asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state for men and women respectively, and for entrants at ages sixteen, twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-five, fifty-five, and sixty-five, the contributions actuarily needed to give the minimum benefits provided by the National Insurance Act?

I cannot at present add anything to the provisional information which I gave in answer to my hon. Friend yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, for men and women respectively, and for ages twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-five, fifty-five, and sixty-five, the reserve values to be credited under Section 55 of the National Insurance Act?

The question of Reserve Values has been referred to the Actuarial Advisory Committee, and the work of calculation is proceeding rapidly. Tables or Reserve Values are not yet completed, but every effort will be made to publish them at the earliest possible date.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the lecturers who are at present engaged in explaining the National Insurance Act by means of open-air speeches to employés of the Small Arms Factory during the dinner-hour are speakers from the Insurance Commissioners; and, if so, whether, in view of the shortness of the dinner interval for this purpose, in addition to meal-time he could arrange for a short period being added to the dinner-hour in order to give to all an opportunity of hearing the whole of the speeches delivered without hurrying their meal?

The answer to the first question is in the negative; the second does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the estimated proportion of the gross income of £269,888,774, shown in Schedule A, Class 1, for the year 1908–9, assessed on coal-mining concerns, and what is the equivalent amount of the net Schedule A assessment; (2) what is the estimated proportion of the gross income of £17,386,798, shown in Schedule B, Class 2, for the year 1908–9, assessed on coal-mining concerns; and what is the equivalent net amount of such assessments; (3) what is the estimated proportion of the gross income of £109,588,057, shown in Schedule E, Class 5, for the year 1908–9, assessed on salaries, etc., of directors of coal-mining concerns; (4) whether any estimate can be given of the amount for other purposes included under directors' fees in coal-mining concerns, Schedule E, Class 5; (5) what is the estimated amount of income received by coal-mining concerns for the year 1908–9 on which tax had been paid before the receipt of such income; (6) whether there are any cases in which the profits of coal mines are included under other heads, apart from the total of £16,614,322, and, in particular, cases where such coal mines are considered to be subsidiary in character to the particular businesses concerned; and, if so, whether the profits of such excluded subsidiary coal mines approximately equal the profits of other subsidiary businesses included under the heading of mines in the total of £16,614,322?

I regret I have no information enabling me to answer these questions, except that I have ascertained that, of the gross income shown in Schedule E, Class 5, £415,403 is assessed on salaries, etc., of directors in coalmining concerns.

also asked whether the balance-sheets and full trading and profit and loss accounts of all coal companies are produced to the Inland Revenue authorities for the purposes of Income Tax?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the sum of £6,855,000, which he stated in his Budget speech in May, 1911, would be applied to the reduction of capital liabilities, is composed of estimated reduction of capital liability in terminable annuities and New Sinking Fund?

The estimated proportions are as follows:—

	£
Reduction of capital liability in respect of terminable annuities	2,597,000
New Sinking Fund	4,258,000
	£6,855,000

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Byrne, of Ballagh Hill Street, county Roscommon, a widow, occupying six acres of land, and at present in receipt of an old age pension of 3s. weekly, with a view to granting her the full pension 5s. weekly?

If the pensioner in question is dissatisfied with her present rate of pension it is open to her to have a question raised for an increase by communicating with the pension officer.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of James Morahan, of Cornagrea, Boyle, who was passed two years ago for an old age pension, when a question arose about his getting Poor Law relief and he was thrown on the Poor Law; whether he is aware that his allowance of 2s. a week is inadequate for his support; that the obstacle to his getting the pension is that the record of his age cannot be found; and whether, seeing that the pension officer has expressed his belief that Morahan is of pensionable age, but at the time of the first application Poor Law relief debarred him from getting the pension and that he has no land, the Local Government Board will reconsider Morahan's ease?

James Morahan's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal in March, 1909, on the grounds of insufficient evidence of age, and the Board have no power to reopen the case.

asked on what grounds Jeremiah Shea, Rossmore, Tahilla, has not been given a full old age pension grant, in view of the unanimous decision of the local pension committee?

A pension of 3s. a week was allowed in this case, as, having regard to the claimant's means, the Local Government Board did not consider that he was entitled to any higher rate of pension.

asked the cause of the delay in granting pensions to Aeneas Lane and his wife, of Keeltane, Freemount, county Cork, who formerly held a farm of thirty-two acres of inferior land which they assigned to their son on marriage two years ago, reserving an annuity of £10 a year each, with room free in house and no maintenance; and, seeing that these cases have been under consideration for a long period, will the Local Government Board send an inspector to investigate the case?

The claims made by Aeneas Lane and his wife for old age pensions have been disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the grounds that the claimants' means exceeded the statutory limit, and the Board have no power to reopen consideration of either of the cases.

asked the Chief Secretary if the Palace, Elphin, and the adjoining lands of Shankill and Kilvoy, containing 1,100 acres, are yet offered to the Congested Districts Board, or if all necessary maps, etc., are being lodged; and whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur O'Connor, of London, owner, and Mr. James Fagan, auctioneer, Elphin, have stated that the lands have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board in order to have the land stocked with grazing cattle?

