asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he could give any information respecting the arrest of Mr. Stewart, an English solicitor, in Germany for alleged espionage; and whether arrangements would be made during the adjournment that his position as an English subject would secure him the protection of the Foreign Office so far as it can be rendered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Uxbridge Division on the 10th inst. There has been no change since that answer was given.

That answer did not apply to the last part of this question.

This answer did cover the last part of the question, because it contained a statement that the British Embassy at Berlin had been instructed to give what assistance it properly could to the legal representative who would be sent over.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the present position of the proposed Treaty of arbitration between this country and the United States of America?

I understand that the Treaty, which was signed at Washington on the 3rd instant, is now before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate of the United States.

Is it a fact that the Senate has inserted Amendments?

I have seen the statement in the newspapers, but I have no official information of what the Senate has actually done.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to send a delegate to the seventh Esperanto Congress to be held at Antwerp from 20th to the 27th instant; whether he is aware that last year the British Government was unrepresented, but fifteen other Governments, including the United States, were officially represented; and whether this year a special invitation has been received from the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 24th July last to the question asked by the hon. Member for Halifax, except to say that His Majesty's Government received an invitation to be represented.

asked whether there is in the Egyptian Administration a statistical bureau; and, if so, whether it can supply figures showing the rise in the cost of the prime necessities of life in Egypt during the past five years; and what, if any, general rise in wages has taken place in the same period?

There is a "bureau de statistique" attached to the Ministry of Finance, but there is no general statistical bureau in the Egyptian Administration, and when statistics such as the hon. Member asks for in his question are required, they have to be compiled in the different Ministries concerned. As I have explained to the hon. Member, the compilation of such statistics involves a great expenditure of time and labour on the part of the senior officials of the Egyptian Government, in addition to their ordinary administrative work, which is very heavy. I therefore propose to refer the two last portions of the hon. Member's question to His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo, in order that he may include a reference to these inquiries in his next Annual Report, so far as material that is easily available enables him to do so.

asked whether any scheme has been entertained by the Egyptian Government for the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures for the better prevention of frauds?

I have no information as to any such proposal being under consideration by the Egyptian Government at the present moment.

asked whether the Egyptian Government has yet considered any scheme for the promotion of small tenant holdings of land in Egypt upon State land or for the promotion of other forms of cultivation than that of cotton, in view of the economic dangers of a single crop system; whether, in particular, any effective action has been taken to promote the cultivation of sugar; and whether the Egyptian Government is still resolved to prevent the cultivation of tobacco?

I have no further information than some that was obtained last year, which I can give at length if desired in reply to an unstarred question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations regarding the Bagdad Railway are now being pursued by His Majesty's Government; and whether, in view of the fact that the House is about to adjourn, and that any settlement must affect important British commercial interests, he will give what information he can regarding any developments that may have occurred since his last statement to the House on the subject?

Negotiations have, as is well known, been in progress for some time respecting the terms upon which His Majesty's Government will agree to an increase of the Turkish Customs Duties from 11 per cent. to 14 per cent. ad valorem; and, incidentally, these negotiations bear on the Bagdad Railway question. His Majesty's Government have made proposals to the Turkish Government to secure economic equality on the railway, and a definite settlement as regards the region of the Persian Gulf, but the details must remain confidential till the negotiations are concluded.

asked whether the International Conference upon opium and kindred drugs is to be held upon the 16th October next?

No date has yet been fixed, but it is hoped that the Conference may meet at some time during the spring of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has received a request from China that she shall be allowed under the terms of agreement of 8th May last to exclude opium from three of her provinces; and, if so, what action he is taking in this matter?

The Chinese Government have expressed a desire to exclude Indian opium from Manchuria, Shansi, and Szechuan, under Article 3 of the Agreement of 8th May last. His Majesty's Minister in Peking has, with our approval, refused to consider the proposal until he is satisfied that breaches of Article 7 of that Agreement by the Chinese authorities in Canton and Fukien have ceased, and that it is the intention of those authorities to fulfil the terms of the agreement in future.

asked what were the stocks of Malwa and of provision opium, respectively, on 1st April last and at the present time; and how many acres, if any, are now being authorised by the Indian Government to be sown with the opium poppy for next year's crop?

:The stock of Bengal provision opium on 31st March last was returned at 32,598 chests. Deducting the number of chests sold for export to China and elsewhere from April to August, the stock is now about 19,700 chests. Malwa opium stocks are in the hands of traders for the most part resident in native States, and are not returned. They were estimated last year at upwards of 50,000 chests. The area for which licences to cultivate opium will be granted this year has been approximately fixed at 200,000 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the success that has attended the opium policy of the United States in the Philippine Islands and which is attending a similar policy now being carried out by us in Wei Hai Wei, namely, the policy of registration of existing smokers, limiting them in quantity supplied, and of fixing a time limit in which the practice must cease, and further of preventing the commencement of the opium smoking habit on the part of any new victims?

