asked the Secretary to the Treasury what amount was payable for motor car licence under Section 89 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; what amount was payable to county councils; was only 5 per cent, paid to the latter bodies in Ireland whilst in England, Scotland, and Wales, the local bodies enjoy almost the full benefit of the duties; and, if so, why was any difference made between the various countries, and would steps be taken so that all may partake of the same benefits and in the same proportion?

The rates of Motor Car Licence Duty are given in Part II of the Fifth Schedule to the Act quoted. The amount paid to County and County Borough Councils in Ireland in 1910–11 under the Section quoted was £952 17s. 3d. Prior to the passing of the Act in question there was no motor car licence duty in Ireland. So far, therefore, from Ireland being placed at a disadvantage in this matter, the facts are that, whereas in Great Britain the whole of the proceeds of the additional taxation imposed upon motor cars by the Act quoted is payable to the Exchequer for the Road Board, in Ireland only 95 per cent, of the proceeds of the same taxes is payable to the Exchequer for the Road Board, 5 per cent, being deducted for the benefit of the Local Authorities.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that, subsequently to the 16th March, 1908, namely, on the 1st and 6th April, 1908, an undertaking was given by the then Secretary to the Treasury in regard to the publication of both the correspondences (Cd. 4025 and 4026), and that this undertaking, coupled with the note appended to Cd. Paper 4025, makes it clear that the whole of the correspondence relating to the Irish daily mail service was to be published when completed; and, in these circumstances, will he carry out what his predecessor, the right hon. Member for Dewsbury, agreed to do in this matter.

I do not think my right hon. Friend gave any pledge on the dates mentioned to do more than consider what Papers could be laid. As the hon. Member is aware, the correspondence in question was subsequently published in Cd. Papers 4025 and 4026, and I cannot admit that there has been any undertaking to publish further correspondence.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the total of the expenses in 1910 and 1911, respectively, for firing, lighting, stationery, etc., in the High Courts of Justice in London; and among how many departments there has this total to be divided?

I would refer the hon. Member to the front page of the Estimates for 1910–11 and 1911–12 of the Supreme Court of Judicature, etc., on which he will see the amounts provided for the services referred to. The Estimates also shew the various Departments or branches of the High Courts of Justice.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many of the forty-two writers in the scrivenery department of the High Courts of Justice have less than £120 per annum; and what is the lowest salary paid to any writer of twenty-one years of age or over?

Only four out of the forty-two writers earn less than £120 per annum. Writers are not paid by salary, but at uniform fixed rates per folio for the amount of work done. The lowest amount earned in this way by the present writers is £85.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that concessions are granted by the Inland Revenue authorities, enabling patent medicines to be retailed in small quantities, in such a manner as to lessen the revenue on these products; that this practice also facilitates the distribution of quack medicines to poor people; that such concessions give rise to prosecutions for spurious imitations; and whether he will take steps to put an end to the practice?

The hon. Member's question raises several points of considerable difficulty, both as to law and as to policy. I fear they cannot be adequately dealt with in reply to a question, but they might, I think, be appropriately considered by the proposed Select Committee on Patent Medicines. Perhaps the hon. Member will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that congestion exists in the district of Cullohill, Queen's county, and that adjacent to this congested area there are two grazing ranches of 1,100 acres, namely, one of 500 acres in the occupation of Messrs. Shirley and Ashmore, who hold 1,300 acres in the county of Carlow, and another of 600 acres in the occupation of a Mr. Young, who holds another large farm in an adjacent county; and can he say whether steps will be taken without delay by the Estates Commissioners to acquire some of those grazing lands for the relief of the congestion which exists in the district?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware that this district is congested within the meaning of the Land Purchase Acts, and they cannot identify the lands referred to as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under these Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will take steps to see that the Estates Commissioners send down their engineer to mark out the boundary between the Bateson and Royse properties at Loughill, in the county of Limerick, before the Royse property is vested in the tenants on the estate who have purchased their holdings, as there is a dispute between the tenants on these estates with regard to certain passages and the boundary?

The estate of Frances Royse is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Land Purchase Acts, and when it is being dealt with in order of priority the Estates Commissioners will have inquiries made into the matter referred to by the hon. Member.

asked what are the qualifications of Mr. P. J. Byrne, the inspector of the Estates Commissioners, who inquired into the list of applications for the untenanted lands at Morgans, Borrigone, on the Sandes property, for the position; on whose recommendation was he appointed; and why it was that, in considering the claims of applicants for these lands, he passed over Mrs. Patrick Kenny, of Morgans, who was evicted from ten acres of the lands, and Michael Fitzgerald, a labourer, with a house and acre of land on the estate, and whose family had been there for generations, for others?

