asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing proposals for the future distribution of State Grants in aid of local expenditure, the Government will have regard to-the disproportion of the present Grants to local necessity and ability as between different districts in respect of services other than education; and whether they propose to give effect in Ireland to any of the recommendations of Lord Balfour of Burleigh and Lord Blair Balfour on the amount and distribution of Exchequer contributions affixed to the Report of the Royal Commission of 1902?

I fear that at present my right hon. Friend is unable to add anything to the general statement he made in the House of Commons on Thursday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committee on Local Taxation has yet investigated the case of Ireland; and, if so, when its Report on that case may be expected?

My right hon. Friend understands that the Committee have been dealing with England and Wales only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how many friendly societies and branches registered before 4th May, 1911, were dissolved or ceased to carry on business in the year 1913; and the numbers of their members at the latest date available prior to dissolution?

The number of such societies and branches which in 1913 were dissolved or were removed from the register because they had ceased to carry on business was 556, representing, according to the latest information available, a membership of 41,418, and funds amounting to £294,558. The above figures are exclusive of societies and branches which, although removed from the register, may still be presumed to be carrying on business, such as societies converted into branches, and societies or branches which amalgamated with others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state in whom is vested the power of appointing the Public Works Loans Board; who appoints the secretary to the Board; if an appointment has been made to fill the vacancy of secretary, and, if so, who has been appointed and what were his qualifications for the post; if there were other candidates for the post, how many; if there was no official on the administrative staff capable of filling the post; if he will explain why the post of assistant secretary to the Board, which was abolished in 1897, has been revived, and by whom has it been filled; if the person appointed to this post is related to any members or late members of the Board or officials of the Board; and if he was a member of the Civil Service, when did he enter and in what capacity?

The Public Works Loan Commissioners are appointed by a special Act of Parliament. The latest of such Acts was the Public Works Loans Act, 1910, which appointed the gentlemen named therein for a period of five years from 1st April, 1911. Similar Acts have been passed quinquennially since the date of the Public Works Loans Act, 1875, by which the Public Works Loan Board was first constituted in its present form. The appointment of Secretary to the Boards vests in the Commissioners under the Act last quoted, and they have recently filled a vacancy in the post by the promotion thereto of the chief clerk, Mr. G. A. Calder, the official on the administrative staff of the office next in rank to the secretary. His service with the Board dates back to 1876, when he entered as a lower division clerk. The post of Assistant-Secretary to the Board has not been revived as a separate post, but the title of the post of the chief clerk has been altered to "Assistant Secretary and Chief Clerk" without change in the scale of salary. This has been done in order that there might be an officer authorised in the Secretary's absence to perform any act which is required to be performed by the Secretary under the terms of the Regulations issued under the Act of 1875 already quoted. This post, rendered vacant by Mr. Calder's promotion to be Secretary, has been filled, with Treasury approval, by the promotion of Mr. H. G. H. Barnes, previously Chief Clerk to the Board's Solicitor and himself a qualified solicitor. I am informed that Mr. Barnes, who is a son of a former Solicitor to the Board who died in 1900, entered the service of Chief Clerk to the Board's present Solicitor in 1910, and that he is unrelated to any present or past Member of the Board or any official of the Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an allowance of 3d. per gallon is made to distillers in the United Kingdom on home-manufactured spirits when exported abroad in order to compensate them for the expense they are put to in consequence of Excise regulations; and whether, in view of the importance to growers of tobacco in the United Kingdom of obtaining new outlets for the sale of their tobacco, and of the expense they are put to in consequence of Excise regulations, he will grant such growers a reasonable allowance or drawback on home-grown tobacco when exported in an unmanufactured state, and so enable such growers to compete with foreign growers of tobacco on fairer terms?

An allowance of the nature described is made in respect of spirits. My right hon. Friend hardly thinks that the time has yet arrived for making similar allowance on home-grown unmanufactured tobacco, but he will consider the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for exemption from Undeveloped Land Duty under Section 17 (3) ( b ) of the Finance Act, 1910, on the ground that the land consists of woodlands, parks, and gardens, reasonable access to which is enjoyed by the public or by the inhabitants of the locality; how many of such applications for exemption have been granted; and what principles guided the Commissioners in deciding what amounts to reasonable access?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the information asked for by the hon. Member in the first and second parts of his question is not available. The Commissioners have considered each application for exemption on its merits, and in deciding whether reasonable access is enjoyed they have had regard to its frequency and extent. This involves inquiry on such points as the existence of any limitation to particular sections of the public, any reservation for special functions or purposes, or any restriction or monetary charge imposed by the owner.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice in the event of no return of income being made by 30th September to charge Income Tax at the rate of Is. 2d. in the £ on an income which would only otherwise be assessed at 9d. in the £?

