asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information with regard to the proceedings which have taken place in the Spitzbergen Conference; and what result, if any, has been arrived at by that conference?

As a result of a preliminary conference, at which the Governments, of Norway, Russia, and Sweden were represented, a draft Convention respecting Spitzbergen was prepared and communicated to the Powers interested for their consideration. The several Governments are now engaged in examining the provisions of this draft Convention, and pending that I cannot say what result maybe arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the forthcoming adjournment of the House and to the recent change at the German Embassy, he could now, or in the near future, make any statement as to improved relations between this country and Germany?

I do not think it is necessary to add to the favourable statement made by the Prime Minister on the 30th ultimo.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the latest information he has received from Warsaw with regard to Miss Malecka?

The latest information that we had was given yesterday; a full report of the trial has now been received and will be considered as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the report which has been received bears out the very full reports which have appeared in the Press and which I understand were made by an Englishman who was present at the trial?

I have been informed that a report has been received, but it was only received this morning. I intend to read it as soon as possible, which will probably be this afternoon, and until I have done so, I cannot say anything further.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can hold out any hopes to the House that Miss Malecka may be released from prison within a comparatively short time?

I must have an opportunity of reading the full report of the trial before I can make any further statement. After reading the full report I may be in a better position to-morrow, and, of course, if I can say anything further I shall be pleased to do so.

May I ask whether the full force of the Government will be behind Miss Malecka?

asked whether the British Government has acquired by treaty, capitulation, or other instrument any right to interfere in the administration of justice in the Russian Empire?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask him whether it is not part of the comity of nations that one nation should make representations to another with regard to any of its subjects who may be involved in judicial or administrative processes?

The answer is in the negative. With regard to the supplementary question that has been asked, of course, where the nationality of the subject is indisputed and it appears that an injustice has occurred in a foreign country, foreign Governments do make representations to one another.

May I ask whether it is not the case that according to our law the nationality of this lady is indisputably British?

That does not arise Out of the question on the Paper.

asked whether the Imperial Russian Government has intervened in cases in which persons admittedly their subjects have been tried and convicted by British Courts?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask whether his attention has been called to a case which has recently occurred in South Australia, in which the Supreme Court of South Australia sentenced a Russian subject, a seaman, to a long term of penal servitude for his alleged participation in a stabbing affray, and in which the Russian Government intervened on the ground that the evidence was inconclusive, and the sentence was remitted and the man released?

I cannot say that there may not have been such cases, but I have not got an instance before me. With regard to the supplementary question, I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the instance to which he refers, in which case I will see whether we have any record of it in the Foreign Office.

May I ask if it is not quite the usual thing for diplomatic representations to be made, quite apart from legal procedure; whether cases are not constantly arising where prisoners are let out in consequence of diplomatic representations; and whether these little incidents do not tend to cement the friendship of nations?

The hon. Member is giving information, not asking for it.

May I ask whether the representations which have already been made come within the category of friendly representations to the Russian Government?

Yes, of course the communications that have passed come within the category of friendly communications between the two Governments on this subject.

asked whether, in the recently issued Consular Report from Rotterdam, the tabular statement contains no record of ships imported; and whether, in view of the fact that a passenger steamer of 32,000 tons and two cargo boats of 10,000 tons have been ordered by the Holland-America line from Messrs. Harland and Wolff, of Belfast, as stated on page 7 of the Report, directions will be given that when these vessels have been delivered they will be entered as imports from Ireland in the next ensuing Consular Report?

His Majesty's Consul at Rotterdam can base the statistical tables given in his Report only on the official statistics of the Netherlands, which do not record purchases of sea-going vessels or include them as imports. All, therefore, that the Consul could do was to note the fact separately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State's attention has been called to the protest made by the Calcutta Journalists' Association against the speech made by Lord Crewe in the House of Lords on 21st February, 1912; and what are the grounds on which Lord Crewe charged the Anglo-Indian press in Calcutta with conduct rendering them obnoxious to the provisions of the Press Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part of the question I would point out that the hon. Member has apparently altogether misunderstood what my noble Friend said.

Was not the Noble Lord's intention misunderstood by the Anglo-Indian Press as it has apparently been by myself?

