asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether His Majesty's Government have in any way committed themselves to the project of a Trans-Persian railroad; and whether he can give an assurance to the House that the Government will not during the Recess take any step committing themselves to such a project?

The commitment of His Majesty's Government remains that of September, 1912, which is given in No. 341 of the Persian Blue Book No. 1, 1913. The option there contemplated may be applied for at any time, but the conditions as to construction beyond the northern part of Persia, which cannot in the ease of this particular railway take place without the consent of His Majesty's Government, will require very careful consideration before His Majesty's Government take any further commitment. I cannot give assurances to suspend during the Recess decisions on points that do not constitutionally require the consent of Parliament. It is, however, a matter of no importance in this case as the conditions necessary to any further commitment would need inquiry on the spot after the option was obtained, and it is impossible that the consideration of them should be completed before Parliament reassembles.

Do I understand that as a matter of fact no further commitment will be entered into before Parliament meets and has an opportunity of considering the policy?

If the hon. Member asks me for an assurance on a point of Executive action like that, I cannot give an assurance in that form, but the facts of the case are these: We are committed to apply for an option under the condition that the construction of any part of that railway beyond the Northern part of Persia shall not be proceeded with except with our consent: The conditions which we shall have to consider before our consent is given, owing to the necessity for inquiry on the spot, are such that it will be impossible for us to come to a decision on the point before Parliament meets again.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind, this being a question involving high considerations of policy, that the House of Commons ought to have an opportunity of expressing its opinion?

If assurances are given on one point of Executive action, it leads to assurances being asked for on other points, but in this case, as a matter of fact, we shall not be able to take action before Parliament meets again.

asked if the Chinese Government is under treaty obligation to permit its subjects to buy any noxious drug other than opium, for instance, morphia or cocaine; and is it free to forbid the importation of opium from every other country except our own, and does it exercise such freedom to prohibit such importation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; as regards the second part of the question, China is free to prohibit the importation of opium from most foreign countries, including Persia and Turkey, but the provisions of the additional article of the Chefoo Convention apply to opium imported from Macao, and there is some doubt as regards Kiaochau.

asked whether the Chinese Government has, by means of the most drastic measures, largely succeeded in stamping out the production of opium by its own subjects; have such means involved the loss of hundreds of its subjects' lives, the immediate sacrifice of considerable national and provincial revenue, and enormous financial losses to its own subjects; and, if so, will His Majesty's Government take measures at once to free China from the further infliction of a traffic thrice declared by this House to be morally indefensible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question His Majesty's Government have no other information than what, was contained in the recent White Paper, No. 2, China. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the announcements which His Majesty's Government have already made on the subject of the opium question and the progressive steps that have been taken by them.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long this country intends to occupy a privileged position with regard to profits on Chinese vice?

Are we to take it that His Majesty's Government have decided not to release them from the obligation to take any further Indian opium?

With regard to the first supplementary question it contains an assumption which I do not consider well founded, and with regard to the second there is a question on the Paper on that point.

asked whether during the past winter in several provinces in China, notably Fukien, there were local rebellions by opium farmers against the central Chinese Government's anti-opium edicts; that such rebellions had to be quelled by armed force, and that many hundreds, probably thousands, of lives were lost; and has he any information that these local rebellions have greatly aggravated the difficulties of the central Government of China and have helped to bring about the civil war now in progress there?

His Majesty's Government have no other information than that contained in the reports from His Majesty's Legation at Peking which were recently laid on the Table. There is no reason to suppose that there is any connection between the anti-opium edicts and the civil war.

asked whether His Majesty's Government has received from the Chinese Government a request to be released from the obligation to purchase any further Indian opium; if so, when was that request received; whether such request was accompanied by an offer by China to pay the freight to some other country of the stocks of Indian opium now awaiting entrance to China in the treaty ports; and what was the answer of His Majesty's Government?

The reply is in the affirmative. The Chinese Government's proposal was made in June. His Majesty's Government have not yet sent a reply to the Chinese Government, but we cannot undertake to agree to the proposal except as regards provinces where production of native opium has ceased.

How long is this country to labour under the imputation of imposing this evil on China?

We promised China that pari passu with the restriction of the production of opium in China our exports of opium to China would cease.

asked if the opium shops in the Chinese-governed city of Shanghai are all closed; if so, does this closing cause loss of revenue to the Chinese authorities; has the number of opium shops in the foreign settlement of Shanghai lately increased, and how many such opium shops are now open there; is the municipal authority of the Shanghai foreign settlement mainly British; and will His Majesty's Government induce it to follow the example of the Chinese city and suppress the retail sale of opium there?