Yes, Sir. The practice follows the law as expressly laid down by Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1907.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount allocated to county Armagh from the Road Improvement Fund, and how much has been paid in Grants to the present time; and what progress has been made with the distribution of the Grants, amounting to about £100,000, upon which the Road Board were engaged in May last?

The total of the Grants made or indicated to county Armagh amounts to £11,080, and of this sum £4,120 has been paid to the county council on their requisitions as the work in progress has proceeded. Since May last the Road Board have definitely indicated Grants to county councils in Ireland amounting in the aggregate to £114,862.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the proposals of the Treasury for the improvement of the position of the clerks appointed in the District Probate Registries will be made known?

No proposals of the nature indicated by the hon. Member are contemplated by the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether in any new scheme that may be promulgated for the regulation of the pensions of national teachers in Ireland, the claims of those teachers who have retired during the past ten years will be considered; and will such retired teachers be included?

The terms of the proposed pension scheme for national teachers in Ireland are under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I am unable at present to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary if the National Board of Education have requisitioned the Treasury for authority to pay arrears of salary due to teachers promoted to higher grades from the 1st April, 1909, to 1st April, 1913; whether the necessary authorisation has been given; and, if so, when payment of those arrears will be made?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the similar question of the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh, on the 19th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Galway County Council, at a meeting held on the 18th February, stating that the county council of Galway, considering the grave and serious consequences following the reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland, and contemplating the mysterious manner in which reported attacks appear, recommend the Minister of Agriculture to have immediately appointed a Commission consisting of three scientific experts qualified on diseases of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and four other men practically interested in the cattle, sheep, and pig trade of Ireland, the Commission of seven members thus appointed to be given power to summon witnesses to give evidence (and invite all other evidence) on the origin of reported outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland for the last twenty months, and find in their Report if the disease was really foot-and-mouth; if reported attacks were virulent; if they were mild, would affected animals recover in a couple of weeks; if they would fatten after recovery; if flesh and milk would be safe for human consumption; if the disease was foreign; and, if so, if it was brought into the country by imported fodder; and, if not, by what other means; and whether, in view of the manner in which the national industry of Ireland is paralysed at the present time, he will take steps to give effect to the resolution?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I have written to the Galway County Council to the effect that information is available on all the heads of the proposed inquiry save that of the origin of the disease; that this latter point is really a matter for scientific investigation; that a Commission, upon which Ireland is represented, is at present inquiring into the subject; and that, in all the circumstances, I do not see any reason for instituting an inquiry on the lines suggested.

asked the Vicc-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the vessels which import cattle from Ireland into this country are completely disinfected before they leave the British port on their return journey to Ireland; and are the ships inspected before the cattle are put on board in Ireland before being exported?

The Orders governing the transit of animals from Ireland to Great Britain require that on every occasion when a vessel is used for this purpose it shall be cleansed and disinfected in a prescribed and thorough manner after the landing of animals therefrom and before the taking on board of any other animal or other cargo. All such vessels are inspected in Ireland to see that the disinfection process has been properly carried out before animals are again put on board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Richard Foy, so long ago as 1908, claimed reinstatement in the farm from which his father was evicted and which farm is situate in the township of Ballinaraw, near Bunninadden, Ballymote, county Sligo, Percival estate; and, seeing that the Estates Commissioners decided that the applicant was a fit person to be provided with a holding, whether any steps have since been taken to provide him with one; and, if not, can he state the cause of the delay?

