asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, in the chronological order of the issues, showing as regards each issue the date, the usual designation, the rate of interest, the price of issue, and the total of the amounts issued, of guaranteed Irish Land Stock issued under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1891, apart from the issues under the Irish Land Acts of 1903 and 1909; what amount of that stock issued under the Act of 1891 has now been redeemed; what amount of it is still outstanding; how much is held on account of sinking fund; and how much is held by Government Departments and other public offices?

The advances under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1891, were made in Two and Three-quarter per Cent. Guaranteed Land Stock (usually designated "Guaranteed Land Stock") at its face value. The amounts so issued in each financial year were:—

			£
1891–2	…	…	1,200
1892–3	…	…	234,751
1893–4	…	…	714,534
1894–5	…	…	738,207
1895–6	…	…	547,839
1890–7	…	…	481,537
1897–8	…	…	876,915
1898–9	…	…	1,770,514
1899–1900	…	…	1,762,762
1900–1	…	…	1,987,917
1901–2	…	…	2,113,056
1902–3	…	…	1,574,696
1903–4	…	…	695,638
1904–5	…	…	99,618
1905–6	…	…	31,138
1906–7	…	…	5,051
1907–8	…	…	5,719
1908–9	…	…	538
1909–1	…	…	6,930
1910–11	…	…	55
1911–12	…	…	1,075
			13,649,690

Of the above total £2,161.028 had been redeemed at 31st March, 1912 (the latest date for which the figures are published), leaving still outstanding £11.485,662. Of this last sum £588,351 was held on account of the Sinking Fund and £8,816,582 by Government Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra attendance was given, and what was the amount of remuneration received, by the surveyor of Customs at Mount Pleasant parcels post depot, Butler's Wharf, and Victoria Docks (landing and shipping), respectively, during the twelve months ended 31st October, 1912, distinguishing Sundays, bank holidays, and week-days; and what would be the amount of remuneration to be paid for similar attendance under the conditions of General Order 54/1912, distinguishing Sundays, bank holidays, and week-days?

The amount of overtime remuneration received during the period in question was as follows:—

	Weekdays.		Sundays.		Bunk Holidays.
	£	s.	£	s.	£	s
Mount Pleasant Parcel Post Depot	10	16	28	0	8	8
Butler's Wharf	134	0	—		1	8
Victoria Docks (landing and shipping)	55	12	8	2	0	16

It is not possible to state the exact duration of the extra attendance actually given. The requirements as to attendance under the new scheme will differ considerably from those under the old, and it is not possible to state the amount of extra remuneration receivable by these surveyors under the new conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state upon what basis the compensation allowances for loss of remuneration for extra attendance under the Report of the Committee for the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services were computed and calculated, and what was the amount per man granted for the grades of first-class examining officer, second-class examining officer, assistant, and clerk, respectively; whether the grade of surveyor suffers approximately equal disability with the grades named above; and, if so, whether he will state on what basis it is proposed to compute and calculate the compensation to be given to this grade?

The compensation allowances in question, which were calculated on the basis of the diminution of average overtime earnings involved by the new system of payment, are as follows:—

• £13 per annum to first-class examining officers.
• £10 per annum to second-class examining officers and assistants.
• £3 per annum to upper and lower section clerks.

The Committee did not propose any compensation for surveyors. As regards this class I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on the 3rd instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state approximately what sum of money ho will be able to place at the disposal of the local education authorities in the financial year 1913–14 for the purpose of enabling them, either severally or jointly, to promote schemes whereby boys of good character may obtain the benefit of a systematic sea training, with the view of their adopting the calling of the sea as a means of livelihood and as a career?

I have agreed to an inclusive annual Grant of £10 per head in respect of boys in training ships.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates that the Report of the informal Land Inquiry will be ready; to whom it will be sent; and whether it will be published?

I am unable to make any statement with regard to the first two parts of the hon. Member's question. As regards the last part, I can add nothing to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on 11th November last to the hon. Member for the Wilton Division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Merthyr Tydfil union to the effect that the cost of education and the maintenance of main roads should be transferred from the local rates to the National Treasury; and whether it is his intention to give effect to this proposal?

I have received the resolution. The matter is one affecting the relations between local and Imperial taxation, and is now being considered by the Local Taxation Committee.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who authorises the attendance of inspectors of the Irish Women's Health Association at meetings of the county councils and county assurance committees; out of what funds they are paid; and who pays their maintenance and travelling expenses?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the similar question of the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on 12th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary when the terms of reference of the proposed Commission of Inquiry into the System of National Education in Ireland will be published; whether the teaching body will be represented on the Commission; and, if so, by how many members?

