This is a combined Order which relates to both Cambridge and Southport. I want to deal with that portion relating to Southport only. The Southport Corporation is a body which is worthy of the greatest respect, and adjoining Southport is the urban district of Birkdale. This Amendment is made necessary in the interests of the teachers, and I want to call attention to what I consider to be a very grave position. There have been introduced into the Order a number of compensations for various interests, but the teachers, as very often is the case, have been neglected. I am in a position to tell the House that this whole scheme is at present a matter of the most acute controversy. There was formed in the urban district of Birkdale a bogus ratepayers' association to take these matters in hand—so is my information—and this bogus association was financed, so it is alleged, by people interested in the Bill from the Southport side, and they have done with them what it is proposed to do with the teachers. Immediately any interested parties appear, they try to square them. I do not say this bargain is corrupt, but I do say certain of the others, of which this is a direct consequence, are corrupt. There is a correspondence going on in the Press of that district and charges of the gravest character are made. I do ask the House, therefore, to pause before they sanction a scheme of this kind. The old Birkdale School Board obtained a considerable amount of prominence—

I understood the hon. Member was using his influence in support of the Amendment. If he opposes it the Amendment must go over.

I do oppose it.

I beg pardon. I thought the hon. Member was supporting it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received any protest from the representatives of the Republic of Portugal against the use which was being made by certain aliens of the right of asylum in this country to conspire against the Portuguese Government; and, if so, would he state what action he proposed to take to prevent our shores from being used for such conduct?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the report in "The Times," where it was stated by one of the revolutionary officers that King Manoel had been assisting in the organisation of this force, and was ready to take command of it at any time?

That is not the question I was asked. The question was

"Whether he has received any protest from the representatives of the Republic of Portugal against the use which is being made by certain aliens of the right of asylum in this country to conspire against the Portuguese Government?"

asked the Secretary to the. Treasury what steps, if any, have been taken by the Government to stop the practice of giving special trading facilities to the Civil Service Supply Association, Limited, for trading on Government premises and in Government time with officials and others engaged in various Government Departments?

Enquiry has been made at the following Departments: War Office, Admiralty, General Post Office, Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, and I am informed that all of them prefer the system which at present prevails, and which does not prevent the full and proper performance of the official duties of the officers of the respective Departments.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not see there are other interests than those of the staff at stake here, and whether he thinks it fair to the private traders who have to compete that these special privileges should be given?

May I ask whether the same privileges will be given to other private traders?

This is not a system I should have originated, but finding it in force, and finding a great number of the staff are in favour of its continuation, I think probably less injustice would be done by its continuation than by its abrogation.

asked whether orders for gumming plant for the new postage stamps were placed in Germany?

I have already informed the hon. Member that as by an oversight in the contract no restriction was placed on the contractors as to the origin of their machinery, some of that machinery was ordered from abroad, and amongst others the gumming plant. With regard to the gumming and calendering machinery, it is understood that there is no such British made machinery available, and that Messrs. Harrison made every possible inquiry of British manufacturers, who in many cases referred them to Continental firms.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, pending the issue of the Report of the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments, instructions have been issued to the Board of Customs and Excise to proceed with all necessary appointments and promotions of assistants in the Customs Service on the lines of the existing classification; have the collectors and inspectors in charge of ports recommended certain increases to the staffs; have the Board made these increases; and, if not, for what reasons?

Pending amalgamation, promotions are being made in the line of the existing classification, but assistants appointed since 1st April, 1909, are liable to serve on either the Customs or the Excise side of the Department as required. Proposals in regard to staff reach the Board from time to time, and are considered on their merits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that owing to the delay on the part of the Committee arranging the details of the amalgamation—a Committee of which the right hon. Gentleman is I believe the chairman, promotion in the Customs is at a standstill, and many junior men are performing duties of seniors?

I do not see how that arises out of the question. If the Noble Lord will put a question on the Paper I shall be very glad to answer it.

asked whether since the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Services the entire Customs Department has been controlled by a chief inspector and an assistant inspector, both of exclusive Excise training; and will instructions be issued to ensure that in all purely Customs affairs the interests of the Revenue and the officers will be protected by receiving the attention and supervision of Customs-trained men of adequate experience?

I am informed that the officers named formerly belonged to the Excise side of the Department, but control is vested in the Board who are advised by officers with adequate knowledge and experience of the circumstances and work of both branches.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by whom was the appointment of additional divisional officer of the Labour Exchange in Ireland made; why it was that an Englishman was appointed to the position over the heads of all the Irish staff; and whether an Irishman competent for the position could not be obtained in Ireland?