I am, of course, aware of the results of the policy in Wei Hai Wei, but I have no special information as regards the Philippines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether anything beyond the closing of opium dens has been or is being done in Hong Kong to stop the vice of opium smoking; and whether any efforts in the direction of registration and limitation of old smokers and prevention of the commencement of the habit on the part of new victims are being put forth by the Hong Kong Government?

My hon. Friend will find a full statement of the restrictions on the use of opium in Hong Kong on pages 26 and 27 of the annual report for 1909, Cd. 4964–33. The introduction of a system of registration is impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recommendations of the Straits Opium Commission of 1907 are being fully carried out; and whether the policy which has been successful elsewhere, of registering all existing opium smokers, imposing a time limit, and making illegal the commencement of the vice by any fresh victims, has been or will be adopted in the Straits Settlements and in the Federated Malay States?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative, and the answer to the second is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, under the provisions of the existing treaties culminating in the Declaration of London, it would be permissible for a foreign merchant ship belonging to a nation at war with Great Britain to pass through the Dardanelles, which are closed to men-of-war, and as soon as she arrives in the Black Sea to mount her guns and prey upon the English merchant ships; whether, in that case, we should still be unable to send an armed cruiser through the Dardanelles for the protection of our merchant ships; and if he will consider what steps can be taken to prevent such a situation?

The position in regard to the passage of the Dardanelles is not modified by the terms of the Declaration of London. I cannot, without a more careful examination of existing treaties, say what bearing they have upon this point, but in any case the most certain protection must remain that of the British Fleet.

Does not the Declaration of London make this difference, that a merchant ship going through laden with munitions of war would, before the Declaration of London, have to go back again out of the Dardanelles to her own country before she could start as a privateer?

No; the Declaration of London did not affect that point at all. We wanted to effect an agreement on the point, but no agreement was obtained, and the Declaration of London therefore left it alone.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what steps he proposes to take as to the wages paid on Government contracts at Dowlais works?

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he has yet received a Report from the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee on the district rate of wages for the Dowlais district?

The Fair-Wages Advisory Committee have this morning advised the Secretary of State that the wages paid at Dowlais are in their opinion not strictly in conformity with the Fair-Wages Resolution. In these circumstances Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettle-fold will be informed that no further orders will be placed by the Secretary of State in Council with them at Dowlais until this state of affairs has been remedied.

Up to what standard are these wages to be brought, the Ebbw Vale or what other district?

I cannot say that at present, because the advice that we have received from the Fair-Wages Committee goes no further than that. It was all that was necessary for the moment for taking immediate action. The other matter will be enquired into, but I think the hon. Member will agree that it is very satisfactory, having regard to the pressure on the Board of Trade, to have received this information so expeditiously.

I agree, but I understand the point referred to the Advisory Committee was what district were the Dowlais wages to be compared with for the purposes of the Fair-Wages Clause. Has no decision been come to on that point?

No, not yet.

Is there any question of the cancellation of the contract?

There is no necessity, I think, to consider the cancellation of any contract. The present contract between the India Office and this firm is a very small one, and, I understand, is almost completed.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take as to the wages paid on Government contracts at the Dowlais works?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee concerning the wages rate for Dowlais?

The Fair-Wages Advisory Committee have this morning advised that the wages paid at Dowlais are in their opinion not strictly in conformity with the Fair-Wages Resolution. In these circumstances Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefold will be informed that no further orders will be placed by the Crown Agents with them at Dowlais until this state of affairs has been remedied.

Has any further progress been made by the Advisory Committee in determining what Fair-Wages should be in Dowlais?

Our instructions will be given on the report of the Advisory Committee.

As the right hon. Gentleman's answer only refers to the Crown Colonies, may I ask whether the Government would have any authority to intervene in regard to contracts made in one of His Majesty's self-Governing Dominions?

Would it be possible to advise the Colonies not to make contracts with those firms which pay sweating wages?

I am not sure that it would be wise for me to assume the position of adviser in these matters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already done so. What is the remedy? What wage is to constitute a fair wage? That is the point.

The remedy is if the wages are too low they should be declared.

asked whether the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee has yet come to a decision on the questions referred to them by the India and Colonial Offices concerning the rates of wages which should be paid at Dowlais?

I am informed that the Committee have this morning communicated to the India Office their views on the point which was referred to them by that Department in a letter dated 14th August.

What wages are to be paid at Dowlais to the workmen employed there under the provisions of the Fair-Wages Contract? When is an answer expected to that?

The answer has been sent by the Committee to the India Office, and I have not by me the actual terms of that letter.

