asked the number of troops or guards being sent by His Majesty's Government to Southern Persia for the protection of British interests; and to what places these are to be drafted?

Between 400 and 500 men are being sent to Southern Persia to reinforce the Consular escorts, pending the establishment by the Persian Government of a system which will effectively provide for security. The distribution of the reinforcements between Shiraz, Bushire, and Ispahan has been left to the discretion of His Majesty's representative at Tehran, in consultation with the local Consular authorities. The increased escorts will be withdrawn when the Persian scheme is in effective operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House on the condition of affairs in Southern Persia in regard to British trade routes and regarding security of British subjects in Southern Persia?

I regret to state that the reports received from His Majesty's Minister at Tehran show that the condition of affairs in Southern Persia is very unsatisfactory. Frequent robberies have taken place upon the trade routes, telegraph wires have been cut, and disorders have taken place at Shiraz, which threatened considerable danger to British life and property. The Persian Government are endeavouring to remedy this state of things by the organisation of a gendarmerie force; but as some time must elapse before satisfactory results can ensue, and as there is at present no adequate guarantee against the recurrence of disorders, His Majesty's Government have taken the decision to increase the Consular escorts in the towns where the danger was most imminent and may recur.

Have the Persian Government granted any compensation to the officers and others and caravans that have been robbed?

No, Sir. There are several claims pending, but I cannot say whether any money has actually been paid. I ask the hon. Member to give me notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received official information to the effect that the ex-Shah of Persia has resumed military operations in Northern Persia; that his forces are accompanied by Russian officers; and that Russian troops and Russian gunboats rendered him assistance in the recent engagement near Bandargaz?

We have received information to the effect that there have been several recent engagements between a force of the ex-Shah's followers and Government troops near Bandargaz. His Majesty's Government have not heard that this force is accompanied by Russian officers, or that the ex-Shah is receiving assistance from Russian troops and gunboats, nor do we believe that there is any foundation for the report.

Is it not a fact that the Russian Government are sending 800 troops into Persia in addition to the 4,000 they already have there.

I gave the figures yesterday. If the hon. Member will refer to that answer I think he will find I gave the number as 250, but I cannot be quite sure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the British Government supported the Russian Government in resisting the appointment of Major Stokes by the Persian Government; and whether he can now lay upon the Table all the correspondence which passed between the British and the Russian Governments and the British and the Persian Governments in reference to this proposed appointment.

What we have done is to refuse to facilitate the appointment of Major Stokes by accepting his resignation. The ground for doing so is that it is not consistent with the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement that we should directly or indirectly promote the employment of a British officer to control gendarmerie in the North of Persia. We might ourselves have taken objection if the Russian Government had promoted the employment of a Russian officer to control gendarmerie in the part of Persia next to the Indian frontier, and we are bound to act reciprocally. It is not proposed to lay separate Papers on this point, but I will see if they can be included in the next Persian Blue Book.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table a statement of the number of Indian troops which it is proposed to send to Persia, the cities in which they are to be quartered, and the number proposed to be quartered in each city; a statement of the information on which it was decided to send Indian troops to Persia; and the communications which have passed between the British and Persian Governments in reference to this proposal?

Between 400 and 500 men are being sent from Bombay. Their distribution between Bushire, Shiraz, and Ispahan will be decided by His Majesty's Representative at Tehran in consultation with the local Consular authorities. Their dispatch was decided upon owing to reports received a few weeks ago that there was really serious danger to Europeans, especially at Shiraz; against the recurrence of that there is at present no adequate guarantee. It is not proposed to lay Papers on this point separately.

asked whether, in view of the continued state of insecurity which prevails in Shiraz-Ispahan road and on the roads in that part of Persia generally, His Majesty's Government propose to take any further steps to assist the Persian Government in protecting the lives and property of travellers?

The Persian Government have engaged seven additional Swedish officers to organise the Persian gendarmerie. It is hoped that, when this force has been made effective, security will so far be restored in southern Persia that no further steps will be necessary, and that the reinforcements of the Consular escorts can be withdrawn. The force now being sent will act as Consular guards, and it is not intended at present, nor would it be desirable, to extend their functions beyond that.

Would it not have been a great advantage to the Persian Government if they had accepted the generous offer of the British Government to lend them British officers?

That is a purely hypothetical question. The Persian Government can answer it, but nobody else.

asked what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to safeguard British rights in Tripoli?

His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that British rights in Tripoli are being jeopardised. The Italian Government have announced their intention to protect foreign subjects in Tripoli by all available means.

Are the capitulation rights enjoyed by British subjects under the Ottoman Empire still enjoyed by them in those parts of Tripoli which are occupied by the Italian troops?

Where there is a state of war at present existing it is difficult to say what treaty rights are while war is actually going on. We are not admitting in any way that any treaty rights we have in Tripoli are permanently impaired by anything that is taking place at the present moment.

asked whether the Egypto-Tripolitan frontier has been completely delimitated; and, if so, when this was done?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether His Majesty's Government will approve of the Italian Government establishing navigation laws which would prevent shipments from Italian to Tripolitan ports (and vice versâ) being carried in any but Italian ships?

This question is a hypothetical question that has not yet arisen, and with which it is impossible to deal at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any official information showing that British subjects were killed and wounded during the bombardment of Benghazi by the Italian fleet, and, if so, how many; if application was made by or on behalf of British subjects at Benghazi for their removal by the British or Italian authorities before the bombardment, and if any of them were removed; and if there was any British ship, either naval or mercantile, at Benghazi to render assistance to British subjects?

