asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that as a result of the recent strike of coal miners the revenues of railway companies may be so affected as to make it impossible for them to pay any dividend on their ordinary stock during the current year, or cause any dividend to be less than 3 per cent., the Government will take such steps as may be necessary to insure that any such failure of or shortage in the dividend on the ordinary stock of any railway company during the current year shall not have the effect of removing the debenture, guaranteed, preference, or lien stocks of such company from the list of investments authorised by law for the investment of trust funds?

The Government are unable to state what course of action they might consider desirable in circumstances which have not yet arisen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the £6,500,000 surplus from last year is now lying in the Bank of England to the credit of the Consolidated Fund; and, if so, is it drawing any interest, and, if not, why should it not be placed upon deposit account until it is wanted for increased naval expenditure or until it can be safely restored to the old sinking fund?

The sum in question forms part of the Exchequer balance at the Bank of England. Interest is not received on Exchequer balances, but the inclusion in the balances of the surplus of last year has reduced and will reduce the amount of temporary borrowing required for the public service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the amount of the Irish contribution to the true revenue of the year 1911–12 in respect of new and additional taxation imposed by the Finance Act, 1910; and (2) the estimated amount of the Irish contribution to the true revenue of the year 1912–13 in respect of new and additional taxes imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

The Irish contribution for each of the years 1911–12 and 1912–13 to the new and increased taxes imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is estimated at approximately £1,100,000. The figure for 1911–12 is still subject to adjustment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his atten- tion has been directed to the Regulations recently issued by the Board of Education relating to the distribution of Grants in the year 1912–13 to local education authorities in respect of medical treatment of children attending public elementary schools, and to the principles on which the said new Grants are to be allocated as therein laid down; and whether he will take steps to provide that the distribution of sums of money granted by this House in relief of services of a national character administered by local authorities should not be left to the unfettered discretion of a Government Department?

The Regulations referred to were approved by the Treasury. The Regulations left the distribution of Grants to the discretion of the Board of Education, because it was impossible to forecast the number of participants and consequently to settle a basis on which the Grants could fairly be allocated, but I hope that next year some basis may be arrived at in the light of the experience then available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figures, for each year, showing the result of the operation of the Patents Act, 1907, including the number of factories that have been erected in this country by foreign manufacturers, the amount of capital invested therein; how many English firms are manufacturing for foreign firms on a royalty basis, and the amount received for such royalties; the number of additional workpeople to whom employment has been given as a result of the working of the Act, and the amount of their wages; what is the consequent annual increase in the rate assessment and the annual amount paid in rates; what has been the value of the additional output of production; and what are the totals of the exports and imports of the articles, whose production is affected by the Act, for the years 1905–12?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I presume that the reference in the first part of the question is to the operation of Section 27 of the Act, which relates to the revocation of patents in certain cases. This Section became operative on 28th August, 1908, since which date there has been eighty-two applications for revocation, one of which has not yet been decided. As a result of these applications nineteen patents have been revoked. There is no official information available with regard to the extent to which the fear of revocation under this Section has led to the establishment of new works in this country or to the employment of additional capital or workpeople in manufacture. Moreover, separate statistics of the exports and imports of patented articles are not compiled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, the estimated yield in 1912–13 of the taxation under the following heads, spirit (extra yield), tobacco (extra yield), motor spirit, liquor licences (extra yield), motor-car licences, Estate Duties (extra yeld), Income Tax (extra yield), Super-tax, land values, Increment Duty, undeveloped land, Reversion Duty, and Mineral Rights Duty, and the estimated loss to the revenue in 1912–13 in Income Tax (relief for children and relief under Schedule A, lands and houses).

