asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information as to the increasing inability of the authorities in Peking to control the provincial authorities; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding treaty obligations, the poppy is freely cultivated in Kweichau, Shansi, Szechuan, Chekiang, Kiangsu, Fukien, and Yunnan; whether it now appears to the Government likely that the Chinese Government will be able to enforce the discontinuance of the poppy cultivation; whether the revenues of the Chinese Government have been largely reduced by the fall in opium importation; and whether the Government proposes, while reducing the income of the Chinese Government, to facilitate the loan of money to that administration to repair the breach partly created by its own policy? I do not see either the Foreign Secretary or the Under-Secretary in his place.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked me to answer the question. Information received from His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Representatives in China gives evidence of the inability of the Central Government at Peking to impose its will on the authorities of the Provinces. The same information also shows that, since the outbreak of the revolution, China has signally failed to carry out the stipulation in Article 1 of the Anglo-Chinese Agreement of 8th May, 1911, providing for the progressive diminution of opium production throughout the country. I cannot say that there are any indications at present to warrant the hope that the Central Government will be able in the near future to enforce the discontinuance of poppy cultivation, but I trust that the gradual restoration of normal conditions, which I believe to be in progress, may ultimately lead to this result. I have no information to bear out the suggestion made in the fourth part of the question. The loss of revenue which might have resulted from the decrease in the quantity of opium imported has been offset to a large extent, if not altogether, by the increase in the Import Duty imposed on foreign opium under Article 6 of the agreement above referred to.

Is the hon. Gentleman in a position to say whether the Foreign Office propose to enforce this agreement against the Indian Exchequer and the Indian ryot in spite of the fact that they have no hope that the Chinese Government will be able to carry out this agreement?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be so good as to put any further question on the Paper. He must see that I am not in a position to answer.

asked what were the conditions which were stipulated to the Republic of China by the Powers before the loan which she desired would be permitted?

His Majesty's Government would have no objection to the publication of the conditions at the proper moment, but before doing so it would be necessary to obtain the assent of the other parties to the agreement. Until, however, the question of loans by the six-Powers group is definitely settled it would obviously not be fair to disclose details. As soon as a settlement is arrived at I will seek the consent of the groups to publish full particulars. His Majesty's Government have lost no opportunity of announcing that, broadly speaking, the objects which the Governments concerned have had in view are: to prevent the possibility of a return to the former dangerous policy of unprofitable international competition in China, and to discourage any loans which do not in their opinion offer adequate guarantees for the proper and useful expenditure of the proceeds and satisfactory security for the payment of principal and interest.

asked what has been the result of the representations made to the Japanese Government with reference to the exclusion of British ships from the Japanese coasting trade, while Japanese ships are admitted to the coasting trade of India; and whether the Government is prepared to adopt the regulations in force in Germany under which only Powers granting coastal trading rights to German ships are granted similar rights in German waters?

No representations have yet been made to the Japanese Government on this subject, but the matter is under consideration. The question of further action will be for subsequent decision.

asked whether friendly representations have been made to the Government of Japan in view to the suppression of a seditious publication known as "Islamic Fraternity," edited by a Mahomedan professor in Tokyo, and circulated freely throughout India?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been instructed to bring the facts of the case to the notice of the Japanese Government. As the introduction of the paper into British India has been prohibited, I do not consider it necessary at present to request the Japanese Government to take any action with regard to its suppression.

asked whether any change recognised by the Foreign Office has occurred in respect of the status of outer Mongolia in relation to Russia and China?

The answer is in the-negative.

asked if the Foreign Secretary is aware that, when the Barbadian British subjects, recruited for the Peruvian Amazon Company, realised the nature of the work on the Putumayo, they appealed to the British Vice-Consul at Manaos to secure their release from their contracts; whether this official refused to assist them; whether he reported this incident; and whether this gentleman is still in the service of His Majesty's Government?

