asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the terms of reference to the Opium Commission have yet been adjusted; and, if so, whether he can communicate them to the House?

His Majesty's Government have not as yet received from the Netherlands Government, who issued the invitations to the Opium Conference, a definite programme of the subjects to be discussed; and they are therefore not in a position to draw up the necessary instructions for the guidance of the British delegates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it is expected the programme will be received?

I am hoping it will be received as soon as possible, but I cannot say.

Is it definitely determined that the Conference will meet on 1st December, or has that date been postponed?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question.

asked whether Major Stokes has been ordered to leave Teheran and return to India; whether it is in accordance with the practice in the Army to refuse an officer permission to resign in time of peace; whether, in the case of Major Stokes, the military authorities acted on their own initiative or at the request of the Foreign Office; and whether Major Stokes had been allowed to pledge himself to accept an appointment under the Persian Government on condition that he resigned his position in the British Army?

The answer to the first question is that I understand that Major Stokes has been appointed to the General Staff at Simla, and has been requested to join his post as soon as possible. In answer to the second question, I cannot say what the practice in the Army is; but whatever it is, I do not think it can be right or reasonable to give permission to resign at a particular moment in order to enable a British officer to do something that is politically undesirable. The answer to the third question is that I am ready to accept full responsibility for the general line taken with regard to Major Stokes in this case. The answer to the last question is that Major Stokes was told in the first instance that he would have to resign his commission in the Indian Army before accepting command of the gendarmerie. I was not aware then that he had given an actual pledge; he may have done so after receiving that reply. Subsequently, it became quite clear that his appointment was not only undesirable, but impossible; and had I been aware of all the circumstances, I should have said so in the first instance.

asked whether His Majesty's Government is still represented by a Consul at Tabriz, in Persia; has he information to the effect that on 27th July last the Russian Consul-General at Tabriz sent 300 Russian soldiers, fully armed, to the palace of the governor, and liberated by force a Persian subject, Rashid-ul-Mulk, formerly governor of Ardebil, who was imprisoned on a charge of high treason against the Persian Government; and, if so, does this constitute a violation of the sovereignty of Persia, which was safeguarded by the Anglo-Russian Convention?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that the Russian Consul-General intervened in favour of Rashid-ul-Mulk, who is a member of a Russian Order, in the belief that he was to be summarily hanged without a fair trial. We ourselves intervened on behalf of the Nasr-ul-Mulk when his life was in danger in December, 1907, and I do not regard the matter as one to be brought up under the Anglo-Russian Agreement.

asked whether, in view of his expressed wish for quotations from German authorities, his attention has been called to the fact that the two German authorities, General von Caemmerer and General Baron von der Goltz, have laid it down specifically that the term base cannot be restricted to one district, but must mean the whole area of a State connected with railways; and does this necessarily mean that under the Declaration of London all neutral as well as British ships bringing foodstuffs to this country would be liable to be captured or sunk by an enemy's warships, or by his merchant ships converted into commerce destroyers?

I have seen the quotations referred to. I am unaware of the context from which they were drawn, and can, therefore, form no opinion as to their exact bearing upon the definition of the word "base" in the sense in which it is used in Article 34 of the Declaration of London. In no case do His Majesty's Government consider that the effect of Article 34 can be that suggested in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

Is it not a fact that at the Court of Arbitration at Geneva in 1872 our own representative—

The hon. Member seems to credit the Foreign Secretary with omniscience. He really must give notice of a question of that kind.

asked whether he will state what are our engagements with foreign Powers involving armed intervention or support?

A complete list of treaties containing guarantees or engagements by Great Britain in regard to the territory or government of other countries was presented to the House of Commons in 1898, in Miscellaneous No. 2 (1898). All treaties concluded by His Majesty's Government since that date, involving guarantees of territory or government of countries not included in this list, and engagements with foreign Powers that might involve armed intervention, have been laid before Parliament.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have yet framed the rules or issued instructions to managers in regard to the procedure necessary to obtain the grant of a moiety of the cost of heating and cleansing Irish national schools?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the regulation, with explanatory memorandum, governing the payment of the new grant towards the cost of heating and cleansing national schools was issued to the managers of the schools on the 2nd instant. The regulation has also been published in the Press.

asked what is the cause of the delay on the part of the Local Government Board in dealing with the scheme for labourers' cottages at Ballygomartin, near Belfast, sent forward some time ago by Belfast (No. 3) Rural District Council?

