asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state for England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, the total Grants made from the Road Improvement Fund to date; what basis of distribution as between the three divisions of the United Kingdom has been adopted; and how much of the money allocated has been paid to the highway authorities to the present time?

The total Grants indicated to highway authorities in England and Wales up to 31st January last amounted to £2,856,421, of which Grants amounting to £1,453,234 have been formally made, and £877,528 has been paid under them. The corresponding figures for Scotland are £338,003, £209,639, and £133,022, and for Ireland £259,098, £112,152, and £63,860. The amount available for advances, after setting aside a reserve for purposes of special works to be carried out mainly during a period of trade depression (which sum is being employed meanwhile in short loans) is at the present time distributed over the United Kingdom in the following proportions:-

England and Wales 82.0 per cent. Scotland 11.0 per cent. Ireland 7.0 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual amount of the local taxation licences collected by county councils in England and Wales since those bodies collected this revenue?

The amounts collected by county and county borough councils in England and Wales in respect of Local Taxation Licence Duty since the 1st January, 1909, are as follows: £ s. d. Quarter to 31st March, 1909 1,229,983 0 6 Year to 31st March, 1910 1,726,318 6 6 Year to 31st March, 1911 *2,072,186 12 0 Year to 31st March, 1912 2,052,160 5 6 Year to 31st March, 1913 2,153,588 8 5 * This amount includes a certain amount received in respect of Motor Car Duty proper to the year 1909–10.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the area of the land, including land covered by water, which was purchased some years ago by the Glasgow Corporation from the Duke of Montrose, in the neighbourhood of Loch Arklet, to improve the water supply of Glasgow; what was the date of the purchase; what was the price asked by the Duke, the price offered by the Corporation, and the price settled by arbitration, distinguishing, in the case of the latter, between the amount awarded in respect of the lands and heritages and the amounts awarded under other heads of compensation; what was being taken at the time of purchase as the annual value for rating of that property, or, if that property formed part of a larger subject, what was then being taken as the annual value for rating of that larger subject; and by what amount that valuation of that larger subject was reduced on account of the severance of the purchased portion?

I refer my hon. Friend to the various reports on the subject which I have in my possession, and which I shall be glad to show him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the attention of the Valuation Office has been drawn to the opening of a co-operative society by Trinity College, Dublin; and whether, in consequence thereof, the same municipal rates will be imposed on the trading portion of the college premises as are borne by other trading concerns in the city?

The Commissioner of Valuation informs me that the answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative; the second part does, not therefore arise.

asked what has been the annual expenditure of the county councils of England and Wales on the maintenance of main roads since the year 1905; and the amount of such expenditure which has been defrayed from the proceeds of local taxation, licences, and from the rates, respectively?

The expenditure of county councils in England and Wales on the maintenance, repair, improvement, and enlargement of main roads (exclusive of expenditure out of loans) has risen, year by year, from £2,487,000 in 1904–5, to £3,356,000 in 1911–12. Complete figures cannot yet be given for the year 1912–13. The figures for each year are as follows:—

— Expenditure on Maintenance. Repair, Improvement and Enlargement of Main Roads. Loan Charges. Total. £ £ £ 1904–5 2,478,481 *8,766 2,487,247 1905–6 2,529,106 *8,536 2,537,642 1906–7 2,535,399 *10,394 2,545,793 1907–8 2,614,025 10,367 2,624,392 1903–9 2,739,591 16,146 2,755,737 1909–10 2,835,822 16,966 2,852,788 1910–11 3,046,337 22,223 3,068,560 1910–12 3,323,458 33,081 3,356,539 * Loan charges for main roads and other highways, but mostly for main roads.

No portion of the proceeds of the local taxation licences, or of the other Exchequer Grants (apart from the Road Board Grants) is specifically allocated to main road expenditure; but the published local taxation returns for the last few years give estimates of the amounts of that expenditure calculated to have fallen on Grants and rates respectively; these estimates being based on the assumption that the benefit of unallocated Exchequer Grants is spread evenly over all the branches of expenditure concerned. In regard to 1911–12 it was accordingly calculated that of the above-mentioned sum of £3,356,000, £925,000 fell on Grants.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the case of the estate of General T. Kelly Kenney, West Clare, he can state what were the terms of purchase and when the estate will be vested in the tenants; and whether, considering that the holdings of most of the congests on the estate are barren mountainous areas, and that they have to go seven or eight miles to procure dry hay for their cattle, the Congested Districts Board will, without delay, distribute the Treanmara farm on the estate?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the holdings on this estate were purchased at different prices varying from sixteen to twenty years' purchase. The estate has not yet been vested in the Board, and they cannot, at present, say when the holdings are likely to be resold to, and vested in, the tenants. No steps can be taken to distribute the un-tenanted land pending the vesting of the estate in the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary how many elementary teachers promoted in the years 1909–12 did not receive a corresponding increase of salary in consequence of the Treasury Regulation of 1909; what was the total saving to the Treasury effected at the expense of these officials; whether the Commissioners of National Education have applied to the Treasury for permission to pay the arrears of grade salary and increment claimed by these teachers under Rules 105 ( a ) and 108 ( b ); and if he is able to state that the Treasury will authorise payment of this money at an early date?

