asked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a copy of a joint resolution passed by the boards of management of the four voluntary medical hospitals in the city of Sheffield, calling upon the Government so to amend the National Insurance Bill that the continued existence of voluntary hospitals may be safeguarded financially and their efficiency as curative institutions and schools of medicine may be maintained and developed; and whether he proposes to take any and what steps to safeguard the interests concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part I would refer the hon. Member to the Debate that took place on Clause 12 on 31st July.

Supposing that, notwithstanding any contributions made to these institutions by the authorities in charge of the benefits, there is still a deficiency, will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of giving these institutions power to make application to the State for assistance?

I cannot promise to go beyond what is provided by the Clause as it stands.

rose.

I must call the attention of hon. Members to the fact that if there is a tendency to abuse the privilege of asking supplementary questions they may endanger the retention of that privilege.

asked whether doctors in popular holiday resorts will receive remuneration for attending persons insured under the National Insurance Bill who are on holiday in such places?

The question will be one to be dealt with by the regulations to be drawn up under Clause 14.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state whether, in his new proposals relating to the health insurance of agricultural labourers under the National Insurance Bill, he has incorporated the suggestion which he made to a deputation from the National Farmers' Union on 4th July that, if the employer would undertake to pay full wages to his labourers for the first six weeks of any illness, the sick benefit of 10s. per week should be paid over to the employer; or, alternatively, whether he has abandoned his original plan, as foreshadowed in his reply to the above deputation?

The suggestion referred to was purely tentative. Farmers who hire their labourers for a period of six months certain will have two alternatives open to them under the Bill as proposed to be amended. The first is to pay a reduced contribution under the Amendment which my right hon. Friend has tabled and to remain under a liability for the sickness of their employés, which accords with present custom. The second is to pay the full contribution and to make what arrangements they choose with their employés as to the receipt of sick benefit.

Is the report of the interview incorrect which appears in the organ of the National Farmers' Union to the effect that the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that "in the case of confined men where full wage was paid in the event of sickness he considered the State payment of 10s. per week should go to the employer?"

That is not the present proposal, nor the proposal which appears in the Amendment.

May I ask whether the men will have the same option as the farmers have?

I do not think it is possible to give two options. It is a question of the conditions of employment, and I do not think we could give an alternative option.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, unless the National Insurance Bill as it now stands be amended, the disablement benefit will be payable only to those who are, for the time being, totally disabled and unable to earn any wages?

Under Clause 8 as it stands disablement benefit is payable to persons "rendered unfit to provide their own maintenance by some specific disease or by bodily or mental disablement." I would remind the hon. and learned Member that it is because these words would probably lead to some variety of construction that my right hon. Friend has agreed to reconsider them on Report.

asked the number of valuation districts into which Ireland has been divided for the purposes of assessment and collection of Land Value Duties?

The number of valuation districts in Ireland is three. These are for valuation only.

Are the officers engaged in this valuation making a systematic survey of Ireland, or merely for reference?

That does not quite arise out of the question.

asked how many of the 36,000 copies of Form IV. recently issued in Ireland for land valuation have been returned to the Commissioners; and how many have been satisfactorily filled in?

21,250 copies of Form IV. have been returned; of these 17,250 have been filled or partially filled up.

In view of the fact that half of these forms that have been sent out have not been filled up, does the right hon. Gentleman propose to enforce any of the penalties set up in the Act?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue contend that Land Tax is not a fixed charge within the meaning of Section 41 of the Finance Act, and decline to make a deduction therefor except when it has been redeemed; and whether this contention is based upon the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown?

The view of the Commissioners, who are acting on the opinion of their legal adviser, is that Land Tax is a tax within Section 25 (1) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and its existence is invariably taken into account in arriving at both gross and total value.

asked whether the difficulties which have arisen as to the interpretation of Section 25 (4) (c) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as to whether deductions for that part of the total value directly attributable to the appropriation of land for the purpose of streets, roads, etc., should be made or not, and that the practice of the Commissioners on this point is very variable and likely to lead to great difficulties and hardships; and will he take steps to secure uniformity of action by the Valuation Department?

A case involving this point is sub judice. Pending a legal decision the Commissioners are pursuing a course in accordance with their interpretation of the law, which is uniform except so far as may result from a variation in the circumstances of different cases, and I do not think any difficulty or hardship will occur. An owner has, of course, full opportunity of giving notice of objection to a provisional valuation in which this point is involved, if he dissents from the view of the Commissioners.

