asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many Irish Civil servants were represented by the Civil Servants' Committee with whom he negotiated in respect of certain provisions in the Government of Ireland Bill?

The Civil Service Committee in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill consists of sixty-eight members representative of twenty-nine Departments. The total number of Civil servants represented by the Committee is 5,649.

Was the Committee elected by these Civil servants?

No, Sir, I believe not; but I have not received any expression of dissatisfaction from any quarter. If the hon. Member has any, perhaps he might let me know about them.

asked whether those members of the Customs and Excise Department in Ireland who are engaged in old age pension work are to be considered as Irish Civil servants within the meaning of the Government of Ireland Bill; and, if not, whether he can give some assurance that senior members of that Department stationed in Ireland will not be compulsorily removed to Great Britain in consequence of the transfer of the administration of old age pensions to the Irish Government, but will be offered the option of retiring on fair compensation terms if no employment be found for them in Ireland?

The hon. Member's question relates to certain officers of Customs and Excise who do not become officers of the Irish Government either on the passing of the Bill or at any subsequent date. Such officers continue in the service of the United Kingdom Government, and I cannot see why this Bill should be made an occasion for improving their conditions of employment.

asked the name of the gentleman who holds the appointment of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, the nature of the duties and the amount of the emoluments attaching to his office, and the provisions made for him under the Government of Ireland Bill?

The office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland has ceased to exist, having been merged by Section 2 of the Act 56, George III., in the office of Lord High Treasurer of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which office is now in commission under that Act. No provision under the Bill would, therefore, appear to be necessary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the United Kingdom Commissioners?

Yes, Sir. They are the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the four Junior Lords of the Treasury—Mr. Gulland, Mr. Wedgwood Benn, Mr. William Jones, and Mr. Webb.

Are all these Gentlemen responsible, after their degree, for the expenditure of the money of the Exchequer?

No, Sir.

asked whether Mrs. Anne Trinder, a tenant on the estate of Messrs. Henry B. Leech and G. A. Leech, situate in Aughadown, county Cork, signed a purchase agreement on 24th March, 1906; whether her holding has since been vested in Mrs. Trinder; and, if not, can he state the cause of delay in doing so?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. An agreement, dated 24th March, 1906, signed by Mrs. Trinder was lodged with the Estates Commissioners on the 11th May, 1906. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) and has not yet been reached in order of priority, but the Commissioners anticipate-that it will be reached at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction and unrest existing amongst the tenantry on the Clanricarde estate, county Galway, especially the evicted tenants who were turned out of their homes more than twenty-five years ago, because of the fact that the Congested Districts Board will not put into operation the Act of Parliament applicable to-their cases which has been on the Statute-Book for over three years, nor give an-approximate date in the future when they might get the benefit of this legislation; and whether he will make provision for the appointment to the Board of a Gahvay man, who will take an interest in those tenants and the county generally, which-is the second largest in Ireland?

I am aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst the evicted tenants on the Clanricarde estate. As regards the purchase of the estate by the Congested Districts Board, it is not the fact that the Board have been unwilling to put into operation their compulsory powers under the Act of 1909. Final offers for the several estates of the Marquess of Clanricarde were issued on 29th January, 1912, and on the non-acceptance of these offers a requisition was issued to the Estates Commissioners, calling upon them to take steps to acquire the several estates in question. Proceedings have been suspended by an application on the part of the Marquess of Clanricarde for an injunction to restrain proceedings against him for the compulsory acquisition of his estates. The Board are in the position of suitors, who must wait their turn, and no useful conjecture can be made as to when the tenants on this estate are likely to obtain the benefits of the Land Purchase Acts. As regards the final paragraph of the question, there is no reason to suppose that the interests of county Galway are neglected by the Board as at present constituted.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce that a Bill will be introduced next Session to give effect to the pledge to complete land purchase in Ireland at the earliest possible date?

The Government are fully alive to the urgency of this matter, and it is their hope to introduce the necessary legislation next Session.

Do I understand it is absolutely essential a new Land Bill should be framed in order to carry on land purchase?

No, Sir; not a new Land Bill. The financial provisions will require legislation, but I hope it will be a very short measure.

Do I understand that the Government have found by experience that the operation of the Land Act of 1909 has been an absolute failure?

No, Sir; nothing of the kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman or the Prime Minister try to bring about some agreement between landlords and tenants, and between both parties in this House, so as to make a settlement of this question possible.

That is obviously a question which should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Ardfert old age pension committee has resigned owing to the dissatisfaction which they feel at the assessment of the income of applicants for pensions made by the pension officer and ratified by the Local Government Board for Ireland; will he explain what steps the Local Government Board take to find whether the figures as to means supplied by the pension officer are correct; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction prevailing and the effect upon qualified applicants of the estimates of incompetent officers, he will take steps to have a sworn inquiry into all the facts which caused the resignation of this committee?

I am aware that the Ardfert pension sub-committee have resigned as stated. The Local Government Board form their own opinion on each case on its merits having regard to the report of the pension officer, and the representations made by or on behalf of the claimant. There does not appear to be, any necessity for a sworn inquiry in this case.

May I ask what evidence the Local Government Board had before them when they came to their decision?

They can get the evidence. If the hon. Member likes I will supply him with particulars of the cases-on which I believe the Ardfert sub-committee thought fit to retire.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will take any further steps to have the pension of 5s. weekly restored to Edward Prunty, of Aghaward, Ballinalee, county Longford,, seeing that this man is in poverty and much worse off by the withdrawal of the-pension than if he never got it; whether he is aware that he denies the correctness of the valuation of means made by the pension officer; and will he now direct that the Local Government Board inspector visits and specially reports on this case?