No scheme for the erection of cottages under the Labourers Acts in the Belfast Rural District, in which part of Ballygomartin is situated, has been received by the Local Government Board since September, 1908.

Has the scheme for September, 1908, been carried out?

Yes.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received a resolution of the joint committee of the Mullingar Asylum Board of Governors asking for the powers of the Scotch asylum boards as to the boarding out of harmless patients, in order to relieve congestion in the asylum; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

A resolution has been adopted as stated in the question. The proposal would require legislation, which obviously could not be undertaken at present.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Ulster men introduced a Bill on this very point, and it was blocked by the Nationalist party?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that on the 28th September last a small committee of the Ballymena board of guardians, with the workhouse master, visited Maghera-felt workhouse for the purpose of inspecting a boiler plant and heating apparatus, with a view to putting in a similar plant at Ballymena for better efficiency and economy; and, seeing that the Local Government Board has now refused to sanction the expenses of the party in going to and from Magherafelt, and that the guardians in question are unanimously of opinion that this expenditure should have been allowed, will he state whether the Local Government Board is prevented by law from sanctioning the necessary expenses in a case of this kind?

The facts are as stated. The expenses incurred by the committee of the guardians cannot legally be charged on the rates.

Will the hon. Member consider the advisability of altering such regulations as this?

asked why the Local Government Board are not sending down an inspector to hold an inquiry under the Labourers Acts at Groom, county Limerick, although having been repeatedly asked to do so by the local authority; and will steps be taken to have the wishes of the people carried out?

There are eighty-five schemes to be inquired into. They must be taken in turn, and priority is determined according to the principle explained in the answer to the hon. Member's similar question yesterday.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that on the night of Saturday, the 21st instant, a dwelling-house, from which a herd named Loftus had been evicted by Mr. Sarsfield, of Kilmaine, was burned to the ground; whether Mr. Sarsfield is still under police protection; and whether anyone has been made amenable for the destruction of the property?

The house in question was burnt down as stated on 28th October. Mr. Sarsfield is receiving all necessary protection. No arrests have so far been made.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, on the night of 28th October, a bullock, the property of a man who holds grazing on the Liskilleen farm, near Ballinrobe, was mutilated by having its tail cut; if he is aware that there has been cattle-driving on this farm recently, and that intimidatory shots have been fired outside the house of a grazier; and if he will state what protection is being afforded to the persons concerned?

The facts are as stated. A post consisting of six policemen has been formed at Liskilleen for the protection of the graziers on the farm referred to.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Board of Trade has not raised any objection to the proposed ferry between Valentia Island and the mainland, steps will now be taken by the Congested Districts Board to carry out the request made by the inhabitants of Valentia?

The Congested Districts Board are now considering how communication between Valentia Island and the mainland can be best improved. It may not be necessary to consult the Board of Trade in the matter.

asked whether any request has reached the Congested Districts Board from the people living in Sheggaunagh district, Kinvarra, respecting the purchase by the Board of Mr. Walter S. Taylor's farm at Sheggaunagh; and what steps have they taken to acquire the farm, and with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have received memorials regarding the purchase of the farm referred to. After some correspondence with the owner the Board decided to take no steps for the purchase of this property at present.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the representations made to the Congested Districts Board by the congests living in the neighbourhood of Kinvarra, regarding the purchase by the Board of the Norman Grove Farm, near Kinvarra, the property of Miss Minnie Forster; and can he explain what steps the Board has taken to acquire this farm in the public interest?

The Congested Districts Board have been approached regarding the purchase of the farm referred to. The agent for the property was communicated with, but the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection have not so far been lodged.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the state of congestion that exists in the villages of Crushoa, Towna, Mountscribe, and Nogura, in the district of Kinvarra, county Galway; was the estate of Blake Forster offered for sale; was it inspected; and with what result?

The estate referred to has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board and has been inspected. A decision regarding the purchase of the estate, including the villages mentioned, will be arrived at shortly.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Mr. Brady Murray, B.L., Moyvore, Kinvarra, offered his estate to the Congested Districts Board in the year 1909; is it being purchased; and can he state the amount of the purchase money and the probable date when the Congested Districts Board will be able to carry out a resettlement of the estate?