I have no information beyond what is stated on page 11 of the Putumayo Blue Book, no report of the incident having been made to this Department. It would in any case in my opinion have been difficult for the British Vice-Consul, an unsalaried official who has since resigned his appointment, to have taken steps to obtain the release of the men in question from their contracts on the strength of rumours which he had no means of verifying.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that Messrs. Twort and Ingram, as the result of research work at the Brown Institution, have discovered a diagnostic vaccine which is specific for Johne's disease in cattle, sheep, and goats, and will enable any owner of such stock to eradicate the disease from his herd or flock and to prevent its reintroduction by newly-bought animals; and whether, in view of the fact that this increasingly prevalent and fatal disease is thus demonstrable to a stockowner in its earliest stages and that, the carcases of effected animals being saleable, no compensation need be provided, he will consider the desirability of making compulsory the slaughter of such animals, and thus effectively stamp out the disease throughout the country?

I have received a pamphlet descriptive of the vaccine to which the hon. Member refers, but I do not think that sufficient evidence has as yet been adduced to justify the claims made with respect to it. The pathology and epizootiology of Johne's disease are being fully investigated on behalf of the Board, and I understand that the first report on the subject will be published shortly. In these circumstances it would be premature for me to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member in the concluding part of his question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see, before conducting independent investigations, that Messrs. Twort and Ingram are consulted as to the very valuable suggestion they have made?

I shall be only too glad to obtain any information from any direction, but I am told that the evidence adduced in support does not justify it.

Have those gentlemen been asked to prove their case before the Board so that it can be judged on its merits?

I do not know that they have been asked to prove their case before me, but we have evidence without asking them to come before us as a court of appeal.

asked whether any application has been made through the Board to the Development Commissioners on behalf of the Brown Institution for a grant in aid of the research work of Messrs. Twort and Ingram in connection with Johne's disease in cattle and sheep; and whether, in view of their discovery of a reliable diagnostic vaccine for this fatal disease, and their inability, through lack of financial resources, to conduct an extended field experiment with a view to its further elucidation, such an application has received or will receive the approval of the Board?

An application for a grant from the Development Fund in aid of research work in connection with Johne's disease was made by the superintendent of the Brown Institution last year, but the Commissioners were unable to recommend that it should be complied with. As the hon. Member is aware, a grant for research work in connection with the disease in question has been made to the Royal Veterinary College.

asked whether the restriction on the importation of fat cattle into Salford market from Irish ports need be any longer maintained?

I regret that I cannot at the present time authorise the movement of Irish fat stock to British markets other than those held at the foreign animals wharves at which the stock is landed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me an opportunity of privately conveying to him the view of the Salford cattle importers?

I shall be glad to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say-on the subject.

asked how many cases of wart disease were reported in Shropshire and Staffordshire in 1911; and how many up to date in 1912?

Fifty-six cases of wart disease were reported in Staffordshire and four in Shropshire, in the year 1911. During the present year 896 cases have been reported in Staffordshire, and 481 in Shropshire. It must not be inferred, however, from these figures that there has been a great increase, or indeed any increase at all, in the prevalence of the disease. It was not until this year that measures were taken to ensure systematic reporting in the counties in question.

asked why the Harper Adams Agricultural College is to have no grant for wart disease in potatoes next year, seeing that the investigation has done such good work?

The Advisory Committee on Agricultural Science to which the application of the college was referred was of opinion that the investigations proposed were not such as to fall within the scope of the grant made to the Board for scientific research. But I recognise the value of the work which has been done and I hope it may be possible to arrange for its continuance. The means by which this may be done are now under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the county councils of England have any power to override his regulations as to the admission of Irish store cattle into England; has any English county council attempted to exercise such a power; and, if so, with what result?

The county councils of Northumberland and Salop have informed me that they have made regulations excluding Irish store cattle from those counties. With regard to the remaining parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Wilton Division.

I cannot remember the answers given in this House. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether or not English county councils have the right to set at defiance the regulations of the Board of Agriculture with reference to the importation of Irish cattle, and if the English County Councils have that right, have Irish County Councils the same right with reference to English exports to Ireland?

I cannot say anything about the legal powers of Irish County Councils, but as I informed the hon. Member for the Wilton Division the English County Councils were acting strictly within the powers ganted to them under the Diseases of Animals Act.