The following are the particulars desired, certain of the figures being subject to adjustment: ESTIMATED YIELD. £ Spirits (extra yield) 1,800,000 Tobacco (extra yield) 2,750,000 Motor Spirit 800,000 Liquor Licences (extra yield 2,300,000 Motor Car Licences 535,000 Estate Duties (extra yield) 7,225,000 Income Tax (net extra yield) 5,000,000 Super-tax 3,500,000 Duties on Land Values— £ Increment Value Duty 30,000 Undeveloped Land Duty 100,000 Reversion Duty 125,000 Mineral Eights Duty 290,000 545,000

ESTIMATED LOSS TO REVENUE. Relief in respect of Children, and relief under Schedule A, Lands and Houses 350,000

(This has been deducted in arriving at the figure of £5,000,000 mentioned above as the extra yield under the head of Income Tax.)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that under Clause 74 (1) of The Finance Act, 1910, stamp duty is being levied on voluntary gifts for public purposes, such as the presentation of a non-political and unsectarian institute and library to an urban district council for the benefit of residents in the district; and whether the1 Government will introduce an amendment of the Act, exempting such gifts from the operation of Clause 74 (1), so as to encourage instead of discouraging public benefactions of this character?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that Sir Charles Macara, the chairman of the Employers' Parliamentary Association, addressed to him on 8th February numerous questions with reference to the Insurance Act, dealing with points of importance to employers in Lancashire and elsewhere, and that no answer has been sent to these questions, he can see his way to give an answer to this body of employers from Lancashire and other parts of England?

I received a letter from Sir Charles Macara asking, many highly controversial questions and suggesting that I should answer them at a public meeting which I was addressing within two days of the receipt of his letter. This was obviously impossible, having regard to the shortness of notice and to the fact that I was dealing with other questions which I considered more important at the moment. Both before and since that time all the points raised by Sir Charles Macara's letter have been fully discussed in this House and elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deputations he received from the British Medical Association before the introduction of the National Insurance Bill on 4th May, 1911, and on what dates; did he, before the introduction of the Bill, invite representations from the British Medical Association; and did he afford the association any opportunity of becoming acquainted before 4th May with the special provisions, of the Bill affecting the medical profession?

I interviewed members of the medical profession on several occasions before the introduction of the Bill on the question of the medical arrangements tinder the Bill. On three separate occasions I received deputations during the months of March and April, 1911, at the request of the British Medical Association.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to carry out the terms of the Resolution moved by the hon. Member for West Cumberland on Wednesday last with regard to the co-operation of the medical profession in working the National Insurance Act, and accepted by him on behalf of the Government?

Since the passing of the Act the Commissioners have invited all representative bodies of the medical profession to confer with them with a view to securing their co-operation in arrangements for the working of the Act, and are prepared to consider any representations which any section of that profession may desire to place before them. The meetings of the Advisory Committee appointed to assist the Joint Committee of Insurance Commissioners in the preparation of regulations will begin on Friday next, and will be proceeded with as rapidly as possible. Among the regulations to be considered in due course will be those relating to medical benefit. In the drafting of these the medical members of the Advisory Committee, who include twelve representatives nominated by the British Medical Association, will have full opportunity of presenting the case of the profession for the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for the convenience and information of the numerous small friendly societies whose members are, in view of the National Insurance Act, desirous of dissolving their societies, he will state what steps have to be taken; and what official or other sanction has to be obtained with a view to a dissolution of a friendly society and a proper distribution of its funds when the society is registered and when it is not?

Societies which have applied for dissolution have been advised that this course is in no way rendered necessary or expedient by any of the provisions of the National Insurance Act. The Commissioners have also taken the special measures which were stated in reply to the hon. Member for Devizes on 23rd April, to inform societies contemplating dissolution of their position under the Act. Societies which still desire to dissolve are supplied with full information and the prescribed forms under Sections 78 and 79 of the Friendly Societies Act. I am sending copies of these forms to the hon. Member, and would refer him to them for the actual details of the procedure for dissolution. The Registrar of Friendly Societies has no control over unregistered societies, and there is no statutory provision governing the method of their dissolution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the accumulated funds of friendly societies, when they become approved societies, must be or may be used to give sickness and other benefits during the first six months after the National Insurance Act comes into operation, and during which time benefits are not paid under the Act; and (2) what will become of the accumulated funds of the friendly societies which become approved societies; and who will have the control of and spending these accumulated funds?