The necessary maps and documents for a preliminary inspection of the property referred to were lodged with the Congested Districts Board in September, 1910. The Board will make an offer for purchase as soon as practicable. The details asked for cannot yet be stated.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the promise given by the Congested Districts Board to approach Major Wigan Lynch in regard to the sale of his estate at Funshin, Cahertin, Killimoran, near Kinvarra; has Major Lynch consented to sell; what quantity of untenanted land has he offered for sale to the Board; and, having regard to the state of congestion that exists in the district and the length of time the poor people have been clamouring for relief to the Board, can he say what the intention of the Board is in regard to the completion of the sale on this estate?

The owner is willing to sell the estate referred to, but the necessary maps and documents have not yet been lodged with the Congested Districts Board, and the area of untenanted land proposed to be sold cannot therefore be stated. When the required information is lodged the estate will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the number of evictions threatened in the town of Kinvarra, on the Sharpe estate; how long ago is it since the trustees of the estate offered the entire property for sale to the Congested Districts Board; has an inspection of the property taken place; and, if not, will he explain the cause of the delay?

My right hon. Friend has no information as regards the first paragraph of the question. The necessary maps and documents for a preliminary inspection of the estate were lodged with the Congested Districts Board in March last, but owing to pressure of work the board's staff have not yet been able to carry out the inspection.

asked whether any steps have been taken to improve the status and salary of the secondary teacher in Ireland; and whether it is proposed to include in the next education estimates a grant for the improvement of secondary education in Ireland?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in Debate on 23rd May last.

When may we expect something to be done?

I will bring that to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether, owing to the extension of dairy farming in Great Britain, British stock feeders have become increasingly dependent upon Ireland for the supply of good store bullocks got by Irish premium bulls of a beef-producing type; and whether, in view of the inclination of many Irish breeders to substitute dairy farming for the raising of store stock, his Department is taking steps to prevent this trade from passing into the hands of foreign breeders?

The improvement of dairy stock in Ireland is not being promoted at the expense of beef-producing stock. Farmers are devoting more attention than was formerly the case to improving their stock generally, and, under the live stock schemes of the Department of Agriculture the improvement of cattle suited for dairying is sought on lines which improve their beef qualities at the same time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, having regard to the fact that the Abor expedition is admittedly a punitive expedition in which innocent persons may suffer loss of life and property, the offer of the Abors to make reparation, and the question as to whether that expedition could be legally undertaken without the consent of Parliament or financed by money not voted by Parliament, the opportunity of the visit of the King to India may be taken for the extension of amnesty to the people of that district?

There is no question as to the legality of the Abor expedition: everything is being done in strict accord with a long series of precedents. I have no knowledge of any offer of the Abors to make reparation, and, having regard to the history and condition of these tribes, the hon. Member's suggestion in the last part of the question does not appear practicable or profitable.

asked by whom and at what date has it been decided that the Abor district is inside the external frontiers of British-India, although on all maps issued under the authority of the Indian Government that territory is placed outside the external frontiers of India; and whether, having regard to the fact that the 55th Section of the Act of 1858, providing that military expeditions outside the external frontiers of India must be conducted with moneys provided by Parliament and not at the expense of the Indian revenues, will the Secretary of State consider the advisability of submitting the interpretation of the 55th Section of the Act of 1858 in its relation to the Abor expedition to some independent authority instead of adopting the interpretation of that Section which places the Abor expedition beyond the sphere of Parliamentary control?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question of the 14th instant. As regards the second part, the hon. Member's description of Section 55 of the Act of 1858 has no relation to the actual provisions of the Section, but this is not material, as the interpretation put upon that Section by the Secretary of State is that which has always been accepted by Parliament, and there is, therefore, no reason to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

had upon the Notice Paper a question asking whether there has been no revision or increase in the pensions for commissary officers in India since 1868, although the pensions of officers holding similar rank in the Home Army have been increased since that time and are now much higher than those of commissary officers in the Indian service; whether any steps will be taken to increase the pensions of these commissary officers and put them on a more equitable basis; and, if not, what is the reason for refusing to do so?

On behalf of my hon. and learned Friend I beg to ask the honourable maid of all work this question.

No, Sir. The pensions of the officers referred to were increased in 1904. I am not aware that the present rates compare unfavourably with those allowed to similar officers in the Home Army.

I beg to ask you, Sir, if you heard the offensive expression of the hon. Gentleman opposite?

Before you deal with that, Sir, may I ask you if you also heard the laughter of hon. Gentlemen opposite?

