asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will instruct pension officers to furnish Pension Committees, when requested so to do, with a detailed list of how estimates are arrived at when they disqualify applicants for old age pensions, and give the cause of disqualification as means exceeding £ 31 10s. a year?

In such cases as are referred to in the question, the pension officer is required under No. 10 of the Statutory Regulations to furnish the Committee with, inter alia, "a summary of the income, property and other yearly means of the claimant." Pension officers are fully aware of this requirement, and I am assured that no further instructions in the matter are required. I may remind the hon. Member that a pension officer cannot disqualify a claimant. He merely reports to the local Pension Committee his opinion whether the claimant is or is not entitled to a pension, and if so at what rate.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of farthings coined at the Mint in each of the last ten years; and whether he has any information showing those parts of the country where farthings are in common use and those parts where the use of them is comparatively rare?

The number of farthings coined in the last ten years was as follows:—

Year.			Weight.	Value.
			Tons.	£	s.	d.
1902	…	…	14	5,226	13	4
1903	…	…	15	5,600	0	0
1904	…	…	10	3,733	6	8
1905	…	…	11	4,106	13	4
1906	…	…	15	5,600	0	0
1907	…	…	12	4,480	0	0
1908	…	…	12	4,480	0	0
1909	…	…	25	9,333	6	8
1910	…	…	7	2,613	6	8
1911	…	…	15	5,600	0	0

The districts to which farthings have been issued in the year 1911 are as follows:—

	£
England-North	475
Midlands	630
South (excluding London)	1,450
London	2,500
		£5,055
Scotland		370
Ireland		110
Colonies		265
		£5,800

The localities from which applications for farthings are received at the Mint provide the only indication possessed by that Department as to where the coins are in use.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual amount of public money paid, either as salary or as pension, to the twenty-three judges who have held or are holding high judicial office and are qualified to sit for the hearing of appeals in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

I am informed that there are now only twenty-one judges qualified to sit on the Judicial Committee. Of this number only sixteen receive any payments from British funds and these payments amount to £ 63,712 18s. 8d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the increase in land under cultivation in Australia for each of the years ending 30th June, 1909, 1910, and 1911, and the exact date on which the Land Values Tax imposed by the Government of the Commonwealth became law?

The hon. Member will find this information in the Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a tax corresponding to Land Tax in this country, Property Tax, Inhabited House Duty, Estate Death Duties, Income Tax, and Super-tax, are levied on real estate in the Commonwealth of Australia; and, if so, at what rate are any or all of such duties at present levied?

I must refer the hon. Member to the Commonwealth Acts, which are in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the secret land inquiry appointed by him will co-operate with the secret inquiry into housing and sanitation in Surrey and Hampshire which has been started by the Bishop of Winchester; and, having regard to the opportunities of the country clergy for giving valuable information, he will approach the archbishops and bishops with a view to their assisting his researches, so that social legislation may be introduced based on the fullest knowledge?

I am sure that the Land Inquiry Committee will welcome any assistance which will lead to a fuller knowledge of the conditions which they are investigating. Perhaps my hon. Friend will himself approach the right rev. gentlemen in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give for the last financial year the following information: The population, 1911, gross annual value of property assessed, assessment under Schedule D, assessment under Schedule E, and the average assessment paid per head of population for Belfast, Dublin city, Londonderry, Cork, and Limerick, respectively?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member, so far as they are available, are given below. They do not, however, convey any indication of the tax actually contributed by the population of the various cities referred to, inasmuch as, owing to the system of collection at the source, large amounts of income belonging to other parts of Ireland are centrally assessed in Dublin.

