asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has been officially informed by the United States Government that the United States has denounced the Treaty made in 1832 with Russia; and whether the United States Government has made any proposals for joint representations to Russia in order to secure that the obstacles preventing Jews entering Russia may be removed?

The reply to both questions is in the negative. The subject has not been mentioned to us at all by the United States in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that foreign employés in the Chinese Maritime Customs have for some years ceased to hold any semblance of independence or control and become Chinese civil servants, retained for their work or as a matter of policy; and whether, in view of this example, the fact of foreigners being employed in the Chinese service is regarded by the Foreign Office as any guarantee of Chinese good faith?

I do not quite understand the drift of the hon. Member's question. The use of foreign employés has not been advocated to guarantee China's good faith, but in the Maritime Customs it has resulted in great efficiency in the service, and China and everybody concerned have no doubt benefited greatly thereby.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will state any reason, from the point of view of British trade, for forcing China to give a £60,000,000 monopoly in Chinese finance to a group in whose control British banking plays at most only a sixth part; in which any privileges or appointments would be in like proportion; through which Japan and Russia by their methods and constant presence would inevitably accomplish their designs upon China; and whereby British privilege would disappear from the whole of China as it has already disappeared from the Yangtze Valley?

As I stated in reply to a question put by the hon. Member on 13th June last, there is no intention of forcing China to borrow more than she wants or to borrow at all, if she does not want to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, since the willingness of British financiers, if allowed, to lend money to China on terms satisfactory to both sides shows the so-called foreign control, on which the six-Power group alone insists, to be unnecessary for British interests, if he will say in what interest the British Foreign Office supports that requirement of the non-British members of the six-Power group to which China objects?

I must refer the hon. Member to the statement made in reply to the hon. Member for West Hampshire on the 9th instant. To lend money to China without adequate guarantees for proper and useful expenditure will impair Chinese credit, it might even lead eventually to the bankruptcy of China, which would provoke all sorts of undesirable foreign interference and would damage the trade of China, and therefore British trade with China. It is in this interest that we have acted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman place in the Library or make otherwise available to Members the text of the terms sought to be imposed by the six-Power group, and especially whether those terms or the terms between the constituents of that group restrict China in the development of any part or parts of its territory?

I would ask the hon. Member to give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military great coats served out to the men are useless for protection against rain and in consequence unserviceable; whether he is aware that the men refuse to wear their great coats even in the heaviest rain, and prefer to protect themselves with ground sheets owing to their great coats being made of absorbing material; and, in the event of the Expeditionary Force being mobilised, what provision has been made for serving out to the men a serviceable coat that will protect them from cold and wet?

There are in use a considerable number of drab great coats of the pattern introduced in 1902, when it was considered necessary to lighten the load carried by the soldier, or on his horse. It was subsequently decided that the advantage of lightness was more than counterbalanced by the greater permeability of the coat to rain, and a stouter and more rainproof material was adopted in 1905, and is being gradually introduced as stocks of the older coat wear out. Stocks of the heavier great coat are available for the whole of the Expeditionary Force.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman received complaints from general officers commanding on the score of the rotten stuff of which these coats, are made?

The coats are not made of rotten stuff. They are made of a material which has the advantage of lightness, with the consequent drawback that it is not so rain-proof. It is considered, however, that on the whole it is better to-have the tougher material and to carry the extra weight, and as soon as the existing stocks are used up the men will have the heavier coat.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the matter in hand at once, because, in the event of the Expeditionary Force being mobilised, it is vitally necessary that they should have proper clothing for the war?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman had really listened to my reply, he would have heard that stocks of the heavier great coat are available for the whole of the Expeditionary Force.

Would the right hon. Gentleman try in the case of, say, some small unit an experiment in providing them with a Burberry or a lined waterproof and a sweater instead of a great coat?

No.

May I assure the right hon. Gentleman that there is a strong desire in the Army to try the experiment; and that in nine cases out of ten it would be preferable to a great coat?

What is the official life of a great coat?

That rather depends on how the coat gets on?

May we take it that there is no official life; it depends on how the coat wears?

asked whether the Government have made exhaustive tests with the latest pattern of Baden-Powell war kites, which have been supplied to-the German and other foreign armies; and, if so, whether they have been found inferior to the Cody equipment for which the Government have just paid a remuneration of £5,000?