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

asked the Chief Secretary whether the case of Terence Dunne, Moneyquid, Killeigh, Trinity College estate, has been brought to the notice of the Estates Commissioners; is he aware that Dunne claims reinstatement in a holding of eight acres of land from which he was dispossessed some twenty years ago, the farm having remained untenanted and derelict ever since; and can he say whether the Commissioners are prepared to reinstate Dunne, in view of the fact that the estate has been sold to the tenants and is about to be vested?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Dunne's application is as the representative of his aunt, Mary Murray, deceased, who was tenant of a farm of 21 acres on this estate. She was evicted from portion of it comprising 8 acres which was in the occupation of a sub-tenant; Dunne succeeded to the remaining 13 acres, which he has since disposed of. The reply to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the comment in the Annual Report of the Local Government Board (Ireland) for 1913 upon the inquiry recently held into the administration of the distress committee of the city of Dublin, where, it is stated, that the inquiry resulted in a vindication of the action of the distress committee; whether a shorthand report was taken of the evidence given at the inquiry; and, if so, whether it is intended to publish it?

My attention has been called to the statement referred to. Shorthand notes were taken of the proceedings at the inquiry, and the transcript of evidence is very voluminous, the publication of which would involve considerable expense out of all proportion to its utility. It is open to any interested party to inspect and make extracts from the minutes of evidence at the office of the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued final offers to Mr. Richard Gibbons, J.P., Westport, for the purchase of his estates in county Sligo, or when they hope to be in a position to do so?

The Congested Districts Board have decided to make revised offers for the estates of Mr. Richard Gibbons in the county of Sligo, and they will be issued as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board has yet made a final offer to Mr. D. G. Fitzgerald, of Turlough, county Mayo, for the purchase of his estate; and whether it has been accepted?

The Congested Districts Board at their last meeting decided to make a revised offer for the estate referred to, and it will be issued in the ordinary course.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the lands of Lloydsborough and Coolgrawn, estate of H. J. Butler-Lloyd, situated at Templemore, county Tipperary, for redistribution?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary when the sale of Lord Orkney's estate situated at Ballinroe and Ballinlassa, Castlebiny, Templemore, county Tipperary, will be completed and the holdings vested in the tenants?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the residue of the holdings on this estate in county Tipperary not yet vested in the purchasing tenants will be dealt with as soon as possible.

asked whether Mr. Durkan has yet offered his property at Cloonaglera, Turlough, county Mayo, for sale through the Congested Districts Board, or has he refused to do so?

Mr. Durkan has informed the Congested Districts Board that he is preparing maps with a view to offering his estate for sale to the Board.

asked whether negotiations are still proceeding between the Congested Districts Board and the owners for the purchase of the D'Arcy and Phibbs-Irwin estates, near Turlough, county Mayo; and what stage the negotiations have reached?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that negotiations for the purchase of Mr. James D'Arcy's estate are proceeding. A final offer has been issued, and the Board are at present in correspondence with the owner regarding it. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estate of Mr. J. Phibbs-Irwin have been lodged with the Board, but the question of purchase has not yet been considered by them.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued a final offer to Mr. Ryan for the purchase of his property near Newport, county Mayo; and, if not, when they propose to do so?

The Congested Districts Board have not issued a final offer for the purchase of Mr. E. A. Ryan's property, and they are not prepared to do so.

asked whether Mr. Joyce has refused to sell through the Congested Districts Board his congested estate at Breaffy, Castlebar, county Mayo; and, if so, whether the Board will take legal steps to acquire the property?

The Congested Districts Board have communicated with Mr. Walter Joyce's solicitor regarding a sale of his estate at Breaffy, county Mayo, and were informed that Mr. Joyce is unwilling to negotiate except on a cash basis. The Board do not at present propose to take any steps to acquire the property compulsorily.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued a final offer to the Hon. Mrs. Livingstone for the purchase of her congested estate at Ballintleva and Ballyglass, Westport, county Mayo, or when they intend to issue such offer?

The Congested Districts Board have not issued a final offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, and they do not propose to do so.