Is not it the case that the same answer was some two days ago delivered in this House? The point at issue now really is what wages are to be paid at Dowlais. When is an answer expected to that?

My hon. Friend's question on the Paper is whether the Advisory Committee have yet come to a decision on the question. I believe they have.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he proposes to take as to the wages paid on Government contracts at the Dowlais works?

The Admiralty has no contracts with the Dowlais works.

asked whether the Admiralty adopts a different interpretation of the Fair-Wages Resolution from that followed by the India and Colonial Offices; and whether the First Lord of the Admiralty can recommend a method by which workmen will know when to claim union rates for Government contracts who are being sweated whilst employed on non-Government work; and whether a firm which does not generally pay fair wages is entitled to remain on the approved list of Government contractors?

The Admiralty adopts the same interpretation of the Fair-Wages Resolution as that followed by the India and Colonial Offices. It is open to workmen to claim fair rates for Government contracts at any time, irrespective of the rates of pay which they are receiving for non-Government work. I consider that the non-payment of fair wages generally by a firm is a good ground for the non-retention of that firm on the list of Admiralty contractors.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that wages of 18s. a week are being paid by some contractors to the Admiralty?

If the hon. Member will bring to me any case I will submit the circumstances to the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee in order to get their advice upon it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman interpret fair wages to be 5d. an hour for poor navvies?

That will depend upon the rate of wages paid in the district by the best employers.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state distinctly in this House in answer to a question that he considered 5d. an hour a fair wage?

What I said as to the interpretation of the Fair-Wages Clause was that the rate of wages should be such as would be covered by the terms of the Clause.

May I ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, with regard to sub-contracts, for instance, whether Dowlais steel used by shipbuilding firms is made at wages below the scale?

I understand that the steel is not made at Dowlais, but at Cardiff, and that fair wages are paid.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how far steel made upon a scale of wages below the proper scale, and used in other yards, is permitted by the Admiralty?

The Fair-Wages Clause applies to sub-contractors as well as to the principal contractors.

How far is this material which is used traced into other yards where it is worked?

I should have notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the machinery for holding steel plates at Cardiff is made in Dowlais, and is he aware that those engaged in making that machinery are under the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause?

The Fair-Wages Advisory Committee have advised that where plant is mainly or largely used for the purpose of Admiralty contracts, the wages in making the plant must be taken into account, but it depends, according to their advice, whether the plant is mainly or largely used. I have already explained to my hon. Friend that in this case we have not yet been advised as to whether the circumstances of the plant used at Cardiff are such as to enable us to declare that the plant is mainly or largely used in the execution of a Government contract.

I shall raise the question on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether representations have reached the Local Government Board from the Operative Society of Lath-makers, Dublin, to the effect that foreign prison-made laths are being used in the erection of labourers' cottages in Ireland; and whether any steps will be taken, by representations to the local councils or otherwise, to secure the use of Irish or British made laths in the construction of these cottages?

Representations to the effect stated in the question have been made to the Local Government Board. The materials to be used in constructing cottages are, subject to the Board's approval, in the discretion of local authorities, who are aware of the relative value of the materials in the market.

Are there any other foreign prison-made goods used in Ireland?

Probably there are.

asked what balance remains of the reserve fund in aid of evicted tenants in Ireland; and whether, in view of the number of meritorious claims rejected in consequence of some technical objection in reference to the age or want of resources of the applicants, or to the acceptance of some nominal sum by way of compensation, for their eviction, the Lord Lieutenant will issue new regulations empowering the Estates Commissioners to grant gratuities in equitable cases of such a character?

The reserve fund to which the hon. Member refers is exhausted, and the money required by the Estates Commissioners' for the equipment of holdings of reinstated evicted tenants and for the benefit and improvement of estates is now, under the Irish Land Act, 1909, paid out of moneys provided by Parliament in the Vote for the Land Commission. There is no power under the Land Purchase Acts to grant monetary compensation to evicted tenants in lieu of reinstatement.

In view of the fact that the cost of the Land Commission has been raised to £544,000 a year, has the right hon. Gentleman no word of hope at all for these poor old broken down people?

Of course the hon. Gentleman will gather from what I have said that there is power to grant money, but it must be provided by Parliament on the Vote for the Land Commission.

asked whether an expedition against the Abors has been sanctioned; if so, what is its object; what steps have been taken to obtain satisfaction without fighting; and what instructions have been given to the officer in command?

An expedition will be sent into the Abor country as soon as climatic conditions permit (i.e., probably in the late autumn) to exact reparation for the murder of Mr. Williamson, Dr. Gregorson, and their following. No satisfaction short of that so to be obtained could be given for a premeditated and singularly atrocious crime; but it will rest with the Abors to decide whether there is any fighting. So far as the Secretary of State is aware instructions to the officer in command have not yet been framed.

