asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the appointment of the first secretary to the Insurance Commission for Wales was cancelled owing to his not having a competent knowledge of the Welsh language?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pension of £40 16s. 8d. paid to Mrs. Eliza Silke, late matron of the Hibernian Military School, Dublin, calculated by the Treasury on a salary, with emoluments, estimated at £99 9s. 8d., or on the lower scale of £87 10s. 1d.; which figure did the War Office maintain was the true basis on which her emoluments should be calculated; what would be the pension of a Civil servant other than a teacher who served as long as Mrs. Silke at such a salary; did the War Office concur in the Treasury decision to reduce the pension to £10 16s. 8d.; and what are the Civil service rules on which the Treasury purported to act?

Mrs. Silke' s pension was based upon her reckonable emoluments of £87 10s. 1d. as returned by the War Office. The pension of any other Civil servant of the same service and salary would be of the same amount. The particular rules applicable are that the value of free quarters cannot be reckoned for pension in excess of one-sixth of an officer's salary and other pensionable emoluments, and that service cannot be included after the age of sixty-five unless the officer's retention after that age has been specially authorised under Clause 15 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the valuation of Irish rural hereditaments as prescribed by Part I. of the Finance Act, the value of the tenant-right is taken into consideration in arriving at the gross and total value; and, if so, whether he will state how without inquiry it is possible to determine the capital value of tenant-right in any particular case?

As I explained in reply to the hon. Baronet, the Member for the Ayr Burghs, on 9th April last, no general answer can be given as it is impossible to say, without knowing fully the facts of any particular case, whether the tenant-right in question ought or ought not to be included in arriving at the values referred to. I may, however, add that information as to sales of the occupier's interest in each district is available, and would form a guide for determining its value; in some cases inspection would also be necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at a meeting of the Evicted Tenants Association at Killarney on 7th June, with reference to the cases of John Gaine and James Gaine, evicted tenants on the Colomb estate, near Kenmare, and to the acquisition of untenanted land; and can he state what action will be taken in the matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in the matter of the Gaines' application for reinstatement, and do not intend to provide them with holdings elsewhere.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the owner of the Morrow estate, situate in Ballintogher West Division, Sligo Union, to whom an offer for purchase was recently made by the Congested Districts Board, has recently sold the Ardnisbrack grazing ranch, which forms portion of that estate, to a non-residential grazier named Layng, who already owns a number of farms in the Tubbercurry Union; and, if so whether public money will be advanced to enable this man to purchase a farm eminently suitable for the relief of congestion in a congested district, or whether the Congested Districts Board can yet interfere in the matter?

The farm referred to is situate on the estate of Captain Cooper, which is the subject of direct sale proceedings before the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and Benjamin Morrow, as tenant of the farm, has signed an agreement to purchase it. The Cooper estate has not yet been reached in order of priority to be dealt with by the Commissioners, and they have no information as regards any sale by Morrow of his interest in the farm, The Congested Districts Board do not propose to take any action in the matter, as neither the Morrow estate nor the farm referred to has been acquired by them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Hewitson estate, situate in Ballintogher West Division, Sligo Union, has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners, and that, owing to a memorial sent them by the tenants on the Killross estate praying for a division of the non-residential grazing farm of Killross amongst them for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings, this farm was inspected by the Commissioners' officials; and, if so, can he say whether a purchase price was offered or state what steps the Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board now propose to take in regard to the matter?

This estate has not been purchased by the Estates Commissioners or Congested Districts Board. It is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the parties have signed purchase agreements at prices agreed on between them. The Commissioners had an inspection made of the holding referred to in the memorial with a view to estimating the sum which could be advanced for its purchase if sold to them as untenanted land, free and discharged from the existing tenancy, and they decided that they could not advance under the Land Purchase Acts for its purchase as untenanted land a sum sufficient to purchase the landlord's interest and also give the tenant the price he requires for his interest.

asked the Chief Secretary when agreements for purchase were lodged in the Clontygluss estate of A. H. W. Longworth, and also the estate of School-lands, Ballinacurra King's County; will the Commissioners state the reason for the delay in not having vesting orders issued; and if they will be issued this year?

The estate of A. H. D. Longworth, King's County, is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owners to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The purchase agreements were lodged in March, 1908, and the estate has not yet been reached in order of priority to be dealt with on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). Having regard to the claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are making an advance to the Knight of Glin to enable him to become the purchaser of his own demesne; and, if so, whether such purchase includes the holding from which Michael J. Dore was evicted in 1908, which holding has since formed an adjunct to the said demesne?