Will instructions be given to the officers of the Inland Revenue not to enforce their interpretation of the law against persons who have no opportunity of knowing it until the law has been decided in the Courts?

I will consider that point.

asked whether forms are still being issued by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue six months since the passing of the Revenue Act, 1910–11, which draw attention to the benefits of Section 2, Sub-section (3) of the Finance Act, but ignore the Amendment contained in Section 2 of the Revenue Act, which extends such benefit; and is the Chancellor of the Exchequer prepared to give instructions that in all cases where such documents have been issued the owners shall be informed of their legal privileges, and, if the three months during which they can apply for substituted site value has elapsed, extension of time shall be given?

The form in question has been revised, and the revised edition is in general use. If the hon. Member will inform me of any case in which the old form has recently been issued I will cause inquiry to be made. At present I see no reason for giving instructions of the nature suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Inland Revenue to make inquiry?

We do not think it is the case.

I am informed that it is the case.

If the hon. Gentleman will give me information to that effect I will make inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now give the total number of Forms IV. issued in England, Wales, and Scotland, as on and up to the date of decision of Mr. Justice Horridge holding issue of such form to be ultra vires; whether he can give the approximate total cost of the issue, collection, and tabulation of the form, and the number of cases in which a provisional valuation has, in consequence of such issue, been served on owners of hereditaments and agreed on?

I am unable to give the required particulars to the exact date of the decision in Dyson v. the Attorney-General. Up to 30th September, however, the number of Forms IV. (including a certain number of Forms III. to statutory companies) issued in England, Scotland, and Wales was 10,793,509, and the number of Provisional Valuations served was 995,854. No information is available as to the number of Provisional Valuations agreed upon. As regards the question of cost, I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 2nd instant to the hon. and learned Member for St. Pancras West.

asked whether the cost of providing 200,000 largest scale Ordnance maps mounted on linen for the use of land valuation district offices has been noted in the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the year ending 31st March, and, if so, under what heading; and whether the expenses and salaries of the Ordnance Survey Department, who, for the convenience of the work of valuation, are proceeding with the revision of the 25-inch Ordnance Survey, will be charged to the Land Valuation Department and not to the Board of Agriculture?

The cost incurred in connection with the provision of the maps used by the Valuation Department, so far as it fell on the Inland Revenue Vote, is included in the figures given in Column 6 of Table 5 of the Commissioners' Report. The maps in question are not precisely as described by the hon. Member. The Ordnance Survey Department is charged generally with the revision of the Ordnance Survey, and such departures from the usual practice of that Department, either by expediting the revision in particular cases or by adding to the informaton furnished, so as to meet the requirements of the Valuation Department, are not considered to require that the cost of the revision should be charged otherwise than as usual to the Board of Agriculture.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the refusal of his Department to contribute in any way to the expenses of the contemplated dairy exhibition proposed to be held in this country; and whether, having regard to the importance of our milk supply, the increasing cost of this article of food, and, in particular, the tuberculous condition of so large a proportion of the cattle of this country, with its direct bearing upon infantile mortality, he will cause this decision to be reconsidered?

I understand the question to refer to the International Dairy Congress proposed to be held in Great Britain in 1913. There are many reasons of policy which make it undesirable that the Government should contribute to the finances of open congresses of an unofficial and voluntary character. The refusal of financial assistance does not imply any failure to appreciate the importance of the congress itself, or of the matters referred to in the second half of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the official rules and regulations for His Majesty's Colonial Civil Service, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Bermuda are now referred to as being commonly known as Crown Colonies; whether, having regard to the fact that the Colonies in question have representative institutions, he will state when this change in the Colonial regulations was made; and whether he has received any representations from the Governors of the Colonies in question regarding it?

The Colonial Regulations were last revised in 1908. The first regulation clearly recognises the difference between various types of Colonies not possessing responsible Government, which it states are "commonly known as Crown Colonies." For the purposes of the Regulations it is necessary to have some expression embracing all the Colonies whose administration is carried on by public officers under the control of the Secretary of State, and at present I do not think that any more suitable phrase could be found. The matter will doubtless be considered at the next general revision of the Regulations in 1918. I have received no representations from the Governors of the Colonies in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of the exports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured from the United Kingdom to the United States, Germany, France, and Belgium collectively in the year 1910, and what was the total estimated population of those four countries taken together; and what was the total value of the same category of articles consigned to South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Newfoundland collectively during 1910, and the total estimated population of those countries?

