asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the facts that the Foreign Office has evidence of the inability of the central Government of Peking to impose its will upon the authorities of the provinces, that since the outbreak of the revolution China has signally failed to carry out the stipulation in Article I. of the Anglo-Chinese agreement of 8th May, 1911, providing for a progressive diminution of opium production throughout the country, and that there are at present no indications to warrant the hope that the central Government will be able in the near future to enforce the discontinuance of poppy cultivation, His Majesty's Government and the Government of India propose nevertheless to carry out their part of the agreement with the Chinese Government to the detriment of the Indian cultivator and the revenues of India?

There is no present intention of withdrawing from the agreement on the grounds mentioned by the hon. Member, as His Majesty's Government wish to make full allowance for the difficulties in which the central Government of China is placed. But the question may have to be reconsidered hereafter in the light of circumstances.

Does the Secretary for Foreign Affairs realise that all this time the agreement is running to the prejudice of the other parties to it, the taxpayers of India?

I think the Secretary of State fully realises the difficulty.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will state the names of the various financial houses or individuals composing the six-Power group in the recent loan negotiations with the Government of the Republic of China, dividing them into groups according to the countries which they respectively represented; and whether the group are at present in negotiation with the Government of the Republic of China for the conclusion of a loan, and, if so, for what amount?

The first part of the Noble Lord's question would entail an answer too long for an oral question, but I will circulate the names of the banks with the Votes. The reply to the second part of the question is that negotiations on the part of the groups are for the moment in abeyance. The amount of the loan contemplated has varied at different times, according to the views or needs of the Chinese Government.—[See Written Answers this date.]

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank is the only representative of the British Government?

I believe that is so.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the amount voted by the Italian Government for the purchase of thoroughbreds and hackneys this year in England and Ireland; how many horses were bought; and how does this compare with last year?

I regret that I have no information as to the purchase of horses in this country by the Italian Government.

asked whether the Board has any knowledge of the reported discovery of an effective remedy for foot-and-mouth disease following experiments made at Martigny-le-Comte, in France, and on which official trials are now being made by the French Government; and if he can. give any information regarding it?

I am not at the present time in a position to give any detailed information regarding the reported discovery to which the hon. Member refers, but inquiries are being made.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received a resolution passed by the executive committee of the Federation of Lancashire and Cheshire Agricultural Societies, urging him to seriously consider the question of granting loans on easy terms to farmers who have suffered serious loss through foot-and-mouth disease and through loss of crops owing to floods and continuous heavy rains; and if he intends to take any action in the matter?

I have not as yet received the. resolution to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. As at present advised I do not think that any action in the direction suggested will be either necessary or desirable.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is yet in a position to say if Greenore and Holyhead will now be opened for the transit of cattle, especially having regard to the fact that there never has been any disease within thirty miles of Greenore or within eighty miles of the West of Ireland, Sligo, or Roscommon, and that the railway company at Holyhead has good fields, lairage, and excellent accommodation for thousands of cattle as well as a good steamship service?

Inquiries are already proceeding as to whether suitable accommodation is available or could be provided for the reception of Irish animals at Holyhead. As to Greenore, it rests with the Irish Department to decide whether or not shipment from that port could be arranged consistently with the requirements of the Orders. I may add that fields "are not suitable places for the detention of animals, inasmuch as it is not feasible to cleanse and disinfect them.

If arrangements can be made with regard to Greenore by the Irish Department of Agriculture,, does the right hon. Gentleman mean that he will open Holyhead?

No, Sir. The Holyhead arrangement must be self-contained. If our requirements are satisfied at Holyhead, I shall be glad to sanction the landing of Irish animals there.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works. why the percentage of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors employed under that Department has gone down from 43.81 to 33.56 during the twelve months ending on the 31st March, 1912; and what steps are being taken to bring the percentage up to fifty?

In this year's Return the labourers and gardeners are included. Previously they have been omitted. Had the basis of calculation remained unchanged the percentage of ex-Service men would have been 50.2 this year, as against 43.8 last year.

asked why, out of a total of 607 men employed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, only 44 are ex-soldiers or ex-sailors; why the percentage has gone down from 9.65 to 7.25 during the twelve months ending on 31st March, 1912; and what steps are being taken to bring the percentage up to 50?

