asked whether, in view of the new situation in Mexico created by the removal by the United States of the embargo on arms and ammunition, he is taking any steps to safeguard British lives and property, which are now entirely at the mercy of any bandits and robbers who find it convenient to profess political objects?

His Majesty's Government have requested the United States Government to impress upon the leaders of the "constitutionalists" the importance of respecting foreign lives and property in the districts which they occupy. The United States Government have complied with this request. As regards the rest of Mexico, the protection of British lives and property has formed the subject of frequent representations to the Mexican Government, and certain steps have been taken at Mexico City in case of possible disturbance, as I announced recently. I would also refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 23rd February with regard to the general policy of His Majesty's Government. It is not possible for us to take any steps for protection in the interior.

With regard to safeguarding British lives and property, is there not danger of the same description nearer home?

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs what reply one proposes to make to the United States Government in regard to the conclusion of an Arbitration Treaty between the United States and this country?

The Arbitration Convention between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government of 1908 was renewed on 31st May last, and I hope that ratifications will shortly be exchanged. His Majesty's Government are at present considering proposals that have recently been made to them by the United States Government for concluding a Treaty establishing Peace Commissions. The draft Treaty submitted to us by the United States Government seems to be generally acceptable, but we must consider it with the self-governing Dominions as some special provision will be required to meet their interests.

Is there any objection to telling the House the terms of the suggested Treaty?

I must first inquire whether the Treaty has been actually published by the United States, because it is their draft, not ours. If they have no objection to its being published I will certainly give the House the information asked for.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the Regent of Persia has asked the Russian Minister at Teheran to consent to the removal of Shuja-ed-Dowlah from the Governor-generalship of Azerbaijan; if so, what reply has been made to the Regent by the Russian Minister; whether the province of Azerbaijan has accepted the invitation of the Government of Persia to elect representatives to the new Medjliss; whether a wild Luristan tribe attempted to capture Captain Wilson and Mr. Douglas on their way down from Khoremabad to Dizful in order to hold them to ransom; if the same tribe is now encamped in the country which necessarily must be traversed by the Mohammera-Khoremabad Railway survey party if they attempt to carry out their work; and, in these circumstances, will the Persian Government accept the single reconnaissance survey made by Captain Wilson and Mr. Douglas on their journey, and thereby enable the Mohammera-Khoremabad Railway survey party to return to Europe?

On points one and two I have no official information. In reply to point three, the Persian Government decided to await the result of the elections in Teheran before taking steps to hold elections in the provinces. I have no later information regarding Azerbaijan. As regards points four and five, I have no information that any actual attempt was made to capture the gentlemen in question, though there were rumours of such intention. On point six it is impossible to foretell until the results of the reconnaissance survey have been examined whether there will be sufficient data to arrive at any definite conclusion. I understand that the Persian Government desire to use the information as a basis of negotiation if it can be regarded as adequate.

May I ask, concerning the second question, if it is the fact that the heads of religion at Tabriz are strongly averse to electing representatives to the Medjliss? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of that?

I cannot say without referring to the papers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether Lady Chapman, of Killua Castle, has again changed her method of sale, and now proposes to sell her entire estate outside of the demense to the Estates Commissioners; if so, what was the date of her offer to do this; whether the Commissioners will, before dealing with the estate, ascertain the number of holdings on it now derelict in consequence of congestion; the number which do not comprise any land; the number consisting of less than half an acre each; the total number congested within the meaning of the Land Act of 1909; the number of tenants paying rent by means of outdoor relief received from the Poor Law guardians; and the number and gross acreage of non-residential grass farms on the estate; and, in view of the congested condition of this estate and the public importance of a proper settlement of it, he can say when this information will be available and will give it in this House before the adoption of any scheme of settlement; and (2) whether the police have reported the threats of the ranchers on the estate of Lady Chapman, Killua, that they will retain the ranches in spite of people and Commissioners, though it were to cost them their lives; if he will say why, and on whose instructions, the police report inflammatory language when used on behalf of congested people and not this language of the ranchers; and, having regard to the effect of such language in a congested area, whether he will give an assurance that no settlement of this estate will be attempted but one devoting all the non-residential grass land, so far as it will go, to the relief of the congestion of the estate, in accordance with the Statutes?

The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of any proceedings for sale of this estate other than the proceedings for the sale of the property to them which were instituted on the 18th August, 1908. In dealing with the estate the Commissioners will act in accordance with the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The police inform me that no such threats were made use of, nor did the parties who expect portions of the grasslands use any intimidating language as suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question as to whether non-residential grasslands shall only be devoted to the relief of congestion on this Killua estate?

The question is put on the assumption that the delay is due to a change in the proposals for purchase. That is not so. The estate will be dealt with in the ordinary course.

Will the Chief Secretary say under what Act and Section this estate is being sold, and whether it is to be dealt with as a congested district?

