asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of revenue was collected during the year ended 31st March, 1912, from Dublin and Belfast, respectively, from spirits, beer, wine, tobacco, tea, coffee, sugar, and other dutiable articles, licences of all kinds, Income Tax, all schedules including Supertax, and total of preceding items?

I am afraid I am not in a position to give separately more than the totals in the year 1911–12 for Customs, Excise, and Income Tax. The figures relate to the revenue collected at Dublin and Belfast, respectively, and give no indication of the taxes actually contributed by the population of the two cities:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the Departmental Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation was appointed so long ago as April, 1911, and that it was purposely constituted with the view of its proceeding expeditiously and reporting early upon the subject, and having regard to the further fact that the reference to the Committee was to make recommendations on the subject with the view to the introduction of legislation at an early date, he will represent to the Committee the necessity of settling their Report or at least of producing an Interim Report without further delay, having regard to the urgent claims of the local authorities for increased Imperial subventions; and whether, seeing that the financial arangements in the matter of Imperial and local taxation are different in England and Wales from those in Scotland and Ireland, he will ask the Committee to issue a separate Report dealing with England and Wales, thus following the precedent of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation which reported in 1901?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his assurance to this House more than a year ago that the Departmental Committee on Local and Imperial Taxation would carry out their work expeditiously and make their Report at the earliest possible moment, he will take steps to accelerate the issue of such Report which is now long overdue?

I have no reason to doubt that the Committee will be as expeditious as possible, and having regard to the difficulty and comprehensiveness of the subject I do not consider that an Interim Report would serve any useful purpose; nor am I prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Committee as regards dealing with England and Wales separately from Scotland and Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state how many persons have been overcharged Income Tax, during the year 1911–12, in respect of earned income in consequence of their failing to make the claim for relief before the 30th September of the year in which the tax accrues; and will he direct such a modification of the Income Tax forms as shall make the taxpayer completely aware of all his rights 1o exemption or abatement, and of the precise method of enforcing them?

The number of persons charged at the ordinary rate of Income Tax for the year 1911–12 in consequence of their failure to claim the earned income rate before the 30th September, 1911, would be comparatively small, but I have no information as to the exact number. The conditions under which exemption, abatement, or earned income relief may be obtained are already prominently indicated on the form of Return. For the further assistance of the taxpayers a special notice as to the time limit for claims for the earned income relief will appear at the top of the first page of the forms for the year 1913–14.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there have been several cases this year in which the claimant, in the month of August, 1911, filled up page 1 of Income Tax Form No. 38 or 38A, while inadvertently omitting to fill up page 3 thereof, claiming relief in respect of earned income, only received the form back from the assessor of Income Tax with the mistake pointed out, in the month of December, and was consequently driven by the assessor's delay to a later day than the 30th September for making his claim for relief, and was consequently charged at the rate of 1s. 2d. instead of at the rate of 9d. in the £ in respect of earned income; whether he is further aware that the Secretary of the Treasury has in such instances refused any reconsideration of the overcharge made; whether he will state why this reconsideration was refused; and whether he will direct the Treasury in future to reconsider all cases where the delay in application for relief has been caused by the delay in ascertaining the error of the Income Tax assessor?

I understand that there have been cases this year in which Income Tax payers have signed the declaration on page 1 of the Form number 38A, to the effect that they did not claim exemption, abatement or relief, and have, on this being pointed out by the assessor, as the result of his examination carried out after 30th September, claimed relief on the ground that the declaration was made inadvertently. In such cases the relief in respect of earned income has been refused, on the ground that a plea of error or oversight in so important a matter on the part of the taxpayer could not be accepted as a justification for setting aside the statutory date limiting the period during which claims for relief must be made. The responsibility for putting forward the claim before that date rests entirely with the taxpayer, and not with the assessor. I do not consider that there is sufficient ground for altering the present practice with regard to such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for the last financial year, the following information: Population at 1911 Census, gross annual value of property assessed under Schedule A of the Income Tax, gross assessment under Schedule D of the Income Tax, gross assessment under Schedule E of the Income Tax, and the estimated amount of Income Tax payable in respect of the foregoing assessments for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee, respectively?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member, so far as they are available, are given below. Owing, however, to the system of collection at the source these figures do not convey any indication of the tax actually contributed by the population of the various cities referred to:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of revenue derived from Land Tax during the last completed financial year; and what proportion of this amount came from agricultural land and what proportion from urban and other property?

The net amount of revenue derived from Land Tax in the year ended 31st March, 1912, was £747,377. I regret that there are no available data from which the proportions derived from agricultural and urban properties could be ascertained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any, and, if so, what conditions will be attached to the Grant of £10 per head which he has undertaken to make next year in respect of boys in training ships; and whether he will consider the desirability of making a corresponding Grant to shipowners to enable them to provide proper supervision and separate accommodation for boys at sea?

The Regulations under which the Grants will be made in respect of next year are not completed. I cannot undertake to consider a further Grant for the purposes specified in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a Grant has been given from the Development or any other Government Fund to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society; if so, what was the amount of the Grant and upon what conditions was it given?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow on the 26th November last in reply to a similar question. Further particulars of the advance made to the Scottish Agricultural Society will be found on page 20 of the Second Report of the Development Commissioners, for the year ending 31st March, 1912.

asked whether a number of prosecutions for criminal offences from the county of Clare were heard and disposed of at the recent Cork Winter Assizes, and that Assizes were simultaneously held in the city of Limerick; whether he can state why the onus of trying the above cases was placed on the jurors of the city of Cork and not, as heretofore, on the jurors of the city of Limerick; and whether the Government were advised that a fair trial could not be obtained in the latter town?