The total value of the exports from the United Kingdom in 1910 of goods wholly or mainly manufactured (exclusive of re-exports) to the foreign countries specified, was £72,580,000; and the total estimated population of those countries was about 204 million persons. The value of the exports of goods of this class to the self-governing Dominions was £67,917,000, and the total estimated population of the Dominions about eighteen and a-half million persons.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one British subject in the British Dominions is as good a buyer of British goods as over ten foreigners in our principal competing nations?

The hon. Member can answer that for himself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on German and French railways specially low rates are now charged for the consignment of artificial fertilisers with the object of enabling farmers to develop their land and increase its production at as small an outlay as possible; and whether the Board of Trade can take steps to secure the adoption of the same policy by British railway companies?

Many British railway companies grant special rates for various fertilisers included in their "packed manures list." I cannot say how these rates compare with similar rates in France and Germany, but if the hon. Member will inform me of any cases in which he considers that the charge is excessive I shall be happy to communicate with the companies concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that his Department take steps to inquire into the recent reductions upon Continental railways, particularly in Germany and France, as regards fertilisers and feeding stuffs?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed that an annual contribution equivalent to the amount now raised by way of rate shall be paid by the Government to local authorities in respect of property taken over from the National Telephone Company?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As I stated on 27th October, in reply to the hon. Member for North-East Lanark, the Government is prepared to authorise some contribution in lieu of rates on the National Telephone Company's undertaking after 31st December next, but the precise basis of the contribution has not yet been settled.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is now the intention of the Woods and Forest Department to give preference to fishermen working the fishings for their livelihood in leasing Scottish salmon fishings from the Crown if they are prepared to offer the market rates?

The general practice of the Commissioners of Woods is to grant leases of salmon fishings in Scotland to the persons who tender the best rents, provided their references are satisfactory. In the case of two offers of the same rent being made, one by a fisherman who has worked the fishings for his livelihood and one by some other person, the fisherman would generally be given the preference, subject to satisfactory references.

The recommendation of the Commission is to be adhered to by the Department, if I understood aright?

I said that preference had been given to the fishermen.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any purchases of steel dredgers or any parts thereof have been made from foreign firms by the Admiralty during the last two years?

As regards dredgers, the answer is in the negative. As regards dredger parts, in April last a few pins (for dredger buckets) composed of a special material were purchased from a foreign firm for trial purposes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty oil contractors at Greenock are now in possession of the necessary equipment to oil torpedo boats with rapidity, in view of the fact that in July last they were unable to oil the torpedo boat flotilla of the third division Home Fleet until hoses had been obtained from Edinburgh?

The contractors are in a position to meet our requirements with punctuality and dispatch. It appears, however, that on the occasion in question, although the oil arrived punctually, there was some delay in its transfer to the destroyers, arising, not from any insufficiency of equipment in possession of the contractors, but from the fact that the hoses had been sent in error to Troon instead of to Greenock. Steps will be taken to ensure, as far as possible, that the incident shall not recur.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on this occasion the torpedo boat flotilla of ten boats was delayed for over twenty-four hours?

I think the circumstances have been explained in the answer.

asked whether the Admiralty oiling station at Dundee has recently been improved; and whether he is aware that the torpedo boat flotilla of the Third Division, Home Fleet, was unable to oil rapidly in July last owing to lack of wharf space and of efficient plant?

There is no Admiralty oiling station at Dundee. Supplies are forwarded from Admiralty stocks held in storage by contractors. I am advised that there was no delay in supplying oil on the occasion referred to. The system of supply then made use of is considered satisfactory, and there is no present intention of altering it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of establishing an oiling station there, as well as at the other stations?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the slow progress that is being made with the new harbour works at Rosyth, it is still the intention of the Government to adhere to the policy of financing all Government works out of the Estimates; or whether it is proposed to revert to the system of loans?

No need has arisen at the present time which renders any change in the policy of the last few years desirable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to say that the Government have not under consideration a change in the works?

I think my answer is quite complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Home Office to encourage local authorities who have not yet made by-laws under the Employment of Children Act, to make such by-laws and to secure their due observance?