During the period mentioned 222 teachers were promoted by the Commissioners of National Education, but did not receive the corresponding increase of salary owing to the fact that there were not sufficient vacancies in the grades to which they were promoted. The increase in salaries to which these teachers would have been entitled if the vacancies had existed is in all about £4,000. The Treasury have now consented to an increase, from the 1st April, 1913, in the standard number of teachers in the first grade, on condition that in future no promotion shall be made in excess of the authorised numbers. I am unable to recommend the claim of the teachers referred to above in respect to the period previous to the 1st April, 1913, during which they were awaiting vacancies.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Superintendent Murphy stopped the Corporation labourers' band and the citizens' contingent on their way to the Town Tenants' League meeting last Sunday; and whether he can state upon whose authority this action was taken, and upon what information it was arranged to interfere with the right of public meeting?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, the meeting referred to was to be held immediately outside premises in Upper Kevin Street where the landlord had taken proceedings to evict the tenant. The police considered that a meeting at this place would have an intimidatory effect, and informed the promoters that the meeting could not be held there. They made, no objection to its being held in Lower Kevin Street, which is in the vicinity. The band of the Corporation laoburers, followed by a crowd of about 100 persons, was stopped by the police on arriving at Upper Kevin Street and informed accordingly, and they withdrew at once

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say how much was paid during the ten years ended 31st March, 1912, from the Ireland Development Fund to Irish educational schemes, mentioning the particular institutions to which such sum was paid?

During the period mentioned the following were the total payments made by the Commissioners of National Education out of money provided from the Ireland Development Grant:—

£ s. d. ( a ) Towards providing a new residence for the King's scholars in the Marlborough Street Training College 50,000 0 0 ( b ) Towards the cost of additional King's scholars in Our Lady of Mercy and De la Salle Training Colleges 24,457 4 3 ( c ) Towards the salaries of assistant teachers in national schools 131,883 19 0 ( d ) Towards the salaries of junior assistant mistresses in national schools 22,782 6 3 Total £229,123 9 6

In addition to the foregoing a sum of £727 14s. 10d. was paid during the period in question by the Board of Works out of the Ireland Development Grant in respect of Grants towards the cost of building new vested national schools. During the same period the sum of £52,500 was allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for the purposes of technical instruction. Out of this amount the following sums were expended on the purposes mentioned:—

(A) Grants in aid of the maintenance of Day Trades Preparatory Schools:—

£ s. d. (1) Ballymena Municipal School 242 1 4 (2) Belfast Christian Bros. Schools 2,963 9 5

£ s. d. (3) Belfast Municipal School 3,046 12 10 (4) Blackrock (County Dublin) Municipal School 1,767 15 4 (5) Clonmel Municipal School 606 6 2 (6) Cork Christian Bros. School 200 0 0 (7) Kilkenny Municipal School 2,185 7 5 (8) Londonderry Municipal School 268 3 t (9) Portadown Municipal School 1,522 9 3 (10) Queenstown Municipal School 1,509 15 10 (11) Ringsend Pembroke Municipal School 2,364 17 6 (12) Sligo Municipal School 1,148 10 1 (13) Waterford Municipal School 1,346 9 10

(B) The following amounts were also expended from this source:—

£ s. d. (1) Special Grants in aid of local Technical Instruction Schemes 11,919 6 1 (2) Commercial Scholarships 3,223 4 8 (3) Industrial Scholarship 3,168 19 5 (4) Northlands School of Housewifery at Londonderry 2,467 72 (5) Royal College of Science for Ireland Engineering School 1,400 0 0 (6) Department's "Industrial Annexe" (for courses for Training Manual Instructors and other Teachers) 1,713 6 7 (7) Miscellaneous 227 7 8 Total £43,311 10 2

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the additional amounts that would have been required over and above the £31,869,500 expended in the financial year 1906–7 for the upkeep of the Navy, to provide for the Navy requirements of 1906–7 on the basis of present costs of construction, rates of wages, and other expenditure in connection with the Navy?