The Munster Winter Assizes, including the Assize for Clare, which forms part of Munster, were this year held in Cork. The Connaught Winter Assizes were held in Limerick. There is no fixed rule as to the place of holding Winter Assizes or as to the counties to be included therein. They are varied from time to time, and no imputation whatever is conveyed as to the impartiality of juries by such variation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) the amount in acreage of untenanted land on the estate of Viscount Gough, Lough Cutra, Gort, outside of the demesne; whether he can give the townlands where the untenanted lands are situated and the acreage within each town-land; (2) how many agricultural tenants there are on the estate of Viscount Gough, Lough Cutra, Gort; how many tenants are valued at over £10 valuation; how many are valued at under £10; what is the amount of untenanted lands the Estates Commissioners propose taking over for distribution; where are these lands situated; and (3) whether he is aware that Viscount Gough, Lough Cutra Castle, Gort, agreed to sell to the Estates Commissioners all the untenanted land they require for the enlargement of holdings and the relief of congestion on the property; can he state what acreage of untenanted land, and where situated, do the Estates Commissioners propose to acquire for the above purposes; and how many of the uneconomic holdings on the estate do the Estates Commissioners propose to make economic through the division of these lands?

There are 206 tenants included in the estate of Lord Gough, county Galway, which is the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, and the tenement valuation of 108 of these holdings appears to be under £10. Lord Gough undertook to sell to the Commissioners such untenanted lands as they considered he should sell for division amongst the tenants, and, in addition to the tenanted land, the Commissioners are acquiring some 354 acres of untenanted land on the estate situate in four townlands in the Gort electoral Division, and in the townland of Prospect in another electoral Division. The lands have not yet been acquired, and the Commissioners are not at present in a position to make any statement as to the distribution of the untenanted lands which they propose to acquire.

asked the Chief Secretary whether there is any reason or objection which can be overcome to the reinstatement of Thomas O'Donnell, Drumconlester, county Cavan; what was the date of O'Donnell's eviction; and how many evicted tenants still remain to be dealt with in county Cavan?

O'Donnell in his application for reinstatement states he was evicted in May, 1895. O'Donnell's sister has been reinstated in the holding in respect of which he applied for reinstatement, and of which she appears to have been the original tenant, and the Estates Commissioners cannot interfere in the matter of O'Donnell's application. There are seven county Cavan evicted tenants whose applications for reinstatement have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners and who have not yet been provided with holdings.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, as a result of the Irish Local Government Act, 1898, Lord Lansdowne was saved a burden of £788 in poor rate annually; whether Lord Londonderry was similarly saved the annual outgoing of £930, which sums or somewhat similar amounts had been for generations past been paid by the aforesaid lords or their predecessors; and will he state the amount saved to Irish land and town lords annually since the 1st April, 1899, stating the amounts involved in 1910, 1911, and 1912?

The Local Government Board have no information to what lands were and are held by the landlords referred to, or who are the tenants or what arrangements existed between these landlords and their tenants as to the payment of poor rate and county cess prior to the passing of the Local Government Act of 1898, or as to the valuation and amount of rates payable on such holdings. For these reasons it is not possible to give the information asked for.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether the occupying tenant in John Reilly's farm, Crenagh, Killeshandra, has agreed to let Reilly back on being provided with a farm elsewhere; when did the tenant communicate his willingness to take another farm to the Estates Commissioners; and will he have this case specially looked into?

The Estates Commissioners were in negotiation with the present occupier of Reilly's former holding, but could not agree with his terms. Reilly refused to take a holding elsewhere, and the Commissioners decided to take no further action in the matter of his application.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the cause of the delay in acquiring the estate known as the Pratt estate, near Crossmolina, which has been on offer to the Congested Districts Board for a very considerable time, and when the Board hope to complete the purchase?

The Congested Districts Board have decided to make an offer at an early date for the purchase of this estate.

asked if the maps and other documents relating to the sale of the estate of Mr. Shaen Carter, Belmullet, county Mayo, have yet been deposited with the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, what progress, if any, has been made by the Board with a view to making an offer for the purchase of the estate?

The answer is in the negative.

asked when the purchase of the Coyne estate, in the townland of Aughleam, Belmullet, county Mayo, now on offer to the Board, and recently valued by their officers, is likely to be completed; and if it is the intention of the Board to reinstate into possession of the holdings on this estate, from which they were evicted on the expiration of their leases in 1887, the former tenants, Michael Heffron, Philip Heffron, Martin Heffron, and John M'Andrew, which holdings have since been, and are now, let on the eleven months' system for grazing purposes?

The valuation of this estate is in progress, but the Congested Districts Board have not yet made any offer for it, and they cannot say when it is likely that the purchase of the property will be completed. The Board are not at present in a position to state what action they would take regarding the persons mentioned in the question in the event of their purchasing the property.

asked the Chief Secretary whether negotiations are going on for the sale to the tenants of the lands comprising the Wheeler estate, at Roberts-town, county Kildare; is he aware of any intention to exclude from the transaction the representatives of the late Michael Connell, one of the said tenants, and, if so, for what reason. Was the estate inspected at a recent date, and, if so, was it by the directions of the Estates Commissioners, and was it for the purpose of sale to the tenants; is he aware that the result of the inspection was to fix the valuation of the Connell farm at £190, and would that amount mean a reduction on sale to tenant of 3s. 6d., whilst the other lands on the same estate were valued at amounts which meant a reduction of 5s. with a half-year's rent forgiven to each tenant; and will the Estates Commissioners order another inspection of this estate in order to make an equitable all-round valuation?