On the passing of the Act the Home Office issued to all local authorities a circular calling their attention to the provisions of the Act, with model forms of by-laws for their assistance in preparing regulations for their districts. The responsibilty for deciding whether by-laws are required in any particular district rests, and I think must rest, on the local authority, who are acquainted with all the circumstances of the district; and while my Department is ready to give the local authorities all possible assistance in framing by-laws, no useful purpose would, in my judgment, be served by its pressing for the adoption of by-laws against the view of the local authority. I may add, however, that the revision of the model by-laws is in contemplation, and when the revised by-laws are ready I will issue them to local authorities with a fresh circular.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many local authorities have adopted by-laws?

I could not say without notice, but I will inquire if my hon. Friend presses it.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities administer the Provision of Meals Act through care committees as in London; how many have simply canteen committees; and how many refer cases for remedial treatment to local guilds of help or other outside institutions?

I have no information to enable me to give an exact answer to the first and third parts of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is 103, but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the canteen committees vary somewhat widely in constitution.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in the scheme for Haverfordwest Grammar School no provision is made by which an assistant master under notice to leave can appeal to or appear before the governors, his employers; whether he is aware that the head master, who is generally of the same or similar educational antecedents, has that right, while it is denied to his assistants; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The provisions contained in the scheme for Haverfordwest Grammar School are the common form provisions inserted in practically every scheme now made by the Board of Education for a secondary school under the Endowed Schools or Charitable Trusts Acts. So far as dismissal upon notice is concerned, those provisions do not give any right of appeal to the governors in the case either of the head master or the assistant master. My hon. Friend, however, probably refers to the provisions relating to dismissal without notice. An assistant master can only be dismissed without notice after the governors have given their approval to the dismissal, and the Board, after very careful consideration of the question, are unwilling to give any right of appeal to the governors in this matter. This decision is not based upon grounds relating to the educational antecedents of the assistant master, but upon a general view of the proper organisation of a secondary school. I will be glad to supply my hon. Friend with a copy of the scheme if he so desires.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention had been called to the fact that the number of candidates for teaching scholarships under the London County Council had decreased from 1,181 in 1908 to 477 in 1911; whether there was a similar decrease in other parts of England and Wales; if the cause of the decrease was known; and if the Board of Education was taking any measures to prevent the dearth of qualified teachers which must result in consequence of it?

The Board have no information as to the number of candidates applying for teaching scholarships under the London County Council. I cannot trace any figures which exactly correspond to those mentioned in the question. I can give the number of persons actually recognised by the Board as pupil teachers or bursars in London for each of the years named. The number of persons so recognised was 1,158 in 1908, and 533 in 1911, showing a decrease similar to that suggested in the question, though not quite so great. The corresponding figures for England and Wales as a whole, including London, are 9,555 persons recognised in 1908, and 5,214 persons recognised in 1911. Possibly some small addition may have to be made to the 1911 figures on account of late applications. The decrease is probably due in a large measure to an impression which recently existed that there are more certificated teachers than are necessary, and it may be hoped that as the facts as to the need for more teachers becomes generally realised, the number of candidates will return to its normal level.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these sudden changes are due to the vacillating policy embodied in successive regulations of the Board of Education?

No, Sir.

asked whether the establishment of a farm institute with the help of grants from the Development Fund was contemplated in any area other than the counties of Somerset and Dorset, and, if so, where; and whether, in view of the desirability of making the farm practice at the institute typical of the agriculture of the district, and of the fact that peculiarities of soil, cropping, and climate are not coterminous with county boundaries and administrative county or group of counties would always be treated as the area for such institutes?

I do not yet know in what areas farm institutes will be established, as education authorities have been asked to defer making applications to the Board of Education for Grants-in-Aid of such institutes until the detailed Regulations for the distribution of such grants have been issued. These Regulations will, I hope, be issued at an early date, think that it may be desirable that an institute should, in some cases, be planned for an area determined by differences in agricultural methods rather than by administrative boundaries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a farm institute is contemplated for the counties of Somerset and Dorset; and has the Board approved such institute?

I am aware that in these and other cases there is a movement in the direction of establishing institutes; but I have nothing to add at present to the answer I have given.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as it was proposed to establish in Ireland a Parliament consisting of two Chambers with full representative powers and control, it was also the ultimate intention of the Government to re-constitute the Imperial Parliament upon a double-Chamber basis?

I must refer the hon. Member to the Preamble of the Parliament Act.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when it is proposed to restore the balance of the Constitution by the creation of a Second Chamber with reasonable effective powers?

asked the Prime Minister, had any provision been made for the administrations of the Royal functions during the forthcoming absence of His Majesty the King during his voyage to India; would that provision be made by the nomination of Lords Justices or, if not, how otherwise, and, in case it was by nomination of Lords Justices, would he state to the House whom it was proposed to nominate; and whether this House would have an opportunity of considering and pronouncing upon such nomination?

