asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, in the chronological order of the issues, the amounts of Irish Land Stock which have been issued under the Irish Land Acts, showing as regards each issue the date, the usual designation, the rate of interest, the provisions as to redemption, the price of issue, the highest and lowest prices during the present year, and the total amount now outstanding; together with the aggregate amount of the totals now outstanding?

The particulars are as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, if any cases arise under Section 56 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in which land on the border of towns is offered to the Treasury in payment of Death Duties, the offer will be accepted, whatever the other characteristics of the ground, in order to make future provision for town extensions and to secure the land for social use?

If any such land is offered it will be brought to the notice of the local authorities who may be interested, and the fullest consideration will be given to their advice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for Increment Value Duty on sales of real property effected since the commencement of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, have been referred to a referee; in how many cases the claims of the Government valuers have been found to be inaccurate; if, when the referee had given his decision adversely to the claim of the Commissioners, it is their practice to lodge an appeal against such decision solely upon the advice of the district valuer concerned, or upon whose advice such appeals are lodged; and in how many cases such appeals are now contemplated by the Commissioners?

The answer to the first part of the question is seventeen. Of these seventeen cases, two were decided in favour of the Crown, three against the Crown, and one was neutral. In eight cases the appeal was withdrawn by the appellant, and in three cases the referee has been appointed but the appeal has not yet been heard. In considering the question of appealing against the decisions of a referee the Commissioners do not act, solely on the advice of the district valuer concerned; each case is dealt with by them on its merits after consulting their solicitor on the legal points involved. The number of such appeals at present in contemplation is four.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will authorise the publication of the decisions of the referees on cases referred to them under Section 33 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, so that the referees may have the guidance of past decisions in framing their awards and that the principles on which such decisions are based may be made clear in the interests of the public?

It is open to representatives of the Press and the professional organisations to attend these appeals provided that the referee and the appellant do not object, and no doubt any decisions which are of sufficient general interest will be made public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain why Income Tax under Schedule A and Inhabited House Duty have been collected upon a furnished house, though such house was not occupied and though the owner was unable to let it?

Income Tax (Schedule A) is a charge upon all lands, tenements, etc., capable of occupation, in respect of the property therein, and falls to be assessed upon all such lands, etc., whether occupied or not at the time the assessments are made. Provision is made by Section 70 of the Act, 5 and 6 Vic, cap. 35, enabling the District Commissioners to discharge the assessment upon a house for such portion of the year as it-may be proved to them on appeal to have been unoccupied, but a house which is kept furnished for habitation is not regarded as an unoccupied house within the meaning of this Section. As regards Inhabited House Duty, it was decided in the case of Smith v. Dauney (20 T.L.R. 444) that a house from which the owner and occupier has removed is only to be deemed unoccupied when it is wholly unfurnished.

asked whether any sums have been given out of the Development Fund to further agricultural co-operation in England and Wales: and, if so, what are the respective sums so given?

The Commissioners have recommended advances to the amount of £12,000 in aid of the organisation of agricultural co-operation in England and Wales. The advances have been made to a society whose operations cover both countries; it is therefore impossible to state what sums have been allocated to England and Wales, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a meeting on Monday last of the council of the National Education Association, at which a resolution was passed to the effect that the present condition of educational finance is a danger to progress, creates a serious deficiency of school accommodation and injures efficiency, and that educational reforms which are urgently needed should not be delayed by discussions as to the basis of rating and taxation; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My attention had not been drawn to the resolution referred to. The matter is one for the President of the Board of Education to consider in the first place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many months have the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation been sitting; have they yet finished taking evidence; and can he state when the Committee are likely to issue their Report?

The Committee was appointed in April, 1911. I understand that they have not yet concluded their evidence. I am not in a position to say when they are likely to report.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many acres of agricultural land in Ireland have been purchased or acquired under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts; and what has been the average cost per acre of such land?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 7,367,700 acres of land in Ireland, including mountain and bog, have been sold and vested under the Land Purchase Acts up to the 31st March. 1912, and the purchase money totalled £75,870,210, which works out at £10 6s. an acre.

asked what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board for the acquisition of the estate of Thomas F. O'Reilly, in the barony of Erris, county Mayo; and whether this estate has been on offer to the Board for a considerable time, and all necessary documents in connection therewith have been lodged with the Board?

The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection with a view to the sale of this properly under the Act of 1909 were lodged with the Congested Districts Board in June last. The inspection of the estate is at present in progress, and the Board hope to consider the question of purchase at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board has yet taken steps for the purchase of the Dodwell estate, Carroreagh, Ballyglunin, in the parish of Monivea, county Gal way; if so, how the matter now stands; and whether they will settle this estate' in conjunction with the Belville estate, to which small holders on the former might then be migrated?

The Congested Districts Board are in negotiation for the purchase of this property. The estate referred to in the latter part of the question cannot be identified by the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Latly estate, Slieveroe, Headford, county Galway, has been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board, and, if so, when; whether any offer of purchase has been made by either of these bodies, and the result of such offer; and what is the present position of the negotiations, if any?

The estate referred to was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and they have recently issued an offer for purchase which is at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the tenants on the Hayes estate, county Donegal, signed a consent for the sale of the estate through the Congested Districts Board; how long is it since the consent has been signed; and have any steps been taken in the meantime towards the completion of the sale?