Is it not the fact that the English County Councils have complete local self-government in this matter?

asked the Prime Minister if he can say when the House will be given an opportunity of discussing the policy of the Board of Agriculture in admitting Irish store cattle into certain British ports prior to the cessation of fresh outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Thursday last to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Wimbledon Division on this usbject.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state the name of the official who reported that infected heads of cattle had reached Liverpool from Waterford, and the nature of his report; when was this report declared false, and what was the name of the official who so reported; and what was the nature of such contradiction?

The report to which the hon. Member refers was contained in the telegram which I read to the House on the 8th July last. It was sent by Mr. A. H. Berry, one of the Board's veterinary inspectors. The matter was subsequently investigated by Mr. James Wood, of the firm of Moorhead and Wood, solicitors, Belfast, and Mr. B. M. Greenwood, of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, who found that the diseased head was not one of the ten shipped from Waterford, to which reference was made in the telegram. Further inquiries have been made as to the origin of the head in which the lesions of foot-and-mouth disease were present, but without result.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state the date of the Order excluding Irish cattle from Great Britain, the date when foot-and-mouth disease at Swords was first reported to the English Department, the nature and author of such report; is any Minute made of those in council with him when the Order was drawn up excluding Irish cattle; what were the names of his advisers; and was any legal advice obtained?

The Order to which the hon. Member refers was issued on the 28th June last immediately on its having been ascertained that animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease had been brought to Liverpool from Ireland. Information as to the discovery of the disease at Swords was received by the Board from the Irish Department on the 1st July. As I myself am responsible for the issue of the Order, it is unnecessary for me to reply to the other inquiries contained in the question.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he made his Order before the date at which the Irish Department had been communicated with?

Yes, I made the Order immediately the information came to me.

As the information did not come from the Irish Department from whom did the information come?

The information came from one of the inspectors of the British Board of Agriculture.

Was he in Ireland?

No, Sir, he was in England when the Irish animals arrived. It was on the information that came to us from that source that we acted.

asked whether, in view of the number of Members of the House of Commons who are members of Royal Commissions and of the simultaneous sittings of the House of Commons and the Commissions, he will arrange that the Division bell shall ring in the Royal Commission House, Palace Yard?

The First Commissioner will be happy to communicate with the Postmaster-General with a view to the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked whether the substitution of electricity for gas in the lighting of the chamber of the House has now been completed; whether the authorities are satisfied with the result; and whether it is now possible to regulate the light, giving more or less brilliancy as may be required?

The First Commissioner has substituted electric light for gas in this chamber, and the result is satisfactory. A greater or less degree of brilliance can be secured according to desire.

asked what has recently been done to carry out the promise that the ventilation of the Ladies' Gallery should be improved?

An Ozonair apparatus has been installed for the purpose of purifying the air which passes by a special duct to the Ladies' Gallery.

Is it possible to let hon. Members have the advantage of the Ozonair apparatus?

When the apparatus has been in position for some time we will be able to judge better of the results secured, and I shall be very happy to ask the First Commissioner to consider the question of its installation in the whole House.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the fees of clerks of pension sub-committees in Cork county have been withheld for the past twelve months; whether he is aware that since the Old Age Pension Act was passed that the fees due to pension clerks of the county of Cork are always greatly in arrears; and if he will now take steps to have the amounts due to them paid immediately, and in future paid quarterly, as laid down by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury in their regulations relating to the payment of pension clerks?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an amount of arrears of salary is due to the clerks of the sub-pension committees of the county of Cork; and, if so, can he explain the reason why?

The punctual payment of these fees depends on the promptness and accuracy with which the accounts are rendered to the Board of Customs and Excise by the clerk to the the local pension committee for the county, through whom the claims of the clerks to sub-committees are preferred. The accounts of fees due for claims and questions for the nine months ended 30th June, 1912, were not received from the clerk to the county Cork local pension committee until the 18th ultimo. They are now in course of examination, and payment will be made as soon as certain necessary inquiries have been completed. The fees for general incidental expenses cannot be paid pending the receipt from the county committee of certain resolutions rendered necessary by the Census of 1911, and the clerk has been informed of the necessity of obtaining these resolutions and communicating them to the Board of Customs and Excise.

asked when other denominations of postage stamps besides the ½d., 1d., and 2d. will be issued to the public with the portrait of His Majesty, in view of the great delay that has occurred?

