asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the statement of one of the official lecturers that a midwife working on her own account, and subject to no authority but the Central Mid-wives Board, is exempt from the compulsory clauses of the National Insurance Act, while a nurse in private practice would be compelled to insure, because she is subject to the authority of the medical man in charge of her case; and whether, in view of the number of nurses interested, he will say if the above statement is a correct description of the position of the nurses referred to?

As I understand the lecturer in question indicated the liability to compulsory insurance depends upon the actual circumstances attending engagement. Apart from special grounds of exclusion those who are employed under contract of service must be insured. In view of the different terms and conditions under which nurses and midwives work, no general statement can be made which would apply in every case. The Commissioners will, however, issue a statement at as early a date as possible dealing with the main classes of engagement as nurses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the county of Middlesex Exchequer Contribution Fund is no longer adequate to the demands made upon it, and that in consequence the Middlesex County Council have notified the other local bodies in Middlesex that they are able to defray 60 per cent, only of the cost of such charges as have hitherto been met from this fund; and will he say whether he is prepared to take steps to increase the fund by allocating to it additional sources of revenue, or by any other means?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not prepared to take steps such as are suggested in the second part of the question in regard to this particular aspect of the relations between Imperial and local finance until the general question can be dealt with as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the Budget Committee of the German Reichstag has passed the Bill providing for an increase in the German navy, he is prepared to make a full statement as to the disposition of the realised surplus of six and a-half millions on last year's accounts?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now say for what purpose he intends to use the surplus of £6,500,000?

With regard to these questions, I am afraid I can only refer the hon. Members to my previous statements in the House on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the concessions in respect to superannuation, which he has announced to a deputation of teachers, will apply to national school teachers in Ireland; if so, will he state the details of the Government proposals as applied to them; whether provision is to be made this year; and whether the teachers who have already retired will share in the increased benefit?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in order to allay the anxiety of those teachers who retired in recent years and those who may retire during the current year, he will state if the advantages of the proposed pension scheme for the Irish national teachers is to be made retrospective?

I will answer this question and No. 116, in the name of the hon. Member for North Kilkenny together. I fear I can add nothing at present to the answer given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for West Kerry on the 14th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can lay upon the Table any Rules or Regulations issued by the Treasury for the payment of the salaries of Members of Parliament; if he can state if these salaries accrue from day to day and are payable to the executors of a Member up to the day of his death; and from what date the salary runs, whether from the date of the Member's election or from the date when he takes his seat in the House?

No such Regulations have been issued by the Treasury. The salaries of deceased Members are payable to their executors up to the day of death. The salary runs from the date of the return of the election in the Crown office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is collecting Mineral Right Duties on sandstone and fire-clay; and, if not, will he say why this is not done?

Mineral Rights Duty is being collected in respect of fireclay, but not in respect of sandstone, which, in virtue of its composition, has been regarded as falling within the exemption contained in Section 20 (5) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what Minerals Duty is being collected under the provisions of the Mineral Rights Duty; and what minerals are allowed to escape free?

To obtain the information asked for by the hon. Member would involve a laborious examination of a large number of assessments for which at present I see no sufficient justification.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what loans for the housing of miners have been made during the past six years ending the 31st December, 1911, under Section 67 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, in the counties of Nottingham, Derby, and York, respectively; the total amount of loans made in the same period and for the like purpose in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively; (2) whether he is aware that the Public Loan Commissioners have refused applications for loans under the Housing Act for miners without even making any local inquiries whatsoever as to the needs of housing or the congestion and overcrowding prevailing owing to want of houses; whether he has sanctioned this method of dealing with such applications; whether he is aware that the Commissioners refuse to discuss the merits of any scheme, merely replying that they are only responsible to Parliament for their decisions; (3) whether, seeing that Clause 67 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, provides that, to encourage the better housing of working men, loans amounting to 50 per cent, on the cost may be advanced for this purpose, he will say what steps, if any, he has taken to encourage and further the provisions of this Bill; whether he has since his term of office placed at the disposal of the Loan Commissioners sufficient funds to enable them to carry out the Act, whether the Loan Commissioners have had to refuse loans for this purpose having regard to the amount of money placed at their disposal by him; (4) if he will say, in view of the statement he made at Cardiff on the 29th December, 1911, that the housing conditions in certain districts in South Wales were a disgrace to civilisation, whether he is aware that the Public Loan Commissioners have recently refused to sanction loans for the housing of miners in Yorkshire to a Welsh firm of builders on the ground that such a scheme was not of public benefit; whether he is aware that this refusal has resulted in the builders erecting cheap houses without baths and the other conveniences which are compulsory under the Housing Act; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; (5) whether, seeing the Public Works Loan Commissioners number seventeen gentlemen, fourteen of whom at least are bankers and assurance directors controlling the largest banks and financial houses in the City, he will, in approving new appointments to this body, take steps to ensure that the commercial and working classes in this country are also represented; (6) if he will state the total number of attendances made fey each of the Public Works Loan Commissioners during the year 1911, the total number of meetings of the whole board held during the same period, and the average number of Commissioners present at such board meetings; (7) whether he is aware that sums of money are advanced to colliery companies by bankers for the building of miners' houses at 5 per cent, interest, and that the payment of this rate of interest necessitates miners' rents being considerably higher than if the money was advanced under the Housing of the Working Classes Act; whether he will consider the advisability of placing money at the disposal of the Public Works Loan Commissioners in order that the building of workmen's dwellings may be carried out under the Housing Act of 1890 rather than by bankers' loans; and (8) whether, seeing that under Section 4 (2) of the Housing and Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909 public utility societies are entitled to receive loans from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for the building of workmen's houses, he is aware that the Loan Commissioners, in reply to an application on behalf of workmen who wished to avail themselves of this Section of the Act, stated in reply that it was necessary the workmen should first form themselves into such a society, when queries to elicit the information the Board required would then be addressed to such society; and will he say generally what are the queries in question, seeing the workmen might incur the expense of forming themselves into a society and then be refused a loan on the ground that such a loan was not in the public interest?