The Congested Districts Board have ascertained that Mr. Arthur O'Connor is not the owner but only a tenant of the lands referred to. They are now in communication with the owner of the lands regarding a sale, but are not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial signed by a numerous body of small tenants in the neighbourhood of the following farms: Colmanstown, landlord, H. V. Smyth, Cavan; Cors Keagh Daly, landlord, representatives of William Daly; Glover, landlord, representatives of Michael Monahan; Boy Hill, landlord, Mr. Barton Persse; Castle Lambert, Mr. F. S. Taylor; Craigh Abbey, Mrs. Clarke; Kilcornan, landlord, Mr. O'Malley; Killskeagh, landlord, Mr. Browne; Glones, landlord, Mr. Browne; Glones, landlord, Mr. Murphy; and Barrett's Hill, landlords, Messrs. Farrington and Kydd, was received by the Congested Districts Board, so long as last November, requesting them to open negotiations for purchase with the owners; and will he explain what progress, if any, has been made in that direction since?

The Congested Districts Board have received numerous memorials regarding the properties mentioned. The Board communicated with the owners of the H. V. Smyth, Colmanstown, and the Misses Monaghan (Gloves), and Messrs. Farrington and Kydd (Barrett's Hill) estates, but no replies have been received up to the present. The B. W. Persse estate (Boy Hill) has not been offered for sale to the Board, and they have not so far approached the owner with a view to purchase; he will now foe communicated with. The Board have decided to take no steps to acquire the estate of the representatives of W. D. Daly, including the lands of Corskeagh. The Board communicated with Mr. F. Shaw Taylor regarding Castle Lambert, and he replied that the property was all demesne land, and that he was not willing to sell. Mr. O'Malley's tenancy interest in Miss Clark's estate (Craig Abbey) was purchased by the Galway United Estates Committee, and the Board have declined to take over the interest so acquired. The estate of T. O'Malley (Kilcornan) has been offered for sale to the Board, and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable. The Board have purchased the lands of Kilskeagh and Gloves West, and the estates of Miss Edith Browne, and of M. G. Browne. The farm of Gloves containing twenty-six acres was sold by the Board to Mr. Michael Murphy, who holds it as a tenant purchaser. The Board have not communicated with the owner.

asked what steps, if any, have the Congested Districts Board taken with regard to the application forwarded to them on behalf of the tenants of the Aldworth property, situate at Rock Hill, Rockchapel, county Cork?

The application referred to by the hon. Member was forwarded to the Estates Commissioners by the Congested county of Cork. The Commis-referred to is not situate in the congested county of Cork. The Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made into the matter.

asked if the Estates Commissioners are in communication with Lord Clarina, of Limerick, with a view to the purchase of the untenanted lands in his hands for distribution among the small holders and labourers; and, if not, will they communicate with him on the subject?

The reply is in the negative. The demesne lands have been repurchased by the vendor under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and have been vested in him.

asked what is the reason that a number of the sub-tenants on the estate of Matthew H. Franks have been denied the benefits of the Land Purchase Act, whereas others in the property have purchased their holdings; whether the Estates Commissioners propose to let the remaining tenants purchase; and, if so, when?

The Estates Commissioners inquired into and considered the case of the sub-tenants on this estate, and, in the exercise of the discretion vested in them, they did not see fit to declare parcels of land in the occupation of certain subtenants fit to be deemed separate holdings for the purposes of sale under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked when the Congested Districts Board propose to establish the ferry service between Valentia and Reenard?

The Congested Districts Board inform, me that no decision has yet been arrived at in this matter.

asked how much money has been spent by the Department of Agriculture in developing the sea fisheries of county Wexford during the past six years; and how much has been contributed by the Wexford County Council towards that purpose in conjunction with the Department during the same period?

The particulars of expenditure in the last six years in developing sea fisheries in county Wexford, asked for by the hon. Gentleman, are as follows:—Improvement of Courtown Harbour.— Expenditure by Department, £337. Expenditure by county council, £155.Kilmore.—Expenditure by Department, £200, being a balance of a contribution of £500 towards cost of constructing a groyne to protect the harbour. The work was not carried out by the Department, and the expenditure of the county council thereon is not known to the Department. Further expenditure by the Department on dredging amounted to £208. Contribution thereto by the county council, nil. Further dredging arranged for to extent of £375, of which the Department will contribute £250 and the county council £125.Poulduff Pier.—The Department contributed £1,825 and the county council £l,150 towards cost of construction.Erection of a Capstan at Blackwater and a Winch at Curracloe.—At an expenditure of about £80. Main cost (exact amount not yet decided) borne by Department. No contribution by county council. Part cost borne by local fishermen.Loans.—£1,744 have been advanced by the Department to fishermen by way of loans to enable them to procure boat, and gear. Intruction to fishermen in the working of paraffin motor engines has also been given at the cost of the Department. The Department have also given assistance in meeting the cost of insuring motor boats belonging to the fishermen, in the county. The fisheries off the county have also participated in the benefits arising from the patrol work of the steam cruiser "Helga," the upkeep of which is entirely borne by the Department.Oysters.—The Department spent £26 in the provision of gear to Courtown fishermen, with a view to revival of local oyster industry, £49 in assisting marketing experiments, and £52 in providing a storage pond for oysters at Courtown.

