asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, according to information in possession of His Majesty's Government, the Portuguese official responsible for causing the rebellion by illegal practices was merely dismissed, whilst the Reverend Mr. Bowskill, who secured the withdrawal of forces and prevented bloodshed, was arrested?

As a result of the disturbances in San Salvador in December last the Portuguese Secretary of the Administration of Portuguese Congo was dismissed. I am not yet aware of the circumstances in which Mr. Bowskill was recently arrested, or what was the nature of the arrest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information with reference to the arrest of the Rev. Mr. Bowskill?

The situation is as follows: The Acting British Consul at Boma has been sent to the spot, and is presumably there now. The British Consul at Loanda is in communication with the Portuguese Governor-General. The Portuguese Governor-General has sent instructions to the Portuguese Governor at San Salvador that Mr. Bowskill is to be released if possible, and that the Governor will be held responsible if he is detained. The Governor-General had expected to receive a reply yesterday, but it is supposed that the telegraph has been cut by natives, and I have not yet received the information expected from him.

On what charge was he arrested?

I do not know, and I am not sure that the Portuguese Government themselves are even certain about the nature of the arrest and whether he is really arrested on a charge or simply detained. I have sent the Acting-Consul from Boma to the spot, and the British Consul at Loanda is in communication with the Portuguese Governor-General to get this information, as I want to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.

Is there telegraphic communication between the Consul at Boma and the Foreign Office, or has it been cut?

There would be from Boma, which is two days' journey from San Salvador, to which the Acting-Consul has gone from Boma, and until he returns, or sends someone back, he cannot actually telegraph from the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the agree- ment recently concluded between Messrs. Armstrong, or an allied company, and the Turkish Government for the construction of a naval dockyard; and whether this agreement was concluded with the knowledge, assistance, or consent of His Majesty's Government?

I am informed that the Turkish Government have granted a concession to a combination of the firms of Armstrong and Vickers for the organisation and reconstruction of the existing dockyards at Constantinople. This agreement was the result of private negotiations between the Turkish Government and the firms interested, in which His Majesty's Government had no participation.

May I ask whether it is not in any way a matter of interest to His Majesty's Government that a British company enters into a contract for the increase of armaments of a foreign power?

Of course any large contracts secured by British firms is in a sense a matter of interest to His Majesty's Government. All I mean by this answer is that we do not initiate them, and that we are in no way a party to them. It was not owing to any diplomatic representations or action of ours that the contract was initiated or carried through.

Does His Majesty's Government discourage those contracts

About that I will say that we certainly do nothing to encourage other countries to increase their expenditure upon armaments, but if they, on their own initiative, decide to enter on such expenditure, of course we shall certainly do nothing to discourage contracts with British firms.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the present position of negotiations with the Ottoman Government on the subject of the reforms in the Asiatic vilayets; and whether such negotiations are concerned merely with the so-called Armenian vilayets or include also the vilayet of Mossoul?

I am informed that the Turkish Government will shortly submit to the Powers a scheme of reforms. I cannot, of course, state in advance what these proposals will be, though as soon as they are received I hope to be able to make a statement about them. I may, however, say that I understand the scheme will con- template the appointment by the Porte of European Inspectors-General with wide powers of administration and control.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he can yet make any further statement in respect to legislation on the inter-nation prize court, or-other provisions of the Declaration of London; and if he can say if the abandonment of the right of capture of merchant ships at sea would be favourably regarded by the Foreign Office if, as a result of such abandonment, rival sea Powers would agree to an arrest in the growth of armaments?

As regards the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government hope to be in a position to reintroduce the Naval Prize Bill this Session, but I am as yet unable to make any definite statement. With regard to the second part of the question, the position of the Government was fully stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary in this House on 1st April last. From this statement the hon. Member will see that His Majesty's Government still adhere to the position as stated in the Report of The Hague Conference of 1907 that they "would be prepared to examine the question of the conclusion of an agreement to abolish the right of capture if such an agreement could promote the reduction of: armaments."

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if any endeavour was made by His Majesty's Government to secure the reference to arbitration of the case of the seizure by an Italian warship of the British steamship "Clumberhall," as was done by the French Government in regard to the French mail steamers "Carthage" and "Manouba"; whether His Majesty's Government has received satisfactory evidence that the alleged offence against international law of the captain of the "Clumberhall" was deliberate and of a more serious character than in the case of the "Carthage" and the "Manouba"; and if he will lay upon the Table copies of the communications which have taken place with the Italian Government on the subject?

His Majesty's Government made no endeavour to secure the reference of the "Clumberhall" case to arbitration before its submission to the Prize Court, and their reason for not doing so was explained to the hon. Member in reply to his question of the 19th ultimo. If the hon. Member will refer to the answer then returned to him he will see that His Majesty's Government were not influenced in the course they adopted by any consideration such as that suggested in the second part of the question. After the Prize Court had given an unfavourable decision, His Majesty's Government did, however, urge the Italian Government to submit to arbitration the question of compensation for the unduly long detention of the vessel, but the Italian Government declined to reopen a case which they considered to be closed by the decision of the Prize Court. I do not think it is necessary to lay before the House the text of the communications which have passed with the Italian Government, but I shall be happy to show the hon. Member copies if he so desires.

Is the House to understand that a British steamer in ballast and in distress is not permitted to enter a blockaded port in order that she may be saved?