The great majority of the men employed and included in the Return are labourers and woodmen in the Crown forests. The labourers gradually work up to the position of woodmen as vacancies occur, and they acquire the practical training for the work. Not many old soldiers or sailors enter the service of the Crown as ordinary labourers in the woods.This circumstance tends to keep the percentage low and renders it liable to fluctuation.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that ex-soldiers, and ex-sailors have been maintained out; of public money while in the Service, it i would not be fair to give civilians a chance in the civilian service?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the shipping companies who promised verbally to provide boats for all are now fulfilling the terms of that promise?

There was no promise in the matter, but practically all the companies engaged in the foreign trade informed me of their intention of providing boats for all persons on board their vessels at the earliest practicable moment. I have no information to show that any of them have failed to carry out this intention.

asked whether the Advisory Committee were within their sights in co-opting from the outside six representatives to help to discuss and to sign the Report, thereby changing the carefully balanced composition of the Committee; and whether, in either case, they first obtained the approval of the Board of Trade to that step?

The procedure was not quite regular, but as in the great majority of its recommendations the Committee was unanimous, it can hardly be said that any disadvantages have actually arisen. I am quite sure that in the action which they took the Committee were solely actuated by the desire of securing the co-operation of certain persons possessing special knowledge in order to be in a position to give me the best advice with the least possible delay in view of the importance and urgency of the questions referred to them.

May I take it that this Committee, in this most irregular manner, was packed by the chairman and those associated with him, thus altering the composition and the balance of the parties concerned?

I do not think the hon. Member is right in saying that the chairman did it. They explained what they did in the first instance, and there was no objection made at the time on the part of any member of the Committee, and they were unanimous in co-opting these members.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in future this sort of irregularity to which he refers, and which he characterises himself as irregular, will not happen again?

My attention has been drawn to it.

asked how, in view of the fact that Class VI. of steamers are permitted to carry buoyant apparatus of all sorts (excluding life jackets) for 70 per cent, only of their passengers, the right hon. Gentleman proposes to enforce the fulfilment of the conditions under which this favour is granted, namely, they must only operate in fine weather and by daylight in their short sea excursions?

The passenger certificate (No. III.) issued to these vessels limits their voyages as stated in the question. The conditions of the certificate would be enforced if necessary by detention of the vessel and prosecution of the master or owner.

asked whether the decks of passenger ships are almost invariably blocked with chairs of various shapes; and if he will consider the practicability of prohibiting the use of the same and of substituting seats which might, when necessary, be transferred into rafts?

I have received no complaints about deck chairs. But I must point out to my hon. Friend that under the draft Rules each passenger ship in the home trade must, according to its class, carry a prescribed minimum amount of suitable boats and buoyant apparatus. In some cases, I understand, these chairs are themselves of a buoyant nature.

asked whether the Report on co-partnership experiments at home and abroad has yet been issued by the Board of Trade?

This Report is in a forward state of preparation. I am very sorry, however, to say that Mr. Schloss, who was specially entrusted with the investigation and who possessed eminent qualifications for the work, was compelled a few weeks ago to relinquish it owing to an illness which, to the great regret of myself and of all Mr. Schloss's former colleagues in the Board of Trade, resulted in his death on Tuesday last. If in these circumstances the issue of the Report is somewhat postponed, I am sure that the House will appreciate the reason. I hope, however, that the part which relates to the United Kingdom will be published within a month from the present date.

asked whether the Plimsoll mark was raised and the freeboard of ships diminished by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906; and whether the revision of the tables of free board under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, has had any effect of rendering ships less seaworthy?

The Merchant Shipping Act of 1906 did not deal with the question of load-line. Load-lines are assigned to ships in accordance with the tables of freeboard issued by the Board of Trade: and provision was made in Section 438 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, for the Board of Trade to modify these tables from time to time, having regard to representations from the classification societies. The latest revision was the result of exhaustive inquiry instituted, in 1905, by the Board of Trade in consultation with the classification societies, namely, Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, Bureau Veritas, and the British Corporation for the Survey and Registry of Shipping. The new tables came into operation in March, 1906. For the six years prior to the revision the total number of vessels registered in the United Kingdom which foundered or were reported as missing, was 307. For the six years since the revision the total number was 240. These figures do not appear to indicate that the revision has rendered ships less seaworthy.