——		Population at 1911 Census.	Gross Annual Value of Property Assessed under Schedule A of the Income Tax Acts in the year 1911–12.	Gross Assessment under Schedule D of the Income Tax Acts in the year 1911–12.	Gross Assessment under Schedule E of the Income Tax Acts in the year 1911–12.	Estimated Amount of Income Tax payable for the year 1911–12 in respect of the fore-going Assessments.
			£	£	£	£
Belfast	…	386,947	1,461,662	3,676,772	1,200,780	206,000
Dublin City	…	304,802	902,539	7,614,418	2,590,434	361,000
Londonderry	…	40,780	108,350	212,160	61,736	12,500
Cork	…	76,673	174,102	871,804	258,552	42,500
Limerick	…	38,518	71,493	303,892	61,992	14,200

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue has postponed the scheme providing for increased pay and improved prospects for clerks of surveyors of taxes, which was founded on the Report of a Special Committee appointed to investigate the position of these clerks; if so, on what grounds has it been postponed; will he state the number of clerks of the highest grade (A) who have reached the maximum salary; is he aware that these senior clerks have served many years in tax offices and that some of them have almost reached the age limit, and by further delay are being penalised both as regards salary and prospective pensions, notwithstanding the admission of the chairman as to the inadequacy of the present remuneration; and whether he will immediately give this matter his special consideration?

As regards the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I would remind him of the answer I gave to him on the 30th October last. The number of Class A clerks to surveyors of taxes who are drawing salary at the maximum rate laid down for then class is forty-two. I am unable to say what effect the introduction of any scheme of salaries based on new methods of recruitment for surveyors' clerks would have on the prospect of clerks now serving who have almost reached the age limit.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that, at a public meeting recently held in Newry, it was stated that teachers were expected to teach to others the rights of citizenship denied to themselves; will he say on what educational grounds the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland withhold their civic rights from teachers when the people of Ireland have repeatedly demanded that their teachers should have reasonable freedom; and can he state whether teachers in England and Scotland enjoy the full rights of citizenship?

I have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings referred to, but I have not been able to find in it the statement mentioned in the question. The rules of the Commissioners of National Education do not require teachers to give lessons in civic duties to school children, but in the programme for National Schools it is suggested that as an alternative to the study of a special period of history a course of lessons in citizenship may be given in the highest standard of large schools. The restrictions imposed on teachers with regard to their civil rights were relaxed to a considerable extent in 1907. The Commissioners hold that general abstention of the teachers from local political quarrels has added materially to their usefulness, and they do not consider that it would be in the interests of the teachers or the schools to modify still further the rules on the subject. As regards the conditions of employment of English teachers, I would refer the hon. Member to the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools in England which has been presented to Parliament.

asked the Chief Secretary if teachers affected by the regulation as to standard numbers are informed by the Commissioners of National. Education, when promoted to either section of first grade, that the date from which service entitling to an increment in the section of first grade shall count is the date from which payment in that section of the grade shall be awarded; if teachers have to wait for a vacancy, is the satisfactoyr service given during the waiting period counted as part of the next triennial increment period; if not, does it amount to a cancellation of satisfactory service so far as the financial prospects of these teachers are concerned if the satisfactory service referred to could be counted in the next increment period without an extension of the standard numbers; and, if so, will he recommend that this should be done?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second paragraph in the negative. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that service during the period between the date of promotion by the Commissioners and the date on which a teacher receives the salary attached to the section of the grade to which he is promoted is not cancelled. It cannot, however, be counted as portion of the period of three years that must elapse before an increment can be granted under the Regulations. The "continued good service salary" attached to each grade or section of grade is a supplement to the fixed salary, and is awarded at the end of three years after the grant of the fixed salary. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many male teachers promoted to the second division of the first grade since the 1st April, 1911, have reached the grade salary to which such promotion entitles them?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that there are ninety-six male teachers who qualified for promotion to the second division of the first grade since 1st April, 1911, but owing to the want of vacancies it has not yet been possible to grant any of these teachers the salary attached to that grade.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many junior assistant mistresses of thirty years' service have been discontinued in their schools since April, 1912, owing to the rise in the average attendance; how many of these have since been reinstated owing to a modification of Rule 86A; whether those discontinued have got any gratuity or pension; and what steps does he propose to take to do justice to those who have been thus deprived of their livelihood?