That is a technical point, and I ask the hon. Member to put a question on the Paper. It is a point of international law on which I will have to be very accurate.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the adjournment on Thursday next.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if and when the Estates Commissioners intend providing with holdings the evicted tenants on the Lansdowne estate, Queen's County, whose claims are still unsatisfied?

The Estates Commissioners have provided holdings for all the applicants in connection with this estate for whom they have decided to provide holdings.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what evidence the Commissioners rejected the application of the other tenants?

It has not been the practice of the Commissioners to state their reasons. They act on their discretion, and they do not wish to state their reasons.

asked why the Estates Commissioners refuse to provide a holding for Thomas Moore, an evicted tenant on the Lansdowne estate, Queen's County, whose claim as representative of his father, James Moore, had been previously recognised and admitted?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Moore's former holding comprised about forty-three acres at a rent of £22 10s. The Estates Commissioners offered to provide him with a holding of fifty-one acres, subject to a purchase annuity of £23 10s., but he refused to accept their offer, and they decided not to take any further action in his case.

asked how much money has been advanced or sanctioned for the purchase of estates under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts up to the 1st of January, 1914; how much further money is represented by pending agreements; the amount of rental thereby dealt with in both cases; what is the average years' purchase so given, or agreed to be given, exclusive of the bonus; and what is the estimate of the unpurchased rental to be dealt with by the new Irish Land Bill throughout the whole of Ireland?

The total amount advanced under the Irish Land Purchase Acts, 1870–1909, up to the 1st January last is £86,004,038, and a sum of £1,491,611 was lodged in cash by the purchasing tenants, making the total purchase-money £87,495,649. The estimated purchase-money of lands, for the sale of which proceedings had been instituted and were pending, on that date is £34,585,230, including lands for the purchase of which the Congested Districts Board were in negotiation, but had not yet acquired. The Estates Commissioners estimate that the purchase money of lands which have not yet, but which may, become the subject of proceedings for sale under the Acts of 1903–1909 will not exceed sixty millions. The rental of the lands sold is not available in all cases, but such particulars as are available are given in the tables relating to the various classes of sales appended to the Annual Reports of the Irish Land Commission and the Estates Commissioners. The hon. Member will find detailed particulars as regards the number of years' purchase under the Acts prior to 1903 in Parliamentary Paper 90 of 1903. The average number of years' purchase of all classes of rents (including judicial, non-judicial, leasehold, and other classes of rents) of holdings vested by the Estates Commissioners in direct sales under the Acts 1903 and 1909 is 22.4 and 20.3 respectively.

asked whether the estate of P. Gun Mahony, Kilmurry, county Kerry, has yet been inspected by the Estates Commissoners; whether arrangements have been made with the landlord for the reinstatement of Mr. Walsh, the evicted tenant; and whether the Estates Commissioners will definitely refuse to sanction the sale if the evicted tenant is not reinstated?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners are in communication with the vendor as regards Walsh's former holding and other matters. They are not prepared to give any assurance of the nature asked for in the concluding portion of the question.

Has the landlord been communicated with?

I do not know about that, but I should imagine so.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will ascertain and state under what Act and Section the Estates Commissioners propose to deal with the estate of Lady Chapman, of Killua Castle; whether they will treat it as a congested estate; the number of holdings on the estate 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 out of outdoor relief received from the Poor Law guardians; the number and gross acreage of nonresidential grass farms on the estate; and, this being the only non-residential land in the neighbourhood, whether it all will he applied to the relief of the congestion on the estate?

This estate is the subject of proceedings under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. It does not appear to be a "congested estate" within the meaning of that Section as amended by the Act of 1909. The village of Clonmellon, which is situate on the property, includes some seventy holdings of less than half an acre which are not agricultural holdings. On the agricultural portion of the estate there appears to be fifty-four holdings of a tenement valuation less than £7. I have no information as to the manner in which poor relief afforded to people in the district is expended by them, and the Local Government Board have no power to insist upon relief being given in kind if the board of guardians do not consider that course desirable. I hope to give the hon. Member later on the information he asks for as to the non-residential grass farms on the estate.

This has been repeatedly on the Paper, and I now ask whether the right hon. Gentleman takes any account of the condition of tenant s who are paying their rents out of Poor Law relief?

As I have already told the hon. Gentleman, neither I nor the Local Government Board can in any way interfere with the board of guardians. If the board of guardians relieve tenants with money it is beyond the power of humanity to prevent those tenants, if they are so minded, disposing of a portion of that money in payment of rent. All that the Local Government Board can do is to give advice, but they cannot interfere with the board of guardians if they choose to act in that way.

The right hon. Gentleman misconceives the question altogether. Do the Estates Commissioners, not the Local Government Board, or do they not, consider tenants congested who have to pay their rent out of Poor Law relief?

