asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was able to communicate to the House the text of the circular note issued by the Italian Government to the Powers last month, notifying the attack upon the Turkish vilayet of Tripoli, and the terms of the reply of His Majesty's Government made to that communication?

A notification of the declaration of war between Italy and Turkey was communicated to His Majesty's Government on 30th September. His Majesty's Government duly issued a declaration of neutrality. It would be undesirable to lay any papers on the subject at the present juncture.

asked whether an extraordinary meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention had been called for this day; if so, whether this meeting had been summoned at the request of Russia to discuss the limitation of her export of sugar; and what attitude His Majesty's Government had directed their representatives to assume with regard to Russia's claim in the event of its not being conceded by the other parties to the Convention?

An extraordinary meeting of the Permanent International Sugar Commission has been summoned for to-day at the instance of the Russian Government, with a view to the increase of the amount of Russian sugar to be exported westwards in the year 1911–12 beyond the amount laid down by the Brussels Convention. The last part of the question is not one which I can answer while the Commission is still sitting, but I shall make a statement on the subject as soon as the sittings are concluded.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long the session will last; whether he will be able to make a statement on, say Tuesday or Wednesday; and whether he recalls the assurance he gave the House in 1908 that no sugar would be prevented from entering this country; and whether he thinks that is borne out by the facts?

I have not the words in mind, but the assurance I gave must have meant that we were not parties to the prevention of Russian exports, and that our ports were open to any sugar sent from there. That, of course, still holds good. As regards the duration of the sittings of the Commission, I cannot say definitely whether they will be long or not. I hope they will not be long, because I recognise the importance and urgency of the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he was aware that for the past two years a criminal conspiracy had existed on the Island of Aran, directed against one Roger Derrane and anyone who associated or in any way supported him, and that this conspiracy arose immediately after the establishment on the island of a branch of the United Irish League, of which the Reverend Father Farragher was president; whether, as a result of the working of this conspiracy, one Colman McDonagh had been boycotted, with his aged mother and a young family of children; whether this Colman McDonagh, having been employed in 1909 and 1910 by the Congested Districts Board in charge of an ice hulk in Aran was this year refused employment and the secretary of the branch of the United Irish League appointed in his stead; whether he was aware that on the 16th July McDonagh attended a meeting of the branch of the United Irish League in Aran to endeavour to get the boycott removed, but was turned out by the president, the Reverend Father Farragher, that McDonagh was attacked by a mob in Achill and badly beaten, and that certain of his assailants were prosecuted by the police; whether he was also aware that on the night of the 24th July McDonagh attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in his own house, but was rescued by a police patrol; whether he had now been committed to the criminal lunatic asylum at Ballinasloe; and what steps the Irish Government proposed to take to bring to justice those persons in Aran who had driven this man to the asylum and left his aged mother and young children to the mercy of the conspiracy?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will postpone this question; I have not the information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked a question on this very subject, in almost the same terms, six months ago?

What reply was given to it then?

The right hon. Gentleman said that a civil action was pending, and that therefore he was prevented from making any statement on the subject.

I will have the information and give the hon. and gallant Gentleman an answer.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that Statute C of the University College, Dublin, which extinguished the lectureships in Spanish and Italian that had been originally created at that college and substituted therefor a joint lectureship in these subjects, purported to have been made by the Dublin Commissioners after they had taken into consideration the representations of the governing body of the college; when were those representations made, and what was the nature of them; and would he direct the production of the minutes of the meeting of the governing body at which those alleged representations were agreed to be sent forward?

The Statute in question is in the ordinary form, and recites that the Commissioners, as required by Statute, had taken into consideration the representations of the governing body and of all other persons interested. The Commissioners informed me in reply to a question on the same subject in August last that the only minute of the governing body of which they were aware was one expressing confidence in Miss Degani's competence to discharge all the duties of her office. I have no power to direct the production of the minutes of the governing body.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no power in the matter?

No. The Commissioners are a body of learned and highly competent persons, and I have no control over them.

asked the Chief Secretary if Miss Degani, the present holder of the chair of Spanish and Italian at University College, Dublin, ever applied for the position to which she had been appointed; if so, when was her application made and what qualifications for the position did she allege herself to be possessed of; if he was aware that Convocation of the National University unanimously adopted a resolution at its meeting on the 28th April last condemning the manner of her appointment; and what steps did the University authorities propose to take in regard to Convocation's, complaint and unanimous resolution?

