asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state, under The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, the estimated extra yield in 1912–13 of the Stamp Duties?

The estimated annual yield is £1,300,000.

asked whether it is the duty of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to see that in Scotland the revenue is protected in the granting of claims for exemption from the payment of dog licences under the provisions of Clause 22 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act of 1878?

Certificates of exemption from Dog Licence Duty in Scotland are, under Section 22 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1878, issued by the Board of Customs and Excise. Until 1906 the Board were the sole authority entrusted with the duty of accepting or rejecting claims for exemption, but in 1906 an additional safeguard to the Revenue was provided by Section 5 of the Dogs Act, 1906, under which the grant of a certificate requires the previous consent of the sheriff or sheriff-substitute having jurisdiction in the place where the dog is kept.

asked whether the increase in the Grants to be made in respect of teachers' superannuation in England will involve a corresponding increase in the amount of the Scottish Grant for the same purpose?

An additional Grant of £25,000 for the superannuation of teachers in Scotland is included in the Estimates presented to Parliament.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the petition, for signing which certain persons in Drumkeeran have had a boycotting notice issued against them, was one in favour of proportional representation; and whether the petition referred to the safeguarding of the interests of minorities as one of the objects of proportional representation?

The answer to both paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. The boycotting ceased as soon as it was known that the petition was not against Home Rule, but had reference to proportional representation in the event of Home Rule becoming law.

asked under what Clause in the Government of Ireland Bill it will be competent for the Irish Legislature to remove Ireland from the scope of the Trades Disputes and the Workmen's Compensation Acts?

Under Clause 2.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the principal items included in the transferred sum of £6,127,000 mentioned on page 4 of the White Paper [Cd. 6154] referring to the financial provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill?

The Estimate referred to by the Noble Lord is arrived at as follows:— £ Estimated expenditure on Irish Services (other than Reserved Services) in 1912–13, including expenditure on the Post Office 7,062,000 DEDUCT, Revenue received by the Irish Exchequer, namely:— £ Post Office 1,354,000 Fee Stamps 81,000 1,435,000 Net expenditure on Irish Services and Post Office 5,627,000 ADD, surplus 500,000 Transferred sum £6,127,000

Details of the estimated expenditure on Irish Services in 1912–13 will be found in Appendix B to the White Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state under what Clause of the proposed Government of Ireland Bill the Imperial Parliament will be empowered to review and revise the decisions of the Joint Exchequer Board in regard to the adjustment of the proceeds of taxes between Great Britain and Ireland?

The Bill does not contemplate that a decision of the Joint Exchequer Board on the questions specifically referred to it should be the subject of review in ordinary course by either the Parliament of the United Kingdom or the Parliament of Ireland, but the provisions of Clause 1 (2) of the Bill make it clear that the Imperial Parliament, if it thought fit, would have the same power of review in those matters as it has in any others.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can explain the delay in having the vesting orders made in the case of the tenants on the estate of Colonel Forster, Grenagh, county Cork, seeing that other estates in the neighbourhood, purchased more recently, have been vested; and when is it likely that this estate will be vested in the tenants?

The estates of Colonel Forster, in county Cork, are on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and having regard to the claims of the other estates in priority on that register, Lave not yet been reached, but when so reached they will be dealt with as rapidly as possible. It is probable that the owners of the other estates to which the hon. Member refers elected under the Act of 1909 to accept payment either wholly or partly in stock.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will be requested, when inspecting the Kenmare estate, to inquire particularly into the application for reinstatement in his father's farm at Raheen, Rathmore, county Kerry, made by Mr. Humphrey Moynihan; and whether, seeing that the land is un-tenanted and that Moynihan is suitable in every way, steps will be taken to have him restored to his father's home?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Moynihan does not come within the class of evicted tenants for whom the Commissioners have power to provide holdings, and they do not intend to take any action in the matter of his reinstatement or provide him with a holding elsewhere.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board (Ireland) sent a letter to the Athy Board of Guardians in reference to their proceedings of 17th April, 1912; that in that letter the Local Government Board assert that pure vaccine lymph is supplied from their vaccine department to the medical officers of the various unions; whether such letter was issued with his sanction; and whether he is prepared to guarantee the purity of the vaccine issued in Ireland?

The facts generally are as stated in the question. The Local Government Board's bacteriologist, before certifying that the glycerinated calf lymph prepared at the National Vaccine Institute is fit for use, satisfies himself as to its absolute purity and freedom from harmful germs, and the Board are thus in a position to guarantee the purity of the lymph distributed to medical officers for public vaccinations in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary the cause of the delay in holding a local inquiry under the Labourers Act in Thurles Rural District; whether he is aware that unless the inquiry is held immediately the council will be unable to have the cottages built and completed before next winter; and whether he will recommend the Local Government Board to immediately appoint an inspector and fix a date for the local inquiry?