I have no doubt if the fact be brought home to the minds of the Estates Commissioners that Poor Law relief went in payment of rent it would be taken into account.

asked whether the Land Commission have inquired into the damage done on the lands of Douglas Killorglin, county Kerry, by recent floods; whether it was agreed on purchase that the banks surrouding these lands should be maintained as a necessary condition of the payment of the annuity; whether, in the recent flooding, damage was done which cannot be repaired for more than twelve months; and whether, under the circum stances, steps will be taken to recover from the landlord compensation for the losses the tenants have suffered?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. On the sale of these lands in 1886 the Land Commission required the entire embankment to be put into a state of thorough repair by the vendor, which was done. In addition a sum of £500 was provided out of the purchase money as a guarantee for the future maintenance of the embankment, which had previously been maintained at the expense of the estate. During the past year serious damage was done to the embankment, and the attention of the vendors was called to the matter, and they were required by the Commissioners to put the whole hank in order. The Commissioners have recently been informed that the embankment will be immediately put into thorough repair by the estate, and it is expected that the work will be commenced at once and continued until completed, and that it will not take more than about four months. Some of the tenants whose holdings were purchased under the Ashbourne Act allowed their instalments to fall into arrear last year owing to the damage done to their holdings through flooding. The Commissioners have recently obtained decrees in these cases, but in the circumstances have not yet proceeded further. The Land Commission cannot take the steps suggested in the final paragraph of the question.

asked whether a family named Wilkinson, on Sir John Dillon's estate in the county of Meath, have signed an agreement to purchase the farm in which they live in three separate lots; what is the acreage of the farm; have the Commissioners satisfied themselves that this farm consists of three genuine holdings by examining the rent receipts of the parties, and what is the oldest date of such separate receipts, if any, and can they be examined by the hon. Member for South Meath; and have the Commissioners sanctioned the purchase of the farm by these parties?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in connection with the proceedings for the sale of this estate to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, three tenants named Wilkinson signed agreements to purchase their holdings, comprising in all 727 acres. One of the holdings is held under lease and the others under judicial rents. The estate Las not yet been inspected, and the advances applied for have not yet been made. The Commissioners are not in a position to make any statement with regard to the other matters referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Duke estate, situate in the Drumfin electoral division, Sligo Union, has been purchased by the Congested Districts Board; whether the maps and other necessary documents have been lodged since May, 1913; and, if so, can he state the cause of the delay in completing the sale?

The Congested Districts Board have recently decided to issue an offer for the purchase of this estate. The maps and documents were lodged in May, 1913, as stated, but there has been no avoidable delay in the matter.

asked what progress has been made towards the acquirement and sub-division of the untenanted lands of Clonfin, on the estate of J. E. Thompson, in North Longford; whether these lands have yet been acquired by the Commissioners; if not, why this has not been done; whether he is aware that the owner is most willing to facilitate the transfer; and can he indicate an approximate date when this matter will be finally dealt with?

The Estates Commissioners have made a proposal for the purchase of this estate, which has been accepted by the owner. The vendor is not yet in a position to give the Commissioners clear possession of the lands which they propose to divide, but he is taking all necessary steps to enable him to do so.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the cause of delay in the completion of the sale to the tenants of the Caldramore estate, county Longford, vested in the Rev. W. B. Lumley, Clontarf, county Dublin, George Hadden, Wexford, and John B. M'Cutchean, as treasurers of the Home Mission Fund of the Methodist Church in Ireland, which was sold to the tenants under an agreement dated 1st May, 1908; whether he is aware that there is no question of title, area, or charges of any land to prevent this sale going through; and will he request the Commissioners to expedite the same in the interests of fair play to these tenants who bought under the impression that the land would be vested' in them inside a year at least?

This estate is the subject of direct sale proceedings under the Irish Land Act, 1903, at prices agreed on between the owner and tenants. It has not yet been reached in order of priority to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners, and, having regard to its position on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), the Commissioners are not in a position at present to say when it will be dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners are prepared to revise the scheme of sub-division of the untenanted lands of Rhyne (Bond estate), made by their inspector, Mr. Gallen, so as to obviate the necessity of evicting Mrs. Doherty from four and a-half acres of marsh land which Mr. Gallen insists on giving to another tenant; whether he will explain why such proceedings were taken when a larger area of land was available without such proceedings being necessary; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 24th July last, to which I have nothing to add.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the Estates Commissioners are satisfied with Mr. Gallen's scheme in this case?

Yes.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial from a number of applicants for a portion of the Gerrard estate at Headstown and Stephenstown, county Meath; and what action they took in the matter?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The owner is not disposed to sell the lands in question, and the Estates Commissioners have decided to take no further action in the matter at present.

further asked whether the Ardee (No. 2) Rural Council have made application to the Estates Commissioners for portion of the untenanted land on the Reynell estate, situate at Lobenstown, county Meath, for the purpose of providing pasturage for the cows of labourers in the district; and with what result?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The estate of F. H. Reynell and others on which the untenanted lands referred to are situate is the subject of a sale by the owner direct to the tenants, and includes about 170 acres of untenanted lands which the owners offer for sale to the Estates Commissioners. It has not yet been reached in order of priority to be dealt with by the Commissioners, and the lands have not, therefore, been acquired by them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the estate of More O'Farrell, Oristown, county Meath, is yet vested in the tenants, and, if not, will he state the cause of the delay; whether any agreements to purchase have been lodged on behalf of grazing lettings which do not come under the provisions of any of the Land Acts; and, if so, will the Commissioners seek to acquire such holdings as untenanted land for distribution between the small holders?

This estate is being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners in order of priority, and the holdings have not yet been vested in the tenants. No agreements appear to have been lodged in respect of grazing lettings which do not come within the Land Acts. The reply to the concluding paragraph is in the negative.

asked whether any inquiry has been made into the nature of the leases on the estate of Lady Chapman, county Meath; and, if so, are they in the opinion of the Estates Commissioners bonâ fide tenancies, subject to the provisions of various Land Acts?