I must ask for notice.

asked the Chief Secretary the date on which, and the holding and estate from which, Michael Murphy, who was lately provided by the Estates Commissioners with a holding on the Thompson estate, Kilcoke, Queen's County, alleged he was evicted?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Michael Murphy was evicted in 1901 from a holding at Knocklade, on the Cosby estate, Queen's County.

asked if the Estates Commissioners are aware that Michael Murphy, whom they provided with a holding on the Thompson estate, Kilcoke, Queen's County, was not an evicted tenant, and that he actually sold his interest in the holding from which he alleged he was evicted; and whether, in view of the fact that there are many of the Luggacurren evicted tenants still unprovided, the Estates Commissioners will reconsider the question of granting this holding to Mr. Murphy?

The reply is in the negative.

asked why the Return of estates in the. Land Judge's Court, ordered by the House last Session, has not been issued; whether it has been prepared; and, if so, when it will be available?

I understand that this Return was circulated yesterday.

asked the right hon. Gentleman (1) how many purchase agreements have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners on behalf of the tenants on the estate of Lady Chapman, situate on the borders of counties Meath and Westmeath; the number of such agreements referring to holdings under five and ten acres in extent, respectively; and whether careful investigation will take place as to the nature of the tenure of some of the large holdings, so as to preclude the possibility of including grazing tenants who have no claim to any benefit under any of the Land Acts, in order that their portion of the estate may be treated as untenanted land and acquired for the uneconomic holders on the estate; (2) the entire acreage of the estate of Lady Chapman, the amount offered to the tenants by direct sale, and the amount offered to the Commissioners; and whether he can classify the number of holdings which might be termed grazing lettings and state the conditions and date of the leases under which they are held, the number of holdings which might be treated as genuine agricultural tenancies, the number of uneconomic holdings, and the average size of the latter; and (3) whether any untenanted land on the estate of Lady Chapman, of Killua Castle, situate partly in county Meath and partly in Westmeath, has been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners; if so, has an offer been made for it; and whether any inquiry has been made into the size and conditions of the uneconomic holdings on the estate, and any steps taken to improve their condition?

This property is not being sold by the owner direct to the tenants, and no purchase agreements signed by the parties have, therefore, been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. The owner has instituted proceedings for the sale of the property to the Commissioners under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and in dealing with it they will act in accordance with the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts and the Rules and; Regulations made thereunder. The property offered for sale to the Commissioners comprises some 3,900 acres, of which over 600 acres are untenanted lands in the occupation of the owner. The Commissioners have made an offer to purchase the property, which is under the consideration of the owner. At this stage of the negotiations it is not desirable to furnish the other particulars asked for in the questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether this estate ought to be treated as a congested estate?

I will inquire of the Estates Commissioners on that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware whether this estate has or has not been inspected?

I should require notice of that question.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has yet made an offer of purchase for the Higgins-M'Carthy estate, Townaleen, Connemara; and whether the landlord has expressed his willingness to sell his estate to the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board have issued an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, which has not so far been accepted.

asked whether the offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the St. Ledger Higgins-estate, Maam, Connemara, has been accepted; and, if not, why the offer has not been accepted?

The offer of the Congested Districts Board in land stock for this very small estate was not accepted, but the owner expressed his willingness to accept the amount in cash.

asked whether Messrs. O'Malley and Joyce, owners of the Raha estate, Connemara, have yet lodged their maps with the Congested Districts Board?

The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of this property with a view to a sale have not so far been lodged with the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the completion of land purchase in Ireland was promised in the Speech from the Throne in 1913, he will find time to allow a Second Reading to the measure introduced by the Chief Secretary in July of last year and satisfy himself by Debate in the House as to Irish opinion on the proposals contained in the Bill?

The Government are anxious to proceed with this Bill, and are not without hope that some general measures of agreement may be attained in regard to it. I cannot say more at present.

asked the Chief Secretary when it is proposed to make the Grant for the improvement of Dingle pier and harbour?

The question of recommending a Grant has been favourably entertained by the Development Commissioners for the improvement of Dingle pier and harbour, but the precise terms of the contingent recommendation of the Commissioners cannot be stated until plans, specifications, and estimates are prepared, and until the amount of the local contribution is agreed upon.

How soon may we expect this matter to be arranged? It has now been going on for a long time.

We are getting to closer quarters, and I hope matters will now proceed more rapidly.

asked the Chief Secretary the total amount deducted from the Local Taxation Account for Kerry in each of the years 1906 to 1913, inclusive, under the following heads: medical and educational expenditure in unions, salaries to sanitary officers in rural and urban districts, estate duty Grant in respect of land purchase liability, railway, and harbour charges under Section 58 of The Local Government Act, 1898; what is the total loss to the country under all those heads in each of those years; and what steps are proposed to be taken to have this money refunded to the county?

During the years 1906, 1907, and 1908 no deductions were made from payments to county Kerry out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account in respect of expenditure on medical and educational purposes, salaries of sanitary officers in rural and urban districts, or railway and harbour charges; but in 1907 and 1908 the sum of £838 8s. 3d. and £620 5s. 1d., respectively, were deducted from the share of the county in the Estate or Death Duty Grant in respect of land purchase liability in the county. As regards the years 1909 to 1913, inclusive, I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed statement which I forwarded to him in reply to his similar question on the 25th April last. I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the final paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have power, when the condition of families in a rural district is such as to justify the grant of outdoor relief to them, to prevent the landlord obtaining and appropriating that relief as rent, leaving the families destitute, as is being done on the estate of Lady 'Chapman of Killua; and, if so, whether the Board will exercise that power and protect against claims for rent what is necessary for the subsistence of those families?