I think it was rather a compliment than offensive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received complaints that a movement hostile to His Majesty's Indian subjects is at present being promoted in various parts of South Africa, with the object of depriving them of the civil rights that they still enjoy and of contracting their freedom to carry on their trade on equal terms with others of His Majesty's subjects in the Dominion; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to prevent injury to Indian interests?

I have been in communication with Ministers who do not consider that the existing laws have been administered against Indian traders in a harsh manner. They inform me that the extent to which Asiatics are displacing white traders is arousing considerable feeling. I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall continue to give close attention to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of the judgment delivered by the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court of the Union of South Africa on the gold law, in the case of Tamblin v. Rex; and whether he can say in what way, if at all, it has affected the rights of His Majesty's Indian subjects in the Transvaal?

Yes, Sir. Ministers inform me that the effect of this decision is that there is no restriction under the Law 35 of 1908 on the letting to Indians of any stands which have been laid out under the Mining Laws prior to 1908.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of cases of lead poisoning which have occurred in the Gun Wharf shop, Portsmouth Dockyard, and in Portsmouth Dockyard generally this year, the number of deaths from this disease and the amount of compensation paid this year; if the efficiency of the medical inspection of this disease can be increased; and if the ventilation of the Gun Wharf shop can be improved by the addition of a couple of windows?

The number of cases of lead poisoning which have occurred this year are, in the Gun Wharf shop, five; in the dockyard generally, five. The numbers of deaths from lead poisoning this year are: men employed in the Gun Wharf shop, none; men employed in the dockyard generally, two. Of these, the first case, H. C. Smith, was first placed on the hurt list 15th October, 1903, finally placed on hurt list on the 4th September, 1909, and invalided on 26th January, 1910. He died 11th January, 1911. The second case, E. J. Gillingham, was placed on the hurt list 15th October, 1910, returned to duty 15th December, and was employed on light work. He was taken ill again on the 31st October, 1911, and died on the following day. The amount of compensation paid this year is as follows: In respect of men employed in the Gun Wharf shop: £3 2s. 3d. in hurt pay, and one allowance of 7s. 10d. a week. In respect of men employed in the dockyard generally: £11 0s. 2d. in hurt pay and compensation. The smallness of the amount of compensation in the latter case is due to the fact that Smith, who died on the 11th January last, had been receiving compensation which, under the Superannuation Act, 1887, was confined to himself. The total amount he received was about £22. His daughter was awarded a grant of £30 from the Treasury Compassionate Fund. The second death took place on the 1st of this month, and the claim of the deceased's dependents has only just been received. Following on the cases at the Gun Wharf shop in 1909, elaborate localised exhaust ventilation was installed with the object of removing the fumes. As soon as the cases this year came to the knowledge of the Factory Department at the Home Office, with a report from the district inspector, the Medical Inspector of Factories, with whom I have discussed the matter this week, and the Inspector of Dangerous Trades, made arrangements to visit the factory together to-morrow, to examine the workers and to inquire into the efficiency of the ventilation. With regard to the suggestion that the ventilation of the Gun Wharf Shop would be improved by the addition of a couple of windows, I have to say that as the shop is installed with a mechanical exhaust system of ventilation, the proposal would reduce rather than improve the efficiency of the ventilating arrangements.

asked whether in June last His Majesty's ship "Proserpine," while on the voyage from Aden to Colombo, broke down in the engine-room twenty-six times and took fourteen days to accomplish the journey, two of which were done with her sun awning hoisted as sails as her only means of propulsion; whether the "Proserpine" has been broken up yet or sold out of the Service; and, if not, whether instructions will be given that no more money be spent on this ship?

This vessel was fourteen days on the passage from Aden to Colombo, during two of which she was in tow of another of His Majesty's ships. Delays were caused by condenser troubles, which do not necessitate the condemnation of the vessel. Such repairs are being carried out as will keep the ship efficient till paid off, when she will be relieved by another ship.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that the "Proserpine" was two days sailing under her sun awnings as her only means of propulsion?

I have no report of that, but I should think it extremely likely they used the awning in default of other means?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what number of persons, other than boys, were engaged in agriculture and horticultural occupations in Great Britain in the years 1900 and 1910, respectively?

Returns of persons engaged in agricultural and horticultural, as well as other occupations, are obtained only by means of the decennial Census. My right hon. Friend therefore regrets that he is unable to furnish the information for the years specified in the question. The information obtained when the Census was taken this year will, of course, be available in the usual course.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how he accounts for the steady and continuing fall in the sheep population of Great Britain, amounting within the last thirty years to 125,000 head?