The precise terms of reference to the proposed Committee are not yet quite settled. I do not propose to include in the Committee either a national school teacher or a Commissioner of National Education, but amongst its members there will be persons practically acquainted with teaching in schools.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have approached the Land Judge with an offer to acquire Massey House and demesne, that portion of the town of Macroom known as Masseytown, and all other properties on the Massey estate at the same time, so that there may be a complete and final settlement of this matter now, and that the claims of all evicted tenants, small holders, and labourers on the estate or in its neighbourhood may be justly and fairly considered and dealt with?

The Estates Commissioners understand that the lands in respect of which the Land Judge has caused them to be furnished with particulars with a view to a sale under the Land Purchase Acts comprise the entire property, the subject of proceedings before him, with the exception of the mansion house and surrounding demesne, and certain non-agricultural holdings. The Commissioners, who have not yet received their inspector's report on the estate, are not in a position at present to come to any decision as regards the other matters referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary what progress, if any, has been made by the Congested Districts Board in the purchase of the holdings on the following estates, namely, the estate of George Gilliland, Carrichue, Greencastle; M'Clelland, Balleighan, Greencastle; Major Torrens Lecanny, Greencastle; Charlotte McNeill, Carromena, Moville; the Hon. E. Cochrane, Ballylosky, Carndonagh, all in the county Donegal; whether the Congested Districts Board has invited the respective landlords,' or any of them, to sell; if so, what reply, if any, was received; and whether steps will be taken to expedite the purchases, seeing that the applications have been lodged for over three years?

None of the estates mentioned have, so far, been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that one of the terms of the sale of the Smyth estate, Coole, Westmeath, comprising a thousand acres of bog, was that a sufficiency of turbary should be allotted to the purchasers for their own use; whether the vendor now offers of this area only fifteen acres for the use of fifty-two purchasers, and offers it in a remote and undrained part of the bog; whether the Estates Commissioners will require the condition in the agreement to be carried out to the extent of allotting to the purchasers in the part of the bog nearest to them sufficient turbary for their own use during the payment of the annuities; and what provision of turbary is being made for the village tenants who are not yet allowed to purchase?

The question of the provision of turbary for tenants on this estate who have agreed to purchase their holdings under the Land Purchase Acts is at present under the consideration of the Estates Commissioners. They have no power to interfere in respect of holdings which are not included in the sale of the estate.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay in vesting in the tenants their holdings in the following townlands on the estate of Captain Townshend, of Derry, Rosscarbery, county Cork, Ardea and Ballinacar-riga, in the parish of Ballyrnoney, and Saroo and Maulirane, in the parish of Castleventry, all in the West Riding of county Cork?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and will be dealt with in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). Having regard to its position on that register and the claims of other estates, the Estates Commissioners do not anticipate that it will be reached for at least another year.

asked the Chief Secretary when the Law proceedings for the compulsory purchase of Lord Clanricarde's estate, county Galway, by the Congested Districts Board, are likely to take place?

The Congested Districts Board cannot say when this case will be heard, but it will probably come before the Court before Easter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill next Session to facilitate land purchase by paying the landlords either with cash or in three per cent, stock equivalent to its market value at the price of the day, and of giving tenants who have a right to get fair rents fixed the power of serving an originating notice to redeem the rent at a fair price which might be fixed by the Land Commission in case landlord and tenant did not agree as to price?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the questions addressed to him on the same subject on the 12th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that two inspectors visited the Wade estate, at Clonabraney, county Meath, to put a value on the untenanted land; whether their visit was in consequence of an offer by the vendor to sell the lands; whether it was since that date the owner instituted proceedings to repurchase his demesne; whether he can state who is now the legal owner; and if he is the same person who originally sold direct to the tenants on the estate?

The originating application lodged with the Estates Commissioners in May, 1907, by which proceedings for the sale of this estate direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, were commenced, contained an application by the owner to repurchase his demesne under Section 3 of the Act of 1903. As the Commissioners understood that the owner would be willing to sell all the lands in his occupation provided a satisfactory price were offered they had an inspection made of the lands in his occupation, and communicated their estimated price to the solicitor for the owner, who, however, replied that the owner desired to repurchase the lands in accordance with his original application. No change in the title to the lands appears to have taken place since the lodgment of the originating application.

asked the Chief Secretary why the application of Matthew Porter, of Keeran, Irvinestown, county Fermanagh, for an old age pension, which had been allowed by the local old age pensions committee, was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal by the Inland Revenue officer; did this gentleman report to the Local Government Board that the claimant's wife had four acres of oats and three acres of potatoes, statements which were unfounded, also thirty-six acres of land, and that all the cattle on the farm belonged to her; were any steps taken to verify these statements, which claimant denied, and was it on assumption of the truth of these statements that the decision arrived at by the Local Government Board was founded; and will the Board send down an independent man to inquire into the actual circumstances of the case or otherwise enable the claimant to show that the statements as to his wife's means were entirely mistaken and untrue?