Exhaustive trials were made with Major Baden-Powell's war kites up to the year 1896, when it was definitely decided not to proceed further with that particular design of kite. Since 1906, when a final reply was given to Major Baden-Powell, nothing further has been suggested by him. He has offered his invention to the German and other armies, with the consent of the Army Council. About 1901, a design, based on a different principle, was put forward by Mr. Cody, for which he has received the remuneration mentioned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of the Baden-Powell war kite is about one-third of that of the Cody kite; and is it not advisable that the War Office should take that into consideration when equipping the Army or when giving prizes for the best inventions?

The whole matter was carefully considered. Both sets of kites were fully considered by the best experts available, who came to the conclusion that Mr. Cody's was the better.

asked when the Radford Barracks, Edinburgh, will be ready for use; if Edinburgh Castle will then be used for any specific military purpose; and, if not, whether some national use can be made of the castle?

No definite date can at present be given for the completion of Radford Barracks. When these barracks are occupied Edinburgh Castle will still be required for military purposes, which are now under consideration.

asked whether on or about the 19th of August last the War Office issued a letter stating that they were giving instructions to the Commanders-in-Chief in the districts that they have no authority to encourage shooting by Territorials which is not part of the compulsory practice and necessary for efficiency, and that for this purpose a man was not required to visit the range on more than two or three occasions in the year; and whether it is possible for a man to become a useful shot by visiting a range not more than two or three times in the year?

I am afraid that the Noble Lord has been misinformed. The instructions in question referred solely to shooting on Sundays.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to the instructions as published in the papers, and, if he finds that they are of a perfectly general character, will he see that the matter is corrected?

Surely nobody could conceive that the instructions referred to-in the question had any such meaning as that suggested. I should have thought it was clear that they could not refer to anything except shooting on Sundays.

May I take it that there have been no instructions issued forbidding officers to encourage shooting at the ranges except on the occasions referred to?

Of course. If I may say so, it is a fantastic suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his appeal for recruits for the Territorial Force in order that we may have universal service by consent has been successful; whether, by these terms, he means that universal service is a necessity; and, if not, what is the phrase intended to convey?

I am not yet in a position to answer the first part of the question; with regard to the second part, the answer is in the negative; in reply to the third part, universal service by consent means the service of all who are able and willing to serve.

Is not that rather a fantastic suggestion?

It is the policy of both parties as far as I have been able to ascertain.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has completely changed his view concerning compulsory national service?

No. I have again and again, inside this House and out of it, urged upon all concerned the advisability of getting every young man to serve of his own free will.

asked whether it is proposed to extend the confidential land inquiry now proceeding to other forms of property, in order that the results may conduce to an equitable readjustment of taxation rather than an assault upon one interest?

The answer is in the negative. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as regards the objects of the inquiry.

Are we to understand that the partial ruin of the landlords is to be regarded at present as sufficient expiation of their political opinions?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (20) 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 (21) 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 will answer the hon. and learned Member's two questions together by referring him to the replies that I gave to him yesterday. As regards the point raised in his second question, I would remind him that the object of the Committee is not to criticise individual landowners, but to obtain information regarding the land system of this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he authorised the statement of Mr. Angus; and whether any opportunity for reply will be given to the landlords?

With regard to the first point, the answer which I gave is specific. The Committee was appointed at my request. As to the association represented by Mr. Angus, I do not know that I have had any direct communication with it; but Mr. Angus's statement is perfectly correct. With regard to the second part, I have given the answer. The hon. and learned Gentleman is under a misapprehension as to the purpose of the Committee. It is not to receive information for attacking individual landlords, but with a view to obtaining information regarding the conditions of housing and wages in the country. That is not an attack upon individual landlords.

Will the landlords have an opportunity, when attacked, of answering statements made by informants, or will they never be told the answers, and have no opportunity of correcting inaccuracies?

May I ask whether, in the Paper which has been issued and which has been published, questions are not asked regarding the character and conduct of individual landlords which they ought to have an opportunity of answering?

I cannot for the moment recall anything of the kind. If the hon. Member points it out to me, I shall certainly look into it. The inquiry is not for attacking landlords, but is such a one as any hon. Member might conduct for himself; not with the view of attacking anyone in particular, or even a class, but of obtaining information such as is sought very often by Government Departments as to the condition of the rural population—housing, wages, and matters of that kind.