In fixing up these tables in 1905, were representations made on behalf of the workmen, engineers, seamen, or others employed at sea?

I would like notice of that question.

asked when the right hon. Gentleman propose to publish, for the benefit of Members, the Return relating to the current prices of wheat, the Import Duties charged on imported wheat, and the current prices of bread from 1800 to 1910, inclusive, ordered by this House on 7th August on the Motion of the hon. Member for the Wilton Division of Wilts?

The Return is now in the printer's hands and will be issued as soon as possible.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can give the name of the local Labour Exchange manager at Dublin; and whether he is capable of performing all the duties of his office in that part of Ireland in a satisfactory manner?

The manager of the Labour Exchange, Dublin, is Mr. E. L. Richardson. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already explained to my hon. Friend the reason why Mr. Gemmell was sent to Ireland to assist in the selection of the men. He was, by his previous experience before entering the Labour Exchanges and by his long experience of the special requirements of the work at Rosyth, peculiarly fitted to select the right type of applicant that was required. Special care was necessary in the interests of the men themselves in making the selection, in order to avoid the danger of sending men all the way from Ireland who, though generally suitable as navvies, might not be suited to the special requirements of Rosyth, and who might be consequently rejected.

asked who sanctioned the journey of Mr. H. Gemmell, of the Rosyth Labour Exchange, to Dublin in search of navvies and labourers to work on the Government dock at 5d. per hour; how many days was Mr. H. Gemmell absent from his office at Rosyth; who performed his duties in his absence; and what was the total cost to his Department for securing the fifty-two Dublin navies for the Government contractor at Rosyth?

Mr. Gemmel's journey, the object of which is incorrectly stated in my hon. Friend's question, was sanctioned by the Assistant Divisional Officer for Scotland. He was absent from his office during two working days, one of these a Saturday. His duties were performed in his absence by his assistant. The journey was undertaken as part of the ordinary duties of the Labour Exchange manager, and the cost of recruiting the fifty-two navvies cannot be separately stated.

I beg to give notice that, if the House adjourns at a reasonable time, I shall call attention to this matter.

asked how many British emigrants went to Canada in 1911; how many entered Canada from the United States; and how many from all other countries, respectively, in the same year?

During the twelve months from 1st April, 1911, to 31st March, 1912, the immigraion to Canada was as follows:

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those were men and how many women?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I will endeavour to ascertain.

asked how much German sugar was imported into Canada in 1902-3. in 1903–4, in 1907–8, and in 1910–11?

The total quantity of sugar imported into Canada from Germany was 1,566,000 cwts. in the year ended 30th June, 1903; 166,000 cwts. in the year ended 30th June, 1904; nil in the year ended 31st March, 1908; and 316,000 cwts. in the year ended 31st March, 1911. German sugar was subject to a special Customs surtax on importation into Canada from 7th April, 1903, to 1st March, 1910.

asked how many British vessels were cleared from British ports for Canadian ports in 1886, in 1896, and in 1912; and what was the number of seamen employed in these ships for the same years respectively?

The total number of British vessels cleared from ports in the United Kingdom for Canada was 626 in 1886 with a total registered tonnage of 851,537 tons; 581 with a tonnage of 1,090,277 tons in 1896; and 536 with a tonnage of 2,358,536 tons in 1911. Particulars as to the total crews of these vessels are not available, and could only be ascertained by an examination of the records of each 'individual vessel—a lengthy and laborious inquiry.

asked how many hundredweights of wheat and flour were imported into the United Kingdom in the year 1911; from what countries did it come; and how much from each country respectively?

The information in question is given for 1911 and each of the fourteen preceding years in Tables printed on pages 166 to 169 of the last issue of the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked whether the Development Commissioners decided last 3'ear to recommend a Grant of £2,000 to> the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society; whether this was determined' upon in the face of a hostile report by the-Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; whether the Development Commissioners made it a condition of the Grant that the societies'" work should be confined to agricultural co-operation and that it should be carried on without the possibility of any suspicion of political partisanship; whether subsequently, to secure this end, the Development Commissioners themselves applied" to twenty members of the Irish Agricultural Council to act upon the committee-of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society; whether nineteen of these gentlemen refused to act and sent a strong protest to the Development Commissioners; for asking them to assist in the distribution of a Grant to which they were opposed; whether the committee of the-Irish Agricultural Organisation Society consists of twenty-four members; by what authority the Development Commissioners, a purely advisory body, embarked upon these proceedings; whether they were unanimous in their opinions; and whether they have since asked anyone else to serve upon the committee in question in order-to distribute this money?