The Government are considering the question of the powers of the Public Works Loan Commissioners with reference to advances for the building of workmen's dwellings under the Housing Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the amount, issue price, and the date of the two last issues of Two and Three-quarters per Cent. Irish Land Stock; and whether any public issue of Land Stock is contemplated within the current financial year?

The date, amount and issue price of the two last public issues of Guaranteed 2¾ per Cent. Stock are as follows:—

1906—June 12 … 7,000,000 89 1908—July 4 … 5,000,000 89½

It will depend upon circumstances whether a public issue of Guaranteed Stock will be necessary in the present financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the delay, in some instances amounting to six weeks, occasioned to executors and trustees on the passing of accounts by the Estate Duty Office consequent on the recently introduced regulation directing that the values returned in accounts should be referred to district valuation officers to be checked, he will effect an amendment of such regulation in the case of properties returned as actually sold; and whether he will consider the possibility of modifying the regulations of the department so as to ensure reasonable despatch in the conduct of business, and particularly to relieve executors and trustees from the obligation of duplicating correspondence, as at present they are required to furnish information to the valuation officer already supplied in the accounts?

It is not possible to effect the Amendment suggested in the first part of the question, as it is necessary to ascertain whether property returned as sold has, in fact, realised the market price estimated as at the time of the deceased's death. With regard to the second part of the question, every effort is already made to ensure despatch in the conduct of business, and to ensure that the valuation officer is furnished with all necessary information which has been supplied in the accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a claim for substituted value under Section 2 of the Revenue Act, 1911, recently made by the mortgage of a fee simple, has been refused by the Commissioners on the ground that the section does not apply to a mortgage in fee simple, although under the principal Act substituted value is allowed in the case both of a transfer on sale and of a mortgage of the fee simple; and whether he will introduce legislation to remedy this state of affairs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not think it necessary to introduce amending legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a reply to the petition of the Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation, dated January, 1908, may be expected; and whether such reply may be considered imminent?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the previous answers I have given my hon. Friend.

asked if any grant from the Imperial Exchequer is given towards the superannuation scheme to the fire brigade officers in London; and, if so, is a similar amount given towards the superannuation scheme for fire brigade officers in other parts of the country?

The answer is in the negative. A sum of £10,000 is paid (see Civil Service Estimates Class I., Vote 14, Sub-head G) as a special contribution to the London County Council to the expenses of maintaining the Fire Brigade under the Act 28, 29 Vic. c. 90, Section 18, in addition to the contribution in lieu of rates on Government property in London for the Fire Brigade.

also asked the number of transactions in Consol stocks during the last four financial years; the total amount of stock bought by the public and by Government Departments, respectively; and the number of transactions under £l,000?

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what number of officers, formerly Customs port clerks, second class, upper section, will by the limitation of the number of vacancies in the grade of surveyor open to their body be compelled permanently to remain in the officer grade of the Customs and Excise service; and what is the approximate average age at which these clerks will have exhausted all opportunities of obtaining promotion?

There are upwards of eighty men in this class. Of these forty-two will be promoted to the surveyor grade as a result of success in limited competition, provided they reach a certain qualifying standard. Those who are unsuccessful will remain in the officer grade, but under the provisions of the Amalgamation Committee's Report those who are efficient will be allowed to progress to £400, (i.e., £100 above the maximum of the officer grade). The approximate age at which these officers will exhaust their opportunities of promotion cannot be stated in advance.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state in what way Customs officials hold office at the pleasure of the Board; whether there is any limitation to the nature of the duties that established Civil servants may be required to perform; and, generally, to what extent a Civil servant is liable to perform duties that have hitherto been performed by a grade of officer recruited by a separate and distinct examination?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 3 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876 (39 and 40 Vic, c. 36) and Section 4 of the Inland Revenue Regulation Act, 1890 (53 and 54 Vic, c. 21). As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer him to my answers to questions put to me by the Noble Lord the Member for West Perthshire on the 8th instant. It is, I think obvious that when the duties of a Department are increased or varied it must be left to the head of that Department to decide in what manner they should be allocated to the staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Report of the Customs and Excise Amalgamation Committee recommended that Customs port clerks, who at entry were conditioned to an attendance of seven hours per day and have hitherto received payment at fixed rates approved by the Treasury for all attendance in excess of seven hours on any one day, shall in future be held liable to an attendance of forty-eight hours per week without additional remuneration save only the sum of £3 per annum; and whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted by the Treasury as to its legal powers to enforce this change?

The Treasury have no intention of consulting the Law Officers on this point. I went into the matter very carefully with a deputation of Customs and Excise officials which attended before me recently.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of money received by the Road Board up to 25th March last for the purposes of road improvement, the sum advanced by that body to local authorities towards the cost of such improvements, and the amount contributed by local authorities out of the rates as their share of the cost of the work carried out to the same date?