The scheme in question has not yet been lodged with the Local Government Board, and the Board are therefore unable to say when an inquiry can be held.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Wexford County Council passed a Resolution at their last meeting asking for the reasons which influenced the Irish Government as to the area of charge for extra police; and whether, seeing that the ratepayers of the county, with the exception of those of the town of Wexford, had no connection whatever with the labour dispute in reference to which the police were sent, and seeing that the Lord Lieutenant has power under Section 8 of 2 and 3 Vic, c. 75, to charge the special area with the cost of police sent from the depots, he will comply with the request of the county council and state the reasons which in- duced the Lord Lieutenant to spread the entire police tax over the whole county?

I have seen a copy of the resolution referred to. The Lord Lieutenant acted in this matter in the exercise of the discretion vested in him by the Act of Parliament mentioned in the question, and I do not feel called upon to state the reasons which actuated him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the magistrates of Bally-nonty and Mullinahone, county Tipperary, Petty Sessions districts met at Killinaule on 26th January, 1912, to elect a clerk for the joint Petty Sessions districts; whether the magistrates present and voting elected by a majority Mr. Pierce Morissey, Coal-brook, subject to the approval of the Lord Lieutenant; and whether he can state why the Lord Lieutenant has not given effect to the recommendation of the magistrates?

The facts are as stated. Immediately after the election a conditional order was granted by the King's Bench Division, it being contended that some of the justices who voted for Mr. Morissey were not qualified, and three months was given to show cause. On the 13th instant a notice was served that the conditional order had been discharged. The matter is now under the consideration of the Lord Lieutenant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to make an allowance to the labourers at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, when they are employed preparing bodies found at sea for the inquests?

These cases fortunately rarely occur, but, when they do, the claims of labourers concerned are considered. I do not think it necessary to have a fixed scale of allowance. The matter is better dealt with according to the circumstances of each case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it was officially stated that 1,570 men between the ages of fifty and sixty-three are still being paid from the charitable funds of Greenwich Hospital?

The Noble Lord was informed on 23rd November last that the number of ex-Reservists drawing the 5d. a day augmentation of pension from Greenwich Hospital funds was approximately 1,570, but no one now in receipt of this pension is of a less age than fifty-seven.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty can now see their way to pay the 1,570 men between the ages of fifty and sixty-three their Greenwich Hospital age pensions of 5d. a day from Naval Votes?

I would remind the Noble Lord that in recent years a sum of £22,400 has been added to the amount available for Greenwich Hospital age pensions, namely, a grant of £16,000 a year from Navy Votes for the purpose of providing additional age pensions for men who entered the Royal Navy or Marines before 29th June, 1873; and £6,400 a year additional rent for the use of the Royal Naval College buildings. In addition to the above, since 1st April, 1910, the charge for the age pensions of men of the Seamen Pensioner Reserve—which was previously transferred to Greenwich Hospital Funds when the recipients attained fifty-five years of age—has, in the case of men reaching that age subsequent to the date mentioned, been borne by Navy Votes, and continues to be so borne until such time as the men would receive the Greenwich Hospital age pension in the ordinary course of selection. This change has enabled a substantial increase to be made in the number of age pensions which can be awarded annually to those men who did not belong to the Seamen Pensioner Reserve. I am afraid I am not prepared to recommend any further grant from Navy Votes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that Greenwich Hospital funds are intended for charitable purposes, he will explain why these funds are being used to pay men for Imperial services?

The Noble Lord presumably refers to the charge for the age pensions of men of the Seamen Pensioner Reserve, which was formerly transferred to Greenwich Hospital funds when the men attained the age of fifty-five. I would remind the Noble Lord that, since the 1st April, 1910, it has been arranged for this charge to fall on Navy Votes until such time as the men would receive the Greenwich Hospital age pension in the ordinary course of selection.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when skilled labourers are discharged from His Majesty's dockyard, the Admiralty will give instructions that the men's discharge notes shall mention the nature of the work they have been employed at and the duration of their service?

There is already an Admiralty instruction to this effect, a copy of which I will forward to the Noble Lord.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether men employed in the engineer manager's department of His Majesty's dockyard, Portsmouth, with four, five, and six years' service of good character, have been discharged and men with eighteen months' or less service have been retained?

The facts are as stated in the question. But this reply should be read in conjunction with the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the West Houghton Division on 18th April.

asked the Under secretary of State for War, with reference to the recently opened Church of England Garrison Church at Tidworth, whether it has been built out of public funds; and whether it is to be consecrated or kept open for the holding of services according to the rites of the Church of Scotland, the United Free Church of Scotland, and other Presbyterian churches, at times when there are Presbyterian officers and soldiers in the garrison?