I have nothing whatever to do with the appointment of professors or lecturers in the University. I have no sources of information, and I am therefore entirely unable to answer the question.

Are we to understand that when any wrong has been done under this Act of Parliament there is no Minister in the House to answer for it?

The University is a self-governing body. I have no more control over it than over the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

asked the Chief Secretary why the Dublin Commissioners, under The Irish Universities Act, 1908, had not, in accordance with the practice of such bodies, stated in their final Report the dates of all meetings held by them, with the names of the Commissioners present at each; why he had not followed the practice of other Ministers by placing a copy of the proceedings of the Commissioners in the Library; whether those proceedings show that Miss Degani appeared, in the first instance, as a candidate for a lectureship in her native German only, producing, as a credential of ability, her own assertion that she had prepared for certain examinations, without claiming to have passed them, and, as her sole credential of character, a statement from an Irish lady of things she had heard Miss Degani say of herself; if he would say by whom Miss Degani was prompted to apply in November, 1909, for a joint lectureship in Italian and Spanish which was not created until 1910; if he could explain, consistently with the exercise of a free choice by the Commissioners, the fact that Miss Degani announced in a printed document, circulated in London in 1909, that she had obtained the dual appointment at Dublin which was neither filled nor created until 1910, and her subsequent appointment by the Commissioners without exposing her to the risk of fair competition; at whose instance, and for what reason, Miss Degani was thus favoured with information and position withheld from the two Irish ladies found best entitled to them in open competition by the governing body of University College; why this particular lectureship alone was withdrawn from open competition; and whether it was the only one created and filled by them at the same meeting without public notice?

had also given notice of the following questions: To ask the Chief Secretary (1) whether it was at his instance the Board of Intermediate Education for Ireland gave Miss Degani a temporary examinership last summer; whether he was aware that their advising examiner reported Miss Degani to the Board for incompetence; what became of her lectureships in Italian and Spanish while so engaged; and there being no dearth of competent examiners in Ireland, whether he would take steps to prevent future tampering with Irish education and wasting Irish money for the benefit of a lady having irresponsible patrons; (2) if he would state, from the proceedings of the Dublin Commissioners under The Irish Universities Act, 1908, what educational distinctions, qualifications, and record in Italian and Spanish, respectively, were produced by the Irish ladies chosen by the governing body of University College, Dublin, for lectureships in those subjects, and by the lady to whom the temporary Commissioners afterwards gave the dual position; what was the explanation of that lady's refusal to lecture in Spanish for the A course in which literature is set as the chief subject in the official regulations for the courses of study at University College; and whether the regulations made by the college authorities were modified for the convenience of any professor or lecturer but Miss Degani; (3) if he would state the dates of the Statute creating separate lectureships in Italian and Spanish in University College, Dublin; of the public announcement that lecturers would be appointed; of the selection from among the candidates by the governing body of the college, with the names of those selected; of the altered intention of the Dublin Commissioners conveyed to Miss Degani, with the name of the person who conveyed it; of Miss Degani's application for a dual position not then existing; and of the meeting at which the Commissioners cancelled their previous Statute, made a new Statute creating a joint lectureship, and, without waiting for it to be ratified and without public notice, appointed Miss Degani to it, with the names of the Commissioners present at that meeting; (4) in view of the creation by the Dublin Commissioners under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, of separate lectureships in Italian and Spanish in University College, Dublin, and the selection, after public notice, by the governing body of that college of the two candidates best qualified for those positions, if he would state the Commissioners' reason for cancelling all this, uniting the two lectureships, and at the same meeting, with no application for the dual position before them but that of a person previously informed of their purpose, conferring it, on the sole recommendation of a medical doctor ignorant of both Italian and Spanish, on a person confessedly incompetent to discharge the duties of the position and since refusing to discharge them; and, in view of the discredit to the new University from this appointment to its teaching staff, whether the lady would be removed forthwith from the position in which she had been improperly placed, referred to her patrons, and the position filled in the regular manner; (5) if he would say What answer the Dublin Commissioners, under The Irish Universities Act, 1908, gave to the resolution adopted unanimously by Convocation of the National University expressing regret at the action of the Dublin Commissioners in abolishing the lectureships in Italian and Spanish originally created by them at University College, Dublin, and in substituting therefor a joint lectureship in those subjects, and stating that Convocation was entitled to an explanation from the Commissioners; and why the appointment to the joint lectureship was made by them without having been first advertised in the usual way; and (6), in view of the facts that the Statutes made by the Dublin Commissioners under The Irish Universities Act, 1903, gave Convocation of the National University power to discuss and pronounce an opinion on any matter whatsoever relating to the University, and that the meeting of Convocation was the only opportunity allowed to free members of that body for exercising that power of discussing and pronouncing an opinion, whether it was at his instance, and, if not, at whose, the clerk of Convocation refused to insert on the agenda for the meeting of Convocation on the 20th October, 1911, a resolution of a member duly served on him dealing with the surreptitious appointment to the joint lectureship in Italian and Spanish; whether Convocation had power to dismiss its clerk or to have his salary withheld for insubordination; and what steps he proposed to take to restore to Convocation its restricted powers under the Statutes and its freedom to discuss appointments in its opinion calculated to injure the University at the outset of its career?