Matthew Porter's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board, on appeal, on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The pension officer reported that claimant lived with his wife on her farm, which comprised thirty and a half acres of fair land, of which two acres were under potatoes, three acres under oats, four acres under hay, a quarter of an acre under roots, the remainder being used for grazing. The farm carried fourteen head of cattle, one horse, two sheep, in addition to goats and fowl. He also reported that claimant had represented to him that of the above stock eight head of cattle and the sheep belonged to claimant's son, who resides on the farm. Even assuming that claimant's statement is correct, his means were, in the Board's opinion, in excess of the statutory limit.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he proposes to take any steps for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of the home workers in connection with the linen and cognate trades in Belfast and district in so far as the recommendations fall within the province of the Irish local authorities; and if he has any statement to make in regard to this matter?

This matter is at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the retention by the police authorities of a gun and some cartridges taken from James Cavanagh, Ardnagnoe, Kinvarra, county Galway, since 3rd November, 1911, and see that the gun and cartridges are returned?

The gun and cartridges were retained as being part of the evidence in a serious criminal charge. These will be returned if and when inquiries still in progress show that sufficient evidence to make further proceedings necessary is not forthcoming.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what has been done by the Irish Department of Agriculture to promote the growth of tobacco in Ireland; and what Grants have been made or promised for that purpose from the Development Commissioners or other sources?

Experiments in the cultivation of tobacco in Ireland have been conducted under the supervision of the Department since its institution in 1900. The experiments made in the years 1900 to 1902, which were carried out on a number of small plots widely distributed, established the fact that good tobacco could be produced. In order to test the possibilities of the crop when grown on a commercial scale, the experiments were extended in 1904 to fifty acres, which were grown at three centres. The Department erected a tobacco-curing barn, with the requisite equipment, at each of these centres. Further experiments in the growing of tobacco on a large scale were subsequently authorised in other districts. With a view to test the suitability of tobacco as a crop for small farms a special "small growers'" scheme was put into operation in 1910. The object of this scheme is to ascertain whether small holders, who do not employ hired labour, would be disposed to grow the crop for the sake of the employment which it affords to themselves and their families. The tobacco grown by these holders is purchased, as soon as it is sufficiently cured to bear removal, by growers engaged in the old series of large scale experiments. In 1910 and in 1911 experiments were made in the growing of tobacco solely for the production of nicotine, the area cropped in each year being one acre. A qualified expert in tobacco growing is employed by the Department for the purpose of supervising all experiments and giving instruction and advice to growers. Reports on the experiments are published periodically by the Department, and a series of leaflets on the subject of the growing of tobacco in Ireland has been issued. The area of tobacco which has been cropped for the purpose of experiments in Ireland in the current year is 161¾ acres. From 1904 to 1908, inclusive, persons growing tobacco for the purpose of the authorised experiments were allowed a rebate of one-third the duty payable on their tobacco. In 1909 the system of rebate was discontinued, and instead an annual Grant of £6,000 for a period of five years was made to the Department out of which Grants are paid to experimenters. The Treasury have recently sanctioned a recommendation that a Grant of £35,000 should be made from the Development Fund to the Department for the purpose of a further experiment in the growing as well as in the rehandling and manufacturing of tobacco in Ireland. It is expected that the work in connection with this experiment, which is designed to cover a period of ten years, will commence in 1913. The Development Commissioners have expressed their willingness to recommend another Grant of a similar sum should the Department find it possible to arrange for a second experiment of the same nature.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) when the agricultural college at Athenry is going to be placed in the hands of the builder?

The hon. Member is referred to the reply given to his question of 14th March last on the subject, when he was informed that it was not proposed to build an agricultural college at Athenry. No decision has yet been arrived at as regards the date on which the work in connection with the contemplated alterations of the existing buildings will be begun.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that the scanty supply of timber in the county of Galway is being rapidly cut down and sold; whether steps can be taken to encourage small farmers in the planting of suitable trees on their farms; and whether, having regard to the cold and shelterless state of many parts of the county, he will communicate with the district councils and place facilities in their way for the carrying out of this work?

The Department have no information as regards the matter re- ferred to in the first part of the question. The Department's scheme of instruction in horticulture which is in operation in county Galway, contains a provision by which small farmers may purchase, through the committee of agriculture for the county, trees for planting. The instructor employed by the county committee under this scheme advises farmers as to the selection and planting of trees. The Department are making arrangements for the provision of special facilities for the supply of trees for shelter purposes to farmers in congested districts in county Galway.

asked the Chief Secretary how many extra members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been drafted into the area scheduled under the Diseases of Animals Acts in Ulster; how these extra constables are distributed; at whose request these constables were sent; and by whom the cost of their services will be borne?