The accumulated funds of friendly societies may be used to continue sickness and other benefits during the first six months after the Act comes into operation. The Registrar of Friendly Societies has issued to registered societies a form of provisional scheme accompanied by a table which will enable societies, in the simplest fashion, to ascertain the amount of reduction which they may make without prejudicially affecting their solvency. This will enable them to pay their present benefits to their members during the waiting period, and continue the reduction of contributions until a full scheme is confirmed, dealing with their accumulated capital in accordance with Section 72; it is impossible to state in anticipation whether such a scheme will provide for a further reduction of contributions or for the payment of other benefits. The released reserves will be devoted entirely to the benefit of existing members and the control and expenditure will, subject to the scheme referred to, be in the hands of the society. The existing funds remain the absolute property of the society and its members, and the operation of the Act cannot divert them or any part of them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much of the annual financial loss incurred in respect of Ireland is due to Land Purchase, and how much to Old Age Pensions; and what it is estimated the total liability on account of Ireland, arising out of the legislation of the Liberal party since 1906, will be when the Insurance Act is in full operation?

I must refer the hon. Member to the White Paper circulated with the Government of Ireland Bill, which contains in addition to Estimates of the expenditure in 1912–13 on Land Purchase, Old Age Pensions, and National Insurance in Ireland, a rough forecast of the probable increase or decrease of expenditure on those services in future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state to which country, under Section 24 of the proposed Government of Ireland Bill, the Income Tax collected on dividends on shares in English railways or other English companies (where the shares are owned by residents in Ireland) will be attributed, to England or Ireland?

Section 24 of the Bill leaves the matter to the discretion of the Joint Exchequer Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the estimate given in paragraph 34 of the Report of the Primrose Committee on Irish Finance that for the year 1911–12 the expenditure for Ireland would exceed its revenue by more than a million and a half has proved to be accurate; and, if erroneous, to what extent?

As stated in Appendix C to the White Paper circulated with the Government of Ireland Bill, the true revenue of Ireland in 1911–12 is estimated to have fallen short of the local expenditure in that year by approximately £830,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give particulars of the charges by which the estimated Irish expenditure will be increased from £11,545,500 in 1911–12 to £12,354,000 in 1912–13?

The figure for 1911–12 is based on the Exchequer Issues in that year, the figure for 1912–13 on the Estimates which have been presented to Parliament. The principal increases are under the following heads, the figures given being approximate:— National Insurance (including Labour Exchanges) £180,000 Post Office 135,000 Land Commission Vote 135,000 Public Education 90,000 Old Age Pensions 70,000

asked if the Rowe estate, South Wexford, is all sold except one farm in the possession of John Cardiff, Gurtinamogue, Murrintown; whether the purchase money has been refused by the Estates Commissioners on the ground that he has sub-tenants; and, seeing that he is willing to make over his interest to his subtenants, Michael Sills, postman, Patrick Sills, blacksmith, and James O'Keeffe, small farmer, will the Commissioners advance the money without further delay to enable the tenant and sub-tenants to purchase their holdings?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second paragraph in the negative. The Estates Commissioners are prepared to make an advance to Cardiff to purchase the holding, but delayed doing so to enable the sub-tenants to come to an arrangement with him to purchase for cash the plots in their occupation. The subtenants are apparently unwilling to find the cash, and the entire holding will therefore be vested in Cardiff, and the subtenants will continue liable for rent to him as heretofore.

asked whether, in regard to the Kinlea farm, West Clare, his attention has been called to the fact that the unrest pending a settlement of this question involves the county in expense to the extent of £900 a year; and, seeing that the acquisition of the property by the Congested Districts Board would solve all the difficulties that have arisen, whether steps will be speedily taken to deal effectively with the matter?

This farm is a part of the Vesey Fitzgerald estate, an offer for the purchase of which was issued on 14th October, 1910. Towards the end of 1911 it was seen that the owner of the estate was unable to carry out the proposal, and an amended offer was submitted on 15th February last, which has not yet been accepted. A separate offer has now been made for the lands of Derrybrick, which has not been accepted, and compulsory procedings for their acquisition have been initiated. The police authorities inform me that the charge on the county for the extra police employed in connection with the Kinlea farm is £34 9s. 3d. per annum.

