asked the Chancellor whether he can yet have a complete sample valuation made showing the full site value and the present net rateable value of the different hereditaments in an urban and a rural area as a guide to any contemplated change in local rating?

The valuation of several rural parishes is practically complete, and it is hoped to complete two or three urban parishes in about three months. These valuations and the corresponding rateable values could be made available to any authority inquiring into or dealing with any contemplated change in local rating.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of established and unestablished men clerks to surveyors of taxes, respectively, who have given the following periods of service: under 5 years, 5 years and under 15 years, 15 years and under 25 years, 25 years and under 35 years, over 35 years?

The numbers are as follows:—

— Under 5 years. 5 years and under 15 years. 15 years and under 25 years. 25 years and under 35 years. Over 35 years. Established — 106 107 16 1 Unestablished 249 207 33 5 —

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 12,010 copies of Form IV. issued in county Cork have been issued to owners or occupiers of agricultural holdings; and if up to the present there are any cases of a revaluation having been made through the information supplied in Form IV. in Cork county?

The 12,010 copies of Form IV. referred to were issued to owners of property in the city and urban districts of county Cork. There is no information as to the number, if any, of agricultural holdings in these districts. If by revaluation the hon. Member means valuations made under Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, a considerable number have been made in Cork county.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many cases where the sub-pension committees in the county of Cork have granted a pension during the past twelve months has the pension officer appealed, and in how many cases was his appeal successful; in how many cases in the same county has the Local Government Board ordered an independent investigation to be made by one of their inspectors; and in how many of these cases has the inspector recommended the granting of a pension?

The information asked for is not available, and could not be procured without exhaustive search which would take considerable time, and its value would be out of all proportion to the trouble involved. The Reports of the Inspectors are confidential and intended only for the information of the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Margaret Fox, of Cullenboy, Glenade, Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, was deprived of an old age pension on the ground that her age could not be found in the Census of 1841 or 1851; and whether, having regard to the fact that she produced certificates and evidence from reliable sources that she was over the statutory age and that she is poor and infirm, her claim will be reconsidered?

Margaret Fox was unable to furnish any satisfactory evidence of age, and her claim for a pension was therefore disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of her case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of persons during 1911 who ceased to be chargeable to the rates in Manchester owing to the removal of the old age pension pauper disqualification, and the saving to the rates thereby?

The City of Manchester comprises the Poor Law unions of Manchester and South Manchester and also a part of the Prestwich Union. The following particulars have been received by me from the clerks of the three boards of guardians with reference to my hon. Friend's question:—

Manchester.—"During the year 1911, 251 persons ceased to be chargeable to the poor rate in this township owing to the removal of the pauper disqualification, and the cost of their relief at the time of their ceasing to be chargeable to the guardians was £45 9s. 6d. per week."

South Manchester.—"During the year 1911, 444 people who were in receipt of outdoor relief ceased to be chargeable in order to avail themselves of old age pensions. These people were receiving in outdoor relief £88 14s. 6d. per week. Forty-five inmates of the workhouse also ceased to be chargeable, and the cost of their maintenance was reckoned as equal to £15 15s. per week. Of these totals 356, who were receiving outdoor relief, ceased to be chargeable in December, 1910, on the removal of the pauper disqualification, and thirty-three went out of the workhouse the same period."

Prestwich.—"The number of persons who ceased to be chargeable to this union during the year 1911 owing to the removal of the old age pension pauper disqualification was 281, and the saving to the rates> assuming that the said number of persons had remained chargeable up to 31st December of that year, was £2,420 9s. 6d. Some of the persons included in the 281 subsequently became chargeable to the union by returning to the workhouse and the workhouse infirmary."

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. John Kennedy, of Castlewood House, Clontarf, has offered his property at Borrisoleigh, county Tipperary, to the Estates Commissioners; and if he will state if the Commissioners are prepared to purchase the same?

This property, which includes a number of shops and houses in Borrisoleigh is not in the main agricultural and pastoral and cannot therefore be purchased by the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have ordered an inspection of the lands known as the Park, situate at Ballyclogh, county Cork, in the possession of the owners, the representatives of C. P. Cook, with a view to making an offer for their acquirement, these lands not being tenanted and now being let to adjoining farmers on the weekly and monthly grazing system?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of C. P. Coote, county Cork, and if so the answer to the question is in the negative. The Estates Commissioners approached the owner some time ago, and were informed that he was not prepared to sell the lands.

asked what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken in the matter of the purchase of the Duke estate, situate in the Drumfin electoral division, near Ballymote, Union of Sligo?

The Congested Districts Board are in communication with the owner of this estate, who has been requested to lodge the necessary maps and schedules to enable an inspection of the property to be made.

asked what steps the Congested Districts Board has taken to acquire the estate of the Marquess of Sligo, county Mayo, since the estate maps and other necessary papers were lodged with the Board early in February last?