Provision will be made by Order in Council for delegating the exercise of certain of the executive functions of the Crown during the King's absence. The language of the Order will necessarily be wide, but as His Majesty will, during his absence, be in daily telegraphic communication with His Ministers here, all matters of gravity and importance will, in ordinary course, be submitted to him. The persons named in the Commission will be H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord President of the Council. No legislation is needed for the purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether he was aware that a Vote of Censure on the Lord Chancellor had been allowed to remain ever since 17th July on the Notice Paper of the House of Commons without being debated; and whether he would give an early day for its discussion unless it was withdrawn?

I must refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to a similar question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could now state when the day would be given for the general discussion on the Army promised last Session on behalf of the Government?

There were two extra days, in addition to the allotted days on Supply. When this additional time was given I understand that the Opposition made no request for any further discussion on the Army.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chief Whip gave me a distinct undertaking that we should have another day for the general discussion of the Army?

Does the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury think it fair to have answered that question until I had had an opportunity of talking to my hon. Friend?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he could grant a Return of the salaries paid to assistant masters in all State-aided secondary schools, giving the minimum and maximum salaries where scale salaries are in force?

The Board of Education have for some time past been giving special attention to the question of expenditure in secondary schools, especially as regards salaries, and have been collecting information on the subject with a view to the issue of a series of statistical tables. The information, which will include figures both with regard to head masters and assistants and girls' schools as well as boys, will, it is hoped, be ready for publication in a week's time and will contain the figures asked for by the hon. Member.

Will the Return contain comparative figures?

I cannot say without notice. I understand that the figures will be as complete as they can possibly be made.

asked how many elementary day schools possessed gardens cultivated by the children themselves; what was the total number of scholars for whom instruction in gardening grants were paid; how those figures compared with those for the school year 1902–3; and in what proportion of the above schools was the work inside the school correlated with that done in the gardens?

So far as the Board have figures on the subject, the number of school gardens has increased from 379 in 1902–3 to 1,880 in 1909–10; the number of scholars in respect of whom the special grant for gardening was paid was 5,501 in 1902–3 and 29,679 in 1909–10. Full returns for the year just elapsed are not yet available, but it is believed that the number of schools giving practical instruction in gardening must have been upwards of 2,000. As regards the last part of the question, the Board have no information which can be presented in statistical form, but they have reason to believe that many local education authorities are fully alive to the importance of such correlation and are doing their best to secure it.

Do I understand that the latest figures available are for the school year 1909–10?

Yes.

Are any of the schools referred to within the county of London?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked whether it was intended to give early legislative effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee with reference to fiars prices?

The recommendations of this Committee, which reported in June of the present year, will receive the careful consideration of the Government with a view to legislation at the earliest opportunity.

asked whether any administrative order had been made under Sections 9 and 10 of the Locomotives on Highways Act to vary the provisions of Section 3 of the Locomotives Amendment (Scotland) Act, 1878; and, if not, whether the issue of any such order was contemplated?

I fear I cannot add to answers given on previous occasions to my hon-Friend, to the effect that such an order as suggested can only be made for Scotland as a whole, and that the Government are not satisfied that there is sufficient agreement among those interested in the matter to justify the issue of such a general order.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention had been called to the opinion of Dr. Killick Millard, medical officer of health for Leicester, that the future control of smallpox lay with the medical officer of health rather than with the public vaccinator; and whether the Board was prepared to allow the position of public vaccinator to lapse as vacancies arose?

My attention has been drawn to the opinion attributed to this particular medical officer of health. I am not at present proposing any alteration in the position of the office of public vaccinator.

asked the Postmaster-General how many appointments as established postmen and porters have been made since the arrangement was made in 1897, under which half the places were to be offered to ex-service men; and what number of these appointments have been given to ex-service men?

I am unable without much research to give the figures for as much as fourteen years: Great care is taken to assign to ex-soldiers or ex-sailors half the vacancies as postman or porter. In the calendar year 1909 ex-service candidates received 1,223 out of 2,598 vacancies, and in the calendar year 1910, 1,366 out of 2,587 vacancies; or taking the two years together, 2,589 out of 5,185 vacancies.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of circulating, by means of notices placed in post offices, the advantages offered to agricultural areas in regard to telephones; and whether, in the case of the rural districts of Wales, they will be published in the Welsh language?