asked the Chief Secretary who is the present manager of Clontafleece national school, Warrenpoint, county Down; whether this school has been taken from the minority and handed over to the majority; whether the Commissioners of National Education have any rules bearing on such cases, and, if so, can he state the number of such rules; whether the Protestants of this district asked as a safeguard that a committee of management representing the various interests concerned be appointed, and, if so, whether such request from the minority has been granted; whether he is aware that the Protestants of this locality have three and a half miles to go to a Protestant school; and whether in this case he will make any representations on behalf of the minority to the Board of National Education?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the present manager of Clontafleece National School, county Down, is the Rev. F. McGennis, Roman Catholic Administrator, Warrenpoint. The former manager of the school, Mr. James Crawford (Methodist) resigned the position on 17th January, 1914, in favour of the Rev. Mr. McGennis, who, he stated, was the purchaser of the school premises, and who was willing to undertake all the responbilities of the managership. Of fifty-nine pupils on the rolls of the school on 31st December, 1913, forty were Roman Catholics, nine were Episcopalians, and ten were Presbyterians. The Commissioners have no rule bearing upon a case of this particular kind beyond those dealing with the general question of patronage and management of national schools. The Rev. Dr. Glenny, rector of Clonallon, Warrenpoint, proposed that the school be placed under a committee of management, but Mr. Crawford, the former manager, expressed the view that the present owner of the school would not be willing to agree to such a course, and the proposal of Dr. Glenny was not adopted. The nearest national school, under Protestant management, is the Dromore Road national school, which is two and three-quarter miles distant by road from Clontafleece national school. This is not a matter in which I can intervene.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will have inquiry made as to the, reasons why the following claimants for old age pensions in the Ballinskelligs district have not had their claims granted: Patrick Murphy, Fcrmoyle; John Crea, Ballinskelligs; Mrs. Honoria Day, Kinnard West, Ballinskelligs; Mrs. Mary Sugrue, Boolakeel, Ballinskelligs; Mrs. Johanna King, Clahanunoe, Ballinskelligs; Mrs. Honora Griffin, Killabuonia, Ballinskelligs?

The claims of the first two persons referred to in the question, namely, Patrick Murphy and John Creay (or Cray), were disallowed on appeal by the Local Government Board, because the statutory conditions as to twelve years' residence in the United Kingdom out of the previous twenty had not been complied with. With regard to the next three cases the claims were disallowed because, in the opinion of the Board, the means of the claimants exceeded the statutory limit. Mrs. Day had a well-stocked and well-tilled farmed of sixteen acres. Mrs. Sugrue had a similar farm of upwards of seventeen acres, while Mrs. King had a farm of fifty acres. Mrs. Griffin's claim was disallowed by the Board in 1912 on the ground that she was at that time under the statutory age. Mrs. King's claim was also decided in 1912, but she has made a fresh claim, which is now under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that registration clerks are allowed a fee of 1s. 6d. per entry for registration of births and deaths and only 6d. per entry for registration of marriages, although it entails double entry and extra trouble; and whether he will make inquiries with a view of readjusting the scale of fees according to the work performed by such clerks?

The Registrar-General informs me that by the provisions of the Act 26 Vic, cap. 11, Section 54, the remuneration of a registrar for every entry of a birth or death is fixed at the sum of one shilling, and by the provisions of the Act 26 and 27 Vic., cap. 90, Section 21, the remuneration for every entry of a marriage is fixed at sixpence. Any readjustment of the scale of fees would require legislation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the increase of fatal accidents to workmen employed upon the new dock works at Rosyth; whether his Department was represented at the inquests which were recently held upon the last three men killed; and, if so, what was the nature of the reports he received relating to the causes and circumstances of the same?

The increase in the number of accidents is due to the large number of workmen employed, and maximum traffic on railway lines. The Admiralty were represented at the inquiries. Two of the accidents occurred on the railway. The third was a blasting accident, and the evidence showed that the man had disobeyed instructions. A formal verdict was returned in each case, no reflections being made on the Admiralty or contractor.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much land is required for naval purposes at Cromarty; what price per acre the owner is asking for it; what has been its rating value per acre; why the inquiry connected with the proposed purchase of this land is held in private; and whether a verbatim report of the evidence and speeches at the inquiry will be laid before Parliament?

Approximately eighty-seven acres are required by the Admiralty at Cromarty. It was decided by the Arbiter that the usual practice should be followed, and reporters not admitted. With regard to publication, perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to answer that question when the proceedings are more nearly terminated.

asked the Secretary for War the numbers of officers and of non-commissioned officers and men of the Special Reserve on the 1st January of 1912, 1913, and 1914?

Exclusive of Militiamen and men of the Militia Reserve Division the figures are:— — Officers. N.C.O's. & Men. 1st January, 1912 … 2,036 59,915 1st January, 1913 … 2,172 58,877 1st January, 1914 … 2,404 60,685

asked the Secretary for War whether the Government buildings situated on the Roscommon side of the Shannon, at Shannon Bridge, have been recently surrendered to Mr. W. T. Potts, the owner of the adjacent land; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of the terms upon which they have been given away by the Government?