I will answer all the questions in the name of the hon. Member for North Westmeath together. The reports of the Dublin Commissioners under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, have been duly presented to Parliament and circulated to Members, and I am not aware of the existence of any other report of their proceedings. I had nothing whatever to do with Miss Degani's appointments either in the University College, Dublin, or under the Intermediate Education Board, or with any of the other matters referred to in these questions. I have no responsibility for them, nor do I possess the means of information which would enable me to answer them. The University is a self-governing body.

Seeing that the Cambridge certificate for secondary teachers does not certify the holder to be competent to teach Spanish, and that the examination for it does not comprise Spanish, will the Chief Secretary say what competent authority in Spanish certifies Miss Degani as capable of speaking that language?

I have no knowledge as to what the Cambridge certificate may be, nor as to any of the other matters.

Is the Chief Secretary aware that Miss Degani got Catholic support in Ireland by claiming to have taught in Wycombe Abbey, which was understood in Ireland to be a convent, whereas it is, as a matter of fact, a big Protestant school?

I have nothing whatever to do with Miss Degani's appointment. It was made by the Dublin Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he had yet come to a decision on the subject of adopting Greenwich time throughout Ireland?

There is much to be said for the proposed change, and personally I am in favour of it, but, having regard to the provisions of the Statutes (Definition of Time) Act 1880, it could not be effected without legislation, which is out of the question this Session, unless indeed the matter can be treated as wholly uncontentious.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the matter is entirely non-contentious, and that all parties in Ireland are agreed—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—and have not petitions been signed in favour of the alteration?

Wait till we get Home Rule.

I shall be glad to know that this Irish matter is non-contentious, but I have not yet been informed so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on how many days during the recent Railway strike in Ireland he and the Lord Lieutenant, respectively, were in residence in Dublin?

The records of the office show that the Lord Lieutenant was in Dublin for seven days during the recent railway strike, and the Chief Secretary for two days.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how many days Mr. Jim Larkin was in Dublin?

I cannot.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the statement issued to the Press by Sir James Dougherty during the railway strike in Ireland to the effect that the Government were taking no sides was issued after consultation with himself?

No statement of any kind was issued to the Press by the Under-Secretary during the railway strike.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who was responsible for the statement that appeared in the Press said to have been signed by Sir James Dougherty?

Nothing was said to be signed by him. Some newspaper persons intruded themselves on the Under-Secretary's notice, and asked him for certain information which he gave to them. The next day—I will not say to his surprise, but as a matter of fact—he saw the report of an interview alleged to have taken place between these gentlemen and himself. It was a wholly garbled version of what never took place. This garbled version of an alleged interview now appears in the Noble Lord's question as a "statement issued to the Press." No such statement was ever issued.