The Estates Commissioners have made inquiries as regards certain pasture holdings on this estate, and have ascertained that the tenants are yearly tenants, but are restricted to using the lands for pasture. Holdings held under such tenancies are not excluded from the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the cause of the delay in distributing the untenanted lands acquired on the Nicholson estate, Balrath, county Meath, by the Estates Commissioners for the benefit of the uneconomic holdings on the estate; and whether the tenanted holdings will be vested in the occupants this year?

The Estates Commissioners have not acquired the lands referred to. They are in communication with the owner, but they are not in a position at present to state when the holdings will be vested in the purchasing tenants.

asked whether any recent action has been taken to acquire the Hope estate situate at Loughbawn, county Meath?

The Estates Commissioners have furnished the owners with an estimate of the price they would be prepared to offer in this case if formal proceedings for sale to them are instituted under the Land Purchase Acts. Such proceedings have recently been instituted, and the matter will be dealt with in order of priority when the statutory requirements as to title and other matters have been satisfied.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners regard the existence of derelict holdings on an estate as evidence which should affect their treatment of it; whether they make any special inspection of occupied holdings, within the zones and outside the zones, respectively, which do not yield rent and from which the landlord takes, in lieu of rent, poor relief given to the occupants; whether they base their calculation of the price to be advanced on money so paid as on an economic rent, relying upon recovering the annuities from the ratepayers; whether the attention of the Commissioners has been directed to these holdings on Lady Chapman's estate, either on the ground or in a schedule of the estate; and how many of the uneconomic holdings on the estate are within the zones and how many outside the zones?

The existence of derelict holdings on an estate is a factor taken into account by the Estates Commissioners when they are dealing with the property. In the case of direct sales, where the price agreed upon for the purchase of a judicial holding comes within the zonal limits of the Act of 1903, the holding is deemed to be security for the advance applied for, and is not liable to inspection for security. Where the price does not come within the zone limits, the holding is inspected by the Commissioners; but there is no information as to the cases referred to where it is stated poor relief is utilised to pay rent. The Commissioners' estimate of the price which they can give for an estate offered for sale to them is framed after the estate has been inspected by one of their officials, and his report and all the circumstances of the case considered by them. Lady Chapman's estate is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Commissioners, and, if they acquire the property, the prices at which the holdings will be sold to the tenants will be the prices fixed after inspection. As it is proposed to sell the estate to the Commissioners, and not direct by the owner to the tenants, the question of the zones does not arise in connection with this estate.

asked whether the tenants on the estate of Lady Chapman, of Killua, in the village of Clonmellon, will be allowed to participate with the other congested tenants in the non-residential grass land on tile estate available for distribution; and, if not, on what grounds are they to be excluded, there being neither trade nor manufacturing industry in that village?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet acquired the property, and are not, therefore, in a position at present to say how they may allot lands available for distribution if acquired by them, but the point suggested by the hon. Member will not be lost sight of.

asked the Chief Secretary if the sale of the Ballylehane, county Kilkenny, estate of Mr. Darby Scully, Silverfort, Fethard, is yet completed; if so is he aware that congestion exists in the neighbourhood of the estate: and will he see that immediate steps will be taken for its distribution?

This estate has not been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners. They communicated with the owner as to whether he was willing to negotiate for the sale of the lands referred to, but he refused to sell, and the Commissioners have decided not to take any action in the matter at present.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has received official information to the effect that at a meeting held in Cong on Sunday, the 8th of February last, in reference to the proposed sale of Lord Ardilaun's estate to the Congested Districts Board, speeches of an inflammatory character were delivered, including warnings to Lord Ardilaun's bailiff, who was present, that he might suffer the fate of a former bailiff named Huddy, who had been murdered; whether he is aware that the speakers at the meeting also reminded the audience of the fate of Lord Mountmorres, and suggested that Lord Ardilaun could be similarly dealt with if he stood in their way; that the speakers included Messrs. Moclair and Morris, organisers of the United Irish League, and the hon. Member for South Mayo, who is a member of the Congested Districts Board, and whether any steps have been or will be taken in reference to these proceedings, and particularly in reference to the presence and conduct on the occasion of the hon. Member in question?

I have read a report of the meeting in question. There were a number of speakers, and, save in one instance, no exception could be taken to any of the speeches. In this one case the speaker did indulge in most improper language, but I am not sure that it will bear the construction placed upon it by the hon. Member. This speech was in marked contrast to that delivered by the hon. Member for South Mayo, who referred to the generosity of Lord Ardilaun and his family in removing slum habitations from cities, and appealed to him to show a similar generosity to the occupiers of slum holdings on his property in the country. I am informed that the man who made the objectionable speech is an irresponsible windbag whose words carry no weight, and I think to take further notice of his speech would be a mistake. The conduct of the hon. Member for South Mayo seems open to no question. He informs me that he did not hear the speech I have commented upon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the speaker whom he describes as an "irresponsible windbag" congratulated the audience upon having started a "no rent" campaign in order to coerce Lord Ardilaun in relation to his sale of property to the Congested Districts Board, and that a member of the Board was present at the time and made no protest?

I see nothing in the language quoted to lead me to alter my opinion. As to whether the hon. Member for South Mayo heard those observations I know not.

May I ask whether, in the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman, "irresponsible windbags" are all confined to Connaught?

asked the Chief Secretary the grounds upon which Mr. Gallen, Estates Commissioners' in- spector, refused to recommend the application of the tenants on the Howard estate, at Fihora, county Longford, for a, grant to enable them to drain the river and bog in the vicinity of that townland, and construct a road into the bog, which at present is almost inaccessible for want of these things being done; and whether he will request the Commissioners to send another inspector to report on this case?