Until last year the War Department held land at Roscommon—partly freehold, partly leasehold. The latter was surrendered, and at the same time the former was sold. So far as the War Department buildings were on the freehold area, their value formed an element in the price paid by Mr. Potts frr the property. The Department had no power to remove the buildings on the leasehold area.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will state the shortage of officers and men in the Regular Army, Special Reserve, and Territorial Forces, respectively, on 1st February last?

For the Territorial Force I can only give figures for 1st January. They are:—Officers, 1,867; N.C.O's. and men, 81,348. On lst February the Regulars were deficient 116 officers and 9,223 other ranks, and the Special Reserve 460 officers and 13,699 other ranks.

also asked the Secretary for War whether the trials of the device enabling 4.7 quick-firing guns to be ranged in yards when laying indirect to use a fuse indicator, and obtain increased deflection on the deflection, scale which have been sanctioned, have proved satisfactory, and result in greater accuracy in shooting; and, if so, will he sanction the free issue of this device to Territorial units?

The trial of this device by the heavy batteries of the Territorial Royal Garrison Artillery at their practice this year was only authorised last month, and no experience of the results it will give can therefore be available for some time. In the present experimental stage the question of a free issue does not arise.

asked the Secretary for War if any calculations have been made in his Department to show what would be the additional cost of feeding the Army on fresh British meat instead of on frozen meat?

The extra cost has been estimated in round figures at £150,000 a year for the troops stationed in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary for War if he intends to put a stop to Sunday rifle practice by the Territorials so as to lessen the Sunday labour of railway men and others?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question put on this subject by the hon. Member for West Ham on 30th October, 1912. There has been no change of policy since that date.

asked what number of Regular troops there are now stationed in Ireland; whether it is intended shortly to increase the number; and what number of Territorials there are in Ireland?

In reply to the first part of the question, it is not considered desirable to give detailed numbers of troops, and their distribution, at any particular date. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the third part, there are no Territorials in Ireland, as the Act has not yet been applied to that country.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many Catholic head masters applied for the position of assistant inspector of elementary schools last year; how many were selected for interview; and whether any minimum academical qualification for fitness for the posts was laid down?

I made no inquiries as to the religious beliefs of any of the candidates, but fourteen head masters of Roman Catholic schools applied, three were selected for interview. No minimum academic qualification for fitness for the post of assistant inspector was laid down by the Board, but candidates were informed that "regard would be had to character, general ability, educational qualifications (both academical and professional), experience in the teaching and conduct or organisation of schools, and to any other evidence of fitness for the office of assistant inspector."

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried at Rotherham Police Court on the 11th instant, in which a young man named Mark Calladine was committed to prison for three months on a charge of stealing potatoes; whether he is aware that Calladine is mentally weak, has never been able to work, and has never been charged before; and whether, in view of these circumstances, and of the fact that Calladine took no active part in the commission of the crime, he will consider the possibility of remitting or materially reducing the sentence?

I have inquired into the case, and find that in the opinion of the medical officer of the prison the prisoner is feeble-minded. No representation on this point was made to the justices until after they had passed the sentence, and they could then only call the attention of the prison authorities to the matter. If the prisoner has friends who can undertake to look after him and control him, I shall be glad to consider the question of remitting the remainder of the sentence. The Mental Deficiency Act, under which he might foe dealt with, does not come into force until 1st April.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had his attention drawn to the sentence of fourteen days' imprisonment on Mrs. Annie Cooper, at the Chipping Norton Borough Police Court, on Thursday, 12th February, for an assault in the course of a trades dispute; and whether, in view of the trivial nature of such assault, he can see his way clear to remit the remaining few days of her sentence?

No facts have been brought to my notice in this case sufficient to justify any interference with the sentence.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that dissatisfaction exists in Cyprus with regard to the government thereof; and whether he has received any communications on the subject from the Cyprus Merchants' Federation?

I have not received any communication from the body to which the hon. Member refers; and I think that the people of Cyprus are as well satisfied with their present Government as they have been with any previous Government in the history of the Island.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies (1) how many destitute refugees were at Berbera in October, 1913; how many are there at the present time; and whether a camp of refuge was erected for these people outside the town; and, if so, where; and (2) if he will state what relief in food or money was given to the destitute refugees at Berbera; and whether any work was required of them in return for such relief?