The Estates Commissioners have had inspected the holding in the occupation of the representatives of Michael Connell, and have informed the owner that they are prepared to advance the sum of £190 if an agreement for purchase at this price signed by Connell's representatives is lodged. The Commissioners are not prepared to alter their decision in the matter, and if a purchase agreement is not lodged in respect of the holding it will not be included in the sale.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board will buy the Cave Farm, on the Sir Andrew Armstrong Estate, near Caherlistrane, county Galway, which was sold direct in October, 1907, in view of the fact that the present holder of the Cave Farm has declared his willingness to sell it to the Board for sub-division; and whether the Board could take any steps to have the Bunnasillagh Farm, on the same property, re-striped in view of the dissatisfaction that the existing disposition has caused?

The Cave Farm has not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board since the Irish Land Act of 1909 came into operation, but inquiries will now be made as to whether the owner is willing to negotiate for a sale. As regards the last part of the question, the lands of Bunnasillagh were sold by the owner in connection with the sale of his estate as "parcels" under Section 2 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, direct to the purchasers in whom they have been vested and who are now the owners, and the matter cannot be reopened.

asked the Chief Secretary the amount of the annual instalments now being paid by purchasers under the Wyndham Act and the amount of the annual rents that they were paying immediately before purchase, together with the average number of years' purchase at which these lands were sold?

The annuities collectible by the Land Commission in respect of advances made for the purchase of both tenanted and untenanted land under the Irish Land Act, 1903, up to the 31st March last amount to £1,465,000. The rents payable in respect of the tenanted land were returned by the vendors in the purchase proceedings as amounting to £1,920,000, and the annuities now payable in respect of these lands amount to £1,385,000. The number of years' purchase of the rents in the various classes of sales and rents is given in the detailed tables appended to the last Annual Report of the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary the exact date on which the attention of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland was called to the case of Mr. Eugene O'Sullivan, of Killarney, a justice of the peace for the county of Kerry, who had been reported by an election court for corrupt practices through his agents, with his knowledge and consent; and if he will state the exact date on which the matter was referred to the Law Officers of the Crown and the exact date on which they gave their opinions with reference to the retention by Mr. Eugene O'Sullivan of the office of justice of the peace?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that his attention was called to the case of Mr. Eugene O'Sullivan on 27th January, 1911, and on the same day the matter was referred to the Law Officers of the Crown, who gave their opinion in regard to the case on 2nd February.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the widow, Bridget Coffry, of Augasterane, parish of Aughamore, County Mayo, was not granted an old age pension; what was the basis the Local Government Board adopted for estimating her income; and if he will ascertain why such a decision was arrived at, notwithstanding that the pension officer approved of a pension of 4s. granted by the Kilkelly Sub-committee?

Bridget Coffry's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that her means exceeded the statutory limit. She lives with her son-in-law on a fairly good farm of twenty-seven acres, which carries seven head of cattle in addition to sheep, pigs, and fowl, and part of which is under potatoes, oats, roots, and cabbages. It appears she assigned the farm to her son-in-law in the early part of last year, reserving to herself certain considerations; but, in any event, the value of the maintenance and privileges derived by her from the farm were, in the Board's opinion, worth more than £31 10s. a year. The Board were not bound by the pension officer's estimate of her means.

asked the Chief Secretary what Grants were made during the year ended 31st March, 1912, out of the Ireland Development Fund and from the Estimates, respectively, than the usual per caput and bonus Grants, to the several Irish training colleges under clerical management?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that during the year ended the 31st March, 1912, Grants other than fixed Grants for the maintenance of King's scholars, and diploma bonuses for ex-King's scholars, were paid to the Irish Training Colleges under clerical management as follows:— To St. Patrick's Training College, £1,407; Our Lady of Mercy Training College, £1,139; Church of Ireland Training College, £1,031; and £1,000 each to De La Salle Training College, Waterford, St. Mary's Training College, Belfast, and Mary Immaculate Training College, Limerick, to cover cost of housing. St. Patrick's and Church of Ireland Colleges also received £192 and £101, respectively, in repayment of the annual ground rent paid by those colleges. There were no Grants made to these colleges from the Ireland Development Fund during that year.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what date the barracks at Leeds were erected; how far they comply with modern requirements as to structural, sanitary, and convenience of the occupiers; whether, and when, the whole or any portion has been reported as generally unfit for occupation; and whether it is proposed, in the interests of recruiting for the Army, to provide suitable quarters and barracks?

These barracks were originally constructed in 1820, were added to in 1894, and reconstructed in 1898. The barracks have not been reported as insanitary or generally unfit for occupation, though a predecessor of mine recorded the opinion that the situation might be improved if a site suitable in all respects as an alternative could be obtained. I cannot find that he was able to take action in accordance with his opinion. Early next year certain necessary repairs will be carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that candidates for the recent examination of Special Reserve officers for Army commissions were notified some time before the examination took place that the practical examination in outdoor sketching would be held at Shoreham on 14th October; whether, before that date, some of the candidates, accompanied by their coaches, surveyed the ground, and on the day of the examination arrived on the ground equipped with six-inch ordnance maps with the details already filled in; and, if so, whether he proposes to cancel this examination, in which some candidates were placed at a great disadvantage?