The Commissioners of National Education are aware of only one case of such a junior assistant mistress who has been discontinued since April, 1912, on account of the rise in the average attendance at the school in which she was engaged. She has not been reinstated, as a fully qualified assistant teacher has been appointed in her place. The Commissioners have no power to grant her a pension or a gratuity.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of married female teachers whose salaries wore withheld by the National Board because they could not provide substitutes, as required by Rule 92 (j); whether he can state the total amount, withheld under this rule; whether he can state the number of teachers who employed and paid substitutes, and the amount paid to these substitutes; and whether he proposes to recoup those teachers the amounts which have been withheld?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that salary amounting in all to about £ 900 was withheld from 152 married female teachers because they could not provide substitutes as required by Rule 92 (j). Two hundred and eighty-seven teachers employed and paid substitutes, but the Commissioners have no information as to the total amount paid to those substitutes. The Irish Government are in correspondence with the Treasury on the subject of the inquiry contained in the last paragraph of the question.

asked whether inspectors of national schools in Ireland are empowered to fix the dates of their annual inspection in their various districts; and is there any rule to prevent an inspector inspecting the same school three times in a period of eighteeen months, and thus avoiding three annual inspections?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that inspectors are instructed to hold an annual formal inspection in the case of schools where the work cannot be regarded as satisfactory. In other cases it is unnecessary to make detailed inspections every year. They are bound to give due notice of formal inspections, and they are empowered to fix the dates for such inspections. There is no rule to prevent, an inspector visiting a school as frequently as he may deem it necessary in the interests of education, and the fact that an inspector visits a school three times within a period of eighteen months does not necessarily imply an avoidance of three annual inspections.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can explain how the animal affected with foot-and-mouth disease exported viâ Newry passed the veterinary port inspectors there?

asked the Vice-President whether he can explain the fact that, while two spurious cases of foot-and-mouth disease were detected in Dublin, the cattle in the cargo from Newry to Dublin which were actually infected were not detected at Newry?

The Department's veterinary inspector at Newry, a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, of twenty-eight years' experience, reports that all the cattle shipped on the occasion, and which were fat cattle for slaughter, were under his observation in the inspection pens at Newry for more than three hours, and that none of them exhibited any external symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease. Experience of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks has amply shown that animals can be affected and yet present no symptoms that can be detected on external examination. Experience has also shown in several instances that animals which have been subjected to mouth examination and found apparently free from the disease have, on examination the following day, been found to have developed in the interval the lesions of the disease in full activity. The cases referred to by the hon. Member for Forfarshire as having been detected in Dublin were among store cattle, and were found on mouthing these animals. It should be explained that in accordance with an understanding with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries it has not been the practice since the exportation of store cattle recommenced to mouth at the Irish ports the fat animals brought for shipment to the foreign animals' wharves for slaughter therein, but the store cattle, which are intended to be moved, after a period of quarantine, to other places in Great Britain, are mouthed before being shipped.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the townlands of Drummeenavadoge and Turloughaganny were included in the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the estate of Anthony MacDermott and others, county Mayo; and what claim, if any, Mr. George Acton, of Bridgemount, has asserted in respect of those townlands?

The lands referred to were not included in the estate of A. J. MacDermott and others purchased by the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in regard to the Birchfield estate of William H. M'Grath, situated near Lahinch, county Clare, Mr. Justice Ross refused to sanction the sale of the estate at the price offered by the Congested Districts Board; and whether he can indicate what solution of the difficulty will be adopted?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Congested Districts Board have recently received a letter from the solicitor having carriage of the sale of the estate asking the Board if they will increase their offer. The matter will be considered by the Board at their next meeting.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in the district of Doolin, West Clare, there are some 200 uneconomic holders such as would be entitled to benefit under the Land Act of 1909, but that, on account of the delay in putting into operation in this locality the provisions of that Land Act, many of the young men are emigrating, while thousands of acres of available land are let under the eleven months' system; and whether he can state when the Congested Districts Board intend to deal with the estate in question?

The Congested Districts Board have had this matter under consideration, and it will not be lost sight of.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh for the purpose of enabling a reliable estimate to be formed as to the possible extent of future commitments for the completion of land purchase in Ireland will be granted?