In February last three-fourths of the tenants on this property signed the consent referred to in the question. The Congested Districts Board made an offer for purchase to the late owner, whose death caused a delay in the proceedings, but terms for purchase have now been practically agreed to between the present owner and the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an application was made on the 29th day of March, 1911, on behalf of Mrs. Ann Kirk, of Altacamcosy, Gortin, county Tyrone, a tenant purchaser, to the Irish Land Commission, to make regulations for the exercise of her turbary rights on the estate which was sold subject to the provisions of Section 21 of the Irish Land Act of 1903; will he say what steps have been taken in reference thereto; and why no reply has been made to the several letters from her solicitors asking for a ruling on the application?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the bog over which Mrs. Kirk has rights of turbary, and regulations have been drafted and are under consideration. It is expected that they will be finally settled at an early date, and when this is done the solicitors will be so informed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say when Roman Catholic lady teachers receive notice that they are to be superseded by nuns, graded or ungraded, and appeal to the Board of National Education for protection, if it is the custom of the Board to hold inquiries in such cases, and if they find the noticed teachers competent and free from reproach do the Commissioners protect the competent though noticed teachers by declining to recognise their successors, as is done in the case of evicted competent Protestant teachers; could he say how many Roman Catholic schoolmistresses have been displaced by nuns during the past six years; and is he aware if any record is kept of what befalls the disemployed teachers?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that, national teachers of all denominations have the right of appeal to the Commissioners under Rule 96 of the Code. The Commissioners determine in each case whether a formal inquiry is necessary or not. The Commissioners can express no-opinion on the hypothetical case raised in the question. Their action in particular cases of appeal depends largely on the circumstances of the case, the evidence given at the inquiry, and the report of the inspector who held the inquiry. Thirty-one schoolmistresses have been replaced by nuns during the past six years. Of these, ten retired from the service with retiring allowances, eighteen were appointed to other schools, two served in a temporary capacity, and one left the service.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Estates Commissioners expect to arrange for the reinstatement of Michael Duffy in his old holding on the Fowler estate, county Meath, having regard to the fact that the farm in question is lying derelict, and that the Commissioners have had the matter under consideration for a considerable time?

Duffy's application will be considered when the Estates Commissioners are dealing with the Fowler estate in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in calculating the incomes of applicants for old age pensions in Ireland, the right to maintenance commonly reserved by old people of the farming class when, on the marriage of their children, they part with their farms is taken as being value for 10s. a week; whether this rule, assuming it to exist, is absolute or is dependent on the district, the value of the farms, etc.; and whether, seeing that in nearly all such cases such a standard of value would be excessive, the Local Government Board will give directions to have such a rule or practice modified if it so exists?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in assuming that maintenance is valued in all such cases as that referred to in the question at 10s a week. No hard and fast rule is laid down, but each case is dealt with on its merits by the Local Government Board, having regard to the class of the farm on which the claimant is maintained.

asked on what grounds was Michael O'Donnell, of Kinletter, Ballybofey (2,330, Stranorlar, county Donegal, sub-committee), deprived of his pension; and had the Local Government Board before them the fact that this man is fifteen months younger than his brother Neil, who has been in receipt of a pension for the last two and a half years?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar question on the 11th inst., to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have refused to sanction the advance to the Cork Rural District Council of a sum of £3,000, being the balance of a loan of £41,700 necessary for the erection of cottages under the Labourers Acts; whether the council require this sum to discharge liabilities which they have actually incurred in connection with the scheme of cottages in question, such liabilities being within the amount of the original estimate on which the Local Government Board sanctioned the scheme; whether sanction was given by the Local Government Board to similar applications by the district council on two previous occasions; whether the present refusal of the Local Government Board will involve the raising of the money by the district council in the open market, at considerably greater cost to the ratepayers; and if he will ascertain the grounds of the said decision of the Local Government Board and use his influence to have it reconsidered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for Mid-Cork on the 14th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what counties and corporations in Ulster have levied a rate under the University Act for the purpose of providing scholarships in a university; what is the annual value of this rate and the number of scholarships in each county or corporation; and what provisions have been made as to where these scholarships are tenable?

Donegal and Monaghan are the only counties in Ulster which have levied rates for this purpose, but the matter is understood to be under consideration in Antrim, Armagh, Belfast, Down, and Londonderry. In Donegal the rate is a farthing in the pound for the first year, a halfpenny in the second year, and five-eights of a penny in the third and subsequent years on a valuation of £315,676. Six scholarships of £45 a year for three years are to be awarded annually—four to the National University, and two to any other university selected by the candidate. In Monaghan the rate is a halfpenny in the pound, amounting to about £525. Three scholarships of £50, and two bursaries of £25, all for three years, will be awarded annually, and will be tenable in the case of Roman Catholics at the National University, and in the case of other denominations at any university in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to cases in which joint stock banks, or their agents, in Ireland, acting as treasurers to public bodies, have canvassed for insurance business from boards of guardians and rural district councils, and accepting commissions for obtaining such business; and, if so, in view of the Prevention of Corruption Act, whether any action will be taken in the matter?

