I beg to move, "That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider and report whether any, and, if any, what restrictions should be imposed on gas authorities with respect to the purchase and manufacture of the residual products resulting from the manufacture of gas by other gas authorities, or of other chemicals.

"That a Message be sent to the Lords to communicate this Resolution, and desire their concurrence."

This Motion, which stands on the Paper in my name, requires, I think, a word or two of explanation. It deals with a subject which has been a matter of contest on a number of private Bills during this Session, and that contest to all appearance is likely to be renewed in the next and future Sessions. The Chairman of Committees in the other House, and I, have come together, and we have come to the conclusion that it would be very greatly in the interest of both parties and a great saving of expense if the matter was considered by a Joint Committee instead of having the subject a matter of contest on individual Bills, and that is the reason why the proposal is made to this House that a Joint Committee should be set up before which the contending parties could put forward their case and that we may have a report from that Joint Committee for the guidance of Private Bill Committees. That is why I move this Motion.

If such a Committee were set up, would they have power to recommend other legislation to prevent municipal authorities, who at present under Acts of Parliament have power to carry on the work mentioned from doing so. Would this operate against them in anyway?

It is a matter of some doubt how far those existing powers of gas authorities do go, and that is how the question has arisen. Some Private Bill Committees during this Session have inserted Clauses of a retrospective character placing restrictions upon the purchase of the residuals by gas authorities, and therefore it is necessary that this Committee should inquire into the whole question.

May I ask whether it is intended that Members of this Joint Committee should be nominated by the Government, the Selection Committee, or by the Chairman of Ways and Means?

The Motion following this, if it is agreed to by this House, would of course be made by the Chairman of Ways and Means.

Is the object of this Motion to produce uniformity amongst all classes that produce gas, whether companies or municipal corporations?

That is so.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, supposing those rules were laid down by the suggested Committee, would they apply to local authorities as well as companies?

The words "gas authorities" include both companies and local authorities that have statutory powers.

Is it suggested the Joint Committee should take evidence?

Yes; it is suggested both parties to the contest should appear before the Joint Committee by counsel if they desire.

Whatever way the Committee reports I take it legislation would be necessary before any change was made?

It would mean that in all probability the practice of Private Bill Committees would follow the recommendation of the Joint Committee.

And come up for revision in this House?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if his attention has been drawn to the case of the Brixham trawler "Ethel Lilian" BM. 309, which was towing her trawl on 19th July between Start Point and the Eddystone, with the regulation ball hoisted as prescribed, when a French steam trawler "La Champagne" B. 2758 bore down on her and shot their trawling gear when quite close and towed it across the stern of the "Ethel Lilian"; and seeing that the French wire warps cut through the manilla rope of the "Ethel Lilian" and the whole of the fishing gear of the latter, value £40, was lost, will he take immediate steps to deal with this case, and use all the means at his disposal to get ample compensation for the Brixham fishermen for the loss they have sustained; and (2) if his attention has been drawn to the case of the Brixham trawler "Naomi," which was towing her trawl about four miles from Dartmouth, shortly after 12 a.m. on Monday, 29th July, with the regulation light burning, when the French steam trawler "Maria Rose," B. 188, of Boulogne, crossed under her stern and damaged the gear of the "Naomi" to the extent of £30; and will he take immediate steps to get ample compensation for the owner of the "Naomi" for damage sustained?

I understand that this case and that of the "Naomi" have been reported to the Board of Trade, and that the masters of the boats who are bringing claims for compensation against the French owners in the Courts do not desire official intervention at present.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that our men labour under the greatest disadvantage because they cannot speak French, nor can they understand it, and when these matters come before a French tribunal they are distinctly handicapped?

We are aware of that, and we have tried to persuade the French Government to conclude a convention with us similar to that which has been concluded in the North Sea, and we hope to obtain success in that endeavour. We are fully alive to the difficulties of cases such as the hon. Member has mentioned.

May I ask—

The hon. and gallant Member must put down any further questions. I would remind him that there are ninety-nine questions on the Paper.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what has been the result of his correspondence with His Majesty's Minister at Peking regarding the inability of the Chinese Government to secure freedom for the sale of the large stocks of Indian opium now accumulated at treaty ports, and held up, contrary to treaty rights, to the loss of the merchants and others concerned?

His Majesty's Minister at Peking has, under instructions from His Majesty's Government, made repeated protests against the resrictions imposed on the trade in Indian opium in several provinces of China contrary to treaty rights. The Chinese Government have in reply undertaken to send the necessary instructions to the provincial authorities to withdraw the objectionable restrictions, but I regret to have to state that up to the present these instructions have had little, if any, effect. Further representations have been made both by Sir John Jordan in Peking and by the Secretary of State to the Chinese representative here.

In view of the acknowledged impotence of the Chinese Government, what steps do the Foreign Office propose to take to protect British merchants?