I have no information as regards the first three parts of the question, but I am aware that a Proclamation was issued at Shanghai last winter by the Chinese Civil Administrator, ordering all opium shops to be closed by 31st December last. The Shanghai Municipal Council is an independent international body, over which His Majesty's Government have no control, though I believe the majority of the members are British subjects.

Have the Government no means whatever of influencing the Shanghai Municipal Council?

We cannot control that body.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from the municipal authority or from the residents in the foreign settlement of Shanghai, asking for the annexation of a further portion of Chinese territory to the foreign settlement there; if so, whether His Majesty's Government intend to take any action in response to such request; and, if so, what action?

The proposed extension of the international settlement at Shanghai is a matter which has been under the notice of His Majesty's Government for several years past, but no recent communication has been received from the Municipality on the subject. His Majesty's Government have always been prepared, as they still are, to support any reasonable scheme of extension which may be initiated by the Consular body at Shanghai and receive the approval of the Diplomatic Representatives at Peking.

Are we to understand that the Chinese Government is included amongst the foreign diplomatic representatives?

Of course the Chinese Government is not included among the foreign diplomatic representatives at Pekin. This is a question which has to be discussed between those representatives and the Chinese Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the outskirts of Shanghai Municipality there are a number of gambling places which are a source of considerable trouble owing to people who are wanted by the police escaping over the border?

I cannot answer in detail, but I am aware there has been a desire expressed for an extension of international settlement.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the public opinion in China against the continuance of our compulsion upon her to take our Indian opium; that such compulsion is a continual source of friction and difficulty with the Chinese officials; and whether be can now see his Way to terminating such compulsion at once?

The compulsion to which the hon. Member refers is the obligation of China to carry out the agreement, freely entered into by her Government, and, as has already been stated, His Majesty's Government see no justification for releasing her from that obligation except as regards provinces where production of native opium has ceased.

Are we to understand that the Government have finally decided, whatever sacrifices are made by China, they will go on compelling that country to take Indian opium for an indefinite period?

That is not a fair inference to draw from my answer. A fair inference would be that wherever China succeeds in stopping the production of opium in her borders, we on our part withdraw our claim to import Indian opium.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that the case of the paper-promoted teachers in Ireland has been under consideration now for months and that it is one which all are agreed should be settled, he can give any assurance that a satisfactory settlement will be reached in the near future?

The Commissioners of National Education do not altogether agree with the views put forward on behalf of the teachers as to the financial effect of the extension of the limits at present fixed for each grade. They have, however, now submitted proposals for a substantial extension of those limits on the distinct understanding that in the event of such extensions being sanctioned no promotions will in future be made beyond the authorised numbers in each grade. These proposals I have recommended to the Treasury for their favourable consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the proposals, and when may a reply be expected?

I am doing my best to press this matter on the Treasury, and I hope a reply will be given shortly. I will certainly publish it.

asked whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland applied to the Treasury for funds to enable them to give a third year's training in one of the Irish universities to specially distinguished training students; what is the estimated cost; and what answer have the Treasury given?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that arrangements have been made, with the sanction of the Treasury, under which a third year's course of training has been available for certain teachers and King's scholars of superior promise. This does not involve any increased expenditure from public funds. In the case of one of the training colleges where it was proposed that the third-year students should attend a course of lectures in a university, the Treasury were asked to sanction payment of an extra Grant for each third-year student attending a university, but they were unable to sanction this proposal.

asked what steps have been taken to frame a scheme for the medical inspection and treatment of children in Irish national schools; and whether schemes of this kind have been for years in operation in England and Scotland?

The Commissioners of National Education have invited the managers of the national schools to submit schemes for the dental inspection and treatment of the pupils, and approved schemes are in operation in a considerable number of schools. The Commissioners have not up to the present adopted any scheme for general medical inspection and treatment. I understand that such schemes have been in operation in England and Scotland for some time.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the proposed reduction of the mail service from Tralee to Dingle; whether, seeing that the alteration would be ruinous to trade, and more especially to fishing on which the whole district relies, he will take steps to prevent this step in the interest of a congested district?

My attention has not been called to this matter, but inquiry is now being made.

asked whether Mrs. Agnes McDonnell and Mrs. Pike have yet lodged with the Congested Districts Board maps and other necessary documents, with a view to sales through the Board of their estates in Achill, county Mayo?

The maps and other documents in connection with the estate of Mrs. Agnes McDonnell have been lodged with the Congested Districts Board, but those relating to the estate of Mrs. Pike have not yet been lodged.

asked whether the trustees of the Achill Mission have yet complied with the request of the Congested Districts Board to lodge the outstanding maps of their estate in Achill, county Mayo, or have they refused to do so?