Will the landlords— that is the question I asked—have any opportunity of answering these questions, or will they be kept from them?

May I ask whether landlords have an opportunity of replying to the reports made by Medical Officers of Health when they inspect property in country districts?

No attack has been made on the landlords. [An HON. MEMBER: "It is not a question of attack."] That is not the question. I understand the suggestion is, if an attack is made upon a landlord, whether or not he will have an opportunity for reply. Of course he will have an opportunity for reply if any attack is made upon him.

Assuming that the answer given to Mr. Angus is adverse to the landlord, will that answer be communicated to the landlord so that he may have an opportunity of replying to it, or will it be carefully kept from him, and will the Cabinet act on an ex parte statement?

If an attack is made on an individual landlord on a matter which is of sufficient importance— [HON. Members: "Oh"]—Well, really, that interruption is not fair—for the Cabinet to take cognisance of and act upon; of course, the landlord will have a full opportunity of answering it.

Having asked my question four times and received no satisfactory answer, I give notice that I shall bring the matter up on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

I shall be happy to be here.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that there are many landlords who will be quite ready to appear before his Committee?

I am very glad to hear that. Some of the very best answers we have had have come from very large landlords. If any landlord will apply we shall be very glad indeed to send him the documents.

Why do you send and spy at them first?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Scottish school boards consider they will incur loss by the system of instalment grants recently introduced; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

I am aware that a limited number of Scottish school boards take the view referred to in the first part of the question. It is a mistake to suppose that any loss of grant will result from the proposed change in the mode of payment, and the change will be of great convenience generally. I shall do my best to meet any exceptional cases of hardship in the transition period. The change will not be introduced till the year 1913–14.

May we take it there will be no loss on the part of the school beards?

Yes, certainly; that is the fact: there will be no loss.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to remove the existing Calton Prison, Edinburgh, and to use the site for Government offices; if so, when is the change contemplated and what offices are to be accommodated there; and whether every care will be taken in any new buildings that are to be erected to preserve this natural feature of Edinburgh?

There is a project of this kind under consideration, but the details are not yet worked out, and no buildings could be commenced in any case without the matter being laid before Parliament. I can assure my hon. Friend that, in any designs for new buildings, care would be taken to preserve the amenities of Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now say if arrangements can be made for a popular and educative series of lectures on art in the National Galleries, Edinburgh?

The suggestion of my hon. Friend has been considered by the National Galleries trustees, but neither before nor since he last raised the question have they received any representations or other evidence pointing to the existence of a public demand for the provision by the trustees of such lectures. If evidence were submitted to them indicating that such lectures would meet a real demand and would be well supported, the trustees would be ready to consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the conviction in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, on 27th February last, of a constable named Sturgeon who was sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment; whether he is aware that it was on this man's evidence solely that Miss Jessie Brown, of Glasgow, was arrested and convicted of solicitation; and, if so, whether, in view of these new facts, he is now in a position to enforce a solatium from the authorities to that lady?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Jessie Brown was convicted of soliciting at Glasgow on the evidence of two plain-clothes constables; that she thereafter obtained two certificates from doctors that she was virgo intacta; that the authorities refused, on this being brought to their notice, to expunge the conviction or to grant any compensation; and that, on her bringing an action, the Justiciary Appeal Court quashed the conviction; and whether, seeing that the two constables were condemned to pay £40 damages in July last for the illegal arrest of one Duncan Harvey, and that one of these constables, Alexander Sturgeon, was in February convicted of what the presiding sheriff described as a singuarly cold-blooded and brutal bigamy, under these circumstances he will recommend that compensation be paid to Miss Brown for the grievous wrong which has been done her?

The answer to the first part of the question of my hon. Friend the Member for the College Division of Glasgow is in the affirmative. To the second and third in the negative. The answer to the first and second parts of the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme is in the affirmative. As to the later parts of the question, the magistrates stated that they had no power to expunge the conviction, but on appeal to the High Court the conviction was quashed. Miss Brown brought an action against the two constables for wrongous arrest, but it was dismissed on the ground that she had not brought the action within the statutory period of six months. As to the last part of the question, my predecessor entered into correspondence with the magistrates, who informed him that they had considered the case and decided against giving compensation. Since the case against the two constables, I have also been in correspondence with the magistrates, who have informed me that, after consideration and reconsideration on a number of occasions, they do not see their way to alter their decision.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there has been any doubt thrown upon the doctor's certificates that this lady was virgo intacta; whether that is accepted, and, if accepted, whether they still refuse to give compensation for this extraordinary arrest —an arrest by constables both of whom have since been convicted of crime, the one of wrongful arrest, and the other of bigamy?