Steps have been taken already, and further steps will be taken if necessary.

asked what was the price paid for each of the eleven complete farms in Cambridgeshire, the twenty-eight complete farms in Somersetshire, and the thirteen complete farms in Worcestershire, purchased by the council of each county for small holdings purposes; and what was the total acreage of each farm?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the answer which I gave to a question addressed to me on 18th July by the hon. Member for the Newport Division of Shropshire, and that Worcestershire is a misprint for Wiltshire. The answer involves the recital of statistics which perhaps I may be allowed to circulate with the votes.—[See To-day's Written Answers.]

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is considering the value of the new cures for, and processes of inoculation against, foot-and-mouth disease discovered and being used with success in Holland, Germany, and elsewhere, and claiming to be more efficacious than any such remedies formerly employed in England, with a view to their recommendation in the event of the disease becoming so widespread, and the process of compensation so costly, as to necessitate the abandonment of the slaughtering-out policy?

The Board's veterinary officers are keeping themselves informed as to the cures and processes to which the hon. Member refers, but there is good reason to hope that the measures adopted by the Board for the extirpation of the disease will be effective, and that the contingency referred to in the latter part of the question will not arise.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, although it was well known in Bath, Frome, and the surrounding districts on the morning of 23rd July that there was a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighbourhood of Shepton Mallet, in Somerset, the market was held as usual at Frome on 24th July, and, owing to the fear of impending restrictions, an exceptionally large number of cattle was exposed there for sale, including some from Westcombe, six miles away; and whether, in such circumstances, the police or the local authority have and should exercise the power of closing a market contiguous to a suspected outbreak prior to its official confirmation?

The facts of the case to which the hon. Member refers are fully set out in the answer which I gave to the question of the hon. Member for North Dorset on Thursday last. As regards the latter part of the question, I may say that local authorities are already empowered, under Article 6 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order of 1895, to prohibit the movement of any animal without waiting for the confirmation of the existence of disease, and this power is exercised in the case not only of suspected animals, but of all animals which may have been in contact therewith, whether at a market or otherwise.

Is this not clearly a case in which such power ought to have been exercised?

Yes, Sir. I need hardly say that we always recommend most prompt action on the part of the local authorities.

asked (1) whether he can state what investigations have been instituted in order to discover the cause and the manner of spreading of the foot-and-mouth disease; (2) whether, in view of the importance of the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and the mystery surrounding the circumstances which favour it, he will promote exhaustive experiments on the part of the technical experts of his Department, and if necessary will invoke the aid of the most famous bacteriological laboratories in the country, so that the present opportunity may be availed of to the full to ascertain the etiology of this disease, and to provide means for its elimination?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer by referring him to the answer given on Monday last to the similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Tavistock Division.

Besides taking advantage of the resources of his own Department, will the right hon. Gentleman avail himself of the whole of the technical ability of his country to stamp out this disease by finding out the cause of it as Pasteur did in the case of anthrax.

Yes, we are endeavouring to use such scientific assistance as we can take advantage of, but we are not prepared to have a testing station for foot-and-mouth disease in this country.

asked whether there have been any further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease during the last three days; how many outbreaks have now occurred in England since the reappearance of the disease; whether the cause of any of these outbreaks, other than those traceable to Ireland, has been ascertained or suspected by the Board; and whether the staff of the Board has proved to be sufficient for the work which these outbreaks have entailed?

A further outbreak was confirmed late on Thursday evening on premises at Chollerton, Northumberland, belonging to the owner of premises on which the disease had previously existed, but I am glad to say that since that date no fresh case of the disease has occurred. The total number of outbreaks is now sixty. The reply to the third and fourth parts of the question is in the negative. It has been necessary for the time being to augment the staff of the Board and Treasury authority for the purpose has been obtained.

Is there now a member or a representative of the Board in all the districts where disease has occurred?

Certainly.

Would that representative be able to allow farmers to remove their stock across the road?

asked whether a deputation of Irish gentlemen interested in the cattle trade waited upon him one day last week and informed him that unless the embargo upon the importation into England of Irish cattle was removed there would be an immediate strike against the payment of all taxes and rent in Ireland; and, if so, whether he will say what reply he gave to the deputation?

No such statement has been made at any deputation which I have received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a story to this effect was prevalent all over Ireland last week? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Ireland during the last five days, and in what locality?

No fresh outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Ireland during the last five days, but two additional cases of the disease were confirmed on the 1st instant amongst cattle which had been under observation on a restricted farm at Swords, county Dublin. In accordance with the usual practice, all the animals on these lands, numbering 346 cattle and 580 sheep, are being slaughtered. No cases of the disease have occurred in Ireland outside the Swords district.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the 1st instant is not within the last five days?

The 1st instant was on the 1st. The distinction is that no fresh outbreaks have appeared in Ireland during the last five days, but on the farm mentioned this outbreak has occurred.

Is it a fact that outside the Swords district no outbreak has occurred in any part of Ireland?

Yes. I have already said that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state how much has been spent on new dockyard construction by the Governments of this country and of Germany during the past ten years?