I think I had better send the hon. Member a copy of the OFFICIAL REPORT of the House of Lords, which contains a copy of my Noble Friend's speech.

Will anything be done for the satisfaction of those who feel themselves, rightly or wrongly, aggrieved by this speech?

If there is anybody who believes the same as the hon. Member about my Noble Friend's speech he will see, on reading the report, that he is quite misinformed. He never charged the Anglo-Indian Press in Calcutta with conduct rendering them obnoxious to the provisions of the Press Act.

Is it not within the knowledge of the hon. Gentleman that the Press of Calcutta interpreted it in that way, and made a protest which has been adopted by the Press Association of England?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the protest we received from the Calcutta Journalists' Association, and will also read the report of my Noble Friend's speech in another place, he will see that the two parts of the question have no relation to one another.

Will the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the hon. Member opposite to induce him to refrain from stirring up agitation against the Government in India?

I think the hon. Member has as much influence with the hon. Gentleman as I have.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Calcutta protest against the Durbar boons has come under the notice of the Secretary of State for India; if so, whether he proposes to reconsider the proposed location of the Department of Commerce and Industry and of the Railway Department of Delhi, the method of financing the creation of a ceremonial capital at Delhi partly from loans and partly from such spare revenues as may annually become available, and the alleged inadequate representation of European commerce in the Bengal Legislative Council; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, what steps he proposes to take upon the said protest?

The Secretary of State is aware that the Bengal Chamber of Commerce addressed the Government of India on these points, and received a detailed reply. That reply has his entire concurrence and he has nothing to add to it.

asked whether the reduction for the long period of service for the Indian police is still under consideration; and when a decision upon this question may be expected?

The question is still under consideration, but me Secretary of State expects to receive a Report from the Government of India very shortly.

asked at what cost to Indian revenues has a Board of Revenue been created for the new province of Behar; and whether it is intended to retain this institution in addition to an executive council?

The cost of the Board of Revenue as now established in the new province of Behar-Orissa is approximately the same as that of the Board of Revenue in the former province of Eastern Bengal and Assam—namely, about two lakhs of rupees a year. The matter referred to in the latter part of the question is still under consideration.

asked what extra cost to the revenues of India will result from the representation of the three administrations of Behar, Bengal, and Assam, as compared with the cost in the case of the two lieutenant-governorships of Bengal and Eastern Bengal?

If the hon. Member means the cost of legislative councils, the estimated increase will be £133 a year, if a legislative council is established in Assam. If he means the total cost of legislative and executive councils, the estimated increase will be £14,266 a year.

asked whether official Reports have been received by the Secretary of State or by the Government of India to the effect that the poppy is now once more largely grown in the provinces of Kansu, Yunnan, and Szechuan; and whether the Chinese Republic has formally adopted the obligations of the late Imperial Chinese Government in respect of the discontinuance of the growth of the poppy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given, yesterday to the hon. Member for Hornsey. That reply was as follows:—"Reports have been received that opium cultivation is proceeding in certain provinces of China, over which in the present circumstances the Chinese Government are unable to exercise any effective control. His Majesty's Government are, however, confident that with the full restoration of order the Chinese Government will take the necessary steps to ensure the enforcement of the suppression of the cultivation of opium throughout China."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th May,. 1912, col. 1534.]

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?

We believe the present Chinese Government is as much in earnest on this question as the late Chinese Government.

Will it take over the obligations?

There is only a provisional Government in China now, but if there is any reluctance shown to take over the obligations for the suppression of opium cultivation the whole question will have to be gone into.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War, whether he is aware that the chief ordnance officer at Weedon has issued a regulation that members of the fire brigade who live in provided quarters must only have wives and children living with them; whether he is aware that one of the members of the fire brigade who has his father-in-law, an old man, living with him has been instructed that he must either leave the quarters or get rid of his father-in-law; whether he is aware that the man in question has had a father-in-law living with him for about eleven years without any interference; whether it is competent for a chief ordnance officer commanding a depot to issue such an order without consultation with the War Office; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to the threatened hardship on the man in question being avoided?

