Improvement Act only on condition that a proportion of the cost of approved schemes is thrown upon the local ratepayers, however national in character such schemes may be; and, if so, how it is proposed in the poorer agricultural counties where development schemes are most necessary, and the burden of the present high rates most sorely felt, to promote effectively the objects of the above Act?

The Commissioners have not laid down any general condition of the kind referred to, nor, so far as I am aware, do they propose to do so. As they have explained on page 10 of their annual report, recently published, they are of opinion that in certain cases it is right and proper that assistance from the Development Fund should be conditional on corresponding contributions from local or other sources, unless it can be shown that those sources have been previously exhausted. The decision in any particular case will naturally depend on the extent, if any, to which local as disdinct from national interests are involved.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise, as I have en- deavoured to point out, that the poorer counties are about to suffer if local contributions are going to be made a condition of every Grant out of the Development Fund?

I realise that the hon. Member has pointed it out, but I am afraid I cannot agree with him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since in the case of high-powered cars many owners have already paid in taxes more than their market value, he will consider a graduation of the Motor Car Tax according to age, fixing a period at which the vehicle, owing to age and lack of market value, shall be entirely exempt?

My right hon. Friend is appointing a Committee to advise as to any changes which should be made in the Treasury Regulations respecting horse-power, and they will no doubt consider whether any concession is called for in respect of a car the effective horsepower of which is diminished through age.