I assume that by "new dockyard construction the hon. Member refers to works and not to shipbuilding. The question has been very fully examined by the Department, and it is regretted that owing to the divergent forms in which the estimates of the two counries are framed it is difficult to give any reliable figures.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the amounts for this country?

No, because we should have to examine most voluminous expenditure involving a variety of considerations such as dockyards, harbours, storehouses, bridges, the construction of roads, and so on, and that would be a task which we ought not to put upon an already overworked Department.

Are not both countries spending far too much on this work?

asked whether the Irish Board of Works and the Irish Agricultural Department reported to the Development Commissioners in favour of Grants being made to the Cork and Muskerry and the Donoughmore Extension, the Schull and Skibbereen, and the Timoleague and Courtmacsherry Railways, in respect of improvements necessitated by original defective construction; whether the Development Commissioners refused to recommend any Grants being made, and on what grounds have they so refused; whether any of the Development Commissioners ever visited Ireland in connection with these claims; and whether the Treasury propose to take any steps to carry out the recommendation of the Irish Viceregal Commission on Irish Railways in respect of these lines?

The Irish Board of Works expressed no opinion on the general merits of the application, apart from its technical engineering and financial aspects. The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland recommended it for favourable consideration. The Development Commissioners declined to recommend an advance from the Development Fund on the grounds that the primary object of the application was the relief of the local rates, and that if the application were granted it would not, in their opinion, lead to any agricultural development commensurate with the expenditure required. They did not think it necessary that a personal visit should be paid to the district on their behalf, as they had before them an official report giving full particulars of its population, agriculture, and traffic facilities. The Development Commission not having recommended an advance from the Development Fund, the Treasury is precluded from making an advance from the fund, and the case for an advance from other sources appears to be still weaker than that for an advance from the fund.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the firm of Millar and Richards, typefounders, Edinburgh, has any Government contract; if so, whether the employés of this firm are out on strike against the low rates of wages; whether the wages paid by this firm do not correspond to the wages paid by printing firms in Edinburgh who make their own type, and that in addition the firm employs about forty girls at an average wage of 5s. per week; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter with a view to securing conformity with the Fair-Wages Clause?

So far as I am aware, the firm mentioned by the hon. Member are not Government contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the officers recently made Class 1 instructors in the various local prisons are the first of that class made in His Majesty's local prisons service; whether, on their appointments, they were informed that the regulations under which they were appointed would be altered; and, if not, will he advise His Majesty's Prison Commissioners to restore to those officers the privileges which have been taken away?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The promotions were notified on 2nd July, and on 12th July Governors were informed that these officers would be excused evening duty and all discipline duty, except on alternate Saturday afternoons and Sundays, when their presence would be required owing to only half the staff being on duty. Before promotion to be Class I. instructors, they had been liable to do discipline duty and evening duty throughout the week; but it was hoped that it might have been possible, in the case of the comparatively few officers selected for Class I., to dispense with all requirements for discipline duty, and this was notified by Standing Order of April last. Unfortunately, however, experience has shown that a complete dispensation cannot be given as a right in all prisons, where it now appears that it would throw an undue strain on the other members of the staff. It was necessary, therefore, to cancel the Standing Order of April almost immediately after the first appointments were made in the beginning of July. I see no sufficient reason for altering the present system.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a new form of disease affecting weavers at one or two mills in Colne and Burnley; and whether he will cause minute inquiries to be made with a view to preventing similar outbreaks?

I have received a report from the factory inspector on this subject. It appears that some few weeks ago certain weavers in a Burnley factory were attacked by an unusual cough which affected their breathing. The shed in question is a dry one, ventilated by six exhaust fans, and the general conditions are good. In order to investigate the matter, the firm at once called in experts, who expressed the opinion that the outbreak was due to some mouldy sago in the size used in dressing the warps, causing mildew in the shed. In accordance with their advice, the mill was closed and thoroughly disinfected by the local authorities. The sago is now being specially treated to prevent the development of mildew and the warps damped by a solution of carbolic acid, with the result that a decided improvement has already taken place. A very similar outbreak occurred in a factory in Colne in the spring of 1911, which was also traced to mildew on the warps. After proper treatment and disinfection of the premises no further trouble occurred.

asked on what grounds the Home Office refuse their consent to the decision of the standing joint committee of the Durham County Council to pay Police-constable J. Welsh, who had an accident when on duty, and who has ten years and eleven months' service in the force, a pension according to Scale B, Section B, of the Police Act of 1890?

The case referred to by my hon. Friend is presumably that of ex-Police-constable John Welsh. On examination of the Durham Police Pension Fund accounts at the Home Office, it was found that a higher pension had been granted to this man than the Statute, according to the generally accepted interpretation, would permit; and the Government contribution had to be adjusted accordingly. The local authority were informed of this, and it would appear that they thought it necessary to reduce the amount previously awarded. As the point is one of some importance, I am consulting the Law Officers of the Crown in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether since Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875, was not repealed by the Trades. Disputes Act of 1906, but is still in force, he will explain why this Section has not been enforced in respect of picketing in public thoroughfares during the transport workers' strike?

