asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Turrets, Pangbourne, which have been recently entered by burglars, and where a quantity of wine was stolen, were licensed premises or a private residence; and, if the former, what was the amount of Licence Duty payable?

I understand that the house in question is a private residence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what authority and by what method are details of probates of wills supplied by the Probate Office to the Press; and what charges are made for the information supplied?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Press are granted no facilities other than those accorded to the public. Any person, on payment of a search fee, can see any will proved in England, or a copy of it, and, on payment of a further fee, can be supplied with a copy of it or an extract from it. Fees are payable as follows:—For every search for a will or grant of letters of administration or any other document filed in the principal registry—1s. For every office copy or extract of a will or of a grant of letters of administration or Administration Act, or of any document filed in the principal registry—if five folios of ninety words or under—2s. 6d. If exceeding five folios of ninety words—for every additional folio or part of a folio—6d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the extensive publication in the daily Press of the contents of the wills of deceased persons, he will consider, the de- sirability of enforcing the regulation that members of the public inspecting wills at Somerset House are not allowed to make written extracts therefrom?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Section 66 of the Court of Probate Act, 1857, provides for the preservation and inspection of wills. The public can, on payment of search fees, see wills, records of grants of probate and oaths of executors. The only notes they are permitted to take are as follows:—Names and addresses of testator, executors, witnesses, and solicitors who took out the grant; date of will and codicils and grant; time and place of death; registry where grant was taken out; amount of property sworn to. Section 69 of the same Act provides that official copies of the whole, or any part, of a will may be obtained from the registries on payment of the prescribed fees. The prescribed fees are set out in my answer to the hon. Member's question which immediately precedes the present answer. I am not aware that the publication of the contents of wills which appears from time to time in the daily Press, is made in breach of the above provisions; but if the Noble Lord has instances of such breach to bring before me I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Colonel Naper, Loughcrew, Oldcastle, county Meath, has recently offered any un-tenanted land for sale to the Estates Commissioners; and what is the result?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The estate is at present in course of inspection, and the Estates Commissioners are not in a position, at present, to reply to the second paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that though the estate of T. S. Brew, West Clare, has been taken over by the Congested Districts Board nearly four years the tenants are still paying the old rents; whether there is any intention on the part of the Board to deal with these estates in a businesslike manner by carrying out the object of the last Land Act; and, if so, whether he can name a date when the Congested Districts Board will dispose of this question of the Brew estate?

This estate has not yet been legally vested in the Congested Districts Board, although the terms of purchase have for a long time been agreed upon. The vesting of an estate depends upon the proof of title—a matter which does not rest with the Board. The rearrangement of holdings and such acts of ownership cannot be exercised by the Board until, by the vesting of the estate, they become the owner.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet come to an agreement with Mr. F. C. Garvey, of Murrisk Abbey, county Mayo, as to the sale of his congested estate or when they hope to complete the purchase; and whether the un-tenanted grazing farm at Murrisk is included in the proposed sale?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet agreed to purchase this estate, and they cannot say when it is likely that negotiations will be concluded. Three hundred and three acres of un-tenanted land are offered to the Board of which part of the lands of Carrowkeel forms a portion.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet acquired the congested estate of Mr. Patrick O'Dowd, in West Mayo, or when they hope to be able to do so; and whether all shooting and fishing rights are included in the proposed sale?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet acquired this estate. They are at present in communication with the vendor, but they cannot say when an offer for purchase will be issued, or what fishing and sporting rights will be included in the sale.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet acquired the lands of Bordwell, Owens estate, Queen's County; and, if so, when it will be distributed, and to whom; whether the Commissioners have received applications from two farmers in the district for portion of this land; and, in view of the requirements of the uneconomic holders in the locality, can he state whether the applications of men with large farms will be entertained by the Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners are in negotiation for the acquisition of these lands, but have not yet acquired them. The Commissioners have received a number of applications for allotments, but, at the present stage of the negotiations, and as they have not yet acquired the lands, they are not in a position to make any statement as to the allotment of the lands when acquired.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Kerry County Council on 19th February with reference to the Irish Local Taxation Account; and whether effect will be given to the terms of the resolution?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I am not at present in a position to make any statement as regards the second paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the number of tenements occupied by the 20,108 families who are stated in the Report on Housing Conditions in Dublin to be living in tenements of one room each?