This church was partly built from moneys from Army Votes, amounting to £1,975. The total cost was £5,000, the difference being provided by local subscription. The church will not be consecrated, and is in the holding of the Secretary of State for War. The Presbyterians have already the sole use of a building at Tidworth, the cost of which was met from Army funds.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his Department informed Mr. A. Smith, of 20, Howden Street, Edinburgh, by letter, on 13th August, 1910, that after investigation it appeared to be established that 5½d. per hour was the current rate for foundation work on the Redford Cavalry Barracks, and that this rate must be paid in future by the contractors?

That is so, but a local investigation was subsequently made which showed, as the hon. Member was informed on 15th February, 1911, that the rates paid to labourers for the class of work in question varied considerably, but that from 5d. to 5½d. an hour appeared to be the wages generally prevailing in practice among good employers. The question having been recently raised again, a further local investigation was made a few weeks ago, which confirmed this conclusion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, with reference to the Report of the War Office (Reconstitution) Committee, Part II., Section 1, paragraphs 6 and 7, he can say whether the Army Council still decides all questions of military policy; and is it still the duty of any military member or members of the Council, who may dissent from a decision taken, either to resign office or to accept a share of the responsibility for the action involved?

Subject to the ultimate responsibility of the Secretary of State to the Crown and Parliament the Members of the Army Council have their share of responsibility for decisions taken by that body.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with reference to the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907, Section 17, whether, if the first class of the Army Reserve were called out on any future day, he can say whether the Army Council would at once issue directions for embodying all the men belonging to the Territorial Force for war training?

In the event of national emergency the Territorial Force would, of course, be forthwith embodied, if the emergency in the opinion of the Government of the day were of such a nature as to render such a course necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Houses of Convocation of the provinces of Canterbury and York, respectively, met and transacted business after the death of the late King Edward VII. before any new writs for the summoning of the said Houses had been sealed and issued; whether any new writs for the summoning of the said Houses have been sealed and issued since the accession of King George V.; and, if so, on what date or dates?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Writs summoning the Houses of Convocation of the provinces of Canterbury and York to meet on the 1st February, 1911, were issued on the 28th November, 1910.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the continued resolutions passed by boards of guardians throughout the country on the subject of habitual vagrants, and to the fact that many of these vagrants have been convicted as incorrigible rogues; and whether he will take steps to have the law rigidly enforced in these cases, or, if the law is not rigidly enforced, what steps will be taken that the profession or calling of an incorrigible rogue may be put a stop to?

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. As to the third question, I have every reason to believe that the law is rigidly enforced in such cases, and I do not think I can add anything to the reply which I gave on the 29th February last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the lists of Chairmen of the Joint Districts Boards, under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, is now complete; and, if so, can it be published at an early date?

The following appointments of Chairmen of Joint District Boards under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act have been agreed to by the parties concerned:—

Lancashire and Cheshire—His Honour Judge Bradbury.

Derbyshire (exclusive of South Derbyshire)—His Honour Judge Lindley.

Nottinghamshire—His Honour Judge H. Y. Stanger, K.C.

Forest of Dean—Mr. Russel J. Kerr, J.P.

Bristol—Mr. Alderman George Pearson.

South Wales, including Monmouth—The Eight Hon. Viscount St. Aldwyn.

The following Chairmen have been appointed by the Board of Trade upon receiving requests from the parties for the nomination of a Chairman:—

Northumberland—The Right Hon. Lord Mersey.

Durham—The Right Hon. Sir Robert Romer, G.C.B., F.R.S.

Cumberland—Sir William J. Collins.

South Yorkshire—The Right Hon. Sir Edward Clarke, K.C.

West Yorkshire—His Honour Judge Amphlett.

Cleveland—The Right Hon. Sir Robert Romer, G.C.B., F.R.S.

South Derbyshire—Mr. A. A. Hudson, K.C.

Leicestershire — His Honour Judge O'Connor, K.C.

Shropshire—Mr. B. Francis Williams, K.C.

North Staffordshire—His Honour Judge Bradbury.

South Staffordshire (exclusive of Can-nock Chase) and East Worcestershire—Sir Walter Lawrence, Bart., G.O.I.E. Cannock Chase—Sir Clarendon Hyde.

Warwickshire—Sir Walter Lawrence, Bart, G.C.I.E.

Somerset—His Honour Judge Austin, The Hon. George Peel, Mr. Alderman T. Smith, J.P.

North Wales—Mr. B. Francis Williams, K.C.

The Mainland of Scotland—Sheriff A. O. M. Mackenzie, K.C, Sir Thomas Mason, Mr. John Burnett.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it was a term in the contract of the passengers carried by the "Titanic" that the owners of the vessel would not be liable for any loss or damage caused by the negligent navigation of the vessel by the company or its servants, and that the dependents of those who lost their lives in the wreck of the vessel and those who lost property thereby have no right of action in respect thereof; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to place steamship companies on the same footing in this respect as railway companies?