The Development Commissioners recommended? a Grant generally as stated in the question, upon condition that the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society agreed to add to their existing committee eleven persons nominated by the Commissioners. The Treasury asked the Commissioners whom they proposed to nominate, and the Commissioners accordingly made private inquiry of various gentlemen whether they would accept nomination if offered. Eleven of these were asked, and ten declined. I am unable to say whether or not the Commissioners were unanimous in their opinions. The answer to the last sentence of the question is in the negative.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if Irish county councils possess the power to exclude cattle from areas, whether in Ireland or Great Britain, where infectious cattle diseases are known to exist?

"With the view of preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, every local authority under the Diseases of Animals Acts in Ireland is empowered to make Regulations prohibiting the movement of animals into their district from the district of any other local authority in Ireland. This power does not cover movement of animals into Ireland from Great Britain, such movement being regulated by Orders of the Department.

asked if there is an increasingly prevalent and fatal disease amongst cattle, sheep, and goats in England known as Johne's disease; what is the nature of it; and if the Irish Department propose to take any steps to prevent its importation into Ireland?

The Department understand that the disease referred to exists in England. It occurs mostly in cattle. It is caused by a micro-organism, and is manifested principally by the wasting of the animal and bowel affection. No cattle can be imported into Ireland except with a permit from the Department, which is not granted in the absence of satisfactory evidence as to the health of the animals. In these circumstances it does not appear that any further special measures are necessary.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this disease cannot be accurately diagnosed until after the animal has been slaughtered and a postmortem examination has taken place?

If the hon. Gentleman wants any information of that kind, perhaps he will put a question down.

asked if 1,377 cases of wart disease in potatoes have been reported in England; and what steps the Department have taken to prevent the importation of this destructive potato disease into Ireland?

The Department are aware that black scab or wart disease in potatoes exists in certain districts in Great Britain. Two Orders have been issued by the Department under the Destructive Insects and Pest Act of 1877 and 1907, dealing with this disease: (1) The Black Scab in Potatoes (Ireland) Order, 1908, prohibits (Article 5) the landing in this country of potatoes affected with or suspected of being affected with black scab brought from any place outside Ireland. The Department are also empowered to examine, if desirable, at port of entry or elsewhere all consignments of potatoes shipped to this country. (2) The Foreign Potatoes (Ireland) Order, 1910, prohibits the landing in Ireland of any potatoes brought from the Continent of Europe.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the fishermen on the Arran Islands, off the coast of Galway, who live almost entirely upon the proceeds of their fishing, are constantly interfered with and their prospects ruined through the illegal poaching of steam trawlers that cannot be kept outside the line limit laid down by the Board of Agriculture; and will he cause inquiries to be made as to the wrong done to these fishermen, and direct that the Board's steamer "Helga" should police the waters so as to prevent this illegal trawling?

The Department's steam cruiser "Helga" will patrol the neighbourhood of Galway Bay as often as possible having regard to the necessity for marine supervision off other parts of the Irish coast. As a result of a visit of the vessel in question to Galway Bay in August last, the Department were able to institute proceedings for illegal fishing against a skipper of a steam trawler, in which case a fine of £100 was imposed and a sum of £25 was awarded as costs. The net of the vessel was also seized and confiscated.

asked the Prime Minister, if his attention has been called to the fact that in a recent telegram sent out in his name by the Treasury His Majesty's Government were referred to as "my Government"; and if he intends in future to use this form of words?

The actual words used in the telegram to which, I presume, the Noble Lord refers were not "My Government" but "His Majesty's Government," which is the proper and usual form. There must have been some error in transmission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wrong form appeared in practically every London newspaper? I am glad to have the correction.

Has not the form now objected to been in vogue in both Houses of Parliament for the last century?