On the requisition of the County Inspector an extra force of thirty men of the Royal Irish Constabulary has been drafted into the county of Armagh for duty in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease. They are being distributed over twenty-four stations in the county, and the cost of the services of these men will be borne by the Constabulary Vote. There are no other extra police serving in Ulster in connection with this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the omission of the Evicted Tenants Act from the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill puts an end to the last hope of a peaceful settlement of the numerous meritorious claims of evicted tenants still left outstanding; and whether care will be taken in any Irish land legislation introduced next Session to provide for the submission to the County Court judges of such cases as the Estates Commissioners may determine to be deserving of further consideration?

The omission from the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill of the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, which confer compulsory powers on the Estates Commissioners, does not in any way prevent the settlement of the remaining claims which are capable of being dealt with under that Act. They may be dealt with under the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts generally. I would also remind the hon. Member that any matters relating to the exercise of the compulsory powers which are pending in Court when these powers expire (that is to say, on the 31st December, 1912), may subsequently be proceeded with until their final determination.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Union Castle Line do not allow officers of their line to count the period of Naval Reserve training for seniority unless they have at least five years' service in the Union Castle Line; and whether he will make representations to this company, who have very large contracts with the Government, urging upon them the necessity for giving better facilities to their officers when they wish to qualify themselves for naval duties?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on the 25th of last month, except that the chairman of the company has assured me that he is giving the whole matter further consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any aeroplanes attached to the Indian Army; if so, how many; and, if not, whether it is proposed, having regard to modern requirements, to conduct the Indian manoeuvres without them?

There are no aeroplanes attached to the Army in India at present, as the proposals of the Government of India on this subject have not yet reached the Secretary of State. Meanwhile manœuvres in India will be conducted as heretofore.

asked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been arrived at with regard to the site of the future offices of the administrative staff of the Southern Command at or in the neighbourhood of Salisbury?

The question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers in the Reserve are out of employment and starving; and whether he will take any steps to allow these men to be paid their pensions weekly, through the Post Office or otherwise, instead of at long intervals as at present?

There is no information in the War Office to bear out the allegation contained in the first part of the question; but perhaps the Noble Lord can supply me with some details. As regards the suggestion contained in the second part of the question this matter was very fully considered last year and it was not found possible to introduce the system of weekly payments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has completed his inquiries into the rates of pay of men employed at the Ordnance Department Works near Selby, in Yorkshire; and, if so, what is the result of such inquiries?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any batteries of the Royal or Royal Horse Artillery which are to be brought home from South Africa are going to be broken up; and, if so, which?

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question on this subject put by the hon. Gentleman the junior Member for Bath on 25th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Territorial Infantry battalions have now-been served out with the tripod Maxim gun-carriage; how many more there are to be given this tripod carriage; when this process of serving out the tripod mountings will be accomplished; and how many battalions of the South Wales Infantry Brigade are still without the new gun-carriage?

One hundred and twenty-six battalions have received the tripod mountings, and of the remaining, eighty-one it is hoped that seventy-three will receive them in time for next year's training. The rest will be completed in 1913–14. No tripod mountings have yet been issued to the South Wales Infantry-Brigade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that his predecessor in office, when the Shops Bill was being discussed last year, promised that special provision would be made to enable Wales and Monmouthshire to give effect to local opinion on Sunday trading; and whether he is now in a position to say when and how that promise is to be redeemed?

Representations were made to my predecessor in connection with the Sunday closing provisions of the Shops Bill, to the effect that the exemptions allowed under those provisions went further than the existing custom in Wales required, and he promised that if the Government went on with that part of the Bill a special provision should be inserted to safeguard the position in Wales. As my hon. Friend, however, is aware, the Sunday provisions were subsequently dropped, and therefore the question of a special provision for Wales did not arise. I am not aware of any other promise in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the weight of the motor omnibuses which are licensed in London exceeds the weight allowed in the other capitals of Europe, and if they are licensed in other capitals to carry passengers on the inside and outside; and if the question of weight and of double decks will come before the committee lately appointed?

I have no precise information as to the regulations governing the construction and use of motor omnibuses in other European cities, but I believe I am right in saying that those in use in London are substantially lighter than those—even single-deckers—permitted in several Continental capitals. The questions of weight and double decks, so far as they affect accidents, appear to me to come within the Committee's terms of reference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the amount of Welsh Church glebe, and Welsh Church glebe now vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, respectively, and alienated to secular objects under the Bill.

The total value of glebe alienated under the Bill amounts to £23,463 per annum. The amount of ancient glebe is £17,003 a year. In addition to this, there is also glebe of the value of £1,591 a year, derived from grants made by the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty out of their Parliamentary Grants Fund, and £4,869 out of their Royal Bounty Fund. It does not appear that any glebe vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will be alienated under the provisions of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent attempt to assassinate the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and other instances of attacks on the police, he will consider the desirability of obtaining preventive restrictions with regard to the carrying of firearms?

This question has been carefully considered by my predecessors and myself, but I regret that I cannot hold out any hope of immediate legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of of the Commissioners Regulations in General Orders was infringed by ex-Inspector Syme when he was insubordinate?