The outstanding maps have not yet been lodged with the Congested Districts Board.

asked when the Congested Districts Board intend to distribute the Killery farm (late Lucan estate), county Mayo, amongst the occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the district?

The Congested Districts Board cannot definitely state when the Killery farm will be divided, but the matter will be dealt with as soon as possible.

asked whether the property of Lord Avonmore (in Chancery), situate at Killavalla, county Mayo, has yet been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board; and, if not, having regard to the poverty and congestion on this estate, whether the Board will apply to the Lord Chancellor to facilitate proceedings for the acquisition of the property by the Board?

The Congested Districts Board are in communication with the agent of this property, who has informed them that the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estate with a view to purchase are being prepared for lodgment with the Board.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued an offer for the estate of Mr. F. C. Garvey, Murrisk Abbey; and, if not, when they intend to do so?

The Congested Districts Board have decided to make an offer for the purchase of this estate, and it will be issued as soon as practicable.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have purchased the estate of Mr. B. P. Persse, Boyhill, Athenry; and, if so, when it is proposed to prepare a scheme for the allotment of the estate?

The Congested Districts Board have decided to make an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, and it will be issued as soon as practicable.

When will it be practicable?

I cannot say.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. F. S. Taylor. Castle Lambert, Athenry, offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners about 300 acres of land out of his estate at Castle Lambert; can he state if the lands were inspected; was an offer for purchase made; and, seeing that Mr. Taylor is willing to sell as much land as will benefit a number of small holders of land in the district, will be again bring the matter to the notice of the Estates Commissioners?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The lands arc situate in a congested districts county and the Estates Commissioners informed the owner that, in their opinion, if the lands were to be sold under the Land Purchase Acts, they should be sold to the Congested Districts Board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people in the locality have requested the Congested Districts Board and the Estates Commissioners to take over this land?

I have no doubt that the tenants are interested in getting the lands purchased, and I hope they will be acquired by the Congested Districts Board.

asked if the Congested Districts Board received a resolution from the Loughrea Rural District Council asking the Board, in the interest of the small farmers in the district of Castle Lambert, Athenry, to arrange, as between the Estates Commissioners and themselves, for the acquirement of 300 acres of land offered for sale by Mr. F. S. Taylor, Castle Lambert, Athenry; and if any steps have been taken to give effect to the representation made by the people of Athenry and the Loughrea Rural District Council?

The Congested Districts Board have received a copy of the resolution, but they could not purchase the lands for the purpose of distribution amongst the persons to whom the lands are proposed to be given as these persons are not landholders.

asked whether the purchase of the John Sands estate, of which Mr. Denny, of Tralee;, is the receiver, has yet been completed; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?

The Congested Districts Board are not now negotiating for the purchase of this estate. They have agreed to give their consent to a direct sale to the tenants under Section 58 of the Irish Land Act of 1909.

Have the negotiations stopped because the landlord and the receiver are anxious to sell to the Congested Districts Board?

I do not know. I will inquire.

asked the result of the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and Mr. P. D. Griffin, Cork, for the purchase of 100 acres of untenanted lands situate at Caharden, near Bally-bunion?

The Congested Districts Board are not at present in a position to reply to this question. Further inquiries are now being made.

Have any communications passed between the Board and Mr. Griffin?

I cannot tell.

asked when Mrs. Glazier, an evicted tenant on the Palmer estate, at Banemore, will be reinstated in her holding, which has been acquired by the Estates Commissioners?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The Estates Commissioners have not acquired the holding referred to. The estate is the subject of direct sale proceedings between the owner and the tenants, and the Commissioners have informed the owner of the price they would be prepared to advance if an agreement is entered into between the owner and the former tenant, but up to the present no agreement has been lodged.

The right hon. Gentleman must be told by the Estates Commissioners. They have acquired an evicted farm compulsorily, and, knowing the exorbitant price fixed by the Judicial Commissioner, the Estates Commissioners will not take security for the money.

asked why the Congested Districts Board have not taken some practical steps to acquire the tenanted and untenanted lands of Mr. Eyre Stack situate at Ballyconnory and Meyvoo, North Kerry, which proposed sale is now pending for over five years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 6th May last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked what further steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to purchase the Studdert estate, situate at Ballyyouneen, Liselton; and whether writs have been served on the tenants to pay rents which are impossible owing to the poor condition of their lands and the extensive flooding of the same?

