asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to show that the Governor-General of Korea has proposed the abolition of the Export Duty on rice from Korea; whether His Majesty's Government would regard such action by the Korean administration as being in conformity with Article 2 of the Rescript in the Declaration of 29th August, 1910; and, if not, whether any protest has been or will be made by His Majesty's Government?

An alteration of the Export Duties on rice from Korea having been proposed, His Majesty's Ambassador was instructed to draw the attention of the Japanese Government to this action as being, in our opinion, contrary to the Declaration of 1910. The question is now forming the subject of discussion at Tokio.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a report of the proceedings at the recent trial of Miss Malecka at Warsaw; whether he is aware that although the trial was with open doors some of the correspondents of the Press were refused admittance; whether he can say if this was due to a misunderstanding; and, if so, that it will not recur at the adjourned trial; and whether he can state the date at which the adjourned trial will be held?

I have received a report of the proceedings at the trial, from which I gather that three journalists were refused admission before it was known that the trial would be held with open doors, but there is nothing in the report leading me to think that they were unable eventually to attend the trial. I have no information as to the date on which the case will be resumed, except that the adjournment is apparently for two or three months, and was granted on the application of the counsel for the defendant in order to allow of the attendance of two of his witnesses.

Has my right hon. Friend received any shorthand notes of the proceedings, and can he tell me whether it would be possible for me to see the Consul's report of the proceedings?

I would ask the Hon. Member to give me notice of the question.

asked what was the cost of moving and maintaining troops during the strikes and labour troubles in 1911, and from what fund were the payments made?

The cost of moving and maintaining troops in connection with the railway and other strikes last summer, so far as is known in the War Office, was approximately £40,000. The payments were made out of Army funds.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman upon what Vote it will come?

I do not know.

May I ask whether any request has been made to the railway companies to pay a proportion of that sum?

I should like to have notice of that question.

How much of that was paid to the railway companies?

A certain amount for moving troops.

Do you know how much?

No, Sir.

asked if the War Office, in addition to being prepared to maintain the right of free speech by force of arms, are also prepared to protect those who wish to maintain the right to work for themselves and their families during strikes; and whether the same force will be available on demand in the one case as in the other?

The duty of citizens, whether under military law or not, to assist the civil power in preventing breaches of the peace is too large a subject to discuss at question time.

If men are prevented from doing their work will they have the same right to apply to the War Office for troops as a certain right hon. Gentleman did?

That is a question for the Home Office.

May I ask whether the Government will order all future conferences of owners' and men's representatives to be held in public, in order that the weight of public opinion may be directed against whatever party imperils the interests of the nation by adopting an attitude of non-compromise.

The Secretary to the War Office has no control over that matter.

Is it proposed to take any action with regard to the conduct of employers in seeking to compel men to remain at work who want to leave?

That does not come within the scope of the War Office.

asked how much money was allocated in last year's Estimates for military manœuvres; how much was spent on manœuvres; and how was the balance disposed of?

The amount provided in Estimates 1911–12 for field training and manœuvres was £250,000, of which about £100,000 will be spent within the year. I am unable to separate the expenditure on different forms of training; but the main Army manœuvres contemplated in 1911 were not held. The balance became available for Army purposes generally.

May I ask if any of the balance was spent on the strike fund?

Yes, undoubtedly.

asked what reason has led to the use of stone brought from Northumberland for the building of Redford Barracks, near Edinburgh, in preference to Scottish stone; and whether the cost of the building is increased owing to the carriage of stone from so great a distance?

After careful inquiries as to the stone used in the more important buildings in the Edinburgh district, it was decided to use Blackpasture stone for the ashlar work as being eminently suitable in weathering qualites and colour for the purpose. For the rubble work the specification provided that either Scottish stone from the Hailes quarries at Slateford or Doddinton Hill stone would be accepted; and as the former were unable to guarantee sufficient quantities of the specified stone for the work the latter was accepted. The cost of the stone was the same in each case.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the cost has been increased by the use of stone from Northumberland, and also whether no suitable stone could be found in Scotland?