His Majesty's Government are informed that, during the bombardment of Benghazi, eight Maltese British subjects were killed by falling masonry. A shell struck the British Consulate, but the British Consul has telegraphed that commercial interests did not suffer any serious damage in consequence of the bombardment. So far as His Majesty's Government are aware, no application for removal was made by British subjects. No British naval ship was present, and so far as we are aware no British mercantile ship.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will use his good offices and the influence of the United Kingdom to put a stop to the killing of Arabs, men, women, and children, by the Italians at Tripoli?

The military operations of the Italian Government in Tripoli are a matter in which His Majesty's Government cannot interfere, and any other attitude would not be consistent with the Declaration of Neutrality that they have issued. I understand that the statement implied in the question has been denied on the highest authority, and I must earnestly deprecate the putting of questions on the Notice Paper of the House of Commons in a form that must be offensive to other Governments.

asked whether His Majesty's Government have any information regarding the resumption of lighthouse services in the Ægean and Red Seas; and, if so, whether the resumption is total or partial?

We have been in constant communication for some time with both the Italian and Turkish Governments on the question in order to secure the restoration of the lights. Orders were given on 21st October by the Italian Government to relight the Italian Red Sea lights that had been extinguished; but the Turkish Government have not yet seen their way to restore their lights without an understanding as to the neutralisation of the Red Sea. I am still in communication with the Government at Constantinople.

Having in view the forthcoming progress of the Royal yacht through the Red Sea, will the right hon. Gentleman see his way to make any special representation on the subject?

I would ask for notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the accounts of the sack of Tripoli and the bombardment of Benghazi; whether he has received any official information giving authentic particulars of those transactions, and, if so, whether he will immediately communicate such information to the House; and, if he has not received official accounts of these events, whether he will telegraph to the British Consuls asking for full and detailed reports?

His Majesty's Government have received no information to show that since the outbreak of hostilities between Italy and Turkey any event has occurred that can be described as a sack of Tripoli. With regard to Benghazi, I would refer to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Rutland. His Majesty's Government are kept informed of the course of events in Tripoli and Cyrenaica by His Majesty's Consuls in Tripoli and Benghazi, but I cannot undertake to give information except when British subjects are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Italian Government communicated to the British Government its intention of seizing Tripoli; whether the British Government assented to this enterprise or addressed any remonstrance to the Italian Government; and whether he will lay upon the Table any communications which have passed between the two Governments referring to the Italian expedition to Tripoli?

The first communication of any intention to seize Tripoli which His Majesty's Government received was the notification of the Declaration of War on 30th September. We at once expressed the intention of issuing a Declaration of Neutrality. As stated last Thursday, I am not prepared to lay Papers at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain to this House how that is consistent with the treaty obligations which this country entered into at The Hague?

I do not quite see the bearing of that question. We received a notification of a state of war, and we expressed our intention of issuing a Declaration of Neutrality. There is nothing in that, so far as I am aware, contrary to any treaty obligations.

Is it not a violation of treaty obligations on the part of Italy?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of the actual treaty he refers to.

Are we under no obligation to maintain the integrity of the Ottoman Empire?

I must ask the hon. Member to give notice of questions regarding any treaties.

Have the Government considered the effect upon the poorer population of the various European States of the example set by a civilised Government removing its neighbour's landmarks for no other purpose than the exploitation of a peaceful country and their possessions?

The hon. Member is inviting me to make comments upon a state of things with regard to which we have issued a Declaration of Neutrality. Having issued that, no good purpose would be served by my making comments on a war in respect of which we have expressed our intention of being neutral.

I wish to ask a question of which I have given private notice. What action does His Majesty's Government intend to take to express the horror and detestation which this House feels at the recent reported massacre of Arabs by Italians in Tripoli?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Colne Valley Division. To that answer I have nothing to add, except that questions of such a character ought not to be asked or answered on private notice.

Arising out of that reply, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer given earlier referred to the denial by the Italian Embassy, containing the following sentence:—

"Those who during the fighting or immediately afterwards were found with arms in their hands were shot."

I have nothing to add to what I have already said, except to repeat that I deprecate in the strongest possible way such questions on private notice.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, if I am in order—having regard to the fact that all the time of this House has been allocated to the Government—in giving notice of a Resolution of Protest which I shall propose to this House?

The hon. Member is certainly entitled to give notice of any Motion he wishes to bring forward, or put it upon the Paper.

Having regard to your ruling, Sir, and regarding this as a matter of very urgent importance, I beg to move the Adjournment of the House.

The hon. Member has forgotten the Resolution which forbids any Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked whether His Majesty's Government have any statistics relating to the number of adherents to the Senoussi sect in Egyptian and Soudanese territory?

I will inquire as to what information is obtainable, and I will let the hon. Member know when I am in a position to answer his question.

asked whether there is any British officer at the Oasis of Siwah, in the western desert of Egypt?

There is a coastguard station at Siwah, which is the headquarters of a camel-patrol of forty men, who are under the command of a British officer.

Is the oasis of Jerbun, west of Siwah, Anglo-Egyptian, Tripolitan, or independent territory?