No such cases have been brought to my notice.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been directed to the Report of the Estates Commissioners with reference to evicted tenants who have been provided with buildings and livestock but have failed to work the lands in a husbandmanlike manner, and have either meadowed them or let them for grazing; and if he will state the conclusions at which the Government have arrived as to instituting legal proceedings against the tenants in question?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for East Limerick on 4th instant, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what proceedings have been brought against Samuel Boal, of Belfast, on foot of his recognisances, entered into by him at Belfast on 27th August, 1911, to be of good behaviour in respect of statements made by him to a crowd in the public street at Newbliss about two months ago; and whether Samuel Boal is to be permitted to visit peaceable districts at a distance from his own home, and in the course of public addresses make use of unfounded, slanderous, and offensive expressions reflecting on the character and conduct of ministers and members of a church which has many adherents in the district?

The initial steps necessary for estreating the recognisance of Boal were taken before Sir A. Newton Brady, one of the resident magistrates at Belfast, who was asked to certify forfeiture of Boal's recognisance. He refused the application, but stated a case for the King's Bench Division. That Court subsequently held that the magistrate's decision could not be reviewed on the case stated. The practicability of further proceedings is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Petty Sessions authorities at Athy insist on the payment of fees in stamps to the amount of 3s. on each order under the Irish Education Acts that a child do attend school; will he state what part of these fees are charged in respect of the order in the magistrate's Court and what part in respect of the copy order issued to the officer of the school attendance committee; will he state why it is that in the Dublin Metropolitan Police Courts the entire fees charged in respect of similar orders only amount to 2s.; and, if these are the correct fees, what authority the Petty Sessions authorities at Athy have for charging the increased fees?

In Petty Sessions districts the Court fees in these cases are regulated by the Petty Sessions Act, and ordinarily amount to 2s., but in some districts the magistrates insist, as they do at Athy, that a copy of the attendance order shall have been served on the parent or guardian of the child before they will convict for non-compliance with the attendance order. This copy must be stamped with 1s. in Petty Sessions stamps. At the Dublin Metropolitan Police Courts the fees in these cases amount to 2s., and are regulated by the Dublin Police Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Report of the county court judges in reference to county court reform in Ireland has as yet been received; if so, will he circulate it with the Votes for the information of Members; and will he state what action the Government intends to take in the matter?

The Report referred to has not yet been received.

asked how many police barracks are to be found in the Athenry district; is it proposed to build an additional police barrack at New Town, Ballinloughnave, Deer Park, Athenry; and, if so, out of what fund is the cost to be borne?

In the Constabulary district of Athenry there are twelve police barracks, including huts and protection posts. It has been decided to build a new barrack in Athenry to replace the existing one, and the cost will be borne by the Vote for Public Works in Ireland.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), how many prosecutions have been brought by his Department under the Weeds Act (Ireland), and the result of such prosecutions; and will he state how many permanent officers are engaged in the work of this Act?

Twenty prosecutions under the Act referred to were instituted by the Department in the current year. Convictions were obtained and fines imposed in all these cases. The whole time of one of the Department's permanent officers was occupied in connection with work under this Act for about three months during the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he has as yet come to any decision with regard to the suggested benefits to be given to the employers of members of the Territorial Force?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the actual strength of the Special B Reserve battalions during the past ten months of the current year as compared with the establishment; and whether he can indicate how the War Office proposes to deal with the deficiency?

The establishment of the special and extra reserve battalions (excluding officers) is 63,178; the average strength of these battalions between 1st January, 1912, and 1st November, 1912, was 48,370. The deficiency is now receiving my careful attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that the War Office make a grant to members of the Officers' Training Corps of the junior division of a sum of £1 per annum for every efficient cadet, and that such grant is made in the case of schools which receive no financial aid from the Board of Education to cadets over the age of fifteen years, but in the case of schools which receive this aid the grant is limited to pupils over the age of sixteen years; whether there is any reason for such discrimination between two classes of schools; and whether he will see his way to have the same discontinued?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to a question on this subject put by the hon. Gentleman the Member for the Rye Division of Sussex on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of Stale for War whether his Department has any contract at present running with employers involved in the hollow-ware trade disputes in Stafford shire; and, if so, whether he can inquire into the low wages paid in the trade and apply the Fair-Wages Clause in a manner which will raise the existing rates of pay?

I have no official information regarding this dispute, but it appears to involve the hollow-ware trade of the district generally and to have no special reference to Army contracts. I am afraid that no useful result would be likely to follow from the intervention of the War Office at the present juncture.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the continuance of the dispute due to low rates of wages in the hollow-ware trade in Staffordshire, whether he can take steps to immediately extend the scope of the Trade Boards Act to these trades and confirm any Provisional Order for this purpose by a Bill this Session?

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on 12th November, he proposes to consider at an early date the desirability of a cautious extension of the scope of the Trade Boards Act, when the case of the hollow-ware trade will receive careful consideration. I can add nothing to that statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the firm of J. Dorey and Company, of Brentford, who have a contract for work at Woolwich Barracks, are not paying the current rate of wage to the carpenters employed by them at these works, and although they have on several occasions been approached by the representatives of the men, they refuse to pay the proper rate; and whether, under these circumstances, he will compel this firm to observe the Fair-Wages Clause or otherwise remove this firm from the list of Government contractors?