The total sum issued from the Exchequer to the credit of the Road Improvement Fund up to the 31st March last was £2,072,500. The total advances made by the Road Board up to that date amounted to £517,114 by way of Grant, and £36,613 by way of loan, and the additional advances indicated, of which details are in course of settlement, amounted to £493,724 by way of Grant, and £94,867 by way of loan. In addition to the above, the London County Council, the Middlesex County Council, and other authorities concerned have been informed that in the event of steps being taken by them in the immediate future to construct a new western approach road in London from Hounslow, via Brentford and Hammersmith, at an estimated total cost of £1,750,000, the Road Board will, subject to Treasury approval, be prepared to make Grants thereto to an aggregate amount of £875,000. The Road Board have no information as to the cost of the work actually carried out up to the 31st March, but the amount claimed from them under Grants and paid by them up to that date was £254,258, and it is estimated that the amount spent by highway authorities would be about one-third of that sum, or £84,753.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in his evidence before the Customs and Excise Amalgamation Committee, Sir L. N. Guillemard, K.C.B., chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise, recommended that the most junior grade in each branch of the amalgamated departments, that is, Customs port clerks, second class, lower section, assistants of Customs and assistants of Excise, should be given some immediate increase in salary to compensate for the loss of the jump in salary they would have had on promotion in their former services; whether he is aware that the jump in salary that could reasonably have been expected by the senior Customs port clerks was far greater than that commonly obtaining in the case of either Customs or Excise assistants; and whether he will explain why the recommendation of the chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise was adopted in regard to assistants of Customs and assistants of Excise but ignored in the case of Customs port clerks?

The chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise stated in evidence that some measure of special consideration should be given to lower section clerks on absorption into the new officer grade. The committee, after hearing all the evidence, decided to give that special consideration to these clerks in the shape of a special maximum of £400—i.e., £100 above the officers' maximum. This concession, I may point out, was not extended to the other classes referred to in the question—namely, Customs and Excise assistants.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Treasury to increase the State Superannuation Grant for national school teachers; whether he is aware that a superannuation pension scheme based wholly on the contributory principle has been drawn up and submitted by a committee acting on behalf of employés in Government factories; and whether he will take steps to provide that the advantages of a superannuation scheme wholly financed by the State should equally be extended to Government workers as to Civil servants in the teaching profession?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that school teachers' superannuation funds are wholly financed by the State; school teachers pay a contribution. As they are not Civil servants and are not subject to the same Superannuation Acts as Civil servants, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the reasons for which the pension officer at Cashel, county Tipperary, deprived Michael Dineen of his old age pension?

I am making inquiries in this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member. In the meantime I may remind him that the responsibility for decisions involving the revocation of an old age pensions rests, not with the pension officer, but with the local pension committee, or with the Local Government Board on appeal.

asked the reasons why the pension officer at Templemore has refused the full pension to Michael Casey, Boardstown, Drom?

Pension Officers have no power to refuse a pension or to decide the rate at which a pension should be granted. I was informed that in the case of Michael Casey the rate of pension (3s. a week) was fixed by the Local Government Board on appeal from a decision of the Local Pension Committee.

asked the Chief Secretary why Julia Wholey, of Keamore North, Leap, in the division of South Cork, was deprieved of an old age pension of 5s. per week, which she commenced to receive on 9th June, 1911; why her husband's, Denis Wholey, claim for an old age pension, which was made on the 18th July, 1911, was rejected; is he aware that one pension officer estimated their joint means at £30 a year, another officer estimated it at £35, and finally the Local Government Board decided that their joint means exceeded £63 a year; and will he say upon what basis the latter formed their calculation in arriving at this figure?

The case of Julia Wholey does not appear to have come before the Local Government Board. Her husband's claim was disallowed by the Board on appeal in October, 1911, on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The estimate was based on the stock and crops on his farm, which consisted of twenty-eight acres, and carried four cows, two yearling cattle, and two calves, in addition to a horse, sheep, and fowl. There was also a considerable amount of tillage.

asked if, in view of the fact that the Old Age Pensions Act expressly declares that any medical or surgical assistance, including food and comforts given under the direction of a doctor, or any relief that does not involve disfranchisement, do not carry disqualification for an old age pension, he will state why certain old age pensioners in the Wexford workhouse hospital have been deprived of their pensions?

A definite reply cannot be given to this question in the absence of particulars of the cases referred to by the hon. Member.

asked if an old age pensioner is admitted by way of loan and placed on a separate register and repays the entire cost of his maintenance it is held that he is obtaining assistance from two public sources at the same time, or incurring electoral disability, and therefore disqualifying himself for a pension?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for West Limerick on the 9th May.

asked why the Local Government Board have refused to allow John Cleary, of Upper Caltra, Easkey, county Sligo, a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act at the rate of 5s. per week?

The Local Government Board considered that the value of maintenance and other privileges on the farm on which John Cleary resides, and which he assigned to his son, is worth 10s. a week, and that he was therefore not entitled to a pension at a higher rate than 3s. a week.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the sub-committee at Cloneygowan, King's County, on the 21st March, 1912, awarded a pension of 5s. a week to Mrs. Catherine Rourke, Cloneygowan, which has been appealed against by the local pension officer, and that on the 31st January, 1911, Mrs. Rourke was granted a similar pension by the Cloneygowan committee, which was also appealed against and disallowed by the Local Government Board; and, seeing that Mrs. Rourke produced a certificate of marriage from the Rev. James O'Beirne, P.P., Killeigh, showing that the marriage took place on the 30th November, 1872, and that she was then thirty-five years of age; and, seeing that the committee at Cloneygowan, having all those documents before them and knowing Mrs. Rourke and all the local circumstances, have twice endorsed her claim, can he say what action the Local Government Board propose to take in this case?