The vacancy in question was caused by the promotion of an Irishman to a higher post in London. The officer selected for the vacancy was considered to be the one best fitted for the post.

Is it not the case that the Irishman appointed to London has been placed over the heads of English clerks?

We like to appoint the best men we can get.

Was the vacancy advertised in the Irish newspapers, and were fully qualified Irishmen invited to apply in writing?

I am not quite sure whether or how it was advertised. The matter was very carefully considered, and the officer selected was considered the best fitted. If the hon. Member will put down a specific question I will try to answer it.

If an Irishman was appointed over a staff in England is that not all the greater reason why an Irishman should be appointed in Ireland?

That may be very good argument.

asked how many new labour exchanges are being opened in Ireland; and whether the divisional officer there is recommending outsiders as managers for the positions in them over the heads of the existing staff, who are men of experience, and in which the others can have none, and who will receive larger salaries if such appointments be made?

It is proposed to open twelve additional labour exchanges in Ireland in the near future, and in several cases members of the existing staff will be placed in charge of them. The qualifications of members of the existing staff are always considered first when appointments of this nature have to be made.

But are not Irishmen better acquainted with local conditions in Ireland than Englishmen?

All that is taken into account. We desire always to get the man best fitted for the post.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any lady attendants for the women's departments in each labour exchange in Ireland; if not, will he consider the appointment of female officials as better suited to look after the business of these departments than male officials; can he say why it is that they have not been appointed; and whether he will take steps to see that they be appointed in future?

All but two of the Irish labour exchanges have women officers upon their permanent staff. The two smaller exchanges, which at present have no such officer, are visited by the woman supervising officer for the division. The desirability of appointing a woman to these exchanges in the event of the work justifying such a course, will not be overlooked.

Is it not absolutely necessary to have a lady attendant appointed to all exchanges?

I think my answer covers that. If there is any further point I shall be glad to answer it.

Do I gather from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that at the small exchanges there is no lady attendant?

I can only read my answer again.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that there are no exchanges without lady attendants to look after the women's branch?

Certainly, in the event of the work justifying such an appointment.

asked the number of Chinese sailors employed on British ships during the year 1910?

I am unable to state the number of Chinese sailors employed on British ships during the year 1910, but statistics showing the number of Chinese and British seamen engaged at ports in the United Kingdom during the years 1908, 1909, 1910 were circulated with the Votes on 18th July in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Monmouth Boroughs, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any official information showing whether Chinese sailors on British ships get the same wages as British sailors doing the same work; and whether the cost of the food of Chinese sailors employed on British ships costs the same amount of money as the food of British sailors?

As regards the wages of Chinese and British seamen, I do not think I can usefully add to the information contained in the answers given to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 18th April and the 4th May last, of which I am sending him copies. I am unable to give any reliable estimate of the cost of the food supplied to Chinese or to British seamen.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman takes no care at all that Chinese sailors do not supplant British sailors on British ships because they work for lower wages and undertake to do with worse food?

The hon. Gentleman is entitled to presume nothing of the kind. I have given the greatest consideration to the question, and I certainly have done nothing in favour of Chinamen as against British sailors. On the contrary, as far as my statutory powers go, I certainly use my efforts in the other direction.

Has the right hon. Gentleman done nothing to safeguard British as against Chinese sailors?

The Board of Trade is acting within its statutory powers?

If the right hon. Gentleman has not got sufficient statutory powers it is his business to try and get them.

Do Chinamen have to undergo a medical examination to the same extent and degree as Britishers do?

That depends on the shipowner; it is not a matter under the control of the Board of Trade.

If the British sailor is forced to undergo a strict medical examination why not the Chinese sailor?

As far as the compulsory examination is concerned it is not under the power of the Board of Trade either as applying to the British or the Chinese. As far as the Board of Trade is concerned we do not insist on a greater medical examination for British sailors than for Chinese.

Is it not the fact that the British shipowners insist on a stricter examination outside the Board of Trade, and one which is obnoxious to the men who have to undergo it.

My hon. Friend is referring to the examination of the Shipping Federation which is not under the control of the Board of Trade.

Was any medical or language test applied to the train load of Chinamen taken right across the country to be shipped at Cardiff?

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture when the Report of the Diseases of Animals for 1910 will be issued?