The insubordination consisted in a refusal to obey the lawful orders of those in authority over him. One of the conditions of service which Syme accepted when he joined the Metropolitan Police Force was "that he should obey all lawful orders from the persons in authority over him." Syme expressly refused to obey the Commissioner's decision in a matter of discipline, and persisted in this refusal, and there was no course open but to dismiss him.

asked the Home Secretary if he is yet in a position to state the result of his consideration whether further action should be taken against ex-Inspector Syme for making charges which are alleged to be false; and, in view of such suggested action, will he now allow hon. Members to acquaint themselves with the evidence of the witnesses before the disciplinary board, which Mr. Syme declares will substantiate his charges, and with the judgment of the board, or is the information at the disposal of the House to be restricted to the statement already laid before the House without reference to the evidence on which it is based; and, if so, why is this course adopted?

As Syme has not published in writing the charges against the Commissioner of Police which he made in Trafalgar Square, I am advised that he cannot be prosecuted. As regards the original case against Syme, my two predecessors in office and I satisfied ourselves that the decision was amply justified by the evidence, and I am not prepared to reopen this matter.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the members of the executive committee of the St. George's, Hanover Square, Liberal Association, at their meeting on 3rd December, 1912, expressing the opinion that an official inquiry into recent allegations concerning the police service should at once be instituted, and testifying to the character of the ex-officer by whom the allegations were made; and will he reconsider the question of referring the whole matter, as in the Greaves' case, to a competent and disinterested person for a special inquiry and report?

I have seen the resolution referred to. On three recent occasions—twice in 1910 and again in 1911—Syme has been brought before the Criminal Courts. On the first two occasions he was bound over in a considerable sum, and on the third occasion he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Syme appealed, and the judgment and sentence were confirmed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. I am satisfied that the charges he has made against the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service are unfounded, and that there is no occasion for an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were killed and injured, respectively, by motor omnibuses in the Metropolitan police area and the City of London during the week ended 8th December?

I am informed that nine persons were killed and eighty-seven injured during the period mentioned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the numbers of killed and of injured in the City of London and in the Metropolitan Police District, by motor and by horse omnibuses, and by electric and by horse tramways, in each of the years from 1904 to 1911?

A comparative Return of accidents in the Metropolitan Police District for the last ten years, which gives the particulars required, will be found in the Appendix to the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police for 1911 (Table 10 on page 27). For the City of London the figures for 1909–1911 are as follows:—

Year.			Number of Persons Killed.					Number of Persons Injured.
			By Omnibuses.		By Tramcars.		Total.	By Omnibuses.		By Tramcars.		Total.
			Horse Drawn.	Motor.	Horse Drawn.	Electric.		Horse Drawn.	Motor.	Horse Drawn.	Electric.
1909	…	…	—	7	—	—	7	68	242	—	13	323
1910	…	…	1	8	—	—	9	48	236	—	13	297
1911	…	…	—	14	—	—	14	30	328	—	22	380
Total	…	…	1	29	—	—	30	146	806	—	48	1,000

The separate figures for 1904–1908 are not available.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of Dr. E. Rice Morgan, medical officer of health, presented to the Swansea Rural District

My attention had not been called to this report, which relates to a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Home Office, but I will ask the local authority to let me sec it. As regards the last part of the question, I must point out to my hon. Friend that Regulations were made last year and are now in force for the express purpose of removing the dangerous dust and fumes which arise from the processes carried on, and of preventing their finding their way into the air of the workplaces. I have no reason to believe that the Regulations are inadequate for the protection of the workers, and the statement quoted from the report of the medical officer obviously does not afford any ground for supposing that they have failed in their purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education what recent necessity has arisen for filling up certain of the windows with ground glass on the south side of the gallery leading to the lecture-theatre in the Victoria and Albert Museum in such a way as to blot out the view of the inner quadrangle, garden, and its surrounding fine and instructive architecture; and whether, in the interests of the public and students, he will have this ground glass removed?

No ground glass has been placed in the windows in question. Some were stippled nearly two years ago for the protection of the pictures temporarily placed in the gallery; but this can be washed off at any moment if, when the future use of the gallery is decided, it is found desirable to do so.

asked when the repairs to the ceiling of the gallery leading to the lecture theatre of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the replacing of the flooring in that gallery, recommended by the Committee in their Report lately presented to Parliament, will be taken in hand; and whether the original fair-grey colouring of the walls of that gallery, to match the colouring of the twelve ornamental columns of the gallery, can now be proceeded with?

In regard to the ceiling and the flooring of the gallery in question, steps are being taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committee referred to. The question of the colouring of the walls is reserved for the present.

asked what has become of the series of lunettes and panels, painted by several distinguished artists forty years ago, which decorated rooms 101 to 106 of the Victoria and Albert Museum; and what arrangements are being made for them to be on view again?