The most recent estimate of lands unsold under the Irish Land Purchase Acts prepared by the Estates Commissioners from the information at their disposal is that contained in Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 6130, of 1912. The Return moved for by the hon. Member would necessitate detailed inquiry into the cases of over a quarter of a million of rent paying tenants. The Return would be very costly, and it is estimated would run to about 5,000 pages, and by the time it could be completed would be considerably out of date. In these circumstances I do not think it would be desirable to grant the Return.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the published statement of Mr. Land Commissioner Lynch, at a recent meeting of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland, that the results of the financial provisions of the Land Act of 1909, in so far as they are intended to accelerate the conversion of occupying tenants of agricultural and pastoral holdings into owners, have not been a success; that the main difficulty was financial; that there should be no restriction, as at present, by Treasury Rules upon the annual amount of stock to be raised or advances to be made in any one year; that funds for advances should be available according as the Land Commission is in a position to make them; and whether, having regard to the dissatisfaction caused throughout the congested districts by the slowness of land purchase, he will take steps to ensure that the beneficent intentions of the Land Act of 1909 shall no longer be frustrated by the Treasury Rules referred to?

I have seen a newspaper report of the statement referred to in the question. The rate of land purchase in the congested districts has not been affected by any regulations as to the issue of stock, as the cash required by the Congested Districts Board in connection with their operations under the Land Acts of 1903 and 1909 has always been available as required.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total cast of liquidation of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, the amount remaining available for distribution, and when it will be distributed?

All matters connected with the financial position of this company and its liquidation are the subject of porceedings in the Court of Chancery, and until the conclusion of these proceedings the information asked for in the question cannot be obtained.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners, when considering the claim of Mrs. Catherine Connolly as a tenant evicted from a farm at Ballylucas, Ballymurrin, county Wexford, by Mr. M. A. Maher in 1893, had the principal facts of the case before them; that she was evicted within a short time of her husband's death; that before the expiry of the six months legally allowed for redemption she offered the full amount legally due; that this was at first accepted and afterwards returned with a demand for rent for the six months she had been out of the farm; and that even this was subsequently offered by her solicitor but rejected by the landlord; and, seeing that this treatment constitutes her an evicted tenant entitled to reinstatement or a new holding, whether immediate steps will be taken to give this claimant the benefit of the Acts passed for dealing with such cases?

The circumstances of this case were considered by the Estates Commissioners, when they decided, in the exercise of the discretion vested in them, not to take any action in regard to Mrs Connolly's application, and they are not prepared to depart from that decision.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to a meeting held in Dundalk on the 20th instant, at which resolutions were passed regarding the number of evicted tenants in county Louth who have neither been reinstated in their former holdings nor provided with allotments of untenanted land; and whether, seeing that the Estates Commissioners have lately acquired 2,000 acres of land in the county, he will represent to the Commissioners the urgent necessity of sending down an inspector to inquire into the cases and claims of those evicted tenants for allotments on the said lands?

The Estates Commissioners have received the resolution referred to. Fifty-three county Louth evicted tenants have been reinstated in their former or provided with other holdings, and there is now only one county Louth evicted tenant whose application has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by the Commissioners, and who has not yet been provided with a holding. The Commissioners are not prepared to send down an inspector to inquire into applications which have already been refused by them, or which, not having been lodged within the period specified by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, do not come within that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state in how many cases have the Estates Commissioners instituted legal proceedings against reinstated evicted tenants for non-compliance with the rules as to the working of their lands, and the results of such proceedings; in how many cases are proceedings pending; in how many eases have tenants carried out their undertakings to comply with the Commissioners' requirements; and the results to date of the investigation which has been directed in regard to other cases of reinstated evicted tenants who are apparently not residing on or working their holdings in a proper manner?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the similar question of the hon. Baronet on 5th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government appreciate the loss caused to owners of cattle, sheep, and pigs in Ireland by inability to sell them at the usual period, and consequent inability to meet their usual engagements; and, if any steps are being taken to ease the situation and avert a crisis, will he say what they are?

There can be no question that, owing to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, regrettable and serious loss is falling upon large numbers of those connected directly or indirectly with the Irish cattle trade. Apart from the payment of compensation for animals slaughtered, which has been done in every case, the Department has no power to mitigate the suffering caused.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Con- stable Jackson, Royal Irish Constabulary, Kinsale, caused damage to the extent of £ 100 to a steam roller, the property of the Cork County Council; if the application made by that body to the Inspector General, Royal Irish Constabulary, for compensation has been refused; if the Government are responsible for the acts of its officers or employé s as are the ordinary employers of labour in this country; and if he will see that the Cork County Council comes by no less by the act of this constable?