The number of tenement houses in Dublin in which there are one-roomed dwellings is 4,577. I presume this is the information the hon. Baronet seeks.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the total amount borrowed by local authorities in Ireland in order to provide cottages and allotments has been about £8,000,000; whether the total annual rent paid by tenants is £117,000; whether the cost of collection and insurance reduces the net interest received to £80,000, or 1 per cent. only on the money advanced; and in what proportion is the annual loss borne by the ratepayers and by the National Exchequer?

The hon. Member has, apparently, taken his figures in round numbers from the last Annual Report of the Local Government Board. Making due allowances for the rents of the cottages included in the loans, but not completed in March, 1913, and also for the incidental expenses in connection with such cottages, the general result would work out, approximately, as follows:—43 per cent. of the cost borne by the tenants, 25 per cent. borne by the Government, and 32 per cent. by local rates.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when provision will be made to pay their arrears to the paper-promoted teachers, seeing that it is now the wish of the Commissioners that this should be done and that it was alleged that they were objecting to this payment?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on the 19th February.

asked when the work of draining the Owenmore River, in the county of Sligo, will be commenced?

Negotiations are proceeding between the Congested Districts Board and the various bodies interested in this matter, but I am not yet in a, position to state when the work will be begun.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in any future arrangements for superannuation allowances for elementary school teachers, he will make some provision to supplement the pension of the fast-decreasing number of old teachers who have done good service to and for education, some of whom are endeavouring to exist upon less than 11s. per week pension?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 15th April last, I shall not be in a position to consider this question until I have received the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to consider this and other matters relating to the superannuation of teachers. I hope, however, soon to receive the Report of this Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the names of the schools in the administrative county of Norfolk in respect of which he has felt it his duty to reduce the amount of Government Grant payable for the year ending 31st December, 1913, consequent on failure to supply a sufficient staff of teachers; and whether he would give the amount of such reduction in each case?

In the Administrative County of Norfolk there have been ten cases in which a deduction has been made from the Annual Grant in respect of school years ending during 1913 in consequence of a failure to comply with the conditions of Article 12(a) of the Code. The names of the Public Elementary Schools in question and the amount of the deduction in each case are as follows:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has seen the report that the Admiralty have abandoned any further attempt to raise submarine A7, and, if so, has he any information to give to the House on the subject?

The Admiralty have decided to approve the proposal of the Commander-in-Chief at Devonport to abandon further operations.

asked the Secretary for War if he will present a Return showing the aggregate amounts provided in the Army Estimates in each financial year from 1904–5 up to and including 1913–14, the actual amounts expended from Army Votes in the same series of years, and the difference in each year representing the amount unspent and which automatically was employed for the reduction of the National Debt?

The amounts estimated, expended and unspent are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the establishment and the strength of the Special Reserve, differentiating the Infantry and other branches, and also giving separately the establishment and strength of officers and men; and what were the corresponding figures twelve months ago?

The figures are as follow:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, under the provisions of the Medical Act of 1858, it is the duty of the Registrar to keep the Register of Medical Practitioners corrected; whether a fee is charged by the General Medical Council for recording in such register the qualifications of medical practitioners; whether, as a result, medical practitioners in many cases do not record their qualifications fully; and whether, in view of the importance of having an accurate official register, he will consider the advisability of consulting the General Medical Council with a view to enabling medical practitioners to record their qualifications free of charge?

Under Section 14 of the Medical Act, 1858, it is the duty of the Registrar of the General Medical Council to keep the Register of Medical Practitioners correct in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and the Orders and Regulations of the General Council. Under Section 15 of the Act, a fee not exceeding £5 is payable for entering in the register the names and qualifications of persons entitled to be registered. Under Section 30 of the Act every registered person who obtains any higher degree or any qualification other than that in respect of which he has been registered is entitled to have such higher degree or additional qualification inserted in the register on payment of such fee as the General Medical Council appoint. I understand that this fee is £1. I am informed that there is nothing to show that many medical practitioners are deterred by the fee from registering additional qualifications; that it is, in fact, becoming more and more the custom for them to register such qualifications; and that the General Medical Council are not in a position to dispense with this source of income, which amounted last year to about £750.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has taken any further steps during the last year to advance the scheme for an improved waterway to the Highlands of Scotland, either by the improvement of the present Crinan Canal or by the substitution of a new ship canal in the same locus; and is he aware that the present canal is 110 years old and that, notwithstanding its age, it has been worked during the last fifty years without pecuniary loss?