The lunettes and panels referred to were carefully stored while the alterations to these galleries were in progress, and they are now being replaced in their original positions.

asked the President of the Board of Education what causes the delay in replacing the collection of water-colour paintings belonging to the Victoria and Albert Museum in the rooms 81, 82, 87, 88, 90, the new fire-proof roofs of which are stated to have been completed during the year 1911 (vide Report on Victoria and Albert Museum, presented to Parliament in June, 1912); and when this collection is likely to be so replaced?

At this moment I can add nothing to the answer I gave on this subject on the 20th June, 1912, to the hon. Member for South Salford. I am not yet able to make any statement, but I hope to make a statement as to the subject early next year.

asked the President of the Board of Education what use has been made of Rooms 101–106, formerly Jones Collection, in the Victoria and Albert Museum since the date when the new fireproof roofs were completed in 1911; and how long such valuable exhibiting space is to remain closed to the public, seeing that the need for more room is referred to in the Report on the Victoria and Albert Museum for 1911?

In answer to the first part of the question, the rooms referred to have been used for temporary purposes, such as the preliminary display of objects offered on loan or for purchase. With reference to the last part of the question, I hope to make a statement early next year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will cause the statement of prices paid by the Board of Education for acquisitions for the Victoria and Albert Museum to be more fully and satisfactorily given in the Report of the year 1912, seeing that in the Report of 1911 forty prices are only given in respect of at least 370 purchases; and will he state what principle was adopted to govern the selection of these forty?

Generally speaking, the prices of objects purchased at a cost of less than £50 have not been given in the Statement. The suggestion that a larger number of prices should be given in the next Report will be considered, but on the question of principle I may remind the hon. Member of an answer given to him by my predecessor on 6th March, 1911.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of colleges there are in England and Wales for the training of elementary school teachers; the total number of students therein and the amount of free Grants made to those colleges by the Board of Education; whether the curricula are arranged by, or must receive the sanction of, the Department; and whether the fees paid by the students are fixed by the college authorities or by the Board of Education?

The number of training colleges for the training of teachers for elementary schools recognised for the Session 1011–12 in England and Wales was eighty-seven. The total number of students was 12,138. The total amount of Grant paid for the education and maintenance of these students was about £500,000. The curriculum of a training college is drawn up by the authorities of the college and approved by the Board. The fees charged to students are fixed by the authorities of the college, subject, to the approval of the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education to state how many of the colleges for the training of elementary school teachers have land attached to them; and, if the information is available, how many students are receiving instruction in rural science?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member on the 7th November.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the total number of elementary school teachers in England and Wales, distinguishing those employed in Church of England schools, in Roman Catholic schools, in other non-provided schools, and in provided schools, respectively?

The total number of teachers in public elementary schools, excluding higher elementary schools, for the statistical year ended the 31st July, 1912, is as follows:—

Certificated Teachers	…	103,509
Uncertificated Teachers	…	44,461
Supplementary Teachers	…	13,862
Student Teachers	…	1,840
Pupil Teachers	…	5,146
Total	…	168,818

I am unable to distinguish those employed in Church of England, in Roman Catholic, in other non-provided, and in provided schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of elementary school scholars in England and Wales, distinguishing those attending Church of England schools, Roman Catholic schools, other non-provided schools, and provided schools, respectively?

The figures of average attendance in public elementary schools, excluding higher elementary schools, for the statistical year ended the 31st July, 1912, are as follows:—

Council Schools		3,213,728
Church of England Schools	1,706,420	2,143,624
Roman Catholic Schools	298,359
Other Non-Provided Schools	138,845,
Total		5,357,352

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state how many public elementary schools there are in England and Wales with an average attendance below 100?

A list of public elementary schools showing the average attendance is published annually by the Board (List 21), but without a considerable expenditure of labour I am unable to state the total number of public elementary schools with an average attendance of below 100.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state approximately the number of public elementary schools there are in the rural districts of England and Wales?

There are 12,900 civil parishes in rural districts in England and Wales, but I am unable to say how many of these parishes have one, or more than one, or no public elementary school.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. William Ellison Macartney, the deputy master of the Mint since 1903, who has been appointed to the Governorship of Tasmania, was a grand master of the Orange Society, Member of the House of Commons in the Orange interest for South Antrim from 1885 till 1903, and has filled the position in a Unionist Administration of Secretary to the Admiralty from 1895 till 1900; whether he is aware that the conduct of Mr. Macartney, when deputy master of the Mint, as a permanent official in the Civil Service, in expressing his opinion as to the candidate whom it would be desirable to elect in the Unionist interest for the constituency of West Down, was brought, on 27th April, 1904, by way of Question in the House of Commons, to the notice of the Unionist Government of the day and was excused by the Leader of the House of Commons of that day, the right hon. Member for the City of London, on the ground that his recommendation of a Parliamentary candidate was based on a casual conversation and unauthorised; whether, before the recommendation of Mr. Macartney as Governor of a State enjoying responsible government, the view of the Government of Tasmania were ascertained; if, having regard to his political antecedents, he would be acceptable to the people of Tasmania, who are supporters of Home Rule, and in whose population there is a large Irish Nationalist element; and whether, having regard to the fact that Sir Henry Blake, who was appointed Governor of Newfoundland in 1887, was transferred a few months subsequently to Jamaica owing to the repugnance of the public of that Colony to the position of its Governor being filled by a gentleman who had entirely opposed the Home Rule movement in Ireland, the question of Mr. Macartney's appointment to the Governorship of Tasmania will be reconsidered?