The circumstances under which the damage was caused to the steam roller were not such as would, in the opinion of the constabulary authorities, cast any legal responsibility on them. If the action of the constable on the occasion was not justified, it is open to the county council to take proceedings against him.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will inquire into the case of Private O. N. Kent, of the 16th battalion, County of London Regiment, who on the 11th August was injured while in performance of military duty, and has in consequence, been incapacitated for three months; whether Private Kent will be allowed compensation in respect of his injury; and, if so, whether he will state the amount?

An inquiry is being made into this case, and the result will be communicated in due course to the hon, Gentleman.

asked the Secretary for War what arrangements were made by the War Office or by the State for the maintenance of the families of Reservists on their mobilisation in the year 1899; what fresh arrangements, if any, are contemplated; and whether, in the case of the mobilising of the whole or part of the Territorial Force, the maintenance of their families and the reinstatement in their employment on the termination of their period of service has been considered?

In 1899 separation allowance was paid to the wives and families of Reservists, and half-wages were paid in addition to those who were in Government Civil employment. The separation allowance is payable under Regulation, and would apply to the Territorial Force on embodiment. Reinstatement in employment generally is not in the main a question for the Government; but as regards men in Government employment, I see no reason to doubt that in this respect, and in regard to half-wages, adequate arrangements would be made should the necessity arise.

asked the Secretary for War if he will obtain a Return showing in how many military stations allotments or garden plots are provided for cultivation by the soldiers; for what proportion of the garrison are they provided; and in how many cases is instruction in gardening given?

I find on inquiry that a detailed Return of the character mentioned could only be obtained after considerable labour, involving reference to a large number of separate places. I trust, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will not press for this detailed Return.

asked the Secretary for War who are the experts, approved by the late Secretary of State for War, who are now advising the War Office in matters of strategy?

Questions of Imperial stategey are dealt with by the Committee of Imperial Defence.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is now in a position to state the result of the inquiry into the alleged infraction of the Fair-Wages Clause by Messrs. Albrecht and Albrecht, and Messrs. R. B. Brown, of Leeds?

It is understood that both firms have now adopted standard hours which do not exceed the prevailing, though not universal, standard of the district.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the manner in which the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons is being violated by a contractor named Fletcher, who has a contract from the War Office at Limerick; whether this man is employing, both at masonry and painting, men who are known in the trade as handymen, to the detriment of the bond fide tradesmen; whether Fletcher has been waited on by the local trade societies and asked to discontinue this practice, and that his answer has been that he is not allowed enough money to employ proper tradesmen: and will an inquiry be held into this matter with the view of compelling this contractor to carry out the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons, and also to have his name removed from the list of contractors?

No Army contract of the character mentioned is at present being executed at Limerick.

asked the Secretary for War whether the rifle range of the Regular Troops and of the Territorial Force in Canterbury has been recently closed; and, if so, whether any further steps have been taken to obtain a more suitable range in another part of the county of Canterbury or in the adjacent county of Kent, where a safe range up to a distance of some 3,000 yards can be obtained?

The 200 yards' range at Canterbury was closed in 1909, having been found unsafe for snap shooting, and a thirty yards' range was substituted. The Regular Troops stationed at Canterbury use the ranges at Hythe and Lydd, and the Territorials use those at Teynham and Ashford. It is probable that the establishment of a range safe up to 3,000 yards in Kent will be a matter of considerable difficulty.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is yet in a position to state what steps the Army Council intend to take to put a stop to the uncertainty and discontent among members of the National Reserve; whether he is aware that in certain units only twelve obsolete rifles, without ammunition, are doled out by the authorities to each 100 men for musketry practice; whether he has sanctioned the present regulations which make it virtually compulsory for National Reserve men to purchase their own ammunition and pay for their own travelling expenses to and from the ranges; whether he is aware that in certain units the officers have at present to bear the whole of the expenses with the exception of the cost of a limited supply of stationery and stamps; if he can give any assurance that the Government intends in the near future to hold out any reasonable inducement to men both to join and remain in the force, especially when first leaving the different branches of the Regular forces; whether, if it is found impracticable at present to give the men a free uniform, permission will be given to all ranks to wear their old uniforms; and whether sailors and soldiers of the Regular Army on leaving will be allowed to take their uniforms away with them for the purpose?