I am not in possession of the details for which the hon. Member oasks, but I was informed by the Commissioner of Somaliland that on 5th December last some 850 refugees were at that time being fed in Berbera at Government expense. I am asking the Commissioner for further information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recruiting of indentured labour for East Africa has been carried on in Somaliland during the past six months; and, if so, on what terms and whether by the sanction of the Colonial Office?

With my sanction a party of Somali natives, consisting of 255 men, ninety-three women, and fifty-seven minors, was engaged in October last by the Coast Labour Society, East Africa Protectorate, for work in the coast plantations of East Africa. The period of engagement is one year. Wages, Rs. 8 a month for adult males, Rs. 5 a month for females and minors. Quarters, medical attendance, and food on a prescribed scale, provided free. Labourers are not to be separated from their families or dependents. The agreement may be renewed on the same terms for a further period, not exceeding one year. On expiration of the agreement the labourer is to be returned to Somaliland if either he, or the Governor of the East Africa Protectorate, or the Commissioner of Somaliland desires it, and is to be provided with sufficient food for the journey.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to give any information respecting the tonnage tax levied upon British and other merchandise imported into Havana and other ports of entry in the Island of Cuba; whether he has received representations from the West India merchants and others interested in furthering commercial intercourse between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cuba asking for some alleviation from the duty in question; whether any communications have passed between His Majesty's Minister at Havana and the Cuban Secretary of State upon this question during the past eight months; and whether, in view of the importance of fostering trade and commerce between British and Cuban ports and encouraging the maritime relations between the two countries, His Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table the correspondence which has passed between Havana and London upon this subject?

His Majesty's Government have not recently received any representations from merchants or others in regard to the Cuban Ports Law of February, 1911, but they have not lost sight of the question since my reply to the hon. Member on 23rd June last. A few months ago His Majesty's Minister at Havana renewed the protest of His Majesty's Government against the clause in the law granting special privileges to the United States in the matter of the tonnage, tax, and several other foreign Governments, including France, Germany, and Spain, took similar action. The Cuban Government have replied that they are still awaiting the decision of the Courts on the question of the legality of the decree suspending the operation of the law so far as it regards the payment of the tonnage tax. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by laying Papers on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can give the approximate cost of the new Government buildings at Delhi; and if the land on which they are situated became the property of the Indian Government before or after the announcement of the change of the capital?

The project estimates of the engineers and architects are at present being examined by the Government of India. According to these estimates the outlay on Government buildings of all kinds will amount to £2,800,000. The land has been purchased by Government tinder a notification which issued immediately after the announcement of the change of capital, and under terms which base the price on the value prevailing at that date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to state at what date the Royal Commission on the Civil Service will issue the first portion of their Report?

No, Sir; but I am informed that the Report may be expected very soon.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that, by a judicial decision delivered on the 16th instant, an hon. Member of this House has been mulcted in a sum of £13,000 at the suit of a common informer for having sat and voted in this House while a member of a private company having a contract with the Government, whereas, shareholders and directors of incorporated trading companies contracting with the Government in their corporate capacity are not affected if Members of this House in their Parliamentary status, the Gov- ernment will consider the advisability of taking steps for the correction of this state of affairs?

As I have already stated in the House, the law on this subject appears to me to operate unevenly. I will consider the hon. and learned Member's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has now reconstituted the Rural Education Conference; if so, who are the members of it; and when will its first meeting take place?

The Rural Education Conference has been reconstituted by a Minute of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and will be known in future as the Agricultural Education Conference. It will consist of forty-four members, of whom six will be nominated by the Board, and one by each of the following bodies:—

Provincial Councils.

Advisory Councils for Agricultural Education in England. Welsh Agricultural Council. Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education. Universities and University and Agricultural Colleges. University of Oxford. University of Cambridge. University of Leeds. University of Bristol. Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. University College, Reading. University College, Aberystwyth. University College, Bangor. Harper-Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Salop. Midland Agricultural and Dairy College, Kingston, Derby. Seale-Hayne College, Newton Abbot. South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, Kent.

Societies.