No, I do not think there has been any increase in the cost.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the military correspondent of the "Times," in the issue of 2nd February, quotes a table as to the strength of the Regular Army on 1st October, 1911, purporting to be taken from page 26 of the General Annual Report, and that that Report has not yet been laid before Parliament; and how the military correspondent of "The Times" obtained access to a Report which is not yet available to Members of Parliament?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that an article appeared in the Press recently in which the author quoted from the General Annual Report of the British Army for 1911; and if he will state whether this Report had been presented to Parliament on the date when the article appeared?

The answer to the first part of each question is in the affirmative. The military correspondent of the "Times" obtained the information from the War Office. He was not aware that the figures he quoted had not previously been published, and, by a misunderstanding, this fact was not brought to his notice by the Department concerned. I should add that the figures quoted were not in any sense secret, or even confidential; they would, of course, have been supplied to any Member of this House who had applied to me for them. It is regretted that owing to the misunderstanding to which I have referred the figures were thus published before they were formally laid on the Table of this House.

Why was this General Annual Report available for a favoured correspondent at a time when it is not laid on the Table of the House?

It is available for the House now.

But why was it not laid on the Table of the House instead of being available for a favoured correspondent of a newspaper?

It is laid on the Table of the House. It is in anticipation. The Return is only published annually. If it were published quarterly or every six months, as I presume this gentleman must have assumed, there would have been no question. But in order to save time, trouble and expense, it is only laid annually. It has just been laid now.

When will it be distributed and in the hands of hon. Members of the House?

I think if the hon. Gentleman goes to the Vote Office now he will find it there. It was formally laid yesterday.

Why were we informed last year that this gentleman would have no access to any documents?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the answer which I then gave he will see that I then said that he would have no access to any secret or confidential documents. This, of course, was neither a secret nor a confidential document.

Will similar facilities be given to the other papers?

I do not think any newspapers applied, but I have got a request this morning from the editor of a newspaper. Of course, I was able to send him a copy, as it had already been laid.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the frequency during the last five years of cases with which documents have been shown to newspaper correspondents and others outside this House before they were laid on the Table of the House, and to the Prime Minister's promise on the subject?

I think that this is the first case that has been brought to my notice since I have been at the War Office.

Was this information given to the correspondent of the "Times" in his capacity as a semi-official of the War Office, or in his capacity as a newspaper correspondent?

I do not know exactly what happened except this, that this gentleman, the editor of the "Army Review," asked for these figures and they were supplied to him. He, not knowing that they had not been published, and assuming that they had been published, as the information was already three months or more old, openly quoted them in his article. There could be no attempt on his part to obtain access to secret documents.

Is it not beyond the wit of any one man to distinguish his own capacity, as to whether he is acting as the correspondent of the "Times" or the editor of this paper the "Army Review"?

I do not think that it is beyond the wit of this man. I do not think he will make a similar mistake again.

Is this gentleman Colonel Repington, the gentleman who exposed the Leader of the Opposition?

I do not think that that has anything to do with it He is correspondent, for a newspaper which is not very favourable to the Government in its general politics. I do not know his politics, but from conversation I gather that he by no means agrees with the policy of the Government of the day.

asked upon what date it is expected that the General Annual Report for the year ending 30th September last will be ready for circulation?

The report is being circulated to-day.

asked whether Colonel Repington continues to be officially connected with a War Office publication; and, if so, whether there is any agreement binding him not to write upon military subjects for the non-official Press?

asked what official position, if any, is or has been held by Lieutenant-Colonel Repington since he became the military correspondent of the "Times" newspaper; what is the amount of the salary, if any, that he receives or has received from public funds in connection with any such official position, and under what sub-head of the Estimates is such salary accounted for; whether any official office accommodation inside or outside of the War Office is or has been provided for Lieutenant-Colonel Repington; and what is the exact nature of any official duties that may have been performed by him since be became military correspondent of the "Times"?

asked what precedent, if any, there is for the official employment and State remuneration of a newspaper correspondent in connection with the War Office or other Government Department; and whether it is proposed to continue the employment of the military correspondent of the "Times" in an official capacity?

Lieutenant-Colonel Repington is editor of the "Army Review," and has held this appointment since 1st April, 1911, when the "Review" was first started. His salary as such is £500 a year, and will be found provided founder Vote 12. He has been allowed the use of a room at the War Office. His exceptional capacity for writing on military subjects was the reason for his selection for this new post. There is no engagement binding him not to write upon military subjects for the non-official Press, and his employment by the "Times" as their military correspondent has not been found in any way to interfere with his duties as editor of the "Army Review."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for War stated in another place the other day that Colonel Repington had not been provided with a room in the War Office, and will he inform us what are the facts of the case?