The Congested Districts Board are in communication with the owner, but so far the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estate with a view to purchase have not been lodged. The Board have no information in reference to the writs stated to have been served on the tenants.

asked whether the agricultural tenants on the estate of Viscount Gough, Gort, have signed agreements to purchase their holdings; whether an understanding was arrived at as between Viscount Gough, the Estates Commissioners, and the town tenants of Gort, on Viscount Gough's estate, that an inspection would be made of the town section of the property immediately after the agricultural tenants had signed their agreements; and what action the Estates Commissioners propose to take to carry out the agreement?

The Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of this property and have made a proposal to purchase the agricultural holdings, and the owner has been requested to lodge undertakings signed by the tenants to purchase at the prices fixed by the Commissioners. As regards the premises in the town of Gort, which are subject to rents payable to Lord Gough, they are, in many cases, held under Fee Farm Grants and long leases, and in a number of cases sublet to monthly, weekly, and other tenants, and do not, in the opinion of the Commissioners, afford security for advances under the Land Purchase Acts.

Seeing that in the first instance all the tenants upon this estate consented to buy from the landlord on the distinct understanding that the town section of the property would be included in the general sale, and seeing that the House is about to adjourn and that I shall have no other opportunity of referring no the matter for some time, will not the right hon Gentleman interpose with the Estates Commissioners and get them to make an offer to try to include the town section of the property?

Yes, Sir; I am anxious that the town of Gort should, if possible, be enabled to purchase in that way, but the Commissioners are of opinion that Gort does not afford sufficient security for the advance. The matter is still receiving consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to prosecute the appeal in regard to the judgment delivered in the Clanricarde estate; is he aware that a considerable number of evicted tenants on this estate, evicted under the Plan of Campaign, are still on the roadside; and can any hope be held out of restoring them to their former holdings or providing them with other holdings in the future?

The Congested Districts Board have taken steps to have the appeal heard at the earliest possible date next term. Sixty-two of the evicted tenants have been provided with new holdings by the Estates Commissioners and the names of forty-four others have been provisionally noted for consideration in the distribution of such additional untenanted land as they may acquire for distribution on the estates.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "next term"?

November.

Will the trial come on in November?

Certainly.

asked what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners on the application of P. J. O'Leary, Gortnagoum, Kenmare estate, county Kerry, who was evicted from his holding thirteen years ago; whether they will refuse to sanction the sale to Denis Cahill, who has been permitted to sign a purchase agreement for the farm from which Mr. O'Leary was evicted; and, if the landlord refuses to reinstate Mr. O'Leary, whether they will refuse to pay the purchase money till his case is dealt with?

The holding formerly occupied by P. J. O'Leary is in the possession of his brother-in-law, who has, as tenant, signed an agreement to purchase the holding in connection with the sale of this estate under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners are not prepared to take any action in the matter of O'Leary's application for reinstatement. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked whether an inspector from the Estates Commissioners visited Kilmurry, Castleisland, county Kerry, for the purpose of taking steps to arrange for the reinstatement of Mr. Walsh, an evicted tenant; and, if so, whether he has been able to effect a settlement?

The inspector visited the Mahony estate in connection with the allotment of the turbary, and when there the question of the reinstatement of Walsh was discussed, but the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to make any statement in the matter.

Seeing that this matter is causing considerable trouble in the county, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Estates Commissioners and make another attempt to secure a settlement?

Yes. The Commissioners are fully alive to the importance of the matter, which, as the hon. Member knows, is a very difficult one, but I will draw their attention to it again.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the case of Daniel Myers, of Barley-mount, on the Ventry estate, Killarney; and whether steps will be immediately taken to have him reinstated?

The Estates Commissioners inquired into Daniel Myers' application for reinstatement, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked what steps have been taken to reinstate Mr. Timothy Brosnahan, of Inchicurrigane, on the Busteed estate, county Kerry, in the holding from which he was evicted?

The holding formerly occupied by Timothy Brosnahan's mother is now in the possession of another tenant, and the Estates Commissioners cannot take any action in the matter of his application for reinstatement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the cause of the delay in requiring a second language from students entering Irish training colleges; and whether, seeing that the Commissioners promised to have this rule in operation for the year 1911, he will take steps to have the matter dealt with immediately and the rule enforced next year?

As I have already stated, proposals have been made by the Commissioners of National Education in favour of the payment of fees for instruction where Irish is not taken up in national schools in French, Latin, or German. These proposals have been considered by the Treasury, who have not seen their way to give effect to them. The Commissioners, in view of this decision, do not consider it desirable at present to prescribe as a condition for entrance to a training college the knowledge of a second language.

Is it not a fact that nearly three years ago the Commissioners made an announcement that they would require the Irish language to be learned by these students?

I believe that is so, and I am anxious that that knowledge should be insisted upon.

In order to teach the Irish language properly is it not necessary that students in training should get proper facilities during their two years to learn the language, so that they may teach it properly?