Candidates were ordered to report themselves at Shoreham Station, but were not informed where the examination would take place. There is no information at the War Office concerning the allegation made in the second part of the question. The examination is not competitive, and no candidate, therefore, has been placed at a disadvantage by the alleged action of others. It is not proposed to cancel this examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether officers in the Special Reserve holding short-time civil appointments in the Crown Colonies or Protectorates will in all cases be forced to resign such appointments as a condition of passing into the General Reserve?

I am not quite clear as to the expressions used in the hon. Member's question. He appears, however, to refer to the recent decision of the Army Council that officers of the Special Reserve may only be seconded in their regiments while holding appointments on a probationary footing; as soon as such officer is confirmed in his appointment and taken on the permanent establishment of a Colony or Protectorate he must resign his commission. The exact position of officers in the General Reserve who accept Colonial appointments is still under the consideration of my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and myself.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is an age limit for the appointment of ex-Regular officers to the Special Reserve; if so, what is that age limit; is there an age for the retirement from Special Reserve of any ex-Regular so appointed; and, if so, what is that age?

As regards units of the Special Reserve there is intentionally no age limit for the appointment of officers who have served in the Regular Army, but all officers of the Special Reserve have to retire at the following ages:—

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a dirigible balloon has recently been ordered from Germany; if so, what, if any, steps were taken before doing so to obtain one in England; were any, and what, English firms approached with reference to the matter, and with what result; if there are no English firms capable of supplying a dirigible balloon, is it the intention of the War Office to manufacture them; and, if no, when will the necessary experts be engaged and the work begun?

No dirigible balloon has been, or is about to be, ordered in Germany by the War Office. Dirigible balloons are now being manufactured at the Royal Aircraft Factory under the supervision of the experts there employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the insanitary conditions of many barracks, and especially of the officers' quarters attached to them; if he intends to take any steps to remedy this state of affairs; and whether he will see that all officers' quarters are fitted with the same modern requirements as are provided for non-commissioned officers and men in the same barracks?

The sanitary condition of barracks generally is considered to be satisfactory. The annual reports of sanitary officers receive the greatest attention, and medical statistics show increasingly favourable results. It is, however, admitted that the conditions of officers' quarters in many barracks, though not insanitary, fall short of modern requirements in respect of comfort and convenience, and steps have been taken for the last few years and are being taken to improve these, as funds admit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether recruiting officers are employed to get recruits for the Territorial Force, at salaries of 30s. a week and 2s. 6d. for each recruit enrolled; and, if so, why it is found necessary to adopt this new method of obtaining recruits for a volunteer force?

Permission was granted in February last to any Territorial Force Association which had realised surplus funds to pay a recruiting reward not exceeding 1s. 6d. Should the association consider such a course advisable, as an experiment for a year only. No authority has been given for the employment of paid recruiters. Nothing is known at the War Office of the case mentioned. If the hon. Gentleman can supply me with details I will make inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether in future ex-officers of the auxiliary forces joining the National Reserve will be granted the privilege of wearing, at levees and other occasions of ceremony, the uniform of the respective corps to which they formerly belonged?

Ex-officers of the Auxiliary Forces who may have been entitled on retirement or resignation of their Commission to wear uniform, retain that right unaffected by their membership in the National Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, late Army Ordnance Corps, who was discharged as medically unfit last February, and who stated before a court-martial in February last that he was legally promoted sub-contractor in 1910, but that his promotion was illegally ruled out of his attestation paper; and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

The appointment referred to is that of sub-conductor. Under Article 685 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc., a non-commissioned officer before promotion to the rank of sub-conductor in the Army Ordnance Corps is required to serve on probation for a period of three months. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was placed on probation for the rank of sub-conductor in 1910, and was described in Corps Orders as "promoted sub-conductor on three months' probation." He however, was not confirmed in his appointment, and he was therefore never legally promoted sub-conductor.

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of the children in the public elementary schools in England and Wales are suffering from malnutrition and maladies traceable to malnutrition; and whether, in the opinion of his expert advisers, this condition is due to insufficient food, ignorance of the nutritive value of foods, or bad housing and sanitation?

Some indication of the proportion of children in various districts suffering from malnutrition and maladies traceable to it is given in the Official Reports of the Board's medical officer for the years 1910 and 1911. For the reasons referred to in the answer already given to the hon. Member on this subject, no exact Return is possible. Where malnutrition occurs the condition is no doubt due to one or more of various factors, including those mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the premises of the Dagenham, Hainault Forest, Church of England school, Essex, are in a state of dilapidation, and that during the winter of 1911–12 low temperatures were complained of, and that the local education authority found the temperature to have been on 30th January, 1912, 41.9, on 2nd February, 1912, 39, and on 5th February, 1912, 28.5; and will he say upon what date were the unexecuted improvements to the school premises first demanded by the Board of Education; whether the requirements of the Board of Education with regard to staffing have been complied with; and will the Board of Education direct that immediate steps be taken for the health and safety of the children compelled to attend this school?