As the pension has been disallowed, the Local Government Board have no power to reopen the case. It would appear that Prunty is making another claim, and if the case again comes before the Board on appeal they will be in a position to consider the advisability of sending one of their inspectors to investigate the matter locally.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send an inspector to report on this case?

I think the inspector's report may be relied upon.

asked whether a scheme of the Mullingar Rural District Council under the Labourers Acts, which would have been in operation before now if the Acts had been administered as previously, stands suspended by the circular issued by the Irish Local Government Board in November, 1911, introducing a new consideration not contained in the Acts, with the result that labourers still occupy dwelling condemned by the sanitary authorities two years ago, while the additional million of public money provided in 1911 at low interest is being spent where there is no need of this pressing character; and whether he will have the policy of that circular discontinued, and that of the Acts resumed?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, this scheme must await its turn having regard to the invariable principle of dealing first with those cases where the needs of the labouring classes in the matter of housing accommodation are greatest. The Local Government Board are not aware of any foundation for the statement as regards the allocation of the additional million pounds provided by the Act of 1911. In the Mullingar Rural District seventeen schemes have already been sanctioned since 1883 for the erection of 854 cottages. If the entire five and a quarter millions provided by the Acts of 1906 and 1911 were allocated amongst the several rural districts in Ireland in proportion to their respective valuations, the amount which this particular district would have been entitled to would be less than it has actually received. The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that the policy of the Local Government Board is in any way antagonistic to the provisions of the Labourers Acts. The holding of these inquiries has always been a matter for the discretion of the Board.

Does the right hon. Gentleman maintain that this money should be distributed proportionately and not according to necessity, as laid down in the Acts and as hitherto followed? And does he deny that it has hitherto been the practice under the Acts to allocate money in proportion to the actual needs as decided by the local sanitary authorities?

These are controversial questions. The general object of the extra million was that it should assist those parts of Ireland as far as possible where the Acts have not been put into operation, and there we have in a way done our best to secure that those hitherto not provided with cottages should proceed with their schemes.

Is it not obvious to the right hon. Gentleman that places where the Acts had not previously worked were places where the Acts were not required?

No, Sir. Quite the contrary.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that persons for whom these schemes were intended are at present occupying houses condemned by the sanitary authorities two years ago?

No, Sir, that might very well be so in other places besides this. We take into consideration the sanitary conditions of the cottages, and try to press forward schemes in those places, but the general view is that this extra million was intended to benefit different parts of Ire- land where for different reasons the local authority has not performed its duty and availed themselves of these Acts.

asked (1) why over two weeks were allowed to elapse between the alleged riot at Moy, county Tyrone, on 28th September last, and the arrest of the eleven young men who were tried for taking part in the riot and acquitted at the recent Londonderry Assizes; why ten of them were arrested in the early hours of the morning, and all hastily charged before a resident magistrate brought from another county, no local justices being asked to adjudicate; whether an adjournment of the cases was refused by the resident magistrate when the prisoners applied for same to enable them to bring evidence for their defence; whether the prosecution was ordered by the Dublin Castle authorities against the advice of the local constabulary; whether the whole of the prisoners were Unionist and Protestant; why no endeavour was made to arrest any of the crowd of Nationalists who, according to the police evidence, started the disturbance; and (2) whether he will recommend the payment of the expenses of the eleven men who were tried and acquitted at the recent Londonderry Assizes on a charge of riot at Moy, county Tyrone, on 28th September last, having regard to the fact that the resident magistrate, who was brought specially to Moy from another county to alone make the preliminary investigation on the morning of their arrest, refused to adjourn the hearing to enable them to bring the witnesses for their defence, a matter which was severely commented upon by the judge at the Assizes and which put them and their friends to heavy costs, inconvenience, and loss of time in having to attend the Assize Court?

The police, before making any arrests, required some time to investigate these cases and to collect evidence. One of the police was so badly injured that he was unable to make any statement of his evidence for several days. The accused were arrested early in the morning in order to obviate the necessity of keeping them all night in custody, and to secure their arrest before they left their homes. The resident magistrate who dealt with the cases was not specially brought to Moy for the purpose. He was acting as locum tenens for the resident magistrate of the district, who was ill. I am informed that no application for an adjournment to produce witnesses was made. The prosecution was not ordered against the advice of the police. All the accused were Unionists and Protestants. I am informed by the police that there was no retaliation on the part of the Nationalists who were attacked. I do not see any ground for recommending the repayment of the expenses incurred by the prisoners.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the evidence given before the resident magistrate, because it is entirely contradictory of the official reply he has just given to the House; and having regard to this fact will he reconsider the question of expenses of those eleven men who were kept in attendance for five days awaiting the trial and had to pay their fares back and bear all the expenses and had to pay the expenses of several witnesses which were not paid by the Crown?

These questions with regard to expenses constantly arise in all parts of Ireland, and if I agreed to do what the hon. Member asks it would be very difficult for me to resist paying them on other occasions which I am not prepared to do. With regard to the evidence I have seen the only conflict of opinion between the newspapers and the statement made by Mr. Haldane Carson is with regard to the application to the magistrate for an adjournment, and I have from him the most positive statement that what was applied for was only an adjournment for half-an-hour to enable him to see his clients and it was at once acceded to. There was no request whatever made for an adjournment.

Is it correctly stated in the question that the Nationalists started the disturbance and will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question as to why no Nationalists were arrested?

All I can say is that the police inform me there was no retaliation on the part of the Nationalists at all, and they were in no way responsible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that you can start a row without retaliating?

I have no doubt that is so.