I will consider the suggestion of the hon. Member. Amongst other expedients, I am taking advantage of the facilities afforded by the publications and notices of the Agricultural Organisation Society and its affiliated local associations and of the Board of Agriculture to bring the rural party line service directly under the notice of farmers and other rural residents; and I think that perhaps better results can be achieved in this way than by exhibiting notices in post offices.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

The point of language will receive consideration if notices are to be exhibited in the post offices.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mrs. Margaret Sullivan, of Bantry, county Cork, was granted an old age pension by the local sub-pension committee; whether such pension was refused by the Local Government Board for Ireland; and, seeing that she produced a certificate which showed that she was married fifty-three years, he will recommend that inquiry be made into her case?

Mrs. Sullivan was granted a pension of 5s. a week by the pension sub-committee, but on appeal by the pension officer the Local Government Board, on 26th September last, disallowed her claim on the ground that she had failed to show that she had attained the statutory age. She did not appear in the list of her parents' family in the Census Return of 1841, and she produced no marriage certificate or other evidence as to her age when given an opportunity by the Board of doing so. If she has now obtained a marriage certificate to the effect indicated, it is open to her to make a fresh claim.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the grounds upon which Dan Murphy, of Roughawn, Coola, county Sligo, Riverstown, Ballymote, county Sligo sub-committee, who was in receipt of an old age pension for a number of months (number in pension officer's register 34/22), has been deprived of the same by the Local Government Board?

So far as the Local Government Board are aware Daniel Murphy has never been in receipt of a pension. The Board have disallowed three claims made by him, the latest being refused on the 3rd July last on the ground that the evidence of age submitted was not sufficient to satisfy the Board that he had attained the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the following estates in the union of Tubbercurry, county Sligo, still remain unsold, namely, the Beatty estate, Tullycusheen-beg, Tubbercurry, the Leitrim and Ballyglass estate, same union and county, the Tully-villa estate (owner the representatives of John Walker, deceased, Sligo), and the Mullaun and Doobeg estate of Charles Phibbs, Esq., J.P., Doobeg, Ballymote, county Sligo; and whether, seeing that Mr. Beatty, owner of the Beatty estate, is unable to negotiate terms of sale, he being a lunatic, and that his agent, Mr. Morrison, refuses to sell at any price, steps will be taken to bring about a sale of this and the other unpurchased estates mentioned in the question?

The lands of Leitrim North on the Nicholson estate, and Bally-glass on the Mossman estate, have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and will be inspected and decisions arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable. The Board communicated with the agents for the Beatty and Walker estates asking them to lodge the necessary maps and documents, if the owners desired to sell the properties through the Board, but no replies have been received. In the case of the Phibbs estate the owner has refused to sell and the matter is being specially considered by the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of the Widow Nolan, of Clara, county Kilkenny; whether he is aware that Mrs. Nolan owed only a half-year's rent which, owing to almost entire failure of her crop, she was unable to pay on demand, and that, instead of granting her request of two months to enable her to make up her rent, the landlord served her with a writ under which judgment was marked and subsequently bought in at the sheriff's sale her interest for £1; whether he is aware that reasonable terms of purchase were offered to the landlord on behalf of this poor widow and three young children, and having occupied sixty-six statute acres, being two-thirds of the entire estate; and, in view of the circumstances of the case, will the Estates Commissioners consider the advisability of acquiring this estate in the interests of this woman?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the case of Mrs. Nolan does not come within the class of persons mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and they have therefore no power to acquire the lands for the purposes of her reinstatement.

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to amend the defects of the Act of 1909?

Does the hon. Gentleman ask me whether it is our intention to introduce legislation?

That is quite so.

No, I do not intend to do so.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether he will consider the advisability of altering the Metropolitan Police Regulations in respect to the charges for taxi-cabs plying on the streets, so as to eliminate and make illegal all charges whatsoever for extras other than those automatically registered, as they are entirely unwarrantable, and have been apparently the cause of much dishonesty amongst the drivers and disputes with the cab companies, whereby the public have been put to an enormous amount of inconvenience?

It must be understood that I take no responsibility for the accuracy of the statement that there has been any dishonesty amongst the drivers, nor that enormous inconvenience has been caused to the public. The answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is: As he is no doubt aware the question of taxi-cab fares has recently been considerd by a Departmental Committee, and I would refer him to their suggestions. I can make no further statement at present.