I regret I am unable to furnish my hon. Friend with this information. Its preparation would involve an expenditure of time and labour out of all proportion to the value of the particulars to be obtained. The figures would in any case be to a large extent conjectural.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that according to the annual reports of the health of the Navy the cases of cow-pox placed on the sick list in consequence of vaccination totalled 233 in 1908, 482 in 1909, 688 in 1910, 845 in 1911, and 1,255 in 1912 whether he is aware that in some instances the vaccination produced serious results, and even death; and whether, in view of the evidence furnished by the reports of the increasing risks involved by the present variety of vaccine lymph, he is prepared to suspend the regulation which calls for vaccination or re-vaccination?

The increase in cases of cowpox placed on the sick list in consequence of vaccination is due to the much greater care now exercised in preventing the possibility of untoward occurrences. Further, the numbers of men in the Navy have increased regularly. Putting these cases on the sick list simply means that these boys and men are excused from all duty for a few days. That is now done more systematically than heretofore. There is no evidence of increased risks caused by using the present lymph.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a naval review at Spithead next June is contemplated; if so, will he state what useful public service such a review performs; and can he state what will be the approximate cost?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any probability of further delay in the ratification of the agreement arrived at between the War Office and the local authority for the purchase by the Sandgate Urban Council of the piece of land adjoining the grounds of the Shorncliffe Military Hospital and the main road; and whether he will take the necessary steps to hasten, the delivery of the agreement for signature so that the necessary planting can be proceeded with before the weather becomes unsuitable for the purpose?

The actual terms of the agreement for the tenancy of this piece of ground have not yet been settled, but all possible steps will be taken to make it available for the use of the Sandgate Urban Council at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if the attention of the high military authority has been called to the ravages and inroads made by the sea during the last eighteen months along certain parts of the highway between Sandgate and Hythe known as the Prince's Road; if the authorities are aware that certain lands owned by the War Department are in consequence threatened in the near future with inundation; and if he will take the necessary steps to induce the authority or authorities responsible for the maintenance of the sea defences to undertake their adequate repair; if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the responsibility of the War Office and of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, respectively, in the matter; if he will cause the question to be dealt with as a matter of urgency on the ground that any further failure to repair the walls before the annual March gales is likely to develop into a menace to the property of the War Office bordering the Military Canal, as well as to a curtailment of the privileges of the public using the right of way along the road which was opened and dedicated to the public by the late Prince Consort more than half a century ago; and (2) if the attention of the War Office authorities has been drawn to the danger threatening the old lifeboat house and the adjoining land owned by the War Department at Sandgate, in the neighbourhood of the terminus of the Military Canal; if he will take the necessary steps to do away with the present refuse heaps in the close proximity of the military bathing place; and, in co-operation with the local authorities, if he will have plans prepared to unite the two sea walls at this spot so as to prevent future damage and inundation?

There is no information in the War Office as to damage arising from the action of the sea at the places mentioned in this and the next question, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he declines to refer the claim of Lord Macdonald to the ancient Macdonald baronetcy to the Committee of the Privy Council especially appointed to hear and determine such claims; and, in view of the fact that Lord Macdonald claims the baronetcy in pursuance of a decision confirmed by Act of Parliament and assented to by all interested parties over a prolonged period, whether there is any appeal against his decision?

The right of the present holder to the baronetcy was established by the decision of the Court of Session on the 4th June, 1910; and, in view of this decision, and acting on the advice of the Lord Advocate, I refused to refer Lord Macdonald's claim to the Committee of the Privy Council. If the Act of Parliament referred to by my hon. Friend is the Act 10 and 11, Vic. c. 29, which relates to the disposal of estates, that Act appears to have no bearing on the question of the baronetcy. I am not aware that there is any appeal from my decision.