Retaliation generally comes after something has preceded it.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Mr. Justice Wright, in charging the jury at Londonderry on the 20th ultimo in the case of three and twenty men who were subsequently convicted of riot for the part they took on the occasion of the fracas at Castledawson, and were sentenced each to three months' imprisonment with hard labour, said that he was glad to know that the women and children were not struck by pikes; that he did not know whether newspapers headed their reports of this affair as an attack on women and children; and that it had been absolutely proved in this Court that no injuries were inflicted on any women or children; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding this exculpation by the learned judge of the prisoners, whom he called decent, respectable-looking men, of treating women and children with violence and inflicting serious injuries on them, these charges have been since the trial repeated and emphasised in certain quarters; and whether, having regard to the tendency of these statements to create resentment and prejudice against the prisoners and to injure them in their future careers, the Irish Executive will take any, and, if so, what steps to secure the refutation of these statements and the punishment of their inventors?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is in order to recite selected extracts from a judge's statement and found a question upon them, because questions less definite and containing less recital have in many cases been declined?

Quotations are not permitted in questions, and I understand that what is contained in the question is a summary.

Yes, it is, and it is put on my own responsibility.

I have referred to the Report of Mr. Justice Wright's charge, and any words I may employ are his own language and not mine. Mr. Justice Wright, in his charge to the jury, said that he was glad to know that women and children had not been struck by pikes, and at any rate what had been absolutely proved in that Court was that no injuries had been inflicted on any woman or child, and he was glad to hear that proved. It detracted very much from the seriousness of the charge, and he was glad to think that nothing so dastardly or unmanly had taken place. The idea that decent, respectable-looking men like the prisoners would attack a woman or a child was a horrible idea. The learned judge added, "I am glad that the lie has been given to that." After the publication of the facts disclosed at the trial repetition of the allegation is most discreditable.

Now that the whitewashing is over, may I ask the Chief Secretary if there is any intention on the part of the Irish Government of letting these ruffians out of gaol?

These matters are decided by the opinion of the judge and not by anything else.

Will the judge be consulted?

Certainly.

Or will Lord Aberdeen act behind his back?

Is the hon. Member entitled to attack the Lord Lieutenant in that way?

Was there any attack at all?

It is not in order to attack the right of clemency exercised by the Lord Lieutenant.

It is the practice of Lord Aberdeen never in any case to do anything of that sort without referring to the judge.

Will that be followed in this case?

asked if, in considering the terms of reference to the Committee of Inquiry, the right hon. Gentleman has taken in account the fact that teachers affected by the grievance known as paper promotion are not only denied the increase of salary pending vacancies but the satisfactory service given during the period of waiting for a vacancy in the standard numbers does not count in awarding the next increment, and this has the same effect upon their future financial prospects as if an inspector were unjustly to lower their reports; and if, in these circumstances, he will give these teachers an opportunity of proving their case before the Committee of Inquiry.

As I have already stated in reply to a previous question asked by the hon. Baronet on the same subject, paper promotion is a Treasury question, and cannot, therefore, be directly included in the terms of reference to the Committee.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the Irish cattle trade and especially with regard to the provinces of Munster and Connaught?

This is a question which primarily concerns the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and will be answered by my right hon. Friend the President.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can lay upon the Table the reports of the inspectors of the Department and any communications which have passed between his Department and the Board of Agriculture in England with reference to the cases of suspected foot-and-mouth disease in county Armagh; the heads exported from Derry to Glasgow which were alleged to show lesions caused by foot-and-mouth disease; and the cases of alleged foot-and-mouth disease in store cattle from county Meath which were brought to the port of Dublin for shipment?

The investigations of the inspectors of the Department into all the matters referred to are complete. But I must ask the hon. Gentleman to postpone his question inasmuch as an inspector of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is now in Ireland pursuing inquiries. When his report has been received I shall confer with my right hon. Friend as to whether it will be possible to lay the Papers on the Table.

When the right hon. Gentleman is conferring with the President of the Board of Agriculture, will he bring his attention to the fact that there is a very large body of opinion in Ireland that there was no foot-and-mouth disease in any of these cases, and that there is a great demand in Ireland for the documents-which would enable one to form a judgment?

I am quite aware there is great feeling on this matter in the North of Ireland, and indeed throughout the whole of Ireland, and the hon. Gentleman may depend upon it that when I confer with my right hon. Friend the whole subject will be gone into thoroughly.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the report of the inspectors who are there making investigations does not warrant him in informing the House that not a single case of foot-and-mouth disease has been proved to have been found in the county of Armagh, and whether, having regard to that undoubted fact, he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the restrictions under which Armagh has been placed?

That question hardly arises out of the answer.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of it.

May I ask whether this embargo on the cattle trade of Ireland has not been imposed since last June, and also how many questions regarding it have been asked by the hon. Member for Mayo (Mr. Dillon) and others until the last few weeks?

asked what length of time is now held to be sufficient for maintenance of restrictions on the movement of animals after the latest case of foot-and-mouth disease in a district and the instructions on disinfection have been carried out; whether that time has elapsed in Westmeath; and when the restrictions still maintained there will be wholly removed?

The date of withdrawal of restrictions from any particular scheduled district depends on the circumstances of each case. Usually a couple of months are allowed to elapse after the date of the last outbreak. The last confirmed case in Mullingar district was on 7th November. The full restrictions originally imposed in consequence of the numerous outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease at or near Mullingar now apply only to a contracted scheduled district having a few miles radius from that town. Movement into and within the greater part of the county can freely take place, and movement out (except from the small scheduled district) is permissible on licence in the case of fat animals intended for slaughter in a slaughterhouse or bacon factory or for direct shipment to Great Britain for slaughter in the approved landing places. It is hoped that if nothing unexpected occurs it may be possible further to relax the existing restrictions at an early date.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that, in the opinion of the majority of Irish stock owners and exporters, the feeding and detention of cattle before shipment in Ireland is altogether unnecessary; and, if so, whether he proposes to give effect to this opinion?