A 3d. postage stamp with the portrait of His Majesty was issued on the 8th instant. The new 1½d. stamp will be issued to-morrow, and stamps of other denominations subsequently at short intervals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mrs. Best, who was employed in the Bishop Auckland Labour Exchange, has been discharged without any reason being assigned; whether he will state the grounds on which she was dismissed; and whether, in view of the allegations that have been made concerning Mrs. Best and the conditions of her employment at the Exchange, and in view also of the public attention that has been drawn to the matter, he will grant an inquiry into all the circumstances in order to elucidate the facts?

The facts of this case received the personal consideration of my right hon. Friend. The officer referred to was engaged, like other officers of the Labour Exchange service, on probation for the first two years, and it was one of the terms of the engagement that it might be terminated by a month's notice on either side without reason assigned. The decision to dispense with the services of the officer in question was only arrived at after a careful investigation, at which she was fully heard, and which showed that she was not suited to the work of a Labour Exchange. I am of opinion that a further inquiry could serve no useful purpose.

asked the Presdent of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the invention of Captain H. B. Bolt for providing extra security for those at sea; and whether, in view of the difficulty of carrying sufficient boats for all seamen and passengers, he will have full inquiry made into the merits of the said invention?

The invention in question is under consideration by the Boats and Davits Committee.

asked the President of of the Board of Trade whether he can state the conditions under which permission was given to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners to truss the Wellesley Bridge at Limerick in such a way as to block the river traffic; whether he is aware that the obstruction so caused has pre vented boatmen from West Clare from carrying turf to its due destination; and what steps will be taken to induce the Harbour Commissioners to reopen the waterway as soon as possible?

The Board of Trade-informed the Harbour Commissioners on 28th October, 1911, that they would offer no objection to the trussing of the bridge for a limited period upon the following conditions: (1) That the Commissioners gave an undertaking to pay the cost of extra cartage entailed by the closing of the bridge. (2) That the "lie-by" below-the bridge was made safe for the turf boats by the placing of timber baulks across the lower entrance. (3) That the Commissioners gave an undertaking to take steps forthwith to carry out the repair or rebuilding of the bridge and to obtain all necessary powers for the purpose. The Board are informed by the Harbour Commissioners that since the bridge was trussed and fixed twenty-three turf boats have landed cargoes, as compared with sixteen in the previous year, and that the Commissioners are prepared to pay compensation to any owner of turf boats for any extra cost incurred in carting the turf from the substituted place of landing below the bridge. I understand that the Commissioners are still considering the question of rebuilding the bridge, and that they have been in communication with the Limerick Corporation and the county councils of Clare and Limerick with a view to obtaining financial assistance towards the cost.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that for a whole year this great waterway has been blocked for the convenience of a few rich people in Limerick, and to the detriment of the hard-working folk of the district?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Annual Reports of the Council of the Judges of the Supreme Court, under Section 75 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1875 can be issued as Parliamentary Papers?

The Reports made in 1880 and 1892 were presented to Parliament in 1881 and 1894 respectively. The only other Report, that of 1884, was quoted almost entirely in an Order in Council of 26th June, 1884, which was presented to Parliament in the same year.

Is it not a fact that since the passing of the Statute in 1875, only three of these Councils have been summoned, although a statutory obligation rests on the Lord Chancellor to call one every year?

asked the Attorney-General whether, seing that under Section 75 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1873, it is provided that a Council of the Judges of the Supreme Court shall assemble once at least in every year and report annually to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State as to any amendments or alterations which they may deem expedient for the better administration of justice, he will give the date upon which the last annual assembly of the Council of Judges was held and the date of their last annual report?

I am making inquiry into the matter and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement in my supplementary question on the last question is correct?

I believe so, but I would not like to say positively until I have had an opportunity of verifying the statement.

And that not one meeting has been held since the right hon. Gentleman was called to the Bar?

I believe so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the Attorney-General's Motion on the Order Paper will not be pressed until this matter is thoroughly settled?