May I ask what sort of reparation is to be exacted?

My hon. Friend can imagine that this was a hostile act on the part of a whole tribe, which may be described as a savage tribe, and the expedition is to be of a punitive character. It will exact such reparation as the life of a British officer engaged in the discharge of his duty demands.

May I ask if any investigation has been made into the circumstances which led to the killing of the officer?

If the hon. Member was aware of the sort of country and of the state of civilisation of the tribe, he would see that there is no case for the possibility of a committee of inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet ascertained whether Lieutenant-Colonel Bannerman has been promoted to the rank of surgeon-general in Madras; and, if so, what reasons he can give for the promotion of this officer over the heads of others of wider experience and greater service?

I have nothing to add to my previous reply on this subject on the 10th of July.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a report has appeared stating that Lieutenant-Colonel Bannerman has received the appointment?

I have not seen the report to which the hon. Member refers, but I may state that the appointment is one in the discretion of the Government of India. They have not yet reported as to the appointment.

Will the hon. Gentleman make instant inquiry on this question, with the view to informing the House?

When the appointment has been made the Government of India will report the fact to the Secretary of State that this has been done, and there will then be an opportunity for those who consider themselves aggrieved to memorialise the Secretary of State against the appointment.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the magistrate and police officers in Bengal against whom Mr. Justice Fletcher has recently given judgment in the Midnapore case are the same persons upon whom the High Court of Calcutta made serious comments in 1909; whether the issues before the two courts were in the main the same in respect of the conduct of these officers; whether more than £20,000 of public money has already been spent by the Government of Bengal in defending them; whether it is now proposed to place further public funds at their disposal for an appeal; and can he say what precedent there is for such procedure on the part of the Government of Bengal?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." The answer to the second part is "No": the conduct of the police was not an issue before the court in the first trial. As regards the last part of the question I have nothing to add to my answer of last Thursday.

I understand that decorations have been granted to the police. May I ask my hon. Friend to answer the last part of the question? Do I understand my hon. Friend to say that after £20,000 of public money has already been spent by the Government of Bengal to obtain justice they are to be asked to spend still more?

There is nothing about decorations in this. With regard to the expenditure of public money, I informed the House on Thursday last that I had not received the report of the trial. I have no information yet.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the two police officers against whom Mr. Justice Fletcher recently gave judgment in the Midnapur case, at Calcutta, were the same officers who were recommended for special honours at the hands of the Sovereign last year; whether he can state by whose advice and upon what grounds such honours were conferred; and whether it was known at the time by the Government of Bengal that these officers had been publicly censured by the High Court of Calcutta a few months before in a judgment delivered by the Chief Justice of Bengal?

The two officers are the same. The latter part of my hon. Friend's question was fully covered in the reply given to the junior Member for Merthyr Tydvil on 26th July, 1910.

My hon. Friend did not say whether the decorations have been withdrawn?

They have not been withdrawn, and nothing will be done to prejudice the position of these officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reply to his representations to the Government of the Union of South Africa as to the effect of the operation of certain clauses of the Transvaal Gold Law, the Townships Amendment Act, and the Draft Municipalities Ordinance upon. British-Indian interests in the province; and whether he will state the nature of the reply, if any?

I have addressed several despatches of inquiry to the Governor-General, but there has not yet been time to receive a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the firm of Marshall, Sons, and Company, Gainsborough, contractors to Crown agents and the Government, have discharged all their workmen who are members of the Boiler Makers' Union and refuse to employ any but non-union men; and whether he will make inquiries as to whether the Fair-Wages Clause is being observed?

No, Sir; but inquiries shall be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if there are any scale payment sub-offices where the gross emoluments of the sub-postmaster exceed £200 a year; if so, how many; and will he also state what conditions govern the transfer or non-transfer of such scale payment sub-offices to the salaried class?

There are 536 scale payment sub-offices where the gross emoluments of the sub-postmaster exceed £200 a year. In accordance with the recommendation contained in paragraph 531 of the report of the Parliamentary Committee the question of converting scale payment sub-offices into salaried sub-offices is considered when the gross emoluments exceed £250 in the provinces and £500 in London. The change is not made as a matter of course when these limits are exceeded, but each case is considered on its merits.

asked if it is the duty of the sub-postmaster at those rural sub-offices from which deliveries by postmen are made to sort the incoming letters into postmen's walks; and what remuneration attaches to this work?

It is the duty of the sub-postmasters at some of the offices in question to provide for the sorting of incoming letters. The work is included in the general work of the office, which is remunerated on the scale approved by the Parliamentary Committee. At a number of sub-offices the work of sorting inward letters is done by postmen, and this practice is being extended gradually as circumstances permit.

asked if it is the duty of scale payment sub-postmasters at country offices to provide out of their gross emoluments for the facing up, date stamping, and tieing up in bundles of letters posted at the sub-office and despatched thence in sealed bags; whether the remuneration per bag despatched at offices where the average number of letters per bag is very high is greater than at offices where the average number of letters per bag despatched is very low; and at whose expense the string used in tying up the bundles is provided?