asked whether, in regard to the Kildeemo farm, near Miltown Malbay, West Clare, he can state if negotiations are in progress for the acquirement of this property by the Congested Districts Board; if not, whether he can state what obstacles lie in the way; and whether, in view of the number of congests who would be benefited by a division of the farm in accordance with the terms of the Land Act of 1909, the attention of the Congested Districts Board will be directed to this portion of the Leconfield estate in order to obtain a speedy settlement?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 9th November last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the number of estates acquired in West Clare by the Congested Districts Board in virtue of the Land Act of 1909, the areas of the estate, the number of tenants amongst whom the property so acquired has been distributed; the number of estates in respect of which tenants have applied to the Congested Districts Board to use its power to effect sales; the number of estates in regard to which the powers of compulsion have been exercised; and whether, in view of the emigration of landless men from West Clare, the Congested Districts Board will manifest greater activity than hitherto in that part of Ireland?

The Congested Districts Board have purchased fifteen estates in county Clare under the provisions of the Land Act of 1909, comprising an acreage of 16,856 acres. Holdings have been provided for seventy-three tenants on these estates, and additions made to the holdings of eighteen tenants. The maps and documents necessary to enable the Board to negotiate for the purchase of eighteen additional estates have been lodged by the owners. Applications have also been received from or on behalf of tenants, asking the Board to purchase eighty-seven other estates in county Clare. The Board have exercised their compulsory powers in regard to the acquisition of five estates. They have no power to provide holdings for landless men.

asked up to what date vesting orders and fiats made by the Land Commission on the completion of land purchase agreements, and sent to the local registry of title for registration, have been actually registered in the county Cork and in the rest of Ireland, respectively; and if he can state approximately how many such flats and vesting orders still remain unregistered in the county Cork and in the rest of Ireland?

The Registrar of Titles informs me that save where questions as to devolution of title, conflict of boundaries, and other matters have arisen, and have not yet been disposed of, the registration has been completed of practically all the holdings vested under the Land Purchase Acts up to 1st November last in which the documents have been received from the Land Commission. The cases are registered as far as possible, in order of priority of receipt of the documents irrespective of the counties in which the lands are situate. It is estimated that some 14,500 holdings (including about 1,300 in county Cork) are awaiting registration. Seven thousand of these were lodged for registration since the 1st April.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a request made in the Land Court on the 1st instant by a tenant who had leased a portion of land on the estate of the Reverend Geoffrey Browne, in the county of Mayo, that he might be allowed out of his contract as his life had been threatened, and he had been forced to remove his cattle for their safety; and whether he will see that this man is afforded adequate police protection as long as he is forced to remain in possession of the farm he has taken?

The statement referred to was made not by a tenant but by one of the counsel engaged in the case in the Land Judge's Court. The police inform me that they know of no tenant on the estate who would be justified in making such a statement. In no case was the stock removed before the expiration of the lettings. All the graziers were willing to re-take, but were informed by the agent some days ago that the estate was now in the hands of the Congested Districts Board. The statement that any man's life has been threatened is quite erroneous, and the police are of opinion that there is no reason for affording special protection to any of the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is prepared to allow owners of property further or any direct representation on the Congested Districts Board; and whether he will state the number of meetings held by the Board in the financial year ending 31st March, and of the number of attendances at such meetings of the Chief Secretary and the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture?

There is at present no vacancy on the Board, and I have no power to make additional appointments. The number of meetings held by the Board in the financial year ending 31st March last was fourteen—of these the Chief Secretary attended two meetings, and the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture attended nine.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to remarks made by Mr. Justice Ross in the Land Judge's Court on the 1st instant, in criticism of the recent conduct of the Congested Districts Board, to the effect that owing to the fact that an estate had recently been boycotted and compelled to remain derelict, it had been made possible for the Congested Districts Board to purchase it at fifteen years' purchase of a judicial rental; whether he is aware that it was stated by the learned judge that the Board had entered into the game with the agitators until, by every description of villainy and boycotting, the property had been rendered almost worthless and that the Board had then stepped in with their preposterous offer; and whether, as chairman of the Board, he intends to intervene and secure a more adequate price to the owner of the estate in question?