There was no special room allotted to Colonel Repington with his name placed on the door. The hon. Gentleman knows the way in which rooms are allotted in a public office. But for the purpose of the editing of the "Army Review" he goes to the War Office two or three times a week. It is not what is called a whole-time appointment. He has been in several different rooms, and has been moved from place to place in order to find a desk to write upon.

asked how many aeroplanes are at present in the possession of the French and German War Departments, respectively; and how many officers are at present serving in the aviation branch of the French and German Armies, respectively?

The figures are as follows, so far as is known:—

asked: (1) how many officers belonging to the permanent establishment of the Air Battalion are at present engaged in aeroplane work; (2) how many aeroplanes effective for military purposes are now owned by the War Department; (3) whether it is intended to increase the number of officers permanently attached to the Air Battalion apart from officers temporarily attached to the Air Battalion for a course in military aviation; and (4) whether the Army Council have come to a decision with regard to pay and allowances of officers of the Air Battalion?

I hope to make a general statement on aviation on the introduction of Army Estimates, and I will then endeavour to reply to all the points raised in the hon. Gentleman's questions.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any information now on which I could base a conclusion?

I shall be very glad to circulate among the hon. Gentlemen, and any other hon. Gentleman who may desire it, any information which they may ask of me.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman circulate the answers to all the Members of the House?

I will consider that. If there are any particular points in these four questions which hon. Gentlemen want I shall be glad to circulate them.

asked why the Report of the Inspector-General of the Forces on the Territorial Force, dated 5th December, 1910, was not presented to Parliament and published until December, 1911?

The Report of the Inspector-General was under the consideration of the Army Council, and it was not considered proper to publish it until this consideration had been completed.

Does not the fact that this report having appeared a year late diminish seriously its practical value?

It does appear to be a fact that it took some time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the five senior lieutenants of the district officers, Royal Artillery, have had twelve years' service in that rank, and that they lose considerably in pay through not being promoted; and whether there is any intention of altering the regulation with regard to district officers so as to remove this hardship?

The facts are as stated. Any steps, however, such as the substitution of promotion by time for promotion to the establishment, that might be taken to benefit these senior officers would affect unfavourably those lower down the list. The present situation is due to the large augmentation to the list in 1900.

asked if the Under-Secretary for War would give a Return of the number of men serving in the Regular Army at Home under the age of twenty in the Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry, and Departmental Corps, respectively; and if he will give the percentages of men serving in the Special Reserve under the ages of eighteen and twenty, respectively?

The figures for the rank and file of the Regular Army are as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider the advantages to the nation of introducing into his forthcoming Budget a substantial Export Duty on all works of art produced twenty or more years ago when leaving the United Kingdom, excepting only such works of art as may be temporarily consigned to an exhibition abroad?

I will refer the hon. Member to the answer that was given to a similar question asked by him on the 14th March last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether, where persons served with notice by the Special Commissioners of Income Tax to make a return for Super-tax purposes are prepared to swear on oath that their total income for Super-tax purposes is below the amount on which Super-tax is charged, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will release such persons from the obligation to make a return of their incomes?

I do not see my way to accept the hon. Member's suggestion. It frequently occurs that, through an incomplete understanding of the correct method of computing the income, returns of income under £5,000 are made in cases where, after investigation of the return, liability to the Super-tax is found to exist.

By what authority do the Commissioners call for this return? Can they call upon anybody they think likely to give it, and is there anything to justify the action they take up in those cases?

Certainly. They can call upon anybody if they anticipate it will produce fruitful results.

May I ask how they are to anticipate, and how do they know that?

That is a secret. I do not think it would be wise for me to give it away.

asked why Income Tax under Schedule A, in respect of rents and royalties payable to mine owners, is not classified among Land Values Duty; and in what respect such Income Tax differs from Mineral Rights Duty so as to make Mineral Rights Duty fall within the category of Land Values Duties, while such Income Tax is excluded from the category?