I am satisfied that Mr. Macartney will, both in experience and capacity, make a suitable and acceptable Governor of Tasmania. Before I submitted his name to the King I satisfied myself of the concurrence of the Government of Tasmania.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the estimate of £4,000,000 which has been made of the amount to be expended by the Government of India on the new Delhi is adhered to; and, if so, whether a statement of such estimated expense can be given, distinguishing the sums for purchase of ground, for laying out, draining and clearing the site, for building Government House, for building other Government buildings, and for fittings and furniture?

In the course of the Budget discussion in the Legislature Council the Viceroy, on the 25th March last, stated that he had good reason to believe that with proper care and supervision the sum of four millions sterling would be in the end but little, if at all, exceeded by the time the city is built. The Secretary of State is not aware of any fresh circumstance suggesting a modification of this figure, but no detailed estimates of expenditure under different heads are as yet available.

asked the Prime Minister whether on the proposed Commission to consider the working of the Judicature Acts, in view of the special requirements of Lancashire and the special facilities provided for the trial of actions not obtaining in other parts of the country, he can give some assurance that there will be appointed to that Commission a member representative of Manchester or Liverpool, following the precedent of the Committees of 1907 and 1908?

Due attention will be paid to the special requirements of Lancashire.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if any further Orders have been granted for the construction of tramways on steep gradients; if his attention has been called to the recent accidents of tramway cars on such hills owing to the failure of the brakes to act; and if any brake has been found for tramway cars which is really efficient under all circumstances?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. All proposals for tramways on steep gradients are carefully considered by the Board of Trade, and Provisional Orders authorising such tramways are submitted to Parliament for confirmation only when the Board are advised by their inspecting officer that, subject to the provision of proper arrangements and the exercise of due precaution, there is no ground for refusing sanction to the proposals. Some of the recent accidents to which the hon. Member refers were not due to any fault of the brakes, but to the brakes having been improperly used. There is no brake which is really effective in all circumstances if not properly used, but tramways on gradients are approved only on condition that the brakes provided are sufficient if properly maintained and used to control the cars.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the right to exemption from vaccination may be granted to Horace Fred Kent, of 17, Telephone Road, Southsea, Hants, in respect to his child, Sidney Horace Leslie Kent, born on 16th July last, and in respect of whom application was made for exemption on 11th November, but delayed, owing to clerical error, over the statutory period of four months?

I have made inquiries into this case. I have no power to grant exemption from vaccination, but I have told the vaccination officer that I do not consider this is a case in which he should take further proceeding's.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many cases of the compulsory purchase of land for the purpose of housing and town planning have been sanctioned since the passing of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act; the price paid for the land so acquired; and the relation such price bears to the annual value as shown by the rate books or by Government valuation?

Only one Order for the compulsory purchase of land for housing purposes has been confirmed by the Board under the First Schedule to the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, namely, the Erpingham Order—Parish of Edgefield. In that case the Arbitrator has awarded £382. The sum is thirty and a half times the gross estimated rental of the property bought. I am not, of course, aware how the sum awarded is arrived at, and whether any sum is included in it for severance or injurious affection.

asked the Postmaster-General whether subscribers to the telephone system in Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland, were promised facilities last July, and that they have not yet obtained any; what is the reason for this delay; and whether he will take steps to have the promised connection made forthwith?

The opening of the Telephone Exchange at Kirkby Stephen has been delayed by a wayleave difficulty with the Westmorland County Council. When this difficulty is settled the work will be completed as quickly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that 10s. 6d. a week was paid for an auxiliary postman's duty at Falstone, Northumberland; that, on a vacancy occurring, the payment was cut down to 6s. 6d.; and that, on the auxiliary appointed to the post protesting that he could not do the work for that sum, his services were dispensed with and a relative of the postmaster of Hexham was appointed at a wage of 9s. a week; and whether he will offer this sum to the auxiliary whose services were dispensed with because he would not work for 6s. 6d.?