A scheme is now under consideration for the utilisation in national emergency of the services of those members of the National Reserve who are willing to undertake the liability, and I hope to be able to give full details of the new proposals very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were killed in the Metropolitan area, including the City, in each of the past seven years, and the first eleven months of this year by motor omnibuses, private motor cars, taxi-cabs, electric trams, all other kinds of motor vehicles, and horse drawn vehicles, respectively, and the number of each type of such vehicles licensed in each period?

As the Statistical Department at Scotland Yard is now fully engaged in preparing information for the Select Committee, I fear I cannot supply my hon. Friend with any further special figures; but he will find a comparative return of accidents caused during the last ten years in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police, which shows also the number of public carriages licensed by him.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many inspectors of elementary schools there are for England and Wales; whether they have all or any of them received a university education; and whether the Dauntsey Agricultural School at West Lavington, Wilts, is inspected by the Board and receives Grants from the Education Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is 279. With reference to the second part of the question, 180 hold a university degree. The school referred to in the last part of the question is inspected by the Board and receives Grants under the Regulations for Secondary Schools.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware of the discontent caused in the provincial service of the survey of India owing to the fact that no measure of relief has been granted in respect of the memorials submitted to the Government of India in 1909; whether any Report in respect of these memorials has been submitted to and considered by the Government of India; and whether he will lay upon the Table any dispatch dealing with these memorials, together with the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, 1910, and the dispatch of August, 1908, dealing with the reorganisation of the Survey Department?

Sanction has recently been given to proposals of the Government of India made with a view to relieving the grievances of the memorialists. The relief scheme will shortly be published in India, and in the circumstances the Secretary of State does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by laying the correspondence before the House.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that gambling in options and futures of silver has been carried on in London since 1888, and in Calcutta and Bombay during the past ten years; and whether he can state that, since these systems have been introduced, its value has been solely regulated by the gambling operations of bulls and bears in England and in India in ficititious silver with a result of over 50 per cent, depreciation in its price?

The Secretary of State is not in a position to say whether operations in silver properly to be described as gambling have been carried on in London, Calcutta, and Bombay for the periods stated. He is inclined to doubt whether the price of silver can have been solely regulated for so considerable a period by such operations.

asked the Under-Secretary for India how many European experts in cotton growing in India are now engaged or subsidised by the Government?

There is one officer designated and employed exclusively as cotton expert. But of the fifty odd officers composing the European staff of the Indian Agricultural Department there are some eight or ten with an expert knowledge of cotton cultivation whose time is largely devoted to the subject in their respective provinces.

asked the Secretary for War whether, under the official scheme, as approved by Lord Kitchener, for the mobilisation of the present Army in India, there would be on mobilisation any shortage of fully trained British or Indian officers; and, if so, will he state what the estimated shortage would be in the two categories in the following ranks, namely, of second lieutenants, subalterns, captains, and officers of higher rank?

If the Army in India were fully mobilised there would be a shortage of 229 officers of the British Army. The shortage among British officers of the Indian Army would be 575, but against this last figure may be set off the forty-two officers of the Indian Eeserve, and 156 retired and unemployed officers, most of whom would probably be available. No estimate can be given as to how these shortages would be divided among the various ranks named since the officers would be required mainly to replace those taken from regiments to fill the additional staff, departmental and other extra-regimental posts which must be created on mobilisation and for which officers would be selected with reference rather to their personal qualifications than to their rank.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies the number of bales of cotton now annually produced in British East Africa and Egypt, respectively?