Catherine Rourke's second claim for a pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the 15th inst. on the ground of insufficient evidence of age. So far as the records show it does not appear that her age at marriage was entered on the marriage certificate. In the Census Return of 1841 her name did not appear in the record of her parents' family; and in the 1851 Return her age was shown as seven years, that is to say she was born in 1844. She would therefore appear to be now only sixty-eight years old.

asked whether the Local Government Board will reconsider their decision in the case of the application by Mrs. Catherine Golden, of Lugdoon, Templeboy, county Sligo, for an old age pension, in view of the fact that the local pension committee have on two occasions unanimously recommended her for a pension, being satisfied that she was qualified as to age and accepting the evidence submitted to them that the small farm for which she is entered as tenant was transferred to her son on the occasion of his marriage, in consideration of a sum of £40 deposited in her name in the Post Office Savings Bank; and whether, in view of the circumstances, the Local Government Board will send an inspector to visit Mrs. Golden and make an investigation of the facts on the spot?

Catherine Golden's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that her means exceeded the statutory limit. In the circumstances the Board have no power to reopen consideration of her case or to take any further action in the matter.

asked the grounds upon which the Local Government Board refused an old age pension to Patrick O'Toole, Knockbritlass, Kilcommon, county Tipperary; and whether he can state the grounds upon which the Local Government Board decided his income was over £31 10s.

Patrick O'Toole's pension was disallowed by the Local Government, Board on appeal on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit having regard to the stock and crops on his farm. The latter contains twenty-nine acres, and there was on it eight cows, four yearlings, and five calves, in addition to other stock. He had also the right to commonage grazing.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been directed to the address of the Most Rev. Dr. Finegan, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kilmore, at Cavan, on 5th May, and his statements that the district was seething with agitation, and boycotting and intimidation were being practised against certain persons; and if he will state what steps have been taken to afford protection to these persons?

My right hon. Friend has seen the address referred to. Every protection is being afforded to the persons concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the report of Mr. J. L. King, Local Government Board auditor, upon the accounts of the Dublin Corporation; is he aware that sums amounting to some thousands of pounds have been paid to the contractors of the Clontarf main drainage in respect of extra works, which the auditor states the contractors were bound to do for the amount of their tender; is he aware that surcharges have been made in respect of illegal payments for salaries and wages amounting to £204 3s. 1d.; if he will state what steps he proposes to take for the protection of the ratepayers of the city of Dublin; and whether there is any provision in the Government of Ireland Bill for dealing effectually with similar irregularities by public bodies in Ireland?

The facts generally are as stated in the question. With regard to the Clontarf main drainage contract, the auditor did not consider that it was a case for a formal surcharge owing to the complicated nature and ambiguous terms of the contract, and to the fact that some of the necessary plans were not supplied to the contractors until some time after the contract had been entered into. Surcharges to the amount stated have been made in connection with payments relating to salaries and wages. Appeals have been lodged against all these surcharges and are before the Local Government Board for decision. The matter does not appear to be one in which the Local Government Board have power to intervene further. The Irish Parliament will have full power to amend the law if they think fit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails among town tenants in Castlerea in regard to the division by the Congested Districts Board of the Wills-Sandford demesne land; can he explain why thirty acres of this land have been allotted to the hon. Member for South Mayo and a member of the Congested Districts Board; and whether the Congested Districts Board have given consideration to the needs of the town tenants in the distribution of these demesne lands?

The Congested Districts Board are aware that there is dissatisfaction among a comparatively small number of town tenants in Castlerea in regard to the division of the lands referred to. The hon. Member for South Mayo is the owner of a farm outside the town of Castlerea, and near to this farm are many congested holdings. The Board were desirous of enlarging these holdings out of the farm, and the hon. Member has consented to exchange it for a portion of the demeane on the Wills-Sandford estate. Ten other owners or occupiers of land in the neighbourhood of Castlerea similarly agreed to exchange such lands for parcels of the demesne in order to meet the wishes of the Board, whose main object in purchasing the Castlerea demesne was to relieve congestion among agricultural occupiers by increasing the size of their farms. The Board have given the fullest consideration to the needs of the town tenants so far as they could reasonably do so, having regard to the more urgent requirements of the occupiers of agricultural small congested holdings in the neighbourhood.

asked under what circumstances Mr. Michael O'Hartigan has been imprisoned in Armagh Prison; and whether he is sentenced to hard labour?

For creating a disturbance at an auction at Cavan, O'Hartigan was ordered to find bail for his good behaviour. This he refused to do, and in default was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, without hard labour.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the reason for the arrest of Mr. O'Hartigan in Cavan on the 10th April after his removal from an auction room, and when it was therefore no longer possible for him to continue the alleged obstruction of the sale of evicted farms; why the police, instead of bringing the matter before any of the six magistrates then in the town, sent for Mr. Reilly, resident magistrate, four miles distant; whether he is aware that this gentleman, at the instance of the police, refused to adjourn the case to the Petty Sessions two days later, required Mr. O'Hartigan to give bail for good behaviour, and on his refusing sentenced him to two months' imprisonment with hard labour in Armagh gaol, a sentence of which the clerk refused to record the illegal portion; will he state on whose order Mr. O'Hartigan was then illegally conveyed by goods train and in a luggage van to Armagh; whether in the absence of money and of organisation for testing the legality of this imprisonment for claiming evicted farms for evicted tenants in accordance with Statute, those proceedings have been made the subject of any review or consideration; and when the Government intend to give the evicted tenants in question the benefit of the Land Act of 1903 or of the Evicted Tenants Act?