The Section in question has been enforced. About fifty persons have been prosecuted under it by the police, besides many cases of intimidation dealt with under other provisions of the law.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in future he will prevent the police doing picketing?

I do not think the police do picketing.

asked what is the proportion of juvenile to adult offenders sent to prison in the past year; whether the proportion is increasing or decreasing; what are the numbers of cases put under the operation of the Probation Act; and whether the number is satisfactory to the Home Office or whether any steps can be taken to encourage magistrates to make a wider use of this Act of Parliament, with a view to reducing the number of first offenders sent to prisons?

In 1911, out of 159,745 convicted offenders received in prison, only twenty-one were under sixteen; the number of juvenile prisoners has been diminishing very markedly for years past, and has been brought by the operation of the Children Act almost to a vanishing point. The number of persons put on probation during 1911 is not yet available, but in 1910 it was 10,223, and there were 63,735 other cases where the Court of Summary Jurisdiction held that the charge was proved, but discharged the offender without punishment under Section 1 of the Probation of Offenders Act. No doubt there are numerous cases to which the Act might properly be applied but is not, just as there are undoubtedly cases in which the discharge of an offender without punishment is shown to have been mistaken leniency; but I think the figures make it clear that on the whole magistrates are ready to take full advantage of the Act. I am, however, considering whether by means of a further circular I can assist magistrates towards a more general and uniform exercise of the powers given them by this most useful Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice of the Home Office, when an offender is committed to prison in default of payment of a fine, to add to the fine the cost of conveyance from the town of committal to the prison; and how far the promised reform of allowing time for the payment of fines before committal to prison has been carried?

The cost of a convicted prisoner's conveyance to gaol may be included among the costs he may be ordered to pay, and at present it is the usual practice to do this. I do not think the practice is a good one, and am taking steps to secure its discontinuance. I hope next Session to introduce a Bill providing, inter alia, for time for the payment of fines being allowed in all cases where this is proper and practicable. Circulars from the Home Office have recommended magistrates to follow this practice wherever possible, and, pending legislation, I shall take every opportunity that may occur for encouraging the extension of the practice.

Seeing there has been no opportunity of discussing the Prison Vote at all this year, cannot any steps be taken to make these questions and answers public?

They appear in the daily Report, and are circulated to hon. Members also.

asked if the last yearly Return of police statistics shows that 11,995 persons were discharged after being arrested; whether the 5,829 persons who were tried and acquitted are included in the foregoing figures; and whether the statement that 1,041 houses of bad character were known to the police on 1st April, 1910, means that this is the total of such houses in the United Kingdom?

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend refer to the disposal of persons apprehended in 1910, and also dealt with on summonses for indictable offences in England and Wales. The total of 11,995 is made up of 6,166 persons discharged by the magistrates under Section 25 of the Indictable Offences Act, 1848, and 5,829 persons acquitted by the magistrates after summary trial. The figure of 1,041 for houses of bad character relates only to England and Wales.

Are we to accept this as a statement of the actual numbers.

No, Sir, the police can only give figures showing the number of bad houses known to them. There may be houses of which they do not know.

Why, if 1,041 such houses were known to the police, were not prosecutions instituted?

After the discussions we have had upstairs my hon. Friend must know that there are no means of proceeding against such houses unless certain conditions are fulfilled.

asked if there is a training school for police constables to become ready and efficient in giving evidence in the courts; whether mock trials take place in the Metropolis in which policemen practice giving corroborative evidence, and in which the decision of the pseudo-magistrates is invariably given against civilians; whether new recruits are regularly sent to the police courts to learn from the old members of the force how to give evidence and to gain confidence; and if extra wages are paid for such attendances?

All men newly recruited to the Metropolitan Police are passed through a training school, where one of the subjects taught is that of giving evidence clearly and audibly. There is no foundation for the imputation in my hon. Friend's question that the police are practised in giving corroborative evidence. They are sent to police courts so that they may learn how cases are there disposed of, but they receive no extra wages for such attendance.

Do the constables only attend the Court in order to see how cases are disposed of, or is it to see how cases are made out by other constables?

They attend the Court in order, when they are called as witnesses, they may know what the course of procedure is, and how a case is or should be conducted.

asked whether Miss Alice Walters has been released from prison; how many times was she forcibly fed; how long was she on hunger strike; what was the condition of her health when released; what reason did the medical officer give for advising her release; and is there any record as to the condition of her health when admitted to prison?

This prisoner was released from prison on 23rd July. She was fed by tube once, having for forty-eight hours refused to take food. She resisted, and became hysterical, and her release was recommended on account of her nervous excitement. After the order for her release was notified to her she calmed down and took food. On her reception in prison she was described as being in fair physical health.

Was this lady released?

Yes, on account of her nervous excitement.

Was there any report on the condition of her health when she was released?

My hon. Friend could not have heard my answer.

Yes, I did.