It is the duty of the sub-postmasters in question to provide for the items of work referred to in cases where sealed bags are made up. The remuneration of sub-postmasters is based upon the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee, and includes credit in respect of sealed bags calculated on the number of bags dealt with and not on the number of letters in each bag; but additional credit and remuneration are given to sub-postmasters who sort the correspondence into divisions. The string is provided by the sub-postmasters.

asked whether any steps can be taken to expedite the preparation and publication of the Reports on accidents which the Board's inspectors are instructed to make?

I am not aware that there is any undue delay in the issue of these Reports, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say what steps, if any, have been taken for providing a building and engaging a staff for the projected labour exchange in Kilkenny; and when the exchange is likely to be in working operation?

Premises for a labour exchange have been acquired in Kilkenny and the necessary alterations have been almost completed. The staff have now been appointed, and it is hoped that the exchange will commence operations in a month's time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the report of the Board of Trade inspector directed to inspect the Great Southern and Western Railway Station at Kilkenny, where a man named Michael Delahunty was killed on 28th June last, and in which case the coroner's jury found that the railway authorities wore guilty of gross negligence in not providing proper facilities for the public between the various platforms, in not keeping the station properly lighted, and in not providing sufficient booking offices; and whether he will give the report of the inspector on these allegations?

An inspecting officer has visited Kilkenny Station, but his report has not yet been received. As soon as the Board of Trade have had an opportunity of considering any recommendations that he may make I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked whether the percentage of unemployment was greater from 1st January, 1906, to 1st January, 1911, than from 1st January, 1901, to 1st January, 1906?

The mean of the monthly percentages of unemployment in certain trade unions in the five years ending 1905 was 4.6 as compared with 5.5 in the five years ending 1910. During 1911 the percentage has varied from 3.9 to 2.5, the mean of the seven months ending 31st July being 3.1.

asked what is the value of British and German exports to Egypt during the last completed year; what was the value twenty years ago; and what is the increase per cent. of British and German exports to Egypt during the last twenty years?

The value of domestic produce and manufactures exported from the United Kingdom to Egypt was, in 1891 £3,780,000, and in 1910 £8,717,000, being an increase of £4,928,000, or 130 per cent. The value of the corresponding exports from Germany to Egypt was, in 1891 £307,000, and in 1910 £1,679,000, an increase of £1,372,000, or 447 per cent.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when he proposes to set up an elected senate?

The answer is in the negative.

Are we to understand that the rights and liberties of the people are to be under the tyranny of an accidental majority in this House for an indefinite time?

That savours of a peroration.

Are we to have the pleasure of seeing the Prime Minister back in the House?

asked the Prime Minister at what date he proposes to introduce a Bill to carry into effect the intention expressed in the Preamble of the Parliament Bill, to substitute for the House of Lords as it at present exists a Second Chamber constituted on a popular instead of hereditary basis?

It would be premature to give any answer to this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is to be before or after Home Rule?

That is a question that I could not undertake to answer. There is no intention of introducing a Home Rule Bill this Session.

Is there any intention whatever of amending the Second Chamber now?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the Board of Trade have given assurances that the Labour Exchanges would not interfere with domestic servants' agencies, the exchanges are now advertising in their windows numerous vacancies for domestic servants; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

Managers of exchanges are instructed not to accept notification of vacancies for indoor domestic servants for private houses. I am not aware that any action contravening this instruction has been taken, but if the hon. Member has any specific instance in his mind and will bring it to my notice I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked whether the advisory committee of the Liverpool district, which controls the Labour Exchanges of Liverpool, Birken-head, Warrington, St. Helens, and South-port, permits any trade union or friendly society to hold its business meeting in the Labour exchange premises for the nominal charge of 1s. per meeting; and to what extent the same course is adopted by other advisory committees?

The Liverpool and District Advisory Trade Committee have dealt with applications from trade unions under Section VIII. 1. of the General Regulations (copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend) and have approved of the use of rooms in Labour Exchanges in Birken-head, Bootle, Liverpool, St. Helens, and Warrington. I understand that several other advisory committees are adopting the same course. The rate charged is one shilling per meeting.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the case of a young girl named Elizabeth Johnston, who was burnt to death while travelling on the top of a tramcar in Dublin in July last; whether at the inquest, while no direct evidence was given as to the cause of the burning, two theories were suggested, namely, one that it was caused by an electric spark from the trolley, the other that it was caused by someone smoking and throwing away a lighted cigarette; whether he is aware that the relatives of the unfortunate girl are anxious for a sworn inquiry as to the origin of the accident, and that many other persons share that desire; and whether, under all the circumstances, he will, in the public interest, direct an inquiry to be held into the question at issue, in regard to which the coroner's jury returned an open verdict?