The replies to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. The father-in-law in question was brought into the quarters about a year ago and not eleven years ago as stated. It is competent for a chief ordnance officer to issue such an order. It is regretted if hardship has resulted, but it is considered that it was rightly decided to confine the occupation of the quarters to the wives and children of employés.

asked the number of young men over the age of twenty in the year 1910 in Germany, in France, and in the United Kingdom, respectively; and what was the total number enrolled in each country in that year for naval and military training?

The numbers who arrived at the age of twenty in 1910 and the numbers who were enrolled for naval and military training were approximately as follow:—

Germany 540,000 285,000 (excluding Land-sturm and Ersatz Reserve) France 316,000 290,000 United Kingdom 397,000 88,000

asked what number of staff officers, trained at the Staff College, are available for each division of the Territorial Force after the Regular Army has been mobilised?

It is impracticable to say definitely what number of such officers would be available; those that were at the time serving with the Territorial Force and others on the General Reserve would be available.

asked the number of men supplied by the Militia during the South African War for service in South Africa, for garrison duty in the Mediterranean and Egypt, and for embodied units in the United Kingdom, respectively?

The average strength of the Militia during the war was 96,674; of these 45,566 went to South Africa and 5,922 went to Malta, Egypt and St. Helena, leaving at home an average of 45,186.

What was the proportion of the Militia Reserve furnished to the forces in South Africa?

I should like notice of that question. I am not quite certain as to the figures.

asked whether a lieutenant-general on the Army Council would lose over £1,800 a year if he resigned as a result of not agreeing with the policy of the Council?

On the assumption that the officer in question went to half-pay, he would lose £1,850 a year.

Is not this exposing a soldier to the same temptation as a politician—to hold on to his position against his judgment. Is it quite fair to ask such an officer to give an unbiassed judgment under such circumstances?

That is a point the hon. Member must decide for himself.

asked whether there were any units recruited from foreign sources during the Crimean War; if so, how many units were thus raised; what was the total number of foreigners enlisted; and what was the number of men of each nationality represented in these foreign legions?

The information available is as follows:—

Turkish Contingent.—Composed of Turkish subjects principally officered by Englishmen, 22,335.

German Legion.—Composed principally of natives of the various States of Germany officered by Englishmen and Germans, 9,300.

Italian Legion.—Raised in Sardinia and composed of natives of the various Italian States—officered by Englishmen and Italians, from 3,000 to 4,000.

Swiss Legion.—About 3,000.

Polish Legion.—About 1,500.

asked the total strength of the French Colonial Army, counting white troops only, but including those serving in France and in all French oversea possessions; and whether the men for the French Colonial Army are raised by voluntary enlistment?

The total strength is 50,302. The men are recruited by voluntary enlistment, but if enough men are not obtained by voluntary enlistment the deficiency may be made good by allotting to the Colonial Army in France recruits from the annual contingent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to publish the first instalment of the evidence taken by the Committee on the relations between Imperial and local finance, which it was anticipated would be ready by the end of March?

I understand that it was not found possible until the end of last month to complete the taking of the oral evidence proposed to be included in the volume. The volume is in the printer's hands, but the correction of the proof may take some little time.

May we understand that the first instalment will be published shortly?

I hope so.

asked whether, in view of statements made on behalf of the Government at the time of the by-election in the South Somerset Division, the Treasury will, under Section 1 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, consent to a special Order bringing all outworkers in Great Britain within the provisions of the Act in accordance with the recommendation of the Outworkers' Committee?

asked whether, in view of the Report of the Committee on Outworkers, he is prepared to give Treasury sanction to the inclusion by special Order under the proviso to Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the National InsuranceiAct,1911, to married women outworkers excepted from insurance under Part II. of the First Schedule to the Act; and whether he is prepared to state the grounds on which married women outworkers were specially excluded?

The Outworkers' Committee have reported in favour of the ultimate inclusion of all married women outworkers. With regard to the reasons for the insertion of paragraph ( j ) in Part II. of the First Schedule excepting certain of these out- workers, I would refer the hon. Member to the discussion which took place in this House on 21st November, 1911. The recommendations contained in the Report of the Outworkers' Committee are still under consideration. No immediate action is proposed and no special order will in any case be made without full opportunities being first given to persons affected to have objections investigated at a public inquiry before such Order comes into force.