She resisted and became hysterical, and her release was recommended because of her nervous excitement. After the order for her release was notified to her, she calmed down and took her food.

Would a man have been released under similar conditions?

Yes, if he had become hysterical.

asked the Postmaster-General whether subscribers to the telephone message rate service are charged 1d. if the number inquired for is engaged or if the operator connects the inquirer with the wrong number?

The answer is in the negative, but where a subscriber has been connected with the wrong number he should inform the operator of the mistake at the time, as otherwise the operator may suppose that his call has been effective, and charge accordingly.

asked the Postmaster-General why the controller of the London telephone service refuses to give a daily account of the number of telephone calls charged for; whether subscribers are charged for calls they have never had; and whether he will have an inquiry made as to the way in which the accounts of the telephone service are conducted?

To render daily accounts of calls made by telephone subscribers would greatly increase the cost of account work. Information as to the number of calls registered at any date is always given to subscribers on inquiry. Complaints of overcharge, which are very few in proportion to the number of accounts rendered, are always carefully investigated, and test checks are made when any reasonable doubt arises. The system of recording and charging calls was investigated some time ago by a special committee of the London Chamber pf Commerce, who reported that the means for checking subscribers' calls were mechanically efficient, and that the percentage of errors was very small. They also stated that they had investigated the method of book-keeping, and satisfied themselves that every possible check was made to ensure accuracy in subscribers' accounts. The methods referred to are those now in use, and the same care is exercised in their application. I shall be happy to furnish the Noble Lord with full details of the system, or to arrange for him or any other hon. Member to see the working of the system if he will communicate with me at any time.

Is there any method of recording the number of calls?

Yes, Sir. There is an automatic register at all exchanges.

If the right hon. Gentleman has a record, why cannot the telephone subscribers have the record when there are complaints of overcharges?

The record can be obtained on any day, as I have already stated in my answer, but I think subscribers generally would very greatly resent having daily, or even weekly, records of their calls sent to them.

Is it possible to get monetary details of the extra charges sent in monthly?

If anyone has any doubt as to the accuracy of his account, it certainly can be supplied, but the cost of accounting in the Post Office is already enormous, and I do not want to add to it by giving fresh details, unless they are really necessary.

Is it not perfectly impossible to check the charges sent in on the 1st of each month. The right hon. Gentleman knows one cannot tell whether 6s. is right or wrong.

It is very easy to keep a check on one's business with the Post Office, if it is desirable.

How?

asked the First Lord of the Treasury upon what date His Majesty's Government arrived at the decision to withdraw from the Brussels Sugar Convention?

The matter has been under the consideration of the Cabinet from time to time for the last six months, and the course which His Majesty's Government would in all probability feel themselves bound to adopt in the events which have happened was foreshadowed in the Papers laid before Parliament in March and May. The actual decision, as I stated the other day, was arrived at quite recently. I cannot give the exact date.

asked the Prime Minister if the notice of intention to withdraw from the Brussels Convention will be given provisionally, so that the notice may be cancelled during next year by the Government which may be in power in this country, in case it may be desired to do so for any reason?

The notice which has been given is not provisional, but of course it does not take practical effect until September, 1913.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman suggest some means by which the decision can be made provisional in case the Empire desires the Convention to continue?

From the point of view of the hon. Member the decision to withdraw is provisional, as it does not take effect until a year after next September, so that if the contingency he desires arises there will be ample time for it to be taken advantage of.

Can it be withdrawn?

asked the Prime Minister what opportunity he will give for the discussion and Division on the question of the payment of salaries to Members, seeing that it was passed under the Closure without discussion in Supply; that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill was closured before it was reached, and it could not be moved on the Committee stage of the Appropriation Bill?

I offered to put down this Vote so that it could be discussed before the close of Supply if any general desire were expressed, but other Votes were preferred.

asked the Postmaster-General what subsidies are paid to Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Company and to Messrs. Woermann in connection with their services of steamships to and from British ports on the West Coast of Africa; and whether, in view of the complaints which have been received, he will consider the question of making these subsidies conditional on an improvement in the sanitary conditions of the steamships?

Messrs. Elder, Dempster are paid an annual sum of £15,335 for the conveyance of letter mails to and from West Africa. A further amount, which varies according to the volume of traffic, is paid in respect of the conveyance of parcel mails. £6,739 was paid under this head for the year ending 31st March, 1912. The Woermann Line performs the service under contract with the German Government, and I am not in a position to furnish the information asked for. I have no knowledge of the complaints mentioned by the hon. Member, but in any case the only ground upon which the postal subsidy is conditional is the punctual performance of the mail service.

asked what facilities will be given for the delivery and dispatch of telegrams at Parknasilla, county Kerry?

A telegraph office at Parknasilla would practically be of no benefit to anyone except the employés or customers of the hotel, and its provision at the public cost would therefore, not be justified. A private wire to the hotel for the dispatch and receipt of telegrams could be provided at a rental of £15 5s. a year.

asked the Postmaster-General on what grounds the London Controller of Stores decided that the unestablished porters at Dublin who are performing the best work there were ineligible for promotion to the vacancies for third-class storemen; is he aware that the Controller of Stores has no personal knowledge of the Dublin men who were refused promotion, and that he did not call for any reports from the men's superior officers, and was therefore unable to compare their qualifications with the men serving in Great Britain?