I think the phrase "His Majesty's Government" is the correct one.

asked the Prime Minister on what day he proposes to commence the Committee stage of the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to introduce a measure to expedite the completion of land purchase; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of proceeding with such a measure before continuing further proceedings on the Government of Ireland Bill?

The Government are considering how best to carry out this object, and fully recognise its importance. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that land purchase is more important than Home Rule?

I think we must take things step by step.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state if the farm of Boy Hill, near Athenry, the property of Mr. Burton W. P. Persse, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and, if not, will he cause steps to be taken to open negotiations with Mr. Persse for the purchase of this estate?

The estate of Mr. Persse, including the lands of Boy Hill referred to, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and a decision will be arrived at regarding the purchase of the property as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he can state what is the present condition of affairs with regard to the Kinlea Farm, West Clare; whether the tenants are still compelled to pay rent to the landlord; and, if so, whether steps will be taken, without further delay, to deal definitely with this estate?

The Congested Districts Board made an offer in February last for the Vesey Fitzgerald estate, which includes the farm referred to. The offer was not accepted, and the landlord is therefore entitled to collect the rents. The question of acquiring the estate compulsorily has not been considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note that this is a very small affair, which should really have been disposed of two years ago?

The business of the Congested Districts Board is so very large that I cannot say more than that the parties have not come to terms.

asked the Prime Minister whether the attention of the Subcommittees of the Imperial Defence Committee that are now considering the question of food supply in time of national emergency has been drawn to the commercial success of the grain elevators and silos now working at Liverpool, and to the proof that has been thus afforded that grain can be kept stored in this country for a considerable time without loss; and whether the Government will now consider the question of encouraging the erection of similar elevators and silos in London and at other ports in the United Kingdom, so as to facilitate the greater storage of grain imported from abroad, and thus to help to maintain the normal food supply of the people, and to avoid the risk of panic prices in time of war or national emergency?

The various aspects, including that referred to by the hon. Member, of the question of the food supplies of this country in times of national emergency are receiving careful consideration by Sub-Commitees of the Committee of Imperial Defence. When these investigations are completed the Government will consider the adoption of any measures which may seem advisable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication how long these investigations will take before the Report is made?

They have been going on a considerable time. I think it is desirable they should be exhausted, and therefore would not like to suggest a limit, but I hope the period will not be long.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to certain Motions of which notice has recently been given, and which may be supposed to be in the nature of blocking Motions; and whether he proposes to take any steps to put a stop to this practice?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the notices placed on the Paper by myself and by the hon. Member for Huddersfield were intended to call attention to the blocking notices placed on the Paper by Members of the Opposition on certain other questions; and had for their object the bringing of the matter into ridicule and contempt?

I have repeatedly stated that one of the conditions precedent to any action being taken was that it should command general assent from all quarters of the House. I regret that that condition is not as yet fulfilled.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of these blocking notices has reference to the secret Land Inquiry, and would it not be rather dangerous for the Government to take off that block?

I believe my tight hon. Friend is very anxious that the block should be removed. My answer had no relation to any specific question: it is a general question of policy.

Would it not be as well for the Government to appoint a small Select Committee to consider this question, which has been agitated for some years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the removal of the notice of the hon. Member for Hudders-field was the object with which I put down this question?

Was there not a Select Committee of this House which sat on this question under the presidency of the right hon. Gentleman himself? Did it not present a report recommending certain changes in the Standing Order? Were they not put down in the name of the Government several times, and will not the right hon. Gentleman now find time to proceed with the discussion of them?

The Noble Lord is perfectly right. As far as my memory serves me that is what took place. I put them down in good faith, hoping they would secure general assent, but I found opposition gathering and accumulating in various quarters of the House, and was consequently unable to proceed with them. If I get any kind of assurance that they can be proceeded with in a reasonable time, I shall be happy to put them down again.

Will the right hon. Gentleman set an example by withdrawing his time-table regarding our discussions?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give facilities for a discussion on the administration of the National Insurance Act?

That does not; arise out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the latest published results of the new taxes on increment value, reversion, and undeveloped land; what was the expenditure incurred in obtaining the revenue of under £40,000 under these heads; and whether such results will be taken into consideration by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Committee now sitting with the sanction of the Prime Minister?