My attention has been called to a newspaper report of the observations made by Mr. Justice Ross. I have no means of knowing whether the report is accurate, but I hope not, as the statements regarding the Board attributed to the judge are wholly unfounded. The Board made its first offer (which was £728 less than the price ultimately paid) for this estate in July, 1911, and I am informed by the police that there was no agitation on the estate until December, 1911, and that there was no boycotting at any time. The untenanted lands have never been derelict, but have been occupied by the grazing tenants until the termination of their lettings this spring. The total rental of the tenanted portion of the estate is £247, of which £64 is non-judicial. Instead of the estate being bought for fifteen years' purchase, the price of the tenanted land, without the bonus, was 18.3 years' purchase, and with the bonus 20.8 years' purchase, paid in land stock. Taking land stock at 85, the immedicate cash value to vendor, including bonus, works out at 18.1 years' purchase. A return furnished by the vendor's agent of the net income derived from the untenanted lands states this income at £820 per annum. The price offered for these lands by the Board was £15,928 land stock, plus £2,143 bonus, making a total of £18,071, which price is equivalent to twenty-two years' purchase of the net income. Taking land stock, as before, at 85, the cash price, including the bonus, would be £15,682, or 19.1 years' purchase. There is, therefore, no justification for the statements attributed to the learned judge, and the price paid for the estate seems to have been adequate.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by Mr. Justice Ross, in the Land Judge's Court in Dublin on 1st May, regarding the sale of an estate in the counties of Mayo and Sligo to the Congested Districts Board, when Mr. Justice Ross condemned the action of the Board; and whether the Board have given any explanation, and, if so, what, of the course they have taken in this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for the Enfield Division.

asked if John Boreland, tenant on the estate of Baron John Massey, of Anglesborough, county Limerick, signed a purchase agreement for the sale of his holding under the Land Act of 1903 or 1909, and, if not, on what grounds did the landlord refuse to allow him to sign; are the Commissioners aware that this tenant got this farm from the agent to Lord Massey some twenty-two years ago with the consent of the latter, as the lands were evicted; and will due regard be given to the claims of those who were evicted from those lands to enlarge Lord Massey's demesne, but which were handed over to a Scotchman without even the approval of the landlord?

On this estate the vendor entered into direct sale agreements with his tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. No agreement was lodged in respect of Boreland's holding, which was not included in the lands sold by the owner. The holding appears to comprise over 1,000 acres, and is held under a lease for thirty-five years made to a former agent under which only ten statute acres can be broken up at any time, and the present tenant does not apparently reside on the lands. No applications were received from evicted tenants in respect of these lands, and as they were not lodged within the period prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, they do not come within the provisions of that Act, but in any event the lands are tenanted, and are not the subject of proceedings before the Estates Commissioners, who cannot interfere in the matter.

asked whether any proceedings have been taken by the Congested Districts Board, and, if so, what, with a view to taking over possession of the estate of Sir Charles V. Gunning, situate at Cloonmurly, in county Ros-common; and if the farm on this estate in the occupation of Mr. Walter Kelly Grehan, and which he has agreed to sell, will be taken over by the Board for the purpose of relieving the congestion which exists in the district?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants. An agreement for the purchase of his holding by Mr. W. K. Grehan has been lodged with the Estates Commissioners, who will consider the question of making an advance in this case when dealing with this estate in its order of priority.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mrs. A. C. Wright with reference to a sale of her congested estate at Clooneen, Kilmeena, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mrs. Wright, and the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the property, with a view to a sale through the Board, are being prepared for lodgment.

asked whether the Lewis. estate, Balinagar, Woodford, county Galway, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; has it been inspected; and how does it stand at the present time?

This estate has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and it will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay in vesting the holding of land No. 84/930, Attimon-more, county Galway, on the estate of William Daly and another, in the tenant, John Mullins, to whom the same has been assigned since 1908 by his mother-in-law, Bridget Quinn; whether frequent application has been made for the registration of title by the solicitor acting for John Mullins; and whether he will call the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the matter?