The unestablished porters at Dublin have not been declared to be ineligible for promotion to storemanships. There were three vacancies for third-class storemen at Dublin, and after reports had been obtained one of these was allotted to a Dublin porter. The other two vacancies were allotted to men who were senior to any man at Dublin, including the man advanced. The unestablished porters in the various depôts of the Stores Department are, as my hon. Friend is aware, on a combined seniority.

asked the Postmaster-General if any reply has been received as to the cause of the delay of telegraphing the report of the recent Asquith meeting in Dublin, whereby the whole of of the Press of Great Britain and other places were unable to publish the speech of the Prime Minister on the Home Rule question; and whether he will call for Reports on the working of the wires, etc., from London and the other offices working to Dublin on the night of the demonstration, so as to find out who is responsible for the delay?

As I informed the hon. Member last Monday, I am making a close investigation into the matter, and I will acquaint him with the result as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman act on my suggestion, and get reports as to the working of the various wires on this occasion?

A very thorough inquiry is being made as to the treatment of the telegrams at the various stages?

In view of the importance of this question, how long am I to wait for an answer. Has any inquiry been made in Dublin?

It is because of its importance that the inquiry is an elaborate one. I am not aware of any delay. A good many points have to be considered as to the treatment of the telegrams, not only in Dublin and at other centres, and these have to be investigated by the traffic managers, who have been appointed to make special inquiry. The investigation was set on foot immediately, and is still proceeding.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has seen the recent report of the manager of the Pacific Cable Board to that body upon certain systems of wireless telegraphy; and, if so, whether he can cause a copy of this report to be circulated to Members of the House of Commons?

I have not seen the report referred to. I understand that the board regard it as confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the naturalisation of a foreigner in British Honduras holds good beyond the limits of that Colony; if not, what is the status of such a person outside the Colony from the point of view of international law; whether any Committee has ever been held to investigate the matter; and, if so, when it reported, whether the Report was published, and what is the nature of such Report?

Naturalisation in a British Colony is valid only within the limits of the Colony. It is not possible to make any general statement as to the status of a person who has been naturalised in a British Colony when he is beyond its limits; that status depends in the main on the law of the country of his original nationality and on the law of the place where he finds himself. The matter has been investigated by Committees in 1901 and 1908, and their Reports have been published as Cd. 723 and on pages 237–241 of Cd. 5746–1. The matter was further considered at the Imperial Conference of 1911, and the results of that discussion will be found summarised in Resolution X. of the Conference; the Report will be found in Cd. 5745, pages 249–271, and the text of the Resolution on page 16.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pensionable allowances of £30 each hitherto granted to eight Customs surveyors discharging the duties of tea inspector under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875, by special approval of the Treasury, will continue to be paid in future?

This question is now under consideration.

asked whether a conveyance or transfer of a house, where the amount of the consideration for the sale does not exceed £500, is held by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to form part of a larger transaction when the removable fixtures in the house have been taken over by the purchaser at a price which, together with the consideration for the sale, exceeds £500?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the reference to the Section of the Statute?

I am afraid I cannot now, but I will do so in the course of the evening, if the right hon. Gentleman would like to know it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many, if any, educated Indians are being trained by the Government as cotton-growing experts in India?

No Indians have been specially trained as cotton experts out of India. But the course of instruction followed in the agricultural colleges in India includes the study of cotton cultivation, as also the study of other Indian staples.

asked the number of European experts in cotton growing now employed by the Government in India, and the salaries paid to each?

The duties of the officers composing the Indian Agricultural Service are not, save in one or two exceptional cases, differentiated in respect of particular crops. A cotton specialist, whose work is largely of a botanical kind, is attached to the central bureau. A Return, giving the numerical strength and the salaries of the members of the Indian Agricultural Service, will be sent to the hon. Member.

asked what percentage of the cotton produce of the world is grown in India?

The mills of the world are said to require from twenty to twenty-one million bales of 500 lbs., of which about four million bales may be looked for from India.

asked what percentage of the cotton used in Germany is grown in India?

Reckoned on the import, the percentage was twenty in 1910 and thirteen in 1911.

asked what percentage of the cotton used in Austria, Italy, and Belgium, respectively, is grown in India?

Reckoned on the import, the percentage was 32 in 1910 and 22 in 1911 in the case of Austria; in the case of Italy 35 in 1910 and 29 in 1911; in the case of Belgium 44 in 1910 and 33 in 1911. In the latter case the import figure includes any cotton that may afterwards be re-exported.

asked what percentage of the cotton used in Japan is grown in India?

Reckoned on the import, the percentage was 62 in 1910 and 58 in 1911.

asked how many experimental seed farms the Government supports in India?