When a report of this accident was received the question of holding an inquiry was considered, but the Board of Trade were advised that there was no reason to suppose that the accident could have been due to any electrical defect. In these circumstances an inquiry by the Board of Trade in addition to that held by the coroner did not appear to be necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that a large quantity of skim-milk cheese is being sold in London and elsewhere under the name of Caerphilly cheese; whether he is aware that genuine Caerphilly cheese is a whole-milk cheese, and its producers in Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire are suffering loss through the sale of an inferior article under the same name; and whether, in view of the fact that under all conditions a whole-milk cheese shows on analysis an excess of butter-fat over casein, any steps can be taken under the Food and Drugs Acts, or otherwise, to put a stop to such fraudulent sales?

Enquiry is being made as to this matter, the result of which I shall be happy to communicate to the hon. Member.

Will inquiry be translated into action?

asked whether, in view of the very short crop this year of straw in this country, there is any early prospect of the embargo on French straw being removed?

Foot-and-mouth disease is still very prevalent in France, and my reply must, therefore, be in the negative.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture has received from the Poultry Keepers Protection Society a letter calling his attention to the injury done to smallholders and other poultry keepers by the increasing number of foxes preserved in England and to the increase in the losses of poultry due to the depredations of these animals; whether the society have directed his attention to the fact that some hunts ignore poultry claims, and that the Southdown Hunt, whilst preserving quite three times the number of foxes that it can adequately deal with in the hunting season, yet refuses compensation to any poultry keepers except farmers over whose land the hunt rides and the employés of such; whether the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture is aware that the society also complains of the increasing importation of alien foxes; and whether, having regard to the manner in which the poultry-raising industry is threatened by this state of affairs, he will state what reply he proposes to make to the representations of the society?

The Board have received the letter to which my hon. Friend refers, and inquiry is being made with regard to it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can now state the result of his inquiries into the change made in the arrangements of working hours of stokers at the Darenth Asylum under the Metropolitan Asylums Board?

I learn that instructions have been given by the clerk to the managers that their resolution as to hours of labour is to be interpreted in the most liberal fashion. The matter will be further considered by the managers after the Recess.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire why the eight hours were taken away.

was understood to indicate assent.

asked what is the total number of men who have received temporary assistance at Hollesley Bay labour colony since it has been under the control of the Central (Unemployed) Body for London; the number of men selected for training, the number of such men who have been emigrated, and the number of such men who have obtained work in the United Kingdom, together with the number of their dependents; the total cost of relieving men and their families temporarily, and the total cost for training men either for emigration or other work; and will the President of the Local Government Board state the net weekly cost of maintenance per man resident in the colony after taking account of receipts from sales and estate improvements, and the average cost per family maintained in London?

I am making inquiry of the Central (Unemployed) Body with a view to obtaining the statistics for which my hon. Friend asks so far as they are available, and I will inform him of the result.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received a request from the British Immigration League of Australia asking that the authorities in Great Britain will extend the operations of the Unemployed Workmen's Act so that it may cover the whole of the United Kingdom, as it will be the means of allowing many people to emigrate who are now unable to do so, and so be of benefit both to the Mother-country and also to the British Dominions; and whether he intends to take any action to bring about this result?

I have received a copy of a resolution passed by the British Immigration League of Australia to the effect referred to. It is proposed by the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill that the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, should be continued in force in its present form until 31st December, 1912. I could not promise to introduce amending legislation on the subject at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Australian Immigration League only want to take the surplus unemployed in the towns, and are we to understand that at present, under normal conditions, there is no want of regular employment in the towns of the country?

I do not think that question arises out of my answer.

If there is no employment in the towns, would it not be better for men to go to Australia, where there is employment to be obtained?

There will be the local distress committee to consider each particular case.

asked whether Dr. Kaye medical officer of health to the West Riding County Council, was requested by the President of the Local Government Board to visit a maggot farm and inquire there into the alleged cure for consumption resulting from the inhalation of the trimethylamina and ammonia issuing from maggots found in putrifying meat; and, if so, what was the result of such inquiry?

As I informed the hon. Member in answer to a similar question on 1st August, I have made no such request to Dr. Kaye.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been repeatedly stated at meetings of local authorities that he made that request?

Yes; and I have just as repeatedly contradicted it.

asked if the cause of the damage to the five destroyers off the coast of Ireland has now been ascertained; if the damage has been repaired; and are the boats now ready to take part in the autumn cruises?