The police authorities inform me that O'Hartigan was arrested for creating a disturbance at an auction at Cavan on the 10th April. He was brought before the resident magistrate in the usual course, and required to give bail for his good behaviour, but this he refused to do, and in default was sentenced to two months' imprisonment without hard labour. The case could not be adjourned as O'Hartigan could not be set free to continue the disturbance. Owing to the coal strike the only train available from Cavan was a goods train, and O'Hartigan was, by order of the District Inspector, conveyed in the guard's van by this train to Clones, where he was transferred to the mail train for Armagh. So far as I am aware there is no ground for questioning the legality of the proceedings. Any claim of the tenants in question will receive proper consideration.

asked how many Gaelic-speaking people in Ireland are unable to speak English; and how many are able to speak both languages?

The information asked for cannot be supplied until all the Census county books are issued.

asked whether the negotiations by the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the lands of Mr. John Sands, of which Mr. Denny, of Tralee, is the receiver, has yet been completed; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the solicitors having carriage of sale of this estate, but so far they have not been supplied with the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection with a view to the sale of the property through them.

asked the exact condition of the negotiations which have taken place between the Congested Districts Board and Mr. Eyre Stack for the purchase of the tenanted lands situate at Ballyconnory and Meyvoo, North Kerry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 9th November last.

asked whether, in view of the steps now being taken to complete the purchase negotiations of the F. S. Williams estate, near Mastergeehy, regard will be had to the claim of Denis Currane, Old Road, Caherciveen, for reinstatement in the holding from which he was evicted?

The Estates Commissioners are not prepared to depart from their decision not to take any action in the matter of Denis Currane's application for reinstatement in the holding formerly occupied by him.

asked how the house and grounds at Mountshannon, county Limerick, have been let during the past six years; has it been an annual agreement; and is the place occupied at present, or is it for sale?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the mansion house and grounds referred to were repurchased in July, 1907, by the owner under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Commissioners have no information as to the user of the premises.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners can hold out any hope of acquiring the untenanted land on the Smith estate, at Ballynanty, Bruff, county Limerick; and, in view of the unrest which prevails in the district, will some steps be taken to have this land distributed and put people to live on it instead of the grazier's bullocks?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 2nd April, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked how the estate of Captain Gubbins, at Glenbrohane and Griston, county Limerick, now stands; and whether the untenanted lands are being acquired?

This estate is not the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners, but they have been in communication with the owner in reference to the untenanted land, and will make a preliminary inspection of it as soon as may be practicable.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have made any move with a view to the purchase of untenanted land at Ballinahinch, Knocklong, county Limerick, from the representatives of the late Mr. Cornelius Power; and, in view of the congestion which prevails in the district and the amount of labourers and smallholders around, will arrangements be made to acquire these lands for distribution?

The Estates Commissioners have not taken any steps with a view to the acquisition of the lands referred to in the question, which apparently are not the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will give a list of the estates in county Sligo acquired by the Congested Districts Board since the passing of the Land Act, 1909, and also a list of the landlords in this county who refuse to sell to the Congested Districts Board; and if he will state what steps the Board have taken, or propose to take, to acquire for the purposes of the Act, lands and estates in this county which have not already been offered to them by the proprietors?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 28th February last. The only estate since purchased in county Sligo by the Congested Districts Board is that of Mr. Richard Verschoyle. It is not considered desirable to publish the Barnes of the owners who have refused to sell their estates to the Board. The practice of the Board has been to approach the owners of lands or estates which they consider it desirable to acquire with a view to their entering into negotiations for purchase, and they intend to continue this practice. The Board have not taken steps to acquire compulsorily any estates in county Sligo, and they do not propose to do so pending the experience to be gained from proceedings which have been taken for the compulsory acquisition of some other estates.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet received from the landlords maps and papers relating to the Lord Vaux, Roche-Kelly, and Ryan estates, near Newport, county Mayo, or from any of them, with a view to voluntary sales through the Board?

The Congested Districts Board have received the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estates of M. Roche Kelly and E. A. Ryan, in the district referred to, and they understand that the necessary information is being prepared for lodgment with them in the case of the Lord Vaux estate.

asked whether Mr. Patrick O'Dowd has yet lodged with the Congested Districts Board maps and other papers relating to his estate at Fallduff, county Mayo, with a view to a sale through, the Board; and, if not, when the Board expect to receive those documents?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner of this estate, and they understand that the necessary maps and documents are being prepared with a view to a preliminary inspection being made to enable the Board to come to a decision regarding the purchase of the property.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board are bound to recognise tenancies created since the passing of the Land Act of 1909 as a means of preventing the exercise by the Board of the powers conferred upon them by the Land Act of 1909 for the acquisition of untenanted and other lands within the area of congestion in Ireland for the extension of uneconomic holdings and the settlement of congestion?

The powers of the Congested Districts Board are considered in each case as it arises.

asked whether Colonel Tottenham has refused to sell to the Congested Districts Board his property situated in Easkey, county Sligo; and, if so, whether the Board will acquire this property for the relief of congestion under the powers conferred upon them by the Land Act of 1909?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Colonel Tottenham, but so far he has expressed no desire to sell the estate referred to through the Board. They do not propose to take any action with a view to acquiring the property compulsorily pending the result of proceedings which have been initiated for the compulsory purchase of certain other properties.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether the Estates Commissioners have received applications from local residents for portions of the untenanted land on the Owen property, Queen's County, known as Bordwell; if so, will he state how many such applications have been received and the names of the applicants; (2) whether the Estates Commissioners have completed the purchase of the un tenanted lands of Bordwell, on the Owen estate, Queen's County; and, if so, can he say when it is proposed to distribute the same amongst the uneconomic holders in the district?