asked how the £50,000 granted by the Development Commissioners for the encouragement of Irish fisheries is to be spent, and within what period; what contributions in connection with the expenditure of the £50,000 are being made by Irish local authorities; and when a further Grant will be made by the Development Commissioners for the purpose of encouraging Irish fisheries?

The Treasury have, up to the present time, approved only of the following Grants from the Development Funds in aid of Irish fisheries:— Helvick Harbour, £19,000; Kilkeel Harbour, £20,000; to assist in the dredging of east coast harbours, £2,500; to develop the shell-fish industry, £1,000. In each of the first two cases a local contribution of £3,000 must be forthcoming. The Down County Council have not yet accepted the proposals in regard to Kilkeel. No definite rate of local contribution has been fixed for cases of assistance in dredging harbours, but the minimum may be taken as one-third the total cost. It is understood that the expenditure is intended to cover a period of five years.

asked what is the reason the Irish Land Commission neglected to-safeguard the turbary rights of several tenants on the Lord Lisle estate at Coolagh, Tooreendarly, and Tooreendermot, near Newmarket, county Cork, before issuing the vesting orders?

Under Section 34 of the Land Law Act of 1896 this holdings on this estate vested in the purchasing tenants continue to have appurtenant thereto, and to be subject to, as the case may be, any previously existing casements, rights, and appurtenances.

asked if the Commissioners of Intermediate Education have yet decided upon the books and authors to be prescribed for the examinations in Irish in 1913; and, if so, whether the writings of Canon O'Leary, which have been the standard in the middle grade for eight years, have been thrown off the programme?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what is the existing personnel of the German navy; and whether he has any information as to any proposed increase?

The German Navy Estimates for 1911–12 provided for a personnel numbering 60,805; those for 1912–13 (which have not yet passed) make provision for 64,526. Very full and detailed summaries of the new naval law have appeared in the German Press, from which it would seem that the increases contemplated amount to about 15,000 additional men spread over the next six years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state in the form of a table the number of battleships struck off or to be struck off the active list in the years 1906–7 to 1914–15, inclusive, also the number and names of pre "Dreadnought" battleships which are expected to be in commission in March, 1915, for Great Britain and Germany, respectively; and what is the estimated life of British battleships above the "Majestic" class?

The answer to the question, so far as it refers to the past, is as follows:—

Great Britain.
1906–7	…	…	…	…	5*
1907–8	…	…	…	…	1
1908–9	…	…	…	…	9
1909–10	…	…	…	…	—
1910–11	…	…	…	…	6
1911–12	…	…	…	…	2
* Including "Montagu," lost.

Germany.
1906–7	…	…	…	…	—
1907–8	…	…	…	…	—
1908–9	…	…	…	…	—
1909–10	…	…	…	…	2
1910–11	…	…	…	…	4*
1911–12	…	…	…	…	1
* Including two sold to Turkey and one transferred to the list of school ships.

With regard to the future, the elimination of battleships depends upon a variety of contingencies which cannot, be foreseen, and consequently no forecast can usefully be made.

asked whether any of the eight large German vessels of the 1908 and 1909 programmes carry a larger gun than 12-inch; and whether, in view of the statement made by his predecessor on 13th March, 1911, as to the comparative value of British and German "Dreadnoughts" in these programmes, he is advised that the "Ostfriesland" and "Olden- burg" types are properly to be compared with the "Orion," or whether they are in fact markedly superior in main armament and fighting value to the "Neptune," "Colossus," and "Hercules," with which they are contemporary?

None of the eight large vessels of the 1908 and 1909 programmes carry a larger gun than 12-inch. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give for each month of the present year to August the number of British and German "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles" completed for action?

The number of British "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles" completed and expected to be completed for action in each month of the present year to August is as follows:—

January	…	…	…	…	15
February	…	…	…	…	15
March	…	…	…	…	15
April	…	…	…	…	16
May	…	…	…	…	18
June	…	…	…	…	18
July	…	…	…	…	18
August	…	…	…	…	20

If by "completed for action" be understood "delivered from the shipyards," the numbers for Germany are:—

January	…	…	…	9
February	…	…	…	9
March	…	…	…	9
April	…	…	…	11
May	…	…	…	11
June	…	…	…	11
July	…	…	…	12
August	…	…	…	12