Agricultural Education Association. Agricultural Organisation Society. Association of Directors and Secretaries of Education. Bath and West and Southern Counties Society. British Dairy Farmers' Association. Central Chamber of Agriculture. Central Land Association. 1431 County Councils Association. Farmers' Club. Land Agents' Society. National Farmers' Union. Royal Agricultural Society of England. Royal Horticultural Society. Surveyors' Institution. Welsh National Agricultural Society.

Three representative members remain to be nominated, and when this is done the Conference will be completed without delay by the appointment of the Board's nominees.

The first meeting of the Conference may be expected to take place within the next few weeks.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vaccination officer for Harrow did not serve Form Q on Mr. L. C. Bell, 113, Pinner Road, Harrow, in respect of his child Eunice Nellie Bell, until after such child was more than four mouths old, although required by the Vaccination Order, 1907, so to do on the expiration of seven days after the child had attained the age of three calendar months; whether he is aware that Mr. Bell immediately made a statutory declaration of conscientious objection to the vaccination of his child, but that this was returned by the vaccination officer on account of being too late; and whether, in view of the negligence of the officer to perform his duties as prescribed by the Board, he is willing to give instructions that, in his opinion, this is a case in which proceedings for default should not be taken?

The attention of the Board was drawn to the facts of this case, and they informed the vaccination officer in October last that they considered that it was not a case in which further proceedings should be taken, and no proceedings were taken.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the vaccination officer for the No. 1 District of the West Ham Union is issuing to parents what purport to be default notices, and described as K, but which are not in the terms of Form K as prescribed by the Board; and whether he will take steps to compel the officer to carry out his duties in accordance with the instructions of the Board?

I have no information on the subject, but am making inquiry, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the dissatisfaction expressed by elected members of the board of managers of the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum at the system of co-opting persons to the board of management, he will discontinue this practice, which fell into disuse in 1896 and has recently been revived?

The power of nominating managers of the Sick Asylum District by the Local Government Board has been regularly exercised since 1908. Three members have been nominated out of a total number of fifteen managers. The system has proved of value, and I am not aware of any sufficient reason for discontinuing it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of emigrants who left the United Kingdom for the United States and other foreign countries during 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, respectively?

The numbers of emigrants from the United Kingdom to countries out of Europe have only been distinguished from those of other passengers since 1st April, 1912. During the last nine months of 1912 and the year 1913 the numbers of passengers of British nationality, recorded as having had a permanent residence in the United Kingdom, who left to take up permanent residence in foreign countries out of Europe were as follows:— — Country of Future Permanent Residence. United States. Other Foreign Countries out of Europe. All Foreign Countries out of Europe. 1st April to 31st Dec., 1912 79,683 7,480 87,163 Calendar year, 1913 94,660 9,490 104,150 for previous years the only figures available are those showing the numbers of pas- sengers who left this country having contracted to land at a port in a foregin country, and the numbers of those who embarked at a foreign port and landed in this country. The numbers of such passengers outward who were of British nationality, and the excess of outward over inward direct passengers between the United Kingdom and foreign countries out of Europe, were as follows:—

Year. Outward Passengers. Excess of Outward over Inward Passengers. To United States. To Other Foreign Countries out of Europe. To all Foreign Countries out of Europe. To United States. To Other Foreign Countries out of Europe. To all Foreign Countries out of Europe. 1910 … … 132,192 16,207 148,399 73,569 1,262 74,831 1911 … … 121,814 16,965 138,779 49,732 1,695 51,427 1912 … … 117,310 19,293 136,603 45,817 2,680 48,497 1913 … … 129,114 18,973 148,087 52,175 1,149 53,324

The figures for 1913 are subject to revision, and none of the figures include the numbers who travelled to or from more distant countries via Continental ports.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, as under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1894, Section 46 ( c ), a person may continue to act as a member of a parish council or district council who has been charged before a magistrate with theft and has pleaded guilty, he will consider the advisability of amending the Act, so that in future such persons shall be disqualified; whether the clerk of the Bromham Parish Council wrote to the Secretary to the Local Government Board calling his attention to the fact that a person was continuing to sit on the parish ocouncil who had been so charged and who had pleaded guilty; whether his Department gave the questioner no information as to the law, and wrote that the Local Government Board had no jurisdiction in the matter; and, if so, whether he will see that guidance in these matters shall be afforded to parish councils in future?