Was there any reason for excluding these women outworkers from the operation of the Act, except the immediate political necessities of the Government?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Debate—

I know it well.

If the hon. Member will let me complete my answer, and if he will refer to the Debate he will find that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave in full his reasons for excluding them.

In view of the fact that these women are scattered and unorganised, will sufficiently long time be allowed for them to become aware of the new Order, seeing that the Government have changed their mind since last November?

I have said that no immediate action is contemplated.

Seeing that the House gave its decision, will it have an opportunity of discussing the question again before the decision is reversed?

I cannot give that undertaking, because the House also decided that the Commissioners should have power to make such an Order.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer be here to-morrow? If so I will raise the question on the Adjournment.

If the hon. Member intimates his desire to raise the matter on the Adjournment, I will convey the intimation to the proper quarters.

asked whether it is proposed that officers of Customs and Excise should undertake certain duties in connection with the administration of the National Insurance Act; and, if so, what is the nature of those duties?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. If my hon. and gallant Friend would be good enough to put down a question on the subject after the Whitsuntide recess, I hope to be able to give him more detailed information as to the proposed duties than is possible at present.

Will they have any increased remuneration. They are already over-worked?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked whether it is proposed to furnish local authorities, or any other authorities not being persons interested in the land or authorised by them, with particulars of valuations under Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; if so, whether there is any authority for disclosing such valuations to such persons or authorities; and from what provision of such Act, or what other source, such authority is derived?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and accordingly the other parts of the question do not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Philip Coker, having been sentenced by the Court of Lagos in January, 1910, to a term of nine months' imprisonment, was released on petition, after investigation, on the 14th June, 1910, on the ground of wrongful conviction; and on what grounds the petition, signed by the three assessors who took part in his trial and eighty-four inhabitants of Lagos, praying for a free pardon for Philip Coker and the opportunity of reinstatement in the Government service, was rejected by the Secretary of State?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The power to grant pardon is conferred by Order in Council on the Governor or Acting Governor, and it is the practice not to interfere with his discretion. The petition referred to was considered by the Secretary of State, but as neither the Governor nor the Chief Justice was of opinion that any new facts had been brought to light which would justify the grant of a pardon, he decided that there were no sufficient grounds for intervention. It is not the case that the prisoner was released on the ground of wrongful conviction.

asked whether a London daily financial paper is organising a large party of representative British manufacturers and leading commercial and financial men to visit Canada, with the object of investigating the opportunities there for the erection of branch factories, of furthering the extension of British trade with Canada, and the investment of capital in that country; whether the Canadian Government, recognising the importance of improving the commercial relations between this country and Canada, has expressed its cordial sympathy with the objects in view, and is co-operating with and assisting the organisers of the party; and whether the Government will take any steps to assist British traders to obtain a greater share of the immense volume of Canada's trade which at present is carried, on with the United States?

The Secretary of State has seen the reports in the Press referred to. His Majesty's Government, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, maintain a Trade Commissioner in Canada for the purpose of promoting British trade, and an inquiry into the trade of the Empire is about to be held. The Government are always ready to take any practicable steps with a view to assisting British trade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman or his colleague consider the desirability of increasing the staff of the Board of Trade Commissioner in Canada, who has already done such very good work, and who has to compete with 260 American agents?

I will convey the point raised by the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend.

Is it not a fact that the Canadian Government in this case have found a sum of $15,000 to assist this group of traders?

I do not know.

That is a question of detail.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can see his way to introduce an Amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act permitting boards of guardians to recover the cost of the maintenance of old age pensioners who become chargeable to the common fund of the union by making it obligatory upon pension officers to pay the amount of the pension falling due to such pensioners during the period of their chargeability to the board of guardians, and that old age pensioners who go into the workhouse should have their pensions continued with a view to repaying the board of guardians the cost of maintenance?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the late Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for the Tewkesbury Division on the 15th November last.

asked in view of the complaints that some old persons fail to obtain their statutory rights owing to the inability of pension and postal officials to explain the Law and rules and elicit the facts in the Irish language, and of the fact that competent officials for this purpose are in the service where this knowledge is unnecessary, whether, in all future transfers of officials, Irish speakers will be sent to Irish-speaking districts; and whether rules under the Old Age Pensions Acts and under the National Insurance Act, printed in Irish in leaflet form, will be distributed among persons concerned whose knowledge of English is imperfect or nil?