In October, 1909, His Majesty's inspector called attention to the defects in lighting, the overcrowding in the class-room, the want of desk and cloak-room accommodation, and reported that it was doubtful whether the main room was sufficiently warm in winter. During the summer of 1910 plans for improving the lighting of the school were submitted, but were not approved, and on 29th August, 1910, the authority were reminded of the terms of the inspector's Report, and revised plans were asked for. Revised plans for the improvement of the lighting of the main room were forwarded to the Board on 29th June, 1911, and they were approved on 3rd July on condition that provision was made for ventilation. On the same day the authority were informed that proposals should be submitted for dealing with the lighting of the infants' room, the ventilation of all the school rooms, and the boys' cloak room, and the heating of the main room. Further plans were submitted on 5th December, 1911, but the information contained was not complete, and revised plans were not received until the 21st February, 1912. A large new fireplace was put into the main room during last winter. On 1st April, 1912, the authority were informed that the plans were generally satisfactory, but that the lighting of the infants' room, the heating of the corner of the main room, and the desks still required attention, and the authority were informed that the accommodation of the school on the revised basis would be sufficient for seventy-four mixed scholars and twenty-eight infants. The managers appear to have protested to the local authority against the reduction in accommodation, but the authority agreed with the Board, and on 19th November asked the Board to deal direct with the managers on the question with regard to the accommodation and the improvement of the premises of the school. The Board have now required the managers to submit plans to comply with the requirements made on 1st April by 25th January next, and to give them an assurance that the improvements will be carried out by 25th March next. The staff of teachers has undergone frequent changes lately, and at the present moment appears not to comply with the conditions of the Code. The Board are in communication with the local education authority on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is any provision in the Established Church (Wales) Bill safeguarding the stipends of curates as well the stipends of incumbents; and, if not, whether he is prepared to consider an Amendment to meet this object?

Powers are given to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners under the Bill to transfer to the Disestablished Church the Grants which they make at present towards the provision of curates. If the stipend is an interest in or a charge on the benefice, it is safeguarded under the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state what is the value of the glebe, and how was it acquired, in the parishes of Dolwyddelan and Beddgelert; and what is the amount of tithe comprised in the Endowments of each such parish?

The gross value of the glebe for the parish of Dolwyddelan is £33 a year, and for the parish of Beddgelert, £90 a year. In both cases the glebe is derived from Grants made by the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty out of their Royal Bounty Fund. The amount of tithe comprised in the Endowments of Beddgelert is £56 a year. There appears to be no tithe belonging to Dolwyddelan.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the cases of the forty-five parishes in Wales, each with less than ten communicants, attached to certain of which there are Endowments; and whether, having regard to the needs of populous places in Wales with no Endowment, he will insert provisions in the Established Church (Wales) Bill whereby incumbents of parishes with few communicants, or none at all, may be allowed to retain their life interests if transferred to more populous districts?

As I stated in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend last Thursday, all parishes in Wales will be treated similarly under the Established Church (Wales) Bill irrespective of the number of communicants. Of course, it will be within the power of the representative body to make any new arrangements as regards the property handed over to it under the provisions of the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the number of parishes in Wales, which are shown by the Royal Commission to be 100 in number, in each of which there are less than twenty communicants in the Established Church; and whether the Endowments attached to many of these parishes will be subject to special treatment under the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

Such provisions are already in the Bill. I would refer my hon. Friend to Clause 14.

asked the Home Secretary whether he anticipates being able to introduce the new Pistols Act next Session; whether he can give to the House any idea of its contents so that it may be the subject of public discussion, with the object of ensuring a thoroughly efficacious measure; and whether the police authorities have expressed any opinion as to the scope of the proposed reform?

I am unable to say at present whether it will be possible to introduce a Bill on this subject next Session, and I cannot in any case anticipate its provisions. The Bill framed by my predecessor was prepared with great care in consultation with the Commissioner of Police and representatives of the manufacturers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had his attention called to the statistics as to death by flannelette burning given in the Report of the Coroners' Committee; and if these can be further tested by inquiries to be made from each coroner as to the number of deaths from such cause in the year 1911?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to the statistics given in paragraph 5 of the Report of the Coroners' Committee. Information as to the number of deaths due to the ignition of flannelette clothing in the year 1911 could not now be furnished from the records kept by coroners without a great expenditure of time and labour, and in many cases the information would not be available at all. I will, however, consider whether a Return similar to that given in the Judicial Statistics for the year 1904 could not be obtained in respect of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to state the number of accidents caused by motor omnibuses and motor cabs in the Metropolitan Police area during the last two years; the length of driving experience of the men involved in the accidents; and what experience of London driving the men possessed prior to being licensed to drive either of the vehicles in question?

The information desired by my hon. Friend is being prepared, and will be submitted to the Select Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he will circulate a statement showing, in parallel columns, the average rate of interest on loans granted by the India Office to approved borrowers in each month in 1910 and 1911, and the bank rate during the corresponding periods?

The statement is as follows:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State is aware that Mr. Channing Arnold was found guilty by the judge of the Chief Court of Burma, Sir Charles Fox, and a jury, of the offence of libelling Mr. Andrews, the magistrate of Mergui, in having accused him of corruptly exercising his powers; whether he is aware that public feeling in India and Burma has been aroused in regard to these attacks upon the honesty of the judiciary of the Courts in Burma; and whether the Secretary of State will abstain from giving any colourable support to such agitation by refraining from taking any action in favour of Mr. Arnold till he has received a full report upon the case?

I have nothing to add to the remarks I made recently on the Adjournment, and the answer given on the 17th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how long it is proposed to wait on the chance of Mr. Channing Arnold deciding to appeal to the Privy Council against the decision of the Burma Court sentencing him to twelve months' imprisonment before the Government of India will conduct an inquiry into the question of the undue severity of his sentence?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he can give any further information as to the case of Mr. Arnold?