The determination of the form in which poor relief is given in particular cases is a matter for the boards of guardians concerned. The guardians may give the relief in either money or food, and the Local Government Board have no power to interfere with their decision, or to direct how the relief which is afforded in money shall be expended by the recipients.

I beg to give notice I will call attention to this matter on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow (Friday) night.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any knowledge as to the efficiency of the force known as the Ulster Volunteers; whether it is organised with its ancillary services, such as signalling, hospital, ambulance, dispatch riding, transport, etc.; and what number of armed and trained men the Ulster Volunteers can put in the field?

I have knowledge of the matters referred to by the hon. Member, but I am not prepared to share that knowledge with him.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he does know, or does not know, whether or not the Ulster Volunteers are a formidable military body?

I have already answered that.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that when the Ulster Volunteer camp, at Knockbally-more, near Clones, county Monaghan, was breaking up on last Saturday, a force of constabulary, under District Inspector Egan, was posted outside the camp gate, and that by direction of the district inspector a car, the property of Mr. William Nixon, Tattymore, was stopped and searched and a bag taken from it, opened, and searched; that the district inspector was strongly remonstrated with and asked to produce a search warrant or other authority to justify his action, and was unable to do so; and whether, having regard to the fact that such zeal on the part of the constabulary in the present state of feeling in Ulster is directly calculated to provoke disturbance, he will give special instructions to the constabulary to act within the strict limits of their powers and duty in the matter of search?

I am informed that the district inspector, who had two members of the police force with him, was told by the owner of the bag referred to that it contained wooden guns, and, on his asking if he might see them, the owner said certainly. This being so, I do not think the incident deserves further notice, or that there is any necessity to issue such instructions as those referred to in the last paragraph of he question.

Is it the policy of the Irish Executive to encourage such highhanded and illegal acts by the Royal Irish Constabulary in regard to search, as is mentioned in the question, in the hope that they may provoke resistance and retaliation by Unionists?

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no such intention on anybody's part. Here the inspector would not have examined the bag unless the man to whom it belonged had expressed his perfect willingness that it should be opened.

Why was the inspector there at all?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and learned Gentleman who wishes to restrain the zeal of the constabulary is himself an Ulster covenanter and a Crown Prosecutor for the constabulary?

I will answer that personal question here. I am.

I deprecate the introduction of this personal matter. The hon. Member who introduced it really ought to know better than to have put this question. These personal matters really do not affect the general question, and they are only raised for the purpose of irritation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any reports of a disturbance which is stated to have occurred between a battalion of the Leinster Regiment and the people of Athlone, on 4th November last year; whether he can say if on that occasion this regiment was hooted by the whole of the Nationalist populace, and had to hurry into barracks in order to prevent a popular outbreak; and what steps he has taken in the matter?

The police inform me that the pipers of the Leinster Regiment, who arrived in Athlone a few days previously for the purpose of recruiting, paraded the streets on the evening of the 4th November last. A local band of Irish pipers turned out, and, followed by a crowd much smaller than the soldiers' crowd, also marched up and down the streets, but, beyond some groaning and cheering, there was no disturbance; and the suggestion that the regiment was hooted by the populace and had to hurry into barracks is untrue.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that this story, which was considered good enough for an electioneering speech at a recent by-election, is a complete travesty of what happened?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is or is not a fact that the crowd which was assembled was a demonstration against recruiting for the British Army?

No, Sir. I have made particular inquiries into this matter, and I find, which I very much rejoice to hear, that the Leinster Regiment was received with great favour by the people of Athlone. Its beautiful band played on four different occasions, and was listened to with much approval and approbation by a musically-minded population.

The right hon. Gentleman has been at pains not to answer my question. I ask him, was the crowd that assembled in the street, as everyone knows, a demonstration against recruiting for the Leinster or any other regiment?

Not at all. It was a crowd which followed a small band of Irish pipers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that four different Irish papers of reputation published a report quite bearing out—[HON. MEMBERS: "Name."]

It really does not matter to us what the Irish papers say.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the damage done by the recent floods at Carrick-on-Shannon and the surrounding districts in the county Leitrim owing to the flooding of the Shannon and its tributaries; whether any official has been sent to the district to investigate the damage done by the flooding and to make a report on the same; and whether any action will be taken, and, if so, when, as regards the contemplated drainage of the River Shannon?

asked the Chief Secretary what steps he proposes to take in connection with Mr. O'Connor's Report dealing with the Shannon floods; and whether, in view of the fact that the flooding still continues and is growing worse every year, the relief measures contemplated will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible?