The amount of revenue collected under these heads in the year ended 31st March, 1912, was £57,695. With regard to the expenditure incurred in obtaining this revenue, I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division of Shropshire on 22nd February last. As regards the last part of the question, the matter rests with the Committee itself.

Do the figures realise the anticipations of the right hon. Gentleman himself, as stated by him in introducing his Budget in 1909?

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to refer the whole question to a Committee of hon. Members on both sides of the House?

I do not see how that arises out of the answer.

asked (72) whether the Government's Secret Land Inquiry Committee is taking evidence as to the management of estates in districts in Wales as well as in England and Scotland, or whether the Report of the Royal Commission on Land Questions in Wales is considered to contain sufficient information for his purpose; and (73) whether the agents of the Government's secret Land Inquiry will furnish the landlord or agent of the estate which they propose to investigate with information as to the dates on which they propose to visit the estate. in order that an opportunity may be given to a landlord or his agent to correct in person any partial or one-sided statement before such statement is sent to him for platform or other use?

asked whether, in view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has decided to postpone for the present his land campaign owing to complications in the Balkans, he will direct that for the same reason the members of the secret Committee should cease their operations until the issue of the war has been decided?

I presume the hon. Members refer to the unofficial Committee appointed to investigate the question of land reform and kindred problems. If so, it rests with the Committee itself to settle the details of its procedure. His Majesty's Government have no responsibility in the matter. The Government have not yet received any reports from either Wales or elsewhere.

Is this Committee going to Wales?

I have already answered that question. The procedure of the Committee rests with the Committee itself. The Government have no responsibility in the matter

Why have the proceedings of this Committee come to an end during the war between Turkey and the Balkans, and why did they flourish during the war between Turkey and Italy?

Should not the reason given for dropping this agitation operate to restrain the right hon. Gentleman and the Secretary to the Treasury from expressing open sympathy with a hostile coalition against our allies the Turks?

asked whether any persons other than British subjects are members of the secret Committee which is preparing material for the land campaign?

All the members of the Land Inquiry Committee are British subjects.

Have not some of them been rather hastily naturalised?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to give to the House the names of the members of the Land Inquiry Committee which he has appointed; and, if not, why not?

I have nothing to add to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 10th July, to which I referred the hon. and learned Member last Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of recent fires in London and elsewhere, he can see his way to introduce legislation prohibiting the stacking of timber in yards or buildings adjoining hospitals or other large institutions?

I am in communication with the London County Council, and will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

If the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that things are in a bad condition, will he move at once in this matter?

I am moving now.

It is taking a long; time.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a speech deliveied by Mrs. Pankhurst last Thursday openly advocating window smashing and other destruction of property; and whether the police propose to take action so as to prevent, tradesmen and others suffering financial loss from such conduct?

The police will do their utmost to prevent property being destroyed in the manner indicated.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by Mrs. Pankhurst on Thursday last, in which she urged her hearers to break windows and to do other injury to property; and whether the Government are going to take any proceedings against her in consequence?

This is a question' which should be addressed to my right. hon. Friend, the Attorney-General.

Does not the question of whether proceedings shall be taken come before the Home Secretary?

It is conceivable that the Attorney-General might consult me' on the point, but primarily the question! should be addressed to him.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that on this occasion Mrs. Pankhurst justified her speech by reference to the action of the Orangemen in Belfast?

asked the President of the Board of Education if a child from Towyn Church school who was allowed to sit for an examination for a scholarship in the intermediate school, and was placed second, was disqualified from receiving the benefits of the scholarship on the ground of not having attended a public elementary school; and, if so, if he will say under what authority the refusal was given, and if it is in accordance with the Board's policy to make such differentiation?

I am informed that two pupils from Towyn Church school were allowed to sit for the examination referred to, and gained sufficient marks to qualify them for scholarships at the intermediate school. Under the scheme governing the foundation, scholarships are confined to children who are, or have been, in attendance at public elementary schools for not less than two years. The scheme was made by the. Court of Chancery in December, 1910.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the efficiency of the school, the numbers attending it, and see that it-is replaced on the Grant List, and so becomes a public elementary school?

I have no power to overrule the scheme of the charity.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he does not require to overrule the scheme of the charity. It is a school which can be placed on the Grant List.