While income derived from the ownership of minerals comes under the same general law of taxation as income derived from any other source, the Legislature has imposed a further duty on mineral rights on account of the monopoly value of this particular class of property. In the circumstances, Income Tax on income derived from minerals and Mineral Rights Duty are appropriately placed in different categories.

Is it not the case that the Mineral Rights Duty is purely a percentage of income, and has nothing whatever to do with the valuation of property?

The hon. and learned Gentleman asks me in reply to a question to enter into a general argument which occupied a whole afternoon once last year.

asked whether it has been the practice previously to give the amounts collected in respect of Mineral Rights Duty, Undeveloped Land Duty, Reversion Duty, and Increment Duty, separately, and, in particular, whether this was done on the 15th November, 1911; and what has happened since the last-mentioned date to make a change in this respect necessary or desirable?

The answer to the first question—assuming that it relates to an unexpired year—is in the negative; the answer to the second question is in the affirmative. My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, in refusing to give these details to the House last week, explained that he was following the ordinary practice of not anticipating in such matters the annual statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is obvious that there is a distinction in this respect between information given when little more than half the financial year has expired and information given a few weeks before its close, but I agree with the hon. Member that uniformity is desirable, and I propose that in future the old practice shall be strictly followed.

Is it not the case that the figures were given separately on the 15th November, which was after the expiration of a considerable period of the year, and has the recent departure from that practice anything to do with speeches recently delivered at the Albert Hall?

The practice is not to give the figures. The hon. Gentleman did not follow the answer to the question.

Is it not the fact that the figures were given up to the 7th November as regards undeveloped land alone, and in respect of the uncompleted year then current?

I think if the right hon. Gentleman had listened to my answer he would have discovered that I have stated that already, and given an explanation of it.

asked (1) whether, under the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services, it is proposed to extend the hours of service of the Customs port clerks from seven to eight hours per day; and whether the increased pay of these clerks will amount to £3 a year; (2) whether the examination which had to be passed by Customs port clerks before entering the Service was of a superior character to that of the Excise and Customs assistants; and whether, under the fusion of the three grades of clerks, the chances of promotion of the Customs port clerks will be lessened?

The points raised in these two questions have already been brought before me by the clerks concerned, who have made certain representations to me, as to the effect on their position of the Hobhouse Report at one deputation, and are coming to see me again. Meantime, I would ask the hon. Member to excuse me from expressing an opinion on particular points forming part of the general case.

asked whether any of the gentlemen appointed to the Committee of Inquiry into the problem of tuberculosis are professors of the veterinary profession; and, if not, whether, in View of the intimate connection of the problems of human and animal tuberculosis, the Chancellor of the Exchequer can see his way to add such representation to the Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion before the Chairman of the Committee.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to be able to expedite the Treasury concurrence in the Admiralty proposals on the Macnamara Staffing Committee's Report, so as to enable a reply to be given to the petition sent in four years ago by the Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation, their pay having remained practically stationary for a period of over thirty years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my predecessor on 12th December last.

asked whether there are numbers of leaseholders in Ireland for a term of 10,000 years who are called upon to pay Undeveloped Land Duty at the rate of from £600 to £1,000 per acre, whereas holders of fee farm grants, which are not regarded as more valuable than these leases, are exempt from this duty; and whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will take any steps to have this alleged grievance remedied?

I will refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 21st instant to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Chelmsford.

asked what is the salary of the vice-chairman of the Development Commission, and if any change has been made in the amount of it since the institution of that office?

The salary of the new vice-chairman will be £1,500 a year. The late vice-chairman received a personal salary of £3,000 a year.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will publish forthwith, and from time to time the evidence given before the Committee appointed to inquire into the Relations of Local and Imperial Finance so as to enable persons interested to determine whether it is desirable for them to submit any and, if so, what evidence in reply; and what are the terms of the reference to the Committee?

The Committee hope to complete by the end of next month an important part of their evidence, chiefly that offered by representative associations; it is proposed to publish this instalment as soon as it is ready. The terms of reference were given in a reply by the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 3rd April, 1911.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state at what date the scheme of afforestation prepared by the Board was submitted to the Treasury; and whether it has yet been approved or is likely to be so at an early date?