The case referred to has been the subject of investigation and correspondence with the firm. The decision of the War Office is that in order to comply with the Fair-Wages Clause the firm must pay the increased rate of wage which came into operation in September last to the carpenters concerned. Unless the firm give an undertaking to comply with this decision without further delay the contract will be terminated at the earliest period provided under the contract conditions, and their name removed from the list of War Office contractors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in view of the difference of the value of the dollar, which has risen since October, 1911, from 1s. 8d. to 2s., and the commercial value, which is at present still 1s. 8d., and the consequent loss of 4d. on every dollar of pay to the British troops in the North China command, and also in view of the gratuities allowed to troops of other nations under these circumstances, namely, American, 20 per cent, increase of pay, service to count as double for purposes of pension, and French, Russian, German, and Italian, increase of pay, he can see his way to granting British troops serving on that command, where the soldiers have been under semi-service conditions since October, 1911, either an increase of pay or similar gratuities to those allowed by the other nations to their services on that command?

The information which I have does not support the view that especial increases have been given to the troops of other nations on account of the rise in the exchange value of the dollar. The pay of the British soldier was not reduced when the dollar fell, and there is no sufficient ground for raising it now.

asked the Secretary for War whether he can give the House any details regarding the recent outbreak of dengue fever at Meerut, by which several officers and some hundred men were attacked?

The Secretary of State for India is not in possession of any details.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether it is the usual practice of the Board to send petitions received against sanctioning a new unprovided school to the persons promoting it; and what are the reasons, if any, for this practice.

It is the uniform practice of the Board to communicate to promoters of new schools, whether they are council schools or voluntary schools, the terms of petitions received against their establishment and the number of the signatories. It is obviously not only necessary, in order that the Board may be in possession of all the facts, but fair that the promoters, whoever they may be, should have the opportunity of answering objections before the Board decide as to the necessity of the school. As regards the communication of names of signatories the practice has not been uniform, but I think I am bound to communicate the names when they are asked for by either of the parties in a controversial case unless I am satisfied that there are substantial reasons for withholding them. If any point material to the decision of the case turns upon the identity or qualifications of the signatories or the genuineness of the signatures, it is desirable for the Board's information that the promoters of a new school or the local education authority should have a reasonable opportunity of criticising the petitions on those grounds. In any case in which the names of petitioners are not communicated I should be prepared to hold a public inquiry on the application of the local education authority or the promoters.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether teachers who have retired voluntarily through ill-health prior to 31st March, 1912, and who did not apply for a disablement pension upon their retirement, and who have attained the age of 65 since 31st March, 1912, come under the old or new superannuation regulations?

The provisions of the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1912, with regard to the increase in the rate of superannuation allowances, apply to all teachers who attain the age of sixty-five after 31st March, 1912. The teachers to whom the hon. Member refers would, therefore, if otherwise qualified, be entitled to participate in the benefits conferred by the Act.

also asked whether any local authorities have pleaded the declining birth-rate as a ground for building or providing less elementary school accommodation than the usual percentage of population which has been taken to be as of school age; whether this plea has been in any case accepted by the Board; and whether cases within the last two years can be named where such contention has been admitted?

One local education authority has recently mentioned in this connection the decline of the birth-rate, but I am not aware of any cases in which the decision of the Board has been affected by this consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the declining birth-rate is now more than outweighed by the rapid decrease, especially during the last few years, of infantile mortality; and whether, under these circumstances, he will adopt a new formula for the proportion of the population for whom school places are to be provided by local authorities?

The number of school places to be provided by a local education authority is not now decided by any formula, but upon the best information which can be procured with regard to the actual needs of the locality. So far as recent statistics show there appears to be no stable proportion between the birthrate and infantile mortality.

asked whether the admitted deficiency of school places in elementary schools in the county of London is being made up or is being allowed to fall further into arrear?

The London County Council have responded to the representations of the Board by making proposals for making good deficiencies of school places in elementary schools in their area, and the Board have every reason to think that the scheme of the London County Council provides for meeting those deficiencies effectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that petitions were sent to him from ratepayers of Hayward's Heath, Cuckfield, Lingfield, and Wivelsfield, in Sussex, against the proposal to sanction a new non-provided public elementary school at Hayward's Heath, and that the petitions, were sent forthwith to the promoters of the proposed new school; and whether this was done with the intention that those who signed the petition should be subjected to canvassing, pressure, and influence, so that their opposition might be withdrawn?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The terms of petitions against the establishment of a new school are always communicated to the promoters. No rule has hitherto been laid down as to the communication of the names of the signatories to the petitions; but I may refer my hon. Friend to the written answer on this subject to another question standing in his name.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will ascertain the reasons why the two delegates from Switzerland, one of whom was the Swiss Minister to France and was chosen Vice-President at the Congress of Paris on the White Slave Traffic did not sign the International Convention on this subject on 4th May, 1910?

I am not aware of the reasons why the Swiss delegates did not sign the Convention, but I understand that it was signed by those delegates who had the necessary authority from their Governments, and that in other cases it was referred to the Powers for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an expenditure of £150, exclusive, of salaries and medical officers' fees, for a recruiting staff of five men in Scotland for sixteen days represents the usual cost of such missions; and if recruiting parties ordinarily consist of a medical officer, a Civil Service clerk, a drill sergeant, and a constable messenger?