This Estate is at present being valued by the officers of the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Miss Phibbs, situate near Manulla, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, but they hope to do so at a nearly date.

also asked whether the Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Miss Crotty regarding the sale of her estate at Kinnury, Westport, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board are now communicating with the owner of this estate as to whether she is willing to negotiate for the sale of the property through them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will grant a Return, based upon the auditors' registers, showing all the charges, surcharges, and disallowances made by the auditors during the past five years at the audit of the accounts of all public bodies in Ireland, including any council, board, commissioners, committee, county council, district or borough council, and board of guardians whose accounts are subject to audit by an auditor of the Local Government Board, the Return to include cases where moneys have been paid or refunded before the close of the audit without formal surcharge?

A Return of the nature asked for would involve an exhaustive search through every audit report received by the Local Government Board during the last five years, and could not be procured without an expenditure of time and labour out of all proportion to its public utility. The Annual Reports of the Local Government Board contain details of all sums disallowed or found due on audit of union accounts, and also contain statements respecting the appeals made to them against charges, disallowances, and other matters in connection with the accounts of all public bodies whose accounts are-audited by the Board.

asked what is the amount of English capital invested in Irish railways; if it would be competent for the Irish Parliament, under the Government of Ireland Bill, to nationalise the railways on such terms as it might think proper; and, if so, what security would exist for the free use of the lines for military and defence purposes?

I have no information as to the amount of English capital invested in Irish railways. It would be competent for the Irish Parliament to nationalise the Irish railways on proper-terms, but not to alter any existing law as to the use of railway lines for naval and military purposes, or to make any new law on the subject.

asked whether the National Board of Education proposes to carry out its expressed intention of making a second language necessary for admission to the Irish training colleges in the year 1913; and, if not, what are the reasons for its change of policy?

Proposals have been made by the Commissioners of National Education in favour of the payment of fees for instruction where Irish is not taken up in national schools in French, Latin or German. These proposals have been under the consideration of the Treasury who have not seen their way to give effect to them. The Commissioners in view of this decision do not consider it desirable at present to prescribe as a condition for entrance to a training college the knowledge of a second language.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the cause of the compulsory retirement of Constable John J. Beirne, of Shanballymore, Doneraile, county Cork, East Riding; what were the reasons why he was refused an inquiry at which he could have legal assistance; whether several unsuccessful attempts to cause his previous removal had been made on unfounded and unsustainable charges by various county and district inspectors; and whether his removal has been the outcome of charges made, directly or indirectly, connected with the evidence which he gave when stationed at Cordal, county Kerry, tending to prove the innocence of John Twiss, who was executed for murder some years ago in Cork?

The Inspector-General informs me that Constable Beirne was called on to retire after he had been found guilty of a disciplinary offence—as the result of an investigation by the County Inspector. The application for a special inquiry was received too late to alter the arrangements already made by the County Inspector to investigate the case. The constable's previous character was unsatisfactory, and he was neither efficient nor energetic, and was a hindrance to the effective working of the station. He had been punished four times, thrice for drunkenness, and on one occasion was warned for dismissal. There is no foundation for the statement in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary in what counties the Estates Commissioners have failed to acquire lands under the Evicted Tenants Act; and will he say in respect of what area of land proceedings are at present pending in county Cavan?

The only counties in which the Estates Commissioners have not acquired any land under the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act are Dublin and Roscommon, in which counties they have acquired up to the 31st March last some 3,500 acres, and 11,000 acres respectively, of untenanted land under the voluntary provisions of the Land Purchase Acts. Proceedings are pending under the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act for the acquisition of the former holdings of an evicted tenant comprising some seventeen acres in the county of Cavan.

asked why the principtl teacher of Malin Head national school, Roll No. 14,739, who was promoted from 1st April, 1910, has not yet received his full grade salary, although Rule 105 (a) of the Commissioners states that teachers promoted from a lower to a higher grade receive on promotion the salary fixed for the grade to which they are promoted; and whether it is the intention of the Government to allow the Commissioners to pay to this teacher the arrears due to him, which up to 30th September last amounted to £18?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. John Quigley, principal teacher, was promoted to the second of first grade rank from 1st April, 1910, as there was no vacancy available at the time he did not receive salary of that grade until the 31st December, 1910, and arrears from that date have already been paid. The Commissioners have no power under existing circumstances to make any further payment to Mr. Quigley.

(Dulwich) asked whether it will be open to the Irish Parliament to discontinue or alter the payment of old age pensions when the time arrives under the Government of Ireland Bill, if passed for the transfer of that service to Irish control, if the revenue is not then sufficient to meet the expenditure entailed thereby?