In the case referred to in the question no conviction was recorded and no penalty was imposed. Any proposal to bring such cases within the law relating to disqualification, while not including other cases where disqualification would be improper, would be a task of much difficulty. In answer to the latter part of the question, attention was called to the case, but the Board have found it necessary to make a rule not to advise on questions of this kind, which can only be determined authoritatively in a Court of Law.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can say approximately

when the new post office at Woolwich will be completed; whether the contract is let; and, if so to whom?

The working drawings are now ready, and quantities will be prepared and tenders, invited very shortly. It is hoped to begin the work at the beginning of May and to complete in twelve months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to place the post office at Woolwich in the second division of London offices, instead of the third, as it now stands?

The general question of the classification of London post offices is under consideration in connection with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Post Office Servants, and I am not yet in a position to say whether any change will be made as regards the Woolwich office.

asked the Postmaster-General how many members of the engineering grade, including the electrical staff, transferred from the National Telephone Company have resigned from the postal service since the 1st January, 1912?

Out of a total of approximately 6,500 members of the engineering staff, including the electrical staff, transferred from the National Telephone Company, about 446 have resigned since the 1st January, 1912. The number given includes 125 resignations from the unskilled staff, which is necessarily, more or less, a transient force.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can state what stage the plans for the alterations of the London Institution have now reached?

Satisfactory progress is being made with the plans for the alterations of the building of the London Institution recommended in the first interim report of Lord Cromer's Committee.

asked the Post-master-General the number of women and girls employed by his Department, and the rate of pay of each grade?

Class. Number on Class. Scale or Range of Pay. Women Clerks, London, Class I. 297 £120 £5 £150 Women Clerks, London, Class II 2,316 £65 £5 £115 Girl Clerks London, 246 £42 £3 £48 Women Sorters London 871 14/- by 1/- to 16/- then by 2/- to 32/- Under 18 yrs. At 18 yrs. At 19 yrs. At 20 yrs. At 21 yrs. Telegraphists London 974 16/- 18/- 20/- 22/- 24/- by 2/- to 30/- then by 1/- to 40/- Counter Clerks and Telegraphists, London 1,077 Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists, Provinces— Class I. Offices 1,757 13/- 15/- 18/- 20/- 22/- by 2/- to 28/- then by 1/- to 36/- Class II. Offices 585 12/- 14/- 16/- 18/- 20/- by 2/- to 28/- then by 1/- to 34/- Class III. Offices 554 12/- 14/- 16/- 18/- 20/- by 2/- to 26/- then by 1/- to 30/- Class IV. Offices 544 12/- 14/- 16/- 18/- 20/- by 2/- to 24/- then by 1/- to 30/- Class V. Offices 1,948 12/- 14/- 15/- 17/- 19/- by 2/- to 23/- then by 1/- to 28/- Learners, London 185 7/- to 18/- Learners, Provinces 725 * 5/- to 15/- Telephonists— 16 yrs. 17 yrs. 18 yrs. 19 yrs. 20 yrs. 21 yrs. London 4,117 13/- 14/- †15/- 18/- 19/6 21/- by 1/6 to 28/- Provinces, Class I. Offices 3,634 12/- 13/- 14/- 16/- 17/6 19/- by 1/6 to 26/- Provinces, Class II. Offices 852 12/- 13/- 14/- 16/- 17/6 19/- 20/6 22/- by 1/- to 25/- Provinces, Class III. Offices 1,108 12/- 13/- 14/- 16/- 17/6 19/- 20/6 22/- by 1/- to 24/- Provinces, Class IV.& V. Offices 1,800 11/- 12/- 13/6 15/- 16/6 18/- 19/6 21/- by 1/- to 23/- * A proposal to raise the minimum rate to 6/- is now before the Treasury. † A proposal to raise this rate to 16/- is before the Treasury.

The total number of women and girls employed on Post Office-work is approximately 59,000. Of this total about 18,400 are not paid directly by the Department. A statement is appended showing the present numbers of the principal classes, other than supervising classes and scale payment sub-postmistresses, together with the scales of pay recommended by the recent Parliamentary Committee. In some cases the scales have not yet received Treasury approval. There are approximately 8,200 scale payment sub-postmistresses, and the method of assessing the payments made to them is indicated on page 59 of the Supplement to the Estimates, Revenue Departments, 1913–14. The compilation of detailed information with regard to all the classes not included in the statement would involve considerable labour, but if there is any class in which the hon. Member is specially interested, I will endeavour to supply any particulars he may require.