The Board of Works have no information as to the damage done by recent floods in Carrick-on-Shannon. Mr. O'Connor, inspector of the Local Government Board, made a special report as to the injury done by the floods in recent years. Further inquiries are being made, and, until these are completed, it will not be possible to make a definite statement on the subject. I may add, however, that I am informed that the cost of works which would prevent the effects of extraordinary floods would be very great indeed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the average salary of assistant teachers in Irish secondary schools is about £82 a year for men and £48 a year for women; whether a large proportion of these teachers are university graduates; whether they have any and, if so, what security of tenure in their posts, or come under any pension scheme; and whether there is kept anywhere a reliable register of these teachers?

I am aware that, according to the report of Messrs. Dale and Stephens on Intermediate Education, the average salaries of male and female assistant teachers in a large number of Irish intermediate schools in 1903 were practically as stated in the question, and I believe that many of these teachers are University graduates. I hope that the Bill which I am introducing this Session regulating the Grant for the improvement of the position of Irish secondary lay assistant teachers will give them increased security of tenure and provide for the establishment of a register of secondary teachers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when the Bill will be introduced?

Quite soon. It is in draft now.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the hon. Member for Pontefract was present at a meeting of His Majesty's Privy Council in Ireland, and that, after an ineffectual protest was made against his interference, he took part in the discussion of certain matters arising out of the Dublin riots and in a discussion upon whether a prosecution should be instituted by the Crown against James Larkin; and by whose authority the hon. Member was present on that occasion?

I am sorry to have to inform the hon. and learned Member that he has been made the victim of a hoax. The hon. Member for Pontefract was never present at any meeting of the Privy Council in Ireland, nor did lie ever seek to attend the meetings of an august body of whose existence he tells me he was unaware.

On a point of Order. Arising out of the answer, having regard to the fact that I gave notice to the hon. Member for Pontefract before I put this question down and that I have never had a reply from him, am I not at liberty to ask the hon. Member whether he was present when the prosecution of James Larkin was discussed between Lord Aberdeen and the learned Attorney-General for Ireland; whether others were present at the same time; whether all those others present were members of the Privy Council; whether the discussion took place in Dublin Castle; and what part the hon. Member took in it?

Life in this House is bad enough already, but if every hon. Member had to answer for every other Member as to where he was on a particular occasion, it would be even worse.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow or on Monday.

Would it be in order for the hon. Member for Pontefract to make a personal explanation now, considering the way in which his name has been introduced?

It certainly would be out of order to make any personal explanation now. [An HON. MEMBER: "He ought to know it."]

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board inspector visited the female bedrooms between eight and nine o'clock p.m. about the 1st of January last in the Ballinasloe Union; and whether he will direct that visits in the future will be made within proper hours?

On the 19th January the inspector of the Local Government Board carried out his usual inspection of the Ballinasloe Workhouse. About eight p.m. he proceeded, as a part of his duty, to take a census of the inmates. He was accompanied by the master of the workhouse, and, on arriving at the female side of the institution, he requested that the matron should also accompany him, but she was not available. This census is a necessary part of the duty of inspection, and must be performed after the inmates have retired to their respective wards. On such occasions the inspector is accompanied by a responsible official of the union.

How is it that the inspection was carried on on this occasion, the inspector not being accompanied by a responsible official?

He was accompanied by the master of the workhouse, but the lady was not on the premises.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will institute an inquiry into the action of the police on Sunday, 18th January, at Renvyle, Connemara, in making a baton charge an defenceless people who gave no provocation whatever for the attack made upon them?

The police authorities inform me that on the 18th January a crowd of about 300 persons attempted to hold a meeting near the Curragh Farm, close to the residence of Mrs. Blake. As the meeting was intended to have an intimidatory effect, the police refused to allow it to be held there, and it was found necessary to order a baton charge to disperse the crowd which had attempted to force their way through the police. There is no foundation for the statement that defenceless people who gave no provocation were batoned or attacked.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that a memorial was forwarded to the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) (Fisheries Department) from the anglers of the Upper Feale and Cashen rivers requesting to have an inquiry held at Abbeyfeale and Listowel for the purposes of extending the open season of the said rivers to the months of September and October, and thus putting it in the position it was three years ago and upwards; and will he say what action the Department intends to take in the matter?

The memorial referred to was received. The Department are of opinion that, as the present close season came into operation only in the year 1911, it would not be desirable to reopen the question until further experience has been gained, or until some indication is forthcoming that there has been a definite change in the local conditions. The memorialists were so informed.

asked whether five Liverpool butchers landed in Dundalk from Birkenhead on Saturday last; whether, on examination at Dundalk, their kits were found to contain knives and other implements used in slaughtering diseased animals at Birkenhead; whether the contents of the kits were in a dirty condition, covered over with the blood and hair of cattle suffering from foot-and-mouth disease; and, if so, whether these men were allowed to leave Birkenhead without being disinfected; and what steps will be taken in future to safeguard Ireland against the danger of this means of infection?