I would ask for notice of that.

asked if His Majesty's Government have taken, or will take, the opportunity presented by the readjustment of territorial boundaries within the area of Africa covered by the Act of Berlin to recall to the Governments concerned in that readjustment the stipulations of the Berlin Act with regard to freedom of trade between the natives and the outer world, which stipulations have not been adhered to by the French Government.

It would be undesirable to complicate the negotiations proceeding between other Powers by raising other questions than those now under discussion between them.

asked when the promised Reports from His Majesty's Consular officers in the Congo State will be presented to Parliament?

The Reports will be presented to Parliament very shortly, certainly before the end of the month.

asked whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to Article 1 of the Convention of May last between the Belgian Government and the Abir Congo Concessionnaire Company, whereby that company has been granted the privilege of exploiting the rubber throughout the whole extent of its original concession for another eighteen months; whether His Majesty's Government is aware that this company is now shipping rubber from its concession and sending out to the Congo a number of its ex-officials; and whether, having regard to the record of this company in its treatment of the natives, His Majesty's Government has thought fit to communicate with the Belgian Government on the subject?

The Report of the Colonial Council, dated 15th July last, and published with the decrees, shows that for eighteen months rubber may not be gathered in the former territories of the Abir Company, either by the company or by third parties. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no information; but, if rubber is being exported, it is probably old stock. With regard to the third part, I must remind the hon. Member that this company (the area of whose territory has been enormously reduced) will in future be subject to the laws recently introduced in the Congo State. There does not appear, therefore, to be any necessity for communication with the Belgian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now inform the House what was the precise claim put forward by Russia at the recent meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention; what decision was arrived at; what action the British representatives took with regard to it; when he hopes to be able to lay Papers on the subject; and what is the earliest date at which it is possible for His Majesty's Government to withdraw from the Convention?

The proposal submitted by Russia to the International Sugar Commission was that she should be permitted, during the period of 1st September, 1911, to 31st August, 1912, to export 400,000 tons of sugar in excess of the amount of 200,000 tons allowed to her under the Protocol of 19th December, 1907. The Commission decided to agree to the Russian proposal in principle, provided that a satisfactory arrangement was arrived at in regard to the conditions under which Russia would continue to be a party to the Convention; and the meeting was adjourned until 8th December next, to enable the Russian Government to submit further proposals on this point. A Paper will be laid, I hope, within a week, giving the instructions to the British delegates and their report of the sitting of the Commission. The 1st September, 1913, is the earliest date at which His Majesty's Government can withdraw from the Convention; but I would point out that an earlier withdrawal, even if it were possible, would not affect the arrangements existing between Russia and the other contracting States, as we are not a party to them and are not bound by them.

Are we to gather from that that Russia cannot send any sugar westward until after 8th December, the date of the adjourned meeting?

As I understand it, she can send westward before the 8th December to the full amount of 200,000 tons.

No amount in excess of that?

Any amount in excess of that cannot be sent between now and the 8th December. That is under an arrangement made not with us, but with the other Powers.

Has Russia so far exported her full limit?

She has never in any year hitherto exported up to the full limit of 200,000 tons.

Are there any figures for this year?

I cannot give the figures for this year. Russia is now in a position and desires to export more than 200,000 tons.

What is the estimated surplus above the amount allowed to be exported for this year?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the Brussels Sugar Convention and the difficulties which are being caused at the present time both to manufacturers and consumers in this country owing to the scarcity and high price of sugar, he can see his way to fulfil the conditional promise which he made to give an opportunity to the House of Commons to discuss and express an opinion upon the subject before any decision is reached by His Majesty's Government?

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes in the course of a few days, when his information is complete, to make a full statement to the House on this subject, which I hope may be of such a character as to obviate the necessity of any further debate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the statement being made under circumstances which will allow of some discussion—even a short discussion—which will not make any great demand on the time of the House?

No, Sir. I think it would be better that it should be made by itself. I believe it will be found very satisfactory by my right hon Friend.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Land Commission have received the report of their inspector who inspected that portion of the estate of Lord Lisle, situate in the Kanturk union, county Cork, with a view to vesting the property in the tenants who have purchased?

The inspector's report in this case has been received, and is with others awaiting ruling by the Estates Commissioners.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have made inquiries into the application of an evicted tenant named Timothy Moynahan, on the estate of Lord Lisle, county Cork, with a view to his re- instatement; agreements to purchase this estate are now awaiting the sanction of the Irish Land Commission?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate is the subject of direct sale proceedings under the Land Purchase Acts, and when they are dealing with it in order of priority they will give Moynahan's application full consideration.

asked what further steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to complete the purchase of the estate of the late Major Mahony, at Dooks, county Kerry; when do they propose to send their inspector to value the property; and whether all the necessary documents have been furnished by the agent?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the necessary documents for an inspection of the estate referred to have been lodged, and the lands will be inspected, and a decision arrived at regarding purchase, as soon as practicable.

Will the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners look after the interests of the evicted tenants on this property?

No doubt.

asked whether any, and, if so, what, steps have been taken to complete the purchase of the O'Donoghue estate, near Glenveigh, county Kerry, a portion of which was sold about three years ago?