As I have pointed out, the conviction was quashed by the High Court. I do not know that I need go into the grounds upon which the conviction was quashed. But the fact is as stated, that the magistrates have informed me that they do not see their way to grant compensation.

Do they throw any doubt upon the certificates of the doctor?

No, Sir; they do not raise that point at all.

Is there any objection on the part of the right hon. Gentleman stating the grounds upon which the magistrates refused to grant compensation?

I am not in possession of all their reasons. They have informed me that they have again and again considered this matter very carefully, and that they have come to the conclusion which I have stated. It is not a matter over which I have any control. I cannot control the action of the magistrates. They are not called upon to explain their reasons. But they have assured me that they have given the matter their serious consideration.

Is it not the case that the Scottish Office can force magistrates to grant a solatium?

No, Sir, that is not the case.

Who were the magistrates; how many were there; what are their names?

Is there no appeal from the decision of these magistrates?

There is no appeal on the question of compensation. The lady, I may point out, had her action for damages against the constables concerned, but unfortunately it was not brought till some three or four months after the statutory period had elapsed, and I think the case was dismissed. She had her remedy against the constables for wrongful arrest, but she has no remedy to compel the magistrates to grant compensation. That is a matter entirely in their own power.

Has the right hon. Gentleman asked the magistrates for their reasons?

I have no right to demand the reasons of the Scottish magistrates, nor do I think it would be in the interests of anybody concerned if I were to discuss the correspondence between the magistrates and myself. It is a correspondence over which I have no right of control, therefore it is merely a question of correspondence between the Secretary for Scotland and the magistrates who are dealing with a matter within their competence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the magistrates that it is a case where a solatium should be given?

I should like to point out to hon. Members that the lady has had the conviction quashed on appeal, and so far her character has been justified.

Did you pay her costs?

The hon. Member is under an entire misapprehension. It has nothing to do with the Government. The lady was not prosecuted by the Procurator-Fiscal, who is under the Lord Advocate. She was prosecuted by the Burgh Procurator-Fiscal. It is purely a case for the Burgh Prosecutor.

Are we to understand that there is no power in Scotland analagous to the power of the Home Secretary in England, and, if so, is there any suggested remedy?

Yes, in a suitable case.

That makes it worse.

No, no. I was not talking about the lady at all.

Any further questions on this matter had better be put down.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how much of the £2,684,000 expended on primary education in Scotland in the year 1910-11 is Imperial money and how much is raised from local values?

The amount of the Grants from the Parliamentary Vote and the Education (Scotland) Fund to local education authorities including managers of voluntary schools, during the year 1910-11 was £2,406,911, and the total payment from the rates in respect of all branches of education was £1,644,546. It is, however, not possible to state the exact proportions in respect of any one branch of education in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has yet appointed the chief entomologist and the other members of the staff of the new Horticultural Department of the Board; and, if so, what are their names and salaries?

The Board has not yet secured the services of an entomologist with qualifications high enough for the duties to be performed in the Horticultural Branch. I will give the hon. Member the information for which he asks as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Apart from the entomologist, have any members of this new horticultural department, the formation of which was announced about a year ago, been appointed?

Oh, yes, Sir. I have appointed several, but the staff is not complete. As soon as I have a complete list I will send it to the hon. Gentleman.

Is this Department doing any active work yet?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can see his way to introduce a measure to preserve for the public benefit common lands otherwise likely to become the private property of lords of manors by the death or disappearance of the commoners or the purchase from them of their rights in the commons?

The preservation of common lands for the public benefit is provided for by the Metropolitan Commons Acts, 1866 to 1898, and the Commons Acts, 1876 and 1899. A Select Committee of the House of Commons is at present inquiring into the procedure under these Acts and as to its amendment and improvement. Local authorities have certain powers under the Commons Act, 1876, and the Local Government Act, 1894, of acquiring rights of common with a view to prevent the extinction of such rights and so to prevent inclosure of common lands.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will consider the desirability of paying compensation in the cases where healthy bees and appliances are destroyed under the Act for the suppression of bee disease?