I consider the detention for two hours for the purpose of resting, feeding, and inspecting the animals before going on board ship both necessary and wise.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he consulted the opinion of exporters and owners of stock, or is he giving me his own opinion?

Before coming to a conclusion I met the Cattle Traders' Association and representatives of the large shipping and railway companies, and discussed the matter fully with them; and I came to the decision that two hours was a reasonable and a necessary period of detention.

Does the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that the cattle exporters of Ireland told him that feeding at the port of shipment in Ireland was necessary?

The cattle exporters were divided in opinion. I could have got a perfectly unanimous finding if I had consented to one hour's detention, but unquestionably the cattle traders, as a whole, are against this regulation.

It is not a question of detention, but a question of feeding.

I do not think that is sufficient reason for subjecting these animals to what in many instances is a species of torture.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware those cattle are always fed before being allowed to be exported?

I am aware of nothing of the kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us if at this meeting he informed those present that it had been decided by the English Department to have a compulsory twelve hours' detention on this side?

It had not been so decided at the time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the views of Scottish importers are very different from those of Irish exporters.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a resolution passed by the cattle traders of the South of Ireland to the effect that this detention would ruin the cattle trade, and that there was no necessity for feeding and watering the cattle on the other side?

I have seen many such resolutions, but the regulation has been in force for some time without producing the slightest inconvenience to the cattle trade.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

Hon. Members had better put down any further questions.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he intends summoning a special meeting of the Agricultural Council to consider the proposed permanent detention of Irish cattle at landing ports in England and Scotland?

I do not think any object would be served by a meeting of the Council of Agriculture which would justify the assembling of that body again so soon after the last meeting, which was held only within the past four weeks. For practical purposes the sort of people most useful to confer with on this point are the representatives of the cattle trade. The Department have had their views already, and their views on the whole will probably amount simply to opposition to the idea of a twelve hours' detention period, just as they were largely opposed to a two hours' detention period on this side.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the farmers of Ireland, of which the Agricultural Council is the most representative body, should have a voice in this matter before a decision is come to?

If the hon. Member presses for a meeting of the Council of Agriculture, and cannot show me a formal requisition, but prove that any substantial number desire it, I shall not stand in the way.

asked when the restrictions upon the cattle trade will be removed so far as concerns the county of Donegal?

The restrictions referred to apply only to a small portion of county Donegal. It is hoped that if nothing unexpected occurs in the meantime it may be found possible to remove these restrictions-within the next fortnight. No definite date can yet be given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any hope they will be removed on or before 12th January?

I presume the hon. Member is thinking of the fair to be held on that day.

Yes, that is so.

I will carefully consider the circumstances and the state of that part of Donegal before I come to a decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the entire order has now been removed from the county of Londonderry?

Yes.

asked the number of animals exported from Ireland during the period from the 30th of June to the end of 1912, and the number stopped on the ground of their being affected with foot-and-mouth disease?

The number of animals (excluding equine animals) exported from Ireland during the period from 30th June to 30th December was 686,696. No animals were stopped prior to shipment on the ground of their being affected with foot-and-mouth disease. Five cases of alleged foot-and-mouth disease were found at Birkenhead on 4th and 5th December among animals shipped from Newry on 3rd December. These cases are now the subject of investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is now in a position to make an announcement regarding the relaxation of restrictions imposed in the case of store cattle exported from Minister and Connaught?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding the importation of Irish store cattle into Scotland and England?

I have considered carefully, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the practicability of differentiating as regards the period of quarantine between cattle for store purposes brought from Munster and Connaught and those brought from other non-scheduled districts in Ireland, but we have arrived at the conclusion that no arrangements which could, under existing circumstances, be made on this side would be of any substantial advantage to the traders concerned. With every desire to find a solution of the question on these lines, I have therefore been reluctantly obliged to adopt the view that such an arrangement is impracticable. I am, however, contemplating a general reduction of the period of quarantine from four days to twelve hours at an early date. A final decision cannot be come to until certain investigations respecting suspicious cases in cattle brought from counties Donegal and Fermanagh and county Armagh have been concluded. I hope that they will be completed within the next forty-eight hours, and if the question is repeated on Tuesday I shall then be able to give a definite reply. Any modification of the quarantine period will not, of course, affect districts in Ireland for the time being scheduled by Orders of the Department of my right hon. Friend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been in communication with Aberdeen as to the regulations made for that port?

I have had no formal communications with Aberdeen. I understand there is some accommodation available at Aberdeen.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the suggestion made to him of buffer states?

I am hoping that this will not be necessary, and seeing that a long period has elapsed since a case of foot-and-mouth disease has been con- firmed in Ireland, that the change will apply to all Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, before sanctioning the proposal to detain Irish cattle for a period of twelve hours at English ports, he consulted men engaged in conducting the trade in Irish cattle; and, if not, whether he will now suspend the operation of this new regulation until he-has had a full opportunity of considering the views of those engaged in the Irish trade?

I have been kept informed of and have carefully considered the views held by men engaged in the carriage of animals into Great Britain by merchants who sell here, and by purchasers of both store and fat animals. Whatever objections have been urged' against inspection at the ports in Great Britain and the detention for this purpose and for watering, feeding, and resting are so greatly outweighed by the advantages which accrue that I am not prepared to-dispense with this necessary regulation of the trade.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. I asked whether he had consulted men engaged in the Irish trade—I mean men who deal in and are responsible for handling Irish cattle—and if not whether he will suspend the operation of the new regulations until he has a full opportunity of consulting them.