The purchase agreements in the case of this estate, which is being sold direct by the owner to the tenants, were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in December, 1908. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners intend to carry through the sale of the Lane Joynt estate at Aughanish, in the county of Limerick, at the price offered for it by their inspector; whether they are satisfied with the tenants' arrangement with regard to the upkeep of the embankments; and whether, as the tenants are willing to pay the inspector's price for their holdings, and as there are three evicted tenants on the estate, he will take steps to see that the sale is completed without further delay?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on this subject on the 11th May last. Since then the Estates Commissioners have informed the owner that they were willing to reduce the sum of £500, which they called upon him to lodge to form an endowment for the maintenance of the embankments, to £300, provided the embankments were put in a proper state of repair. He has also been informed that unless he consents to the Commissioners' proposal they will dismiss the proceedings for sale before them, and they await a further communication from him on the subject.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tenants on this estate have agreed with the landlord to pay the balance of £300 and have it added to the purchase money in order that the sale may be carried through at once and in order that the evicted tenants on the estate, who have been kept out of their holdings for twenty years, may be reinstated, and why is it, when the tenants are willing to pay this £300 for the upkeep of the embankments, that the Estates Commissioners will not ratify the agreement?

If they can get their guarantee the matter will go through. At present they have not got it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what funds, if any, have been allocated by the Congested Districts Board for the compulsory purchase of estates in the South Kerry Parliamentary Division; and can he state what further steps it is proposed to take with a view to acquire the estate of Mr. Myles O'Mahoney, at Beaufort, for re-sale to the tenants, seeing that the owner has refused to negotiate for a voluntary sale of his estate?

The Congested Districts Board having purchased the Ventry estate, and being engaged in voluntary negotiations for the purchase of other estates in the southern half of the county Kerry, do not contemplate taking any steps for the compulsory acquisition of the Myles O'Mahoney estate.

Is it not a fact that this landlord absolutely refused to negotiate with the tenant, and that compulsory purchase is necessary?

I do not say that the Myles O'Mahony estate is not a proper one for compulsory acquisition provided that funds were at the disposal of the Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when any funds will be allocated for this purpose?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the town tenants in Glin, in the county of Limerick, are willing to give the landlord, the Knight of Glin, a fair price for their holdings which are rented on the ground values; and whether, as the agricultural portion of the estate is being sold to the tenants under the Land Purchase Act, 1909, the Estates Commissioners will send an inspector to Glin to interview the town tenants and inspect their holdings, and put a value on them, with the view to purchase, so that they may be included in the sale of the estate?

The estate referred to is being sold by the owner direct to the tenants. If the town tenants wish to purchase their holdings they should enter into agreements with the owner, in which event the Estates Commissioners will, when the estate is being dealt with, have the premises inspected, and estimate the sums, if any, which could be advanced on the security of the sites, the balance between such sums and the prices agreed on to be lodged in cash by the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on Tuesday, the 28th February last, the principal female teacher and manager of the national school in the town of Tarbet, county Kerry, ordered three little girls, aged from twelve to fifteen years, to at once perform the menial office of cleansing the out-house to the school, which had not been cleaned for the past six months; that the children refused, but offered to pay a man to do the work, and in consequence of their refusal were instantly dismissed; whether an inquiry was held into the matter, and, if so, will he state the result, and how long the children were prevented from obtaining education provided free by the State; and what action, if any, it is proposed to take against the manager and the teacher in question?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that in March last complaints were made to them that the manager of the Tarbert girls' national school, county Kerry, had expelled certain girls from the school for refusing to clean the out-offices. On inquiry it appeared that these pupils were ordered by the teacher to attend to the out-offices, and that on their refusing to do so the manager expelled them from the school, although they offered to pay a man to do this work. The Commissioners require that no child whose parents object be compelled to assist in cleaning the school premises, and they immediately communicated to this effect with the manager, advising him that, in the circumstances, the exclusion of the pupils in question from the school was not warranted, and that these pupils should be readmitted at once on presenting themselves at the school. The girls were soon after readmitted as pupils, and the Commissioners do not consider any further action as regards manager and teacher necessary.

Have instructions been issued generally throughout the schools in Ireland to prevent a repetition of this awful scandal?

That is a matter to which I will call the attention of the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that for the past two years a criminal conspiracy has 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 is president; whether, as a result of the working of this conspiracy, one Colman McDonagh has 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 is 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 is 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 has now been committed to the criminal lunatic asylum at Ballinasloe; and what steps the Irish Government propose to take to bring to justice those persons in Aran who have driven this man to the asylum and left his aged mother and young children to the mercy of the conspiracy?

Roger Derrane was sentenced to three years' penal servitude in 1908 for conspiring to blow up the priest's house at Kilronan. Since his release he has been boycotted, but this had no connection with the establishment of a branch of the United Irish League, which had existed before his conviction. Colman McDonagh has also been boycotted. He was employed by the Congested Districts Board during the Spring Fishing of 1910, but the Board did not renew his engagement in 1911. The Board cannot say whether his successor is connected with the United Irish League. I am informed that McDonagh attended the meeting referred to and was asked to leave, which he did. On 30th June, McDonagh was followed through the village of Kilronan by a crowd and was assaulted by two boys, who were prosecuted and punished. On 24th July McDonagh attempted to commit suicide by hanging, but was rescued by a police patrol. He was committed to the District Lunatic Asylum, but has since been released. The police take all possible steps for the safety of these men, but there is not sufficient evidence to sustain a prosecution for criminal conspiracy.

Is there any authorisation for the suggestion that McDonagh was dismissed by the Congested Districts Board at the suggestion of the United Irish League; and is it not rather the inference from the facts stated in the question that he was dismissed because he was a man of unsound mind?

I can certainly answer for the Congested Districts Board. The only reason why he was dismissed was that he was not a proper person to discharge the duties of his office.