The damage was caused during a full-speed trial which was stopped before it had been completed on account of the severe weather conditions. The five vessels affected are now under repair and are expected to be ready for sea next month.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the road across Hyde Park from Victoria Gate to Alexandra Gate was closed to vehicular traffic on the morning of Tuesday, 15th August, presumably for repairs, notwithstanding the fact that the road was then intact, no stone having been turned; and whether, having regard to the inconvenience to the public in being unable to drive across the park for a period of some weeks while the road is under repair, he will arrange that the road be divided lengthwise, so that one half only of the road be closed at a time, as is done generally when other roads, both in London and in the country, are being repaired?

The First Commissioner regrets the inconvenience which must always be felt by the public when repairs of this kind take place. This road was closed on 15th August, and work was begun on the same day at 10 a.m. The alteration in method suggested by the hon. Member would be expensive and unsatisfactory, but the First Commissioner is trying to minimise the public inconvenience by hurrying on the work as much as possible.

asked whether the Department will consider during the coming recess if some rearrangement of the rooms chiefly used by Members of the House would contribute to their convenience, and particularly that all the dining-rooms, which are only visited once or twice a day, should be located in the far corridor, and the Members' smoking-room, to which brief and frequent visits are made, and which is much used as a convenient waiting-room for Divisions, should be brought next to the smoking library, or to some other place nearer the debating chamber?

The First Commissioner will be glad to consider the matter, which must, however, be decided by the general wishes of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the difficulty which is being experienced in many parts of the country in obtaining land adjacent to public elementary schools for the purposes of school gardens and manual instruction, he will consider the advisability of including the consideration of this problem in the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee recently appointed to consider the provision and extension of playground accommodation for such schools?

I am anxious that the Inquiry of the Departmental Committee on School Playgrounds should be as short and businesslike as possible, and that their report on a matter of great practical importance to local education authorities and managers of schools should not be delayed. I am, therefore, very reluctant to widen the terms of reference so as to include anything which is not strictly connected with the specific problem referred to the Committee. I am very greatly interested in the development of school gardens and manual instruction, and shall feel obliged if the hon. Member will inform me of any cases within his knowledge in which the efforts of local education authorities to develop either of these branches of instruction have been frustrated by the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases the school gardens are part of the playgrounds, and therefore it is difficult to keep the two problems distinct.

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the difficulty of getting land for educational purposes is not confined only to the country districts, but that there is an urban difficulty also?

I am aware of the difficulty.

asked if the President of the Board of Education is aware that the National Competition Exhibition is being held in iron buildings, inadequate in size for the purpose and with a temperature so high as to inconvenience visitors; and if he can state why this exhibition is not housed in the space originally provided for it in the Victoria and Albert Museum?

It is not the case that any particular space was provided for the National Competition in the new buildings for the Victoria and Albert Museum. With regard to the rest of the question I have nothing to add to the answers I gave to the hon. Member on the 6th and 31st March last on this question.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider the present building satisfactory?

It is the best possible under the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the ambulance arrangements at the Coronation were made by the police, he will state how many members of voluntary aid detachments of the Red Cross Society did duty at the Coronation, and how many members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade?

Two thousand one hundred and forty-two members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade did duty on June 22nd. The Red Cross Society offered its services, but the offer was subsequently withdrawn, as it was found impossible to ensure the attendance of a sufficient number of detachments with the requisite uniform. In consequence, no members of the voluntary aid detachments of the Red Cross Society did duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that the Assistant Commissioner of Police promised with reference to the letter Police-constable Greaves had written to Stinie Morrison's counsel that if the letter was written in good faith his (Greave's) career would be in no way affected, and that Police-constable Greaves, prior to his transfer to Pinner, had been attending for eight months classes for instruction in the Yiddish language, and had been studying that language in his own time, with a view to qualifying for the position of interpreter at a police station, and that it is impossible for Greaves to secure such appointment whilst at Pinner, he will see that the promise of the Assistant Commissioner is carried out; and whether he will direct that Police-constable Greaves be returned to his former division, where his prospects would remain unchanged?

I cannot add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member on the 7th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the locality there is discontent on account of the bad treatment this constable has received?

No; I am not aware that there is any discontent.

asked the Home Secretary whether the new Recorder of Liverpool, Mr. Hemmerde, K.C., has just sentenced a young man, Edward Gillibanks, to twenty-five strokes with the birch, in addition to twelve months' hard labour, for being an incorrigible rogue; and whether, in view of the effect of this form of punishment, he will consider the desirability of proposing the repeal of the Vagrancy Act?

The prisoner in this case was, I understand, a man who had corrupted a girl of fifteen, and for the second time had been convicted of living on the earnings of her prostitution. I cannot say that I think the punishment inflicted on him supplies an argument for repealing the Vagrancy Act.