In reply to the first paragraph of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the Return presented on the 16th February last, No. 32. The allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Estates Commissioners is a matter within the discretion of the Commissioners, and I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's questions on this subject on 28th March.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the present state of the negotiations for the purchase of the Stewart-Bam estate in county Donegal?

There are two estates of Lady Stewart Bam in county Donegal in respect of which direct sale purchase agreements have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners, and they will be dealt with in their respective order of priority. The Congested Districts Board are in correspondence regarding a sale of another estate belonging to the same owner.

asked the amount deducted from the annual Grants in relief of local rates to each county council and other local authority in Ireland in each year since 1902 in respect of land purchase annuities in default and the other liabilities under the Land Purchase Acts; and, after allowing for the subsequent adjust- ments, the net loss of each authority and of the whole of Ireland in the whole period to the end of March, 1912?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his similar question on this subject on the 29th March, 1911.

asked what was the actual amount allowed for the improvement of the O'Brien estate, at Cornakelly, county Longford; how much of this sum was allotted to the making of a new road and the building of a bridge; whether the carrying out of the work was placed in the hands of a former bailiff on the property, who did the work so badly that the bridge has now collapsed and the last slate of these tenants is worse than the first; and whether the Estates Commissioners will now properly complete the work they began?

Free grants, amounting to £200, were sanctioned for improvements to roads, drainage, and fences on this estate. In the course of improving a road it was found necessary to erect a bridge over a small stream. This has been done, and a slight defect in the bridge is now being repaired. The Estates Commissioners have no information as to whether the man who was in charge of the improvement works was formerly a bailiff on the estate.

asked why it is that the Estates Commissioners refuse to grant some compensation to Mr. James M'Manus, of Cornakelly, Ballinamuck, for the land they took from him for the making of a new line of road through that townland; whether it is the custom of the Commissioners to refuse compensation in these circumstances; and, if not, will the compensation be now paid?

The Estates Commissioners do not consider that any damage has been done to the holding of the tenant referred to in the repairing of the roads in his vicinity which would warrant compensation being paid to him, and they do not therefore propose to make him any grant.

asked when the final arrangements for the vesting of the Galbraith estate, in North Longford, will be completed by the Estates Commissioners?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 19th February, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will renew the negotiations for the purchase of the un-tenanted lands of Coolcraff, county Longford, the property of Mr. James W. Bond, D.L., with a view to allaying the wants of the people of Abbeylara parish for an increase of their uneconomic holdings?

The Estates Commissioners understand the owner is not prepared to sell the lands at their estimated price, and as they cannot see their way to increase such price, they do not propose to reopen negotiations at present.

asked what progress has been made by the Estates Commissioners towards the purchase and subdivision of the lands of Clonfin, which have now been before the Commissioners for nearly three years, and the delay in acquiring which is creating much irritation in the district?

The tenants on this estate have signed agreements to purchase their holdings direct from the owner under the Irish Land Act of 1903, and the estate is being dealt with in its proper order. The Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the untenanted land, which will be dealt with at the same time as the tenants' portion of the property.

asked if the estate of Lord Sandwich, at Ballinlough, Kilteely, county Limerick, is vested in the tenants; if not, how soon may they expect to have the sale completed; and when the agreements were lodged?

The purchase agreements in this estate were lodged in 1906. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in order of priority to be dealt with.

asked if the lands of Carrig East and Carrig West are included in those purchased by Lord Clarina; if so, how can they be claimed as demesne lands considering that there are at present people living in the locality holding old rent receipts which clearly shows that the lands, especially those of Carrig West, are evicted lands; and, in view of the effect of handing over these lands to Lord Clarina, will steps be taken by the Estates Commissioners to acquire at least Carrig West and have it distributed among those who were evicted from it not many years ago?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the lands on this estate repurchased by the owner under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, which include the greater part of the lands of Carrig East and Carrig West, have been vested in him, and the Estates Commissioners cannot take any further action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will build a dwelling house and out-offices on the farm lately in possession of Mr. Griffin, and now in possession of the former tenant Timothy Burke, at Pallasgrean, county Limerick, having-regard to the present insanitary condition of the outhouses now in the place; and will work be undertaken as soon as possible so that Burke may go to live there before-summer?

The Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a building Grant of £100 in this case, and one of their outdoor staff has been instructed to supervise the expenditure.

asked when the purchase-agreements were lodged on the estate of Colonel Hare, at Doon, county Limerick; in view of the fact that the tenants are paying at the rate of four per cent, on the purchase money, will steps be taken to have the sale completed; and will this be done during the coming year?

The purchase agreements in this case were lodged in April, 1907. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and will be dealt with in order of priority, but the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be-reached.

asked what is the reason for the delay in issuing vesting orders on the Rushbrook estate, Queenstown, which was purchased four years ago, and the tenant purchasers of which have ever since been paying 3¾ per cent, interest instead of the 2¾ per cent, covenanted for under the Act of 1903 under which the purchase took place?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate was dealt with in its proper order of priority. The holdings were vested in the purchasing tenants on the 21st March. In their purchase agreements the tenants contracted to pay interest in lieu of rent at 3¾ per cent, pending vesting.

asked whether, seeing that George Ellard's farm (E 7334/12) is annually let on the eleven months' system, on what grounds the Estates Commissioners have decided not to take any action in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners, after inquiry, and in the exercise of their discretion, refused to take any action in this case.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have agreed with the landlady, Miss Delmege, on the price of the untenanted lands at Mount Henry, Colcappa, in the county Limerick; and, if so, can he say when these lands will be taken over by the Estates Commissioners to be apportioned amongst the deserving applicants in the district?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. The question of apportioning the lands will be considered by the Estates Commissioners when they are dealing with the sale of this estate in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary the annual amount of the barrack rent paid respectively by the head constable and by the other constables stationed at the Royal Irish Constabulary Barrack, Parliament Street, Kilkenny; whether he can state the number of rooms assigned to the head constable and to the other constables in respect of the rent paid by them; whether the men at this station are compelled to have their food cooked, to take their meals, and perform the domestic offices in a cellar; whether he can state what accommodation was enjoyed by the present head constable's predecessor and what were the numbers of the families of the present and former head constables; and under what circumstances the recent resignation and emigration of three constables from this station was brought about?

The Inspector-General informs me that £2 12s. per annum is deducted from the pay of the head and other constables at this station towards barrack rent. The head constable occupies a sitting-room, bedroom and kitchen, and the seven constables have a kitchen, dayroom, messroom, and four bedrooms. They are not compelled to have their food cooked, and to take their meals in a cellar, as stated. The present head constable's predecessor had a kitchen, sitting-room and two bedrooms, and his family consisted of eight. The present head constable's family consists of four. Only one constable resigned from this station, and the reason assigned was to better his position.

asked whether, in the event of the re-consideration of the claims put forward by evicted tenants in South Kerry the case of Cornelius Doyle, Cappaganeen, Beaufort, will be favourably considered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 23rd November last to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are bound to inquire into the facts of every application made by a bonâ fide evicted tenant; whether, if they find as a fact that the applicant was an agricultural tenant of a farm from which he was evicted since the passing of the Act of 1881, they have any power to refuse to entertain his case; and whether, seeing that Mr. William O Neill, Clashedmond, Ballyseedy, was a tenant till 1885, when he was evicted, will he explain why the Estates Commissioners, having stated in 1908 that he was a suitable applicant and entitled to be reinstated, now say he is not, by their refusing to take any steps to restore him?

The making of an advance for the purchase of a parcel of land to any person claiming reinstatement as an evicted tenant, or the representative of an evicted tenant, is a matter wholly within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners. As regards the case of William O'Neill, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 5th December last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether application was made by Murtah Higgins to the Estates Commis- sioners for reinstatement in his farm of about twenty-two acres in Monamough, which is situated in South Wexford, on the estate of Mr. Bruen; and whether, seeing that this farm was taken up on the expiration of the lease and incorporated in the Coolbawn home-farm, and that the applicant's mother is still in possession of their house, he will have inquiries made with a view to the restoration of their land to the evicted tenants?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the case of Mary Higgins, from whom the Estates Commissioners received an application for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by her on the townland referred to. Her application was not received within the period limited by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and cannot be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the new national schools at Gorey, county Wexford, have been opened for twelve months, and that the final Treasury contribution towards their construction has not yet been paid; and if he will inquire into the case, and take steps to have this final payment made without further delay?