The cost of an expedition varies somewhat according to its duration, the distance travelled, and the number of the staff employed. As a rule, the recruiting party consists of a medical officer, two Civil Service clerks, and a police constable; this being the minimum staff.

asked the Home Secretary if he has given any indication or undertaking that, on the completion of the new Court House which the London County Council proposes to erect at Newington, he will sanction or favourably consider a scheme authorising or regulating the holding of Courts of Sessions there, or is he free to refuse his sanction; and, if so, will an opportunity be given to the House of discussing the desirability of transacting the business of the Sessions at a place which is regarded by many as inconvenient and undesirable?

The choice of a suitable site rests with the London County Council, and it appears to me that a question of this kind, which is of a purely local importance, should properly be discussed in the county council and not in this House. I see no reason for dissenting from the decision arrived at by the local authorities, and I have intimated that if it is carried out, I shall be prepared to approve a scheme similar to that which is now in force.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, at a further meeting held in Trafalgar Square on 10th November, a resolution was passed affirming the opinion that it is in the public interests that a public inquiry be held into the Metropolitan police administration, and the methods, discipline, and treatment of police officers; that allegations of a serious character were again made at the meeting; are there records at Scotland Yard which would show these allegations to be false; and, if so, will he cause those records to be laid upon the Table of the House or made the subject of an independent inquiry and report?

I understand that there was a repetition by a dismissed police officer at a meeting in Trafalgar Square on 10th November of wholly unfounded allegations which do not call for notice. I am satisfied that the allegations disclose no ground for any inquiry, and I do not propose to lay Papers on the Table of the House.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the practice of motor omnibuses passing on the near-side of stationary tramcars is continually observed at tramcar stopping places by the Nag's Head, along Seven Sisters Road, by Finsbury Park, by the Athenæum, Camden Road, by Holloway Gaol, Camden Road, and through the narrow portions of Caledonian Road; that, as a result of an omnibus being driven between the near-side of a stationary car and the footway kerb, a member of the staff of the Islington Borough Council was fatally injured in Upper Street while in the act of boarding a car; will it come within the scope of the Select Committee to take into consideration a recommendation of the Islington Municipal Officers' Association that it should be made unlawful for omnibuses to be driven on the near-side of tramcar standing for the purpose of allowing people to board or leave it; and, seeing that there is no statutory or universal rule in London authorising the practice, is it necessary to await the Report of the Select Committee before anything is done to prevent the continuance of loss of life from a cause which might be remedied without imposing any undue hardship on the omnibus companies or interfering with traffic; and is nothing further to be done to bring the control of London traffic into correspondence with modern traffic conditions until after the Committee has reported?

Where tramlines exist in the middle of a street, all overtaking vehicles, whether motor or horse-drawn, are allowed to pass, and usually do pass, on the near-side in order to avoid greater danger in passing on the off-side. I am informed that the case of fatal injury to which the hon. Member refers is sub judice. It will be open to the Select Committee to consider this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether, considering the fact that during the years 1909–10 and 1910–11 no leys than 1,620 men were convicted as incorrigible rogues under the Vagrancy Act, and that in the calendars of prisoners for these years only in ten cases were orders passed for the corporal punishment of these, men, and in two of those cases that punishment was remitted, he will now consider the question of putting a stop to further increase in the numbers of men whose sole profession is that of incorrigible rogues, either by the establishment of labour colonies for dealing with these men or else by much stricter infliction of the law regarding corporal punishment?

In the great majority of cases where offenders are committed to Quarter Sessions for punishment as incorrigible rogues corporal punishment would be quite inappropriate, and I am not prepared to advocate the application to such cases of the powers vested by law in Courts of Quarter Sessions; nor, in the present state of public business, do I see my way to propose legislation for the establishment of labour colonies.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an obscene publication publicly sold at 14, Great Smith Street, the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies; and whether he will take steps to have the sale thereof prohibited, and will also forbid the further distribution of the pamphlet, especially among young girls, in supposed furtherance of woman suffrage?

My attention had not previously been called to the pamphlet in question, but the Noble Lord has now sent me a copy. I will have the book examined by the proper authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the 9th instant, at Monmouth, a man named Thomas Lockwood was charged with stealing fowls on 2nd March, 1900, that he pleaded to be dealt with by way of fine and not imprisonment, and was able to show that during the twelve years and more since the commission of the offence he had conducted himself properly and earned an honest livelihood; whether he is aware that the magistrates sent him to prison for a month, with hard labour; and whether he will inquire into the case and see whether justice can be met by a reduced sentence?

I have made inquiry in the case. Generally I think a prosecution for a minor offence after the lapse of many years is to be deprecated, but I regret that the circumstances of this case are such as to afford no sufficient reason for advising any reduction of the sentence.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a dispute has been in progress for several weeks at the works of Henry Livesey, Limited, Green-bank Foundry, Blackburn; that last week strike breakers were imported; that these strike breakers are being lodged and fed on the works premises; and what action he proposes to take, in view of the breach of the factory law by lodging employés on the premises of manufacture?