The question raised by the hon. Member for the Wilton Division is one that at present rests with Mr. Arnold himself, but his advocate has promised further information, which will be at once telegraphed to the Secretary of State. The Burma Chief Court has dismissed the application for the revision of the acquittal of Captain McCormick. That application involved the matters which led to Mr. Arnold's conviction for defamation. The proceedings of the Court have been called for by the Government of India, who, on their receipt, will examine the whole case on its merits. As regards Mr. Arnold's treatment in prison, the rules allow considerable privileges to educated prisoners undergoing simple imprisonment, and the Secretary of State is confident that they are being satisfactorily interpreted.

asked the Under-Secretary for India what was the total amount of fees paid to counsel and solicitors in the Midnapore case; and what was the total cost to the Government of that trial, including everything except the expense to the public of the loss of 198 working days of the Calcutta High Court?

The Secretary of State is in communication with the Government of India on this subject, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in order to secure a bettor classification of the chargeable poor within the city of Manchester, and a better general and more economical administration of the Poor Laws within the said area, a uniform method of assessment for poor rate purposes, and a unification of the city rates, the Local Government Board will issue an Order, under the powers conferred upon them by the Poor Law Acts, dissolving the existing Poor Law administrative areas of the Prestwich Union and the townships of Manchester and South Manchester, and altering the boundaries of the township of Manchester so as to include the existing townships of North and South Manchester, and forming such township into one Poor Law administrative area, or, in the alternative, forming a new Poor Law Union to comprise the townships of Failsworth and Prestwich and the newly-created township of Manchester?

I have received representations from the guardians and overseers of South Manchester that an Order should be issued an indicated in the question, and I have the matter under my consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received a copy of the representation made by the medical officer of health for Dewsbury concerning the Dawgreen area of the borough of Dewsbury; and what action, if any, he is taking upon the said report?

I have within the last few days received a copy of the representation, and the matter will receive my consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the relative increase of trade with Russia, Germany, the United States of America, and this country?

The following statement, which has been compiled from the Russian Official Trade Returns, shows the value of the imports into Russia from each of the countries specified in each of the years 1900–1911:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the value of the exports to (manufactured articles), imports from (all articles), and population of, the United States of America in 1881 and 1911, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the average price of wheat in France in the year 1908 as compared with the average imported price in England; and what was the duty in force in France in the same year?

The figures referred to are as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since the Government's book on foreign legislative measures respecting gambling in option and future contracts was issued,

I have no knowledge of this proposal, but I will take steps to procure information on the subject, and inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Attorney-General whether, under the existing law, a member of the board of directors of a limited company does not possess the right to examine the books and correspondence of the company, he is prepared, for the greater protection of shareholders, to promote legislation which would confer such powers on individual directors?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General to answer this question. I am not satisfied that the existing law is as stated in the question, but if the hon. Member will refer me to any authority for the statement I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say when the Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation was appointed;whether it is the intention of the Government to require the Committee to submit its Report before the Report stage or Third Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill; and, if not, whether, pending the Report, the Local Taxation Account will be placed in a solvent condition, and provision made in the present financial year for a refund of the amounts already deducted?

The Committee was appointed in April, 1911. The answer to the remaining parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in consequence of the shortage of store cattle in England and Scotland, he will consider the necessity of introducing legislation for the admission of such cattle from Canada under discretionary power of the Board of Agriculture, as in the years 1892–96, especially in view of the fact that the Canadian Prime Minister at the Colonial Conference in 1907 described the exclusion of admittedly healthy cattle as a great injustice to Canada?

His Majesty's Government do not think that legislation on the subject is practicable at the present time.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the post office at Hospital, county Limerick, is at present in charge of a Mrs. Ryan, whose daughter had been assistant to the late postmistress for two years; whether Mrs. Ryan, in order to take up the charge of the post office, has given up a drapery business, and sold off her stock, etc.; whether it is intended to take the post office from her and appoint another postmistress who has had no training or experience; and whether there is any reason beyond private influence for thus depriving Mrs. Ryan of the appointment and giving it to another person?

Mrs. Ryan was employed as temporary sub-postmistress at Hospital, county Limerick, on the clear understanding that this employment would give her no claim to the appointment; and I am informed that she did not give up her drapery business. Her qualifications for the position of sub-postmistress were fully considered with those of other candidates; but as she was not regarded as the most suitable, she was not selected. No reason is seen for altering the decision arrived at.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that timekeepers in the Glasgow Post Office do practically the same class of work as technical clerks in the London Post Office, but are paid on a lower scale of wages; and whether he will state what is the reason for this difference in grading?

Inquiry is being made and a further communication will be addressed to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that persons in Rutherglen who ordered a telephone, and signed a contract with the Post Office early in September, are still without a telephone; whether he will state how many people there are in Rutherglen who have ordered a telephone more than three weeks ago and have not yet been supplied; and what is the reason for this delay?

Yes. I regret that there has been some delay in providing Exchange lines at Rutherglen owing to lack of accommodation on the existing routes, and a scheme of underground cable work is now being carried out. There are four orders on hand at present, and it is hoped to make temporary arrangements for affording a service in these cases within a fortnight.

asked the Postmaster-General whether ho is aware that under the old National Telephone system, for a charge of 25s. per annum, a man living seven miles from the Royal Exchange in Glasgow may still have a party-line telephone and obtain connections within a radius of fourteen miles, while, if the telephone had to be installed now, he would have to pay £8 10s. per annum, and would be restricted to a local area unless he paid an additional penny per call; and whether any decision has yet been come to regarding the adoption of a uniform charge for party-line telephones in country or suburban districts with a view to ending the hardships caused by the present variations?