The number of bales exported from the British East Africa Protectorate and Uganda during the year 1911, was 277 and 19,323, respectively. My hon. Friend will find some interesting information regarding the production of cotton in the British Possessions in the report of the British Cotton Growing Association for the year 1911, a copy of which I am sending him. With regard to the production of cotton in Egypt, I must refer him to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies the number of natives, men and women, employed by the Phosphate Company, the wages paid to them, and if any provision is made for them in time of sickness; if he will state what taxation is levied directly upon the natives and the method by which it is collected, and from what source the revenue obtainable from licences is derived, and how the increase from £ 1,710 to £ 2,457 in one year is accounted for; if he will ascertain approximately the amount received by the company during the last ten years from the sale of phosphates; and whether the company is relieved from all direct taxation by the payment of 1s. royalty?

The number of male natives of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands employed on the Ocean Island by the Pacific Phosphate Company is about 700. Women are not employed. The wages, I understand, range from 32s. to 40s. a month, and the company provides medical and hospital treatment for their labourers. The system of native taxation in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands is described in Cd. 4356 and Cd. 4992. The revenue described as "licences, etc.," in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Report recently laid before Parliament, which rose from £ 1,710 in 1909 to £ 2,457 in 1910, includes trading and ship licences and other minor licences; and in the latter year included also a Capitation Tax of £ 5 a year on adult males resident in the Protectorate other than natives. I am unable to state the amount received by the company for the sale of phosphates. The company is not relieved from direct taxation, but pays in Customs, Licence Duties, and Capitation Tax about £ 2,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether, under the Imperial wireless telegraph scheme, a station is to be erected at Mombasa and, in that case, on whom the cost will fall; and (2) whether a station in to be erected at Nairobi; and, if so, whether the cost will be borne by the Home Government?

The cost of the high-power station proposed to be erected under the Imperial wireless scheme in the highlands of East Africa will be borne by the Home Government. It is also proposed to erect a low-power station at Mombasa, the cost of which will be a charge upon the revenues of the East Africa Protectorate.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he will give an explanation of the Increment Tax Law of the German Empire which came into force in April, 1911, showing its principles, the method of its application, and the nature of the division of its proceeds between the Imperial and local authorities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Report for the year 1912 on the finances of the German Empire (annual series 5019), which contains on page 6 a statement in regard to the law in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of goods wholly or mainly manufactured, the produce of the United Kingdom, exported to the United States in the years, 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911, respectively; and what was the value of articles in the same category imported into the United Kingdom from the United States during the same years?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon.

Member, so far as the particulars are available from published Returns.

Year.		Exports to the United States of Articles wholly or mainly manufactured (United Kingdom Produce).	Imports from the United States or Articles wholly or mainly manufactured.
		£	£
1881	…	26,850,000	5,058,000
1891	…	24,888,000	8,738,000
1901	…	15,852,000	19,112,000
1911	…	21,480,000	22,308,000

NOTE.—Owing to growing elaboration in the amount of detail shown in the Trade Returns of the United Kingdom, the figures for 1911 are more complete than those for previous years, which are relatively somewhat understated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will see that in printing the new Telephone Directory better paper is used and more legible type, particularly in the case of figures, than has been used in the past?

It is now too late to make any such alterations in connection with the January issue of the Telephone Directory, but the question whether any improvements are practicable will be considered in connection with subsequent issues.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in response to a request from the Skipton Rural District Council of 18th March, 1912, he can yet see his way to establish a telephone service for Kettle-well; and whether he has arranged for direct telephone circuits between Skipton, Barnoldswick, Earby, Burnley, and Manchester?

Although the place has been thoroughly canvassed, it has not been possible to obtain adequate support to justify the extension of the telephone system to Kettlewell. The provision of two trunk telephone lines between Skipton and Burnley has been authorised. This will afford a good service between the Skipton district and Lancashire towns, generally.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the total number of supervisors employed in the General Post Office Telephone Department; and the number of ex-National Telephone officers appointed supervisors; also (2) the total number of assistant supervisors, Class I., employed in the General Post Office Telephone Department, and the number of ex-National Telephone officers appointed assistant supervisors, Glass I.