It has not been possible for me to take any action in regard to the Crinan Canal, which, as my hon. Friend is aware, is not under my charge, otherwise than by conveying to the authorities more directly responsible on their request, indications of local opinion in the matter as ascertained from those interested in the West of Scotland. So far as I am aware, the facts are as stated in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of exemptions from vaccination in each of the three years before a statutory declaration took the place of an appearance before a magistrate for a certificate; and the number of exemptions in each year subsequently?

Prior to the passing of the Vaccination (Scotland) Act, 1907, which authorised the making in Scotland of statutory declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination no provision existed, as in England, for the grant- ing by magistrates of exemptions from vaccination. The numbers of such statutory declarations made in respect of births registered in subsequent years were as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of natives that have died in or about the mines of the Witwatersrand during the past ten years?

I have received the following statement from the Union Government:—

Statement showing total number of deaths from disease amongst natives during and immediately subsequent to their employment on mines and works in the proclaimed labour districts of the Transvaal during the ten years ended the 31st December, 1912.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will give a Return of the number of cattle, sheep, goats, and swine imported into Great Britain during each of the last ten years from abroad, and from what countries; whether foot-and-mouth disease existed in these countries; and how the animals were dealt with on arrival here?

The number of cattle, sheep, and swine imported into Great Britain from foreign countries in each of the last ten years is shown in the following table:—

All these animals were slaughtered at a foreign animals' wharf within ten days after landing. The importation of animals from certain of the United States, namely, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Delaware, was suspended in November, 1908, on account of foot-and-mouth disease, and was not allowed to be resumed until after the Board had satisfied themselves that the States named were free from the disease. With this exception, the countries from which importation was allowed were entirely free from foot-and-mouth disease. In addition to the animals mentioned above, small importations of sheep and goats have been specially sanctioned from time to time, subject to quarantine, for breeding purposes. I shall be glad to send particulars to the hon. Member if he so desires.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether

complaints have reached him as to the treatment of Irish cattle, especially springer and milch cows, at Holyhead; if all classes of cattle were confined in insufficient space and the animals suffered

from goring each other; whether any men experienced in the tending and milking of dairy cattle were employed; if, when the first cattle were detained, no provision was made for bedding the animals with suitable litter, and the animals appeared as if they had not had any hay feeding for a long period and were quite empty; and whether the dairy cattle are still detained under such conditions as mentioned?

On the 31st January last, in consequence of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in county Kildare, the Board issued an Order the effect of which was to prohibit the movement of Irish animals at that time in the lairages at British ports. I am informed that some congestion was caused thereby in the lair-age at Holyhead, and I received a complaint from a farmer stating that some cows consigned to him had suffered injury from overcrowding and insufficiency of hay and litter. I communicated at once with the London and North-Western Railway Company, the owners of the landing place, and I learn that they are taking steps to prevent a similar occurrence in future. The attendants employed to look after the cows at the lairage are all men experienced in handling and milking dairy cattle.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that about 1,000 States and Canadian sheep were landed at Birkenhead from the steamship "Michigan" on 12th. January; whether he can state how many died on the passage; how many were lame when landing; how many bags of feeding and bales of hay were landed; and whether Irish live stock came into contact with or were fed or bedded upon this imported foreign fodder?

One thousand sheep and twenty-four bales of hay were landed at Birkenhead Foreign Animals' Wharf from the steamship "Michigan," ex Boston, U.S.A., on the 7th January last. I am informed that no sheep died on the voyage and none were lame when landed. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Lord Advocate how many sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute, respectively, in Scotland who held these positions on 31st December, 1913, had formerly belonged to the solicitor branch of the legal profession; how many fresh appointments have been made since the date mentioned; and how many of these were formerly solicitors?