How long is the Board of Education going to continue to persecute this school?

asked whether the question of establishing an adequate superannuation scheme for teachers in secondary schools has been included in the reference to the Departmental Committee which he has appointed?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Terms of Reference. [See Written Answers this date.]

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any steps to establish a pension scheme for secondary school teachers?

I have referred to the same Departmental Committee to which I referred the question of elementary schools an inquiry, but I cannot answer the question in the affirmative, because it does not include all secondary teachers It includes certain schools other than elementary to which the Board of Education gives Grants.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the reference printed in the Answers to Written Questions so that hon. Members can see it?

I will have it circulated with the Votes.

asked the Postmaster-Gentral why letters posted by the mail leaving Belfast at 5 p.m., via Dublin, which are due to be sent out for delivery in London at 7.15 a.m. the following morning, are frequently not delivered until after 10 a.m. at addresses situated within one mile and a half from the General Post Office; and whether he will explain why, although attention has been called repeatedly to these delays, they have become more frequent?

:The delays to which the hon. Member refers have, I find, been due mainly to two causes, fog in England and the slow running of certain trains in Ireland, which has delayed the departure of the mail steamer from Kingstown. Representations have been made to the Great Southern and Western Bail-way Company of Ireland on several occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any details respecting the recent murder of Mr. William Walter Allen, a native of St. Albans, upon the veldt in. Rhodesia; and whether the money and effects of the murdered man have been secured, and are now held at the disposal of his relatives?

No, Sir, 1 have no information on the subject beyond what has appeared in the Press. I presume, if there are relatives in this country who are interested, that they have applied to the British South Africa Company here or to the local administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his promise that if there was really any desire on the part of any body of Members of this House for the publication of the evidence given before the Committee on Irish Finance he would consider the possibility of the publication, and in view of the fact that 327 Members have signed a memorial asking for the publication, what steps he now proposes to take in the matter?

As I stated on 30th July, there has been some misunderstanding on this subject. I said that I should require proof that the House as a whole desired the publication of the evidence, and I do not think that the number of signatures attached to the memorial shows such a general desire.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the Chancellor of the Exchequer meant when he gave his pledge?

I think that without exaggeration I have had to answer at least twenty questions on this subject, and I have always held the same language, namely, that I must have evidence of a general desire on the part of the House.

Is it not a fact that a large part of the evidence is directly contrary to the financial provisions of the Home Rule Bill?

That is a matter of opinion. My opinion is in the negative.

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer use the phrase, "Considerable body of opinion?" Is not 327 enough?

I think my phrase was, "A general desire on the part of the House." I have answered at least twenty questions on the subject. I do not think 327 is enough.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be satisfied with a bare majority of the House?

I will wait until I see it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the request of how many Members of Parliament did he decide to grant an abatement of Income Tax in the salaries of Members; and what proportion does such number bear to the total membership of the House?

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he can give the names of those Members who asked for the deduction to be made in the assessment for Income Tax of the salaries of Members; if not, whether he will say how many asked for it and to what party or parties they belonged; and if he took any steps to ascertain the views of all the other Members of this House?

asked the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that suspicion now attaches to all hon. Members of having asked for a remission of Income Tax in addition to their salary of £400, whether he will state the number of hon. Members who asked for this treatment, and to what political party they belonged?

It was on the merits of the case, rather than on the number of persons who represented it, that I decided to make the allowance. As I have already said, I think it would be invidious to give particulars regarding the Members who approached me on the subject.

Is it not right, when a Grant is made out of the public funds, that the House and the public should know at the instance of how many Members this Grant was made? Was there a general desire expressed for it?

When will the House have an opportunity of discussing this Grant?

That is not a question to put to me; that is a question for the Loader of the House.

How much more largesse is the guardian of the public purse going to distribute?

I simply have to decide on the cases which are put before me, and if I make any allowance or assent to any Grant which the House objects to, I am entirely in the hands of the House.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that he himself, apart from the House, has a responsibility not to give money which at least is open to suspicion?

Certainly. I am personally responsible, and I am responsible to the House.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say, for the information of the House, how many Members above the Gangway have refused to take this Grant, although they have accepted £400 a year?

Not many.

Are those Members, who, I believe, are three, Members of the Liberal party or the Labour party?