Preference is given as far as possible to Irish-speaking officers in selecting pension officers for Irish-speaking districts. With regard to the latter part of the question I am not sure to what rules under the Old Age Pensions Act the hon. Member refers. Official organisers with a knowledge of Irish have been sent to Irish-speaking districts to explain the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Act and the Commissioners are making arrangements for the translation into Irish of all leaflets which would be of interest to the inhabitants of such districts.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether assistant teachers who have been recognised as un-certificated teachers under Articles 50 and 51 of previous Elementary School Codes will now be allowed to join the teachers' superannuation fund?

I hope shortly to introduce a Bill to amend the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, but any statement of its contents beyond what was foreshadowed in the answer of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week to a deputation from the National Union of Teachers must, I think, be postponed until the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the names of the Welsh Commissioners to be appointed under the Established Church (Wales) Bill will be given to the House; and whether he can give an assurance that they will, in accordance with the Irish precedent, be all three members of the Church in Wales?

I am unable to make any statement at present.

Can we assume, at any rate, that a Welsh Nonconformist will not be appointed?

No, Sir.

Shall we have the information before the Committee stage comes on?

No, I think not. It is a matter that can be properly discussed on the Committee stage.

Can we have the information before the Committee stage comes to an end?

I think so, but there may be a certain amount of difficulty in finding suitable persons, therefore I should not like to make any definite promise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to put into the Established Church (Wales) Bill any definition of a member of the Church in Wales, giving the qualification for voting power in the establishment of the Synod or of the Representative Body?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Denbigh Boroughs on 13th May. It is not the present intention of the Government to insert a definition in the Bill, but I shall be glad to consider any proposals which may be made in Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (1) he has received representations from Metropolitan borough and other councils upon the subject of the continuous and systematic use of selected thoroughfares by the owners of heavy motor vehicles and the additional and heavy expenditure necessary for the upkeep of such routes, and urging that legislation is urgently needed to enable local road authorities to recover from such owners additional contributions to local expenses; and whether such representations have been considered; if so, with what result; (2) whether he has received representations from the Deptford Borough Council and other local authorities, with reference to motor omnibus traffic in London, urging that the proprietors of mechanically-propelled vehicles should be brought under contribution for the repair and upkeep of the roads over which they travel in the Metropolitan boroughs, and that the borough councils should have a veto on the use by such vehicles of roads which, in their opinion, are unsafe or otherwise unsuitable for such traffic; whether consideration has been given to such representations; if so, will he state the result; and (3) whether he has received representations from the Deptford Borough Council and from a conference of Metropolitan borough councils, suggesting that the Chief Commissioner of Police or the Home Office should prescribe remedial measures of a compulsory nature to compel the proprietors of motor omnibuses to provide proper and efficient mudguards for the protection of ratepayers' properties on the various lines of route in the Metropolis for reasons stated in such resolutions; whether consideration has been given to those representations; and, if so, can he state the result?

I have received and considered the various representations referred to. The question of additional taxation of mechanically propelled vehicles for maintenance of the roads is one for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider. As regards the proposed power of veto, the Local Government Board already have power, under Section 8 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, to prohibit motor-car traffic or roads which are very narrow, or where such traffic would be specially dangerous; but there are strong reasons against giving local authorities a special veto on the use of particular roads by motor omnibuses. These omnibuses provide facilities for locomotion which are a boon to the great majority of Londoners. I am afraid that I can add nothing to the replies given by my predecessor and myself to numerous questions on the subject of mudguards for motor omnibuses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the voluntary schools in the Isle of Man do not receive financial aid to The extent enjoyed by other public elementary schools in the island, and that as a consequence of such differential treatment the children and teachers in such schools are placed at a disadvantage; and whether he will recommend the Governor to place before the island legislature proposals for placing the voluntary schools on a satisfactory footing and for carrying out such other educational reforms as shall put the island schools in a position equal to that enjoyed by public elementary schools in Great Britain?