Subject to the rights of existing pensioners at the time of the transfer it would be open to the Irish Parliament to discontinue or alter the rate of future pensions irrespective of the state of the Irish revenue.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the proposed Irish Government, if constituted, would have power to repeal Statutes of the Imperial Parliament, for instance, amongst many others, the Tramways and Light Railways Act, 1883, under which the dividends on moneys lent by the public are guaranteed by counties or baronies; and will he make provision for the protection of those who lent their money on the faith of Imperial Statutes, the abrogation of which will be within the powers of an Assembly which might not inspire so much confidence as the Parliament of the United Kingdom?

The Bill already contains provision for the purpose mentioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the causes of delay in launching the battleship "Audacious"; whether it will be possible to speed her construction so that she may be completed approximately by her contract date; and what was that date?

The principal cause of delay in the launch of the battleship "Audacious" has been a shortage of particular classes of necessary skilled labour. This has been intensified by special local conditions, for example, the grounding of the "Mauretania," which created large and unexpected demands for local labour. There have also been minor labour troubles. As stated by the First Lord on the 1st instant, the contract date for her completion is 16th January, 1913. It is expected that she will be completed by August, 1913. It will not be practicable to speed her construction so that she may be completed approximately by her contract date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that one of His Majesty's cruisers has again been steaming through the fishing grounds off Beer Head; that during the week ending the 27th April no less than thirty-one crab pots have been destroyed, one man losing seven of these on one day; that in consequence of previous loss it was agreed that His Majesty's ships should not manœuvre over a certain limited area, as laid down by the Admiralty themselves; and if, in paying full compensation to these fishermen, he will give instructions to the commanders of His Majesty's ships for the future to keep outside the line that the Admiralty themselves have laid down?

It is difficult to verify the circumstances as stated in the lion, and gallant Member's question without fuller particulars. No agreement as indicated in the question has been made by the Admiralty restricting the movements of His Majesty's ships in the vicinity, nor is such an agreement contemplated. If full particulars of the cases of damage referred to are forwarded, the circumstances will be investigated and each case decided on its merits.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the new dispositions recently made for destroyer squadrons around the coasts of these Islands were communicated officially to any foreign Government before being finally arranged, or whether they were so communicated after being decided on but before being acted on or published?

No such communications as suggested in the question have been made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Admiralty stated on 16th March, 1911, that a hospital ship would be built for the Navy; that the sum of £8,000 was allocated for this ship last year; and that this year £68,000 has been allocated for this ship; will he say what amount of money has already been spent out of these two sums, giving the amounts separately; whether tenders have been called for and received; and whether he will state to the House the amount of the tender and the earliest date that this ship will be fully equipped to take her place in the Fleet?

It is the fact that we have stated that a hospital ship would be built for the Navy, that the sum of £8,000 was allocated for this ship last year, and that this year £68,000 has been allocated for this ship. So far no money has been spent. Tenders have been called for and received, but, as the Noble Lord is aware, it is contrary to Admiralty practice to quote the amount of the tender. I am afraid I cannot say when the ship will be equipped to take her place in the Fleet.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any communication from the Canadian Government requesting the Government to create a Special Board of Admiralty representing the Dominions and the Mother-country?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the visit of the Prime Minister of Canada, the hon. Mr. Borden, and the Minister of Marine, the hon. Mr. Hazen, to this country in June to confer on naval co-operation, he will consider the advisability of asking the other Dominion Governments to likewise send representatives of their respective Governments, so that this contemplated conference between the British and Canadian Governments may be widened with the view of getting the opinion of all the Dominions on the present naval position and future naval co-operation?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government do not think, unless the Canadian Government expresses a wish to that effect, that there is occasion at the present time for considering the question of inviting the other self-governing Dominions to a Conference.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the German battleship "Oldenburg," stated to have been commissioned on 1st May, has yet completed her trials, or whether the commissioning was for the purpose of carrying these out?

It is understood that the German battleship "Oldenburg" commissioned on 1st May for her official trials.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if all the armoured vessels of the German programme of 1911 have yet been laid down; and, if so, on what dates?

All the armoured vessels of the German programme of 1911 have been laid down, but I have no official information as to dates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the strike at Messrs. R. MacLeren's works at Port Eglinton, Glasgow; is he aware that labourers at the works in question are being paid at the rate of 17s. per week on Government Admiralty work; and will he take steps to see that the spirit as well as the letter of the Fair-Wages Clause of this House is duly observed by the firm in question?