The balance of the Grant in the case of these schools was withheld pending the completion of certain outstanding items. These have all now been completed with one exception, and £100 has been issued, leaving a balance outstanding of £27 10s. 1d., which will be subject to some deductions for deviations from the approved plans.

asked when the result of the recent inquiry held into the granting of additional allotments in the Kilmallock rural district will be made known; and will matters be expedited so that the workers may know how they stand?

The Local Government Board inform me that this was a very large scheme embracing no less than 695 additional allotments. They understand that the inspector has concluded his inspection of the plots. His order in the matter will be made as soon as practicable having regard to his other engagements.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the Local Government Board refused a pension to Michael Quin, of Ballyvelode, Oola, county Limerick; were they aware that the applicant suffers from palsy and that he has only three acres of inferior land; will he explain why the word of the person acting as pension officer, and who knows nothing of the merits of the case, is taken in preference to that of the local clergy and the other public representatives who act on the local committee; and will he-explain how it is maintained that this man earns £31 10s a year?

Michael Quin has a carpenter's shop, and he admitted to the pension officer that, notwithstanding the state of his health, he was able to work at his trade. He is assisted by his son, who also works around the district, and he admitted that he receives from his daughter, who is in service, sums of money averaging about £2 a year. He owns three acres of land, and at the time of his claim he had two cows and a calf. If his means have changed, or he is no longer able to work at his trade, it is open to him to make a fresh claim.

asked whether James. Walsh was refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board on appeal by the pension officer from the decision of the Slievardagh Pension Sub-committee granting him a full pension, and that he has no visible means, but is supported by his nephew, upon whom he has no legal claim; and whether the Local Government Board were aware of this when determining that he was not entitled to any pension?

James Walsh's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that he is supported by his nephew who owns a well stocked farm of upwards of seventy acres. Under Section 2 (d) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911, the yearly value of any benefit or privileges enjoyed by a claimant for old age pension must be-reckoned as part of his means irrespective of the conditions or terms under which these privileges are received.

asked whether Pierce M'Grath was refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board on appeal by the pension officer from the decision of the Slievardagh Pension Sub-committee of the county Tipperary, S.R., that Pierce M'Grath has no visible means, and that he is living with his sister-in-law; and whether the Local Government Board were aware of this and took it into consideration when determining that he was not entitled to a pension?

Pierce McGrath's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that he lives with his sister-in-law on a well-stocked and well-tilled farm of upwards of eighty acres.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Thomas Cormack, Granerin, Upperchureh, Thurles, was allowed a pension of 4s. per week by the Templemore Pension Sub-Committee, county Tipperary, N.R.; that the pension was appealed by the pension officer, and that the appeal was upheld by the Local Government Board; whether the Local Government Board were aware when they determined that he was not entitled to a pension that his means consisted of £20 per annum, and the grass of one horse on a mountain valued at £3 per annum, out of which he is paying his brother for his support; and will he take steps to have this pension granted?

Thomas Cormack appears to be legally entitled to the privileges specified in the question, but the Local Government Board were not satisfied that they constituted his only means, and they accordingly disallowed his claim. In the circumstances, they have no power to reopen the case. It is always open to the claimant to renew his application for pension if he considers he has any further evidence to bring forward in support of his application.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the approximate number of persons in the employ of his Department to whom Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887 is applicable; what percentage of this number per annum it is estimated will die while in the Service; and what would be the average annual cost of granting to the dependents of persons so dying a gratuity on the scale provided by the Section of the Act referred to for persons retiring on a medical certificate of infirmity?

The number of such persons is approximately 55,500; the estimated annual percentage of deaths is.45, and the annual cost of granting gratuities to the dependents would be about;i2,500.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Mr. Gilbert Russell submitted an invention for fire control to the Admiralty in 1899; if so, whether his invention was fitted and tested in any of His Majesty's ships; what was the result; and whether Mr. Gilbert Russell has received any payment for his invention?

As regards the first part of the question, in 1907 Mr. Gilbert Russell wrote to the Admiralty darning to have originated an idea for assisting in fire control. Nothing is known of the details of the invention. In March, 1907, he was informed by the Admiralty to the effect that his claim was unfounded. The answer to the remainder of the question is in the negative.