I shall know, in the course of the afternoon, what the answer to the question is.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the payment of a salary of £400 a year now made to Members of this House, he pro poses to leave it in the absolute discretion of Members to give or withhold their ser vice to this House for which the salary is paid, or will he consider the propriety of reviving the methods whereby this House formerly secured the rendering of such service, such as the practice of moving on important occasions a call of the House and fining all Members absent without good cause on the call being made, or the practice of moving for leave of absence to Members desiring for sufficient reason to intermit their service; or does he propose to suggest any new method, such as an attendance book and a proportionate diminution of salary for non-attendance, or the publication, as a Parliamentary Paper, of such a monthly or quarterly Return as will inform the constituents of each Member of the amount of service each Member gives in return for his salary?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask if he is aware that the hon. Member who puts the question was himself absent from 253 Divisions last year, and from 128 Divisions this year up to the time of the Adjournment?

I am afraid I cannot answer the question of my hon. Friend on this side—

You can take it from me that it is so.

The present system has been such a short time in operation that the consideration of any of the suggestions made by the hon. Baronet would be premature.

Am I to understand from the answer that when an hon. Member has been elected to this House and has taken his seat, he can absent himself for the whole of the four or five years, and enjoy his pay for the whole of the time?

I think the suggestion of the hon. Member is well worth consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in early times hon. Members had to provide sureties for their appearance in the House?

That is very interesting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will direct the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to make to all officers of the Army, Navy, and Civil Service in receipt of public pay under and up to £400 a year similar allowances in respect of Income Tax to those made to Members of this House; and, if not, why not?

asked whether any directions or instructions were given by the Treasury to the Inland Revenue Commissioners with reference to the deduction of a uniform sum of £100 from the salaries of Members of Parliament for the purpose of Income Tax, or whether they acted entirely on their own initiative in allowing such deduction; and whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality of such uniform deduction was obtained?

asked if the special allowance in respect of Income Tax made in the payment of the salaries of Members of this House is made by direction of the Treasury, and from what section of what Act is authority derived to make it?

asked what are the detailed items of which the sum of £100 deducted from the salaries of Members for the purpose of Income Tax is made up; how much was taken by the Inland Revenue Commissioners to represent travelling expenses; and how much any other; and, if so, what items?

asked for the statutory authority for the recent abatement of Income Tax from the salaries paid to Members of Parliament, and by what authority such abatement was made retrospective; whether there is any precedent for abatements being made without a claim being put in for such abatement based on exemptions permitted by the Income Tax Acts; and how such abatement is consistent with Section 159 of 5 and 6 Vic, c. 35?

The deduction was allowed by direction of the Treasury. There was no occasion to consult the Law Officers. The adoption of a uniform rate in lieu of a detailed examination of each case is a matter of administrative convenience and follows the practice in other cases. The sum has not been apportioned in the manner suggested by the hon. and learned Member for St. Pancras. The other points in these questions are covered by my replies to hon. Members on Wednesday and Thursday last.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman from what Section of the Act he derives his authority to make this deduction—I do not think that was stated last time?

It was made under Section 51, and 16 and 17 Victoria, Chapter 34.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether a uniform reduction to Members of Parliament, irrespective of whether they have incurred the expenses or not, is justified by the Statute, and will he let me see that opinion?

I will consider that suggestion.

Will the right, hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, if there is to be any similar allowance to officers of the Army and Navy?

I am not aware that the circumstances are similar.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state when he proposes to fill up the vacancy among the Lords of the Treasury caused by the elevation of Lord Murray of Elibank to the House of Peers?

My right hon. Friend is not at present prepared to make any statement on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any precedent for leaving this office so long unfilled, with no attempt to fill it?

Indeed, there is. If the hon. Member had been present in the days of the last Unionist Government—I am not sure whether he was in the House—he would know that I put the same question about once a week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware in the case to which he refers that at least attempts were made to fill the office?

I know, but it was thought so unsafe that the attempts were not persevered in. May I remind the hon. Member that we have—at the present time—just as many junior Lords as the Unionist Government had then.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a schedule of inquiries dealing with questions affecting the occupation and ownership of land, and stating in a preliminary instruction that the information sought was required for Government purposes; whether he himself or any Member of the Government had the schedule of interrogatories submitted to them before publication; and whether it is now being circulated with their knowledge and approval?