The reply to both paragraphs of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary what became of the accounts of the Irish Constabulary Force Fund between 1866 and 1883, which are said to be not available; if lost, who is responsible for the loss of them; what is the earliest year for which accounts are available; and the total revenue and total expenditure, respectively, of the fund for the period covered by existing accounts to 31st March, 1913?

Complete accounts are only available from 1878, but search is being made for the missing volumes for earlier years. Pending the publication of the statement which I have promised, I do not think any useful purpose would be served by asking the constabulary authorities to prepare the statement asked for in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary if, having regard to the dissatisfaction which exists as to the operation of the jury system as at present administered in Ireland, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to appoint a Committee to inquire into the existing defects of the Irish system, or is it intended that legislation shall be introduced to follow on the lines of the Report of the Committee over which Lord Mersey presided in the recent inquiry as to the better working of the English system?

I am not aware of the existence of any general dissatisfaction as to the operation of the present jury system in Ireland which calls for the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry. As to the second part of the question, the propriety of extending to Ireland any legislation which may be introduced on the subject will be considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Registrar-General has recommended any of the temporary clerks in the General Register Office for promotion to the position of abstractor; and, if not, will he consider the question, in view of the fact that there are three vacancies at present in the office, that the desirability of abolishing temporary posts has been admitted, and that the regular and almost universal method of doing so is the promotion of temporary clerks to abstractors in the office in which they are serving?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there are no vacancies at present on the staff of this office.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have received application for a Grant for the improvement of Minard Pier, Dingle, county Kerry; whether the county council have voted a grant already; and will steps be taken to have the matter dealt with as soon as possible?

The Congested Districts Board received an application last year for the improvement of the landing place at Minard, Dingle, county Kerry, and it has been referred to an Inspection Committee to report on when they next visit the district.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that a number of ejectment decrees have been obtained by the Marquess of Clanricarde at the Quarter Sessions held at Gort on the 19th June against a large number of mountain tenants at Derry Brien; whether these proceedings are in order, seeing that the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board have moved to apply the compulsory Sections of the Act of 1909 to this estate; whether the fact that agreements to purchase the estate have been filed debars the landlord from proceedings by ejectment; and whether the lodgment of the final offer by the Estates Commissioners to purchase is equivalent to the position created by the lodgment of agreements to purchase with the Land Commission?

I am informed that a number of ejectment decrees were obtained at Gort Quarter Sessions on the 19th June at the suit of the Marquess of Clanricarde. The Congested Districts Board are advised that the ejectment proceedings by Lord Clanricarde are in order—notwithstanding the pending proceedings for acquisition of his estate at the instance of the Estates Commissioners and the Board. No agreements to purchase the estates have been filed or signed so far as the Board are aware. The lodgment of the final offers is not equivalent to the lodgment with the Land Commission of agreements to purchase.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that legal proceedings are pending before the courts in Ireland for the compulsory acquisition of the Clanricarde estate by the Congested Districts Board; whether, in view of the proceedings now pending, the landlord is entitled to take out ejectment decrees and collect costs; and whether the landlord is entitled to execute such decrees pending the judgment of the Court of Appeal?

The Congested Districts Board are advised that the proceedings now pending for the acquisition of the Clanricarde Estate do not affect the rights of the landlord to take out and execute ejectment decrees and to collect costs.

asked the Secretary of State for War if non-commissioned officers belonging to the Monmouthshire Territorial Force have, under the influence of the National Service League, been dissuading young men in the county of Monmouth from joining the above force and, if so, whether he is in a position to give the names of such non-commissioned officers?

I have been unable to obtain any precise information on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an officer in the Territorial Force may have done several months' courses and classes in the year and yet be classed as inefficient and so draw no pay at the annual training if he has not performed the ten unpaid drills prescribed, while another officer who has done only the ten unpaid drills and nothing else is classed as efficient and draws pay at training; and whether the regulations on the subject will be amended?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has dispensing power to authorise pay in very exceptional cases. It is not considered desirable to amend these regulations, as an important part of an officer's duty is to give instruction to his men prior to camp, and it would not be advisable to encourage efficers to attend voluntary courses at the expense of the necessary compulsory drills.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Regular Army is now 8,000, and the Territorials are now from 60,000 to 70,000 under strength; and, if so, will he explain how the present can be the best recruiting year since the Territorial Force was started?