The delay in completing the vesting in this case has been due to the temporary misplacement of certain documents in the offices of the Estates Commissioners, who regret the delay, and they are now taking the necessary steps to have the vesting completed, and the registration of the title effected as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether farms have recently been sold in county Cavan which could have been purchased by the Estates Commissioners to restore evicted tenants; whether the Estates Commissioners will take any steps locally to secure suitable farms for evicted tenants; and will he say whether the remaining evicted tenants in county Cavan will be supplied with farms or the Evicted Tenants Act kept alive until such time as its provisions are enforced and the county Cavan evicted tenants dealt with?

The powers of the Estates Commissioners to acquire lands are limited to the acquisition of lands in fee simple, and they have no information as to what farms have recently been sold in the county Cavan, otherwise than under the Land Purchase Acts. The Commissioners have already acquired some 2,680 acres of untenanted land in the county Cavan, and proceedings for the acquisition of a further 140 acres are at present pending before them. Up to the present ninety-six county Cavan evicted tenants have been reinstated in their former holdings or provided by the Commissioners with other holdings on lands in county Cavan or neighbouring counties. There are now only twelve county Cavan evicted tenants whose applications have been noted for consideration and who have not yet been provided with farms. The Commissioners consider that any of these cases which are not disposed of by the 31st December next, when the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act expire, can be provided with holdings on lands under the voluntary provisions of the Land Purchase Acts in that county or neighbouring counties.

asked when the free grant was made on the J. B. Little estate, R.N.L.I. 71, county Cavan, to Peter M'Taggart; what was the amount granted; and who was the inspector who dispensed this grant?

When dealing with this estate the Estates Commissioners sanctioned grants not exceeding £120 for buildings, £20 for fences, and £60 for live stock in the case of the holding allotted by them to Peter M'Taggart. Owing to its being favourably situated for obtaining building materials the house cost £8 less than estimated, making the total expenditure in this case £192 as against £200 estimated. The expenditure of this kind is carried out by members of the outdoor staff of the Commissioners who are responsible, and it is not the practice to state the names of the particular officers who may be required to carry out the Commissioners' directions.

asked whether a free grant and, if so, how much was made to John Donohoe, on the J. B. Little estate, R. No. L. I. 71, county Cavan; and when was the grant expended?

When dealing with this estate the Estates Commissioners sanctioned grants not exceeding £60 for buildings, £15 for fences, and £50 for stock in the case of the holding allotted to John Donohoe. The grants for fences and stock were expended immediately after they were sanctioned. The buildings have now been completed, and the unexpended balance of the building grant will be paid at an early date.

asked what sums of money have been expended on the erection of national schools under Roman Catholic, Protestant, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist management, respectively, for the six years ending 31st March, 1912; why has the Roman Catholic Grant been so abnormally high; are there any instances of Roman Catholic Grants, which were applied for long after Protestant applications, being granted priority of the Protestant applications made long before; and, if so, what is the cause?

The amounts of the Grants sanctioned by the Commissioners of National Education during the last six years towards the erection of new vested national schoolhouses were as follows: Roman Catholic, £214,479; Protestant Episcopalian, £14,668; Presbyterian, £15,339; Methodist, £1,937; other Protestant applicants, £1,195. The large amount of Grants made to Roman Catholic applicants, as compared with the total amount made to Protestant applicants, is due to the facts: (1) that a larger number of applications was received from Roman Catholic managers owing mainly to the larger number of schools under such managers, but, also, in part, owing to the greater disposition evinced by them as compared with Protestant managers to provided schoolhouses that are vested; (2) that many of these applications were in respect of schools with large attendances of pupils; (3) that a very large percentage of the schoolhouses in respect of which building Grants were applied for by Roman Catholic managers were situated in needy and congested districts, and the applicants, therefore, were entitled to and were given Grants in excess of the normal two-thirds of the estimated cost of the new houses. In several cases it was found necessary to give Grants for the entire cost. There are some instances of applications by Roman Catholic managers being given priority over applications by Protestant managers, and vice versa , for priority of receipt alone is not regarded as entitling a case to prior consideration. Under Treasury Regulations, and in view of the limited funds available for the service, applications for Grants towards the erection of schoolhouses are dealt with by the Commissioners in the order of urgency—urgency being determined mainly by the condition of the existing house and premises.

asked by what authority and for what reason did the police, without any warning, attack with batons at Ballinaboy, county Roscommon, on the evening of Thursday, 25th ult., a small crowd of young men who were quietly and peacably returning from Ballinaboy, playing their band; by what authority did the police, on the same evening, kick and damage the drum which was being played by these young men and forcibly take possession of the drum and refuse to give it up; and will directions be given to have the drum returned without delay?