The number of officers bearing the rank of supervisor in the Post Office Telephone Service prior to the transfer of the National Telephone Company's staff was twenty. Of these, six are to be replaced by assistant supervisors, class I., on the occurrence of vacancies, and two by assistant supervisors, class II. The number of officers taken over from the company and graded as supervisors is fourteen. The number of officers bearing the rank of assistant supervisor, class I., in the Post Office Service prior to the transfer was thirty. This number will be increased to thirty-six in connection with the replacement of supervisors by assistant supervisors, class I., referred to above. The number of the ex-company's staff graded as assistant supervisors, class I., is fifty-six.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the case of men of forty-five years of age and upwards who are competent to discharge the duties of temporary employment during the Christmas season, and who are prevented from being engaged by the rule laid down limiting the age to forty-five years?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 20th March last, in view of the generally exacting nature of the Christmas work in the Post Office, I do not think it would be advisable, as a rule, to admit men over forty-five years of age. I may add, however, that the cases of men over that age who have been previously employed in the Post Office and have given satisfaction receive special consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if he is able to state the approximate number of letters in pillar-boxes destroyed wholly or partially by Suffragist agitators since 1st October; and how many persons have been apprehended in connection therewith?

Some 5,000 letters have been damaged by injurious or inflammable substances, but not a single letter is known to have been destroyed. With respect to all of them, except thirteen letters and seven postcards the sender's address on which was rendered illegible, my officers have succeeded either in forwarding them to their destination or, if the addresses were undecipherable in returning them to the sender's address, if any was given. A small number of letters and postcards remain in the Returned Letter Office awaiting inquiry. One offender was convicted at Manchester on the 22nd November, but there have been no further apprehensions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state how many county councils have appointed agricultural education committees under the Act of 1902; and whether he will state the total amount spent on agricultural education in England and Wales?

According to the information in the possession of the Board, agricultural education is administered in twenty-two counties by Agricultural Subcommittees of the Education or Higher Education Committee; in ten counties by Joint Agricultural Committees; and in two counties by Agricultural Committees reporting direct to county councils. The amount spent on agricultural education by local authorities in England and Wales is approximately £ 80,000 per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether arrangements can be made to have the conveying companies and the dock boards to provide the necessary accommodation for pigs undergoing quarantine?

I am in communication with the railway companies and port authorities on this subject, and I hope to be able to secure increased accommodation for pigs when the trade is resumed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state what regulations are to be issued now respecting the importation of Irish live stock; and whether he will, in view of Christmas requirements, permit fat stock for immediate slaughter to be landed at the foreign animals wharves in Great Britain and at Holyhead?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to my reply to the similar question addressed to me to-day by the hon. Member for North Westmeath.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the detention of the cargo of I cattle taken from Dublin to Dundee by the "Tiger" is causing serious loss to the owners and injury to the cattle, and great inconvenience to Scottish farmers who desire to purchase them; that the animal suspected has been for eight months in a field with other cattle and I none of these have been affected; and whether he is now satisfied that there is no reason to suspect disease in this cargo and will allow it to be immediately disposed of?

I am aware of and much regret the loss occasioned to the owners of the cattle in question, but I am advised that the period within which they I have been actually in contact with a diseased animal is much too recent to enable them to be released with safety at present.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the detention of store cattle at the port of landing for quarantine and inspection is practically prohibitive of the importation of such cattle from Ireland, at Glasgow, Ardrossan, and Ayr, on account of the want of accommodation and the risk of deterioration and disease; and whether he will arrange for the detention of store cattle for inspection and quarantine in Ireland before the animals are gathered together at the quays and on board the ships?

The hon. Member does not state in his question what length of time he means to indicate by the term detention, but so far as my intentions and information go they do not confirm the view expressed in the first part of the question. On the contrary, I have reason to believe that accommodation can be and will be provided at Scottish and other ports which will enable store cattle to be rested and fed and watered, and at the same time closely inspected by the Veterinary officers of the Board, with great advantage from every point of view. I understand that it would be impracticable to arrange for the detention of animals for the required period in Ireland, but in any case, after what has happened during the current year, British stockowners will undoubtedly expect me to arrange for the careful inspection of cattle on their being landed here and before their disposal for store or other purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can see his way to allowing the importation of live cattle and pigs from Ireland and elsewhere, provided that they are slaughtered at the port of entry?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the reply which I have given to-day to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Westmeath.