I have received no information regarding the matter alluded to, but a report is being called for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the fact that the Crown Preserved Coal Company, of Cardiff and Port Talbot, refuses to grant conditions of employment and to pay wages representing the average for the Bristol Channel; if so, in view of the fact that this firm are contractors to the Admiralty, will steps be taken insisting on them observing the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause in present and future contracts, as is the practice of other firms along the Bristol Channel?

A statement to that effect has been made to the Admiralty. The firm do not hold any Admiralty contract at present. Should they secure one at any future time, they will of course be responsible for the fulfilment of the Fair-Wages Clause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the petitions presented by the workmen of His Majesty's dockyards will be answered before the House of Commons rises for the Whitsuntide Recess?

As I stated yesterday, we hope to issue the replies to the petitions within the next few weeks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will in future contracts for the supply of meat to the Army insert a clause which will protect Army contractors from the responsibility of guaranteeing the delivery of goods during the period of a railway strike or general transport workers' strike?

I fear I can add nothing to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary in answer to a question on this subject on 1st April.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will explain why various inquiries as to obtaining the Swindon Drill Hall, Cheltenham, for the purposes of the Cheltenham National Reservists, over 700 strong, addressed to-the War Office, remained unnoticed until the sale of the hall to a laundry company was announced; and whether, in view of the pecuniary interest, amounting to two-thirds of the estimated value of the hall, held in it by the town of Cheltenham, the War Office will assist the town in providing another building to be used as a drill hall and miniature rifle range for the National Reservists, the Boy Scouts, and the Church Lads' Brigades?

This hall was advertised for sale by auction in Cheltenham in June, 1910; it was sold on February 24th last. A letter was received on the 25th January last from the Gloucestershire County Association suggesting that the sale should be delayed in order that the hall might be handed over to the association for the use of National Reservists. The prospect of the War Office undertaking to provide the National Reserve with drill halls was too distant to justify the postponement of the negotiations for sale, but I regret that while the general question involved was being discussed the secretary's letter remained unanswered. No other communication was received until after the sale. The financial history of this property—so far as War Office records show—is as follows:—It appears to have been bought in 1893 by the Officer Commanding the Volunteer unit and to have been vested in him personally. The unit paid him a rent of £160 a year until 1896, when he applied for permission for the property to be transferred to the unit at the price of £3,200. He stated that a sum of £288 had been raised from private sources so that £2,912 required to be borrowed. As the property was not considered good security for more than £2,200 that sum was offered to and accepted by the officer commanding in 1897; a further loan of £690 was made for additions in 1898. Of these loans £2,080 was outstanding in 1907 and that sum was paid by the War Office; the sum realised by sale of the property is substantially less. There is no record in the War Office of any interest in the building on the part of the town of Cheltenham. I regret that I can hold out no hope that the War Office will assist the town in providing another building for the purposes indicated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the privilege of plain-clothes leave is granted to all men of good character, or whether special circumstances have now to be shown in each case?

Permission to wear plain clothes when on furlough or pass away from the station, and subject to the approval of officer commanding troops and with the concurrence of the general officer commanding-in-chief, may be given to men of good character. Special circumstances are not shown in each case.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he will now give instructions for the removal of the boarding recently erected over a considerable part of the permanent decorations of the north-western staircase in the Victoria and Albert Museum, which thereby destroy the unity of that decoration; (2) if he will give instructions for the drawings, etc., which are at present hung upon the northwestern staircase of the Victoria and Albert Museum to be removed to a more suitable exhibiting place in one or other of the better lighted rooms, now increasingly occupied by minor examples and purely experimental sketches; and (3) if he will explain why the two stained glass windows which existed on the northwestern staircase at the Victoria and Albert Museum have been removed, thereby destroying the unity of the scheme of decoration; and whether he can see his way to nullify such an act of vandalism by ordering the windows to be replaced.

The stained glass windows were removed primarily because they were dilapidated and required repair, which they are still undergoing. The question whether the balance of advantage really lies on the side of restoring the stained windows and removing the recently erected boarding is largely a question of taste. I am not prepared to give instructions for the removal of the drawings now exhibited on the staircase pending a decision as to the general treatment of the staircase, on which I propose to take advice.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give instructions for making good the dilapidation of a small part of the ceiling in the lecture theatre gallery in the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as for the walls of that gallery to be cleared of the accumulations of many years' dirt, so that they may be repainted in a tint corresponding with that used when the scheme of decorating this gallery was originally carried out?

The making good and repainting of the ceiling and recolouring of the walls of the gallery has been in contemplation for some time, but the expense as well as the merits have to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that Brompton Cemetery, which was acquired by the Government in 1852, when burial grounds within the Metropolis were closed, is still being used for burials, that a number of interments are taking place daily, that the ornamental flower beds are being now utilised for graves, and that charges are being made for them; and whether, seeing that the cemetery is situated in a very populous neighbourhood, and that 155,000 bodies had already been interred therein twenty years ago, he will consider the advisability, from a sanitary point of view, of closing the cemetery for further interments?