I do not know what the hon. Member means exactly by consultation, but I have had interviews with men who are engaged in the carriage of animals—Irish and English merchants who-deal in Irish cattle—and with the purchasers of both fat and store cattle in this country, and have carefully weighed the whole of their views.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that any body of Irish dealers and cattle traders approve of the twelve hours detention?

I believe no organised body of Irish breeders have approved of the twelve hours detention, but that does not induce me to alter the arrangements which I have made and for which there is a necessity.

In reference to the right hon. Gentleman's regulations is it not a fact that the County Council of Meath has sent him and the Prime Minister a resolution in reference to these very regulations, suggesting that his sphere of duty ought to be changed, and has he made any reply?

Oh, yes, I have acknowledged the resolution.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet received resolutions of protest from the Nationalist Parliamentary party against these regulations?

Do the restrictions regarding foot-and-mouth disease extend as far as Athlone, and in view of the fact that for very many years there has been no case within many miles of that town could these restrictions be so contracted as to enable the great January fair of Athlone to be held as usual?

The fair at Athlone is on the 19th and 20th. I hope before that date if no new cases occur—there have been none for two months—to have removed the whole of the restrictions.

Is it not a fact that there has been no case of foot-and-mouth disease nor even a suspected case in South Westmeath, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only possible trade in cattle in that county is the store cattle trade, and, moreover, will he point out to the President of the Board of Agriculture in England that the town of Athlone—

That is a question of which notice should be given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what arrangements he proposes to make respecting the detention of Irish live stock, what is the period of time it is intended to detain the animals, and is this arrangement to be permanent, and, if so, what accommodation is to be provided so as to avoid overcrowding and delay to shipping?

Over and over again I have stated that the period of detention in Ireland is two hours. We have insisted on the railway and shipping companies providing adequate accommodation for the animals whilst they are under detention. In a great many cases the accommodation existed, and where it did not exist it had to be provided.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the fact that Athlone is situated partly in Westmeath and partly in Roscommon it is utterly impossible to carry out restrictions?

I am aware that part of Athlone is in Westmeath and part in Roscommon, and am well aware of the difficulty in drawing an Order to deal with it. I ask my hon. Friend to bear with us for two days longer. I have no doubt the restrictions will be removed long before the fair at Athlone.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to state the result of investigations which have been made by the Department inspectors in the Mid-Division of Armagh, and can he give an assurance that the restrictions will be immediately withdrawn from that area?

This is a matter which has caused extraordinary interest in Ireland. The Department's investigations are complete, and the Board of Agriculture's inspector has been on the farm, and from what my right hon. Friend tells me I do not believe his report will be very different from that of the Department. Perhaps I may just say what has occurred in regard to this important case. The attention of the Department was called to Armagh by the seizure of five animals at Birkenhead landed by the ss. "Iveagh" from Newry. They were declared to be affected by foot-and-mouth disease. Upon inquiry the Department found that these anirnals came from Armagh. They were traced home to the farms from which they came, and on two or three of the farms—I think three, but I am quite certain of two—a state of affairs was found which, as I informed the hon. Gentleman one night, was a cause of very great anxiety. Inspectors were sent to these farms, and they found seven animals suffering from some mouth disease. The inspectors declined to confirm that it was foot-and-mouth disease; they rather inclined to a contrary opinion. I then asked Professor Mettam, Principal of the Veterinary College in Dublin, and President of the Royal Veterinary Society of the United King-dom, to be good enough to go to Armagh and investigate the matter and report to the Department, which he did. The proceeding taken on Professor Mettam's advice was this: Four healthy animals were taken, and they were inoculated by an emulsion made from the tongues of animals affected on the farms. Four animals responded, but not with any symptom of foot-and-mouth disease. There was no fever, no rise in temperature, no salivation, and no vesicles. Four sheep were inoculated, and three responded with the same result. Four pigs were then taken with no result at all.

I would remind the House that, in past days, pigs were more liable to this disease than other animals. Professor Mettam made his report, and I asked the question, "Well, if it is not foot-and-mouth disease, what is it?" We discovered that the local veterinary surgeons were as good authorities upon that as anyone could be, and I called to our aid three ordinary country practitioners. When they saw the animals they at once told us, and had no doubt about it, that it was not foot-and-mouth disease at all. They were familiar with the disease, and the peasantry were in the habit of calling it "dirty tongue." It is not mentioned in any veterinary book. That being the case, the only serious matter arising is that Professor Mettam, who examined the five heads at Birkenhead, stated in his report, in the most unqualified manner, that the animals received there were suffering from the same disease as the animals suffered from on the Armagh farms. That is the whole case. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that these facts having been established, the Board of Agriculture, having accepted our invitation to go and examine the facts, have practically arrived at the same conclusion regarding the animals. I do not think the Department will be justified in retaining the restrictions on Armagh longer than we can possibly help.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "longer than we can possibly help"? If there is no foot-and-mouth disease, I cannot understand why the restrictions should be retained for one hour.

They will be removed at the earliest possible moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me copies of the official reports made to the Department?

I answered that in replying to the question put by the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon) earlier in the day.

In view of the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman, am I right in assuming that the restriction will be removed in time to allow the monthly fair to be held in Monaghan on Monday next?

Well, I think I can promise that.

asked whether and, if so, to what extent progress has been made with the establishment of a dead meat trade between Ireland and Great Britain?