The answer to all three questions is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (68) whether he authorised the statement made by a Mr. Angus that a Committee has been appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to obtain information for him and for the Cabinet regarding the actual conditions of life and labour in Great Britain; and, if so, whether he will give, either now or at some later date, the names of the members of such Committee; and (69) whether any and what opportunity of reply will be given to landlords who are attacked or whose estate management is criticised in the replies to the questions which have been circulated by the Land Inquiry Committee?

I informed the hon. Member in reply to a question on Thursday of the object of this Committee. So far as conditions of life and labour are relevant to that object they fall within its scope. Its aim is to elicit facts, and all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the accuracy of those facts. As regards the rest of his question I would refer him to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs on the 10th July.

That answer of the Prime Minister was no answer to my question, namely, whether any and what opportunity of reply will be given to the landlords who are attacked or whose estate management is criticised in the replies to the questions which have been circulated by the Land Inquiry Committee?

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman will find the Prime Minister dealt with the whole question.

May I ask will any member of the Committee stand the test of an action for libel for any misstatement made?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question now even if it was answered by the Prime Minister's answer? I can assure him it was not.

I should like to consult the answer of the Prime Minister before I made any further statement.

asked the Post master-General whether his attention has been drawn to the dismissal from the Post Office factory, Mount Pleasant, of two employés on the established list, Mr. A. Searle and Mr. J. J. Smith, who had been in Government employment since 1893 and 1891 respectively; whether both these gentlemen were given notice of dismissal without the offer of alternative work; whether he is aware of paragraph 91 in the Report of the Departmental Commit tee on Post Office Factories; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

It was considered that it would be necessary to dispense with the services of these two foremen carpenters because, owing to the changed circumstances at the factory, there was no work for them of the kind and grade to which they were accustomed. Their retirement would, however, have been on pension. But I propose to give further consideration to the matter, and to see whether work of some other kind might not be found for them.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he can state why the value of the stamp required for Form A 18, in connection with the horse-breeding scheme for Ireland, has this year been in creased by 150 per cent. (from 1s. to 2s. 6d.); if he is aware that the stamp now required, namely, an Inland Revenue stamp, value 2s. 6d., is practically impossible for Irish farmers to obtain, as they are not supplied through the Post Office, and the Custom House officials refuse to sell them; and whether, if that particular stamp is insisted upon in future he will take steps to make it possible for country residents to comply with the regulation without being put to great expense and inconvenience?

The question of the proper Stamp Duty payable in respect of the Statutory Declaration on Form A 18 has recently been under consideration by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and they are advised that the proper duty is an impressed 2s. 6d. deed stamp, and not a 1s. adhesive Petty Sessions stamp as formerly required. The stamp can be obtained by lodging the Declaration at any stamp or money order office.

May I ask the Vice-President of the Department if he will reply to the latter half of my question dealing with the making of arrangements that will enable the Irish farmers to comply with the regulations without unnecessary inconvenience?

I believe that Inland Revenue stamps are sold in most of the towns of Ireland, either at the post office or in some other way; in fact I know it is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is a police constable's duty to stop motor cars whose drivers are breaking the law by either furious driving or driving to the danger of the public; and whether, if this is so, he will give orders that all cars are to be stopped at the time of the commitment of the offence?

Where an offence under Section 1 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, is committed in view of a constable, it is his duty to intervene and stop the car, if practicable, or failing that to take the number, if he can. In most cases, however, a constable, being on the footway, would not be able to stop a car which passes at a furious pace.

Does that also apply to Wales?

Yes, the same rule applies.

asked the Home Secretary whether the enforcement of the prohibition of the distribution of leaflets in the London streets is intended to preclude the distribution of leaflets at open air meetings, at the doors of indoor meetings, or of leaflets which are distributed by being inserted in or under house doors, and, if not, will he communicate with the police accordingly?

The prohibition relates to the distribution in the streets of leaflets by way of advertisement. It will not apply ordinarily to political or social tracts, nor will it apply to the distribution of advertisements through letterboxes, etc. As a matter of practice, the Commissioner of Police proposes to instruct his officers not to interfere with any advertisements except those distributed for purposes of trade or profit, and with these only when the distribution leads either to the obstruction or annoyance of passengers or to the streets being littered with papers.