Then why was he appointed in the first place?

It may be that they thought then that he was well qualified, and subsequently thought he was not.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the man was sent away on account of his mental condition?

No, I do not say so.

asked whether, in view of an appeal being lodged by a pension officer against the granting of a pension on the grounds of excessive means, and in which case the local pension committee considers the valuation of the pension officer excessive, the Local Government Board will accept the valuation of a recognised valuer as independent evidence on behalf of the applicant?

The Local Government Board will be prepared to give full consideration to any evidence of value which a claimant may put forward, but they cannot bind themselves to accept in all cases the valuations of persons employed by the claimants on their own behalf.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Margaret M'Mahon (Mrs. Sullivan), of Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, applied for an old age pension, which was granted to her by the local pension committee on her producing her baptismal certificate that she was seventy years last July; that the pension officer refused it on the ground that from the Census Return she was only sixty-six years, and also on her admission that she was three years older than her brother John, who was returned in the Census as sixty-three years, but who from his baptismal certificate was sixty-seven years; whether in such a case the baptismal certificate is the correct proof of age; and, if so, will he direct the pension officer to grant her the pension?

The Local Government Board, on 30th October, disallowed the pension officer's appeal, and confirmed the pension sub-committee's decision awarding a pension of five shillings a week to Mrs. Sullivan.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mary O'Sullivan, of Shanagolden, in the county of Limerick, was in receipt of an old age pension from the 1st January, 1909, to December, 1909, and then, without giving any reason but that she was not in the Census Returns, the pension officer deprived her of it; that at the time she got the pension she produced statements of most respectable people in the locality who knew her that she was seventy years of age; and whether he can say that the pension officer had the power to deprive her of the pension without producing proof that she was not seventy years?

The Local Government Board have twice allowed the appeal of the pension officer in this case on the ground that they were not satisfied that Mary O'Sullivan had attained the statutory age. They considered that the statements of belief referred to in the question did not upset the evidence afforded by the fact that her name does not appear in the list of her parents' family in the Census Return of 1841. Pension officers have no power either to allow or disallow pensions, this being a matter for the pension committee, or, on appeal, the Local Government Board.

Having regard to the fact that the local pension committee granted this pension, judging by her personal appearance that she was over seventy years of age, how can the Local Government Board upset that when they have not seen her?

The Local Government Board have to act as best they can upon the evidence before them. If they were simply to take the opinion of two or three people as to personal appearance the list would be much swollen.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that James Sullivan, of Askeaton, county Limerick, applied for an old age pension, and on producing his baptismal certificate showing that he was seventy-three years of age the local pension committee granted him 5s. a week; whether he is aware that the pension officer rejected his case on the ground that, having been three years in America, he had no residence in the United Kingdom, and, further, that James Sullivan went to America to see his children with the object of getting from them some money to provide for him; and, under these circumstances, whether he will direct the pension officer to grant him the pension?

This case has not come before the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will grant a Return enumerating those duties entrusted to the Royal Irish Constabulary which are not performed by the Constabulary in Great Britain?

There are 191 separate police forces under separate authorities in England and Wales, and the extra duties performed by the police vary indefinitely in different districts. Having regard to the variety of these duties it would be almost, impossible to give a Return with any degree of precision distinguishing between those performed by the police in Ireland and in different parts of England. The only duties performed by the Royal Irish Constabulary which cannot be said to fall on the police in England are the collection of agricultural statistics and the taking of the Census, and even here the police were called on this year to assist the Census officers, especially with regard to vagrants, and they have been employed in taking a Census of horses and vehicles for the War Office.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state why the principal teacher of Poyntzpass mixed national school. Roll No. 4,960, who was promoted to a higher grade on 1st April, 1910, has not yet received his grade salary, although Rule 105 (a) of the Commissioners of National Education states that teachers promoted from a lower to a higher grade receive on promotion the salary fixed for the grade to which they are promoted; if he is aware that the arrears due to this teacher up to 30th September, 1911, amounted to £18; and if it is the intention of the Government to allow the Commissioners to pay this sum?

The teacher of Poyntzpass National School has not received the salary of the grade to which he was promoted from 1st April, 1910, in consequence of the limitation of the standard numbers in the grade. This is one of the forty-seven cases referred to in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 26th October.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Government or the Chancellor of the Exchequer to fulfil their obligations to these unfortunate teachers?

I have already explained to the House that so far as the Treasury is concerned they are perfectly willing to discharge their obligations to these forty-seven persons, but the Commissioners of National Education will not carry out the recommendation.

asked what is the number of medical officers, dispensary and workhouse, in the Poor Law service in Ireland who are aged sixty-five years and upwards; and whether, having regard to the additional work, entailing severe physical exertion, which will devolve upon dispensary medical officers under the provisions of the National Insurance Bill, it is intended to frame proposals for the superannuation of those officials who have passed the age of sixty-five?

The information desired is not directly available, and could only be obtained by searching through the original appointment of all the medical officers in Ireland. A clause respecting superannuation of dispensary medical officers would hardly be germane to the National Insurance Bill.

asked why the Estates Commissioners rejected the claim made by David McDonnell as the representative of the late John McDonnell, an evicted tenant on Captain Sarsfield's estate, Kilmoney, Carrigaline, county Cork?