A prosecution for riot and unlawful assembly has been ordered against a number of persons in connection with this affair. The cases are sub judice , and I can therefore make no further statement in the matter. The drum has been returned to the owner.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War in what way the War Department holds the buildings on the Roscommon side of the Shannon, at Shannon Bridge, King's County; does it pay rent for them; if so, how much and to whom; or why does it retain those buildings and lands, having sold all the other fortifications on the Shannon from Athlone to Limerick?

The rent of a portion of this property is £59 11s.; the rest is freehold. The buildings are not in occupation by the military. Arrangements are being made for the surrender of the leasehold, and it is proposed to sell the freehold as soon as a favourable opportunity arises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the action of the War Office in granting liberty to Territorials to indulge in the amusement of rifle practice on the Sabbath day is disapproved of by many members and adherents of the Scottish Churches; and will he see that, at any rate as far as Scotland is concerned, the permission will be withdrawn?

The Secretary of State has received deputations from numerous religious bodies on the subject of Sunday rifle shooting and has fully explained the present position to them. The Army Council has embarked on no new policy in this matter, but has taken steps to regularise the position and impose certain restrictions on Sunday rifle shooting. Such shooting will now be confined to the courses necessary for military efficiency, and will only be permitted where the quiet of the neighbourhood will not be disturbed. As has already been publicly stated, the Army Council have no wish to do anything to increase a tendency to regard Sunday as other than a day of rest, or to interfere with the general desire in any district to preserve the quiet and peacefulness of Sunday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many Marindin range-finders it is proposed to issue to each battalion of Infantry?

It is proposed to issue five one-man range-finders to each battalion of Infantry.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to accelerate the promotion of the subaltern officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery; and whether he is aware that the block in promotion is causing hardship and discontent in this branch of the service, nearly fifty of these subaltern officers having about twelve years' service?

The question of promotion in this branch is still under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to Irish Command Order 1,578 of the 30th December, 1911, in which it is stated that it is decided that, while officers using their own motor cars are allowed to draw motor-car allowance for journeys on duty, no allowance can be granted in cases where an officer's own horse vehicle is used, as no extra expense is involved owing its use, and that this regulation applies to warrant and non-commissioned officers; and whether he will cause the allowance regulations to be amended so as to permit officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers being granted a fair allowance when using their own horse vehicles for the public service?

The Command Order mentioned was based on instructions issued by the War Office, and involves no new practice. The reason being as stated in the question that no extra expense is involved owing to its use. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish to the House a return of the curates employed in the four dioceses of Wales, with the names of the parishes in which employed and the amount of their respective salaries, and also showing the sources from which their salaries are derived, whether out of the income of the incumbent or independently?

The greater part of the information asked for can only be obtained by inquiry of each individual incumbent throughout Wales. There were in 1906, 561 assistant clergy in the Principality. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have made 263 grants towards the provision of stipends of assistant clergy. The stipends of the remainder would be provided from one or more of the following sources: (1) Private benefactions; (2) income of incumbents; (3) voluntary contributions (including grants from any diocesan or other Church societies).

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state how many Roman Catholic secondary schools, and how many other secondary schools required by their instrument of government to give denominational instruction, received Grants under the secondary school regulations in each of the years 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911; and in the case of how many of such schools has a modification of the trusts been necessary in order to enable them to comply with the secondary school regulations, Article 5, respecting denominational religious instruction?

With regard to the first part of the question, the figures are as follows:— Year. Roman Catholic Schools. Other Schools required by their Instrument of Government to give Denominational Instruction. 1903–4 … 21 62 1904–5 … 33 75 1905–6 … 45 83 1906–7 … 49 83 1907–8 … 50 90 1908–9 … 51 95 1909–10 … 50 85 1910–11 … 50 85