asked the Home Secretary if he has issued a circular to licensing justices suggesting that they should make it known to licence-holders that the keeping of books showing the takings and outgoings up to date was to be regarded as an essential item in the proper management of licensed premises; if so, will he state whether it is thereby intended to suggest a belief that failure to keep such books will entail the refusal of the licence without compensation?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative; to the second, in the negative. The suggestion made in the circular, which was addressed to Chairmen of Licensing Justices, was as follows:—It has been represented to the Secretary of State that licensed victuallers very often fail to keep proper books of account. This failure no doubt occurs among all clashes of traders, but the neglect of good business methods seems to the Secretary of State to be particularly undesirable, from every point of view, in the case of a trade carried on under the statutory conditions which apply to the liquor trade. I am to suggest that, if you agree with this view, it might be useful for you in any address on licensing matters which you may deliver at the meeting, to take the opportunity of drawing attention to this point, and of making it known that the keeping of proper books of account, showing the takings and outgoings up to date, is to be regarded as an essential item in the proper management of licensed premises. No suggestion was made other than that which is here expressed in plain terms, and which is based, inter alia , on the stringent provisions as to the keeping of proper books by traders which Parliament enacted in the Bankruptcy Act of last Session.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India will now take into consideration the work performed by the officers and men of the Royal Navy, Indian Army, and Royal Indian Marine in the suppression of gun-running in the Persian Gulf during the last few years; and will he recommend the grant of a medal, or some equally appropriate recognition of the good work done, to all engaged in the operations?

The Secretary of State, in communication with the Government of India, has already considered the question as regards the Indian Army and the Royal Indian Marine, and is of opinion that the operations in question do not come within the terms of the Royal Warrant concerning the grant of medals. As regards the Royal Navy, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 12th instant by the First Lord of the Admiralty to a question on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the reply of the Government of India with reference to the representations upon questions of Excise administration submitted by the deputation which waited upon the Secretary of State for India on 18th July, 1912, has been received; and when the document will be presented to Parliament?

The Government of India's dispatch is expected to arrive by the end of the present month. Pending its receipt and consideration I cannot specify a date for its presentation to Parliament, but I assure my hon. Friend that no avoidable delay shall occur.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the Committee Appointed by him to consider a design for completing the rebuilding of the Regent Street Quadrant have yet approved one, when it will be issued, and where it will be exhibited?

A design has not yet been settled, and consequently the issue and exhibition of it have not been considered.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to reintroduce this Session the Bill to prohibit the use of hop substitutes in brewing?

This answer is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture when the Annual Report of the Board of Agriculture for the year 1913 will be available; and what orders, if any, under the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, have been made by the Board of Agriculture in regard to the shipment of worn-out and unfit horses from ports in the United Kingdom to foreign countries?

It is impossible to say exactly when the Annual Report of the Animals Division of the Board will be available, but my right hon. Friend hopes that it will be ready before Easter. The only Order of the Board issued under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, is the Exportation of Horses Order of 1910 (No. 2), a copy of which will be sent to the hon. and learned Member to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a memorial from the subordinate officers of the Federated Malay States Railways; whether he has considered it; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the matter?

As I stated yesterday, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the Bridgeton Division, a copy of the memorial has been sent to me direct by the petitioners. In accordance with established regulations, it has been returned in order that it may be forwarded through the High Commissioner for the Malay States with his report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government has received any recent information with regard to the position in British East Africa and as to the apprehensions of the residents of Uasin Gishu of a Native rising; and, if so, will he state what steps, if any, have been taken to protect the lives and property of British residents?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Bristol on the 16th of February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the case of Judah, a native of the New Hebrides and a British subject, who was arrested by the French authorities on British territory without a definite charge being made against him; whether Judah is still in prison; and whether the British Resident Commissioner has taken any steps in the matter?

My attention has been called to the case of Judah, a native of New Hebrides, but not a British subject, and I have asked the Resident Commissioner to send a report upon it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the circumstances relating to the capture and seizure at Hodeidah, on the 10th May, 1912, of the British steamship "Clumberhall," belonging to the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company, Limited, whilst proceeding in ballast from Liverpool to Bombay to load under charter party for Marseilles; whether he is aware that the vessel whilst proceeding through the Bed Sea became disabled in consequence of a sudden and serious leakage in one of her boilers, which necessitated the vessel proceeding to an anchorage off Hodeidah Roads in order to effect repairs; that immediately after coming to anchor she was boarded by officers from the Italian cruiser "Piemonte," and after an inspection of the damaged boiler the captain was ordered to move his vessel further inshore where the damage was repaired, and she was subsequently taken by the Italians to Masso-wah where she arrived on the 14th May, and was detained there whilst the Italians searched the vessel for contraband of war, which they pretended she was carrying, but failing to discover any trace of same the vessel was released on the 29th May; that owing to the detention the owners lost their charter from Bombay, and the vessel had to be fixed elsewhere, involving a loss to the owners of over £5,000; that the owners put forward a claim for compensation against the Italian Government, and such claim was rejected by the Italian Prize Court, which decided that the vessel was lawfully seized and detained; whether the two French steamers, namely, steamships "Carthage" and "Manouba," were arrested by Italian cruisers in January, 1912, the "Carthage" at the time carrying an aeroplane consigned to Tunis, and the "Manouba" having on board a large number of Turkish passengers; if, despite these facts, which possibly show colourable justification for the arrest of these two steamers, the French Government insisted on the claims of their owners being referred to the Arbitration Tribunal at The Hague, and that the owners of the vessels were awarded substantial damages against the Italian Government; whether the owners of the "Clumberhall" have requested His Majesty's Government to take action to recover compensation for the loss which they have sustained in the circumstances described; if so, when such request was so made; and what steps His Majesty's Government have taken or propose to take in the matter?