The Estates Commissioners have not received any application from David McDonnell for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by John McDonnell on Captain Sarsfield's estate.

asked whether, in connection with the election of petty sessions clerk for the district of Caherciveen, Mr. John Mannix had given an undertaking to the Lord Chancellor that he would not vote at the said election with his brother, Dr. Joseph F. Mannix; whether in pursuance of that undertaking he had refrained from voting at the elections held on the 26th May, 1910, and the 3rd February, 1911, respectively; whether Mr. John Mannix, at the election held on the 21st July, 1911, recorded his vote along with his brother in favour of the candidate, his brother-in-law, and when objected to by the solicitor for the other candidate he stated from his seat on the bench in public court that he had previously given an undertaking to the Lord Chancellor that he would not sit nor vote with his brother, but that quite recently he had received the Lord Chancellor's permission to vote at that election, and that it was in pursuance of that permission he was voting; whether Mr. John Mannix had such permission, or had he been released from any previous undertaking; and, if so, what were the considerations which moved the Lord Chancellor to take up this position.

The Lord Chancellor informs me that Mr. John Mannix, J.P., was informed at the time of his appointment to the magistracy that he should not act on the Bench at the same time as his brother, who was also a magistrate. It is understood that he did not vote at the election of petty sessions clerk on 26th May, 1910, or 3rd February, 1911. Subsequently the question as to the right of Mr. Mannix to vote at such an election with his brother was considered by the late Lord Chancellor, and, following a decision of Lord Chancellor Ball in 1875, that the policy prohibiting father and son from acting together as magistrates does not extend to voting for appointments, but is confined to legal proceedings, whether of a civil or criminal nature, the late Lord Chancellor ruled that this decision should apply in like manner to the case of two brothers. Mr. Mannix was duly informed of the ruling of the late Lord Chancellor, and, it is understood, voted at the election held on 21st July, 1911, with his brother, in favour of the same candidate. I have no information as to any statement made by Mr. Mannix, nor as to whether the candidate is his brother-in-law.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. P. S. Golding signed, as Crown Prosecutor and chairman of the Ballinasloe Urban Council, an address of welcome to the hon. Member for East Mayo, of a strong political character, describing those who differed from him as traitors, on the occasion of the hon. Gentleman's visit to Portumna to attend a meeting of the United Irish League on Sunday, the 15th October last; whether Crown Prosecutors are permitted to take part in such matters; and, if not, what action he proposes to take?

Is it not the fact that Crown Prosecutors in the North of Ireland frequently attend demonstrations, both political and sectarian, at which disloyal speeches and threats of war are delivered?

I should not like to answer the question. Mr. P. S. Golding, Crown Solicitor for the county of Galway, did sign an address of welcome to the hon. Member for East Mayo on the occasion referred to. He did not do so in his position of Crown Prosecutor, but as chairman of the Ballinasloe Urban District Council. There is no express rule prohibiting Crown Solicitors from taking part in political matters, but it is generally understood that they should not do so within their own counties, and the Irish Government considers it important that this understanding should be observed. It is Mr. Golding's intention not to seek reelection as chairman, and he will cease to be such at the end of the current year. Beyond pointing out to Mr. Golding the impropriety of his taking part in local politics while he holds the office of Crown Solicitor, the Attorney-General does not propose to take any action.

Ought not Crown Presecutors in the North of Ireland to be prohibited from taking any part in these disloyal demonstrations?

I am quite sure the Attorney-General, if his attention is called to any dereliction on the part of Crown Prosecutors anywhere, will have much pleasure in doing it in the case of the North as in the case of the South.

Did this gentleman sign his name to this address of welcome to the hon. Member (Mr. Dillon), not only as chairman of the urban district council but also as Crown Prosecutor for the county?

Attention has been called to the impropriety of doing so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman forward a copy of his answer to the Crown Solicitor for the city of Belfast and Antrim?

I will request the Attorney-General to look after the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners intend to take any steps to provide Denis Cronin, of Ballingarry, county Limerick, with untenanted lands as an equivalent to the farm at Kilmeedy from which his father and family were evicted in 1886 for nonpayment of rent?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 22nd February last to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for Mid-Cork.

On what ground will not the Estates Commissioners give this man an equivalent for the farm from which he was evicted?

I have often told hon. Members that it is most important in the interests of everyone that the reasons of the Commissioners for not giving a person a particular farm or its equivalent should not be stated.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of separate Exchequers being established for Ireland and Great Britain, the revenue to be contributed by each Exchequer for Imperial expenditure will be based strictly on the estimated true revenue for Ireland and Great Britain, respectively; and whether, in the event of the answer being in the affirmative, he can state the contribution that would be required from Ireland were her contribution based on her estimated average true revenue for the four years 1907–11?

No, Sir, I can make no statement on this matter.

May I ask the Prime Minister, he himself being a Scottish Member, whether in the event of Home Rule being given to Scotland he would be willing that Scotland should contribute on the same basis?

That question does not arise out of the answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether any communication in regard to Home Rule has been communicated to the Press; and, if so, whether he will make a similar communication to the House?

No, Sir.

May we take it that all the statements made by the Nationalists on the subject of Home Rule are the outcome of their own fertile imaginations?

I was asked "whether any communication in regard to Home Rule has been communicated to the Press," and my answer was in the negative.

May I ask if it has been made to the Nationalist Members?

No.

Then, it has not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many officials the Inspector-General of Archaælogy in India has in his department; and what are their duties?

