asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many of the secretaries of pension committees in Ireland have not yet been paid their fees for the quarter ended 30th September last; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure as regular payment of these officials as is the case in regard to the direct officials of the Government?

I am informed by the Board of Customs and Excise that every endeavour is made to secure regular payment of these fees. The adoption of the 1911 Census figures has necessitated fresh assignments of the fees for the quarter ended 30th September last, for which resolutions must be passed by the pension committees. The latter have been communicated with on this point, but the majority of them have not yet replied.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that a former secretary to the Board of Customs in his Report to the Ridley Commission stated that there was no difference between the work performed by the Civil Service writers employed in the statistical department of His Majesty's Customs and that done by the lower division clerks, that the late Sir Robert Giffen's Committee appointed by the Treasury to specially investigate their grievances found that they were engaged upon a superior class of work for which they were paid at the rate of 1s. per hour pending the Report of the Committee, which finally ended in their being placed upon the establishment, and seeing that their established service is exactly similar in character to their unestablished service, and that the practice of the Treasury is to count unestablished service for pension in such circumstances, he can see his way to act in their case on the ordinary practice of the Treasury?

I can see no sufficient reason to modify the conditions expressly laid down after full consideration at the time when the officers referred to were placed on the establishment.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds has the Local Government Board for Ireland refused to confirm the resolution of the Strabane (No. 2) Rural District Council passed at a meeting held on 1st August last recommending that the rents of labourers' cottages in the district be reduced by 2d. per house per week, although the Board sanctioned a reduction of 3d. per house per week in the case of an adjoining rural district?

The Local Government Board have not refused to allow the proposed reduction of rents, but have merely pointed out the manner in which the council should proceed if they desire to give it legal effect. Regulations duly made under the Labourers Act of 1906, and confirmed, can only be altered or repealed by subsequent regulations made pursuant to the Public Health Act, 1878, and the council were informed to this effect when by the resolution referred to they purported to reduce rents fixed by regulations confirmed in September, 1910. The council have accordingly decided to adhere to the rents already fixed pending consideration of the question of making new regulations. If the case referred to in the concluding portion of the question is that of Stranorlar Rural District the circumstances are entirely different, as the reduction of 3d. per week was made at the instance of the Board before they confirmed the regulations submitted by the council.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish Land Commission has received a memorial from the tenants amongst whom the lands known as the mud lands on the Little estate, near Youghal, were distributed, about the valuation of the lands and about the neglect to carry out specific improvements promised when the lands were divided; and will he say what steps the Commissioners propose to take?

The memorial referred to has been recently received by the Estates Commissioners, and will be duly considered. The Commissioners have already had under consideration the question of improvements, and a considerable sum has been expended by them through their inspector, who is dealing with the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the purchased holdings on the Paget estate, Westmeath, will be vested and the purchasers relieved of the payment of interest?

The Estates Commissioners hope that this estate will be vested in the purchasing tenants during the present financial year.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will consider the advisability of prohibiting foreign peat bedding being imported, in view of the danger of carrying infection from countries where foot-and-mouth disease prevails amongst cattle?

This matter has been considered at various times, and, as at present advised, the Department do not see that adequate grounds exist for subjecting the importation of litter made from peat moss (the preparation of which takes place under conditions which appear to be very different from those applicable to hay and straw) to any restrictions under the Diseases of Animals Acts. Perhaps the hon. Member would think it desirable, however, to bring the question under the notice of the Committee (of which he is a Member) appointed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to inquire in relation to the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Vice-President whether he is aware that in many cases the Irish railway companies evade the provisions of the Carriers Act by compelling consignors to sign consignment notes which practically absolve the companies from any liability whatever; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to provide a remedy?

Consignors can forward goods either at company's risk or at ordinary rate or at owner's risk at a reduced rate. If they select the latter method they sign a consignment note under the conditions of which the carrying company are relieved from certain liabilities. If the companies, in any instance, impose illegal conditions the usual remedy is open to the aggrieved party.

also asked whether attention has been directed by the secretary of the Irish Cattle Trading and Stock Owners' Association to the delays in the transit of live stock on certain Irish railways; whether, notwithstanding previous advertisement, truck accommodation for fairs has been delayed; and whether he can state what measures the Agriculture Department propose taking to remedy such recurring disappointments and losses to those engaged in the animal industry in Ireland?

A letter to the effect indicated in this question has reached the Department from the Secretary of the association mentioned. The complaints to which it draws attention are being investigated with a view, where necessary, to subsequent representations to the companies concerned. It is probable, however, that in some cases shortage of trucks arising from the arrears of traffic to be dealt with following the recent strike, coupled with extra demands caused by the occurrence of a number of fairs on one day, may be responsible for the circumstances complained of.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council has made arrangements with civilian schools of aviation with regard to the training of selected officers; and, if so, whether he can state if terms have been arranged with these schools, or whether officers who wish to pass the test and obtain, a club certificate have to make arrangements privately on the understanding that if they pass the test they are to receive the grant of £75 from the War Office?

The reply to the first paragraph in the question is in the negative. Officers are left to make their own arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government, in connection with the hospitals and sanatoria that may be erected in India by public money in connection with the memorial to King Edward VII., to appoint Indian medical men to serve on the staff of these institutions so far as their experience and training may qualify them for holding such I posts?

I am unable to make a definite statement of the intentions of the Government of India with regard to filling appointments which have not yet been created. With regard to the general question involved, perhaps my hon. Friend will wait for my answer to his next question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will say how many Indian medical men hold appointments as professors or chief teachers in the teaching hospitals and medical colleges of India; and whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint suitable Indian medical men to such posts so far as opportunity may provide?

None of the highest posts is at present actually held by an Indian, but the question of appointing Indians to two such posts is now under consideration. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The decision of the Secretary of State in 1909 to allow no further increase in the civil side of the Indian Medical Service was intended to have among its results the appointment of Indian medical men to some professorial appointments of the first rank.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can see his way to introduce legislation for the purpose of excluding starlings from the Wild Birds Protection Act in those districts where it is clearly shown that they cause excessive damage to farmers and horticulturists?

No legislation is necessary. Under Section 9 of the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880, the Secretary of State may, on application being made by a local authority, by order deprive any wild bird of protection in a particular county or county borough. This has been done in some counties in the case, for example, of the house sparrow and the wood pigeon; but I cannot find that any application has been made in recent years for the starling to be treated in this way. I am prepared to consider any request that may be made by any county council (with whom the initiative rests) if valid reasons such as are indicated in the question can foe established.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what are the wages paid to the chairmakers employed on work for the Office of Works, Elephant Building, Newington Butts, and how these wages compare with the trades union rate of wages for that trade; what rate of wages these men were paid when working at Westminster Abbey in connection with the Coronation; and whether they received extra pay for work on Whit Monday, and, if so, how much?

The chairmakers in question are not in the direct employment of the Department. Their present wages are:—One chairmaker, 10d. an