I have no doubt that anybody who has experienced the difficulty of learning any language would recognise the truth of that statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Treasury to get the Irish language taught to these students

Yes, Sir. I am engaged in that enterprise.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a resolution from the Tralee Rural District Council requesting him to establish veterinary dispensaries in Castleisland, Knocknagoshal, Brosna, and Kingwilliamstown, and also to appoint a veterinary surgeon who will reside in the district and attend to them; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The resolution referred to has been received by the Department. Of the four places at which the Tralee Rural District Council desired veterinary dispensaries to be established, two, namely, Knocknagoshal and Castleisland, are already provided with these dispensaries. The dispensary at Knocknagoshal is sufficiently near Brosna to be availed of by farmers from the latter place, and similarly the Castleisland and Rathmore dispensaries are within reach of farmers living in the neighbourhood of Kingwilliamstown. The Department do not propose at present to alter these arrangements, which have been settled after full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office is aware that the Liebig Company, to which the British South Africa Company has assigned 1,200,000 acres of land in Rhodesia at per acre, prohibits the public from entrance into this area and prevents the natives from selling cattle to any other buyer than the Licbig Company, whose agents fix their own prices for such sale and have warned cattle traders and natives alike that the company would not permit them to buy or sell cattle on this land, and have prohibited the removel of cattle when bought by cattle traders from the natives, there being no proclaimed roads through the land so transferred by the British South Africa Company to the Liebig Company; whether the Colonial Office is aware that the Native Commissioner at Gavanda, Mr. H. A. Elliott, is himself interested in mining transport and cattle dealing and carries on these businesses in his wife's name, and is charged with neglect of the interests of the natives and collusion with De Loessa, the manager of the Liebig Company; and what steps, if any, does the Colonial Office intend to take for the protection of natives and whites alike against the combined efforts of the British South Africa Company and the Liebig Company to ruin freedom of contract and establish a monopoly in this area?

No, Sir, I have no information to the effect of the question, and I am not prepared to accept charges of this kind against officials, unless they are supported by definite evidence. I may add that the reference to "this area" appears to imply some misaprehension. The 1,200,000 acres do not constitute one area, but lie in scattered blocks.

Lie in scattered blocks which are the very best lands in Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire into the origin and circumstances of the incursion into the South African Republic of an armed force was likewise appointed to inquire into the administration of the British South Africa Company and to report thereon, and further to report what. alterations are desirable in the government of the territories under the control of the company; whether he is aware that the Select Committee in their Report, dated 13th July, 1897, stated that the part of the inquiry relating to the administration of the British South Africa Company would require a lengthened investigation with which it would be impossible to deal at that period of the Session; whether any inquiry was held into the administration of the British South Africa Company by any Select Committee of the House, and, if so, when; and was any Report of such Committee presented to the House, and, if so, when; and whether it is proposed, having regard to the provision in the charter reserving to the Crown the right and power under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom at the end of twenty-five years, the date of the charter, 29th October, 1889, to add to or repeal any of the provisions of the charter or to insert other provisions in substitution for or in addition to its other provisions so far as relates to public and administrative purposes and the charges preferred from time to time against the methods of administration of this company, that inquiry into its administration will be instituted with such expedition as to enable a Report to be furnished to Parliament before the 29th October, 1914, the time of the completion of twenty-five years from the date of the granting of the charter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No further Select Committee was appointed and the question of alterations in the administration was dealt with by the Government, whose proposals were laid before Parliament in February, 1898, and received legislative shape in the Southern Rhodesia Order in Council of 20th October, 1898. With regard to the concluding part of the question, steps are being taken largely to increase the number of elected members, and with what is substantially a general election impending in Southern Rhodesia, His Majesty's Government do not at present contemplate any action such as is suggested.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the second part of the reference to the Raid Committee was never carried into effect, and that from that day to this there has been no Parliamentary inquiry into the administration of this company?

I think that is so.

I am very sorry to hear it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the fact that Sir Leander Starr Jameson has been appointed president of the British South Africa Company in succession to the late Duke of Abercorn, and that, in February, 1892, when Sir Leander Starr Jameson caused their kraals to be burnt and several natives to be shot on the suspicion of their being implicated in the death of an adventurer, named Guerolt, in the Maroe district. the late Lord Loch, as High Commissioner, had to remind him of the importance of observing strictly all legal require ments in the treatment of prisoners, and that no sentence of death can be carried out without the consent of the High Commissioner, the Colonial Office will exercise a still stricter supervision of the relations between the British South Africa Company and the natives of the territories over which that company has control, with a view to their protection from oppression, the security of their property, and the maintenance of their civil rights?