The First Commissioner cannot, without breach of contract, prevent further interments taking place in plots already sold. The number of burials is gradually decreasing and only a small area, situated in the middle of the cemetery, quite away from the houses, remains for new graves. There is no reason whatever to suppose that conditions at present are insanitary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mrs. Evelyn Hudleston, a suffragist, who was sentenced at Newington Sessions, on the 26th March, to six months' imprisonment, and who is at present in Winson Green Gaol, Birmingham, petitioned the Home Office for release on the ground that her child was about to undergo a serious and dangerous operation, and in her petition stated that she was willing to be bound over for a reasonable period; and whether he will explain why the Home Office refused the request, saying that they could only consent to her release if she agreed to be bound over for the rest of her life, seeing that suffragist prisoners released on former occasions, for various reasons, have never been asked to be bound over for more than twelve months?

I have no power to bind over a prisoner such as a Court of Law possesses, and I did not suggest that this prisoner should be bound over either for a year or indefinitely. All I asked for was an assurance that she would not, if liberated, repeat her offence. I should have been glad to recommend an exercise of the prerogative of mercy in her favour if I had received any such assurance, and I much regret that I failed to receive it and was not justified in interfering with the ordinary course of the sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data and method of computation were adopted in the making of his estimate that the value of the life interests of existing incumbents of benefices who may be affected by the Established Church (Wales) Bill is equal to £62,000 a year in perpetuity?

The average age of the incumbents in six representative Welsh Counties (three rural and agricultural, and three industrial) was estimated at between fifty-eight and fifty-nine. The expectation of life at this age is approximately fifteen years, and the actuarial calculation was based on this figure. The value of the life interest in perpetuity was calculated at the rate of 3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use is at present made of the income of the Established Church in Wales which it is proposed to divert for educational and similar purposes; and whether, in so far as such income is used for other than purely ecclesiastical purposes, any hardship will be inflicted by the proposals of the Government or any additional burden placed upon the local authorities?

The income of the Established Church in Wales which it is proposed to alienate, is now applied in providing the stipends, or parts of the stipends of bishops, cathedral corporations, and incumbents. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total amount of benefit received by the Church of England in Wales derived from tithes payable at the present time?

The net parochial income of the Church of England in Wales derived from tithe rent-charge amounts to £110,760. The Welsh property of the Ecclesiastical Commissoners of the annual value of £26,700, which in part meets the liabilty of the Commissioners in respect of Welsh diocesan incomes, consists to some extent of tithe, but I am unable to state the amount.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why two of the Welsh Commissioners appointed to carry out the provisions of the Established Church (Wales) Bill are to be paid, while the third Commissioner is not to be paid?

The Bill follows the precedent laid down in the Bills of 1895 and 1909 in this respect. A similar method was adopted in the case of the Church Estates Commissioners, which appears to have worked well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what constitutes a member of the Church in Wales for the purposes of Clause 22 of the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

It will be competent to the Church in Wales to determine what persons are entitled to claim membership of that Church.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Return moved for by the hon. Member for Chelsea with reference to the grants made by the Ecclesiastical Commission and Queen Anne's Bounty will be circulated?

This Return was issued this morning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the present industrial dispute in the West End tailoring trade; whether he is aware that numbers of employés, both men and women, who are content with their wages and the conditions of their employment and anxious to work are being prevented by large gangs of so-called peaceful picketers who are both using and threatening violence to those who wish to work and to the property of the employers; and what steps he has taken or intends to take to preserve the liberty of the individual to work if he wishes to, and to protect lives and property?

The matter has been receiving the attention of the police. It is impossible to give the number of strikers who have assembled in the streets for peaceful persuasion, but not more than fifty strikers in small groups have been seen in any one street, and an adequate number of police has always been present. Arrangements have been made for the protection of those anxious to work, and where there has been violence or disorder arrests have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a speech of the secretary of the London Society of Tailors and Tailoresses, in which he said that if the present strike continues he would not be surprised to see sewing machines come hurtling through the window; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to stop incitements to violence in connection with the present dispute?

The Commissioner of Police reports that nothing is known of the speech beyond what appears in the Press. There will be police present when there is reason to anticipate violence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has caused inquiries to be made for the purpose of furnishing himself with detailed information as to the acts of violence which have already taken place, and of the numbers of strikers who have collected for the purpose of peaceful persuasion in the various streets which have been picketed in connection with the West End tailoring trade industrial dispute; and whether he can inform the House of the result of his inquiries?