No contradiction was made at the time. Can the right hon. Gentleman say why?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution adopted by the council of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland as to the delay in registering titles in the Registration of Titles Office; and whether he is aware that at present the cases in arrear amount approximately to 18,500 first registrations untouched, and, in addition, 5,000 first registration of labourers' cottages untouched; and whether, in view of the fact that the arrears will rapidly accumulate, he will do anything to remove this congestion?

Steps have been taken to increase the staff of the Registration of Titles Office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he is aware that the house of a farmer named Joseph Golding, residing near Bawnmore, in the Clare-Galway district, has been fired into recently; how many shots were fired and what damage was done; does Golding hold some of the land formerly held by Lieutenant Kirwan, who was driven from the district by persistent boycotting and annoyance; and if the police have yet discovered the persons who fired into Golding's house?

I am informed by the police that the house of Joseph Golding was fired into on the 22nd September. The precise number of shots fired is not known. The glass was broken in the window of an unoccupied bedroom and in an adjoining room. Golding is land steward to Lieutenant Kirwan, and he also held some land from him. No arrests have been made up to the present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, on the 3rd October, Mrs. Moran, of Anbally, the wife of a workman employed by Mr. John Burke, of Currandrum, county Galway, was fired at and wounded by a person in hiding behind a stack; if he is aware that Mr. John Burke has been boycotted and under police protection; if the protection had been relaxed before this outrage, and what was the reason for such relaxa- tion; and what steps, if any have been taken, to bring the assailant of Mrs. Moran to justice?

I am informed by the Inspector-General that Mrs. Moran was fired at as stated in the question. Mr. John Burke has been boycotted since last spring and is under police protection. This protection has not been relaxed. The police have been, and are, using every effort to bring the assailant of Mrs. Moran to justice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether he has received any offer from the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Waterford (Mr. John Redmond) to assist him in stamping out boycotting?

No, Sir; I am not in the habit of asking for such assistance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Waterford has pledged himself, pending the passage of the Home Rule Bill—and has announced publicly in Ireland—that he will denounce boycotting in Ireland in authenticated cases, and will the right hon. Gentleman furnish the hon. and learned Gentleman with particulars of cases that have come under his notice, and of any other cases of which he may have official knowledge?

May I say at once, Mr. Speaker, I entirely repudiate what the hon. Gentleman has read out.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Commissioners of National Education have yet received authority from the Treasury to pay all teachers who have been promoted to the first grade the arrears of salary to which they are entitled according to Rule 105 (a) of the Commissioners; if he will state the nature of the recommendations made by the Commissioners of National Education on this question; what offer, if any, has been made by the Treasury to the Commissioners; has any of the revision taken place in the limit of numbers fixed by the Treasury; has any promise been given that the teachers concerned would be paid the arrears of salary due; and if he is able to name any other public servants in Ireland who are denied increases of salary on promotion?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked by him on 19th June last, to which I have nothing at present to add. The Irish Government have informed the Commissioners of National Education that they are prepared to recommend to the Treasury an expansion of the standard numbers to meet the case of the forty-seven teachers who have been promoted without a corresponding increase of salary provided that no further promotions are made save on the occurrence of vacancies, but the Commissioners have declined this offer. No promise has been given as to the payment of arrears of salary. All other public servants, so far as I am aware, have to wait for vacancies before obtaining promotion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his Department made purchases of motor cars for use in connection with the Durbar; if so, whether those purchased were of British manufacture or of foreign make; and, if the latter, will he say what advantages they possessed over the Home-made machines?

No motor cars have been purchased in connection with the Durbar by or through the India Office; but the Government of India has purchased directly a number of cars for use in connection with the Durbar. The Secretary of State has no official information as to the make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to inform the House as to the steps taken by the Government of Bermuda to deepen and widen the waterway of St. George's Channel so as to make it more useful for the mercantile marine visiting the Bermuda Islands?

The Town Cut Channel leading into St. George's Harbour is now being dredged to a minimum depth of twenty-four feet at low water and this work is expected to be completed in 1914.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the naval airship is a failure, he will make experiments in aeroplanes rising either from floats on the sea or from the deck of a mother-ship, and, if successful, will he purchase some for the Navy?