I do not know how the hon. Member arrives at the amount of £8 10s. to which he refers. Five pounds would be the charge for an exclusive line at the current measured service rate, covering 500 calls, corresponding with the party line rate of 25s. That rate was for the part use of a line shared by as many as twenty subscribers. The National Telephone Company found the rate un-remunerative, and the effect of these lines on the service very unsatisfactory. They therefore discontinued to offer the rate to new subscribers about six or seven years ago, though a considerable number of the old agreements still remain in force. The matter will be dealt with in connection with the revision of rates which my right bon. Friend has promised to make as soon as the purchase price of the National Telephone Company's system has been settled.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now see his way to establish a Telephone Exchange for High Bentham and Low Bentham, as agreed to by the National Telephone Company in March, 1911, before the system was transferred to the Post Office?

Sufficient support has now been obtained to justify the establishment of an Exchange at Bentham. The work will be proceeded with as soon as the preliminary arrangements can be completed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet seen his way to establish a circuit for rural party-line telephone subscribers at Waddington, near Clitheroe, after the inquiries that he instituted in May, 1911?

The rural party-line at Waddington, near Clitheroe, was brought into use in July last.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a petition from the residents in Poyntzpass, county Armagh, expressing their desire to have a telephone call office established there; and, if so, what steps have been taken to comply with their wishes in the matter?

Inquiry is being made whether it will be practicable to comply with the desire of the residents of Poyntzpass for the establishment of a telephone call office there. A decision will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the diminution of the business transacted in the Newtown, Ebbw Vale, post office, was due to the sub-postmistress failing to keep sufficient stock to supply the needs of her customers; and whether he is prepared to receive applications from those in possession of suitable premises for post office work and re-open the office?

Very little use was made of the office formerly situated at Newtown, Ebbw Vale, quite irrespective of those classes of business in which the question of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the stocks kept by the sub-postmistress might arise, and my right hon. Friend regrets that the re-opening of the office would not be warranted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any information to the effect that the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada have been granted exclusive rights for wireless telegraph stations in Newfoundland until 1926; whether this refers to Transatlantic wireless stations; and, if so, what action His Majesty's Government propose to take to prevent a monopoly of wireless communication across the Atlantic being set up by the Marconi Company against the interests of the public throughout the Empire?

I understand that the Newfoundland Government have entered into an agreement with the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada granting certain rights extending to 1926 for the erection of stations in Newfoundland. My right hon. Friend has not yet seen a copy of the agreement and cannot say whether it confers a monopoly for the erection of long distance installations.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is intended to discontinue the existing mail car service between Ballina and Belmullet, county Mayo, substituting a van service for the conveyance of mails only; and if he is aware that these cars have supplied the only public means of access between the places named, and that great inconvenience would result from their discontinuance?

The contractor has given notice to terminate the contract, and the lowest suitable, tender received for a passenger service considerably exceeds that for a service without passengers. I have no funds at my disposal for providing facilities for passengers, but as these cars are understood to be the only regular public conveyances between Ballina and Belmullet inquiry will be made whether any authorities who may be interested are willing to contribute the sum by which a passenger service will exceed the cost of a service for mails only.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there was a convenient motor service between Belmullet and Ballina until the neglect of the road by the local authorities rendered it impossible for the motor company to continue the service; and, in case the mail car service is discontinued, will he give timely notice to the local authorities and suggest that the road should be rendered good enough for motor vehicles, with a view to some motor company undertaking a service for passengers between Ballina and Belmullet?

I am aware of the circumstances, but I fear that after the experience of the contractors concerned, a firm possessing great practical knowledge of motor traction, it is highly improbable that a reliable motor mail service could be provided at a reasonable cost even if the roads were improved.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that there is not a live-weight scale in either Woodside or Wallassey, Birkenhead; and whether he will make inquiry and have them provided?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has called the attention of the veterinary inspectors of his Department to the statement of Sir John McFadyean, principal and professor of comparative pathology in the Royal Veterinary College, Camden Town, that the markedly contagious character of the disease is a point of great importance in diagnosis, as is also the fact of its affecting simultaneously cattle and sheep; that, conversely, no matter how close the symptoms presented by a single animal may resemble those described above, the disease may be set down as not foot-and-mouth disease, when, in spite of abundant opportunities for infection, it does not spread after a few days to other animals or to sheep; and whether his officers have advised him that this view is absolutely sound, trustworthy, and accurate?

As I pointed out in my answer to the hon. Member's similar question on Monday last, the quotation of single sentences from a scientific report, without reference to the context or to the date of its publication, is extremely misleading. It is impossible to discuss the subject in detail in answer to a Parliamentary question, but I may say generally that the Board's veterinary officers are well aware of the factors which have to be taken into account in the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease; they also appreciate the imperative necessity in case of doubt of taking strict precautions against the possible spread of infection, as recommended by Sir John McFadyean. If, as I assume, the hon. Member intends indirectly to allude to the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease discovered among cattle in Ireland, I can only repeat what I said on Monday, namely, that the diagnosis in ease case was only arrived at after the closest scrutiny of the lesions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the cost approximately to date of the measures taken to stamp out foot-and-mouth disease in England since its introduction from Ireland?