The Board's scheme for the development of forestry was submitted to the Treasury on 17th February, 1911. Certain sections of the scheme bearing on education and experiments in forestry have been approved by the Commissioners and the Treasury, but the main proposals are still under consideration. I have lately appointed an Advisory Committee further to advise the Board in this connection.

Will any steps be taken to hasten the decision of the Commissioners as to the main proposals now heard before the Commissioners?

Yes; that is one of the objects of appointing the Advisory Committee.

Will any opportunity be given to this House to discuss this very important matter?

I do not know what sort of opportunity the hon. Gentleman desires.

I wish to know whether upon the Estimates or otherwise this scheme will be open to discussion in the House?

It will be impossible to discuss it on the Estimates unless Monday is taken for the purpose, and I cannot make any announcement as to that.

Is this Advisory Committee purely for England and Wales, or will it be for Scotland also?

It is for the purpose of taking into consideration the whole problem of forestry for England, Scotland, and Wales. Whether the Development Commission will give a separate Grant for Scotland I am not able to say; I do not know.

Will this Advisory Committee have anything to do with the Scottish Board?

The Advisory Committee has no control whatever over the work of the Board. It is purely an Advisory Committee, and if the Scottish Board does not wish to take the advice of the Advisory Committee it need not do so; nor need I.

asked if the President of the Board of Agriculture will give a Table showing what portion of the sum of £200,000 granted by the Treasury in 1908 on account of the Small Holdings Act has been expended, giving the amounts spent in each year, and the various heads under which such expenditure has been made?

The amount voted by Parliament in 1907–8 for the purposes of the Small Holdings Account was £100,000, not £200,000, and I shall be glad to circulate with the Votes a classified statement showing the expenditure out of the account in each financial year to the 26th instant, inclusive. [See Written Answers this date.]

May I ask what is left at the present time to the credit of this account?

I cannot say off-hand. I think something like £35,000.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the total amount of land, exclusive of houses and buildings, bought by county councils for the purposes of the Small Holdings Acts; the total purchase price of same; what the sinking fund charges for capital and interest are per annum on such amount; and the total amount of sinking fund charges on the houses and buildings found upon the land at the time of purchase and on the new houses, buildings, and alterations to existing buildings erected by the county councils?

I am afraid I cannot give all the figures to-day, and perhaps the hon. Member would postpone his question until Monday.

When the right hon. Gentleman gives the answer, will he separately mention the amount in each country?

I do not think I could give that in reply to a question. If the hon. Member cares to put down an un-starred question I should be glad to circulate a full statement like that with the Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the proposed construction of a railway from Beira to the Zambesi and thence into Nyasaland; and, if so, whether he can state what are the proposed financial arrangements for the construction of the line?

In reply to the first part of the question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury on the 19th instant. I have only to add that the Portuguese Government have now agreed in principle to the construction of the line in their territory. The financial arrangements, so far as we are concerned, are, briefly, that the Government of the Nyasaland Protectorate will repurchase at a total cost of £180,800 the subsidy lands to which the Shire Highlands Railway Company are entitled under their agreements with the Government, and will further guarantee for ten years interest at 4 per cent. on the capital (not exceeding £500,000) of the company, which will be formed to construct the line from the Zambesi to Port Herald.

May I ask if, when the scheme is further advanced, the right hon. Gentleman will have a sketch map of the proposed route put in the Library for the convenience of Members?

I shall keep the House informed if they let me have a little time.

asked whether, in view of the approaching opening of the Panama Canal, His Majesty's Government will undertake to make inquiry as to the desirability of providing better docking and repairing facilities at Kingston?

It is not easy to forecast the situation which will result from the opening of the Canal, and I can only say at present that His Majesty's Government have not lost sight of that aspect of it to which the hon. Member's question refers.

Will they make inquiry?

I am keeping myself constantly informed of all the facts.

asked whether an American syndicate contemplates spending £300,000 to provide new docks and harbour at Kingston, Jamaica; and, if so, whether he can take any steps to secure that British capital should be employed in any such enterprise; and whether, in view of the early opening of the Panama Canal, he can make any statement to the House as to the intentions of the Government with regard to providing further facilities for trade and shipping in Jamaica and other West India islands?