The Regular Army is approximately 8,000 and the Territorial Force 62,000 under establishment. The present year is the best recruiting year for the Territorial Force since the initial year of 1908–9, considerably more recruits having been taken than in the previous three years for the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Corporal O'Leary, of the 3rd Battalion King's Own Regiment, stationed at Brackenbir Moor, Westmoreland, has been a prisoner in open arrest upon a charge described by the adjutant as bordering on the lines of sedition; 'whether he is aware that the offence consisted of stating an opinion that married private soldiers in the Army should express dissatisfaction with their present remuneration, and should seek to obtain separation allowance to maintain their wives and families during the period of annual training; if he is aware that Corporal O'Leary was reduced from the rank of lance-sergeant in 1910 for the offence of insolence; that such insolence consisted of asking for a sum of money to which he was justly entitled and discussing political subjects; whether the court-martial has been held, if so, what was the result, and whether Corporal O'Leary had the opportunity of being heard for the defence?

I am inquiring into this case and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that engine drivers employed at His Majesty's Gunwharf, Devonport, are only receiving 27s. 6d. a week, and that they are called upon to work some thirteen hours overtime, making in all sixty hours per week; and whether he can see his way to remunerate these men for their overtime, seeing that in present circumstances the return they get for their labour works out at less per hour than the ordinary labourer?

I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether areoplane BE 205, upon which Lieutenant Arthur was killed on the 27th May, 1913, had been overhauled in the Royal Aircraft Factory as recently as February last; and, if so, what was the nature of such overhauling?

In February this machine was brought to the factory for the purpose of having a speed indicator clip fitted. The machine was thoroughly overhauled and adjusted at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much of the £285,000 provided in the Estimates for this year for the purchase of aeroplanes, mechanical transport, stores, and materials has bene expended; and whether he is yet in a position to give details of such expenditure?

I am not in a position to give the information asked for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the respective numbers of recruits, whether boys or adults, accepted for the Navy, Marines, the Naval Volunteers, and the Royal Naval Reserve, respectively, in each year from 1900 to 1912, inclusive?

It would involve a considerable amount of work to give the complete figures for the earlier years, as the figures immediately available give only the ratings entered through the Recruiting Service, and exclude men and boys entered by competitive examination and domestics entered direct at the Ports. The following statement gives the numbers or recruits accepted for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during each of the last five years.—

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will say on what date the Board decided that the trustees of the charities of Ewell, Surrey, might spend their funds in providing a Church school; on whose request was this decision given; did the trustees as a body ask for a decision on the point; does the Board's decision give legal authority to a single trustee or a section of trustees to disburse funds when they act without the knowledge of the other trustees; has the Board received from the statutory parish meeting unanimous requests that the Board will protect the parish charities from secret appropriation to such purposes; can he give the names of the existing trustees; what is the nature of the deed or scheme

The Board informed the trustees of the charities in question of the extent to which their funds might be applied in providing a church school on1st June, 1911. The request was made by the clerk to the trustees. I have no reason to suppose that it was not made on behalf of the trustees as a body. Neither a single trustee nor a section of the trustees have power to disburse the funds of a charity without the authority of the majority of the trustees present at a duly constituted meeting. The Board have not received from the parish meeting any request of the nature suggested by the hon. Member. I do not know the names of all the existing trustees. Brumfield's Educational Foundation is regulated by a scheme of 5th September, 1882; Calverley's Foundation by a declaration of trust dated 14th August, 1860; and White's Foundation by chancery scheme of 23rd December, 1871. Each of the parish councils of Ewell and Kings- wood is empowered to appoint three additional trustees of Brumfield's and White's Foundations by Orders made under Section 14 (3) of the Local Government Act, 1894. I do not know when the last meeting of the trustees was held, or whether the representative trustees have been summoned to meetings. The Board have not specially consulted the representative trustees. The Courts alone have power to prevent any improper application of the funds of charities. I am not aware that any individual trustees of the charity have acted in the manner suggested in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ho is aware that the deputy-surveyor to the Metropolitan police service has recently retired; that the son of the retiring officer was appointed to a position in the department on the day following his father's retirement; whether his salary on appointment was fixed in excess of the minimum of the class into which he was appointed; whether his early promotion has been secretly decided upon, thereby superseding officers of years of service in the department; whether one officer has already resigned under protest against rank injustice; whether the present chief surveyor succeeded his father in the position; and whether he has sanctioned this method of dealing with public appointments, paid for mainly from the rates of the Metropolis, or whether the position of the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District precludes the Secretary of State exercising effective revision of the recommendations of this officer?

The answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. On the retirement of the late second surveyor a reorganisation of the department was carried out, which involved, among other changes, the appointment of an additional technical clerk, to which post the son of the late second surveyor was appointed. On the last occasion when there was a vacancy for a technical clerkship, in 1910, and applications were invited by advertisements in the Press, this gentleman was a, candidate, and judged by his qualifications and testimonials he would then have obtained the appointment, but it was thought undesirable to appoint him at that time, as his father was at the head of the branch in which his work would lie. On his father's retirement this objection ceased to operate; and the appointment of a man possessing long practical experience obtained outside the department was considered desirable in the interests of the public service. For this reason he was appointed at a salary of £130, the minimum of the class being £115; but the salaries of the existing members of the class were at the same time increased as part of the general reorganisation. There is no foundation, whatever for the statement that this gentleman has been specially marked out for early promotion. On the contrary, he was expressly notified as a condition of the appointment that promotion would be strictly by merit, and that in the event of equality between two or more officers in respect of merit, length of service would turn the scale. A gentleman who was employed for two years in a temporary capacity has resigned. He was not qualified for appointment to a post on the permanent staff. The present chief surveyor was appointed in 1895 on the retirement of his father. The appointment referred to in the question was submitted by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District for my approval. It was made after very careful consideration, and with regard solely to the requirements of the department and the interests of the public service and I am satisfied that the appointment was a proper one.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he will now place in the Library or Tea Room a copy of the lay-out plan for the New Delhi which was designed by Mr. Lanchester, so that this design may be compared with the plan recommended by the Town-Planning Committee?

No plan by Mr. Lanchester for laying out the site of the new city has been submitted to the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he will ask for the opinion of the consulting architect to the Government of India and the chief officials of the Public Works Department on the lay-out plan and chief recommendations of the Town Planning Report for the New Delhi, and will make these gentlemen's views available before starting the laying out and constructive work?

The Government of India have said that they will examine the details of the. Report very carefully. The Secretary of State does not propose to interfere with their discretion in choosing the agents through whom such examination will be made.

asked the names and qualifications of the members of the Committee appointed to carry out the construction of the New Delhi?

The Imperial Delhi Committee consists of Mr. W. M. Hailey, C.I.E., Chief Commissioner of Delhi (President); Mr. H. G. Stokes, C.I.E., previously Deputy-Secretary to the Government of India in the Financial Department (Financial Member); Mr. H. T. Keeling, A.M.I.C.E., previously Superintending Engineer, Madras Public Works Department (Engineer Member); and Mr. W. H. Nicholls, previously Consulting Architect to the Government of Madras (after service in the Archaeological Department of the Government of India) (Architect Member).

asked whether the Delhi Town-Planning Committee have communicated to the Viceroy or Secretary of State any Reports or expressions of opinion on other questions besides those contained in the three volumes of their Reports; and, if so, whether these can be made known by copies being placed in the Library?

No, Sir. The Committee have submitted no other Report.

asked the Under-Secretary for India if he can state the expenditure made by the Imperial Government or the Indian, whether by direct Grant, loan, or guarantee, on the protection of low-lying lands in India against river floods?

The accounts as furnished by the Indian Government to the Secretary of State do not contain the information desired by the hon. Member. The Government of India will be asked whether materials exist for exhibiting it in a fairly complete form.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can state the expenditure made by the Imperial or the Egyptian Government, whether by direct Grant, loan, or guarantee, on the protection of low-lying lands in Egypt or the Soudan against river floods?

I will ask for a report on this subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a Petition from the inhabitants of Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan, asking for a Grant for the extension of Mingary Pier; and, if so, whether he can give a definite answer to their request?

A Petition has been received by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, asking for a Grant for the extension of this pier, and is now under consideration by the Board, who have made inquiry into the matter. A reply to the Petition will be made at an early date.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in his Report for the year 1911–12 Dr. F. R. Blaxall, bacteriologist for glycerinated calf lymph at the Government lymph establishment, announces the use of 732 calves as vaccinifers for the cultivation of lymph, compared with only 417 the previous year; is he aware that in the year 1911–12 only 444,878 vaccinations and revaccinations with lymph supplied by the Board were carried out, compared with a total of 484,024 such operations the previous year; and will he explain why it was necessary to employ this increased number of calves in 1911–12, as compared with the previous year or the general average, seeing that there was so substantial a diminution in the amount of lymph used?

During the year 1912 the Local Government Board took occasion to add to their reserve of lymph, and the additional number, of calves were used for this purpose.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has had his attention called to the state of the water supply at Garsington, Oxon; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the inhabitants against the dangers of the existing system?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and one of my medical inspectors has visited the village. I am still in communication with the rural district council as to the steps which should be taken to improve the water supply where it is defective.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the number of agricultural labourers, including farm servants, in England and Wales, as shown in the Census of 1911?