The amount spent by way of compensation in consequence of foot-and-mouth disease in England and Wales during the last six months is approximately £52,000 net.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture; whether arrangements have now been made under which the shipment of Irish hay from districts which have been free from cattle disease can be resumed on an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that, on account of the restrictions due to the foot-and-mouth disease, the export of pressed hay from Kilrush, West Clare, to Cardiff has been stopped; and whether, in view of the fact that the neighbourhood from which the hay is obtained and the place where it is pressed are hundreds of miles from any infected area, and that the stoppage of the trade has thrown various categories of working men out of employment, he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Communications are passing between the Board and the Irish Department with a view to the issue of an Order modifying the existing restrictions upon the importation of Irish hay and straw into Great Britain, but I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any definite statement.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that carrier-pigeons are kept on or near the premises in Kent where the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred, and that such pigeons are sent periodically to parts of the Continent, where this disease is prevalent, in baskets or hampers which are returned in due course to their owner; and whether, in the opinion of his expert advisers, either such birds or their baskets or hampers are likely media for the conveyance of contagion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, when the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred at Ashford I immediately caused careful inquiries to be made as to the possibility of infection having been introduced from the Continent by carrier-pigeons, but I am informed that there is no reason to suppose that this was the case. As the hon. Member is aware, birds of various kinds have long been suspected of carrying infection, but it is impossible to prevent this risk, and I do not think that carrier-pigeons can be regarded as more dangerous than birds of other kinds. The question whether it is practicable and advisable to take any action in regard to baskets and hampers returned from the Continent will be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether arrangements have now been made to open the port of Heysham for the reception of Irish cattle?

I am informed that plans showing how the landing place at Heysham will be altered to meet the Board's requirements have already been prepared, and will shortly be submitted for approval.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he proposes to circulate the minutes of proceedings of a deputation received by him on 25th November with reference to the conveyance of cattle from Ireland to Scotland?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any arrangements have been made with the joint stock banks to make advances to rural credit banks; if so, what interest will be charged on advances; and what conditions will be imposed on rural credit banks obtaining such advances?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to repeat his question when the House reassembles after the Christmas Recess. I hope then to be in a position to make a full statement on the subject.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has yet determined on the constitution of the Judicial Commission; whether the number of members has been fixed at sixteen; and whether a fair representation is being given to those who desire, and have advocated, changes in the present methods?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, to the second in the negative, to the third, in my view, a fair representation is being given to those who desire changes in the present methods.

asked the Attorney-General when the announcement of the composition of the Judicial Commission will be made?

The announcement will be made within the next few days.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that two men who died from small-pox in Kirkcaldy this year prior to 24th October, and whose condition as to vaccination was returned as doubtful, had been entered in the birth registers as successfully vaccinated; whether he will have the official records of this epidemic amended accordingly, and take steps to ensure that before cases are entered as doubtful the registers shall be searched in order to prevent such inaccuracies as have been brought to light in the present instances; and (2) whether he is aware that Andrew Nicholson, aged eighty-six years, of Kirkcaldy, was vaccinated on 23rd October, although suffering from heart disease; whether in Scotland vaccination is permissible on persons already suffering from other diseases; whether he is aware that Nicholson became dangerously ill three days after the operation and remained bedridden till his death on 22nd November; that the evidence of the activity of the vaccine disease throughout Nicholson's last illness was irrefutable; and whether he is in a position to cause the register to be corrected by the insertion of vaccination as one of the contributory causes of the man's death?

I have made inquiry into the circumstances referred to in these questions, but the notice given has not been sufficiently long to enable full information to be obtained. Perhaps my hon. Friend would put them in the Paper again for some day after the Recess.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Glasgow School Board is to acquiesce in the judgment of the Court of Session in the case of Allan against The School Board of Glasgow, which relates to the medical treatment of school children, or whether the case is to be carried by appeal to the House of Lords?

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has any information as to the attitude or intention of the Glasgow School Board as to the case raised by Miss Allan in the Court of Session re medical treatment of school children?

I would answer this question and question 99 together. The matter is one for the Glasgow School Board to decide, and I cannot anticipate their decision.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that some dissatisfaction exists with the present practice as to the disposal of used ballot papers after the declaration of the poll at school board, parish council, and other local elections in Scotland; and whether, in order to allay apprehensions that unauthorised persons may gain access to such ballot papers, he will arrange that they shall in future be deposited with the sheriff clerk immediately after the declaration of the poll?

I have not received any complaints on the subject, but if my hon. Friend will bring any cases to my notice, I shall be glad to make inquiry.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether he will state what proportion of the sum of £26,700, the income of the capitular estates (Wales), is represented by tithe and glebe, respectively; what was the extent and annual value of the capitular estates (Wales) when the same were transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and what is their present extent and annual value; what portion has been sold and what is the income derived from the proceeds; do the capitular estates (Wales) comprise minerals, and have they a building value; and are the sums of £1,500 payable to Lampeter College, under 16 and 17 Vic, c. 82, and £450 payable for the maintenance of Welsh churches in London, 6 and 7 Vic, c. 77, paid out of the sum of £29,760, secured by a statutory charge on the Common Fund of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners?

The sum of £26,700 is the net annual income of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from property or the proceeds of sales of property or interests in property formerly belonging to bishoprics, chapters, and Cathedral dignities of the Church in Wales or bought with the proceeds of sales of other property, excluding income from property in Wales and Monmouthshire derived from English Church preferments, but including property in England derived from Welsh Church preferments. It is made up of—

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, to what extent the recommendations on pages 4, 5, and 6, of Parliamentary Paper [Cd. 3035], 1906, House of Commons I (Ventilation), have been carried out?

With certain small exceptions, the recommendations referred to by my hon. Friend have been carried out.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as I representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will reprint and circulate with the Votes the correspondence which was laid before Parliament in 1883 relating to the reserved areas in Regent's Park, adding to it any recent correspondence with the Office of Works on the subject of these reserved areas, and giving the term of any leases which have been renewed or granted affecting these reserved areas?

The First Commissioner will consult the Treasury and the Commissioners of Woods on the, question of printing the correspondences referred to.