As already stated, it is impossible for the police to give the numbers of persons collected for peaceful persuasion, but not more than fifty, in small groups, have been noticed in any one street. The Commissioner reports that when there has been disorder or violence arrests have been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Tailoring Trade Board have passed a resolution to the effect that, providing it can be shown that an employer pays the minimum rate to 80 per cent, of his female workers on any piece rate, then it shall be considered that he is not liable to be prosecuted for not paying the minimum; and whether he proposes to sanction this proposal?

I am informed by the chairman that the Tailoring Trade Board have under consideration the question of framing a working rule for their own guidance in regard to the meaning to be attached to the term "ordinary worker" in Section 8 of the Trade Boards Act for the purpose of proceedings taken by them under the Act. I understand that the question of adopting a rule for this purpose, based on a percentage of workers employed, has been discussed by the Trade Board, but that no conclusion has, as yet, been arrived at. In the event of a resolution being passed by the Trade Board, as Suggested by my hon. Friend's question, it would, of course, have no binding effect in law, and it would not therefore need the sanction of the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many selected officers of the Civil Services of each of the Overseas Dominions have visited this country under the terms of Resolution VI. of the Imperial Conference of 1911; how many have availed themselves of the offer made by him to enable them to work for a period in one or more of the Government Departments in this country; to which Departments did they ask to be admitted; and for what period in each case?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for St. Albans on 7th December, 1911. Since that date there have been no further cases of visits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he had seen the statement made by Sir Alfred Sharpe, late Governor of the Nyasaland Protectorate, to the effect that only from 10,000 to 15,000 labourers are required in Nyasaland annually, and that there is a large exportable surplus; whether that statement represents the view of His Majesty's Government; and whether, if the Nyasaland restrictions upon emigration are to be governed by the view that they are subservient to domestic and tribal ties, he will state why the same argument is not to be applied to all other South African territories, for example, to the natives of Zululand, Basutoland, Swaziland, and the Transkei?

I have seen the statement referred to, but it does not represent the opinion of the present Governor of the Protectorate, who asserts that it gives a very inaccurate account of the situation. With regard to the last part of the question, the circumstances of each territory require individual consideration, and I am, as at present advised, opposed to anything that would have the result of breaking up domestic and tribal ties in Nyasaland.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he will grant a Return showing the number of death sentences which have been passed in India during the year 1911 for each province separately, and the number of sentences which have been revised or reversed by the highest judicial authority or by the Executive Government?

The statistics for 1911 will not be received for some time; but if the hon. Member wishes, I will ask for the collection of the necessary materials, and let him know when they have been prepared.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the persons comprising the Royal Commission on the Civil Service have, to the extent of two-thirds of their number, been educated at Oxford or Cambridge; whether, in view of the alleged monopoly of the higher Civil Service posts by men trained at those universities, he will take steps to ensure an impartial consideration of that question by making such further appointments to the Royal Commission as will equalise its university and non-university elements; and whether, if the Commission is to be constituted so largely of university men, the London and other universities will be represented?

I am convinced that the Commission, which is composed of men of experience in every field of activity to which the Inquiry may relate, will investigate the needs of the Civil Service with absolute impartiality. I am not prepared to make any additions to it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that all the regulations under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1911, have not yet been issued, and having regard to the dislocation caused in the trade by the recent strike, he will consider the advisability of postponing the date, 1st July next, of the Act coming into operation?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I have been asked by the Mining Association of Great Britain whether this could be done, and I caused a reply to be sent on the 3rd instant in the following terms: "In reply to your letter of the 18th ultimo, asking whether, in the special circumstances arising out of the recent strike, it would be possible to postpone for a few months the date on which the Coal Mines Act, 1911, is to come into force, I am directed by the Secretary of State to say that he would not be prepared to promote a Bill in Parliament which would be the only means by which effect could be given to your suggestion, nor can he see any sufficient ground for a general postponement of the application of the provisions of the Act. He recognises, however, that the interruption in the work of the mines caused by the recent strike may make it difficult in many cases to complete the structural alterations required for compliance with the new Act by 1st July next, and in cases where the Inspector of Mines is satisfied that every reasonable effort is being made by the management to bring the mine into conformity with the new Act, he will not think it necessary to enforce absolute compliance with the structural requirements until a reasonable time has been allowed to make good the delay caused by the strike and the consequent disorganisation of work." As regards the reference to the Regulations to be made under the Act, I may point out that by Section 126 of the Act the existing special rules are continued in force until Regulations have been made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if Mr. Douglas Roberts is an official auditor, and whether, if so, Mr. Roberts has authority to give orders as to the methods of paying wages to weekly workers; whether he is aware that Mr. Roberts insisted upon the surveyor of the Pontefract Rural District Council paying every roadman by cheque, although this method is unknown among the farmers employing labourers; and whether he can see his way to support the unanimous desire of the district councillors to pay as heretofore in cash and so avoid inconvenience and hardship in the remote rural parishes of the union?