A considerable trade in dead meat is being carried on between several centres in Ireland and large towns in Great Britain. It is not possible at the present stage to make a definite statement as to the progress made in this trade or to form an opinion as to the extent to which it will be maintained when the present crisis in the livestock trade has passed, but there is reason to believe that at some centres at least a permanent dead meat industry has been established.

Do I understand that there is no attempt on the part of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to organise a dead meat trade?

I do not know about the word "organise," but we are in communication with those centres, and where they have have applied for assistance by way of loan for the erection of abattoirs or for expert assistance in the way of supplying men who know the trade that assistance has been cheerfully given.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his Department will take the necessary steps to ascertain the views of the county, rural, and urban councils in Ireland as to the advisability of extending to Ireland the proposals now made in England for payment for tuberculous cattle compulsorily slaughtered by order of the local authorities in Ireland?

The question of dealing with tuberculous cattle in Ireland on lines similar to those proposed to be adopted in England by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is under the consideration of the Department, who are in communication with the Board on the subject. The Department are not at present in a position to make any further statement in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state when the Papers concerning the Palm Oil Ordinance promised on 13th November will be laid upon the Table of the House?

I hope that the Papers will be in the hands of hon. Members on Monday next.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies what steps, if any, he has taken lately to prevent Governors and other Colonial Office officials from be coming directors or promoters of public companies after their retirement?

I have recently given much consideration to the question which my hon. Friend raises; it is one which is by no means free from difficulty, but I am taking steps to procure the Amendment of pension legislation in the various Crown Colonies and Protectorates so as to prevent any retiring officer from becoming a director or employé of any company operating in the Colony or Protectorate from which he has retired without permission in writing from the Governor of such Colony or Protectorate.

Has the right hon. Gentleman sent round a circular or letter to the Governors indicating that such a course of action on their part is undesirable?

A circular is being prepared in connection with the legislation which will be necessary.

If the Regulation is laid down, will it refer to the retiring Governors themselves?

Certainly; the words are intended to cover the case of retiring Governors as well as other officials.

In framing the Regulations, will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that these retiring Governors are often men of large abilities but small incomes, and that their activities should not therefore be too circumscribed in this respect?

The new rule is directed rather against their activities in the Colonies. Their activities in other places will not be interfered with.

asked whether there has been any reduction during 1912 in the numbers of the King's African Rifles or the armed police employed in the East African Protectorate, and, if so, to what extent; what is the strength of the King's African Rifles now in the Protectorate and where they are stationed; if any reduction is contemplated; and whether any representations have been received from officials or settlers on the subject?

After discussion with the late Governor and the Inspector-General of the King's African Rifles, I decided in July last that the King's African Rifles employed in the East Africa Protectorate should be reduced by one company, but that this should be replaced by a company of armed constabulary, 120 strong, for service in the Northern Frontier district. The present strength of the King's African Rifles in the Protectorate is six companies with an establishment of 125 per company, and one company with an establishment of 100. No reduction is contemplated in this strength. There is also at the moment an additional company of 100 which has been temporarily lent by the Nyasaland Government for the purpose of carrying out a patrol in the Northern Frontier district. According to the latest information in my possession the troops are distributed among the following stations: Nairobi, Kulal, Ngabotok, Maragwet, Moyali, Serenli, Gobwen, and Yonti. I have received no representations from settlers on the subject. With regard to officials, the matter has been recently discussed in the Protectorate between the present Governor and the Inspector-General and a report is now on its way to me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any warnings of unrest among the natives of East Africa?

No, Sir.

In view of the unrest alleged to exist in East Africa and the native dependencies, will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the situation before sanctioning any decrease of the police forces in the Protectorate?

All material facts relating to our East African Colonies will be considered.

asked whether there is any special fund devoted to the maintenance and repair of the Duke of York's Column; and, if so, what is the origin of this fund?

All charges in respect of the Column fall on the Vote for Public Buildings.

asked whether there has been a renewal of (he leases of any of the houses in Hanover Terrace or other houses facing the Regent's Park which, under the arrangement made in 1883, were entitled to the use of the enclosed part of Regent's Park pending the existing leases; and, if so, whether there is in such new leases any condition as to the continued use of such enclosures?

A new lease has recently been granted of No. 20, Hanover Terrace for a term expiring 10th October, 1912. Neither the new lease nor the old one grant any right to use the enclosed portions of Regent's Park in front of Hanover Terrace. That right is derived under a lease of the two enclosures, granted in 1885 (in pursuance of the arrangement made in 1883) for a term expiring 5th July, 1922, to trustees on behalf of the occupiers in certain terraces. The powers of the trustees under that lease have been delegated to, and are exercised by, the Commissioners of His Majesty's Works.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake, before any of these lands are alienated, that the House shall have an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the matter?

Yes. I have already stated that in the House, and I repeat now the promise. But we have no proposals whatever for alienating any of these Crown lands.

By alienating I mean the granting of leases.

Anything which would interfere with the extent of Regent's Park I should certainly bring before the House before any final action is taken.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the British Navy is represented between Aden and Singapore by five cruisers, only one of which exceeds 5,000 tons; whether India's seaborne trade in 1910–11 was valued at over £250,000,000; whether the recognition at The Hague Convention in 1907 of the right of Germany to transform 128 merchantmen specially suited for the purpose, forty-five of which are over 10,000 tons, into war ships has vastly increased the potential risks to British shipping; and what steps the Government proposes to take to make it safe from all possible risks?

The answers to the first two parts of the question are generally in the affirmative. The answer to the third and fourth parts is that the Admiralty recognise it as their duty to consider any possible risks to British shipping from the point of view suggested or any other, and to devise measures for its protection.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman left out one important point? Are the Government taking such steps in respect of this particular British shipping?