The Estates Commissioners have received a number of applications which have not yet been classified or arranged. They will be considered when the Commissioners acquire the lands. The Commissioners are not at present in a position to state when they may be able to allot the lands.

asked how the cases of Messrs. Whelan and Ryan, planters on the estate of Lord Cloncurry, Bullas, Murroe, county Limerick, now stand, in view of the fact that these men have been anxious for a long time since to leave the district and allow the evicted tenants back to their holdings; and will some immediate steps be taken to have things finally completed?

The Estates Commissioners have at present no farms on hand which could be given to Whelan and Ryan. The question of the reinstatement of these evicted tenants will be considered when such farms are available.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland with further reference to the evicted tenants of the county Louth whether he has had brought to his attention a resolution, recently passed by the County Louth Evicted Tenants' Association, asking for legislation which will provide for those evicted tenants to whom, for one reason or another, the Estates Commissioners have been either unable or unwilling to give holdings; and whether he intends to do anything in the matter during the present Session?

The resolution referred to has been received. No legislation on the subject is in contemplation.

asked whether there is any prospect of Owen Lynch, Lislin, Mullagh, county Cavan, being restored to the farm on the Mortimer estate from which he was evicted twenty-six years ago?

The Estates Commissioners do not propose to take any action1 in reference to Lynch s application for reinstatement, which was not lodged within the period prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907.

asked what decision, if any, the Estates Commissioners have arrived at upon the application of Martin Devaney for reinstatement under the Evicted; Tenants Act in the holding from which he was evicted at Gurthlahan, Turlough, on the Fitzgerald estate, county Mayo, or for a new holding in lieu thereof, or when the Commissioners intend to deal with the application?

The Estates Commissioners have decided not to take any action in reference to Martin Devaney'3 application at present. If the estate on which is situate the holdings at one time occupied by his mother-in-law, and in respect of which he seeks reinstatement, comes before the Commissioners to be dealt with the application will be further considered.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to remedy the conges- tion on the estate of the Earl of Normanton, Bishopswood, Dundrum, county Tipperary; and (2) whether he can state what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take to remedy the congestion complained of on the Going estate, Ballyphilip, Ballingarry, county Tipperary, and also the Trant estate, Ballinahow, Thurles, county Tipperary?

The Estates Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made in regard to these estates. They are not at present in a position to state what action, if any, they may take in regard to them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the anxiety prevailing among members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the postal service, and other branches of the Civil Service in Ireland, he will impress on heads of Departments that, consistently with service regulations, the fullest liberty should be accorded to these public servants to bring before Members of this House the points on which they consider their position and prospects to be in jeopardy?

Consistently with the Service Regulations the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Civil servants under the control of the Irish Government have full liberty to consider their position under the Bill and to make such representations on the subject as they may consider necessary through the proper channels. The postal service is not under the control of the Irish Government.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that £20,000 was charged against the local authorities in South Wales for police that were brought from London for the suppression of riots; that the local authorities refused to pay this sum; and that it has since been debited against the Metropolitan Police Fund; and whether, seeing that Wexford and South Wales are not similarly treated, and that the Wexford County Council has been refused all information as to the reason why a police tax resulting from labour troubles in Wexford town should be spread over the county at large, he will consider the desirability of assimilating the law in this respect between England and Ireland?

The statement in the first part of the question is not quite accurate. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by the Home Secretary to the questions asked on this subject by the hon. Member for the Holborn Division on 6th December last, and the hon. Member for St. Pancras West on 27th February. There does not appear to be any ground for altering the law on the subject at present in force in Ireland.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Fourth. Squadron of the First Fleet will be completed by being made up from its present strength of four battleships to eight; when battleships will be allocated to the Sixth, and Eighth Squadrons to complete the Second and Third Fleets; and, when the-Eight Squadrons are complete, how many battleships will be available as a reserve in case of necessity?

Upon the "King George V.," "Centurion," and "Ajax," joining the Second Battle Squadron-during the early part of next year, the "Lord Nelson," "Agamemnon," and "Dreadnought," will transfer to the Fourth Squadron. These with the "Albemarle," which is now refitting, and will be ready in December, will complete its strength. The arrival in the Fleet of the "Audacious," in the autumn of 1913, and of the "Iron Duke," "Marlborough," "Benbow," and "Delhi," in 1914–15, will move the five "Duncans" from the Fourth to the Sixth Squadron. The ships of this year's programme will when ready cause a movement of other vessels which will complete the Sixth Squadron early in 1915. The Eighth Battle Squadron, which has been reinforced by the "Swift-sure" and "Triumph," is already complete.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many regiments, and how many artillerymen Malta and; Gibraltar are short of their proper war strength; and how many of each are at the present time at those two stations?

Adequate garrisons are maintained at those and all other stations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, of the Army Ordnance Corps, and his wife bad made claims for compensation on account of ill-treatment alleged to have been received from Army officers in South Africa; whether such claims have been paid; and, if not, will be explain why this has not been done?