Mr. H. D. Roberts is the auditor of the South Yorkshire Audit District, and I am informed by him that he has at audits of the accounts of the Pontefract Rural District Council urged that the wages of the workmen employed by the Council should be paid by cheques. He states that this system has been adopted by other district councils in his district, and he has ascertained that the workmen experience no difficulty in cashing the cheques, and the system is popular with both the officials and the men. If any communication is addressed to me on the subject by the district council it will receive my careful attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now been able to arrange for the preparation of a Report, as promised during the strike debates, and subsequently, showing the average wages paid to various grades of railway workers?

The Report has been published and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he will take steps to ensure an earlier morning delivery of letters in the Wimbledon Park district, seeing that at present the first delivery of letters does not reach some houses until about 8.45 a.m., when residents have left their homes for their business?

Under a recent revision of the services in the district arrangements have been made under which the morning delivery of letters will be completed in ordinary circumstances by 8.30 a.m.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all wireless telegraph stations, including those under Government control, are available for use by any vessel in distress if fitted with the requisite apparatus?

Any wireless station, whether on board ship or on land, which hears a distress signal, is bound to give priority to such a message and to take such steps as the call may render necessary. It must be understood, however, that if a station is not working on the same wave length as the ship it might not hear the signal.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any condition is imposed on the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company necessitating a non-inter-ceptible message service; have Marconi operators instructions to ignore messages received from other wireless telegraph systems; and can he say whether other wireless telegraph systems are similarly hampered by any such instructions?

No such condition as that referred to by the hon. Member is imposed, and would, indeed, be impracticable. All wireless telegraph installations on board British ships are capable of being used for inter-communication with other systems, and they are worked in accordance with licenses issued by the Post Office. The Radio-telegraph Convention does not provide for the compulsory interchange of messages between ships for other than distress purposes; and I understand that the Marconi Company decline to inter-communicate, except in cases of distress, with ships fitted with other systems unless the matter has been arranged by agreement. I am not aware that other systems are similarly hampered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any regulations dealing with the on-duty hours of Marconi operators ashore or afloat; can he state the rate of pay per hour or otherwise given to operators on such lines of ships as the Cunard, White Star, and Allan Lines; what is the annual cost per ship of the lines indicated for installation, upkeep, and general working of the Marconi system; and will he have suitable inquiry made, if necessary, with a view to satisfying public opinion as to whether the rate of pay made to wireless operators is consistent with efficient service and the safety of the travelling public?

There are no official regulations governing the hours of duty of operators employed by the Marconi Company. The conditions of employment are matters of arrangement between the company and the shipowners. This as well as other matters affecting the safety of vessels and persons at sea can be dealt with in the course of the official inquiry into the loss of the "Titanic."

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the limited number of first and second class surveyorships allocated to the shipwright surveyors in the marine department of the Board of Trade, he will increase the number of first and second class shipwright surveyors; and will he guarantee that the shipwright surveyors shall have equal chances of promotion with the engineer and nautical surveyors to the appointment of principal district officer?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his question with regard to the position of the ship surveyors on the 3rd April. The classification of these officers is one of the matters under consideration in connection with their petition to which I hope shortly to reply. In making appointments to the position of principal district officer fitness for the post is regarded as the primary consideration, and in the event of the post being filled by promotion, equally suitable officers in any of the three classes of surveyors would receive equal consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a gentleman named Councillor Peter Wright, of Newport, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Trade Life-Saving Appliances Committee during the absence of Mr. Havelock Wilson; what are his qualifications for this appointment; and whether he is a ship's painter, not a seaman, and has never been to sea?

Mr. Peter Wright has been appointed to take the place of Mr. Havelock Wilson on the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee during Mr. Wilson's absence. Mr. Wright was nominated by the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union, of which Mr. Havelock Wilson is president, and which, I understand, is fully satisfied as to the practical qualifications of Mr. Wright.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has power to compel foreign ships embarking passengers or crew in British ports to supply boat accommodation for passengers and crew on the same scale as British ships; and, if not, will he introduce legislation giving him such power?

Foreign ships in United Kingdom ports are already required to comply with the British Life-Saving Appliances Rules unless they have complied with the requirements of their own law, and those requirements have been recognised by Order in Council as being as effective as our own.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, under Admiralty Regulations, it has been the practice for some years to insist upon boat accommodation being provided for everyone on board troop transports, and that no abatement is permitted in consequence of steamers being divided into efficient watertight compartments; and whether he will at once issue orders for the provision of boats on the Admiralty scale for all passenger and merchant ships?