There has been no steady and continuing fall in the number of sheep during the period mentioned. The total number in Great Britain was 24,581,053 in 1881 and 26,494,992 in 1911. It has been larger and smaller than the present number in different years. The causes of the fluctuation have been discussed from time to time in the reports published with the annual agricultural returns.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that is not consistent with the figures given me four days ago by the President of the Board?

I am quoting the official figures with which I have been furnished, and which shows there has been, as a matter of fact, a considerable increase in the period mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will undertake, on the Third Reading of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, to state the views of the Board in reference to the proposal to constitute a separate Board of Agriculture for Scotland, with separate administration of the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts and the issue of orders and regulations thereunder?

My right hon. Friend, who is fulfilling a public engagement in the country, has asked me to answer this question. The views of the Board are those which are held by the Government of the day. The Minister in charge of the Bill has expressed the views of the Government. My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to his statement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware, if that is so, the policy of the Government is entirely contrary to the established practice of the Board of Agriculture ever since it was founded?

My right hon. Friend states he has nothing to add to the statement of the Minister in charge of the Bill, and I certainly have nothing to add to his reply.

May I ask whether the President of the Board of Agriculture will be present to-morrow?

The Government I am sure will be adequately represented.

asked the Prime Minister when the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be in a position to make his promised statement: and whether he can give the House an assurance that an opportunity will be afforded for an adequate Debate upon that statement?

I hope to give a definite reply on Monday.

When this Debate comes on, will there be any opportunity for private Members to express their opinions, seeing that Debates on Foreign Affairs are usually mutual admiration exchanges between the two Front Benches?

From my long experience of the hon. Member's intervention in Debate, I certainly do not think it comes under the category of mutual admiration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of suspending the Eleven o'clock rule?

I believe that rule is suspended.

In what form will the question come before the House?

It depends on the Motions of which hon. Members give notice.

Are Motions to be set down by hon. Members? Will that not preclude the Foreign Secretary from making his statement at the beginning of the Debate, which I am sure we all desire?

I am sure it would be for the general convenience of the House for the Foreign Secretary to make his statement on the whole question before we come to details.

In view of the multiplicity of subjects connected with foreign affairs will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving more than one day to the Debate?

Will it not be necessary to have some question before the House? Are we to understand that private Members who desire to raise a particular question must hand in notice of Motion?

I think it is desirable that they should give some kind of notice—not necessarily in the form of a notice of Motion—of their intention to raise particular topics. The Government are most anxious that the opportunities of debate shall be as unrestricted as possible.

How can the Foreign Secretary make a statement if there is no question before the House?

I really do not know. It is an extremely difficult point. I will consider what is the course most suited to the general convenience of the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of taking the Debate on the Motion that the House do now adjourn? Such a Motion would give the widest possibilities, and by arrangement the Motion could be withdrawn.

But if that Motion is put down any other subject could be intruded.

I think my hon. Friend is right. But the Government is most anxious to meet the general convenience of the House, and we want the Debate to be the most unrestricted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of, by a general agreement on all sides of the House, a Supplementary Vote being put down, there being, of course, an understanding that the reopening of Supply should not be made the subject of Debate?

That would involve setting up Supply again. I appeal to hon. Members not to further press this matter. The Government will consider what is the best course to adopt.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the last ten years, and in spite of the development of statutory small holdings, the area of land under arable cultivation in Great Britain has shrunk by over a million acres, or about 7 per cent.; and whether, in view of the continuing depopulation of rural areas, the increased dependence of the nation upon external supplies of wheat, and the consequent necessity of spending large sums of public money upon the maintenance of a predominant Navy, he will consider the desirability of rendering the country more self-contained in the matter of its wheat supply, and possibly saving part of the cost of naval construction by offering to small holders as a bonus the difference between the current price of wheat per quarter and the price at which such producers could grow it at a profit?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the adoption of this suggestion would involve the cheapening of the cost of living of working men?

I am aware that it raises a large number of controversial subjects.

asked whether, in the contemplated legislation for the reform of Parliament and the extension of the franchise, the Government will consider the advisability of making provision for a second ballot when the candidate at a Parliamentary election who is at the head of the poll fails to obtain a majority of the votes of the electors who have voted in the contest?