My hon. Friend has, no doubt, seen the statement which appeared in the "Times" of the 23rd instant. I have not yet received any communication from the Government of Jamaica on the subject. As regards the general question, I am not in a position to go beyond the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for North Down.

asked whether official sanction has yet been given to the now waterworks scheme at Mombasa; and, if so, what progress, if any, has been made with the work?

The expenditure required in connection with the scheme has been sanctioned, and an engineer is at present employed in locating a suitable alignment for the pipe which is to convey the water from the spring in the Shimba Hills to Mombasa.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the forthcoming inquiry into appointments in the Civil Service will include the case of temporary boy clerks and boy messengers?

The Prime Minister is unavoidably absent. There is no intention of excluding this subject from the consideration of the Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is a tradition of the Civil Service that in making appointments and promotions political opinions are not inquired into; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to take a new departure by inquiring what political views were held by public servants at a date anterior to their appointments?

The tradition is as stated by the hon. Member, and His Majesty's Government do not intend to depart from it.

May I ask what is the meaning of the Return in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, or whether it is intended to grant that Return?

It is intended to grant that Return, but as to the precise meaning that the right hon. Gentleman himself attaches to the language the hon. Member had better inquire from him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for North Somerset?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state if the decision whether or not the Report of the Committee upon the Financial Relations between Ireland and Great Britain shall be presented to this House will be come to in time to enable the Report, if the decision is in the affirmative, to be laid upon the Table of the House before the introduction of the Home Rule Bill?

I have nothing to add to my statement of the 19th instant that it would be contrary to precedent to produce the Report of a Committee of this nature before legislation either founded upon it or ignoring it has been presented to Parliament.

Will it be produced after the legislation?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put that question to the Prime Minister at a later date.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, in the forthcoming Home Rule Bill, is going to adopt the recommendations of the Commission appointed by them to inquire into the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland?

It is not possible for me at this stage to make any statement on the matter.

Was there a recommendation at all made by this Secret Committee; if so, was it announced by the Committee, and was it so adverse that the Government would not disclose it?

I think the hon. Member had better postpone that question until the Prime Minister is here.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the provisions of the measure the Government propose to introduce for the establishment of self-government in Ireland, it will still be competent for Irish Members of this House to oppose Welsh Private Bills dealing exclusively with local affairs, as in the case this Session of the Bedwellty Urban District Bill?

I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of the Bill for the better government of Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain persons legally married in our Colonies find themselves no longer man and wife when they set foot on these shores; and whether he will institute either an inquiry or legislation with the object of obtaining uniform marriage laws throughout the British Empire?

The hon. Member has been misinformed as to the legal position. Marriages which are legally celebrated in British Colonies are recognised as legal in this country. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 22nd February of last year.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman a case in point and on all fours with my question, will he look into it?

Certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of ultimately arriving at uniform marriage laws for the whole British Empire, he will expressly exclude from the powers of the Irish Parliment under the Home Rule Bill any right to pass legislation affecting marriage?

It is not possible for me at this stage to make any statement on the matter, and I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of the Home Rule Bill.

May I ask if the Government have not yet come to a decision as to whether or not the new Parliament can legislate on the lines of the Ne Temere Decree?

asked the Prime Minister whether any appointment has been made as Lord Lieutenant of the county of London?

No, Sir, no appointment has yet been made.

Will an appointment be made shortly?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, how many smiths' hammermen there are employed at the Royal dockyards at Chatham, Devonport, Portsmouth, and Sheerness, and the rates of wage paid them at the several yards?

The number of hammermen employed is as follows:—Chatham, 172; Devonport, 145; Portsmouth, 188; Sheerness, 27. Hammermen are classed as skilled labourers, and their rates of pay are within the scale allowed for the class, namely, 22s. minimum, ordinary maximum 26s. 6d. for established men, and 28s. for hired men, with special rates for limited numbers up to 28s. 6d. for established men, and 30s. for hired men.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any of the men at Devonport have received an increase?

I will look into the details of Devonport and communicate them to the hon. Member?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the granite to be supplied to Rosyth dockyard is now being delivered from the Norwegian quarries; and if any tests have been made or proof obtained that such granite possesses the lasting qualities of Scotch or Cornwall granite?

The granite for Rosyth dockyard is being delivered from Norwegian quarries. The tests which have been made are satisfactory, and it is considered that the granite being delivered is in every way suitable for Admiralty purposes.