The Report has been sent to the printers, and will, I hope, be delivered early next week.

asked to what extent and by what methods the Board has succeeded in preventing the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease during the past ten days.

There has been no extension of foot-and-mouth disease outside the limits of the infected places prescribed by the Board in Middlesex and Sussex. The methods adopted have been those which were successful on previous occasions.

How long is it proposed to continue this zone of quicklime around the infected areas?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked whether regulations restricting the importation of straw and hay, including that used for packing, from every country in which any cases of foot-and-mouth disease are known to exist are in fact at present in force; and, if so, why similar restrictions should not be placed upon all farm produce from such sources intended for consumption by British farm stock?

The importation of hay and straw for use as fodder or litter is prohibited by the Foreign Hay and Straw Order of 1908. The question of prohibiting the importation of other farm produce, including hay and straw used for packing merchandise, has often been considered, but infection has never been found to be attributable to such articles. The Board propose to institute further inquiries as to the means, if any, by which greater security could be obtained.

Is the order restricting the importation of this foreign hay and straw at present in force in regard to infected countries?

It certainly is in force.

:I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state, in respect of the years 1905 to 1911, both inclusive, the total number of inspectors, junior inspectors, and examiners appointed; how many in each grade were appointed by selection; how many because of success in examinations held by the Civil Service Commission; how many of those not previously sub-inspectors possess the Board's certificate or other recognised diploma in teaching; of those not previously sub-inspectors, the number engaged in inspecting public elementary schools, and in each case (indicated by reference to letters and not by name) the number of months' experience as adult teachers in such schools; the number of sub-inspectors who, having been certificated teachers in such schools, have been promoted to be junior inspectors or inspectors, or to be examiners; and, in the case of persons appointed to be examiners, and not possessing the certificate, diploma, or experience aforesaid, the particular experience or knowledge of education in schools connected with the Board of Education possessed in each case?

I have already, in reply to numerous questions, given very full information as to the teaching experience of inspectors appointed during the years since the present Government took office. For the purpose of this question I propose to confine my reply to my own appointments. The term "Examiner" is applied to the junior grades of the Board's higher administrative staff. Teaching experience is not required as a qualification in their case, as their duties do not include examining or inspecting. They are required, as a rule, to have obtained high academic distinctions and are selected by virtue of these and of a variety of qualifications, administrative, legal, etc. It would not be practicable in any case to set out the qualifications of "Examiners" in any statistical form. Examiners, inspectors, and junior inspectors are appointed by the President. Their successes in examinations have not been in examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners. The Board's inspectorate has to be manned so as to provide for the inspection of secondary and technical and other kinds of schools, and for special subjects, such as physical exercises, and also must include men capable of setting and marking examination papers in all kinds of subjects and up to the highest grades of work. Inspectors are liable to be transferred from one branch to another as occasion may require. I have appointed sixty-four persons to be inspectors or junior inspectors, fifty of whom are at present engaged in the inspection of elementary schools. Eight of the fifty had been sub-inspectors. Forty-eight of them are known to have had practical experience in teaching; seventeen (including the eight who had formerly been sub-inspectors) had the certificate of the Board of Education, and thirteen others had diplomas for teaching. Thirty of the fifty are known to have had practical experience of teaching in elementary schools, fourteen of them for two or more years; seven others for one year and less than two years, and nine for periods of less than one year. Eighteen of these thirty had also had practical experience in teaching in other kinds of schools and colleges, some having been engaged on the staff of training colleges and pupil teacher centres, some having served their apprenticeship as pupil teachers, and some having also passed through a training college, although they had not subsequently taught in a public elementary school. As my hon. Friend asks for the exact number of months of adult experience in each case of teaching in elementary schools, I have had every case looked into, and so far as the Board's records show, the figures are as follows:—Six of three months, one of four months, one of six months, one of ten months, five of twelve months, one of eighteen months, one of twenty months, two of two years, one of two and a-half years, one of two and three-quarter years, one of three years, one of four and a-half years, one of seven years, one of nine and three-quarter years, one of eleven years, two of twelve years, one of seventeen years, one of twenty-four years, and one of uncertain period.

asked whether Chorley is now the only town in England with a population of over 30,000 inhabitants without a council school; whether a largely signed petition of parents and ratepayers has been received in favour of a council school; and what action the education authorities propose to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the rest of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave in this House on 20th July.

asked whether the question of the age of transfer of children from elementary schools to secondary schools has ever been considered by the consultative committee of the Board; and, if so, what was the nature of the recommendations made by the committee?