The question of the best way of using aeroplanes for naval service is receiving the careful study which its growing importance deserves.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the authorities at the Royal dockyards were consulted before the change was made in regard to the system of engaging outside labour; whether it has been the custom for the authorities in the Royal dockyards to keep lists of men available for particular classes of work in the event of their labour being required; whether these lists have been handed over to the Labour Exchanges, and, if so, have the men whose names appear on these lists been informed that if they want employment they must register their requirements at the Labour Exchanges; whether these men will receive priority of consideration to other men registering at the Labour Exchanges; and whether he can explain in what way the new system is likely to assist the authorities at the Royal dockyards in obtaining more efficient workmen?

Before the right, hon. Gentleman answers, may I point out that they have somehow or other been placed in the wrong order. No. 31 should be first, then 33, then 32, and finally 30 (the above). I do not know whether that will assist the right hon. Gentleman in answering the questions.

I will answer Question 30 first, and the others in their order. With regard to the first part of the question, the matter under reference was discussed with the yard authorities. It has been customary for the authorities in the dockyards to keep lists of men available for particular classes of work in the event of their labour being required. Copies of these lists have been handed over to the Labour Exchanges, whose duty it will be to communicate with these men upon the requisition of the yard authorities. Priority of consideration for the men on these lists would be given if the yard authorities so desire. With regard to the final part of the question, the authorities will at all times have a comprehensive list available at the local office which is in touch with other similar offices throughout the Kingdom.

Is it not a fact that when the First Lord of the Admiralty introduced the Labour Exchanges Bill into the House of Commons, that he gave the House to understand that it was for the purpose of bringing the men who were seeking employment into direct touch with the employers needing labour?

Yes, that is exactly what this is doing.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state to the House the result of the consultations between the Admiralty and the War Office with regard to raising the minimum wages paid to labourers in the Royal dockyards; and, if not, can he give the House an approximate date when he expects these consultations will be brought to a close and a public statement made?

I am informed that the discussions on wages of labourers under the War Office and Admiralty in the early part of this year arose out of a confidential report of the Fair Wages Advisory Committee on the minimum wage in the London district. The minimum wage for Government workmen has now been raised to 24s. a week in the London establishments, and certain consequential adjustments of the wages of certain employés in these establishments who were previously paid more than the minimum rate of 23s. are still under consideration. There has been no ground shown for altering the minimum rate of labourers in the outports.

Am I to understand from that reply that the answer given to me by the First Lord of the Admiralty on a former occasion was not in accordance with fact?

I must see the answer before I reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it has been the custom for men, after registering their names for vacancies in the Royal dockyards, to accept other work pending a vacancy occurring; whether the same privilege will be extended to men awaiting positions in the yards who have registered their names for that purpose at the local Labour Exchanges; and, if so, will he cause a statement to this effect to be exhibited in a prominent position in the Labour Exchanges of dockyard towns, seeing that it involves a new departure in the administration of Labour Exchanges?

With regard to the first part of the question, the custom has been as stated. As to the second part of the question, no change of procedure is involved, and therefore there appears to be no necessity to take the course suggested in the third part.

Does that not conflict with the rules and regulations of the Labour Exchanges generally?

In no way.

asked the date when the engaging of workmen at the Royal dockyards was transferred from the yard authorities to the Labour Exchanges; whether the new system is by way of experiment, and, if so, how long is that experiment to continue; whether his attention has been called to the statement that the old system of entering men in the Royal dockyards was regarded as desultory and unsatisfactory, and that the object of the new scheme is to try and establish a greater continuity of labour conditions; whether this statement may be taken as expressing the views of the Admiralty; if so, will he explain on what premises the Government found their contention that entry through the Labour Exchanges will ensure a greater continuity of labour conditions; and, if not so, will he explain what advantages will accrue to the men from the new system of entry?

On 8th September instructions were given designed to secure closer co-operation between the local Labour Exchanges and the dockyards in the matter of engaging workmen. The experiment will be subject to report and revision after six months. The suggestion made in the third part of the question has not, so far as I am aware, been put forward by the Admiralty, and therefore the subsequent questions do not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that whilst facilities are allowed in Devonport dockyard for the delivery of newspapers to the workmen before work commences, steps have recently been taken to prevent the delivery of the "Labour Leader"; and whether he will put a stop to this discrimination?