The number asked for in the first part of my hon. Friend's question are respectively none and four; two sheriffs-substitute have been appointed since the date mentioned, both of whom are advocates.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the total number of beds in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the hon. Member with precise information as to the total number of beds actually available at the present time in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales, but the number in 1908 was estimated as 299,947. Since that time additional accommodation has been provided, especially for children in homes apart from the workhouse, but I cannot give the exact figures.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention, has been called to the fact that in September, 1910, the Board, on an appeal by Mr. William Arlidge against a closing order made under The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, by the Camberwell Borough Council in respect of Nos. 76, 78, and 80, Whately Road, refused to allow Mr. Arlidge the costs he had incurred in connection with the appeal, and that arising out of the proceedings Mr. Arlidge brought an action for libel against Mr. Edward Lawrence, the then ex-chairman of the Health Committee of the Camberwell Borough Council, and that on the case coming on for trial on the 17th November, 1911, Mr. Arlidge consented to discontinue the proceedings on Mr. Lawrence making an apology and undertaking to indemnify Mr. Arlidge from the payment of the costs of the action which were afterwards taxed at £445; will he say whether this sum of £445 was in fact paid by the Camberwell Borough Council out of money raised by the rates; whether the council also paid a further, and, if so, what sum, on account of the costs incurred by Mr. Lawrence in defending the said action; whether the said payments were allowed in the accounts of the Camberwell Borough Council by the auditor of the Local Government Board, and, if allowed, under what authority did he act; and whether these payments appeared in the published accounts of the council in a way by which they could be identified or brought to the knowledge of the ratepayers?

The decision of the Local Government Board on the appeal referred to was as stated. I am informed that the Camberwell Borough Council incurred costs to the total amount of £653 in defending the action for libel mentioned in the question, and charged them on the rates. This included the £445 referred to. These charges were fully set out in the accounts and papers deposited for the inspection of persons interested for seven days prior to the audit, as advertised in the local papers. The whole matter was also set out at length in the council's printed minutes, which are open to inspection in the public libraries of the borough. The abstract of accounts published after the audit includes these charges in the item, "Costs re actions, etc., £698 17s. 7d." The district auditor found that the council had instructed their solicitor to defend Alderman Lawrence, and that the latter had not taken any action which could reasonably be held to have rendered him personally liable for the costs incurred. It rests with the auditor, under his statutory powers, to decide, subject to appeal, whether items in the accounts audited shall be allowed or not.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the price paid for the five acres of land acquired by the Pontefract Borough Council for the erection of houses under the provisions of Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and in respect of which the Local Government Board sanctioned a loan of £1,230; and what, prior to acquisition, was the total gross and net rental and the total assessment of this land to local rates, or, if this land formed a portion of a larger property, by how much the assessment of that larger property to local rates was reduced by reason of the severance of that portion?

A field containing 2 acres 1 rood 31 perches was purchased for £591 7s. 9d. According to the rate book, the gross estimated rental prior to purchase was £6, and the rate able value £5 15s. The remainder of the land, 2 acres 2 roods 1 perch, purchased at a cost of £686 14s., formed a portion of a larger field containing 5 acres 3 roods 17 perches. Prior to the purchase the gross estimated rental was £12 10s., and the rate able value £12. The assessment of the portion of the field not required is undergoing revision by the Assessment Committee.

also asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the price paid for the 5 acres 3 roods and 4 perches of land acquired by the Tiverton Borough Council for the erection of houses under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and in respect of which the Local Government Board sanctioned a loan of £1,280; and what, prior to acquisition, was the total gross and net rental and the total assessment of this land to local rates, or, if this land formed a portion of a larger property, by how much the assessment of that larger property to local rates was reduced by reason of the severance of that property?

The price paid for the land, including a building thereon used as a slaughterhouse, was £1,180. The land formed part of a larger area, the total acreage being 7 acres 1 rood and 24 perches in one occupation. The total gross estimated rental was £39 (including £8 for the slaughterhouse) and the rateable value was £36 (including £6 for the slaughterhouse). The part not acquired by the council was sold to an adjoining owner, and the assessment has not yet been divided between the two parts.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the price paid for the 10 acres 1 rood and 14 perches of land acquired by the Yeovil Borough Council for the erection of houses under the provisions of Part III. of the-Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and in respect of which the Local Government Board sanctioned a loan of £3,128; and what, prior to acquisition, was the total gross and net rental and the total assessment of this land to local rates, or, if this land formed a portion of a larger property, by how much the assessment of that larger property to local rates was reduced by reason of the severance of that portion?

The 10 acres 1 rood 14 perches was made up of part of an area of 13 acres and 30 perches acquired from one owner for the sum of £3,500, and part of an area of 2 roods 20 perches acquired from another owner for the sum of £750. The remainders of those, areas were acquired at the same time by the corporation for a school site and for street improvement purposes. The Board are informed that the gross rent paid for the 13 acres and 30 perches prior to its acquisition was £130 per annum, that the gross annual value was £164 and the rateable value £134 15s., and that the 2 roods 20 perches was a portion of a larger property, the assessment of which has not been reduced since the severance.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the price paid for the 6 acres of land acquired by the Evesham Rural District Council in the parish of Broadway for a housing scheme under the provisions of Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and in respect of which the Local Government Board sanctioned a loan of £650; and what, prior to acquisition, was the total gross and net rental and the total assessment of this land to local rates, or, if this land formed a portion of a larger property, by how much the assessment of that larger property to local rates was reduced by reason of the severance of that portion?