Have the police instructions from the right hon. Gentleman that they are not to enforce this prohibition in the case of leaflets delivered at political meetings, and is the word "ordinarily" taken from the Act of Parliament?

Yes, Sir, the answer which I have given to my hon. Friend is a statement of the law.

asked the Home Secretary if he has kept any record of the cases brought against the police or of persons wrongly charged by the police in the United Kingdom during the Parliamentary Recess?

I have no information on this point, and would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 15th of July last.

How can an answer given to me on 15th July deal with the Parliamentary Recess?

It deals with it in this respect: that the reason which I gave on 15th July last for being then unable to answer the question of the hon. Gentleman applies equally now.

asked the Home Secretary if, as stated by him a Blenavon, the Government will try to override the decisions of the Grand Committee on the Criminal Law Amendment Bill; and whether the Government will move on the Report stage to restore Clause 1 to its original form, although the Amendment as to police powers of arrest was made at the instigation of the Home Office?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that hon. Members are receiving a large number of appeals from their constituents asking that Clause 1 should be restored to its original form?

Yes, I am fully aware of the fact that the hon. Member opposite refers to. Some Amendments will be proposed on the Report Stage, and I shall support an Amendment, of which notice has been given, to restore Clause 1 to its original form. The amendment of that Clause was agreed to in Grand Committee, with much reluctance, because several Members felt hesitation in giving increased powers to the police; but it appeared, as the Bill progressed in Committee, and from subsequent manifestations of opinion in the country, that the original form of Clause 1 was to be preferred, a view which in my opinion is right.

Was not the alteration made on the Motion of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lee), the author of the Bill; was it not supported by the Government representatives in the room, and was it not carried unanimously?

Yes, the facts as stated are literally accurate, but I do not think that they would convey the proper meaning. As the hon. Member knows, Amendments are often accepted in this House, although not altogether agreed with, in order to facilitate the passage of the Bill, which might otherwise be in jeopardy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no private Member at the Committee urged either upon the Government or upon the promoters of the Bill that this Amendment should be made?

As one who supports the Bill in its original form, is it not rather unfair that the hon. Gentleman the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Booth), seeing that this Amendment was moved by the promoters of the Bill, should alone have had to bear all the blame in the Press?

If the hon. Gentleman the Member for Pontefract has had to bear any blame in the Press, I am sure he will be entirely exonerated from it. As a matter of fact, it would be a longer explanation than I reasonably can give now, but when we come to discuss the subject in the House, I shall be very happy to give it.

Will hon. Members on the Report stage of the Bill be properly apprised on what led the Committee upstairs to alter the Bill; can the right hon. Gentleman give us an official Report of what occurred, so that the House may be in full possession of the facts?

No, Sir; the proper time to make a statement is when the Bill comes on, and I will certainly then make a statement.

Is it possible to get a copy of the shorthand notes?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Bill is likely to come on, and will he give an undertaking that it shall not come on after eleven o'clock at night?

I am unable to say when the Bill is likely to come on; that is a question that should be addressed to the Prime Minister. I certainly could not give an undertaking that it shall not come on after eleven o'clock.

Will it be before Christmas?

Yes.

Are we to understand that the Home Office really desire that a private constable should have power to arrest—

That is arguing the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the police administration of New York; what relations, if any, exist between the authorities of London and those of New York; whether there has been any exchange or transfer of officers from one staff to the other; and what communications take place between the officers of the two forces?

I have no knowledge on this subject beyond what has appeared in the newspapers. There has been no exchange or transfer of officers between the police authorities of London and New York. The only communications that take place have reference to the movements of criminals, and kindred inquiries such as take place between all police forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what was the true revenue per head derived from indirect taxation in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively, for the last financial year?

For the financial year 1911–12 the estimated true revenue from indirect taxation per head was—

Great Britain	…	…	£1	9	2
Ireland	…	…	1	8	7

For the purpose of this calculation, all Customs and Excise Duties, excepting licences and Railway Duty, are treated as indirect taxes.

asked when it is proposed to issue the Report of the Treasury Departmental Committee on the relation between Imperial and Local Taxation and the incidence of the latter upon the persons, respectively, interested in real estate; and whether he will consider the advisability of suspending any further and more private investigation with the object of throwing further burdens upon agricultural land pending the issue of such Report, and in view of its possible refutation of the assumptions upon which the proposed further investigation is based?