Have there been any tests as to durability?

If the hon. Gentleman is in the neighbourhood I would invite him to go and look at the granite for himself.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make arrangements that the same rate of pay shall be given to postmen employed at Sutton Coldfield, a district adjoining Birmingham, and to Erdington, a district recently added to the city of Birmingham, as are given to Harborne, Moseley, Selly Oak, Stirchley, Aston, and other places in the immediate neighbourhood?

The present classification of the offices in question was decided upon in 1908 after full consideration of all the circumstances, and in view especially of the forthcoming Parliamentary Committee I do not see my way to revise it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Erdington and Sutton Coldfield the postmen are paid 25s. per week. Whereas in the places named in the question, they are paid 27s. per week, though they are exactly the same district with the same expenses of living and the same expense of rent?

Wherever there is a boundary line there are variations on either side of it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that part of this district in Erdington is now in the City of Birmingham, so that there is no boundary line?

It would be impossible to open and reopen the question of classification as it affects Birmingham alone. There are a great many questions affecting other towns, and in fact almost all the towns of the country where similar claims are made, and the House will probably appoint a Select Committee to look into questions relating to Post Office servants in a few weeks. I am afraid the question of classification cannot be reopened until that Committee has reported.

Will that be a subject within the reference to that Committee?

Yes, certainly the Committee will have power to inquire into the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Select Parliamentary Committee of 1906 on Postal Servants commenced its sittings about one month after the first public announcement that it had been granted, and that statistics necessary for the evidence of the various associations were supplied by his Department; and whether, in view of the fact that in the case of the forthcoming inquiry an interval of over five months will probably elapse between the granting of the Committee and its first meeting, he will inquire into the fact that his Department are declining to give certain information to the associations on the ground that the inquiry is now announced for a date much earlier than that originally fixed?

I am aware of the facts stated by the hon. Member. Applications for information from the Post Office staff in connection with the forthcoming Parliamentary Inquiry have, as on the previous occasion in 1906, been complied with whenever the information has been readily available. But some of the applications have been for information of such scope and complexity that it could only be obtained at considerable inconvenience and expense, and in view of the pressure entailed on the whole clerical establishment of the Post Office, both at headquarters and elsewhere, by the transfer of the telephone system and the preparation of Departmental statistics for the Parliamentary Inquiry, I have been unable to comply with such applications. The same course was adopted in 1906.

May I ask if the fact that the telephone is being taken over by the Government is a just reason why postal servants should be deprived of the full and fair opportunity of stating their case to the Committee?

They will not be deprived in the least of any opportunity of stating their case to the Committee, but my staff is now so heavily pressed that it is impossible for me to lay upon it the additional burthen of making statistical inquiries for the information of the staff, which perhaps, if the work had been lighter, they would have been able to do. The course that is being taken by the Department is precisely the same as that in 1906.

May the postal servants rely on being granted any reasonable request, necessary for their case, not involving too much statistics?

Not only may they rely upon that, but it is now being done. They have already been supplied with a great amount of information on various points.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the positions of superintending engineers at the telegraph and telephone headquarters, Aldborough House, Dublin, were filled by military officers, in receipt of pay both from the War Office and the Post Office, and if those posts had hitherto been filled by civilians; whether military officers had also been placed in charge at Cork, Limerick, and Waterford; and if he would explain why he had substituted military men for civilians in this department of the Post Office?

asked whether civilians who had been acting in the engineering department at Aldborough House, Dublin, were being superseded by Regular soldiers and ex-soldiers; whether those soldiers were receiving civil pay for their work as well as military pay; whether those soldiers were supposed to be in training for telegraph and telephone work and had to be taught by civilian engineers; and if, when promotion in the department was being made, preference was given by the military superintendent to soldiers and ex-soldiers, who were placed in charge of efficient engineers who served a long period of years in learning the details of the work, and in many cases were teachers of these men?