As I said on Monday, I am unable to anticipate the details of the proposals for a reform of the franchise laws.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an announcement in the Gazette in which the kingdom of Scotland is referred to as a Principality; whether there is any precedent for this description; and by whose advice it was used?

My hon. Friend is in error in suggesting that the Kingdom of Scotland was referred to in the Gazette as a Principality. The Principality referred to was that which goes with the title of Prince of Scotland, which is, and has for many centuries been, the first title of the eldest son of the King of Scotland.

asked whether the Government proposes to follow the constitutional practice of advising a dissolution of Parliament immediately after the passage of the Franchise Reform Bill announced for next Session?

It would be premature at present to make any statement on this subject.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, with great respect, to consider the propriety of framing his answers on other principles than the maximum of courtesy and the minimum of information?

asked when the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by the late President of the Board of Agriculture to inquire into the position of tenant farmers on the sale of estates by landowners will be issued?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to add anything to the reply he gave on the 26th ultimo to the hon. Member for South Wilts.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that tenants are still having their farms sold over their heads? Is it not time something was done for them?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the advisability of granting a substantial increase of pay to prison officers, as their salary has remained nearly stationary during the past fifteen years, and has now become inadequate owing to the rise in the prices of food commodities in recent years?

I am now considering certain special cases brought to my notice by the Prison Commissioners; but I think the question of a general rise of wages on account of the rise of the prices must wait the result of the investigations into the cost of living undertaken by the Board of Trade.

further asked the Home Secretary whether prison warders work thirty-nine days per year more than the police, while their duties are more onerous and exacting; and will he consider the desirability of conceding to prison officails the eight-hour day?

It is not possible to institute any satisfactory comparison between the duties of the police1 and of prison warders. The fact that the police constable is chiefly employed in night duty in the streets exposed for long hours to every sort of weather alone makes a wide difference between the two employments. But it is certainly not the case that prison warders work thirty-nine days a year more than the police. I have now, however, under my consideration the question whether it is possible to reduce materially the hours of prison warders.

likewise asked the Home Secretary whether discontent exists in His Majesty's prison service in consequence of the continued neglect of the Prison Commissioners, who persist in ignoring the requests of the warders to be allowed certain modifications in their conditions of service; and will he now take the necessary steps for giving effect to the appeals made in their many petitions?

There is not the slightest ground for the suggestion that the Prison Commissioners have neglected the applications made to them by the prison warders. On the contrary, they have been devoting much time and care to reviewing the conditions of service with the object of meeting the wishes of the warders so far as possible without loss of efficiency or unreasonable expenditure. The warders' petitions have now been submitted to me, and they shall receive my best consideration. I may remind the hon. Member that on more than one occasion the Prison Commissioners have recommended improvements in the conditions of service without waiting for any application from the warders.

asked the Home Secretary whether Sidney Edward Byrne, then of the age of ten years or thereabouts, was ordered, on 15th December, 1905, by Mr. E. S. Fordham, a Metropolitan Police Magistrate, to be detained in the Dorset Industrial School, at Blandford, until he attained the age of sixteen years whether he has official information showing that the superintendent and secretary of that school declares that the lad is under the charge or supervision of the managers until eighteen years of age, and expresses his intention of detaining him until then, though the lad's father is desirous of his return home upon his attaining the age of sixteen years in December next; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The letter from the superintendent of the school which the hon. Member has sent me does not express any intention of detaining the boy in the school. As provided by Section 68 of the Children Act, the boy remains under the supervision of the managers until he is eighteen, and it would appear that he is now in a situation found for him by the managers. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent magisterial decision at Birmingham upon boxing; and whether he will introduce legislation to modify the effect of that decision with a view to permitting proper public boxing contests, and preserving this old English sport?

I have seen reports of the decision referred to, and I understand that the magistrate is willing to state a case for the High Court if it is alleged that the decision is wrong on any point of law. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance that no grandmotherly legislation shall be brought in which will affect an old English sport and pastime, which on some occasions has been indulged in even by hon. Members on this side of the House?

As I have stated that I do not propose to introduce any legislation at all it could not, therefore, be grandmotherly or otherwise.

asked whether, amongst the patent medicines sold in this country, there are some of which the advertisements are merely thin disguises for the suggestion of illegal practices, and that the consequences in a number of cases do not rest with the immediate result sought but produce severe general poisoning, such as lead-poisoning; and whether steps will be taken to put a stop to or mitigate these evils?