The information is not available.

asked if the Government of India is encouraging the formation of land banks in India to assist the natives financially, at reasonable rates of interest, and thus save them from falling into the hands of extortionate moneylenders?

The answer is in the affirmative. The hon. Member will find an account of what is being done to promote co-operative credit societies and central banks at page 49 of the Return presented to Parliament on 28th May, 1912, on the moral and material progress of India during the year 1910–11.

Can the Under-Secretary take any steps to prevent the use of the term "natives" in this question; it is held to be very offensive to Indians.

Perhaps the hon. Member will make that representation to the hon. Member who asks the question.

asked into what contract or agreement the India Office have entered with Mr. Mallet; whether that gentleman's pension terms are those obtaining in the Civil Service in respect of members thereof who have entered by the usual gate; whether the appointment is to be permanent in character; and whether the supervision of Indian students is now to be regarded as a department of India Office administration and a regularly recurring charge on the Indian taxpayer?

It is not customary to make appointments to the Home Civil Service under special contract or agreement, and no departure from the usual practice was made in the case of Mr. Mallet. His appointment is a permanent one, and the usual pension conditions apply to it. The supervision of Indian students by an officer appointed by the Secretary of State, whose salary is defrayed from Indian revenues, came into force in 1909, and the new appointment, as I have explained to the House, marks an expansion of the system already established.

What reason has the Secretary of State to suppose that the natives of India wish to pay for this grandmotherly supervision of Hindus who have adopted the habits of natives of Europe?

The Secretary of State acts upon his own responsibility. In this matter he was expanding the system of looking after students in this country on the advice of a Select Committee of his Council.

Has any communication been held with the Government of India to show that the Indian taxpayer wishes them to take this step?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial, signed by fifteen small holders in the neighbourhood of Levalley, Rathdowney, Queen's County, whose farms do not average more than seven acres, and who have a total of 93 persons depending upon them, pointing out that in the immediate vicinity there is the farm of Levalley, consisting of 112 Irish acres, untenanted, and temporarily let for grazing of stock, and requesting that steps be taken to acquire this farm for the purpose of enlarging their holdings; and can he say what course the Estates Commissioners propose to adopt in this matter?

The memorial referred to has been received by the Estates Commissioners. An inspection has been made of 187 acres of untenanted land on the Crown estate, in the neighbourhood referred to, and the Commissioners furnished the trustees with a preliminary estimate of the amount which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of the lands if formal proceedings for sale to the Commissioners were instituted by the trustees, who have not yet instituted such proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary if Lord Clonbrock offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners that section of his property described as the Quansborough estate, in Mulla, county Galway; has the Abbey Goomican farm, included in the Quansborough estate, been acquired; and, if not, having regard to the number of small holdings in the district and the fact that a memorial, signed by seventy tenants, was sent to the Commissioners asking them to acquire this farm, will he represent to the Estates Commissioners the desirability of reopening negotiations with Lord Clonbrock, with a view of taking over this farm in the interest of the small farmers of the district?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 13th November last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether any portion of the million granted last year for the benefit of the Labourers Acts has been allocated to any rural councils; and, if so, will the names of the councils and the amount of Grants made be published?

Out of the additional million pounds provided by the Labourers Act of 1911 loans amounting to £77,325 have been already sanctioned to ten rural districts. In addition, Orders have been made by the Local Government Board's inspectors, after local inquiry, confirming schemes in thirty-three districts, for which loans of not less than £234,000 will be required. The remaining schemes received are being dealt with in order of urgency. The names of the rural districts, and the amounts of loans sanctioned in each financial year, are published in the Annual Reports of the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state, as was done on the occasion of the introduction of Rule 127 (b), the date of the meeting at which it was resolved by the Commissioners of National Education to formulate and introduce the rule known as Rule 92 (j) which compels a married woman teacher to be absent herself from school for three months after child-birth, and to employ a substitute at her own expense during that period; can he state the reasons which led the Commissioners to introduce Rule 92 (j); whether before doing so they consulted the various managers' associations and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, or did they before introducing it obtain medical opinion as to its necessity; and, if so, what medical authority was so consulted?

The Rule referred to by the hen. Member was adopted by the Commissioners of National Education at their meeting on 4th April, 1911. The Commissioners considered the Rule a salutary one both in the interests of the health of the teacher and the efficiency of the public service. Before making the Rule the Commissioners did not consult any of the various bodies referred to. The Central Council of the Catholic Clerical Managers' Association passed a resolution approving of the Regulation, but recommended that the substitutes should be paid by the Commissioners. So far as I know, no medical authority was consulted.