The Estates Commissioners cannot identify this estate as being the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Irish Land Acts, 1903–9.

asked the Chief Secretary whether in regard to the estate of T. S. Brew, West Clare, the Congested Districts Board has taken over the estate nearly four years, but that the tenants are still paying the old rent; and can he state when they may expect an abatement?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they have recently granted an abatement of rents to the tenants on this estate pending a rearrangement and resale of the holdings.

Seeing that this is a very small affair, can the hon. Gentleman see that it is not further postponed?

I am afraid that does not rest with me.

asked the Chief Secretary whether in reference to the estate of W. V. Reeves, West Clare, he is aware that no vesting orders have yet been issued, not even in regard to those town-lands, Donogrogue, Poulnadance, and Tiervana, respecting which a promise was made several months ago; and whether, in view of the difficulties of the tenants, he can state that the vesting orders will be immediately issued?

The Congested Districts Board cannot state at present when the holdings on this estate will be vested in the tenants. No promise was made by the Board as to when the holdings would be vested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note that this, also a small business, has been hanging over for a number of years, and that these "shilly-shallying" methods have caused a bad impression throughout the country?

The hon. Member knows nothing of the law!

Am I entitled to quote the words, "The Law's a Hass"?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in the Doolin district of West Clare there are over 100 uneconomic holders who are paying exorbitant rents to eke out scanty livings, while in their vicinity lie over 2,000 acres of untenanted lands, principally on the MacNamara and Gore estates; whether, in view of the fact that the last Land Act was passed for no other purpose than to deal with such cases, he can explain why nothing has been done in this matter; and whether the Congested Districts Board will take these estates in hand without delay?

The Congested Districts Board have received numerous memorials from small landholders in the district mentioned asking them to purchase the estates referred to. Neither of these estates has been offered for sale to the Board, and they do not propose, at present, to take steps to acquire them compulsorily.

asked how long the work of revising and completing the catalogue of modern Irish manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy has been in operation; has the index to the catalogue been completed; and, if not, how long will it take to complete it; how much money has been spent on the revision and completion of the catalogue; and what is the minimum amount the printing of the revised and completed catalogue would cost?

The secretary of the Royal Irish Academy informs me that the indexing of all the Irish manuscripts has been continuously carried on since 1907. It is very difficult to estimate beforehand the length of time required to complete a work of this kind. In addition to a special grant of £800 made by the Government in 1907, the academy has expended about £1,180 on this work, and until the preparation of the index has been completed it is impossible to estimate the cost of printing the revised and completed catalogue.

asked whether Mrs. Margaret Walsh, assistant teacher in Cloghane national school, county Kerry, has got six consecutive very good reports in the last six years; whether she is trained and classed second of first; and, if so, on what grounds is her promotion delayed; and whether, considering her record and service, she will be promoted as from the beginning of 1913 which, according to the evidence of Mr. Dilworth before the recent Commission, she is entitled to?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mrs. Margaret Walsh has got six consecutive "Very Good" reports within the last six years. She is a trained teacher ranking in the second class (first section) under the old regulations. Assistant teachers are, as a rule, ineligible for promotion beyond the third grade unless in exceptional circumstances. In view, however, of the satisfactory character of the reports on Mrs. Walsh's work, the question of her eligibility for special promotion will be considered by the Commissioners this year.

asked whether the attention of the Irish Government has been called to the recently issued Report of the Departmental Committee on the Housing Conditions of the Working Classes in Dublin, which Report reveals the existence of a serious state of affairs in that city; whether his attention has been called to the fact that no less than 229 persons per 10,000 live in one-room tenements in Dublin, whereas the corresponding figures for Liverpool are 23 and for Belfast 3 per 10,000; that several members of the corporation own houses described as being unfit for human habitation; and that the Committee recommend State aid towards housing operations in Irish towns; and what steps the Government propose to take to carry out the recommendations of the Committee?

The answer to the first two paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative, except that the figures 10,000 should read 1,000. There are three members of the Dublin Corporation who own houses which are described by the chief superintendent of the sanitary staff of the corporation as being unfit for human habitation. The question of municipal housing is receiving the consideration of the Government.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement as to what steps the Government propose to take? Also, can he explain why the conditions of housing in Dublin are so much worse than they are in Belfast?

Will the Government take into consideration the desirability of bringing in an amending Bill to alter the Act of 1890, to ease the cost to the Corporation of Dublin and other bodies?

That is a very large question. Some such relief must, in my opinion, if that is worth anything, be given to public bodies and ratepayers before they can be expected to take upon themselves the burden of this very necessary work. In reply to the hon. Member for Dudley, I yield to no one in appreciation of the importance of the question, but obviously I am not in a position to say when the Government will be able to make really definite and businesslike proposals in this matter. They cannot be delayed indefinitely.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the question on the Adjournment of the House next Wednesday.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury have yet sanctioned the proposals of the Commissioners of National Education for the teaching of Irish as an ordinary subject in national schools; and, if so, whether he can give particulars of the regulations which will govern the teaching of Irish in the national schools from the 1st of July, 1914?

The reply is in the negative.

asked whether the island called Saints Island, in Lough Ree, county Longford, owner the late Captain Bond, has yet been taken over by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether the application of a man named Edward Clarke, whose father was evicted from the same, will be considered for restoration as an evicted tenant?