I find that the five butchers referred to, who had been employed at the Birkenhead lairage, landed at Greenore on their way to Dundalk on the 19th instant. The implements found in the men's kits were in a dirty condition, covered with congealed blood and hair; but it has not been ascertained whether these particular implements were used in slaughtering animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease. Of course, both men and implements were carefully disinfected at Greenore. I have no doubt that the Interdepartmental Conference which is being held to-day at Birkenhead will give attention to the points referred to in the concluding portion of the question.

Is it not the fact that the five men were engaged in the slaughtering of animals at Birkenhead suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the extraordinary fact that they did bring these implements in this dirty condition, the surmises which are held in Ireland about planting the disease in Ireland are somewhat justified by this extraordinary occurrence?

I am not able to say they were actually engaged in slaughtering animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease, but they were slaughtering animals in Birkenhead lairage. Of course, there are a great many animals slaughtered which are quite free from the disease.

They were slaughtering animals in contact with diseased cattle?

That is true.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is now recognised that Ireland has not been the origin of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in England; and, if so, when will he permit Irish store cattle to be landed at Scottish ports?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the apparently widespread infection of the lairages at the Birkenhead wharves and of other places in the city and district of Liverpool, and of the interruption caused to the traffic in Irish livestock by the process of closing all English and Scottish ports against their importation, he will remove the embargo upon Irish stock, under proper safeguards and after due inspection, at Glasgow, Fish-guard, and other ports where no outbreaks of the disease have occurred?

My right hon. Friend wishes me to say that he regrets extremely the inconvenience and loss caused to agriculturists and many other persons both in Ireland and in Great Britain by the suspension of the live-stock trade between the two countries. But having regard to the fact that within a fortnight of an undoubted outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland a number.of animals recently arrived from Ireland were found in the Birkenhead lairages to be affected with the disease, he had no reasonable alternative but to prohibit temporarily the importation of Irish stock into Great Britain. The origin of the infection is still not known, but all the available evidence and all clues which have been suggested are being thoroughly examined to-day by veterinary officers of the Board and of the Irish Department in collaboration at Birkenhead, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a. full statement on Monday.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that there has been no foot-and-mouth disease for more than four weeks now, and whether, in view of that fact, the President of the Board of Agriculture does not think that the cattle may come here to be slaughtered at the port of entry?

I think the hon. Gentleman had better wait for the result of the inquiry now proceeding.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to know the result of the inquiry?

There will be no avoidable delay.

I wish to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland, a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Lord Mayor of Dublin and others interested in the live-stock trade have sent the right hon. Gentleman a telegram asking for all the ports to be reopened for Irish live stock; whether he has any information on the subject; and whether Ireland has now no trace of foot-and-mouth disease?

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend has said.

asked the Secretary of State, for the Colonies, in reference to British East Africa, whether on the Southern frontier of 360 miles there is only one post, manned by twenty-five native police under a Goanese clerk; and whether any other provision is being made for the defence of the settlers in the event of a native rising or a raid from Abyssinia or Somaliland?

I am not aware of the present distribution of the police on the Southern border of the East Africa Protectorate, but I know of nothing which should give rise to uneasiness with regard to that border.

asked whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of remitting native taxation in the islands comprising the Gilbert group in the Pacific and substituting for it additional taxation upon the phosphates monopoly on the islands?

No, Sir. I have no reason to think that the native taxation in the Gilbert Islands is excessive.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen any account as to the distribution of the Gilbert Islanders, and does he know that the profits of the phosphate company were over half a million?

What is specially foremast to my mind is that the recent increase which I have made in the amount of Royalties payable to the Government is from 6d. to 1s., making 100 per cent.

asked what is the date of the last information received from Tristan da Cunha; and whether that information was satisfactory?

The last information which I have received reached me on 24th January, via St. Helena. It was dated in August, and the life of the islanders appears to have been uneventful.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company have acquired the rights outside France and Germany to use Dr. Goldschmidt's high frequency alternator and other wireless apparatus; and, if so, whether these Patents will be used for the stations of the imperial wireless chain?

It is understood that Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company have acquired the rights to which the hon. Member refers. It is not at present the intention to use any of the patents at the stations of the Imperial Wireless Chain.

In view of the unfavourable opinions of the Goldschmidt system which were expressed by the Postmaster-General at the end of last Session, when he refused to allow the owners to tender for the Imperial Wireless Chain, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why the Marconi Company have found the Goldschmidt patent worth buying?

I should like notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the increased -work performed by the Stoke-on-Trent postal staff, and the fact that the outdoor staff has increased by forty-five persons since the last classification; that the recent Board of Trade investigation shows that rents and retail prices have increased above the average since the last classification; and whether, under these circumstances, he will consider the advisability of a reclassification of the Stoke-on-Trent office?

The increase of work at Stoke-on-Trent has not been such as to warrant an alteration of the classification according to the standard at present in force. The whole question of the classification of offices will, however, shortly come under review in accordance with the recommendation of the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, and due regard will be paid in that connection to any exceptional increase in cost of living.

Will the sub-post office at Tunstall, which is within Stoke-on-Trent, be raised to same standard as the rest of Stoke-on-Trent?