If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to Section 2 of the Bill, he will find that provision is made for the payment of compensation in the cases to which he refers.

asked whether there is any case recorded at the Board in which the infection of foot-and-mouth disease has been proved to have been communicated to previously sound animals more than ten miles from an initial outbreak of the disease; and, if not, whether, in view of the extreme inconvenience to stock-owners resulting from the enforcement of a standstill order operating over a fifteen mile radius and the sense of grievance thereby engendered, he will consider the advisability of reducing such radius in all normal cases to ten miles only?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand from the second part of the question that the hon. Member wishes me to reduce the margin of safety which it is the practice of the Board to provide around infected places. I cannot adopt this suggestion, for such a margin seems to me to be essential in dealing with outbreaks of the disease, especially in initial cases with regard to which no definite information is available, and I was under the impression that the hon. Member agreed with me on this point. On 22nd May of this year he himself signed a report fully approving the Board's procedure.

If the first part of the answer is in the affirmative, why was not, evidence of that fact brought before the Departmental Committee?

I did not sit on the Departmental Committee, and there the hon. Member has an advantage over me.

Is it not a fact that all your experts gave evidence before that Committee, and were asked how they could justify the fifteen-mile radius, but failed to do so.

I cannot carry in my memory the names of the witnesses examined before the Committee. I only know the hon. Member himself signed the Report approving of the whole proceedings of the Board.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what is the radius round an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland within which the movement of live stock is forbidden; and whether the experts of his department have any reason, founded upon Irish, British or Continental experience, for insisting upon a wider area than ten miles in cases where all affected and in-contact animals have been compulsorily slaughtered on the occurrence of such outbreak?

The radius of a scheduled district declared by the Department round a foot-and-mouth disease infected centre is as a rule roughly speaking about fifteen miles. It may be somewhat more or less in parts, according as the natural features of the country lend themselves to the adoption of well-defined boundaries that can be effectively guarded. This is the procedure in Great Britain, and is based on the principle that movements of animals on foot are unlikely in ordinary circumstances to exceed this limit, but would in cases about reach it. Besides this scheduled district of fifteen miles radius, a prohibited area of a radius of two or three miles around the infected place is also declared. Movement of animals in certain circumstances is allowed on licence within the scheduled district save the prohibited areas.

Has the right hon. Gentleman represented to the President of the Board of Agriculture in England that the principle he has just laid down in Ireland would be exceedingly useful in England?

Do I understand there is never a smaller radius than fifteen miles round any outbreak in Ireland; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that is contrary to the official evidence brought before the Departmental Committee as to a variation of radius according to local circumstances?

We have insisted on the fifteen miles radius.

May I respectfully ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer my question as to whether he has advised there should be equality of treatment in Ireland and in England?

Yes, there is equality in this matter. We have acted all along in this matter of area in the same way as the Board of Agriculture in England.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made a recommendation that in England the same practice shall be followed instead of the present practice of boycotting two whole provinces which for a generation have been free from disease? Answer that—then give up your post, Sir.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) why Belturbet, county Cavan, has been included in the scheduled area under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order; is he aware that the nearest case occurred over seventeen miles from Belturbet, and that Stumpy Hill, where the most recent case has been reported, is over eighteen miles distant from Belturbet; and will he at once have the scheduling of this area revised with a view to allowing the November fair to be held in Belturbet, a fair which has been held without any interruption now for over seventy years?

Belturbet is only from eleven to twelve miles from the foot-and-mouth disease infected places near Thompson's Bridge. As the latest case which occurred at Laragh was confirmed so recently as the 7th instant, it would be premature to contract the boundaries of the scheduled district.