The answer to both paragraphs is in the negative. Clarke's father was not evicted within twenty-five years prior to the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and he does not, therefore, come within the class of evicted tenants for whom the Commissioners have power to provide holdings.

asked whether the owner of Aghanvilla and Gurteenard farms, near Geashill, King's County, Mr. James Dunne, Kilbride, Portarlington, has consented to sell those farms to the Estates Commissioners for redistribution amongst evicted tenants and small uneconomic holders in the locality; whether the Commissioners have made Mr. Dunne an offer for the lands; if so, what was the amount of the offer; and was payment to be in cash or stock?

The Estates Commissioners have had a preliminary inspection made and have intimated to the owner the sum they would be prepared to advance if proceedings for sale were instituted under the Land Purchase Acts. Up to the present proceedings have not been instituted. It would be contrary to practice to state particulars of the estimated price at this stage of the negotiations.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Local Government Board have informed the Longford District Council that they will not advance any further money on foot of the loan necessary to pay for building labourers' cottages, under the 1908 scheme, because twenty-eight cottages have not yet been contracted for; whether he is aware that this is not the fault of the rural district council but of the Local Government Board itself, which has refused to allow the limit of the cost of erection fixed ten years ago to be exceeded now, notwithstanding that materials and labour now cost more; and will he direct that the money be advanced forthwith to enable the council to go on with the work?

The loan sanctioned in this case amounted to £28,800, of which the council have already received £25,000. This is as much as they are entitled to having regard to the present position of the scheme, namely, 129 cottages completed, eight in course of construction, twenty-eight not yet contracted for, and one apparently abandoned. The Local Government Board have felt it necessary to fix a limit of £170 per cottage in regard to the issue of money out of the fund provided by Parliament for the purposes of the Labourers Acts, but this does not preclude a council from borrowing in the open market any additional sum that may be required to complete their scheme, and the council have been so informed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a report of the firing into the houses of Patrick Burke and Peter Dooley near Headford, county Galway; whether several shots were fired through the windows of both houses and a revolver bullet was found imbedded in a bag of flour; and whether any arrests were made or any person made amenable?

I am informed that on the night of the 1st February the houses of Patrick Burke and Peter Dooley were fired into as stated. These occurrences were not reported to the police, who only heard of them casually some time afterwards. So far, the police have not been able to obtain sufficient evidence to justify any arrests.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a shooting outrage occurred in county Galway in which a man named B. Uniacke was fired at and wounded near Loughrea, on the morning of 25th February, when walking on his farm; will he say if the motive for this outrage was agrarian; and if Uniacke, though seriously wounded, followed his assailant and identified him, and whether an arrest has been made?

The police inform me that on the morning of the 25th February Bernard Uniacke was fired at and wounded. Uniacke pursued and identified his assailant, who is now awaiting trial. The motive for the outrage is a matter of opinion.

asked whether an application has been made by Mr. Timothy Sheehy, M.C.C., or made on his behalf, to the Lord Chancellor to appoint the said Mr. Sheehy to the Commission of the Peace; whether the Lord Chancellor is aware that Mr. Sheehy carries on the business of a licensed publican in the town of Skibbereen; and whether he has repeatedly tried to be appointed to the Commission during the terms of office of the late Lord Chancellors Walker and Barry?

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Mr. Timothy Sheehy to the Commission of the Peace for county Cork. He is aware that Mr. Sheehy is the licensee of a public-house, and in addition is a coal, fish, and general merchant. The Lord Chancellor is not aware of what applications were made to his predecessors for appointment to the Commission of the Peace.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has been informed of the action of the county councils of Leitrim and Roscommon in building an iron bridge over the Shannon, near Carrickon-Shannon, known as Hartley Bridge; whether this bridge has been built at a cost of £1,500, of which the Congested Districts Board contributed £500; if neither of the county councils named have purchased land to make roads connecting this bridge with main roads, with the result that Hartley Bridge is perfectly useless; whether the contractors for the bridge have recovered from the county councils, after legal proceedings, a sum of £291 and costs, as the result of the neglect of the councils to provide boring tools; and whether the Congested Districts Boards or any other public department in Ireland will take steps to ensure that the ratepayers' money expended on this bridge will not be wasted?

The bridge in question has been built at a cost of £1,500, £500 of which was raised by voluntary subscriptions, £500 contributed by the Congested Districts Board, and the balance provided by the Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils. In formulating the proposals for the construction of the bridge the county councils omitted to make proper provision for the approaches thereto, and when the matter was brought under the notice of the Local Government Board they urged the councils to take steps to have the work completed, and it is understood that the subject is now under consideration by the councils. A sum of £291 has, after some arbitration, been awarded to the contractors, but the basis of the claim is not disclosed in the minutes of the councils concerned which were received by the Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement to the House respecting the findings of the Sub-Committee of the National Defence Committee upon Invasion before the introduction of either the Navy or Army Estimates?

I fear this will not be possible, as, although the general lines of the Report have been agreed upon, it is not finally settled.

Would it not be possible for the Prime Minister to give even a brief indication of the general conclusions before we are called upon to discuss the Army Estimates? Will he be able to tell us whether 70,000 men, the number that has been laid down by the Committee of Imperial Defence as the possible number of an invading force, has been either increased, or decreased, or remains the same as it did as the result of the last inquiry?

I might, perhaps, say that.

Before the Army Estimates come on; if so, on what occasion?

I think partial and fragmentary statements are undesirable. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will repeat his question on Monday?