I am aware of the circumstances, except that I have no information whether the person at present employed is a relative of the postmaster of Hexham. The standard pay for the duty in question, which is a part-time duty on three days a week, is 6s. 6d. a week, and I cannot dispense with the services of a person who is performing it for 9s. a week in favour of a person who declined to do it for less than 10s. 6d. a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in the letters which he wrote recently to the twenty-two magistrates of the City of Liverpool, he stated that they had ceased to perform a fair share of their duties according to the assurance which it had been the practice of the Duchy since 1895 to require upon appointment; and will he say how many of the twenty-two had been appointed before 1895 and given no such assurance?

Seventeen of the twenty-two magistrates to whom letters were addressed were appointed prior to 1895. Inasmuch, however, as the assurance referred to had been in force in the county boroughs of Lancashire for more than seventeen years, it must have been well known to all justices, whether appointed before or after that date, that they were required to perform a fair share of the magisterial duties as a condition of their continuance in office. Appointments to the magistracy is not primarily a reward for public services, but magistrates are appointed to assist in and enforce the good government of the country, and failure on their part—for whatever reason—to perform sufficient service must be to the detriment of the people for whose benefit they are appointed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it was a part of the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the selection of justices that a magistrate should only be called on to resign if he had no valid excuse for not having performed his fair share of duties; whether he considered it a valid excuse that a magistrate has spent a long life doing much useful public service, and in his old age continues to give his brother magistrates at their official meetings off the bench the benefit of his experienced advice, although he no longer sits on the bench; and whether, in the case of distinguished citizens who have so served their country, he will accept this as there fair share of duties?

I consulted the Advisory Committee for the City of Liverpool in regard to the names of inactive and disqualified magistrates and other matters, and they reported to me on 31st July last. I did not take any action in regard to the Liverpool bench until three months later. I did not consult the Advisory Committee on the form of a letter for which I alone am responsible, and which had already been employed in many other boroughs, and while I am always prepared to consider carefully any suggestions which any of the advisory committees in Lancashire may make to me either by my request or on their own initiative, cases arise in which I think it well to communicate directly with the magstrate concerned, where apparent neglect of duties is brought to my notice by returns of attendances now furnished to me.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he consulted the Advisory Committee for the Duchy on his action before he took it, and particularly on the form of his letter; and whether he will arrange in the future for the advisory committee to consider each case of apparent neglect of duties in order to ensure that any circumstances properly entitling a particular magistrate to retain the honour, in spite of his failure to sit upon the bench, may be brought to his notice?

The Royal Commission recommended that justices should be called upon to resign in the absence of a valid excuse for neglect of duty. I have given very careful consideration to replies sent to the letter in which I asked magistrates to consider whether they should not properly resign their office in accordance with the findings of the Royal Commission, and in cases where magistrates have explained that their apparent neglect has been due to temporary circumstances or where they have expressed their willingness to resume activity and useful service, I have retained their names on a clear understanding that they will endeavour to perform a fair share of duties in the future. The Returns of attendances which are furnished to me show attendances at special Sessions and committees, in addition to attendance on the bench at Petty Sessions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of occasions during the last three months' on which the Fishery Board's steamers have visited the coasts of Caithness?

During the months of September, October, and November the coasts of Caithness were visited by the vessels engaged in fishery superintendence on at least thirty-six occasions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of a case having been decided in the Law Courts of Scotland, Allan versus the Glasgow School Board, by which it has been settled that medical attention and treatment cannot be given to school children; and if, having regard to the alteration of practice which this will involve, he can hold out hope of legislation at an early date?

I have seen the judgment of the Court of Session which was pronounced only last week and to which I am giving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he would give the figures for the Scottish educational session, 1911–12, showing the average number of pupils in attendance at the first and second year's classes of the intermediate course, the number of those presented for the intermediate certificate, and the number of certificates awarded?

During 1910–11 the average attendance of pupils in the first year of the intermediate course in higher grade schools was 10,373 and of pupils in the second year 7,382. The figures for 1911–12 are not yet complete. The average attendance of pupils in the first and second years of the intermediate course in schools under the regulations as to Grants to secondary schools cannot be stated separately without communicating with the schools in question.The statistics as to the intermediate certificate are as follows:—

——	1911.		1912.
	Presented.	Passed.	Presented.	Passed.
Higher Grade Schools	3,845	2,998	3,748	3,006
Schools other than Higher Grade Schools	2,333	1,799	2,294	1,755
Total	6,178	4,797	6,042	4,761

asked the Secretary for Scotland the annual numbers of intermediate pupils who have been granted bursaries since the institution of the new system; how many of such bursars have been pre- sented for the intermediate certificate, and how many of them have taken the certificate; and would he give similar figures for the years that the previous system was in force?

It is not possible to give these figures without an expenditure of labour on the part of the secondary education committees altogether disproportionate to the value of the information to be obtained.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain county committees allocate their secondary education bursaries before either the results of the intermediate certificate are known or the junior studentships have been decided; and, as this causes uncertainty and subsequent confusion, would he consider what steps could be taken to avoid such uncertainty and confusion?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his practically identical question of 22nd April last.