I am informed that the question of the propriety of the sale of newspapers in His Majesty's dockyards by dockyard employés is under consideration. If prohibition is decided upon, all newspapers will be treated alike and no discrimination is contemplated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that duly qualified veterinary officers, when engaged in making a list of horses and ponies suitable for the yeomanry, have been offered a sum of 3s. 6d. a day not exceeding ten hours, and 6s. a day when necessary absence exceeds ten hours; and whether he will consider the desirability of offering a more suitable salary for a veterinary officer when engaged on Government service?

I will answer that. The rates of allowance quoted by the hon. and gallant Member do not apply to civil veterinary surgeons engaged on veterinary duties in connection with these services.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any sanction has been given by the War Office to that?

I can explain the whole matter to the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he will allow me to do so.

asked whether he is aware that in the recently issued tender for Navy boots it is stipulated that the soles shall be of British tanned leather, but no such stipulation is made as to the leather to be used for the uppers; and whether this is due to an oversight?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The stipulation as to sole leather is essential to obtain the desired quality, but no such stipulation is necessary for uppers. There is no intention, however, of imposing any disqualification upon British leather for the uppers, so long as it is fully equal to specification and pattern.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that previous tenders called for uppers made of leather known as "Army Butts," which is almost entirely made in Great Britain, while the present tender calls for box-calf uppers, which, unless specified as "British tanned leather" will in all probability be made of German or American leather?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that the cows were British?

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he can state if the members of the Eighty Club, who recently visited part of Ireland, were conveyed from Galway to Aran Island on the Congested Districts Board steamer "Granuaile"; and can he state whether the expenses of the trip were defrayed by the Eighty Club or by the Government, and, if by the latter, under what head they will appear in the Votes?

The steamer "Granuaile" on the occasion in question was performing its ordinary duty, and the members of the Eighty Club were taken at the same time, each member paying his own expenses.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what the fare was, and whether it would be possible for others to use the steamer?

I am quite sure anyone interested in Ireland and wishing to take a trip to the Aran Isles, like the hon. and gallant Member, upon payment of 5s., could do so, and would get food and moderate refreshments provided. The hon. and gallant Gentleman would be as welcome as anybody else.

Then this vessel subsidised by the Board is now to be looked upon as a passenger steamer?

No, Sir; only if the steamer is going there on its own business; then and then only will it take extra freight.

asked whether any representation has been made by the department to the Development Commission in regard to the cultivation of tobacco in Ireland; and whether he is able to state what action the Commission is going to take in the matter?

On the 18th July the Treasury forwarded to the Development Commissioners the Department's application for an advance by way of grant of £7,500, to be continued for ten years, for the purpose of further experiments regarding the production of tobacco in Ireland. A second application for £1,000 for five years for subsidiary investigations and research was made at the same time. The Development Commissioners inform me this morning that they will hear witnesses from the Department and from the Tobacco Growers' Association on Tuesday, 14th November.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring his influence to bear upon the Scottish Office to get a small grant for tobacco growing in Scotland?

The Irish Department has quite enough to do for itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a pamphlet now in its fourth edition, in the form of a letter to a boy, twelve to fourteen, by the Reverend F. B. Meyer; whether he has called the attention of the Public Prosecutor to the same; and, if so, whether any proceedings are contemplated in connection with the matter?

My attention has been called to this pamphlet, but no proceedings are contemplated in connection with it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman, since he left the quarter-deck, had the opportunity of reading it himself?

Yes, Sir. I have read it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has complaints respecting the present management of the reformatory ship "Mount Edgcumbe," or whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the matter?

Certain charges with regard to the condition of things on board this ship have been brought to my notice. The matters referred to occurred more than fifteen months ago, and an inquiry was held by the Committee of Management in August, 1910, as a result of which one of the officers was dismissed, and the superintendent—whose management was found to be very lax—resigned his position. The school is now under new and satisfactory management.

asked approximately the amount of damage done to property in the course of riots and disturbances from 1st October, 1910, to 1st October, 1911, in England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, respectively?

I am not in possession of the information required. It would be necessary in order to obtain it to call for reports from the local authorities all over the country. In the circumstances I am afraid that I cannot undertake to procure it.

In view of the importance of this question will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision?