It would be impossible for me, within the limits of an answer to a question, to adequately deal with this subject, but the hon. Gentleman may rest assured that the duty of the adequate defence of British shipping is fully realised by the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he can now say when he will make a statement with reference to the condition in which His Majesty's ship "Torch," and His Majesty's ship "Prometheus" were sent to sea whilst in commission on the Australian station in the year 1911?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make the statement on Thursday next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that so-called unskilled workers who register their names for work at the Swansea Labour Exchange are compelled to enter the Exchange for that purpose through a separate entrance of mean and shabby appearance, to differentiate them from skilled workmen; on whose instructions this distinction between workmen using the Swansea Labour Exchange has been made; whether similar invidious division is made between workmen in other Labour Exchanges; and, if so, which of them?

It is necessary to divide all Labour Exchanges of any considerable size into various departments, and it has usually been found in practice to be for the general convenience both of applicants and staff that a rough distinction should be made between skilled and unskilled occupations. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the entrance to the unskilled department of the Swansea Exchange is not a proper one, but I will inquire into the whole matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the contract for altering the premises at 25A, Market Place, Nuneaton, for the purposes of a Labour Exchange has been let to a firm of builders who are not paying the standard rate of 8d. per hour to the joiners employed by them; that the firm say they never have paid that rate and that they do not intend to pay it; and whether, under these circumstances, he will cancel the contract and strike the firm off the list of Government contractors?

It had been ascertained that the contractor was paying less than 8d. an hour, but after the 13th December he has paid the correct rate so far as the contract in question is concerned. Steps are being taken for the balance due to be refunded to the workmen.

asked the names of the Welsh Commissioners under the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative. I would point out that, if the Amendment which I have placed on the Paper is accepted by the Committee, the names of the Commissioners will not be inserted in the Bill.

What is the reason for the change of policy in this matter?

I think it would be more convenient if that question were asked to-morrow when I move my Amendment.

asked the right hon. Member for Morpeth as Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, whether, having regard to the statement in the Special Report from the Select Committee on Public Petitions, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on the 18th ultimo, that many signatures in the case of the petition from Llanbadrig against the Established Church (Wales) Bill are in the handwriting of the same person, signed without authority and repudiated by those whose names have been used, any and, if so, what steps have been taken towards the discovery of the persons guilty of forgery and fraud in the preparation of this petition and in the signatures attached thereto, with a view to their punishment by this House for a breach of privilege in bringing discredit upon the right of petitioning the House of Commons?

Most of the irregularities complained of in the Special Report of the Committee are due to the ignorance or carelessness of those who promote petitions, and there is seldom intentional fraud. Where names are written in the came handwriting the practice is to deduct the names from the petition. In the case of graver irregularities, such as the signing names without the authority of the signatories, these have been inquired into, and further investigation is being made. The Committee fully recognise the importance of strictly adhering to the rules relating to petitions, since violation of such rules tends still further to weaken and discredit the value of petitions generally.

Do I understand that it is the intention to take proceedings in reference to the forgers of that petition being brought before the House?

That will be a matter for the Committee to consider. On the last occasion, as far as I have been able to inquire, when a culprit was brought to the Bar of the House—it was twenty-six years ago—that was a case of gross forgery and fraud; indeed, I believe the culprit admitted that he spent the greater part of a Sunday in copying the names from a directory. I should not like myself to have to bring anyone to the Bar of the House, or make a Motion to that effect. I have all the more difficulty, because on that occasion the case was brought before the House about four times, and occupied a considerable proportion of the time of the House. I think everybody will agree that the present House is fully occupied, and it would have to be a very grave case indeed that would justify anyone in making a Motion to bring anyone to the Bar of the House to be admonished by Mr. Speaker, but if such a case arises, or anything approaching such a case, I will consider it.

asked the right hon. Member for Morpeth, as chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, whether he is aware that many signatories to petitions are under the misapprehension that Parliament must take action on the petition; and whether, with a view to the removal of that misapprehension, he will consider the advisability of the adoption of the precedent of the Special Report of the Select Committee on Public Petitions of the 30th June, 1904, in reference to Indian petitions, in which it is stated, in order to put petitioners on their guard and in order that the limited result of petitioning may be better understood, that nothing follows beyond printing the petition in the Appendix to the Report of the Committee unless the subject of the petition is of such urgency and importance, which is scarcely ever the case, as to be formally brought before the House of Commons on the Motion of a Member?

. I do not think that there is any such general misapprehension as that referred to by my hon. Friend. Nearly all the petitions presented to the House are for or against particular Bills. As regards petitions from India, special information is sent to the petitioners whenever it is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when he proposes to take the Committee stage of the Franchise and Registration Bill?

We hope to enter upon the Committee stage of the Franchise Bill during the week beginning 20th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, on her last voyage from Australia, the "Narrung," which so narrowly escaped destruction last week, during one of the storms in the Indian Ocean fell over to an angle of 54 degrees, and was for a time in such danger that the officers were on the point of directing the boats to be lowered to save the passengers and crew; whether she is sister ship to the "Waratah," which it is believed capsized off the African coast owing to top-heaviness and bad building; and, in the circumstances, whether his Department proposes to allow such a vessel to be continued on the list of passenger boats on so long a voyage?

I am informed by the owners and master of the "Narrung" that there is no foundation for the statement made in the first part of the question. The master states that he regards the vessel as a splendid sea boat. The "Narrung" is not a sister ship to the "Waratah." The vessel was surveyed last month and the passenger certificate was then renewed. As soon as the damage done to the vessel has been made good to the satisfaction of the Board's surveyors, there will be no reason, so far as the Board of Trade are concerned, why the vessel should not continue to carry passengers to Australia.