Military officers are now employed on engineering work in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland, as they have been employed for more than forty years in various parts of the United Kingdom, and they are paid at a composite rate which, in the aggregate, somewhat exceeds their military pay and allowances. Their numbers are no greater than before, but they are now employed chiefly in Ireland, rather than in England, at the wish of the War Office, which finds it can assimilate their training more closely to actual service conditions in Ireland. Naturally, this change results in the employment of fewer civilians on engineering duty in Ireland, and of more in the districts from which the Royal Engineers were withdrawn. The officers still serving as Royal Engineers cannot disturb the promotion of the civilians, since they are not on the same establishment. I am aware of no complaints of partiality or favouritism.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a promise was given in this House that when the superintending engineer retired on a pension the position would be filled by a civilian, and that that promise has not been carried out? Also, has a civilian who was in charge been sent to Glasgow, and a soldier appointed in his place? Is not this—

The hon. Member ought to give notice of these details.

Having regard to the fact that the attack on these soldiers is entirely political, will any safeguard be provided for them in future legislation?

I entirely repudiate that suggestion. May I ask for an answer to my question?

The hon. Member asked three or four questions of detail in respect of certain individuals. He cannot expect the Postmaster-General to be able to reply on such points without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether soldiers were being trained in Dublin and elsewhere in the engineering departments of the Post Office so as to be able to cope with any emergency in the telegraph and telephone service; if a portion of their duty was to learn such work as would fit them to act as strike-breakers in trade disputes; if during the late railway strike in Ireland they actually helped the railway companies, both by driving engines and handling goods; and whether at the present moment a company of engineers were being trained at Crewe and other stations for that purpose?

The soldiers who are being trained in the engineering department of the Post Office are being so trained because it is desirable for military reasons that a certain proportion of soldiers should be acquainted with telegraph engineering duties. Since their employment has continued for over forty years it has no reference to recent or existing labour disputes. Neither in Dublin nor elsewhere are soldiers in the Post Office service trained to act as strike-breakers or employed on any other than the normal and ordinary duties of the Post Office. If any soldiers were engaged in driving engines or handling goods, they were not men attached to the Post Office. The last portion of the question refers to a matter of which I have no cognisance.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the broad gravel walk through the Green Park from Piccadilly to the Mall which was recently made was being again laid down in grass, and what was the approximate cost of this change?

The walk is being laid down in grass in order to improve the vista from Piccadilly of the Queen Victoria Memorial, accommodation for pedestrians being provided by the construction of two foot-paths in the avenues on either side of the Broad Walk. No charge falls on public funds in respect of this work.

May we take it that this change has nothing whatever to do with the proposed site for the King Edward Memorial?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

Can the hon. Gentleman say to what fund this work is charged?

The Queen Victoria Memorial Fund.

To what fund was the original work of turning the walk from grass to gravel charged?

To the same fund.

What was the cost?

The hon. and gallant Member cannot expect the hon. Member to give details of that kind without notice.

asked if the staff of the registrars and high bailiffs of County Courts were appointed and their salaries fixed and paid by the Home Office, or by the judge or higher officials of the County Court in which they were employed?

The registrars are appointed by the County Court judge, subject to the approval of the Lord Chancellor. The high bailiffs are appointed by the judge. All are removeable from office by the Lord Chancellor. Salaries are settled by the Treasury under limits prescribed by Statute, the Lord Chancellor's concurrence being required in certain cases.

asked whether a reduction was contemplated in the number of convict prison officers; and whether the duties hitherto discharged by convict prison officers were to be discharged in future by local prison officers?

The number of convict prison officers varies from year to year with the number of convicts. Owing to the the fall in the number of convicts, it has become possible to close the convict wing of Wakefield Prison, and the convict prison officers employed there will be absorbed in other convict prisons. It has further been decided to staff the Maidstone Prison with local prison officers, the discipline and routine at that prison being substantially the same as in local prisons, and to staff the new prison at Camp Hill for persons under sentence of preventive detention with convict officers. This will absorb the Maidstone convict staff, and will also involve an addition of twelve new convict officers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain heavy expenses have been incurred by convict prison officers being removed?

No. I will look into that.

asked whether any part of the expense of sending members of the Metropolitan police force to Wales in the course of last year had been or would be a charge on the rates, or whether the whole of such expenditure had been or would be paid out of Imperial funds; and, if so, under what Vote?

No part of the expenditure in question will remain a charge on the Metropolitan police rates. Provision for paying it from Imperial funds has been made in the Vote for Police (England and Wales) in the Estimates for the next financial year—but of course without prejudice to its ultimate repayment by the county of Glamorgan.