No, Sir; the question of the age of transfer of children from elementary schools to secondary schools has not been referred to the consultative committee by the Board.

Can this question be referred to the consultative committee?

Any educational subject can be referred to the committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be pleased to do so?

asked under what Section, and in what line of such Section in the Finance Act, is it provided that assessment for site value can be made on a minus valuation; and in what manner is it proposed to allow 10 per cent. upon a minus quantity?

The provision for deducting the capitalised value of fixed charges is contained in Section 25, Subsections 4 (a) and 3 of the Finance (1909–10) Act. The Act does not expressly provide that the site value shall necessarily be either a positive or a negative quantity. The question of the 10 per cent. allowance where the original site value is a minus quantity is a legal one which has not arisen in practice.

Is not site value described in Section 25 as total value less certain deductions? If so, how can there be site value when there is no total value, or how can something be part of nothing?

I have answered the question on the Paper.

Is minus site valuation in the Act?

I have already replied to that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if orders have been recently issued, by circular or otherwise, to officers in command of His Majesty's ships that for the present no wireless telegraphists are to be allowed to leave His Majesty's service by purchasing their discharges in the ordinary way?

The discharge by purchase of telegraphist ratings is not prohibited altogether, but orders are in force that all applications for such discharge shall be carefully scrutinised and allowed only in really urgent cases. With the growing requirements of wireless telegraphy in the fleet, it is desirable that the expansion of this new branch of the naval service shall not be checked more than is necessary.

asked whether the representatives of the Admiralty at Rosyth have examined the new lifebuoys provided for the rescue of workmen who may fall into the sea; and are they satisfied with the length of line supplied to each buoy?

I must remind the hon. Member that the contractors and not the Admiralty are responsible for the provision of lifebuoys and fittings. Arrangements have been made by the contractors for attaching fifteen fathoms of line to each buoy, and the representatives of the Admiralty are satisfied with this length.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reason for the delay in the completion of the dirigible balloon at Barrow; and if he anticipates that it will be ready for any trial trips this autumn?

It is expected that the airship will be ready for trials almost immediately; the ship is experimental and no unnecessary delays have occurred.

Was not an almost identical answer given two months ago?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the previous answer he will be able to perceive for himself.

asked what are the ages (in five-year groups) of marines and seamen now in the service, and how many are married?

If the hon. Member will allow me, I will circulate the figures asked for with the printed papers. It is not possible, however, to state how many of the seamen are married. [See Written Answers this date.]

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to say whether apprenticeship time from the age of sixteen years will in future be allowed to count for pension by shipwrights employed in His Majesty's dockyards?

The question is still under consideration by the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Civil Service examination for inspectors of engine fitters in Royal dockyards is a competitive or a qualifying examination; if competitive, whether any list is issued showing the position of the successful candidates in order of merit; whether that order is strictly observed when selecting inspectors; whether additional marks are given by officials and for what reason; and whether, if the examination is now competitive, and in view of dissatisfaction sometimes arising, he can see his way in future to make it a qualifying examination only and place the successful candidates in alphabetical order?

The examination referred to is competitive as between candidates belonging to the same dockyard, and marks are assigned in respect of the personal qualification of the candidates for duties of supervision. The dockyards are informed of the position of the successful candidates in order of merit. Promotions are made according to their results of the examination, combined with the marks for personal qualifications, but the position of a candidate as determined by his marks does not imply appointment to either an acting or an established position without reference to his subsequent character and conduct. It is not proposed to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

Are these marks given after examination or before?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I will inquire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has had under consideration the suggestions put forward for again providing India with her own Navy?

I am aware of the suggestion to which the hon. Member refers, but it has not yet come before the Board of Admiralty officially.

When will the tenders be out for the new battleships?

I am afraid I cannot say that.

asked whether the Thames Shipbuilding Company's shipyard is the only such private establishment south of Barrow and the Tyne; and whether, in view of the national advantage in preserving such shipyard, the Admiralty will consider its claims in assigning contracts for battleships?

With the exception of the large shipbuilding yard at Birkenhead —Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Co.—there is no other private shipbuilding yard south of Barrow and the Tyne capable of constructing battleships of recent design in addition to the Thames Company. Due consideration is invariably given to all firms from whom tenders for battleships are received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the police at the Victoria and Albert Museum have been replaced at the instigation of the Board of Education by porters; and, if so, whether he will see that the police so replaced will not be allowed to suffer any reduction in pay by their transfer to ordinary duty?