I have no sufficient information on the subject, but I will communicate with the Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know the result of his communication?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that foreigners can subsidise their manufacturers with the object of assisting them and of giving them an advantage in competition with British and Irish manufacturers for contracts within the Indian Empire as long as fair wages are paid, he can say whether these conditions apply to the other Crown Colonies and to the United Kingdom; and how he finds out whether foreign manufacturers pay fair wages?

I have no information with regard to the Crown Colonies, but with regard to the United Kingdom would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Manchester, on 28th July, 1910, of which I am sending him a copy.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether, if the Chinese and Japanese are paid 1s. a day for making similar goods, for which our men are paid 5s., that would be fair wages?

The hon. Member must give notice of details.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the North-Eastern Railway Company has withdrawn over 100 trains from its time-table as existing before the coal strike, in addition to curtailing facilities for travelling in other respects; and what steps, if any, he is able to take to minimise the loss and inconvenience to the public thus caused?

I have received no previous complaints in this matter, but I have forwarded a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the railway company for their observations, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply. I may mention that the Board of Trade have already been in communication with the company on this subject, and it was understood that the ordinary passenger service, subject to a few exceptions, was to be resumed as from the 1st May, and that the goods service was gradually being brought back to the normal.

Is it not to the public advantage that railways should be encouraged to economise by withdrawing unnecessary trains?

That is a question on which I could not very well express an opinion at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he has received representations from the Great Crosby Urban District Council with regard to the inadequacy of the exits from the carriages, and the lack of non-inflammable materials in the construction of such carriages, on the electric services of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the interest of the safety of passengers travelling on these lines?

The council have written to the Board of Trade on the subject. The question of the means of exit from the carriages to which the hon. Member refers was carefully considered by an inspecting officer of railways, who inquired into an accident at Marsh Lane Junction in 1909, and he expressed the view that the adoption of end doors in the carriages of this railway was not attended with extra risk to passengers in case of fire. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the report on the accident, which includes also some recommendations by the electrical adviser of the Board of Trade with regard to the construction of the carriages, and these recommendations have, I understand, been adopted by the railway company.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the building for the extension of the South Kensington Spirit Museum is to be placed in the Natural History Museum Gardens, facing Cromwell Road; and, if so, will he state the reasons why this particular site has been selected, and whether any other sites have been considered?

It has been proposed, and the proposal has been accepted by the Trustees of the British Museum to place the Spirit Museum in the gardens facing Cromwell Road. This site has been selected because it is the most convenient for the purpose. Other sites have been considered, but have been abandoned as they would interfere with the future extension of the Natural History Museum.

Is the Spirit Museum an extension of the Natural History Museum, and is the site that has been selected not likely to be a public danger to the inhabitants of Cromwell Road?

In reply to the first question the Spirit Museum is not an extension of the Natural History Museum; and in reply to the second question there is already a Spirit Museum in the neighbourhood of the Natural History Museum.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what a Spirit Museum is; is it connected with psychical research?

Are there any spooks there?

A Spirit Museum is a museum for preserving specimens in spirit.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that school caretakers employed by local education committees are in many cases paid low wages, out of which they are required to provide paid assistance, and that when this has been done and all other charges have been met, as, for instance, full or part cost of cleaning materials, the balance of net wages is in some cases as low as 2d. per hour, or even less,. for a seventy-two hours' working week; and if he will make it a condition for the receipt of State Grant by a local education committee that these sweating conditions shall be put an end to where they now exist?

I am not in any way responsible for the conditions and terms of employment of school caretakers, and I have no knowledge of the facts referred to in the first part of the question. The matter is one for the local education authorities and the ratepayers whom they represent, and I have no power to intervene.

asked what is the number of national school teachers who have left the service since 1900 without any pension; the number who left with pensions reduced from the scale to which they were entitled; the number of present pensions that are less than £26 a year; and whether there is any prospect of ex-teachers whose records are good being given pensions according to scale?