The answer I have given covers the whole area of Stoke-on-Trent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the fact that the alleged grounding of the "Lusitania" in Queenstown Harbour on the 29th of December, 1907, was found on inquiry to have been caused by the default of a pilot named Martin; whether Martin was a special pilot specially assigned to the company at their request; and whether the company, in a letter dated 22nd February, 1908, informed the Cork Harbour authority that, in consideration of Martin's long service, they did not wish to do more than censure him for an error of judgment?

I am informed that the facts generally are as stated by the hon. Member, but I have no actual knowledge of the letter referred to.

Why is it that the Postmaster-General does not reply to a question of this importance?

Because the Post-master-General happens to be temporarily absent, and I am taking his place.

Was not this incident put down by the chairman of the Cunard Company, in his letter to the Postmaster-General of 19th June, to the difficulties of the harbour, and is it clear now that it was owing to the fault of the pilot, and what does the hon. and gallant Gentleman think of the chairman of the Cunard Company after that?

I should be sorry to give my opinion of the chairman of that or any other company.

Why have the Cunard Company only recently discovered that their larger steamers cannot anchor safely at Queenstown?

The hon. and gallant-Gentleman had better give notice.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now name the approximate date when a decision on the subject of a weekly half-holiday for Civil servants will be announced?

Pending the issue of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, I cannot make any statement.

asked (1) the Chief Secretary what is the number of publications issued by the National Insurance Commissioners for Ireland since the passing of the National Insurance Act; how many consist of regulations or of explanatory memoranda, and how many of such publications are now in force; and what has been the cost of preparing, printing, and circulating these publications, including also the cost of the paper; (2) the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what is the number of publications issued by the National Insurance Commissioners for England and Wales since the passing of the National Insurance Act; how many consist of regulations or of explanatory memoranda; how many of such publications are now in force; and what has been the cost of preparing, printing, and circulating these publications, including also the cost of the paper; and (3) the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what is the number of publications issued by the National Insurance Commissioners for Scotland since the passing of the National Insurance Act; how many consist of regulations or of explanatory memoranda, and how many of such publications are now in force; and what has been the cost of preparing, printing, and circulating these publications, including also the cost of the paper?

As my right hon. Friend has previously stated in reply to similar in- quiries, the information asked for in the first three parts of these questions would involve laborious calculations not necessary for any administrative purpose. A revised list of the publications of the Insurance Commissioners is in the printer's hands, and I will send a copy to the hon. Member. The total cost of the printing in connection with health insurance up to the present time is approximately £190,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the anxiety felt by panel chemists in Manchester owing to the deficiency in the drug fund in that district under the National Insurance Act and the non-payment of a large portion of their accounts for 1913, he will give a pledge on behalf of the Government that they will all be paid in full?

I have pointed out that I have no knowledge myself of these matters. I think the question ought to be addressed to my hon. Friend beside me. No occasion arises for such an undertaking as that asked for in the question. The amount of the remuneration payable to the Manchester panel chemists is governed by the contracts into which they have entered with the Manchester Insurance Committee; and they will receive the whole of the sums due to them under those contracts.

I apologise for asking the Prime Minister that question. Is it not a fact that these chemists are not in the least responsible for the nature of the prescriptions ordered by the doctors?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to put that question down on the Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chemists in the Manchester and Salford district, numbering 150, are really £1,600–

£16,000.

Deficient of money which they themselves earned during last year? What I want to know is whether they have to lose that money?

My hon. Friend is aware that a joint committee of doctors and chemists are going through the accounts.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has now been drawn to the statement in paragraph 11, page 171, of the Report of a sub-committee of the West Ham Insurance Committee that out of ninety-five tuberculous persons receiving domiciliary treatment in their area at the end of 1913, no less than thirty-seven were sleeping in the same rooms as other persons; and what the Government propose to do in the matter?

It is the duty of the committee to arrange for the provision of treatment for tuberculous insured persons recommended for sanatorium benefit, and for their receiving all necessary instructions and advice as to the conduct and habits conducive to recovery, but they have no means of enforcing those instructions in such cases as those referred to in the question except by making their observance a condition of the receipt of treatment, which would in many cases deprive the insured person, for causes beyond his control, of all the benefits of treatment.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether in those cases where insured persons cannot be properly treated in their own rooms it would not be better to treat them in a sanatorium?

That may be so, but it is a matter for the insurance committee to say what the treatment shall be in each case.

Could not the Commissioners advise the committees on the subject?

Have not the Commissioners the right to dictate to the committees if they do not carry out their duties under the Act to their satisfaction?

The insurance committees are authorised to deal with cases of tuberculosis, and they may recommend the treatment which they consider necessary in each case.

Have the Commissioners not control over the committee?

They have got the control which is authorised by the Act.

asked whether it is in accordance with the rules of societies approved by the Insurance Com- missioners that an insured person suddenly taken so ill that he was helpless should be deprived of sick benefit during the time he was physically unable to give notice of his illness to his society, and until he regained consciousness some ten days later?