I am informed by the Board of Education that a number of uniformed warders and doorkeepers who, with a few exceptions, have served in the Army, Navy, or police, have been appointed to perform duties in the museum hitherto performed by police officers. This has led to the latter officers returning to their ordinary duties, but when and so far as it is practicable they will be given employment of a similar nature elsewhere.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when his Department proposes to publish the long-promised report upon the nutritive value of flour, as at present manufactured, and other foods?

The report is now in an advanced stage of preparation, and I hope it may be issued very shortly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that six weeks ago he indicated that this report would be forthcoming within a fortnight?

Yes, I did, but in the intervening period I have been requested to see several very representative deputations, and I have thought it advisable to see them. I have another to see before the report will be issued.

May it be expected within the next fourteen days?

If I see the two deputations before that period, yes; but I must see them. One is from Ireland.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to an alteration in the hours of labour worked by the stokers in the Darenth Asylum under the Metropolitan Asylums Board; whether the eight hours a day system which has obtained for twelve years has been abolished, and at the present time the men are called upon to work in 12-hour shifts, making an average of seventy-eight hours a week; and, if so, whether he will recommend the withdrawal of the regulations and the return to the old conditions?

I learn that there has recently been a change made in the arrangement of working hours of stokers under the Metropolitan Asylums Board. There seems to be some doubt as to the correct interpretation of the resolution of the managers on the subject, and I am in communication with them about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the death rate among the natives employed in the Transvaal mines in place of the repatriated Chinese and to the death rate among such of the natives as have been recruited from British Nyassaland, Nyassa, and Zambesia; and if he proposes to take any steps to prevent such recruiting from Colonies under the Colonial Office?

The mortality among the Nyassaland natives in the Transvaal is causing me great concern, and I am in active communication with the Union Government, who hope, however, to see a material improvement in the course of a few months owing to the restriction of tropical natives to mines where proper change houses exist. Further measures may be required, but if they fail the stoppage of emigration may be necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that a number of national school teachers in Ireland who have qualified for promotion to the first grade are deprived of the increments of salary to which they are entitled, owing to a limitation imposed by the Treasury upon the number of those to whom the higher salary is to be paid; if he will state the number of teachers who are affected by this limitation, and the additional charge upon the votes for the current year that would be entailed by its removal; if he will explain how the removal of the limitation would prejudice the teachers' pension fund; and if he will favourably consider the withdrawal of the regulation in question?

The hon. Member will find all the information asked for in the first part of his question in the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for South Cork on the 16th May last. The removal of the limitation by increasing the number of teachers who may qualify for higher grade pensions will eventually add to the liabilities and so to the estimated deficiency of the pension fund.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why in the case of teachers who have qualified for promotion, the Treasury is not prepared to carry out an alteration in Section 105A of the Regulations?

I think I have already replied to that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of answering my question without referring me to an answer he gave some months ago?

The 16th May last is not some months ago.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to a recent decision of the Court of Appeal to the effect that unless inhabitants of tenements were rated separately they did not comply with the terms of the Franchise Act of 1867; whether he is aware that this decision will affect other classes in addition to latchkey voters, and will be the means of disfranchising many thousands of people in all parts of the country; and whether he intends taking action in the matter.

The decision is receiving the serious consideration of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say if he will suspend the Eleven o'clock Rule on the day on which the Division on the Lords' Amendments is to be taken, in order that Members on the back benches may have an opportunity of expressing their views?

I am not able to say anything about this at present.

May I ask whether he will say something about it before the Debate comes on? [An HON. MEMBER: "Ask Cecil."]

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when he will be in a position to say on what day the Debate will be taken?

Will hon. Members give a guarantee for good behaviour?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the heat of the weather and also of political feeling in all quarters of the House, consequent upon the constitutional crisis, he will, immediately after the passing of the Parliament Bill and with a view to the exercise of a more sound and sober judgment upon other important legislation, adjourn its further consideration for two or three months, until a cooler atmosphere prevails?

I hope to make a statement shortly as to the business of the House.