The number of teachers who have left the service since 1900 without pension is 5,204, of whom 2,286 have been subsequently reappointed. All teachers have received the scale of pension to which they were entitled, but some were not qualified by age for superannuation, and in 909 cases owing to early retirement less than the maximum pension was payable. Nine hundred and fifty-eight teachers now receive pensions of less than £26 a year. Ex-teachers who have retired without being qualified for full pension can qualify by obtaining re-employment.

Will the hon. Gentleman give a reference to the scale upon which they are paid these pensions of less than £26 a year?

I have a copy of the scale here and shall be very glad to give it to the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is now in a position to state the result of the consideration he has been so long giving to the salaries and pensions of of Irish national school teachers; whether the rule of the Commissioners of National, Education promising increase of salary on promotion from a lower to a higher grade is still in force; from how many teachers has this increase been withheld for some time after promotion; from how many promoted teachers is it now withheld; how much money has been saved in this way; whether a saving is made at the expense of any other class of public servants by breach of a rule under which they are employed; and whether the character of the work and the scale of pay and pension warrant this difference of treatment?

As regards teachers' pensions, I would refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury to a question asked by the hon. Member for West Kerry on the 14th instant. There has been no recent alteration in the Rules with regard to the promotion of teachers. The numbers in each grade are fixed and forty-three teachers are still awaiting vacancies in higher grades before they become entitled to increased salaries. It is not correct to speak of a saving being thus effected. All public servants, so far as I am aware, have to wait for vacancies before obtaining promotion.

asked the amount of the minimum pension actually being paid to an ex-school teacher in Ireland; the amount of the pension being paid in the case, Roll No. 11,788, Circuit 14; and the scale or method of calculation by which, these pensions have been fixed?

The lowest pension actually paid at the present time is a disablement pension of £2 16s. awarded together with an immediate grant of £18 4s. to a teacher of the third grade who retired from ill-health at the age of thirty-seven after twelve years' service. In the case mentioned by the hon. Member the pension was commuted in 1906, the teacher receiving in all £101. Disablement grants are calculated according to No. 10 of the Rules framed in 1897, under the National School Teachers (Ireland) Act, 1879, and Table C in the First Part of the First Schedule thereto. They consist of an immediate payment equal to the amount of the teacher's contributions up to date with compound interest, together with a pension based on the amount of such contributions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the names of the British representatives upon the International Wireless Telegraphy Conference which is to meet in London on 4th June; and whether any such representatives are charged with the duty of specially representing the interests of the Dominions or other Colonies?

The names of the gentlemen appointed as the British representatives at the forthcoming International Radio-telegraphic Conference, are:— Sir H. Babington Smith, K.C.B., C.S.I. Mr. E. W. Farnall. Mr. R. J. Mackay. Mr. F. W. Home. Commander F. G. Loring, R.N. Captain E. F. B. Charlton, Ad. C, R.N. Commander W. R. W. Kettlewell, R.N. Lieutenant John A. Slee, R.N. Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. W. Macdonogh. Major R. H. H. Boys, D.S.O. Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and South Africa are sending special representatives. The interests of other British possessions will be looked after by the British delegates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that five out of the six French delegates are specially charged with the duty of looking after the interests of French Colonies, and under these circumstances would it not be desirable that British Colonies and Dominions should have special representation?

I do not think that is necessary. We are more fortunate than the French delegation in having a number of Colonial representatives in addition to the others appointed.

Is there any delegate with a special knowledge of the wireless needs of the West Indies?

Yes. The Colonial Office consults the Post Office in all these matters, and the expert advisers of the Colonial Office are Post Office men.

asked when it is proposed to proceed with the Finance Bill?

I am not yet able to fix a date, but I hope it will be soon.

Is it intended to proceed, if not with the Finance Bill, with the Resolutions on which the Finance Bill is to be founded, and is it the intention of the Government that the Finance Bill should pass into law before we adjourn in August?

The second question I cannot answer. With regard to the first, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether any answer has been received from the Convocations of Canterbury and York to the letters of business issued in 1906; and, if not, whether he has received any intimation as to the probability of the Convocations agreeing in any reply thereto; and whether he has been informed of the reasons for the delay in compliance with the aforesaid letters of business?