The ordinary rule of approved societies on the point referred to is that notice should be sent "as soon as possible." If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case within his knowledge in which benefit has been refused in the circumstances described in his question, the Commissioners will at once communicate with the society.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to complaints of friendly societies that the Registrar of Friendly Societies is insisting that, in the schemes sanctioned under Section 72 of the National Insurance Act, the societies shall pay full sickness benefit as before to members in cases of accident, although those members are actually paying to the non-State section of the societies 4d. per week less than formerly?

Yes, Sir; the question is one of the interpretations of Section 72 of the Insurance Act, about which I understand the friendly societies to which the hon. Member refers are taking legal advice.

asked whether a Government Committee is at present considering the subject of a State medical service, and is actually preparing plans for such a scheme?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how many boards of guardians have petitioned him to secure representation on insurance committees; and whether he proposes to take any steps to advance their petition?

Two boards of guardians have made representations to the Local Government Board to the effect referred to. With respect to the last part of the question, this is a matter for the consideration of the National Health Insurance Commissioners.

asked whether, as detentions of arms and ammunition at Irish ports are confined chiefly to goods designed for sporting and other non-military purposes, and having regard to the fact that legitimate trade is being injured, the present restrictions on importation and carriage coastwise of such goods will, in the public interest, be removed?

There are no restrictions on the importation or carriage coastwise of sporting arms and ammunition which are excepted from the prohibitions contained in the Royal Proclamations of the 4th December last. Nor, so far as I am aware, need there be any injury to the legitimate trade in such goods between Great Britain and Ireland if the agents entrusted with their carriage are careful to observe the customs requirements as to entry and clearance before shipment as explained in the public notice issued by the Board of Customs and Excise on the same date. These requirements are necessary in order to ensure enforcement of the Proclamation relating to carriage coastwise, and the Government are not prepared to relax them.

May I ask whether a sporting rifle is exempt?

A sporting rifle?

A rifle used for killing deer.

It would depend upon the customs and what their view of the matter was.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public interest in the condition of the roof of Westminster Hall which, as disclosed by the official Report recently made to the Board of Works, has proved to be far more serious than was imagined six months ago, he will cause the above Report not merely to be presented to this House, but also to be printed and circulated for public information?

The publication of the full Report with illustrations would involve a serious expenditure of public money. The First Commissioner proposes, therefore, to issue the body of the Report as a Parliamentary Paper with such illustrations as are necessary to make it clear, and to place the remainder of the illustrations in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the executive committee of the Central Land Association, a non-partisan body having on its committee, apart from its president, eight Liberal and eight Unionist Members of Parliament, a recommendation that there should be constituted forthwith a Royal Commission which will be instructed to appoint Sub-Commissioners to make an immediate and independent inquiry into rural conditions in Great Britain, and especially to make a survey as to the facts with regard to the wages, housing, and industrial outlook of farm labourers, and as to existing grievances in respect of land tenure, game, and kindred questions, and that the reports from such Sub-Commissioners when received should be published in their entirety and without delay; whether in his reply to the association he has admitted the possible advantages of such an inquiry, survey, and report; and. if so, whether, in view of the unstable condition of agriculture, due to uncertainty as to future land reform measures, he will institute such an inquiry forthwith?

I have received the recommendation from the executive committee of the association referred to. In reply, I stated that their suggestion would be considered, should a detailed inquiry into local conditions, such as was proposed, be found necessary, and I am afraid I cannot for the present say more.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will use his influence to discourage Members of the House whose lives are of value to the public from exposing themselves to need less risks and perils by aeroplane, submarine, or in any other way?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to the question, could he specify in his reply what Members of this House have a life valuable to the public?

I regret that valuable lives should be exposed to needless risks, but I have no reason to think that I have any such dissuasive influence as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked whether, although it has been decided that Great Britain will take no official part in the San Francisco Exhibition, the Board of Trade and the Foreign Office will give all possible and necessary advice and assistance to those public bodies and committees seeking to promote private enterprise for the purpose?

As my right hon. Friend stated in the House in August last. His Majesty's Government will do nothing to discourage the participation of private individuals in the San Francisco Exhibition, and the Board of Trade will be prepared to give such information as they may possess regarding the exhibition to any public bodies or invidual firms that may apply to them.

May I ask the whether the Foreign Office will co-operate?

The Foreign Office, the Board of Trade, and other Departments will co-operate in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, with regard to paragraphs 161-163 of the Report on the Amalgamation of Customs and Excise, stating that vacancies in the supervising grade of the Customs and Excise service would be allotted to supernumerary supervisors and assistant supervisors, first-class examining officers and upper section port clerks, subject to stringent reports from collectors or to the efficiency and character of the officers being satisfactory, if he will say what percentage of the different grades enumerated have been appointed to vacancies in the surveying grade?

All the second-class supervisors, all the assistant supervisors, and 104 first-class examining officers, being those who out of the total number of 274 first-class examining officers have been found to possess the necessary qualifications, have been absorbed into the surveying grade. Out of the forty-two upper section clerks for whom places were reserved by paragraph 156 of the Report seven have up to the present been so absorbed.

asked how many applications for loans have been received by the Development Commissioners from the fishermen in Devon and Cornwall; how many loans have been granted; and what are the terms of such loans as regards security required, conditions of repayment, and the position of the fishermen in the case of arrears?