Claims for compensation have been made, as stated in the question, but have not been paid, as there were no grounds for entertaining them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware the Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, of the Army Ordnance Corps, made a statutory declaration under the Vaccination Act, 1907, and Sections 127 and 128 of the Army Act, at Roberts Heights, South Africa, on 26th January, 1912; and whether he will issue a form of the declaration in a Special Army Order, and embody the pro forma in the King's Regulations for the information of soldiers on foreign service?

Nothing is known at the War Office of any declaration mentioned in the first part of the question, and in any case it would not affect the regulations regarding the occupancy of barracks by unvaccinated persons. There is no intention of adopting the suggestion mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in view of General Sir John French's statement that, before the Territorial Force could be pitted against highly-trained Continental armies, a certain period of training after mobilisation and under war conditions was absolutely necessary, the Army Council have considered this question; and, if so, what period of training under these conditions is, in the opinion of the Council necessary?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Secretary of State's speeches on Army Estimates of 25th February, 1907, also on the Territorial and Reserve Forces Bill on 4th March, 3rd June, and 5th June, 1907.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in making grants in aid of the medical treatment of children, he will take into account the activity or otherwise of local authorities in making and enforcing byelaws dealing with the employment of children?

The answer is in the negative. The hon. Member will find the circumstances which will be taken into account in making the grant referred to set out in the Regulation already issued, from which I do not propose to depart.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is intended that any additional benefits which may be given by pension rights in the promised Teachers' Superannuation Act (Amendment) Bill will apply to teachers already superannuated?

I hope shortly to introduce a Bill to amend the Elementary School Teachers Superannuation Act, 1898. Its contents were foreshadowed by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday last. I must ask the hon. Member to allow me to defer any further statement until the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the provisions in the Shops Act providing for the making of orders for the closing of shops and the provision of the weekly half-holiday are inoperative in the county of London owing to the fact that the London County Council decided to delegate the powers for administering those portions of the Act to the Metropolitan borough councils, a large number of which have refused to accept such delegation; and whether he can take any action to secure that the provisions of the Act shall be fully carried out?

The London County Council can delegate its powers and duties under the Shops Act to the Borough Councils only by an arrangement made with my approval under Section 13 of the Act. No such arrangement has been made, and in its absence the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Act rests with the London County Council, on whom it is placed by the Statute. The requirement as to the closing of shops for the weekly half-holiday does not depend on any order being made by the Council, and is already in force, and I have no information to show that the requirement is not being duly observed.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the suffragist prisoners at Birmingham are on hunger strike; if so, how many; and how many of them are being forcibly fed?

There are no suffragist prisoners now at Birmingham Prison on hunger strike, and no prisoner is being forcibly fed.

asked the Home Secretary whether consent has recently been refused to an application made originally in August last by the Normanton Burials Board for leave to have the whole of a piece of land, lately added to a burial ground known as the upper cemetery, consecrated; and, if so, what was the reason for such refusal, in view of the fact that there is already ample provision of unconsecrated ground belonging to the same board, and that there is at the present time considerably greater demand for burial space in consecrated than in unconsecrated ground?

The effect of the proposal, to which I felt obliged to refuse my consent, would have been the consecration of the whole of a burial ground which, when originally provided, had been divided, as required by law, into consecrated and unconsecrated parts. This, I am advised, is not authorised by the Burial Act of 1900, which now governs this matter, and I was bound, therefore, to inform the Burial Board that their proposal must be limited to a portion of the ground. They revised their proposal accordingly, and I approved it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a London daily financial newspaper 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; is he aware that 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.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Punjabhai Someshwar Bhatt, a vakil of the Bombay High Court, practising at Kaira, in the Bombay presidency, who was on the morning of the 17th August, 1911, illegally removed from his house at Kaira by Mr. Vincent, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Criminal Intelligence Department), Bombay City, and two of his subordinates, and detained by them in custody in various places until the afternoon of the following day, without warrant or authority; whether he is aware that grave allegations have been made by Mr. P. S. Bhatt respecting the pressure put upon him by these police officers to purchase his liberty by agreeing to give evidence against certain high officials of the Baroda State, such pressure taking the form of incessant questions and the employment of threats during a period of more than twenty-four hours; will he state whether any action has been taken or will be taken against the police officers concerned; and what steps will be taken to prevent the repetition of such action?

The Secretary of State has received a report on the case. He is not aware of the allegations said to have been made by Mr. Poonjabhai Bhatt, and he cannot accept as well-founded those added by the hon. Member. Mr. Bhatt, who was charged with having taken part in the production and distribution of books proscribed by Government, was brought before a magistrate, who, on the evidence adduced, ordered him to execute a bond for good behaviour. Against this order Mr. Bhatt appealed to the High Court, who admitted him to bail. This ultimate decision on his case has not been reported. The Secretary of State has no reason to think that the police officers acted illegally or improperly, and deprecates most strongly the suggestion that he should accept as ground for official action a series of uncorroborated ex parte statements.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether it was due to want of confidence on the part of the Government of India that His Highness the present Maharaja of Nabha, then the Tikka Sahib of Nabha, was not reap-pointed to the Viceroy's Legislative Council to take charge of the concluding stages of the Anand Sikh Marriage Bill, which he introduced during his term of membership and was subsequently carried into law?

