asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made inquiries regarding the proposal now being considered in the German Empire for a tax upon ecclesiastical endowments; and whether, with the object of restoring to the nation some part of the ancient national property now enjoyed by a few, he will propose similar taxation in his forthcoming Budget?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. As regards his concluding suggestion, I cannot anticipate my Budget Statement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the date of the acceptance by the owner of the Palmer estate, county Mayo, of the offer of the Congested Districts Board to buy that estate; by what date is it anticipated that the estate will be vested in the Board; and what time has elapsed since the offer of the owners to sell and lodgment with the Board of the necessary documents to accompany the offer?

The offer of the Congested Districts Board for the estate referred to was accepted on the 30th October, 1911. The necessary documents to enable the Board to value the estate were lodged on the 8th September, 1910. The Board cannot at present say when it is likely that the estate will be vested.

asked the Chief Secretary why the claim of Robert Kellet, an evicted tenant, to an equivalent holding has not been recognised by the Estates Commissioners; and whether, in the distribution of the Chapman estate, his application will be reconsidered?

The Estates Commissioners, in the exercise of the discretion vested in them by Statute, declined to take any action in the matter of Mr. Kellet's application. It would be contrary to the practice of the Commissioners to state the reasons for their decision.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that much hardship is suffered by the fishermen whose nets were destroyed by His Majesty's ships in July, 1912, owing to the delay in settling their claims; and whether he can now promise an early settlement in the case of the following boats: The "Lily," of Cockenzie, LH. 104; the "Good Design," of Cockenzie, LH. 225; the "Morning Star," of Cockenzie, LH. 260; Thomson's, LH. 284; the "Boy Jack," of Eyemouth, BK. 302; and the "Limelight," of Eyemouth, BK. 272?

The claims of the owners of the "Morning Star," "Lily," "Good Design," and "Thomson's" have been settled, payment in the first of these cases having been made on 28th December last, and in the remainder on the 11th instant. In the case of the "Boy Jack" and "Twilight" (not "Limelight"), liability for the damage stated to have been sustained cannot be admitted, and the owners were duly informed of this decision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a British warship has been placed at the disposal of the Papal Legate on the occasion of the Eucharistic (Roman Catholic) Congress at Malta, when it is proposed to have public processions through the streets on the evenings of the 26th and 27th instant, with the host; and whether British soldiers and sailors will be required to line the routes and salute the processions as they pass?

Sir, I have previously stated that permission has been given for His Majesty's ship "Hussar" to convey the Papal Legate from Syracuse to Malta. The "Hussar" is the yacht of the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. The steam packet services between Syracuse and Malta leave much to be desired in the matter of accommodation, and the offer of the yacht is to be regarded as an act of personal courtesy, such as has in the past often been paid to distinguished visitors to the Island, and not as a matter of political significance. In 1905, on the last occasion when a Papal Legate visited Malta, a similar courtesy was afforded him by the then Commander-in-Chief. The Admiralty take full responsibility in both cases for the limited action I have described. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. There is no official reception of the Legate. Roman Catholic officers and men serving in the Fleet will, however, be permitted, if they so desire, to attend the religious services in uniform, but in a private capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make any statement in reply to the representations made in connection with the wages and conditions of service of the writers of the Army Ordnance Department at out-stations?

I hope to be able to promulgate the decisions arrived at very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a course of instruction for Yeomanry officers at the Cavalry School will take place during the month of August this year; and, if not, whether any other course will be arranged for that time of the year?

No course will be held during August this year, but courses have been arranged for senior officers from 14th April to 26th April and 14th July to 26th July. This information is contained on page 25 of the pamphlet, entitled "Courses of Instruction," issued with Army Orders of 1st January last. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the pamphlet.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Education whether in any future arrangements for superannuation allowances for elementary school teachers he will make some provision to supplement the pension of the fast-decreasing number of old teachers who have done yeoman service to and for education, some of whom are endeavouring to exist upon less than 11s. a week pension?

I asked a Departmental Committee last year to advise me whether the money at my disposal would be exhausted by the improvements in the system of pensions for elementary teachers made by the Superannuation Act of 1912, and, if not, to consider, amongst other methods of improving the system, proposals for increasing the superannuation and disablement allowances now being paid under the Superannuation Act of 1898 to teachers who have now retired and for increasing the rates of pension now being paid under the Code, and I shall not be in a position to consider the matter referred to by the hon. Member until I have received their report.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether any community has ever been supplied with a currency which, like the proposed silver currency for the Nigerias, is to be their only standard money, and which is worth considerably less than 50 per cent. of its nominal face value?

The hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The standard of value in Nigeria is and will be the British golden sovereign.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the administrations in His Majesty's West African Possessions propose to guarantee the convertibility of the new silver currency in perpetuity, and this without any limit as to the amount that may seek conversion?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the diminution in naturalisation fees is intended to be only temporary?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. No, Sir; it is intended that the naturalisation fee should remain at £3.