The results of the Census tabulation are not yet complete, but it is hoped that the figures will be ready very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether application has been received from Miss Maloney, Liverpool, LE 32,115/1912, who seeks a position under the Labour Exchange; whether the necessary forms were filled and sent to the Board of Trade last January with two references, one from a prominent Liverpool merchant and the other from a justice of the peace of important standing in the city, and what decision has been arrived at in the matter?

Miss Maloney's application and references were duly received last January. There were a very large number of applications for a limited number of posts, and I regret that Miss Maloney's application was not successful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that certain rules regulating the tenants' association in Smithfield Meat Market, which in 1911 were admitted by the controller of the market to be inimical to the interests of consumers, and were cancelled by the markets committee after inquiry by the Board of Trade, have since been reenacted; and whether he can take any action in the matter?

The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction in regard to these rules, which have not been the subject of an inquiry by them. I am informed by the City Remembrancer that the City Corporation, who control the London central markets, are not aware of any revival of that portion of the association's rules which was withdrawn in consequence of objection by the corporation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the complaints made by Irish cattle shippers of cruelty and injury to animals shipped viâ Holyhead, and the loss to the owners caused by delays in dispatch and transit by English railway companies; if his attention has been called to a shipment of forty-six animals by Mr. John M'Andrew, booked through from Ballina to Skipton, arriving at Holyhead at 7 p.m., 19th June, and to the fact that, after ten hours' quarantine, the animals were ready for reshipment at 5 a.m., 20th June, but were delayed until 1.40 p.m., reaching Skipton at 5 p.m., 22nd June, the journey of 189 miles from Holyhead covering thirty-six hours instead of ten, and many of the animals being injured, some still unfit to be presented for sale, and all depreciated; what explanation the railway companies concerned offer for the delay, what steps will be taken to prevent its recurrence, and if the companies are prepared to compensate the owner for the loss he has sustained by their negligence?

I have asked the railway companies concerned for their observations on my hon. Friend's question and will communicate with him on receipt of their replies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the wording of the trust deed approved by the Board of Trade mentioned in Schedule 8 (b) and (c) 2 (a) of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909 (9 Edw. VII., c. 49)?

I am sending to my hon. Friend one of the forms of trust deed approved by the Board of Trade which are referred to in his question. Several forms of trust deed have been approved, but the substance of all is the same.

asked the Postmaster-General if the women typists in the secretary's office of the Post Office are appointed under the Treasury rules governing women typists' posts; if not, are the successful candidates on appointment to the secretary's office made aware that their appointments are under less favourable conditions than those of all other women typists in the public service; and how is it that women typists in the secretary's office, unlike all other women typists in the service, are not allowed to proceed to the scale of pay of shorthand typists when they reach the maximum pay of the typist class and have passed the necessary qualifying examination?

The women typists employed in the Secretary's Office of my Department are appointed under the Treasury Regulations governing such posts, except that in view of the large number of typists employed there and the comparatively smaller number of shorthand writers required they have been expressly excluded by the Lords Commissioners from the application of the arrangement whereby as many as 50 per cent, may be graded as shorthand typists and proceed to the higher maximum for officers so employed. In the Post Office authority is given from time to time for the actual number of shorthand typists required by the work. In the printed information which is sent to candidates there is no undertaking that 50 per cent. of the typists will be promoted to the higher grade, but only an intimation that a limited number may be so promoted.

asked the Postmaster-General when the new agreement with the Marconi Company will be laid upon the Table of the House?

I am not at present in a position to name a date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience suffered by the inhabitants of those villages in South Oxon, on the extreme fringe of the Wallingford postal district, owing to their distance from their postal headquarters; and whether he can see his way to a readjustment of the area in relation to other more convenient towns, such as Thame?

I am having inquiry made and will consider whether any readjustment of the postal areas in this district is desirable.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that a number of mishaps have occurred in Dundee through the use of tricycles on postal work; and whether, considering the hilly nature of the city and strong winds from the east, he will consider the advisability of prohibiting the use of carrier tricycles for postal work in Dundee?

Reports received up to the 13th May show that two mishaps to postmen engaged on tricycle duties at Dundee had occurred since the introduction of tricycle working in October last, and that neither was of a serious nature. The men selected for this work are specially examined by the medical officer, and there is no reason to suppose that the work is detrimental to the health of the men employed. In the circumstances, I do not propose to alter the existing arrangements.