I am aware of the facts stated in my hon. Friend's question. I cannot at present add to the information which I have already given to the House as to the steps now being actively taken with a view to the revision of the Board of Trade Rules with regard to life-saving appliances at sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state why the inquiry into the loss of the Peninsular and Oriental liner "Oceana" on 16th March was not held more promptly after the disaster?

I have already stated to the House that in shipping casualties when loss of life occurs and an inquest is held in the United Kingdom it is not customary to hold the formal investigation into the casualty until after the Coroner's verdict is given. In this case three inquests were held, and the report of the proceedings at the last and most important one was received by the Board on 5th April (Good Friday). A considerable volume of evidence has had to be obtained (between thirty and forty witnesses are being called by the Board of Trade) and a careful preparation of the brief, and questions for the Court has necessarily occupied some time. On 22nd April notices were served on the parties to the Inquiry who were in England and whose conduct is called in question, that the investigation would be held on 30th April—a certain amount of notice being necessarily given to enable such parties to prepare their defences. Taking all these circumstances into account, I do not consider that it can be said that there has been any avoidable delay in this case.

asked the Postmaster-General at what numbers on the seniority list of sorting clerks and telegraphists of the sorting office, Dublin, Messrs. Hetherington and Sargent stand; why they have been placed over so many of their seniors for acting overseer's duties; by whom have they been recommended; and will he take steps to ensure that the claims of more senior and better qualified officers are considered?

Messrs. Hetherington and Sargent rank respectively 159th and 143rd on the class of sorting clerks and telegraphists at Dublin. They have been selected for acting duty on the present occasion because none senior to them are considered to possess qualifications for the duty of the absent overseers.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the increase in popular football competitions in weekly newspapers, which are in the nature of a lottery; whether he is aware that Scottish readers domiciled in Scotland are, by the desire of the Crown counsel, who consider these competitions illegal in Scotland, precluded from entering them, and that no coupon bearing a Scottish address can be accepted; and whether he will take steps to bring the English Law into conformity with that of Scotland?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has had this matter under his immediate consideration, and is proposing to introduce legislation dealing with it in this Session.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that in Scotland, when stolen goods are found by the police at a pawnbroker's, the pawnbroker is compelled in some instances to give them up without compensation, while in other cases he receives part and in some instances full compensation; and whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to secure uniformity of practice in these cases?

Under Section 30 of the Pawnbrokers' Act, 1872, to which I would refer the hon. Member, any Criminal Court in which proceedings are taken in respect of stolen goods found in possession of a pawnbroker has full discretion to determine, in view of the circumstances of each case, what payment, if any, shall be made by the owner of the goods to the pawnbroker as a condition of their recovery. I do not think that a rigid uniformity of practice in such cases would tend to a more equitable adjustment of the rights of parties.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will say what arrangements for the admission of the public to Walmer Castle and grounds when the Lord Warden is in residence have been made, and what are the arrangements at other times; and if the historical rooms of the castle can be seen at all times of the year?

The actual arrangements are being made by Lord Brassey, but he has promised to grant facilities to the public for visiting the Castle and grounds. The First Commissioner understands that visitors will be able to see the historical rooms at all times of the year.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, whether he has had any complaints that no notice is given to tenants of small houses, under the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1911, by the owners as to how much of the rent charged is constituted of municipal rates, how much of poor rates, how much of water rates, and how much of actual rent; and whether he will introduce a short amending Act making compulsory this information to the tenants?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the effect of the Act is to make the occupier's rates payable by the owner, leaving the rent to be arranged by the parties on that basis. The rent is thus a lump sum, without such differentiation as suggested in the question. As my hon. Friend is aware, this matter was discussed during the progress of the Bill, and I am sorry to be unable to give him the promise he desires.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the assistant clerk of the Crofters Commission has been given a similar appointment under the Land Court; if so, at what salary; whether he was allowed to engage in private practice as a solicitor when he was in his former appointment; whether he has that privilege in his new position; and whether, in future appointments, it will be made a condition that no private practice be engaged in by any one given a position connected with a Court?

I am at present in consultation with the Treasury in regard to the matter referred to. Any statement on the subject would therefore be premature, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the suggested restriction, which, as he states, did not operate under the Crofters Commission, will be a condition of appointments under the Land Court.

asked the hon. Member for St. George-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what reason exists for not expecting an earlier opening of the extension of the Victoria Tower Garden than so late a period as the summer of 1913?

There is a great deal of work still to be done by the London County Council in connection with the building of the Embankment wall, the removal of foundations of buildings, and the formation of the ground on which these gardens will be made. It is not anticipated that this will be finished until the end of this year. The gardens would in this case be laid out and planted during the early part of 1913, and could not be ready for opening until the summer.