The reference in the first. part of the question is, I understand, to Sir H. Loch's letter, which is printed at page 12 of the Parliamentary Paper 'C. 7171. I would, however, observe that in judging Dr. Jameson's action in the matter it is only fair to consider Sir H. Loch's later letter printed at page 21, in which he disclaimed a desire to interfere with Dr. Jameson's discretion. I do not, however, in any case see the relevance of this correspondence to questions relating to the present position of the natives in Southern Rhodesia, which is regulated by the Order in Council of 1898, and is the subject of constant attention by the Resident Commissioner and High Commissioner for South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state when the building for the Labour Exchange for Canning Town, E., will be built?

This matter is the subject of present negotiation with the Treasury, but I hope to be able to communicate with my hon. Friend on the subject shortly.

asked the President a the Board of Trade what would be the annual cost of the increases of pay and allowances to the lighthouse-keepers in the service of the general lighthouse authorities which were recommended by those authorities to the Board of Trade in April of this year; and whether, in view of the nature of the work of keepers, the additional work which is being put upon them, as, for example, by the introduction of gas-buoys involving work which would otherwise require to be done by trained mechanics, the slight difference in remuneration of assistant keepers and supernumeraries, and the increased cost of living, the Board of Trade will reconsider its decision not to increase the pay of these men and deal at once and generously with such servants?

The cost of the increases recommended by the general lighthouse authorities would be about £2,600 per annum. In coming to their decision the Board of Trade gave consideration to the increased cost of living and other circumstances of the case, as well as to the increase of the wages of these men in 1909.

If this only involves less than £3,000, seeing the nature of the work of these men, will not the Board of Trade reconsider the decision?

Although the amount involved is under £3,000, the number of men involved is very small. The matter was very carefully considered. I do not say it is a final decision for all time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the form vision standard for officers in the mercantile marine?

I have considered very carefully the representations which have been made to me with regard to the form vision standard which it was proposed to bring into force next year. That standard required a candidate to have normal vision in one eye and half-normal vision in the other. I have decided to make a substantial modification in this standard by omitting the requirement for the weaker eye and by making the standard normal vision only. To reach this standard a candidate will be allowed, at his own option, to use either both eyes together or either eye separately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the feeling of the traders and others in all parts of Ireland against the proposed increase in freight charges for merchandise and otherwise; will he state the net increased wages paid to railway men in Ireland and the net increased revenue received by the railway companies under the additional charges for week-end and excursion tickets; and will he say whether, in view of the opinion of the Irish people, his Department has taken any action in connection with the proposed increase in the traffic rates?

As regards the general position I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for West Belfast on the 7th August, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I am not in a position to furnish the figures asked for.

During the recess, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the dislocation of through traffic from Ireland to Great Britain, and compel the railway companies to fall back upon the former practice of through traffic?

I am afraid I have no such power as that. The matter would be taken into account by the Railway and Canal Commissioners.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the nominal increase in the wages paid by the railways in Ireland to their servants under the agreement of last year, and is he aware that the increased charges made by Irish railways for excursion and week-end tickets is much more than the increases which the servants of the companies have received?

My hon. Friend is aware that so far as the Act of last year is concerned it allowed the railway companies to increase their rates where they increased the wages of their servants. Ireland was excluded from that Act in consequence of the action of the Irish railways, therefore that point does not arise in connection with this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many important towns in Ireland railway porters and servants are doing heavy laborious and continuous work for 8s., 9s., and 10s. a week?

I am aware of that. It is not affected by this, because of the fact that the Act of last year does not apply to Ireland. That was done with the assent of hon. Members coining from Ireland as well as the House generally.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain proposals for the better application and uses of ancient charitable trusts are obliged by Statute to be presented to Parliament as public Bills, and when put forward in this way by the Charity Commissioner have only the chances of private Members' Bills; that in consequence such Bills are blocked not on their merits but from purely party or personal reasons; and that certain trust funds are at present prevented from being applied to any useful purpose at all; and whether, next Session, he will, by legislation or otherwise, initiate some new method by which ancient benefactions may with less expense and delay be devoted to ends consonant with the wishes of their founders and the interests of the people concerned?

:I will consider whether some better method than the existing one can be devised of dealing with Bills proposed by the Charity Commissioner.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look over the speech delivered yesterday—a short and pithy one—by the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. C. P. Allen), who referred to this matter in Debate?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the various associations formed for the purpose of advocating the cause of Home Rule for Scotland intend carrying on active propaganda work during the Recess; and whether, in anticipation of the more serious consideration of the subject next Session and the possibility of the consummation of this reform without resort to the provisions of the Parliament Act, he will set up, without unnecessary delay, a Committee to consider the financial relations of England and Scotland?