If I send to the hon. Gentleman the confidential documents sent to me will he, while treating them as confidential, make further inquiries as to the matters mentioned in the first part of the question?

Yes, any documents the hon. Member may forward will be considered.

asked the total value of the imports from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, respectively, into the United Kingdom during the last five years, and the proportion of raw material and food supplies to manufactured articles?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will have a statement printed in the Votes giving the desired particulars for each of the years 1908 to 1911. Particulars for 1912 are not yet available.—[See Written Answers this date.]

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that by far the overwhelming majority of supplies from the Colonies are of raw material or foodstuffs, and, if that is the case, could any system of Colonial Preference be accepted without food taxes?

That is a matter we have often had argued before in this House.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has ever received any report from the collector of Customs at Lowestoft on the subject of complaints as to the amounts shared out to fishermen; and, if so, will he state the nature of the report?

In December, 1911, a report was obtained from the collector at Lowestoft on the subject of complaints as to the amounts paid to share fishermen. This report showed that complaints were occasionally brought before the collector, who stated that it was not as a rule found difficult to arrange an amicable settlement of a dispute at his office and that owners and men always accepted the decision there given. The collector further reported that neither the fishermen nor the owners were so reluctant then as formerly to refer disputes to his office for settlement. As my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question of 10th December, the existing provisions of the law appear to give fishermen effective means to protect their interests in this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether for about twenty-five years arrangements have existed in the post office at Exeter for enabling employés whose conditions of labour require their presence in the office at meal times, to take their meals upon the premises, and that the refreshment club formed for this purpose now numbers about 320 members, is managed by a committee of its members, costs no more to the Department than about 30s. weekly for necessary labour, and works to the advantage of the service and with entire satisfaction to the postal employés concerned; whether a like system is under consideration for some of the telephone offices lately taken over; whether he has decided to cancel the existing arrangements at Exeter, to withdraw the assistance now given by the Department, to substitute for the present elected committee a committee with a majority of members nominated by the Department, and to introduce an increased tariff of charges which will involve additional cost for food of 1s. or 1s. 6d. weekly to employés, many of whom earn less than 25s. per week; whether he is aware that the proposed changes are regarded with dissatisfaction by the members of the club; and whether the present arrangements will be allowed to continue?

The arrangements which existed at Exeter and at some of the National Telephone Company's exchanges differed from those which are the rule in the Post Office Service generally and which have worked quite satisfactorily. It has been decided to terminate these exceptional arrangements. At Exeter, in place of the present allowances for cooks an initial grant will be allowed for the purchase of plant with an annual subsidy for its upkeep on the scale authorised for such clubs. The amount of the grant and the annual subsidy which would be payable under the authorised scale would depend on the daily average number of meals served. The question whether any increases in the tariff would be necessary, would be one for the committee to consider. The committee would, as is usual in such cases, be partly nominated by myself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the financial result of the proposed new scheme is a saving of about £70 a year to the Treasury, and that the practical result will be the production of a state of dissatisfaction among 300 or 400 working people?

I am not prepared to accept the hon. and learned Member's figures without investigation, but hitherto Exeter has been in a privileged position compared with the other post offices of the country, and it is thought necessary to bring it into line with the rest.

asked the terms on which the cheap week-end cable letters are to be sent to Australasia; whether there is to be a minimum number of words or whether the charge will be in proportion to the number of words sent; and whether the charge will be the same from Australasia to the United Kingdom as from the United Kingdom to Australasia?

I am glad that it was possible to introduce yesterday a system of week-end telegraph messages at greatly reduced rates between the United Kingdom and the greater part of the British Empire and the United States of America, together with reductions in the charges for other classes of cable messages. The charge for week-end cable letters to Australasia is 18s. for twenty-four words or less, and 9d. for each additional word. This charge applies also to week-end cable letters sent from Australasia to the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether cookery is an elementary subject under the Elementary Education Acts, or can be included as such by virtue of a by law passed by the local education authority; if it is such a subject, whether it is accepted as a sufficient excuse for non-attendance that the absentee is receiving adequate instruction elsewhere; and whether a local education authority can compel a child to attend for instruction at a place other than the school at which such child is registered?

The Education Acts do not define elementary subjects of instruction nor confer any power on local authorities to define them by by-law, but Article 2 of the Code states that the older girls should receive a practical training in cookery, and instruction in this subject is encouraged by the Board by special Grants. The second part of the question is one for the magistrates, who would have to consider in any case of prosecution whether there is a sufficient excuse for non-attendance. With reference to the third part of the question, I may point out that under Article 44 of the Code, the giving of secular instruction to scholars elsewhere than at the school is expressly authorised so far as concerns compliance with the conditions of the Parliamentary Grant. I can express no opinion on the legal aspect of the question.

Has the opinion of the Law Officers been taken, and does it give any ground for the legal superstition, if I may so call it, that efficient elementary education can only be given by attending within a certain class at certain hours?

I cannot say what the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown is. If the hon. Member desires me to consult them, and will put a question on the Paper, I shall be glad to consider it with a view to consulting my right hon. and learned Friends.

asked (1) whether the Board propose to adopt forthwith all or any, and, if any, which, of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee which has recently reported upon the subject of playgrounds of public elementary schools; and (2) whether, in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Elementary School Playgrounds, the statement that a school which, although its playground was small had an abundant supply of open spaces near at hand would receive exceptional treatment will be deemed to apply to all schools situate in the open country?