I am aware that some of the advertisements suggest illegal practices, but they are in such veiled language and in many cases the drugs are, in fact, so innocuous that it would be impossible to prosecute successfully. This will be a matter for the consideration of the proposed Select Committee.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to state the general character of the Select Committee he has promised to appoint next Session to consider the question of patent medicines, particularly in regard to the terms of reference and the adequate representation thereon of medical opinion?

I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that many of the patent medicines sold in this country consist mainly of cheap and innocuous drugs sold at fifty times their real value, he will issue as a Parliamentary Paper a statement of the analyses of the more prominent of such patent medicines, or will take steps to give wider publicity in the general interest to the results of analyses of popular patent medicines obtained by the experts employed by the British Medical Journal?

The analyses published by the British Medical Journal are, no doubt, most useful, but I think the hon. Member will understand that I cannot, without independent investigation, adopt and publish them officially. The question is one I must leave to the Select Committee.

Is anything being done to accelerate the appointment of this Committee?

I have stated already that I propose to appoint the Committee next Session. It will be appointed early.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that under the existing law a large number of aliens are placed upon the jury lists; and whether he will bring this matter before the Committee about to be appointed to consider the present system of empanelling juries with a view to legislation securing the right to British subjects of trial by their peers?

Without committing myself to the precise accuracy of the hon. Member's statement, I may say that the question he raises is one which the Committee will be empowered to consider.

Does the right hon. Gentleman dispute the statement in the question that aliens are at present invited to sit on British juries?

I would not commit myself to the precise accuracy of the statement that a large number of aliens are placed upon the jury lists.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the increase of the percentage of births that have obtained exemption certificates, an increase from 6.3 in the year 1907 to 25.7 in the year 1910, and the consequent loss of income to vaccination officers, he will so amend the existing vaccination orders as to provide for such a scale of remuneration to the vaccination officers as will approximately bring up this remuneration to the average remuneration received by them during the years 1903 and 1907; and if he will issue a general order to that effect?

As I intimated in the Debate which took place on the Local Government Board Vote this year, the case is not one which, in my opinion, should be dealt with by a general order. I am doing what I can to meet individual hard cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour, in doing what he can, to arrange that vaccination officers should be remunerated by a fee dependent upon exemptions from vaccination as well as on cases of actual vaccination?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have already given.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a regulation of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis forbids the licensing of any vehicle so constructed as to completely enclose the driver; whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the number of such vehicles, often driven at high rates of speed, in which the driver is prevented from either seeing or hearing adequately what is passing around him outside; and whether, in view of the danger and inconvenience to the travelling public of such an arrangement, he will take steps to follow the example of the Home Office in making regulations to forbid the use of such vehicles in public thoroughfares?

I am aware that it is not the practice of the Commissioner of Police to license motor cabs and omnibuses of the construction described, but I have so far not received any representations with regard to motor cars generally. I will, however, have the point noted.

asked whether there has been a recent change in the office of Chief Inspector of Training Colleges; if so, who is the present occupant of the office; and what position is now occupied by the recent Chief Inspector of Training Colleges?

The Chief Inspector of Training Colleges has asked to be relieved by the Board of his duties in connection with training colleges in consequence of continued ill-health aggravated by the constant long-distance travelling necessitated by his work. He is at present giving valuable assistance in the Special Inquiries Office of the Board in various matters for which his experience and qualifications render him specially suitable. No decision has yet been reached as to the appointment of a successor.

asked whether the applications from the Fife harbours of St. Andrews, Anstruther, Pit-tenweem, and St. Monans, which were made twelve months ago, have yet reached the Development Commissioners; and, if so, when will the decisions be promulgated?

The applications referred to have reached the Development Commissioners. The Commissioners, a Committee of whom has visited the locality, are in communication on the subject with the Secretary for Scotland. It is hoped that a public announcement will be made shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to a case of the drowning of William Vanse at the canal bridge at Crowle Wharf, on Wednesday, 8th November; if he is aware that the coroner stated that the place was a death trap; and whether he will communicate with the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Company with a view of placing a barrier across the road at such times as the canal bridge is open?

I am already in communication with the Navigation Company in this matter, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give a date when the Coronation medals applied for by the Portsmouth branch of the Bank of England will be given?

Coronation medals are issued by the Mint to the Bank of England, and by the Bank to their branches. These medals are struck as rapidly as possible, regard being had to the progress of the other work of the Mint.