As I stated on 28th July, I am not prepared at present to promise to appoint such a Committee.

If it is intended to grant Home Rule to Ireland and Scotland, will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending it to England on the lines suggested by the First Lord of the Admiralty?

I will consider all relevant facts.

Under these circumstances will England be left out in the cold to be governed by Ireland and Scotland?

asked the Prime Minister whether, as a further instalment of the policy of devolution and in view of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law next year, he proposes to introduce early next Session a Bill for the better government of Scotland on similar lines?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will undertake to give facilities for a Bill in the next Session to deal with disinterested management in public-houses in Scotland?

I can make no statement on these subjects as regards next Session.

If the Prime Minister does not do so will he not cause great disappointment among his own colleagues in the Cabinet both in this House and the other House, who have expressed their desire and willingness to see a Bill introduced next Session?

All I say is that. I cannot at present make a statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the amount of support which public bodies throughout the country have given to the Public Rights of Way Bill, which has in several Sessions received a Second Reading in the House of Commons, and has now been passed by the House of Lords, he will take steps to secure the passage of this non-contentious measure through its remaining stages in this House before the prorogation of Parliament?

:Inquiry showed that this is not an uncontentious measure; and having regard to the period at which it was introduced into the House and the opposition it aroused, I regret that it has not been possible to proceed further with it this Session.

Considering that the Bill is starred in the last days of the Session, thereby indicating that the Government approve of it, and considering its great public utility, will the right hon. Gentleman consider introducing it as a Government measure next Session?

Yes, I will take that into consideration.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether a mistake occurred in selecting the designs for the new Admiralty buildings, so that the said buildings were selected from designs which it had not been intended to choose for the purpose

The First Commissioner has no knowledge of any such mistake.

asked whether a telephone has been installed in the cloister,close to the entrance to the Speaker's Yard; and, if so, for what purpose it has been installed there?

A telephone has been installed for the use of the Government Whips.

Was it placed there at the public expense or at the hon. Gentleman's own private expense?

All the telephones in this building are placed here at the public expense at the request of any Department which requires them.

Will the Opposition Whips be allowed occasionally to use it?

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the vacancy which exists at Banagher, King's County, for postmaster has yet been filled up; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?

The appointment to this vacancy was made some weeks ago and the officer selected is now in charge of the sub-office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now been able to consider further the question of the extra work imposed upon the Manchester and Salford Post Office officials in virtue of the National Insurance Act; and whether he will take steps to see that adequate remuneration is paid for such extra work?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the replies given in this House on the 28th of July as regards scale payment sub-postmasters, and on the 6th of January last as regards other officers?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not able to carry the matter any further? I understood it was to be considered further.

No, I am not in a position to say more.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received and considered any representations from the officials referred to in the question?

Yes, representations have been received from time to time.

asked the President of the. Local Government Board whether he is aware of the extent to which the orders prohibiting the use of cut-outs are disregarded by the motoring and motor-cycling public; and, having regard to the contravention of regulations issued by him, whether he will take steps to ensure obedience to the regulations?

I have received a few complaints that the regulation referred to is being disregarded. As I have stated in answer to a previous question, the enforcement of the regulation rests with the police authorities, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, as I think my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, has addressed a circular to them on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the number and variety of different sounds emitted by warning instruments on motor vehicles in London is constantly increasing; and whether he can yet hold out hopes of such regulations as will ensure greater uniformity of sound?

I am afraid at the present moment I cannot do more than refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to a somewhat similar question on 27th May last, but he may rest assured that I shall be happy to do anything I can to lessen the amount of needless noise caused by motor ears.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really consider it necessary to the safety of the public that these noises should be reintroduced in London?

No, I do not think such noises are either essential for the public or the people who ride in motor cars, and if it had been possible by regulation, without legislation, to deal with it I should have done so; but I am looking forward to a favourable opportunity of considering and perhaps acting in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that largely the indoor subordinate staff of Poor Law union institutions are on duty for seventy-five to eighty hours per week of seven days; that the National Association of Poor Law Officers have compiled a Return which affords; particulars and ample proof of this; and whether he is prepared to issue an instructianal letter to the boards of guardians of England and Wales on the subject, recommending that their indoor subordinate staff should not be employed for more than sixty hours per week of seven days?

I have not yet received from the association a copy of the Return referred to, and at the present moment I could hardly say what course I could adopt in regard to it.

asked (1) what are now the five largest industries or occupations in the United Kingdom and Great Britain, respectively, in order of the numerical strength of the persons employed therein, as shown by the Census of 1911; and (2) what is the number, according to the Census of 1911, of agricultural workers in Great Britain and in Ireland, respectively; and how such number compares with that shown by the Census of 1901?