asked the Attorney-General whether, on any occasion when the Irish Agricultural Department declared an exclusion of animals from Great Britain or Ireland, the Law Officers of the Crown were consulted as to the legality of such Order under the Diseases of Animals Acts; whether the Acts confine exclusion to a prescribed area or place; what is the Section giving power to the Department, either in England or Ireland, to declare the sister island as a whole infected; whether, if such a declaration be false in fact, the Order is challengeable; whether the power to make Orders prohibiting the landing of cattle from any specific country outside the United Kingdom and prohibit the landing of such cattle, save under certain conditions, has been extended to native cattle in either island, and, if so, by what Act; and whether Article 22 of the Foreign Animals Order, 1910, applies to British or Irish cattle?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer this question. The Department were advised several years ago that there is power under Section 22 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, to make Orders prohibiting the landing of animals in Ireland. The Irish Importation of Animals Orders were submitted for the approval of the Irish Law Officers for the time being before they were passed. These Orders, which have been in operation for many years past, do not absolutely exclude the landing of British animals. They provide that such animals shall not be landed without the consent of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Prior to the establishment of the Department the consent of the Lord Lieutenant was necessary. The procedure adopted under these Orders when foot-and-mouth disease has appeared in Great Britain is to suspend temporarily the issue of consents for the admission of animals; either from the whole or from parts of Great Britain, as may be considered necessary according to the circumstances.

I put down my question to the Attorney-General for England, and I think the Vice-President might have allowed an English official to give an answer of that kind.

Is it not a fact that this embargo was imposed in Ireland upon British stock for six months after a single case had occurred in Surrey last year?

Yes, I think it was.

May I ask whether the English Law Officers have advised on the many important points raised in this question?

No, Sir; the Irish Law Officers have advised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether any steps have been taken, and, if so, what, for docking facilities to be established in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, seeing that at least a million pounds a year will be spent in Jamaica after the opening of the Panama Canal should facilities for docking be granted; and whether he is aware that Jamaica will become one of the most important islands in the world after the opening of the canal?

The Government of Jamaica has recently purchased a site abutting on Kingston Harbour, in order that it may be placed in as advantageous a position as possible to deal with any demand that may hereafter arise for coaling, docking, or repairing facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official reports showing that the small European garrison and a few European residents at Berbera are practically besieged by the Mullah?

No, Sir, and there is no truth in the rumour, if such exists.

asked whether it has been decided to issue a new silver coinage for British West Africa; if so, whether the issue will be coined at the Royal Mint; whether new designs will be taken for the dies to be used; and what guarantees can be given that the design and workmanship of this new coinage will be artistically worthy of the country?

It has been decided to issue a new silver coinage for British West Africa, and new designs will be prepared. Whether the issue will be coined at the Royal Mint depends on conditions which have not yet been determined. As regards the design and workmanship, I can only promise that they will receive the same careful consideration and scrutiny as are always given in the case of a new issue of coin, and the matter will be under my personal supervision.

Will the profits of the minting go to the Colony for which the coinage is made?

It is not definitely settled, but I should have no doubt if it rested with me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the situation in Somaliland?

I regret to state that there has been recently a considerable amount of inter-tribal fighting and looting among the friendly tribes, and the formation of a native camel corps 150 strong has been approved with a view to taking necessary police measures.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will cause an Appendix to the Estimates to be prepared containing the superannuation and retired allowances relating to the Revenue Departments of the Public Service, complementary to H. C. Paper 297, of Session 1912?

A return such as the hon. Member asks would be very bulky and expensive to print. If he will look at the Revenue Departments Estimates for 1912–13 (H.C. 6 IX.) he will see that the statement of allowances, etc., granted and ceased in the Post Office alone during one year occupies twenty-four pages of print. It does not appear to me that the information such a return would contain would be of such value as to justify the expense of its preparation.

asked whether the Development Commissioners have reported that it is impossible for them to deal with canals on any large scale, although the funds at their disposal were intended to be used in part to benefit industry by developing our canal system; whether, in consequence, nearly all the fund has been devoted to developing agriculture and fisheries instead of the manufacturing industries; and whether he proposes to take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, to remedy this injustice to urban taxpayers?

The Commissioners have reported that it is impossible for them to deal with canals on any general plan because the Development Fund is not applicable to the improvement of inland navigations worked for profit; but on various occasions they have recommended advances for the improvement of individual navigations not owned by companies working for profit, and they will no doubt continue to consider and report upon such applications on their merits. With regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the paragraph headed, "Advances for Purposes of Industrial or Quasi-Industrial Development," on page 33 of the Development Commissioners' first annual Report. It is not contemplated at present to extend the scope of the Development Act.

Is it not a fact that the whole of this Development Fund money is being spent for the benefit of agriculture, and none of it at present, owing to this disability in connection with canals, is being spent for the benefit of the industrial workers, and would it not be advisable to make such modifications in the Act as would enable the Development Fund money to be spent for the benefit of the inland navigation of the country?