asked the Chief Secretary from how many teachers has salary and other emoluments been withheld for non-compliance with Rule 92 (j) of the Commissioners of National Education since its introduction in July, 1911, up to the present time; in how many of these cases has it been represented that it was found impossible to comply with the rule, and what steps have the Commissioners taken to investigate cases in which such representations have been made; what is the total amount withheld from teachers for non-compliance with that rule, and what has been, or will be, done with the money so withheld; and whether, in view of the fact that the rule has not worked well and has imposed hardship and suffering on teachers, he will advise the Commissioners to withdraw it and revert to the arrangement which existed prior to June, 1911?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the information is not available, and its preparation would take a considerable time. The Commissioners have at present under consideration representations made to them by me in reference to the operation of this rule.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the sum of £18 17s. 8d. has been withheld from Mrs. O'Connell, principal teacher of Streamstown Girls' School, county Westmeath, owing to her inability to comply with Rule 92 (j) of the Commissioners of National Education, notwithstanding the fact that the manager of the school furnished the Commissioners with certified copies of the advertisements which Mrs. O'Connell had inserted in her efforts to procure a substitute, together with a statement from the newspaper manager that no replies were received to these advertisements, and his own further statement that he was satisfied that everything possible had been done under the circumstances to comply with the rule; whether he is further aware that, disregarding all these circumstances, the Commissioners refused to alter their decision and continue to withhold Mrs. O'Connell's salary, Mrs. O'Connell having worked in her school from 18th March to 16th May, 1912, and, with the exception of a fortnight's vacation at Easter, which has been allowed for, she has received no salary or other payment for that time; whether on one of the days for which payment has been refused, namely, 24th April, 1912, the senior inspector visited the school, remained there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and, as a result of his inspection, reported that the proficiency of the pupils in Mrs. O'Connell's school was very good; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider the desirability of further inquiry; and if he will so advise the Education Board?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that a deduction has been made from the salary of Mrs. O'Connell, as stated in the question. From the advertisements submitted by the teacher, it appears that she prescribed qualifications and attainments for her substitute entirely in excess of those required by the Commissioners, and it would seem to be owing to this circumstance that she had no response to her advertisements. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Commissioners are considering the representations made to them by me on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that Daniel McCarthy, clerk of the union, Skibbereen, has recently been sworn in as a justice of the peace for the county of Cork; whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland had previously to this appointment expressed his determination not under any circumstances to appoint Mr. McCarthy, or any union clerk, to the commission; whether, in Mr. McCarthy's application and otherwise, the fact that he was clerk of the union was concealed; whether both the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Lieutenant of the county have declared that if this fact had been disclosed the appointment would not have been made; and whether any steps are now going to be taken in the case?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that Mr. Daniel McCarthy, clerk of the Skibbereen Union, has recently been sworn in as a magistrate for the county of Cork. The Lord Chancellor had not previously refused to appoint Mr. McCarthy. As I have already stated in reply to a previous question of the hon. Member, at the time of the appointment the Lord Chancellor had no knowledge of the fact that Mr. McCarthy was a clerk of a union, and if he had known it he would not have appointed him.

Is it the practice of the Lord Chancellor in all cases to make inquiries as to the character and position of a man before he appoints him?

The gentleman in question was recommended to him by the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and I suppose inquiries were made, but perhaps they were not directed to ask him to state all the public appointments he holds.

Is it not a fact that the clerk of a union can fill no other office; that if there was any description at all he must have been so described, and is it a fact that in this case the Lord Chancellor made no inquiry whatever?

I know nothing what ever about that except what the Lord Chancellor tells me, which is that he had no knowledge whatever that this gentleman, when he appointed him, was clerk to the union.

Is it not a fact that the police have to report on these appointments before they are made?

No. I do not think it has gone that length yet.

Is it not a fact that the Lord Chancellor knows the Skibbereen district perfectly well and must have known the position held by this gentleman, and is it not notorious that Daniel McCarthy has humbugged both the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the Lord Chancellor, and under these circumstances, which of the three is going to hold his post?

I can only answer for the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on Wednesday night last a force of police was drafted into the town of Edgeworthstown to prevent a meeting of the Town Tenants League there, and that without provocation of any kind the police set upon the people and batoned them, six men and some women and children being seriously wounded; will he say who ordered this baton charge; who was in command of the police; and will he direct an inquiry into the whole matter immediately?

The police authorities inform me that on the 31st July a meeting of the Town Tenants and Labour Leagues was held at Edgeworthstown. The meeting was not interfered with in any way until the crowd attempted to proceed towards the residence of the landlord whom the meeting was called to denounce. The district inspector informed them that he could not allow them to proceed further in that direction, when an attempt was made to rush the police, a sergeant was knocked down and the district inspector struck with a heavy stone. The district inspector then ordered the police to draw batons and charge. The police saw no women or children in the crowd, and, so far as they know, no civilian was seriously wounded, although probably some received slight injuries. Fourteen police were injured from stones and broken bottles thrown by the crowd. I see no reason for any inquiry into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that sixteen people had to receive medical treatment as the result of this baton charge, and inasmuch as his information comes from the district inspector whose action is impugned, will lie hold an independent enquiry into the whole transaction?

Sixteen civilians were injured and fourteen police were injured also, so it is not unequal.

Is it a fact that the police were armed and the crowd were not?

I do not know what you call a broken bottle.