I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks it true economy of time and human energy to force the House to sit during the hottest months of the year?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the gentleman who has recently been appointed Accountant-General only entered the service in November, 1900, and whether during most of his service he has been employed as private secretary to Sir Robert Chalmers and other head officials; and whether he will explain why this official has gone over the head of the Deputy Accountant-General, who has had thirty-nine years' experience in the Department, and who has been acting as Accountant General for about twelve months; and whether he is aware that the next senior official who has been passed over has had thirty-four years' service; and, if so, will he say why an official who has had no experience in the department of which he has now become chief has been appointed, to the detriment of more experienced officials?

The present Accountant and Comptroller-General of Inland Revenue, who entered that Department on 15th October, 1900, and has had the advantage of being private secretary to successive chairmen of the Board for five years, was selected for his present post solely on grounds of merit, after the claims of existing officers in the Department had received the fullest consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this gentleman is not a qualified accountant, whereas both of the senior officials who have been passed over are qualified accountants?

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that great dissatisfaction exists among the staff at Somerset House on the subject of promotions?

I am not aware that great dissatisfaction exists.

Is there nobody equally qualified in the Civil Service to whom this appointment could have been offered?

No, Sir, not in that particular Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Government sell their cavalry, artillery, and transport horses, when cast as unfit for further work, by public auction, with a reserve on them of £l 13s. 4d.; and, seeing that horses sold at these low prices are almost invariably bought by natives, and succumb within a few months owing to ill-treatment and overwork, will he say what steps he will take to prevent these sales?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether horses sold out of the Army in India are in most cases sold to natives who use them for hire, causing cruelty to animals?

In India Government horses are cast when considered unfit to stand the strain of a campaign, and are by no means necessarily unfit for ordinary work. Those actually unfit for ordinary work are not sold, but destroyed. There is no reason to suppose that horses thus sold are specially exposed to ill-treatment.

asked (1) whether the Government are yet able to give the reply to the petition of the Indian police for their pensions to begin at twenty-five years' service; and, if so, whether they will grant the request? and (2) whether the Government are yet able to give the reply to the petitions of the Indian police as to relief from the block in promotion, and asking for the limit of age to be made fifty-five?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer the questions together. The Government of India, as I have already stated, are engaged in an inquiry into the question of allowing police officers to retire on full pension after twenty-five years' service. That inquiry is being accelerated. Every officer is under existing rules allowed to retire at fifty-five and may be required to do so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India if he is aware that the Vulcan Foundry Company, of Earlestown, Lancashire, who supply loco- motives for the Indian State Railways, are only paying their smiths 30s., smiths' strikers 23s., and milling machine hands 21s. to 27s. per week, whilst the district rate is 36s., 25s., and 32s. per week; and whether he will inquire into the matter, with the object of enforcing the Fair-Wages Clause; and whether, in making such inquiries, he will consult the representatives of the workmen?

The Secretary of State has no information on the subject, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in January, 1906, the tenants on. the estate of Mrs. Hall, county Fermanagh, signed an agreement to purchase their holdings under the Land Act of 1903; can he state the cause of delay in completing the sale; and when the Land Commission will advance the purchase money?

If the hon. Member refers to the estate of Mrs. Sarah J. Hall, county Fermanagh, the agreements signed by the tenants on this estate for the purchase of their holdings were not lodged with the Estates Commissioners until May, 1907. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the estate of John. Scott, Esq., Hollymount, Cardonagh, county Donegal, have made application to the Congested Districts Board to purchase their holdings; whether the Congested Districts Board has refused to entertain the application; and, if so, why has this been done?

Applications have been received by the Congested Districts Board from the tenants asking the Board to purchase the estate referred to. Up to the present the property has not been offered for sale to the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that 13,000 acres of untenanted land have been acquired by the Estates Commissioners in the county of Westmeath; within what period has this land been acquired, and what was the total amount paid by the Estates Commissioners for its acquisition; and if he will state further, in respect of the same period, the amount advanced by the Commissioners to tenant occupiers in county Armagh for the purchase of their holdings?

The area of the untenanted land acquired by the Estates Commissioners in county Westmeath since the passing of the Act of 1903 is 7,000 acres and the purchase money is £122,875. In the same period £1,405,193 has been advanced by the Commissioners to 6,579 tenants in the county Armagh for the purchase of their holdings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that a decree in an action for assault was granted by the county court judge at the June sittings against Sergeant Carroll, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Maguiresbridge, county Fermanagh, and confirmed on appeal, and is this the second time this officer has been held liable for assault; has another officer of the Maguiresbridge force been held liable also for assault; and will he suggest to the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities that the constant friction between the Royal Irish Constabulary and some of the inhabitants of the district might be terminated if these members of the force were transferred to other stations?