I will look into it.

asked if the local police authorities can assign any reason for the attacks upon the persons and property of members of the Jewish community in certain Welsh towns during last August?

I am informed that the unpopularity of certain Jews in the district referred to gave rise to ill-feeling against the Jewish community generally, but it is not to be supposed that all the tradesmen whose shops were attacked had incurred special unpopularity. Some of them in fact did not belong to the Jewish community.

asked the date of the employment of Miss Degani under the Board of Education, with the educational rank, salary, and prescribed duration of the engagement; what the reason was for terminating the engagement before the time prescribed; whether Miss Degani's record of service is unsatisfactory; whether her duties were restricted to primary and secondary schools; whether the Gilchrist Travelling Scholarship, which she claims to have won, is a secondary school distinction; whether the Dublin Commissioners, under the Irish Universities Act, consulted the Board of Education with reference to Miss Degani's ability to lecture in Italian and Spanish; and what communication the Board made to those Commissioners with reference to Miss Degani?

Miss Degani was appointed a temporary Inspector of Secondary Schools under the Board of Education on the 1st January, 1905, under an engagement terminable at the close of each year at a salary of £300 per annum. On the 4th April, 1908, Miss Degani's appointment was made permanent until the 31st December, 1909. On the 14th August, 1908, Miss Degani tendered her resignation of her post to take effect on the 31st December, 1908. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The Gilchrist Travelling Scholarship is not a secondary school distinction, but is a studentship open to persons who have completed their training and obtained a diploma as teachers in secondary schools. The answer to the fifth and last parts of the question are in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the lady was teaching in this country?

She was an inspector of secondary schools.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether a travelling scholarship requires a teaching diploma in Spanish?

I cannot state specifically that it is necessary Spanish should be taught, but one or two foreign languages are necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government promised that the Royal Commission appointed to investigate and report on the working of the Railway Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme of 1907 should be so constituted that a Report making recommendations in a certain direction should be assured?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Merthyr (Mr. Keir Hardie) made an allegation to that effect in a pamphlet?

No, Sir; I know nothing about it; but it is totally unfounded.

As a matter of formal explanation, may I say, first of all, I received no notice from the Noble Lord that he was going to raise this matter. As a matter of courtesy, observed in all parts of the House, an hon. Member is informed beforehand if his conduct is to be brought to the notice of the House. I received no such notice. The statement I desire to explain, and which I presume the Noble Lord opposite has in his mind is one—

If the hon. Member will wait until the conclusion of questions I shall call upon him.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Departmental Committee which reported to the Government on the question of Irish finance was unanimous in its findings; and, if not, what members of the Committee signed the Majority Report?

asked whether the Special Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland have presented their Report; and, if so, whether it is intended to make public the results of their investigation?

The Committee have presented their Report. As I have frequently stated, it is a confidential document prepared for the use of the Government. I cannot, therefore, answer any questions as to its contents or undertake to make it public.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least relieve the anxiety in Ireland by stating, even from himself, what was the conclusion of this Committee as to the fate of the 192,000 Irish tenants who are not able to purchase under the Act of 1909?

No, Sir, I cannot disclose anything. The document is confidential.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the contents of this confidential document have been communicated to the hon. Member for Waterford or any other unofficial Member of the House?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether the seal of confidence extended to the members themselves, or whether they are at liberty to publish their opinions?

I have no doubt they will observe the obligation of confidence.

Was the obligation of confidence imposed upon those gentlemen, including the Bishop of Ross, before they consented to become members of it?

It would be a most unusual and discourteous thing to have imposed such.

Was any communication made to any of these gentlemen to the effect that they were serving upon a confidential committee?

Yes, they were all informed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why, in view of the importance of this subject, it is necessary to> make the Report confidential when so many are so anxious to know what is the result of the inquiries made by these experts?