I have made inquiry into this matter. It appears that a number of workmen are being lodged and fed on the premises of the factory, but there is no provision in the Factory Acts which makes it illegal to lodge employés on factory premises, and the inspector who visited the premises was unable to discover that the Acts were being contravened in any way.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had his attention drawn to a resolution adopted by the International Association for Labour Legislation at Zurich, recommending the appointment of a larger number of women inspectors of factories, and urging that there should be at least one woman inspector stationed in each centre of industry where the employment of women or children is general; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received a copy of a resolution to this effect. It is in general terms and does not specially refer to this country. Under the existing organisation of the factory inspectorate, lady inspectors are already stationed at various industrial centres in order to ensure that all parts of the country receive attention from this branch of the staff. The question of the appointment of further lady inspectors will be considered as part of the general question of the increase of the staff which is to come under review shortly.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that a serious explosion occurred at the Auckland Park colliery, near Bishop Auckland, county Durham, on Sunday, the 29th October last, which, though no loss of life resulted owing to the seams being empty at the time, yet caused very considerable damage; what was the cause of the explosion, if the same has been ascertained; and, if not, whether he will cause an inquiry to be held at which representatives of the workmen will be at liberty to attend and assist in the investigation?

I have received reports on this explosion. Investigations into its cause are proceeding, but, owing to a very large fall, it is not expected that they can be completed for some little time. When I receive the inspector's report on the result of his investigations, I shall be in a position to decide whether or not it will be desirable to direct a formal inquiry to be held.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of convictions under the Street Betting Act in the county boroughs in England and Wales, respectively, with the amount of fines imposed for each complete year since the passing of the Act?

I am sorry that I cannot give the information. No statistics on the subject are available.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any regulation in force prohibiting the use of dazzling head lights on motor cars in well-lighted streets where there is no necessity for them; and, if not, whether he will consider the question of having such a regulation made?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. There is no regulation at the present time prohibiting the use of dazzling lights on motor cars, but I am causing some investigation of the subject to be made with a view to seeing whether it can be practically and effectively dealt with.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any protests have been received, officially or unofficially, from any representatives of the Indian people against the appointment of Mr. C. G. Mallet; whether the advisory committee of Indian students is still in existence; whether any answer has been made to the representations of Lord Ampthill, its chairman, against the ignoring of the committee in regard to this appointment; what functions the committee is likely to fulfil in future; how many students, on a monthly average, does Mr. Mallet come into touch with; and what is the proportion of these as compared with the whole body of Indian students in this country?

The answer to the first question is in the negative and to the second in the affirmative. The representations mentioned in the third question are under the consideration of the Secretary of State, as is also the subject of the functions of the advisory committee. With regard to the fifth and sixth questions, Mr. Mallet discharges the duties of guardian towards about 100 Indian students and gives advice daily to others. There is no statistical record of interviews. The number of Indian students in the United Kingdom is believed to be between 1,700 and 1,800.

asked, with regard to the appointments of chief justices and judges of the High Courts in India, how many have been appointed on the qualification of advocate at the Scottish Bar during the present century; and when the last appointment on such qualification was made?

No chief justice or judge of an Indian High Court has since the 1st January, 1901, been appointed on the qualification of advocate of the Scottish Bar, and it would not be possible, without disproportionate research, to state positively when the last appointment of the kind was made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what has been the largest aggregate amount of securities and cash held in London in each of the last five years in respect of Indian cash balances, gold standard reserve, and paper currency reserve?

The information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:—

asked how the paper currency reserve is now represented, distinguishing between British Government securities, Indian Government securities, gold, silver coin, and silver bullion?

The composition of the reserve on 15th November, 1912, was as follows (in lakhs of rupees):—

asked whether any steps have yet been taken by the Lieutenant-Governor of Burma or the Governor-General of India in Council to create a university in Burma; and, if so, what has been done in the matter and what remains to be done?

The Burma Government have lately had under consideration a proposal for establishing a provincial university submitted by the Burma Edu- cational Syndicate. They have expressed their willingness to support it on being satisfied that the province is ripe for a university and that the finance of the scheme is sound. It has not as yet been before the Government of India.

asked whether the India Office has at any time considered the advisability of appointing an Auditor-General for Indian finance; whether any recommendation in favour of this step has been made to it by any responsible financial expert in its employ; and whether the time has now arrived for this course to be followed?

There is already, and has long been, a Comptroller and Auditor-General in India. Recommendations regarding possible alterations in his functions and status have been submitted by the Government of India to the Secretary of State, and correspondence is in progress on the subject. There is also, under Section 52 of the Government of India Act of 1858, an Auditor of the Accounts of the Secretary of State in Council.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has yet received from the Government of India a Report in reference to the imprisonment for twelve months of Mr. William Chaining Arnold, the editor of the "Burma Critic," for the alleged offence of criticising a magistrate; and whether any steps have been taken to obtain his release on bail pending an inquiry into the circumstances of his trial, conviction, and punishment?