Detailed statistics of the occupations of the people and of the industries with which workers are connected arc in course of preparation. Until they are complete no comparisons are possible between various parts of the United Kingdom. The Registrar-General informs me that the figures at present available show that in England and Wales the occupational classes in order of the numerical strength of the persons employed therein in 1911 were—

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a public call office has been in existence at a shop in Lincoln's Inn Gate, Carey Street, for the last three or four years under the National Telephone Company, and has been largely used by the public; and, if so, whether he will explain the refusal of the Post Office to continue this public call office?

The agreement in respect of this call office provides for a commission payment which is much higher than that usually paid by the National Telephone Company or by the Post Office to call office keepers; and notice to terminate the agreement has been given for that reason. The intention is not to withdraw public facilities from the locality in question, but to arrange for the continuance on reasonable terms.

Will the Postmaster-General state what circumstances have arisen since the Post Office took over the telephones which did not exist before and which require that the previous arrangement should be discontinued?

The National Telephone Company, for reasons known to themselves, occasionally, but very rarely, made payments in excess of the normal scale. The Post Office is not prepared to continue these payments.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can furnish statistics showing the relative efficiency of the London telephone service during the present year as compared with the year 1911, when the service was partly in the hands of the National Telephone Company as well as of the Post Office, as illustrated by the average speed of answering by operators, and also by the number of engaged and no-reply calls and of cut-offs, and the percentage of effective calls?

The following table gives the information required by the hon Member. The percentages were obtained by the special observation of about 50,000 calls in each half-year:—

Can the Postmaster-General tell the House how it is that the number of complaints from the public who use the telephones have, during the period under review, considerably increased?

The number of complaints during the past twelve months has very largely diminished. There were a great number of complaints in the first few months after the telephone service was taken over owing to dislocation of the service in some of the exchanges, but I am happy to say that the complaints have since fallen in a remarkable degree.

Are these figures based on the number of complaints made?

No, Sir; these are the results of observation calls. There are a certain number of officers—clerks in the Department—whose sole duty it is to watch, unknown to the operators, the way in which calls are attended to, and they know how the calls are handled. About 50,000 are watched in each half year, and the figures are based on these observations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is yet in a position to make any statement in regard to the proposed wireless station south of Aberdeen?

It has been necessary to call for fresh tenders for this station. They are to be sent in next week, and I hope that it will be possible to proceed with the erection of the station very soon afterwards.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what locality the wireless station will be erected?

No, Sir; not without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the station will be erected before or after the next storm?

If the hon. Member can tell me when the next storm will be, I may be able to answer him.

asked the Attorney-General whether Lords Lieutenant have been called upon to secure the retirement of magistrates who, through illness, removal of residence, or other cause, have become ineffective members of their Petty Sessional benches, as recommended by the Royal Commission; whether any magistrates have actually resigned; and, if so, whether the numbers can be stated?

Lords Lieutenant and Advisory Committees have had their attention drawn, by a special memorandum of the Lord Chancellor, to the recommendations of the Royal Commission with regard to the resignation of justices, Effect has been, and is being, given to these recommendations throughout the country, and, as a consequence, many justices have resigned. To give the exact numbers would involve a large amount of research, and the result would in any case be misleading, as many gentlemen have asked voluntarily to have their names removed from the Commissions, in deference to the recommendations of the Royal Commission, and without any suggestion from outside.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the disappointment to local education authorities by the failure of Parliament to pass the Education (No. 2) Bill, under which £100,000 would have been distributed in relief of the loan charges for building schools, this sum, which has been voted in the Estimates and included in the Appropriation Bill, can in any way be made available in relief of education rates during the current financial year?

The money was placed at the Board's disposal conditionally on the passing of the Bill, which was directed to the establishment of a principle and clearing the way for a more substantial increase of relief. I ant not prepared to spend the money in a way which does not give effect to the intention of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the old teachers who were pensioned between 1898 and 1912, and previously have not shared in the increase to the teachers' pension that was granted by Parliament in 1912; and that there are old teachers whose salaries were on an average about £300 a year and who are now getting only about one-seventh of that sum as a pension; and whether, seeing that the cost would be trivial, will he consider the desirability of including them in the scheme of 1912 or provide for them in some other way?

I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Woolwich on 15th April last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the Thetford (Norfolk) board of guardians' refusal to pay 25s. per head for boarding out poor children educated in Suffolk; whether the West Suffolk Education Committee have intimated that such children will be excluded from their schools after the summer vacation; and what action he intends taking in the matter?