As the hon. Member-is aware, the case of the "Clumberhall," particulars as to which are correctly given in the earlier part of the question, has engaged the serious attention of His Majesty's Government, and has formed the subject of a lengthy correspondence with him. The vessel was seized on the date-mentioned in the question and was subsequently released by the Italian Government upon the urgent representations; made to them through His Majesty's Embassy at Borne. The claim put forward by the owners was referred to the Italian Prize Court. I am aware that the cases of the French mail steamers "Carthage" and "Manouba" were referred to arbitration by agreement between the French and Italian Governments, but, as in these cases there was no question of breach of blockade, they bear no analogy to that of the "Clumberhall." The action of the Italian Government in bringing the case of the "Clumberhall" before a Prize Court accords with the view upon which His Majesty's Government would themselves act in the event of this country being engaged in war. Representation were made to the Italian Government for compensation in respect of the undue detention of the ship. The Italian Government declined to entertain the claim, on the ground that, in accordance with the judgment of the Prize Court, which was based on accepted principles of International Law, the ship was guilty of breach of blockade, and therefore liable to confiscation. Her release was granted in de-ferenee to the representations of His Majesty's Government, and as a matter of grace only. I am, therefore, not in a position to pursue the matter any further. The natural remedy for such cases should lie in an appeal from a National to an International Prize Tribunal, as contemplated by The Hague Prize Court Convention. The non-existence of such a tribunal is a regrettable circumstance, for which His Majesty's Government cannot be held responsible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the heads of departments at the Yorkshire and East Midlands divisional office of Labour Exchanges, Doncaster, have expressed disapproval of any of the Exchange clerks joining the National Union of Clerks or any other trade union; and, if so, whether such expression of disapproval has the sanction of the Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, accordingly, does not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General under what paragraph in the contract with the Cunard Company for the conveyance of the American mails has he exercised the power to relieve the company from the principal obligation which was entered into by it?

I have not voluntarily relieved the Cunard Company of any of its obligations. As I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to another question addressed to me on the 18th instant, the technical advisers to the Post Office, Board of Trade, and the Admiralty, at the request of the Post Office, considered and confirmed the contention of the Cunard Company as to the grave risk attendant on taking their larger vessels into the inner harbour at Queenstown, and I have, therefore, been unable to insist on the company doing so. The mails could only be transferred to the vessels outside the harbour in fair weather, and I was unable to consent to the continuance of conditions under which the final American mails were liable, and on eight occasions had actually to be left behind at Queenstown. Section 27 (2), (b), and (c) of the contract (Part II.) provide that a deduction shall be made from the annual payment to the company if one of the fastest of the company's mail-ships fails to proceed direct to Queenstown and remain there until the mails to be there embarked have been received on board; but the Section further provides that no such deduction shall be made if the default arises wholly, or in part, from any cause beyond the control of the company, and I have been advised by the Law Officers that there is no power to make a deduction when, the failure to embark the mails at Queenstown is due to stress of weather.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the number of circulars relating to foreign lotteries now passing through the post; and whether any action can be taken in the matter?

I have no information as to the number of foreign lottery circulars sent in closed letters; and the contents of these closed letters are, of course, unknown to the Post Office. Any foreign lottery circulars observed in the open post are stopped. The Post Office is not empowered to take any further action in the matter. I am considering the necessity of further legislation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give instructions to the telephone authorities to form an exchange at Hunton, near Maidstone, at an early date, in compliance with a long-delayed promise, owing to the need of fruit growers and others obtaining improved communication with the market; and whether the delay is caused by the impossibility of obtaining an operator to perform the duties at a salary of £13 per annum?

I am glad to say that satisfactory arrangements can now be made for attendance at the proposed exchange at Hunton. The work will accordingly be proceeded with at once, and I hope the exchange will be opened before the fruit season begins.