The Secretary of State has not yet received the further report promised. He is informed that Mr. Arnold's legal adviser is proceeding to this country with a view to moving the Privy Council to grant special leave to appeal.

asked the resident of the Board of Trade whether lie is aware that the North British Railway Company are running workmen's trains into Glasgow with nineteen and twenty vehicles, with the result that the rear part of the train is standing in the tunnel; that, contrary to the company's rules and regulations, the guard has to leave the van and expose himself to danger with a view of preventing passengers from being injured; and that, although this practice has been repeatedly reported to the; officials in charge, no alteration has taken place; and what action he proposes to take?

I have not received any complaint on the subject raised in this question, but I have communicated with the railway company in regard to it and will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the action of the Great Central Railway Company in sending stationmasters to act as relief men in the case of goods guards; and whether, in the interests of the safety of the men employed, he will cause such practice to be discontinued?

My attention has been called to this matter, and the Board of Trade are in communication with the railway company with regard to it.

asked what steps have now been taken by the Great Northern Railway Company to fulfil the promise re election of representatives of subscribers to the superannuation fund, as recommended by the Select Committee which reported on this matter?

I have asked the Great Northern Railway Company what steps they have taken to give effect to their decision in this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the result of the recent inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Criccieth Castle," the Board of Trade will enforce a regulation that all ships' boats shall be equipped with sails?

I am sending the Noble Lord a copy of the existing rules on this subject, and of the draft new rules, with the relevant passages marked. He will see that it is proposed to increase materially the number of boats which must be provided with sails; but, as at present advised, I do not think it would be possible to require all ships' boats to be so provided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of requests for information as to the hours worked in the printing trade sent out to employers in the London district; the percentage, of returns received by the Board of Trade; the percentage of firms making returns who are working their hand compositors on book or jobbing work, letterpress machine minders, male printers' assistants and warehousemen (exclusive of binders), fifty hours per week in the London district; the total number of the above classes of men on the returns sent in; and what percentage of such total number were working fifty hours?

Application for information was made to all firms, large or small, in the London district, known to the Department. The total number of requests for information issued by the Board of Trade was 3,170. This number, however, included in many cases more than one address of the same firm, and a number of firms which were found to be nonexistent. The number of returns received giving statistical information was 1,447. The firms covered by these returns employed, in July, 1912, 61,532 male and female workpeople. In this number there-were included: 8,221 hand compositors on book or jobbing work; 4,832 letterpress machine minders; 5,334 printers' assistants; 3,537 warehousemen (other than those employed by firms engaged in bookbinding and not in printing). This makes a total of 21,924 of these classes of male workmen, of whom 54.8 per cent., 55.5 per cent., 66.7 per cent., and 63.1 per cent., respectively, were working fifty hours or less. Of the total number in these classes, 59.2 per cent., were working fifty hours or less at July, 1912. These percentages are, of course, based on returns from all classes of employers, irrespective of whether or not they complied with the standard laid down in the Fair-Wages Resolution.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of men, other than those transferred from the late National Telephone Company, employed in the engineering branch of the Department at the 1st October, 1912?

The force, which includes many gang-hands, varies from day to day, and the information asked for by the hon. Member could only be obtained by special inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the engagements for leave to erect telephone poles and to enter the property of private owners for purposes of repair of wires are being continued or does he claim a right in these cases that did not belong to the National Telephone Company; and will he say whether the Department claims that lights and privileges that belong to the Department of telegraphs shall be extended to the telephone system without any consideration or payment to the persons who have hitherto been remunerated by the National Telephone Company but who are not now being so remunerated?

It has been decided in the Courts that a telephone is in law a telegraph, and the provisions of the Telegraph Acts therefore apply to the plant, which I acquired from the National Telephone Company on 3lst December, just as they applied to the telephone system previously belonging to the Post Office. But, generally speaking, the powers of the Postmaster-General with regard to wayleaves on private property are no greater than those of the National Telephone Company, and, in the majority of cases, I am continuing the arrangements made by the company for wayleaves on private property, although I am advised that the agreements relating to those wayleaves are not legally binding either upon me or upon the property owners.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a largely signed petition from the town and neighbourhood of Tisbury, in Wilts., asking for the instalment of the telephone system there; and, if so, whether, in view of the handicap to trade and industry in that town and district resulting from the absence of telephone facilities, he will without delay cause such deficiency to be made good?

I have received the petition referred to, and Tisbury has recently been canvassed for telephone subscribers. If it is found that the support which has been promised is sufficient to justify the expenditure, an Exchange will be established.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is able to make any statement as to the employment which the Post Office authorities have been able to obtain for the large number of horse drivers, whose names were supplied to him in July last by the hon. Member for Hoxton on behalf of the London Cannons' Trade Union, on their discharge by contractors to the Post Office in connection with the introduction of additional motor mail vans?

As a result of the representations to various employers which have been made by my Department, I am glad to say that employment has been found for almost all the men to whom the hon. Member refers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the letter-box recently provided in the neighbourhood of the village of Stonehall, in the parish of Temple Ewell, Kent, is not cleared after 2.30 p.m. on weekdays and 6.30 a.m. on Sundays; and whether, having regard to the fact that a mail cart passes this box about 9 p.m. daily, he will provide better postal facilities for the people of Stonehall by giving instructions for the box to be cleared in the evening?