I have no information beyond the information supplied by the Development Commissioners that certain advances have been made for inland navigation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the House will have an opportunity of completing the discussion of the Wreck Commission on the loss of the steamship "Titanic," as promised?

A day was promised before the Recess for the consideration of the Report of the "Titanic" Court of Inquiry and of matters germane to it. This day was given on Monday the 7th, and I fear time cannot be given for further discussion.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman is he not aware that when the Government asked us not to bring it forward on the Motion for the Adjournment in August we were promised an ample opportunity for discussion?

There has been a whole day given to it.

It is no use to say there was a whole day: will he give to those of us promised it, the opportunity of discussing it?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend was here that day, but if he was he can hardly blame the Prime Minister.

I sat here for four and a half hours.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the President of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce formal intimation, as representing that body, that organised resistance to the establishment of a Home Rule Government is being steadily prepared and that it can only be put down by the exercise of military force carried to the last extreme and the production of disorder and bloodshed unparalleled in our recent history; and, if so, what kind of action, if any, he intends to take under the circumstances to prevent such results?

My right hon. Friend has received a letter from the President of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce in which the words cited by the hon. Member occur. With regard to the last part of the question, the Prime Minister has nothing to add to what he has already said in his speeches on this subject.

Do the Government accept that information as accurate and as true?

The Government will take note of any communication from an important body of that kind.

Do the Government accept that statement as true, and, if so, what course are they going to adopt?

It is not really a statement of fact, it is an expression of opinion. The Belfast Corporation are entitled to their own opinion, and the Government have already stated their opinion.

I understand that the Government do not accept that expression of opinion, and if so, are they going to put these people to the trouble of giving further proof?

The Government certainly accept it as an expression of the opinion of the Belfast Corporation.

Do they accept it as an accurate statement of the facts in Belfast?

They accept it I as an accurate expression of opinion of I the Corporation of Belfast.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in advancing money for harbour works along the Moray Firth, the Development Commissioners have stipulated that the work shall not be completed for seven years; and whether he is satisfied that this manner of spreading out work over a long period does not waste the taxpayers' money and lead to the most expensive construction?

In order to give effect to the intentions of Section 18 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, the Commissioners, m recommending advances in respect of the improvement of certain harbours in the Moray Firth, proposed that in each case it should be a condition of the advance that the works be begun at a time fixed by the Fishery Board for Scotland; and they intimated their opinion that the works in question should be carried out over a period of seven years. It was not intended that the works at any single harbour should occupy seven years, but that works should not proceed, and consequently cease more or less simultaneously at four or five harbours. I am not aware of any reason for supposing that this arrangement will involve waste of money.

asked the Postmaster-General whether all post and telegraph offices affected by the Shops Act are closed on the same afternoon; and, if so, will he say what means the public have of knowing whether a telegram can be received at a particular office on that afternoon?

The early closing day varies in different places. Telegrams received after an office has closed are delivered from a neighbouring office without extra charge.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the closing of the post office at Farnsfield, Notts, for telegraph business on Wednesday afternoons, in consequence of the Shops Act, is causing inconvenience to the public; and whether he can make arrangements to reopen it?

As little I telegraph business was done at Farnsfield Post Office on Wednesday afternoon, the-local early-closing day, permission was given for the telgraph office to close at one o'clock; and telegrams after that hour are delivered from Kirklington Telegraph Office, without charge. I have received no complaints, and I do not think that any appreciable inconvenience is caused.

Does it take longer to take them to Kirklington?

Yes, Sir; it takes a little longer.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he-will consider the desirability of not disqualifying persons for old age pensions who have been maintained by boards of guardians in workhouses and workhouse infirmaries if these persons are otherwise-eligible for the same?

A person is not disqualified for receiving an old age pension merely on the ground that he has been maintained by a board of guardians in a workhouse or Poor Law infirmary, but a person cannot continue to receive an old age pension whilst he is being maintained in a workhouse or Poor Law infirmary and is in receipt of relief other than the medical or surgical assistance referred to in Section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908.

Then after he has left the workhouse he can come in for a pension?