The Secretary of State is satisfied that there was no want of confidence on the part of the Government of India in the Tikka Sahib, who has recently been installed in Nabha as the successor of His Highness the late Maharaja. Any impression to the contrary is mistaken. The facts are as follows: "The Anand Marriage Bill was prepared, and introduced in the Viceroy's Legislative Council by the Tikka Sahib of Nabha, as he then was, on the 31st October, 1908, and lay upon the Table of the Council for some months. Meanwhile the Tikka Sahib's term of office, as an additional member of the council, had expired, and, in order to carry the Bill into law, the Government of India appointed Sirdar Sundar Singh Magithia as an additional member of the council. Thus the Tikka Sahib, the real author of the measure, to whom is due the entire credit for its inception and introduction, and, therefore, indirectly for its being finally passed into law, was unfortunately unable to superintend the final stages of the measure. Lord Minto has expressed to the Tikka Sahib his regret for any misunderstanding that may have arisen out of the circumstances in which he was prevented from seeing his Bill carried through all its stages, and that feeling is shared by the Secretary of State for India.

asked the Prime Minister why, in stating on 8th May to the. Central Association of Bankers that during the six years from 31st March, 1906, to 31st March, 1912, the aggregate gross liabilities of the State were reduced from £789,000,000 to £725,000,000, or by £64,000,000, he omitted to take into account the contingent liabilities of the State, including the liability to make good the insolvency of the Post Office Savings Bank and the guaranteed loans for which the State is liable, the aggregate whereof increased from £170,000,000 on 31st March, 1906, to approximately £230,000,000 on 31st March, 1912, or by £60,000,000?

The hon. and gallant Member will find the figures given by me on the occasion mentioned on page 7 of the Return relating to National Debt, presented to this House on the 1st ultimo (House of Commons 84). It has never been the practice for Chancellors of the Exchequer, nor would it be accurate, to include figures as to the nominal or contingent liabilities of the State in statements of the aggregate gross liabilities.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the refusal of the Bethnal Green Board of Guardians to grant outdoor relief to Mrs. Eliza Frazer, a widow, who is also a cripple and sixty-five years of age; that her son, who has been her mainstay, is out of work, that arrears of rent are owing, and that very soon the woman may be turned into the streets; whether any officers connected with the Local Government Board have investigated the case; and, if so, what was the nature of their Report; and has any pressure been brought to bear upon the Bethnal Green Board of Guardians to induce them to grant adequate outdoor relief to Mrs. Frazer?

I have received a letter from Mrs. Frazer's son with regard to his mother's application for relief, and I have sent a copy of it to the board of guardians. I may remind the hon. Member that the Local Government Board are expressly prohibited by Statute from interfering in any individual case for the purpose of ordering relief.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the language used by Mr. D. Propert, district auditor, who on an ex parte statement declared that an irresistible case had been made out for believing the Merthyr Board of Guardians guilty of malversation of public funds by giving contracts to persons who had friends at court; and what action he proposes taking to have all the circumstances of the case properly investigated, and also to protect boards of guardians from having such charges levelled against them upon the unsupported statements of contractors whose tenders had not been accepted?

I am informed by Mr. Propert, the district auditor, that there is no foundation for the allegation that he made the statement attributed to him. He states that on the 4th instant, at the audit of the accounts of the guardians of the Merthyr Tydfil Union, complaints were

Year. Estimated Quantity of Silver Produced in Total Estimated Production in the World. Annual Average Price of Bar Silver per Ounce Standard. Estimated Value of-World's Production. United States. Mexico. Australia. All other Countries. Fine ounces. Fine ounces. Fine ounces. Fine ounces. Fine ounces. Pence. £ 1902 55,500,000 60,176,604 8,026,037 39,060,842 162,763,483 24 1/16 17,641,875 1903 54,300,000 70,499,942 9,682,856 33,455,096 167,937,894 24¾ 18,722,806 1904 57,682,800 60,808,978 14,558,892 31,144,596 164,195,266 26⅜ 19,507,433 1905 56,101,600 65,040,865 12,561,600 35,884,774 169,588,839 27 13/16 21,246,349 1906 56,517,000 55,225,268 13,909,371 39,401,958 165,054,497 30⅞ 22,955,214 1907 56,514,700 61,147,203 17,949,099 48,595,982 184,206,984 30 8/16 25,048,416 1908 52,440,800 73,664,027 17,175,099 59,956,935 203,236,861 24⅜ 22,314,858 1909 54,721,500 73,942,432 16,359,284 66,192,417 211,215,633 23 11/16 22,536,803 1910 57,137,900 72,982,157 16,011,064 76,748,242 222,879,363 24⅝ 24,722,542 1911 57,800,000 * * * 224,000,000 24 9/16 24,800,000 * Satisfactory estimates not yet available.

NOTE.—The figures of production given above for the years 1902–10 are the estimates compiled by the Director of the United States Mint from information supplied by the mining and other authorities of the countries concerned. Those for 1911 are provisional estimates, which are believed to be fairly comparable with the figures for previous years. The prices of silver have been extracted from a "Table showing the monthly fluctuations, in London, in the price of bar-silver, per ounce standard, 1833 to 1911," compiled by Messrs. Pixley and Abell. The estimated total value of the production has been calculated from the particulars given in the two preceding columns of the statement.

made by two solicitors, on behalf of ratepayers of the union, in regard to the circumstances in which certain contracts were entered into by the guardians, and, after examination of the complaints, he said that an irresistible case had been made out for further inquiry. The audit has been adjourned until the 21st instant, when the auditor has requested the clerk to the guardians to attend with any guardians who care to do so. The subject of the complaints will be further investigated by the auditor at the adjourned audit. On receipt of his report, I will consider whether any further investigation is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the world's production of silver, in ounces, from and including 1902 to the latest available date tinder the following divisions: United States of America, Mexico, Australia, all other producers, giving also the totals for each year in ounces and sterling value?

The following statement gives the particulars desired:—