I am making inquiry and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the need of additional postal facilities for Edmonton; whether he is aware that the offices in both Upper and Lower Edmonton are now, owing to the recent increase in population, and especially owing to the extra work entailed by the Old Age Pensions and National Insurance Acts, inadequate in size, and cause inconvenience and loss of time to residents in the districts; and what steps he proposes to take?

My attention has been called to an article on the subject which appeared in a local newspaper. The question of affording additional accommodation at some of the offices which serve Edmonton is under consideration, and I hope that it may be possible to effect an improvement. I am assured that in other respects the Post Office facilities afforded in the locality are satisfactory.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, having regard to the fact that the deposits in the Post Office savings bank in Ireland amount to about twelve and a half million pounds and to the greater promptitude and efficiency of local service in all departments, he will consider the advisability, apart from any question of supreme control, of establishing an office and staff in Ireland to deal with the actual savings bank work there; and, if not, will he say what, are the reasons against doing so?

This suggestion is one which cannot in any case be usefully considered while the proposals of the Government of Ireland Bill are under discussion.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state, in connection with the afforestation of a part of the Crown land situate in the parish of Festiniog, in the county of Merioneth, and known as Hafodfawrissaf, the number of acres planted, the number and varieties of the trees planted, the cost per acre of the planting, including the cost of fencing and draining, if any, and the subsequent annual sum, if any, expended on the afforestation?

No planting has as yet been done on the particular part of the Crown land referred to in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any conclusion had yet been arrived at by the Woods and Forests Department as to the re-letting of the Crown salmon fishings in Loch Ridden, Kyles of Bute; and, if so, whether opportunity will be given to fishermen who pursue their calling for a livelihood, and not only to landowners, to offer for that fishing before a lease is fixed?

It has now been decided to offer the Crown salmon fishings in Loch Ridden ex adcerso of the lands of Craig for letting by public tender. It will be open to fishermen as well as to landowners to make tenders.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will state the quantity of beef sent from Scotland to the London market during the four months July to October, 1911, and the quantity sent during a similar period this year while Irish cattle were prevented from being landed in Scotland?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the hon. Member with the information for which he asks, no statistics of the trade in beef between Scotland and England being available.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Carmarthenshire County Council, on the 18th March, 1911, submitted to the Treasury a live-stock scheme under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909; and whether the Board's decision in regard thereto may be expected in the immediate future?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Carmarthen Boroughs yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding the importation of Irish store cattle into the ports of Glasgow, Dundee, and Ayr?

The negotiations as regards the provision of accommodation for the landing of Irish store cattle at each of the three ports named are proceeding satisfactorily. An Order will be issued to-day which will enable such cattle to be landed at Glasgow subject to the prescribed period of detention, which is at present fourteen days, but will be reduced to four days as from the 27th instant, if no material change in the position occurs. I hope that the arrangements which are now being made at Dundee and Ayr will be completed next week.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) if he will now open the markets of Great Britain for the sale, under normal conditions, of Irish pigs for slaughtering purposes, as there has been no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland for a considerable time; and (2) whether, having regard to the almost complete disappearance of foot-and-mouth disease from Ireland, he can now make an Order opening the markets of Great Britain to Irish store cattle; or, if not, will he reduce the period of quarantine from fourteen to four days?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me, in reply to this and the next question which also stands in his name, to refer him to the statement which I made yesterday with regard to the modification of the existing restrictions which I propose to make as from the 27th instant, if no material change in the position occurs in the meantime.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the names and addresses of the twenty-four temporary veterinary inspectors employed in connection with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland; and the names and addresses of the forty-two local veterinary inspectors who were engaged from time to time in these outbreaks?

I can see no public object to be served by the publication of such a list as the hon. Member asks for. But if he desires it, I shall be glad to have the list made out for his own information.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that a quantity of Indian barley has recently been and is now being imported into the United Kingdom and that such barley is threshed by treading it with oxen; whether, seeing that foot-and-mouth disease is seriously prevalent in India, and that the screenings of such barley, after separating the grain used for brewing, are ground into barley meal and fed to cattle and pigs, it is, in the opinion of his expert advisers, a likely or possible source of infection of the disease; and, if so, whether he will take steps to check or regulate such importation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remaining parts of the question, I am not prepared to say that infection may not conceivably be introduced by means of feeding stuffs made out of barley threshed in the manner described, but the risk is inappreciable and, in my opinion, quite insufficient to justify the inconvenience and dislocation of trade which would result if the importation of such barley were prohibited.

asked the Lord Advocate whether it is intended to fill the office of procurator-fiscal of Midlothian by the advancement of one holding similar office in a less important and lower salaried district; and, if so, is it the intention of his Department to adopt this system of promotion of procurators-fiscal throughout the whole of Scotland?

The office of procurator-fiscal of Midlothian has been filled by the promotion of the procurator-fiscal of Fife at Cupar. The answer to the latter part of the question, so far as I am concerned, is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why no allotments or small holdings under the statutes have been created in the county of Roxburgh during the present century as in other counties; and whether he proposes to take any steps to bring this county into line with others?

I am unable to add anything to the answers which I gave to two questions by my hon. Friend on these subjects on Tuesday.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Report of the Commission appointed to inquire, inter alia, into the question of State loans to fishermen may be expected?

I am informed that the Committee propose to meet in the second week of December, to consider the terms of their Report.