Is it necessary to suggest that the questioner is in sympathy with such crimes as this, and was not that the object of the right hon. Gentleman, not in his answer to-day, but on previous days where anybody objects to that punishment, in drawing attention to the nature of the crime which has nothing whatever to do with the question.

I can assure the House and my hon. Friend that nothing was further from my thoughts or from my words than to suggest that he had the slightest sympathy with the odious character, but it is necessary to state what the offence is in order to justify the very proper and salutary punishment.

What I want to get at is whether it is possible to get rid of this degrading method of punishment. I want some answer from the Home Office on this question.

I have given my answer. I think it is very proper punishment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Section 10 of the Vagrancy Act of 1824 lays down no restriction whatever as to the amount of flogging, or as to the manner in which it is to be inflicted, or as to the instrument by which it is to be inflicted, and whether he will consider the advisability of repealing that part of the Section?

The hon. Member must give notice of an important question of that kind.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman says that this punishment was inflicted for the offence of seducing a girl of the age of fifteen?

The man was convicted of being a rogue and vagabond, living on the earnings of prostitution, and what adds to the gravity of the offence is the youth of the girl with whom he was living. Under those circumstances I think the Recorder, whom we all know is thoroughly in touch with the opinion of this House, acted entirely properly.

Is it the view of the Home Office that any young man of twenty-six who is physically healthy is incorrigible?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for the St. Stephen's Green Division of Dublin?

[The following was the Notice of Motion referred to: Mr. Brady,—Public Libraries Acts,—Return showing the names of all places in England, in Scotland, and in Ireland, in which the Public Libraries Acts had been adopted prior to the 25th day of March, 1911, with Tables showing for each place its population according to the latest available Census; the date of adoption; date of opening the Library; date of opening branches, if any; date of opening Museum and Art Gallery, if any; number of volumes in Reference Library, in Lending Library, and in. branches on the 25th day of March, 1911; number of volumes issued in the year ended on that day; average daily attendance in Reading Rooms during that year; income and expenditure during that year, distinguishing income from other sources than public rate, if any (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 5, of Session 1890–91.]

The Return will be granted, subject to slight amendments respecting which I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether under the Vote providing payment of Members of this House it was intended that the term Ministers should refer only to those Members of the Government who hold office direct from the Crown; and whether a Treasury Minute will be issued excluding the Patronage Secretary, the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Financial Secretary for War, and the various under-secretaries from participation in the Vote of £400 per annum for each non-salaried Member of the House?

(1) The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. (2) The term "Minis- ters" includes all Members of His Majesty's Government, whether holding office direct from the Crown or under other Ministers. The Ministers mentioned in the question will therefore be excluded from receipt of salaries as Members of Parliament by the terms of the Grant, without any special direction by the Treasury.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any authority whatever for his statement other than his own view?

If my hon. Friend will look at Standing Order No. 9 he will find the term "Minister" used in the sense I have referred to.

asked whether it was the intention of the Government, in moving the Resolution passed by this House on the 10th of August relative to the payment of Members, that the definition as a Minister contained therein should be confined to Members of the Cabinet, the Law Officers of the Crown in England, Ireland and Scotland, or if it was intended in future that the paid and unpaid Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, the Under-Secretary of the Home Office, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Under-Secretary for India, the Financial Secretary for War, the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade should take the rank of Minister?

The term "Minister" employed in the Resolution includes the persons referred to in the latter portion of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply given a few minutes ago is entirely erroneous, and that Standing Order No. 9 gives no definition whatever of "Minister"?

I do not know to what answer my hon. Friend refers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to exclude the unpaid Lords of the Treasury, who are certainly Ministers of the Crown, from the payment which every other unpaid Member of the House is to receive?

I should not like to answer that question straight away without consideration. I should have thought they would have been included.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that Lords of the Treasury, unlike Secretaries of the Treasury, are Ministers of the Crown, and that they are therefore excluded by the express words of the Resolution which the House has carried? Is that the intention?

I will consider that. There is only one unpaid Lord of the Treasury.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that even at this stage he had better bring in a Bill to deal with the matter?

I think the right hon. Gentleman might realise, before putting that question, that it is not necessary to bring in a Bill; it could easily be amended in the Resolution itself. It is quite unnecessary to bring in a Bill for the purpose.

May I ask whether the hon. Member for North Ayrshire (Mr. A. M. Anderson) and the hon. Member for Wick Burghs (Mr. Munro) will receive their salaries, as they are Advocates-Depute and receive salaries of £700 a year?

Perhaps the Noble Lord will put down a question on the point.

Who will be the person to decide these points? Will the £250,000 be handed over to Mr. Gibbons, a clerk of this House—a distinguished officer of this House, I agree—for distribution amongst us, and will Mr. Gibbons decide these points?