The exact area purchased was 5 acres, 3 roods, and 24 perches, and the price paid was £600. The land formed a portion of a larger property, and the assessment of that larger property to local rates was reduced by reason of the severance of that portion by £11 3s. 6d., the reduction being proportionate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the rate charged by the railway companies for the conveyance of ordinary trussed hay in minimum loads of 30 cwt. per wagon is from 20 to 50 per cent. higher than that charged for machine-pressed hay in minimum loads of 50 cwt. per wagon, with the result that, although an ordinary railway wagon can carry from 50 to 60 cwt. of unpressed hay, and in fact often does carry such hay if it cuts heavy out of the stack, on the representation of a dealer that it had been machine-pressed, the farmer who does not possess a pressing machine is penalised and the middleman, who enjoys the larger profit, benefited, he will urge the railway companies to abandon a system which, while handicapping the agricultural industry, puts a premium upon dishonesty?

The statutory classification, as well as that issued by the railway companies, distinguishes between machine-pressed and other hay; but if the hon. Member will furnish me with instances in support of his contention that 2½ tons of hay not so pressed can be loaded in one truck, I will communicate with the companies in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention had been called to a statement made at the annual meeting of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers of Great Britain and Ireland by the president of the federation, in which he said that the secretary will presently issue information to all the branches that there is this, dispute in London, so that the branches will know when men come from London to the provinces, their insurance cards will trace them out, and in fulfilment of these re solutions you will not give employment to these men; and whether he proposes to take steps to prevent an Act of Parliament being used for the purpose of systematically victimising workmen who refuse to sign an agreement of which they did not receive notice in accordance with the rules signed by them and their employers?

My attention had not been called to the statement referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the suggestion contained in the second part of the question, it is not clear whether the reference is to health insurance contribution cards or to unemployment books. If my hon. Friend will give me further details as to the precise nature of the difficulties experienced and any practical suggestions for meeting these difficulties, I shall be glad to consider them, so far as they affect Part II. of the National Insurance Act, with which alone the Board of Trade are concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what date he has got the statutory returns of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia; how they compare with those for 1889 in premium receipts, receipts of interest on funds invested, gross receipts, payments on claims and surrenders, cost of administration, including directors' fees, gross expenditure, and sum invested for security of the insured; and, if any annual meetings are held in London, the date of the last one and the number of persons present at it?

The statutory returns filed by the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, are brought down to the 31st December, 1912. The following table gives a comparison of the items referred to by the hon. Member for the years 1889 and 1912, respectively. As the society is registered in Australia, its annual meetings are held at Melbourne, and no meetings are held in this country:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade what fees are drawn by the chairman and other directors of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia in this country; out of what fund under control of this society those fees are paid; what authority there is for the payments other than that of the recipients themselves; and whether, having regard to the failure of the society to meet obligations undertaken by it in 1889, he proposes to take any action in this matter?

I am informed by the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, that the fees paid to the chairman in this country amount to £250 a year, that the fees of each of the other directors in this country are £200 a year, and that the payments are authorised by a resolution of the Principal Office Board at Melbourne, as provided by Clause 31 of the Articles of Association of the society. The fees are paid out of the general funds of the society. The Board of Trade are not aware that the society has failed to meet any obligation undertaken by it, either in the year 1889 or at any other time.

asked the Postmaster-General the price paid for land recently acquired for post-office extension at Stroud; and the assessment for rates of this land at the time of purchase?

The price was £6,530. There is no record in the Post Office of the assessment for rates at the time of purchase. The land was acquired under compulsory powers, and the price was fixed by arbitration. The facts of this case have been reported to Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and will, no doubt, form the subject of inquiry by the Committee of Public Accounts.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will consider the desirability, as recommended by the Holt Committee, of raising each overseership which is next to postmaster to the class of assistant superintendent. Class II.; and whether any basis has yet been fixed for the establishment of assistant superintendent, Class II., at small offices?

I do not find that the Committee made any recommendation in the sense indicated. The point at which an assistant superintendent, Class II., is introduced at any particular office wilt continue to be determined, as in the past, by the actual requirements in each case.