The Director-General of Archæology has, strictly speaking, no department. The Archæological Survey Department is officered by a Director-General, who advises the local governments, and twelve superintendents and assistants, whose duty it is to investigate, report on and conserve the ancient monuments of their respective circles. These officers are responsible to the local governments, and their activities would, of course, not be affected even if the proposal of the Government of India to abolish the Director-Generalship were carried out. I may add, perhaps, that the Secretary of State in Council, after the most careful consideration of the proposals of the Government of India in all their aspects has decided not to sanction the abolition of this post. It would not be possible to explain the situation in an answer to a queston, but my Noble Friend the Secretary of State is making a statement in another place this afternoon.

May I ask what is to happen to the other Inspectors-General, the abolition of whose posts was I understand recommended at the same time?

The offices of civil veterinary, agriculture and cantonment inspectors-general are to be abolished. The Secretary of State has decided not to sanction the abolition of the Inspector-General of Sanitation, and, as I have said, of the Director-General of Archæology. He has asked the Government of India to reconsider their recommendation with regard to the Inspectors-General of Forestry and Excise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Companies Consolidation Act by requiring the annual returns of joint stock companies to disclose the amount of unclaimed dividends in their hands, with a view to the same being handed over after the lapse of a given period to the Public Trustee?

As at present advised my right hon. Friend does not think that any useful object will be served by requiring the annual returns of joint stock companies to disclose the amount of unclaimed dividends in their hands, and he does not therefore propose to introduce legislation amending the Companies (Consolidation) Act in this respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has in his possession in support of the statement that the great production of gold at the present time is causing a depreciation in its value and a consequent rise in the prices of all products; if such gold is not now being readily absorbed; and if there is any evidence of this beyond the fact that the value of many articles has risen?

It is not possible to deal adequately by question and answer with the relations between gold output and the level of prices, or to summarise in brief form the nature of the evidence which may appear to justify the belief that the rise in world prices in recent years is at least partly traceable to the very considerable increase in gold output.

May I ask if some statement cannot be made by the Board of Trade on the subject as it has already been referred to by a Cabinet Minister?

I understand that the Board propose to look into the matter. Beyond that I cannot go.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his Department has any evidence that the increase in the production of gold is in excess of the world's trade and the consequent demand for gold?

I should say it would be very difficult to state whether such evidence exists.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Messrs. A. and F. Pears made any application to the Government to assist them in combating the heavy duty levied by the United States on their products; was such application granted; and, if so, what was the reason why no reduction of such duty was secured?

The only representations made by the firm of which the Board of Trade have knowledge were made to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, and were directed against a proposed increase of the duty on soap under the last United States Tariff Bill. These were conveyed to the United States Government. The duty was eventually fixed at an ad valorem rate, which is understood to be appreciably less than the specific rate originally proposed.

May I ask whether the imposition of a tariff in this country would have had any effect on the power of Messrs. A. and F. Pears to sell their articles profitably in the United States, and—

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that of all the motor cars of different makes and power offered for sale in this country only 37½ per cent. of cars are manufactured in the United Kingdom; and will he consider the advantages to British industry and British labour of imposing a substantial import duty on motor cars and accessories?

I am not aware of the source from which the hon. Member derives his figures. The only official information as to the extent of the motor manufacturing industry of the United Kingdom is that contained in the Report of the Census of Production which related to 1907. The conclusion there arrived at was that the motor vehicles of home production sold in the United Kingdom in that year substantially outnumbered those imported (including imported chassis). Judging by the very satisfactory expansion in recent years in the exports of British-built motor cars the industry is not one which appears to stand in need of protection.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware—assuming the accuracy of the figure in the question that 62½ per cent. of foreign-made motor cars are used in this country—that they have been purchased by Tory Tariff Reformers?

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Walsall himself (Mr. Cooper) is continuously riding in an imported motor car?

asked whether it is proposed to extend the arrangements made with regard to taking on outside labour at His Majesty's dockyards to all labour required for Government Departments?

Arrangements have already been made by various Government Departments for the engagement both of skilled and unskilled labour through the Labour Exchanges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a dispute has been in existence for several weeks at the British Wagon Works at Swansea; that the employer has refused to agree to conciliation or arbitration; and will he say if the Board of Trade has taken any action to bring the dispute to an end; if so, what action, and is it proposed to do anything further?

An officer of the Chief Industrial Commissioner's Department has had interviews with representatives of the parties to this dispute, and I understand that offers of mediation have been made by influential local gentlemen. It does not appear that any further action can usefully be taken at the present time, but the developments of the dispute are being carefully watched, and should the parties desire it the good offices of the Department will be placed at their disposal.

Is not it a fact that one of the parties, that is, the workmen, have made appeals to the Board of Trade for their intervention?

I have just stated that an officer of the Chief Industrial Commissioners' Department has had interviews with the parties.

That does not answer my question. Is not it a fact that an appeal to the Board of Trade was made?

I have no direct information, I presume that something of the kind has taken place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the threatened boycott of Irish products, with the exception of linen from Ulster, on the passing of the Home Rule Bill; and whether he proposes to take any, and if so, what steps to safeguard the normal development of trade relations between Great Britain and Ireland?

I do not think that this suggestion (of which I had not previously heard) need be seriously considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that publicity was given to this statement in a letter published in "The Times," on October 31st, and has he calculated the effect in increasing the cost of living in Great Britain if farming produce to the extent of £35,000,000 a year was kept away from England by purely political prejudice?