The condition referred to by the hon. Member does not form a part of the Statutory form of cabin or steerage passenger's contract ticket approved by the Board of Trade under the provisions of Section 320 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. As the question of the validity of this condition may be the subject of litigation, I do not think I can properly say more at the present moment.

asked whether the Board recognise as a true asset, available for the protection of policy-holders of the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, the sum of £29,685 2s. 8½d., described in their balance sheet as establishment account; if so, how is that money invested; if that sum is not available how much is; if he will state the total revenue, commission, and working expenses, respectively, of this company since its formation; whether the proportion of expenses to revenue is that usual in well managed companies; what proportion of the last dividend has been paid by the directors to themselves personally; whether the Board require a dividend paid in such circumstances to be charged as working expenses; whether the Board allow a company in this condition to pay a dividend; whether F. C. Norman, managing director, is the person of that name previously connected with the Irish Provident Company now in compulsory liquidation; and whether, in the interest of the policy holders and the public, the Board will, at an early date, investigate the affairs of this company?

The sum of £29,685 2s. 8½d., described in the balance sheet of the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, as "Establishment Account," represents the proportion of expenditure which is attributed by the company to the establishment and organisation of the business as distinguished from the expenses of carrying on the business, but I am not prepared to express an opinion as to whether it is a true asset. The returns filed by the company do not disclose the total revenue, commission, and working expenses since its formation, and I am therefore unable to give that information. For the year ending 30th June, 1911, the returns show that the total revenue from all classes of business amounted to £28,065 1s. 10½d., and the total commission and expenses to £22,879 18s., of which £14,685 2s. 8½d. was attributed by the company to establishment and organisation of the business and treated as an asset in the balance sheet. The returns filed by the company do not show what proportion of the last dividend was received by the directors, and the Board of Trade have no control over the payment of dividends by a company or the manner in which they are charged. Mr. F. C. Norman, the managing director, was previously connected with the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited. The only power of investigation of the affairs of the company which the Board of Trade possess is that given to them by Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, in accordance with which the Board of Trade can appoint an inspector on the application of members holding not less than one-tenth of the shares issued. No such application has been made to the Board of Trade in this case, and consequently their jurisdiction to appoint an inspector has not arisen.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total loss or gain to the public revenue of the Telegraph Service during the last ten years?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 7 and 9 of the House of Commons Paper 328 of this year. He will see that the loss to the public revenue on the Telegraph Service for the last ten years has averaged about £1,000,000 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General, approximately, the average number of words in each press telegram sent last year or any previous year?

The average for the year ended 30th September last was fifty-five words.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the fishermen of Tory Island, county Donegal, have suffered loss in marketing their fish owing to the breakdown of the cable connecting the island with the mainland; and what steps are being taken to have the cable repaired?

I am inquiring as to the advantages of substituting a wireless installation for the cable which is now broken down, and will inform the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in connection with the reciprocity negotiations the British Ambassador was acting under instructions; and, if so, whether such instructions were given by the Home-Government?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington acted throughout the negotiations in accordance with his general duty to promote at all times good relations between Canada and the United States. As has been frequently stated, no special instructions were given on the matter.

asked the President of the-Board of Agriculture whether any portion of the funds of his Department or of the special agricultural development fund is available for giving farmers and their servants some elementary education as to diagnosing the various diseases of cattle, sheep, and swine which render them unfit for human food; whether any sum from the said fund or other resources could be made available for instructing meat traders, their slaughtermen, and apprentices as to the post-mortem appearances of disease in cattle, sheep, and swine which render them unfit for human food; and whether the Board of Agriculture would be prepared to establish and maintain travelling lecturers for the purposes of giving practical demonstrations in connection therewith?

Elementary instruction in veterinary science and hygiene is given at most of the agricultural colleges aided by the Board and lecturers and teachers have been appointed for the purpose. I will keep the suggestion of the hon. Member in view in connection with the arrangemnets now being made for the development of technical instruction in subjects bearing upon agriculture.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can give, for each year from 1901 to 1911, inclusive, the number and the percentage of the total births of infants registered as blind?

I am unable to give the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend, as the Register of Births does not contain any data as to infants born blind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can say what is the total number of blind persons in Scotland; and if he can indicate approximately how many of them were born blind, how many became blind at or shortly after birth, and how many became blind in subsequent years, distinguishing as far as possible between the various ages at which they became blind?

My hon. Friend will find the only information as yet available on these subjects in the report of the 1901 Census. In the Census of last year particulars were asked regarding the "totally blind," and the results will be tabulated and published in ordinary course in the third volume of that Report.