My attention has been called to the fact stated in the first paragraph of the question. A decree was also obtained against this sergeant in 1909 for assault, but the Lord Chief Baron, on appeal, held that the assault was merely technical, and gave only 6d. damages. Damages were also obtained against a constable for assault during an election row. Sergeant Carroll has been transferred at his own request from Maguiresbridge. It is not proposed to transfer the constable.

Is it not a fact that the alleged assault took place when the doors of the public house had to be closed, that then the sergeant found it necessary to spit out, and that this man swore he spat at him? That is the only fault the sergeant committed.

Well, I think that was all very well represented by sixpence?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the mortality among calves and young stock generally at Kilmacow, county Kilkenny; whether, after considerable agitation among the local inhabitants, an inspector was sent down by the Department of Agriculture, who, with a sergeant of police, went round and saw many cattle sick and others recently dead; whether the inspector wrote voluminous notes and took blood and portions of animals away for analysis; whether, since then, an inspector has visited the place; and, if so, can he state the nature of the report submitted; and whether the Department of Agriculture have any remedy to suggest for stopping this rate of mortality?

In June of last year an inspector of the Department of Agriculture made inquiries in the Kilmacow neighbourhood regarding a wasting disease which had been reported as causing serious mortality locally among cattle. At that time the losses appeared to have ceased, and the inspector was unable satisfactorily to investigate the matter as no acute case or case of recent death in which post-mortem examination could be made was discoverable. The Department are not aware of any subsequent reappearance of the malady.

asked whether any money has been paid to contractors for labourers' cottages in West Clare, particularly in the Querin division of the Kilrush rural district, and in Doonaghboy, in the Kilferagh division, before the satisfactory completion of the work?

It is the usual practice for a rural district council to pay contractors for labourers' cottages by instalments as the works progress. The Local Government Board are informed by the clerk of the Kilrush rural district council that in none of the instances mentioned has the final instalment been paid to the contractor concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the delay in completing labourers' cottages in West Clare, in Doonaghboy, in the Kilferagh electoral division, and in Doonaha in the Mogarta division, whereby inconvenience has been caused to the persons for whom they are intended; and whether means will be taken to expedite matters?

The Local Government Board will communicate with the rural district council, with whom rests the carrying out of the scheme which has been sanctioned, and will point out to them the desirability of having these cottages completed with as little delay as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take notice that in one case a cottage was left so long without slates that it is no longer possible to put the slates on?

I will inquire into it.

asked on what grounds the pension officer appealed against the decision of the local pension committee at Hospital, county Limerick, who granted a pension to Kate Baggott, of Herbertstown, on 5th July; has the appeal been heard; and, if so, what decision has been come to?

The pension officer has appealed to the Local Government Board on the ground that Kate Baggott's means exceeded the statutory limit, but the Board has not yet adjudicated upon the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, on the nights of the 11th and 12th instant, crowds paraded the Doagh Road, Ballyclare, county Antrim, shouting, singing party songs, and cursing the Pope, and that, when opposite the parochial house, indulged in insulting language, and on the night of the 12th attacked a number of Catholic houses in the neighbourhood, battering the doors and throwing stones, and beating and abusing Catholics who happened to be on the streets; whether he is aware that on the night of the 12th the mob was accompanied by the Protestant curate, with his orange sash on; whether the local sergeant of police declared that the conduct of the mob was disgraceful, but that he could not do anything with them; whether the sergeant is a Methodist preacher; whether he is aware that the Catholics are only one in six of the population; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrages on the 11th and 12th; whether any report was made by the local police; and whether steps will be taken to protect in the future the Catholics of the district from insult and attack on account of their religion?

The police authorities inform me that on the night of the 11th July, a drumming party marched through Ballyclare, and that on the 12th a band, followed by about 100 persons, paraded the town and halted opposite the parochial house, but no insulting language was used on either occasion. On the night of the 12th, while the police were engaged in one part of the town, a large crowd assembled in another part and kicked or stoned the doors of the houses of four Roman Catholics. The Church of Ireland curate accompanied the crowd, but he had no orange sash on. The local sergeant denies that he made the statement attributed to him. He is a Methodist and has preached occasionally. The Catholics are one in seven of the population. No arrests have been made. A report of the incidents referred to was made by the local police. Special precautions will be taken in future to prevent any annoyance to the Catholic inhabitants of the town.