I shall certainly decline to answer that question.

asked why the amount of public income returned up to date, under the head of Land Values Duties, is so much less than the amount for the same period last year; and how much of the amount returned represents Mineral Rights Duty?

The decrease is due to the fact that the arrears of Mineral Rights Duty outstanding at the end of the financial year 1911–12 were very much smaller than those outstanding at the end of the financial year 1910–11. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that it would be contrary to established practice to announce, before the close of the financial year, the yield of individual taxes. I would invite his attention to the answer that I gave on the 5th March last to the hon. Member for Barkston Ash.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any evidence that a relief of rates on agricultural land has resulted from the provision of the Road Improvement Fund by the Finance Act of 1909; and, if so, can he state the amount of such relief in the pound?

I have no information as to any reduction in rates for road maintenance in consequence of the Act. The effect is rather to check the rapid increase of rates that would otherwise be inevitable owing to modern methods of traction.

Did the right hon. Gentleman tell the House he had reckoned it up, and it would be a relief of 4d. in the £ to the agricultural ratepayer.

Certainly, I think it will be that at the very least. As the hon. Member knows very well the highway rate was going up very rapidly as the result of the increased wear and tear of the roads owing to modern methods of traction.

Is it not a fact that this Grant is not administered unless the ratepayers also spend a certain amount of money in addition to what they have been spending before?

Certainly, to the extent of the Grant it is a relief to the ratepayers. The ratepayers otherwise would spend the whole.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these highway rates on the average have gone up something like 10 per cent, since 1909?

I think that is very likely, and they would probably have gone up another 20 per cent, but for this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the reason why Death Duties will not be received at the Belfast Custom House any longer; is he aware of the inconvenience and delay caused to the North of Ireland by having to correspond with the collector of Customs and Excise, Dublin; and whether the new arrangement has been in stituted for the purpose of swelling the Dublin receipts from Death Duties at the expense of Belfast and the North of Ireland?

The new arrangements, which affect the whole of the United Kingdom, and not Belfast alone, involve that Death Duty accounts and duty shall be sent direct by post to London, Edinburgh, or Dublin, as the case may be, to be dealt with in the Estate Duty Office, instead of being lodged with the local collector of Customs and Excise, who is not an officer of the Inland Revenue Department. These arrangements merely remove an intermediary belonging to another Department; all Irish Death Duties have always been accounted for to Dublin, and paid into the Exchequer as a single fund. As I stated in reply to a similar question relating to Glasgow, put by the hon. Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow on the 16th instant, I shall be willing to give further consideration to the matter if steps are taken to make me acquainted with the precise nature of the objections that are raised to the new arrangement. I have consented to receive a deputation from Glasgow on the subject on the 29th October, and shall be glad to include representatives from Belfast if the hon. Member so desires.

asked whether any, and if so, how much Irish Land Stock has been issued during the last six months either to the public, to Government Departments, or to Irish landlords?

During the six months ended 30th September, 1912, £3,000,000 Guaranteed Three per Cent, Stock has been issued to the National Debt Commissioners and £348,944 Guaranteed Three per Cent, Stock, and £876,428 Guaranteed Two-and-Three-Quarter per Cent. Stock have been issued to vendors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority he claims the right to suspend or make operative at his pleasure Section 51 of the Act, 16 and 17 Vic, c. 34; and on what grounds he refuses to allow it to apply to a case of 1911–12 identical in all respects with cases of 1912–13 to which he allows it to apply?

As I have already stated in previous answers on the subject, the adoption of a uniform allowance is not inconsistent with Section 51 of the Income Tax Act, 1853. The assessments have been made and the Duty paid over to the Exchequer for the year 1911–12, and I have not deemed it desirable to reopen the matter for that year in virtue of a subsequent decision.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question on the Paper--by what authority he allows or disallows a thing which the Official Memorandum of the Act settles. Perhaps he will also say, if that Memorandum is wrong and the allowance is a voluntary Grant from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to his colleagues in the House, how is it to be distinguished from corruption?

asked whether any allowance at a fixed rate is made to any servants of the State, except Members of Parliament, in respect of expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties?

Expenses incurred by servants of the State in the discharge of their duties are generally borne by the Treasury.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the question whether there has ever been a case of a fixed rate to any servants of the State?