Would the right hon. Gentleman cause to be circulated the opinions contained in the speech of the right hon. Gentleman the senior Member for the City of London, delivered in May, 1905, as to the invasion of this country, in which he stated that no sane person would undertake such an expedition?

The speech was recorded in the pages of the Parliamentary Debates.

asked when the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service may be expected?

I am afraid I can add nothing to my reply to a similar question on the 23rd February, that the Report may be expected very soon.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware of the National Conference held in Edinburgh last autumn which called for the details of the Government's proposals for a scheme of Scottish Home Rule; and whether he has any statement to make in response to this particular request; and (2) whether a representative organisation in Scotland, comprising the Scottish Liberal Association, the Scottish Women's Liberal Association, the Young Scots' Society, and the unofficial Scottish Liberal Members of Parliament, have asked for a statement of policy from the Government on Scottish Home Rule; and whether he has made any reply to them?

My right hon. Friend announced the views of the Government on this subject in his speech at Glasgow on 9th November, and there is nothing I can add to it at present.

Arising out of that answer, does the right hon. Gentleman know that the Secretary for Scotland said nothing on that occasion?

dissented.

Are we to understand that when a Member of the Cabinet speaks in his own or any other constituency he speaks on behalf of the Government?

In a general way, yes, but there is a very large latitude allowed.

Who exactly are the Young Scots Society?

That is a question which ought not to be addressed to me, but to the hon. Member below the Gangway.

asked the Prime Minister if the statement recently made by the Secretary of State for War at Ilkeston, that no scheme of self-government for Ireland could be regarded as satisfactory which provided for the permanent exclusion of Ulster, was made with his knowledge and authority?

As far as I can gather, my right hon. Friend was merely repeating in his own words what I said in substance in a speech at Ladybank last autumn.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to that statement?

The hon. Member had better wait till Monday.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to give effect by legislation during the present Session to the recommendations, or some of them, of the Committee appointed to inquire into the jury system?

I fear it will not be possible to introduce legislation on this subject in the present Session.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the payment of jurors is at least as worthy of consideration as the payment of Members?

We did not introduce legislation for the payment of Members.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to introduce legislation embodying any of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Divorce Laws?

The question is still being considered by the Government, and I am not able to say more at present.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman see the possibility of arranging by general agreement that this matter might be pressed forward?

If I saw any prospect of general agreement I should be glad to do so, but I do not know a more contentious matter.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state what is the present condition of Ireland as regards foot-and-mouth disease?

The latest information as to the position with regard to foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland is as follows:—In county Kildare, where the first outbreaks occurred, the disease appears now to have been stamped out, no further case having been reported for over a month, but reduced areas surrounding the localities of the outbreaks are still kept under restrictions. In county Cork there have been a number of interrelated cases due to the spread of infection from a sale. Up to to-day fifteen outbreaks have been confirmed in this neighbourhood; they are mostly in or near Cork City. The remotest are approximately nine miles to the south and seventeen to the west. All the outbreaks in county Cork confirmed so far have been traced to this sale held in Cork on 21st ultimo, one or more of the infected animals in each case having been purchased at or returned from that sale or been in contact with animals purchased at or returned from it. Stronger restrictions on animal movement have been applied over a district extending fifteen miles beyond the outermost cases, and arrangements have been made for a staff of over thirty veterinary inspectors and about 150 extra police to deal with the circumstances. The slaughter of affected and in-contact animals is proceeding rapidly, and it is hoped that the situation is now well in hand. There are no reports of the disease from other parts of Ireland.

How many separate premises are now scheduled as infected? Have all the animals that appeared in this sale been traced back to the premises from which they came?

The latter question I can answer in the affirmative. I would like notice as to the other.

Arising out of the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman with regard to Kildare, can he now state when the restrictions applied to that county will be removed?

If nothing happens in the meantime they will be removed very shortly.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any direct contact between Birkenhead and this sale in Cork has been established, and whether men engaged in the cattle trade in Birkenhead where foot-and-mouth disease is rife were allowed to come to Cork and attend this sale without being disinfected?

I would rather the hon. Gentleman gave me notice of that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman enlighten me as to what he means by the phrase "very shortly" Will it be this week?

The hon. Gentleman knows the ordinary practice is to reduce the fifteen-mile radius round the place infected to nine miles. It has been reduced to nine miles and to a smaller circle. I cannot say the exact day, but if nothing happens the restrictions will not be kept on long.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state whether, in the case of either of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in county Kildare in January last, any attempt was made by a person, claiming to be a knowledgeable person but not being a fully qualified veterinary surgeon, to cure the disease prior to the discovery of its existence by the officials of his Department?

I am informed that no circumstances of the nature referred to in this question occurred in connection with either of the outbreaks mentioned.

Do I understand that no attempt whatever was made to cure any of the animals found on the infected premises at Naas?

The animals were attended by the veterinary officer of the rural district council.

Is it not a fact that immediately the officer in question ascertained that it was foot-and-mouth disease he telephoned at once to the Department, and that steps were immediately taken?

Yes, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any further particulars to communicate to the House about the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Wales?

The outbreak in Wales has occurred in one place where only one animal is kept, namely, a pig, and it is separated from the other animals by a wall 9 feet high. The people attending the pig have had no connection with Birkenhead or any of the areas where foot-and-mouth disease had broken out. We find it totally impossible to say what has been the origin of the disease, but only one animal is affected. As there was some doubt about the diagnosis, I had two of the most competent of our staff on the premises as soon as possible, and I am sorry to say that they confirm the decision of the veterinary officer on the spot.