As regards the first part of the question, I fear that I can add nothing to what I said in my reply to the hon. Member for South Paddington on the 19th July. As regards the latter part of the question, the investigation that the hon. Member has in mind is based upon no assumptions, nor is its object to throw further burdens on agricultural land. Its object is to obtain information.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman what steps he proposes to take if the Report of the De- partmental Committee conflicts with the Report of the Private Inquiry Committee?

I should like to wait for the result of both before answering that.

Is not the Departmental Committee composed almost entirely of officials?

May I ask how much longer we shall have to wait for the Report of the Departmental Committee, bearing in mind that part of the evidence is already published?

I could not say. In an inquiry of that kind many points must be considered very carefully before any conclusion can be come to. For instance, there is the great question of areas, which is the most difficult in local taxation, which has hardly been gone into at all yet.

Is it not hard that a campaign is being conducted on the strength of evidence brought before a Departmental Committee whose Report is not yet published?

I do not know that the appointment of a Committee of that sort should prevent discussion on public questions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a not that occurred in Limerick at the conclusion of a meeting convened to oppose the policy of Home Rule; whether the secretary and the more prominent of those attending the meeting were compelled to take refuge in the post office, a motor car Was smashed, and the windows of the Protestant Young Men's Association and other buildings occupied by Unionists broken, and the rioters dispersed after baton charges by the police; whether large numbers of the constabulary have recently been withdrawn from the South of Ireland and transferred as an additional force to Belfast; and whether he will arrange that a sufficient force is maintained in the southern provinces to cope with any emergency that may arise?

The police authorities inform me that on the occasion of the meeting referred to large crowds of people assembled outside the theatre while the meeting was going on; and at its conclusion, as the audience were dispersing and getting into their carriages and motors, some stones were thrown. A motor car had its screen broken by stones, and another car was slightly damaged. The secretary of the meeting and a small party took refuge in the post office. The windows of the Protestant Young Men's Association were broken, and also the windows of a number of shops belonging to both Protestants and Roman Catholics. A great deal of damage was done by boys. A large force of police was present, but they had considerable difficulty in restraining the crowd, which numbered some 2,000. A sufficient number of police will be maintained in the district to cope with any emergency that may arise.

Is it not a fact that there was renewed rioting on Friday evening, and that 100 additional police had to be drafted into Limerick?

There was a renewal of the rioting, and the police were reinforced.

May I ask whether the Chief Secretary will have a public inquiry held into this regrettable occurrence, with a view to finding out who fomented the disturbance in the first instance?

I am afraid that at a public inquiry we should have difficulty in achieving that object.

Does the right hon. Gentleman take the police reports as true when statements are made that the police fomented the disturbance?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any arrests have been made in respect of this disturbance?

I have not been made acquainted with the names of any.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be made acquainted if any assaults took place?

I cannot say. I think most probably I should if assaults occurred.

Is it not a fact that boys and irresponsible young fellows caused all this?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the facts in connection with the dismissals and resignations in the police force of Sheffield; whether any inquiry will be instituted by the Home Office; and whether he has cause to believe that similar practices to those exposed at Sheffield are to be found in any other town in the United Kingdom?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether the Secretary of State has been informed of the disciplinary and other measures taken by the Watch Committee of the City of Sheffield immediately upon the discovery of the irregularities referred to in the question, and whether he has any reason to doubt that those measures will suffice to maintain the high standard of efficiency for which the Sheffield police force has so long been famous?

In reply to the question on the Paper, I have to say the matter is one for which the local police authority is responsible. I have no reason to suppose they have not dealt with it adequately or that any intervention on my part is called for. If there were any similar practice in any other town, it would be for the local police authority to deal with it, but I have no reason to believe that any other police force is in default.

In reply to the question of the right hon. Gentleman opposite, I may say I have received no official report on the subject, but I have seen in the Press reports of the prompt measures taken by the Watch Committee to deal with the matter, and I have no reason to doubt that the Watch Committee will see that the high character of the Sheffield police is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many ex-soldier clerks at the War Office are in receipt of an Army pension, and how many are without such pension?