The Report was made for the information of the Government with a view to legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the annual general meeting of the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture, held at Perth on the 6th instant, a resolution was passed by a large majority of Scottish agriculturists to the effect that, while expressing strong disapproval of the proposal to establish a separate Board of Agriculture for Scotland with no direct representation in the House of Commons, and acting upon the instructions and under the directions of the already overburdened Secretary for Scotland, and bearing in mind especially that the separate administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts would result in enormous trouble and loss to flock masters and stock owners, they desired, in lieu of the establishment of a separate Board of Agriculture for Scotland, to press for the creation of a Scottish Department of the present Board with fully staffed offices in Edinburgh and a chairman with a seat in the House of Commons, and assisted by a popularly elected consultative council composed of persons engaged in and connected with agriculture; and that a resolution to the same effect was unanimously adopted last week at York at a meeting of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture attended by over 300 English and Scottish farmers; and whether the Government propose to modify the provisions of the Scottish Landholders Bill in the manner suggested by such resolutions?

I am aware of the passing of the resolutions referred to on the occasions mentioned. The subject was considered fully when the Bill was in Committee, and the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to consult the wishes of the farmers of Scotland before he decides to constitute a separate Board of Agriculture for Scotland?

I propose to consult the wishes of the representatives of Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question concerns not only Scotch, but British agriculturists as well, and that the measure referred to was considered by a Standing Committee composed almost entirely of Scotch Members, and therefore did not come under the cognisance of the whole House?

But surely a Bill of that kind has to come before this House.

Is it not the case that the Scotch Members can manage agricultural matters as well as the English Members?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Royal Commission to inquire into the trade of the Empire has yet been appointed; and, if so, whether the names of the members of the Commission may be stated?

No sir, the Royal Commission has not yet been appointed.

Will there be much delay before the Commission is appointed?

I hope not.

Is it true that the hon. Member for Swansea is to be the chairman?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the proposed measure of Home Rule for Ireland, he will consider the advisability of applying the principle of proportional representation to the election of Members of the popular assembly?

I have no doubt that this and all other relevant points will receive due consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy the alleged grievances caused by the Teachers Superannuation Act, 1898?

If the hon. Member will let me have a statement of the grievances to which he intends to refer I will gladly inquire into the matter. I must, however, remind the hon. Member that alteration of the present conditions can only be effected by legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the damage caused by French fishing vessels to our own fishermen's gear in the English Channel; and whether he will take steps to see that the area from Berryhead to the Lizard is specially patrolled during the months of September, October, and November in order that the rights of British fishermen may be sufficiently protected?

also asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the damage caused by French fishing vessels to our own fishermen's gear in the English Channel; and whether he will take steps to see that the area from Berryhead to the Lizard is specially patrolled during the months of September, October, and November in order that the rights of British fishermen may be sufficiently protected?

Representations have already been made to me concerning the damage done by foreign fishing vessels to the gear of British fishermen in the English Channel. These representations have been conveyed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the position in which the scheme for coast-watching now stands; and whether additional precautions are being taken against the danger to shipping of danger-signals being unobserved?

The proopsals of the Board of Trade are still under consideration by the Treasury, so that I regret that I am therefore unable to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture when it is proposed to publish the Report of the Departmental Committee which was appointed by the Board to consider the position of sitting farm tenants upon the sale of agricultural estates?

I understand that the Committee are still engaged in considering their Report. I am unable to say when it will be published.

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to prevent the Liberal Members of this Committee rushing their estates upon the market in the meantime?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board has supported the application made in August last to the Development Commissioners for a grant out of the Development Fund for the establishment and maintenance of a National Poultry Institute for the purposes of research, advanced experimental work, and the training of expert teachers in connection with the egg and poultry industry; and whether such application has been approved by the Commissioners?

The Board have reported on this application, but the decision of the Development Commissioners and the Treasury has not yet been made known.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department permits as a deduction in paying Income Tax premiums paid for fidelity insurance in cases where such insurance is a condition precedent to the earning of the income?

When an employé is obliged by the terms of his appointment to pay a premium for fidelity insurance the Board of Inland Revenue would not object to the allowance of a deduction of the amount of the premium in determining the Income Tax liability.

asked the Postmaster-General why postmen who have passed no Civil Service examination to qualify them for duty as sorting clerks and telegraphists are employed at the general post office at Oxford on that duty, their own duty being in the meantime provided by casual labour?

I am making inquiry into this matter, and I should be obliged if the Noble Lord would put his question again in a week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice is not confined to Oxford?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me particulars of any other cases I shall be pleased to make inquiries.