Do I understand that it is a solitary pig that is infected with this disease?

Only one solitary pig, but I am sorry to say that this necessitates us placing restrictions on a very wide area of territory.

Where did this case occur?

Close to Carnarvon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in Southern Nigeria the District Commissioners have been or are to be given increased powers over the natives of the Protectorate, which are to extend to the power of life and death, without a right of appeal to a higher Court; whether these District Commissioners are often appointed without any legal knowledge or judicial experience; and whether they combine executive with judicial functions?

It is proposed that, subject to certain minor modifications, the system of Provincial Courts which has worked well in Northern Nigeria should be extended to the rest of the Protectorate of Nigeria. A Resident or Commissioner in charge of a province will alone be able to try capital cases, and no sentence of death or of imprisonment beyond six months can be carried out unless the Governor (or a Lieutenant-Governor or Judge of the Supreme Court delegated by the Governor) confirms it. A Resident or Commissioner in charge of a province will, of course, practically always be an officer of considerable length of service and experience of judicial work. He is also an administrative officer, but a combination of administrative and judicial functions is almost essential in a country like West Africa.

Have these Commissioners to pass any examination or to qualify for judicial positions?

I would sooner have notice of that.

Has the Commissioner the advantage of a legal adviser, assessor, or co-adjutor sitting with him at the trial?

Perhaps the hon. Member would give me notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to recent reports, some official and some from charitable agencies, showing that there is much unemployment, with consequent destitution, in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and other industrial centres in Canada; and whether his Department will follow the precedent set by the War Office and use the Press of the country to warn intending emigrants to be on their guard against official and shipping agents' statements for inducing emigration, which state that work is plentiful in the Dominion?

I am aware that there has been an unusually large amount of unemployment in Western Canada during the present winter, and serious attention has been drawn to this fact in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" for several months past. Similar information has been freely circulated to the Press by the Emigrants' Information Office. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the notices referred to.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Emigration Office has likewise published information directly by circulars and posters?

That is the practice implied in the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total amount of China and British-grown tea, respectively, imported into the United Kingdom for 1912; the quantity of China tea re-exported; and the amount of each class of tea on which duty was paid?

The total quantity of tea imported from China (including Hong Kong) in 1912 was 20,947,000 lbs., and the total quantity from British Possessions (other than Hong Kong), 306,035,000 lbs. The quantity of China tea re-exported was 10,564,000 lbs. The quantity of China tea retained for con- sumption and subject to duty was 10,559,000 lbs., and the quantity of tea of India and Ceylon retained was 258,682,000 lbs. No information is available with regard to the comparatively trifling quantities of tea imported from other parts of the British Empire which were retained for consumption.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how it is these figures differ entirely from those given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his speeches in the House of Commons in August last?

I am not aware of the difference; perhaps the hon. Member will call my attention to it by a question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether female clerks working overtime in the London Labour Exchanges in order to get out the new books in connection with the unemployment part of the National Insurance Act received no extra remuneration for overtime although the male clerks lid receive some such remuneration; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the repetition of this difference of treatment?

I think the Noble Lord has been misinformed. Women clerks working overtime in connection with the exchange of unemployment books, received gratuities for the work at exactly the same rates as male clerks of equal grade.

asked the Attorney-General whether any appointments have been made of Lords of Appeal under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1913; if so, how many; and will he say who have been appointed to these posts?

Two appointments have been made, Lord Dunedin and Lord Sumner.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government will issue a warning to the members of those approved societies in which the Insurance Commissioners have reason to believe that grave deficiencies will occur at the first triennial valuation, so as to give those members an opportunity of making some further provision for themselves in case illness?

As I have stated in answer to previous questions, I am not prepared beforehand to publish conjectures as to the probable position upon valuation of particular approved societies.

asked whether the Insurance Commissioners are still advising persons to become members of approved societies instead of deposit contributors, having regard to the probability of grave deficiences in many of these societies, which will entail reduced benefits or increased contributions for their members; and what was the last occasion on which the Insurance Commissioners issued advice to such effect?

The Commissioners are still giving, and intend to continue to give, the advice referred to, the wisdom of which has only been confirmed by the experience of the benefits available during illness for members of approved societies.

Can the hon. Member say in what way the position of the deposit contributors will be inferior to the position of members of approved societies if the deficiencies occur?

I cannot answer a number of hypothetical questions. Members of approved societies have the advantage of insurance. Deposit contributors merely get the advantage of State aid.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that a revised form of Circular A.S. 92, dealing with transfers between approved societies, was issued early in February by the English Insurance Commissioners, and that it simplifies the procedure and is an advantage to societies in point of economy, he can state whether it is intended that a, similar circular should be issued by the Scottish Commissioners; and, if so, at how early a date it may be expected?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Scottish Insurance Commissioners have this matter under their consideration. It is hoped that a decision will be arrived at at an early date.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commission, whether his attention has been called to a resolution adopted by the Dublin Insurance Committee, at its meeting on the 19th February, to the effect that it is unable to meet one of its obligations, namely, the supplying of sanatorium benefit, in respect of which there is at present a total waiting list of eighty-three persons; and what the Government propose to do so that these eighty-three consumptive insured persons in Dublin may get the benefit for which they have paid?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not previously been called to the resolution referred to, but he is informed that it is not the case that persons awaiting admission to residential institutions are without treatment in the interim.