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any way of ascertaining what proportions of the sale of stamps are for postal and other purposes respectively?

The proportions are ascertained by actual count, or by estimates based on returns. The amount in respect of Inland Revenue Duty is estimated on the basis of the sales of the receipt stamps in the last year when special stamps were used for receipt purposes, with a certain fixed additional amount each year for probable increase.

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

Postmen should be employed as substitutes for sorting clerks and telegraphists only in cases where the performance of overtime would result in undue pressure on the remaining sorting clerks and telegraphists. I fear that at Oxford there has been some misapprehension on this point, and steps are being taken to put the matter on a proper footing.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet been able to see his way to alter the character or design of the new postage stamps, as they continue to be criticised in many parts of the Empire as very unworthy specimens of British art and a bad likeness of His Majesty as reproduced in the printing?

Certain changes in the engraving of the new penny stamp have been decided on. But as these changes entail the preparation of new master plates and working plates, it will not be possible to issue the improved stamps before January next.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the new postage stamps of a higher value than 1d. will be issued?

It is proposed to issue the new 1½d., 2d., 2½d., and 3d. stamps about the commencement of the year, and those of the remaining values shortly afterwards.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by that time the King will have been on the Throne a year and three-quarters?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is now satisfied that every possible improvement has been attained in the printing, adhesiveness, and other qualities of the new 1d. and ½d. stamps?

It is proposed to issue greatly improved stamps of these denominations about the commencement of the year.

May I ask whether the paper on which it will be printed will be of British manufacture?

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been directed to the increase in the cost of living shown by the retail food prices index number prepared by the Board of Trade, and to the fact that the increases of pay granted to postal servants since the Report of the Parliamentary Committee on the subject have been partly or wholly discounted by the increased cost of living; if he is aware that several Continental Governments have recently raised the pay of various State workers in order to compensate them for dearer living; and if he will see that the money wages of British postal servants are adjusted in order that their real remuneration shall not fall below the standard recommended by the Parliamentary Committee?

There is no adequate information available of the extent of the increase in the cost of living and of its variation in different parts of the kingdom. As the Prime Minister announced on Monday, the Board of Trade are undertaking an inquiry into the matter. At the request of the associations of the Post Office staff the Government has assented to another investigation by Select Committee of this House into the wages of Post Office servants and their other conditions of employment. In view, however, of the fact that the alterations in scales of pay recommended by the last Committee took effect so recently as 1st January, 1908, it is not proposed to move for another Committee until the Session after next. The results of the Board of Trade inquiry will then be available for the information of the Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he received a communication from the inhabitants of the parishes of Killany and Inniskeen, South Monaghan, through the medium of the rector, requesting an evening collection about 6.15 and the erection of a pillar box on the public road near the railway station; whether he is aware that such a pillar box at Essexford would convenience not only residents in the county Monaghan, but also those on the border in the county Louth; that the pillar was half built and the box about to be placed in position, when the postal authorities suddenly ordered the work to be stopped; can he state why their decision was reversed at the last moment; and will he give instructions to have the scheme completed that the residents may enjoy postal facilities to which they have been looking forward?

The facts are as stated. The erection of the box was suspended because of local opposition to its substitution for an existing box near its site. The matter was fully explained to the rector by letter on the 16th August.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inhabitants of all classes in this particular district are very anxious that this pillar box should be erected, and why will he not carry out what was the original intention of the postal service?

I have had no evidence to that effect, but a very numerously signed petition reached me protesting against the removal of the box from the previous site, also a resolution from the local district council.

Why does the Department allow itself to be dictated to by the United Irish League? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is purely a political move from that body?

I do not think that the placing of a pillar box is likely to be a matter of political controversy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present box is close to a public-house and that it is particularly desired by the United Irish League that it should remain there?

Would the Postmaster-General seriously consider the advisability of converting the hon. Member into a pillar box?

asked the Lord Advocate if there is any specified number of marks required by the Scottish Local Government Board for the efficient vaccination of children, and, if so, how many; if he is aware that children of poor people who are vaccinated gratuitously at the Sanitary Chambers, Glasgow, are vaccinated in twelve places, and, if so, will he take steps to put a stop to the practice and to make it more conform to the practice observed by private medical practitioners; and if he will state if vaccination operations at the Sanitary Chambers, Glasgow, are performed exclusively by duly qualified medical practitioners, and, if not, by whom?

I am informed that the Scottish Local Government Board do not specify the number of marks required for the efficient vaccination of children. They are aware that children are vaccinated gratuitously at the Sanitary Chambers in Glasgow and that all primary infantile vaccinations are performed there by duly qualified medical practitioners. The Board are further informed that it is the case that twelve separate punctures are made in primary vaccination of infants, such punctures being very close together. A general description of the method of vaccination in the Sanitary Chambers, Glasgow, will be found at page 19 of Appendix VIII. of Final Report of Royal Commission on Vaccination, 1897 (C. 8614).

asked whether the Report of the Committee of the Fishery Board, with reference to harbour grants from the Development Fund, is now completed; when this Report will be laid upon the Table; and whether an opportunity will be afforded of discussing the recommendations in this House?

Reports under the Development Act are made for the information of the Development Commissioners, and I cannot come under any undertaking that they will be published. It would obviously in any case be inconvenient that publication should take place while communications are passing between the Commissioners and the Departments interested. In the circumstances I cannot hold out prospects of discussion in this House as suggested by my hon. Friend.