In view of the intricacy and importance of the matters referred to the two Convocations in 1906, it was not to be expected that any conclusions could be arrived at without lengthy discussion and consideration. I hope, however, that at no distant date the final result of their deliberations may be embodied in a reply from the Convocations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the practice in certain countries by which expenditure under the head of Secret Service is communicated in confidence to a Budget Committee, with a view to some similar arrangement in this country?

I am not aware that the practice referred to by the hon. Member exists in any foreign country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries and inform himself as I have informed myself?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with a case in point I will certainly inquire into it.

Is it not the fact that nearly all foreign Governments have means of obtaining money for Secret Service otherwise than through Votes in Parliament?

That is not the substance of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, if it be shown that there is a strong volume of opinion amongst Members of the House of Commons in favour of the enactment of the Political Offenders Bill, down for Second Reading on Tuesday, he will endeavour to give the time necessary to enable the Bill to pass this Session?

I am afraid that at this period of the Session it is impossible for the Government to give facilities for Private Members' Bills.

Will the Government consider the advisability of putting the terms of the Bill into practice without the Bill being passed?

I have not given sufficient study to the subject to answer that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to say what is a political offender?

So far as my researches have gone, there is no case in which in my Department any distinction has been drawn between political and any other offenders.

Is it not a fact that Dr. Jameson and his colleagues were treated as political offenders?

No. I have investigated that case and, although the offenders in question were treated differently, it was not on the ground that they were political offenders.

Was it because of their social status?

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that one of the terms mutually agreed to six years ago by the vendors and tenant purchasers of the Reid and M'Endoo estate in Westmeath was that the untenanted grass farm called Nolah would be sold for distribution and enlargement of the uneconomic holdings; whether he has seen letters from Messrs. Crookshank, Leech, and Davies, the vendors' solicitors, persistently attempting to defeat that term of sale on the express ground that the Land Act of 1909 renders its performance impossible; whether there is any foundation for that assertion; and, if not, whether the Estates Commissioners will enforce that term of the agreement, distribute the land to which it relates, and remove that cause of turmoil in the district?

My right hon. Friend has seen the correspondence referred to. The condition as regards the sale of the untenanted lands of Nowlagh was that, with the exception of a small portion which the owners desired to retain as an adjunct to the demesne, the lands were to be sold to the tenants direct in such lots and at such prices as might be agreed on. No purchase agreements were entered into between the parties for the sale of these lands prior to the Act of 1909, and under that Act no advances can now be made under Section 2 of the Act of 1903 for the sale of parcels of untenanted land by landlords direct to the tenants.

What do the Irish Government intend to do with reference to this land? Will they allow the Act of 1909 to lock it up or will they free it?

The restriction refers to parcels of land and not to holdings.

But will the Irish Government allow the Act of 1909 to lock up the land?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state when the work on the Valentia chain ferry will be commenced?

The Congested Districts Board have instructed two engineers to prepare plans for the proposed work. The plans have not yet been received, and no decision has yet been arrived at.

asked what progress has been made by the Congested Districts Board in valuing the estates of Trinity College and of the Knight of Kerry, in Cahirciveen and Valentia respectively?

The valuation of the properties referred to has been completed, and the Congested Districts Board hope to be in a position to consider the question of making offers for the purchase of these estates at their meeting in June next.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to acquire the Lynch estate, at Barna, near Galway; whether he is aware of the congestion in this parish, which was till 1909 outside the operations of the Board; and whether he is aware that the landlord, by creating new tenancies, is barring the way to any possible provision of economic holdings for the existing tenants?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner of this estate, but up to the present it has not been offered for sale to the Board. They have no information as regards the last paragraph of the question.

asked whether, under the proposed Government of Ireland Bill, the Irish Parliament will be at liberty to maintain an agent-general, commercial agent, or other special representative in any foreign State, or in any other part of His Majesty's Dominions?

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs (4) and (7) of Clause 2 of the Bill.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain how the provision preventing legislation with respect to treaties and foreign relations can prevent the executive for appointing agents-general to other countries?

The paragraphs I have referred to have the intention of meeting the point raised by the hon. Member. Whether they do or do not is a matter for argument.

Do paragraphs 4 and 7 give liberty to maintain these people or not?