Is it not part of the political creed of the Irish Nationalist party that minorities must suffer?

The right hon. Gentleman is not responsible for that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the Estates Commissioners received an application from Patrick Davis for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the estate of Major Irvine, and the decision that Davis did not come within the class of persons mentioned in Section 1 (2) (a) of The Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and that his case, therefore, could not be dealt with under that Act, he will say whether the case of Patrick Davis comes within Section 17 (1) (c) of The Irish Land Act, 1909, and whether the Estates Commissioners will deal with his case under that Section?

The application of Patrick Davis for reinstatement will be considered if the estate on which his former holding is situate comes before the Estates Commissioners to be dealt with under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the damage to the uniforms of the officers and men of the Regular Army engaged in putting out the heath fires in the Aldershot district has to be made good out of their own pockets; and whether there exists some public fund to make good the loss incurred by these men in doing a public service?

The general officer commanding concerned is empowered by the regulations to investigate claims of this kind and to approve them within the prescribed limits. In exceptional cases reference to the Army Council is necessary, but no such application has been received in this case.

Is it the fact that men who do get their clothes burned do not get paid for them, but have to pay themselves?

I hope not. Any case brought to my notice will be investigated at once.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not do a little more than hope?

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the only way is to report to the officer commanding?

Yes. Whenever anything of the kind occurs in the ordinary way the commanding officer of the unit, if appealed to, can address the Commander-in-Chief. If it was within the prescribed limits of compensation it would be at once paid. If not within those limits, appeal would be made to the Army Council. We have had no such appeal.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether, owing to slackness of employment, a number of employés whose rating had for a period of, in some cases, twenty years stood at 34s., have had recently to suffer a reduction of rating to 27s.; and, if so, whether he will insure that by reason of such change the men so affected shall not suffer a consequent reduction in sick pay, holiday pay, or gratuity on discharge?

There have been some reductions of rating at the Small Arms Factory, Enfield, owing to slackness of employment, but in no case did the length of service at the higher rate approximate to twenty years. The only alternative to these reductions would have been to discharge the men affected. I cannot undertake that these alterations in day work ratings may not affect sick pay or holiday pay or gratuities on discharge, as it is not possible to give vested rights to a certain rate of sick or holiday pay, and as gratuities on discharge are regulated by Statute.

asked whether the inquiry into the rate of wages paid at the Army Ordnance Department at Colchester, promised by the Secretary of State for War on 21st June, 1910, which was continuing on the 6th July, 1910, and still continuing on 21st February, 1911, has now been completed; and when the statement on the subject generally, which was promised on 21st February shortly and very shortly at a later date, may be expected?

As I informed the House last week, I hope to be able shortly to make a general statement on the subject of the minimum rate of wages for War Department employés at out-stations. A very considerable number of stations and rates are affected, but I hope to be able to issue the statement this week.

asked whether the pensions granted to the 317 men invalided from the Service in 1910 were life pensions, and what was the average duration of the temporary pensions granted to the 876 men invalided in the same year; and why the 899 men also invalided in that year got no pension, and what was the average length of service of such 899 men?

The pensions granted to the 317 men were life pensions. As regards the 876 temporary pensions no figures showing the average duration are readily available. They are very rarely granted for less than twelve months. As regards the 899 men who got no pensions, they were men whose disabilities were not due to service or climate and the circumstances of whose cases did not, in the opinion of the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, entitle them to any award under the Royal Warrant. No figures as to their average length of service are readily available.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state the ages (in five-year groups) of the non-commissioned officers and men now in the Army, and how many are married, distinguishing between those on the British and the Indian Establishments?

The latest available information as to the ages will be found on page 84 of the General Annual Report for 1st October 1910 (Cd. 5481 of 1911). There are no statistics available to show how many of these non-commissioned officers and men are married, but the average number of women on the married establishment for 1910 amounted to 16,062 for those on the British and 4,137 for those on the Indian Establishment.

asked whether the Leicestershire Battery of Horse Artillery now in camp on Salisbury Plain have yet been provided with sights with clinometers attached; whether, if they have not yet received them, they will receive them before Monday, 31st July; and how, if such sights are not received by that date, the battery will be able to carry out firing practice from behind cover?

This battery has already got the sights. The telescopes and clinometers were despatched on Saturday to Salisbury Plain for this battery.