Applications for Grants of £10,000 each from the Development Fund were made by the Devon and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committees. No advances from the Development Fund have been made or are contemplated at present to fishermen in Devon and Cornwall generally, but an advance of £4,000 to the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee has been sanctioned to assist fishermen at the Mount's Bay ports and St. Ives to install mechanical power in their fishing vessels. The terms of this advance provide that the money lent to fishermen should bear interest at not less than 3 per cent, per annum. Applications by the fishermen for loans from this advance are not made to the Development Commission, but to a local committee who administer the scheme on behalf of the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee. The details of the terms on which loans are made are settled by that committee. I understand that the committee have not as yet made any loans.

May I ask whether that means in general terms that the Development Commissioners are prepared to entertain such applications from other parts of the country?

The practice of the Development Commissioners is to consider recommendations when they come forward from the Treasury.

Is not the principle settled by that particular Grant?

The desirability of making this particular Grant is a question for the Development Commissioners.

Can the bon. Gentleman state the terms on which the £4,000 will be loaned, the security given, and the position of the fishermen in case they fail to repay the money?

I think if the hon. Gentleman reads the answer he will see that I have given that information.

Will this be extended to Scotland?

I would recommend the hon. and gallant Gentleman to apply to the Development Commissioners in the first instance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say whether several Wilson liners have been equipped with quick-firing guns by co-operation of the owners and the Admiralty; if so, under what authority has the Admiralty proceeded in the matter; do the vessels carry passengers; and, if so, what would be their legal rights if the liners should ever be engaged in a naval action to their injury; do these vessels carry ammunition on every voyage; and, if so, are British and foreign port rules against merchant vessels carrying explosives or war stores suspended in their favour?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I would also refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in introducing the Navy Estimates on the 26th March last. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that the legal rights of passengers would be the same in the case of vessels armed for self-defence as in that of the vessels not so armed. No final decision has been taken in regard to the fifth part of the question, and it is therefore not necessary or desirable to discuss the case contemplated in the last part of the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has recently received a protest from four work men employed at Chatham dockyard, who were a short time ago rejected by the dockyard surgeon as unfit to be placed on the establishment; whether he is aware that these four men have, after a strict examination by doctors of high reputation, been certified to be in good health and in every respect sound; and whether, under these circumstances, he will accept these men as fit to be placed on the establishment or, failing this, whether he will have them again examined by the dockyard surgeon in conjunction with a private practitioner?

The men referred to appealed against their rejection, supporting their appeal with certificates from private medical practitioners. As a result they have been re-examined and pronounced medically fit for establishment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any further information to give the House with regard to the sinking of the A7 submarine, particularly with regard to the statements made that she had remained on the bottom for an hour a short time before the accident occurred?

Sir, these statements have been closely investigated. The statement contained in the published letter of Colonel Morrison, father of Sub-Lieutenant Morrison, who lost his life in A7, to the effect that A7 sunk to the bottom when exercising off Plymouth, and that it took over an hour of hard work to get her to the surface again, is, according to all the information I have received, quite untrue. I am informed that Sub-Lieutenant Morrison was only present in A7 during one exercise prior to Christmas, namely, on the 16th December. Three men who were then on duty in A7 depose that she did not go below a depth of twenty feet on that day. Sub-Lieutenant Morrison joined His Majesty's ship "Onyx" on the 1st December, 1913, and the only other exercises in "A" boats in which he took part prior to Christmas, were three dives in A8. On one occasion, owing to a personal error, A8 was over-trimmed, and dived to a depth of seventy-eight feet. The interval of time from the moment she dipped her periscope until she regained the surface did not exceed one minute. She did not touch the bottom; and diving at such a depth is not considered dangerous, in fact, it is frequently deliberately undertaken. The lieutenant commanding A8, and the whole crew of the vessel who have been examined, declare that on no other occasion did A8 go below a depth of twenty feet. It is not for me to explain this apparent discrepancy; but it is possible that Colonel Morrison confused his son's account of his recent experiences in A8 with some reference to an accident which occurred in that vessel four years ago, in 1910, when, owing to a personal error, A8 sunk to a depth of about 200 feet, and remained there twenty minutes before she could be brought to the surface. Had she been fitted with the efficient pumps with which all the "A" class are now fitted, she could have been brought up immediately. Submarines have been on the bottom scores of times; but this incident in A8 four years ago is the only occasion during diving exercises on which a British submarine, prior to the loss of A7, has remained there more than a few seconds longer than she wished. Statements similar to that in Colonel Morrison's letter were attributed in the Press to Mrs. Wag-staff and Mrs. Northam, widows of men who lost their lives in A7. In addition to the three men already mentioned, three other seamen witnesses can also testify that A7 had never dived below normal depth or remained on the bottom. The services of these six men cover the whole of the period during which Wagstaff and Northam served in A7.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take advantage of the opportunity to tell the House the position of A7 at the present moment?