Certainly, on compliance-with the necessary formalities.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the claim of Hugh Doyle, of Annaghcary, Riverstown, Bally-mote (pension officer's register Ll/193), for an old age pension came before the Bally-farnon (No. 2) sub-pension committee of the county Sligo on 12th September last, when his claim was allowed and a pension of 5s. per week granted, and that that decision was afterwards appealed against by the pension officer on the grounds that the applicant was under the statutory age; and whether, seeing that on searching the parish registry of Keash, Ballymote, where Doyle was born, it has been ascertained that a sister (Margaret), younger by two years than the applicant, was born in May, 1844, which would place Doyle's age at over seventy years, and that these facts can be attested to by sworn affidavit, this case will be reconsidered with the view of having a pension granted to this, man?

The Local Government Board disallowed this man's claim on appeal on the 9th instant, as there was no evidence before them to show that he had attained the statutory age. The baptismal certificate referred to did not relate to Doyle's younger sister Margaret, who was only two years old in 1851, but to an elder sister who died in 1848. The Board have no power to reconsider their decision.

If evidence is now forthcoming that the facts as stated in the question are correct, will this man's case be reconsidered?

The case can of course be brought up again on fresh evidence. A fresh application can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to certain serious assaults alleged to have been committed upon women at Llanystumdwy; whether any prosecutions have been instituted by the Public Prosecutor; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to investigate these occurrences?

My right hon. Friend has already made inquiry in the matter and is informed that the police were unable to identify any of the assailants, and that they are up to the present without sufficient evidence for proceedings to be taken against anyone. This difficulty is attributed to the fact that many of the persons at the meeting came from outside the county, and were strangers to the police who were there on duty, and who were fully occupied in affording protection to the women. If any information on the matter can be obtained, it should at once be communicated to the local police.

May I ask whether the police have seen the photographs which were published in the newspapers and whether that does not help them to identify any of the assailants?

The photographs in the newspapers have been placed in the hands of the local police for their information, but in spite of that information they have not been able to identify the assailants.

asked whether inquiry has been made as to the localities in which accidents and fatalities due to vehicular traffic have chiefly occurred; if so, whether certain points or crossings in London streets can be indicated as specially dangerous; and whether he will give orders that, either by special public warnings, increased police control and regulation, or otherwise, efforts shall be made to reduce the dangers of the streets?

Inquiries have been made, but many varying factors have to be taken into account, and it is found that the only certain conclusion that can be drawn is the obvious one, that the denser the traffic the greater proportion of accidents. Useful advice and warnings have recently been published in the Press, and the question of increased police control and regulation is now under consideration.

asked whether two years, have elapsed since Mrs. M'Donnell refused to negotiate with the Congested Districts Board as to the sale of her estate in Achill, county Mayo; and whether, having regard to the congestion on the estate, the condition of the tenants, and the insanitary state of their hovels, the Board will consider the advisability of taking steps in this case under the compulsory purchase clauses of the Land Act of 1909?

The Congested Districts Board have decided not to take any steps to acquire this estate compulsorily pending the result of proceedings which have been instituted for the compulsory purchase of other estates.

asked whether the Percival estate, situate in the union of Tubbercurry, county Sligo, has yet been purchased by the Congested Districts. Board?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate. They will consider the question of doing so as soon as practicable, having regard to the engagements of their staff and to the priority of the case.

asked what reply the trustees of the Achill Mission Estate, county Mayo, have given to the invitation of the Congested Districts Board to sell the estate under the Land Purchase Act of 1909; and whether, having regard to the congestion of the district and the badly housed condition of the tenants, immediate steps will be taken to secure for these people the relief which the Act was intended to afford them?

The Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the trustees of this estate, but they have not yet been informed whether the trustees are willing to negotiate for a sale of the property through them. The Board do not intend to take any steps to acquire compulsorily this estate pending the result of the proceedings instituted for the compulsory purchase of other estates.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received any communication from workmen in Belfast showing that the recent disturbances created by Unionists were largely promoted as a means of breaking up the union of Catholic and Protestant workmen in industrial organisations, and also drawing attention to the issue and display of a bill in the windows of houses of persons commonly known as loyalists, stating that if England does not help them in defeating Home Rule Germany will do so; and whether he proposes to take any action in respect to these matters?

No, Sir, I have not received the communication referred to. It is a fact that the police found a small printed notice to the effect stated in the question posted on a gable of a house. No action appears to be necessary with regard to it.