asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he intends to reside at the Admiralty, after the manner of all his predecessors, and, if not, what new circumstances have arisen to necessitate this change; and whether the Board of Admiralty were consulted before it was decided upon?

I was informed by the Office of Works that, apart from the annual charges for maintenance, which averaged £300 a year, it was estimated that the expense of repairing and refitting Admiralty Houses as a residence from time to time, on change of occupation, amounted to between £4,000 and £5,000. At the same time, it became necessary to find accommodation for the increase of staff due to the establishment of the Naval War Staff. The Admiralty offices were already entirely inadequate for the existing staff, and the cost of providing the new accommodation was estimated by the Office of Works at upwards of £40,000. In these circumstances I came to the conclusion that the continued maintenance of Admiralty House as a residence could with difficulty be justified in the public interest, and that substantial economies might be effected by its being made available for office purposes. The building is much better suited by its size and general construction for employment as public offices than for the personal residence of a Minister unprovided with a large private income. It has now been arranged that the reception rooms on the ground floor shall be reserved for any official entertainments that may be necessary, and the rest of the building has been actually occupied by the War Staff. The matter was not one which required the formal consideration of the Board of Admiralty. There is nothing to prevent other arrangements being made at any future time, should such appear to be convenient and consistent with public economy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has made inquiries into the circumstances attending the murder of the Rev. A. J. Douglas at Kobwe in November last; whether the murderer has been brought to trial; and whether any representations have been made to the Portuguese Govern- ment concerning the safety of British subjects in Portuguese territory?

His Majesty's Government are making full and independent inquiry into the circumstances attending the murder of the Rev. A. J. Douglas. The murderer is under arrest, awaiting trial. Representations have been made to the Portuguese Government concerning the treatment of British subjects in the Portuguese Colonies, and satisfactory assurances have been received.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will explain why the issue of stamped envelopes of various sizes has been discontinued by the Post Office; and if he will consider the question of their reissue?

No embossed envelopes have been withdrawn from sale at post offices since May, 1909, when the issue of envelopes of foolscap size impressed with penny stamps was discontinued on account of their very small sale. Two sizes of envelopes embossed with penny and two sizes embossed with halfpenny stamps, respectively, are still on general sale; and, if the hon. Member is aware of any post office where such envelopes cannot be obtained, perhaps he will be so good as to furnish mo with particulars.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, owing to the inadequacy of the present grant to boards of guardians under Section 26 of the Local Government Act, 1888, he will take steps to provide for a more equitable adjustment of the grant based on present expenditure?

The whole question of grants from Imperial to local taxation is now under the consideration of the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation.