asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the control exercised on behalf of His Majesty's Government at present over Customs collections in Southern Persia is sufficient to make a lien upon such Customs a good and sufficient security for the repayment of the sum of £170,000 advanced between 1911 and 1913 from the British Exchequer?

His Majesty's Government have no reason to regard as unsatisfactory either the control over the Southern Customs exercised on their behalf or the security for the loan.

In view of the fact that the Battle of Kazerun took place only the other day, does that look as if there was such peace as would enable these arrangements to be carried out?

I do not think that the Battle of Kazerun affected the Southern border.

It is very near. I have been there myself.

I do not think it is near enough to affect the position at Bushire, which is always approachable from the sea.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will inquire how many labourers were recently demanded and how many actually impressed for service on the plantations of Cabinda and San Thomé from the San Salvador district of Angola?

Before making inquiry it will, I think, be advisable to await the report, for which I have called, on all of the circumstances connected with the recent disturbances at San. Salvador, as they seem to have been partly connected with a demand for labour for San Thomé.

asked whether any negotiations are in progress or have taken place with Germany regarding Central Africa, or Asia Minor, or in respect of trade with America?

There have been no agreements made with Germany lately, nor are any negotiations now in progress, with regard to Central Africa or trade with America. As regards Asia Minor, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 17th ultimo. These negotiations are still in the same position.

asked whether the native missionary Judah, in the New Hebrides, is still in prison; and, if so, will he use his best endeavours to obtain the release of this man?

Judah was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for extortion of money by the Anglo-French Joint Naval Commission on 18th December, 1913. I therefore presume that he has now been released.

asked what is the respective proportion of cases brought against British and French subjects before the Joint Court in the New Hebrides?

From 10th April, 1911, to 5th November, 1912, the accused in cases before the Joint Court were of French nationality in seventy-eight cases, and British in twelve. These figures do not include civil cases. Later statistics are not available.

asked whether Mohib Pasha, now Minister of Agriculture in the Egyptian Government, is charged with having maladministered the funds of the municipality of Jautah, while he was governor of the province of Gharbia; whether an investigation is now being held; and whether the result of this investigation will be made public?

I have no information on the subject, but I will enquire.

asked whether any arrangement has yet been made with Portugal which will enable British-made goods and, in particular, motor cars and parts thereof to enter that country on equal terms with similar manufactures of France and Germany?

Negotiations are still in progress with the Portuguese Government for the conclusion of a commercial treaty by which most-favoured-nation treatment will be granted to British goods on importation into Portugal, and His Majesty's Government are now making proposals with a view to expedite an arrangement.

Would not a small surcharge on port wine expedite arrangements?

Curiously enough the trouble has arisen from the fact that we do tax Portuguese wine at the present moment, and the Portuguese complain that we tax it unfairly and too much. It is precisely because this is a case in which we can bargain that we have got into this difficulty, and the Portuguese are not satisfied with the bargain.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the bargaining advantages of having import duties?

I was giving this as an instance where we have a power without interfering with our fiscal system or resorting to Tariff Reform or any method of that kind, and it has proved entirely ineffective.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any action has been recently taken by the Estates Commissioners with the object of acquiring the lands of Kilbarry, county Meath, from the Marchioness of Winchester; and whether the difference about the price which arose over previous negotiations could be bridged by paying the maximum bonus under the Act of 1909?

As the hon. Member has already been informed the Estates Commissioners have notified the owners the sum they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of these lands if formal proceedings for sale were instituted under the Land Purchase Acts. The owners are not prepared to sell at such price, and have not instituted proceedings for sale, and, in the circumstances, the Commissioners have not taken any further action in the matter. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked at what date the first steps were taken under the Land Act of 1909 to acquire the estate of Lord Clanricarde; at what date judgment was given in favour of the Congested Districts Board; whether the fact of an appeal having been allowed implies that this landlord's resistance may be successful; assuming otherwise, how long is it possible for him, by dilatory proceedings, to prevent the Board acquiring the land; the amount of law costs incurred in this matter to the present time; the estimated further costs on appeal; and, in view of the demonstrated inadequacy of existing compulsory powers, whether he will insert in the promised Land Bill compulsory provisions operative in such cases and applicable to the whole of Ireland?

Negotiations with Lord Clanricarde for the purchase of his estate were opened by the Congested Districts Board in March, 1910. Legal proceedings were taken in the Court of Chancery by Lord Clanricarde in 1912 to test the validity of the action of the Board, when the Master of the Rolls decided against the Board. The Board appealed against this decision, and the Court of Appeal, on the 8th December, 1913, gave judgment in their favour. Notice of appeal to the House of Lords was delivered by Lord Clanricarde on the 5th instant, but I cannot at present say what the date of the hearing of the appeal will be. Every similar litigant has a right of appeal, and no such inference as that suggested can be drawn from the present proceedings. The costs incurred up to the present by both parties is about £3,000, and the costs of the appeal to the House of Lords will probably be £2,000 more. There is no reason to suppose that the powers to acquire estates compulsorily in congested districts counties under the Act of 1909 are inadequate. Under Clause 12 of the Irish Land Bill of last Session it is proposed to extend these powers to non-congested counties.

Is there any such thing as the promised Irish Land Bill? Have the Government given any undertaking to go on with it?

There certainly is a Land Bill.

Where?

Where all Bills are before they become Acts of Parliament, and I certainly hope that it will be proceeded with this Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to expedite the hearing of this case?

No, Sir. I will do what I can, but other suitors certainly have their rights.

asked how many of the evicted tenants, including representatives of deceased evicted tenants, noted by the Estates Commissioners as coming within the Statutes providing relief for them, and whose holdings are untenanted, still remain unprovided for; whether the Riggs farm on the Smythe estate, Collinstown,. Westmeath, is one of these; whether the Commissioners have made an offer to the owner for that farm for the purpose of reinstatement; whether the offer has been refused; and, seeing that voluntary methods have failed in ten years to give relief in such cases, whether he will insert in the promised Land Bill an operative compulsory provision covering such cases?

The Estates Commissioners have provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted lands acquired by them fifty-seven evicted tenants or their representatives whose former holdings are stated to be untenanted, and who have not yet been reinstated in their former holdings or provided with other holdings elsewhere. I have dealt with the case of Mrs. Riggs in reply to numerous questions to which I would refer the hon. Member. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary, having regard to the number of landlords who, after offering their estates for sale to the Estates Commissioners and accepting interest in lieu of rent, now inform the tenants that they will not complete on the prospect of getting higher prices under the forthcoming Land Bill, and, if disappointed in this, will resume their right to recover the old rents for the past six years and for the future; whether he will provide in the forthcoming Bill against this anticipated increase of price beyond the sum for which the Commissioners now find the holdings to be security, against the resumption of a power voluntarily surrendered, and against the use of the threat to resume as a means of obtaining money from the tenants in addition to the price settled by the Commissioners?

Interest in lieu of rent in the case of an estate sold to the Estates Commissioners is only payable from the date of the agreement to purchase, and when such an agreement has been entered into the owner cannot refuse to complete the sale unless the Commissioners consent. In one case, however, that of the Talbot estate, to which the hon. Member probably refers, the owners voluntarily accepted interest in lieu of rent on the prices at which the tenants were prepared to purchase, pending negotiations for the sale of the estate, to the Commissioners, but this interest was not collected by the Land Commission, who were not parties to the arrangement, and who cannot interfere with any proceedings which the owners may take to recover the rents due to them. Whether the owners wait for fresh legislation or not, the purchase money will be fixed by the Estates Commissioners if the estate is sold to them. The case in question is not one of an owner withdrawing from a formal agreement for sale, and I do not consider that legislation of the nature referred to in the latter part of the question is required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Estates Commissioners consider the conduct set out in the question legitimate; and, if they do not, what action they take in reference to it?

It is legitimate because it is legal.

asked if a considerable number of summonses for possession of their holdings have been served on the Clanricarde tenantry, in the division of South Galway, by the Marquess of Clanricarde; and if the appeal to the House of Lords by Lord Clanricarde, in the late decision pronounced against him by the Court of Appeal in Ireland, has yet been received and when the appeal is likely to be heard; and, pending the hearing of the appeal before the House of Lords, will the Government decline to allow the forces of the Crown to be used for the purpose of carrying out more evictions on this estate?

I understand that proceedings are being taken on behalf of Lord Clanricarde for possession of certain holdings on his estate. As I have just stated, notice of appeal to the House of Lords by Lord Clanricarde was delivered on the 5th instant, but I cannot yet say when the appeal will be heard. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

In view of the fact that a special Act of Parliament was passed in this House a few years ago for the express purpose of reinstating evicted tenants in their holdings or of otherwise providing for them, at enormous cost to the people of this country, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that a stay should be put upon the power of Lord Clanricarde to evict any more tenants pending the decision of the House of Lords?

I have no power to stay proceedings in an eviction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons for the expropriation of this nobleman?

All that is very well, but it does not alter my legal position.

Does my right hon. Friend say that the forces of the Crown will be used for carrying out convictions?

The hon. Member knows perfectly well that the Executive has no power whatever to prevent the sheriff calling in what power he needs.

asked under what section of what Act pasture holdings restricted to the use of the land for pasture by yearly tenants, such as those on the estate of Lady Chapman, county Meath, come within the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts?

The provisions of the Land Purchase Acts enable yearly tenants occupying lands under contracts of tenantry to purchase their holdings. The hon. Member will find the expression "tenant" defined in Section 57 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881, and Section 26 of the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1885.

asked the number of pasture holdings held by yearly tenants on the estate of Lady Chapman, county Meath; the total acreage of such holdings; and whether, under existing agreements by which they are held, it is within the power of the owner to resume possession of the holdings at the end of each yearly letting?

The Estates Commissioners are making further inquiries as regards the tenure under which the tenants referred to hold their lands, and are not at present in a position to furnish the information asked for in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under the Irish Land Act of 1909, it was enacted that tenancies created after a certain date were excluded by the Estates Commissioners from the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts; and, if so, whether he will state why pasture holdings on the estate of Lady Chapman, in which no permanent tenancy exists at the present time, are proposed to be brought within the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts?

Section 16 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, provide that no advance shall be made in respect of tenancies created after the 15th September, 1909. The Commissioners are making further inquiries as regards the tenure under which the tenants referred to hold their lands.

Will the Estates Commissioners, in connection with this matter, ascertain the area of land held by these men elsewhere?

There is no reason why they should not do so if they can.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will permit the Parliamentary representatives of the claimants for portion of the pasture holdings on the estate of Lady Chapman, counties Meath and Westmeath, or their legal representatives, to inspect the nature of the agreements between' the yearly users of pasture holdings and the owner?

It would be entirely contrary to the practice of the Land Commission to comply with the hon. Member's request.

asked whether the inspector from the Estates Commissioners who visited the estate of Lady Chapman, counties Meath and Westmeath, made any inquiries as to the number of families that once resided on the estate and by their labours gave fertility to the soil; whether any of them or their descendants are still living in the immediate neighbourhood as landless men; and, if so, will their claim to a share of the pasture holdings or untenanted land be considered?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. The Estates Commissioners are not in a position to reply to the second paragraph of the question. The persons referred to in the last paragraph do not appear to come within the classes mentioned in Section 17 of the Irish Land Act, 1909.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total area of land on Lady Chapman's estate which the occupants are restricted by agreement from cultivating; the total area held by the same occupants elsewhere, apart from the holdings so restricted; whether he will quote for the House the clause of the agreements restricting industry on this congested estate; and whether he will afford the House an opportunity of discussing this important matter before any thing is done that would lock up this land from relieving congestion to which Parliament intended such land to be devoted?

As I have just stated, the Estates Commissioners are making further inquiries as to the tenure of the holdings on this estate, and until I have received their report I can make no further statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the tenants on the Gumbleton estate, near Coachford, county Cork, signed their purchase agreements in November, 1906; whether they have now been paying interest for over seven years; adding in effect considerably to the number of years' purchase; can he explain the reason of the delay in having the holdings vested in the tenants; and, seeing they are very few in number, will the Estates Commissioners now expedite matters?

The estate of Frances Gumbleton and others, county Cork, is the subject of a sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in February, 1907. The estate is being dealt with in order of priority, and the Commissioners hope to be in a position to vest the holdings in the purchasing tenants at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if there is a number of estates before the Estates Commissioners where the tenants cannot be declared the purchasers of their holdings owing to the fact that the solicitors having carriage of sale have neglected to prove title although they have been requested by the Commissioners to do so; and whether, having regard to the fact that the purchasing tenants are thus penalised by being obliged to continue paying interest in lieu of their half-yearly annuities, he will direct the Commissioners to take steps to have the sales completed forthwith?

Before holdings can be vested in purchasing tenants under the Land Purchase Acts, vendors have to satisfy the Land Commission as to their powers to sell under such Acts. This is sometimes a matter of considerable difficulty, and takes time. The Estates Commissioners take the necessary steps to see that their requirements are complied with as rapidly as practicable, and where title cannot be shown, the proceedings for sale will have to be dismissed.

Is it not a fact that the purchase money of twenty-four estates is lying idle with the Estates Commissioners owing to the fact that the solicitors for the vendors have not proved title, and that proceedings were initiated in or about the year 1906?

If I had power to expedite solicitors, I would exercise it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman do nothing with it at all?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners would consider the claim of Stephen M'Padden, an evicted tenant on the Delan estate, Carbeg, Corry, county Lei trim, for a grant to enable him to rebuild his house and stock his farm?

The Estates Commissioners have already informed M'Padden that they are not prepared to sanction a grant in his case, and they are not prepared to depart from this decision.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received from several pension committees in county Kerry resolutions complaining of the methods by which pension officers estimate the means of applicants and of the number of deserving cases thus excluded; and whether he has considered the proposal to legislate giving the right to appeal to the County Court on the question of means alone to each applicant?

I am informed that resolutions of this tenour have been received by the Board of Customs and Excise from pension sub-committees in county Kerry. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no reason to think that the rights of claimants are not adequately safeguarded by the existing statutory machinery.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the county of Kerry these pension officers make estimates of the means of applicants which are totally wrong?

I am aware that there was that feeling against pension officers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received several resolutions from the Ardfert old age pensions committee and the Kerry County Committee requesting him to hold a public inquiry into the administration of the Old Age Pensions Act by the pension officers in that district; and whether, considering the public dissatisfaction which prevails he will take steps to have the inquiry held?

I would refer the hon. Member to my predecessor's answer to his; question of the 29th January, 1913.

Seeing that this question has created very considerable dissatisfaction in the county of Kerry, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the justice of having an inquiry into the matter?

The hon. Member made the same appeal to my predecessor. I looked at the papers this morning. He considered it very carefully, and told the hon. Member that he did not think that there was any necessity for any inquiry of the kind suggested.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Kerry County Committee and the Kerry County Council have again strongly requested that an inquiry should be held, and that there are special reasons for doing so?

I am sorry to tell the hon. Member that I do not think that the aggrieved people have made out a case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the facts disclosed by the Report of the committee of inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland, he will take steps to recommend to the local authorities in the North of Ireland to frame without further delay by-laws under the Employment of Children Act, 1903?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, a circular was issued in July last to local authorities pointing out their powers under the Employment of Children Act, 1903, but so far no by-laws have been submitted for confirmation. The initiative in this matter rests with the local authorities, and no useful purpose would be served by further interference on the part of the Irish Government, but I hope the publicity given by this question will have some good effect.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what amounts have been voted and spent in the last two financial years for medical inspection in Irish national schools; and whether, seeing the failure of the scheme, he has any other proposals to secure for Irish children the advantages of medical inspection such as is given in England and Scotland?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the amount voted for the purposes of dental inspection in schools for the year 1912–13 was £7,500, of which only £263 2s. 6d. was spent, the balance being returned to the Exchequer. For 1913–14 a sum of £5,000 was voted, but the amount expended cannot yet be determined. The conditions of the Grant are that for every £1 contributed by the State, £1 should be raised from local sources. There has been a large and constant increase in the number of schemes approved during 1913–14, and I see no reason to believe that the present arrangement has failed. There is no power, without legislation, to transfer to the county councils the administration of the funds provided for this purpose.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is in a position to state whether the plans and specification for the improvement of Ballyhack Harbour have yet been completed, and, if so, when he will have tenders for the work advertised; whether he is aware that it is over two years since the county council agreed to pay half the cost of this work; and whether, having regard to the immense loss inflicted on the fishermen of the district for want of proper harbourage, he will expedite this work so as to have it completed during the coming summer?

The Wexford County Council, on the 7th October last, approved of the plan for this work, subject to the arrangement of certain details by the county surveyor and the Department's engineer. The arrangement referred to has been made, and the work was commenced last week. It will be carried out with the least possible delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government proposes to maintain the King's African Rifles on the present footing, and to debit the total cost, as at present, to the Nyasaland Protectorate?

It is proposed to maintain the King's African Rifles on the present footing, but the hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension in thinking that the total cost is debited to Nyasaland. Each Protectorate pays for its own contingent.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies if he can give any details of the fight on the borders of British East Africa in which Lieutenant Lloyd-Jones, King's African Rifles, was severely wounded; and why no proper medical attendance was forthcoming for this officer?

So far as the actual lighting is concerned, I do not think that I can add anything to the account which appeared in the Press on the 7th of this month. With regard to the second part of the Noble Lord's question, I have satisfied myself that everything was done which it was possible to do, having regard to the remoteness and inaccessibility of the locality in which the incident occurred. I am glad to have this opportunity of referring to the devotion of Mr. Parvati, the Indian sub-assistant surgeon at Marsabit, who, on being informed of the casualty, made a forced march to Lieutenant Lloyd-Jones, accomplishing it in four days. This was a most remarkable and creditable performance as his camel transport broke down, and he managed to cover the 100 miles of desert with only one camel and with practically no food or water.

asked whether, notwithstanding the fact that a Grant of £11,000 has been made from the Development Fund to the Sugar Beet Growers' Society, Limited, a body working in cooperation with the owners of the Cantley sugar factory in Norfolk, permission has been refused to the Government of St. Kitts to guarantee the capital of a sugar factory in that island?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. I am informed that the Grant in question was made solely for work of organisation, instruction, and book-keeping, and that it stands on a footing quite different from that of any proposal to give Government assistance to a sugar factory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Cantley factory is the only sugar factory in this district, and that the benefit of this Grant must therefore accrue to that factory?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked when it is intended to carry out the provision of proper wharfage accommodation at Kilindini, British East Africa, long since promised?

This is one of the objects of the East African Loans Bill, and when it comes on for Second Reading I shall be prepared to make a statement on the subject.

Is it not the case that when a sum of money was previously voted for the Protectorate a promise was given that this wharfage accommodation should be provided?

Yes, Sir; and the money is now being used for the purpose for which it was voted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is not being so used?

The Noble Lord does not know what we have been doing below the water line.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no steamers can get alongside the wharf, and that the condition of congestion of goods is as great as ever?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway Company have complied with the Rail way Companies Accounts and Returns Act of 1911; and, if so, when have their accounts and returns been submitted?

The accounts and returns of this company were received by the Board of Trade on the 2nd February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cheap workmen's tickets that were issued at Barking, East Ham, Upton Park, Plaistow, West Ham, Bow Road, and Stepney stations on the District Railway from Sunday, 1st March, to Saturday, 7th March, inclusive?

I have asked the railway companies concerned if they can furnish this information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the District Railway Company intend increasing their train service between Wimbledon to the Mansion House to 35 trains in each direction; if he is aware that the extra train service between all the stations from Barking and the Mansion House is more pressing than the train service from the west; and if he intends urging the District Rail way Company to put extra workmen's trains running from the east daily?

I have asked the railway companies concerned for their observations in this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their replies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada obtained £157,000 capital in England in 1910, any meeting of the British share holders was duly summoned; whether this represented the savings of 745 English investors; and whether his Department possesses any power to protect the public against such methods of flotation as were practised by the present company?

The Union Life Assurance Company of Canada was incorporated in Canada and carried on business there, and not in this country. The Board of Trade, therefore, have no official information relating to the company. A company which is not incorporated in this country is not required to hold meetings of its shareholders here, and I have no knowledge as to whether any meeting of the British shareholders was in fact held, or as to the number of those shareholders or the amount of capital subscribed by them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department exercises any power of control over or examination of the position of insurance companies, as is provided by the Canadian Government; and, seeing that certain directors of the Union Life Assurance Company are being prosecuted in Canada for their misrepresentations of fact in securing the investment of £157,000 of British money fraudulently, will he state whether those parties in London who assisted in the preparation of a misleading prospectus will be made amenable to justice?

The powers of the Board of Trade relating to assurance companies are limited to those conferred upon them by the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, which does not apply to companies which are neither registered nor carry on business in this country. I have no information as to the nature of any criminal proceedings in Canada against any directors of the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada, and I am not aware of any grounds on which such proceedings could be instituted against any person in this country.

If it is shown that persons in this country assisted in the preparation of the fraudulent prospectus, cannot the Board of Trade take any steps?

I am afraid that this being a Canadian company, in the event of proceedings being taken, I have no jurisdiction.

If it is true that proceedings have been instituted in Canada against the promoters, can the right hon. Gentleman do nothing to assist them?

Unfortunately at the moment the Board of Trade has no jurisdiction.

Have you no jurisdiction in England?

It is a Canadian company, and the Board of Trade has no jurisdiction over it.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that £157,000 of British money has been invested and lost in this company?

Yes; £157,000 of British money has been invested by British investors in a Canadian assurance company over which the Board of Trade has no control whatever.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada, owing to the state of its finances at the time and the need for procuring additional capital, offered in 1910 £200,000 worth of shares for subscription in England; whether a prospectus was prepared and issued, as a result of which £157,000 was invested in the stock of this company by English investors; whether he is aware that, consequent upon investigation into the affairs of this company by Mr. A. M. de Beck, editor-in-chief of the "Canadian News," assisted by a committee of the shareholders, it was established that the whole of the British capital was used for purposes other than those mentioned in the prospectus; was the Union Life Assurance Company registered in England and was a list of its shareholders obtainable at Somerset House; has this company gone into liquidation in Canada and has a prosecution of certain of its directors, including Mr. H. P. Evans and Mr. H. Symons, K.C., been ordered; whether the Board of Trade can take any steps to protect the interests of the British investors of this company; and, if so, will he disclose their nature?

I have seen a copy of the prospectus of the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada, which was issued in this country in 1910, offering 10,000 shares of 100 dollars each for subscription, but I have no information as to the amount subscribed by British investors. I understand from statements in the Press that the company has gone into liquidation in Canada, but I have no information as to the result of any investigation, or as to any proceedings which may be pending. The company was not registered in England, and no list of its shareholders was obtainable at Somerset House. On my present information I am not aware that there are any steps which can be taken by the Board of Trade to assist the British investors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in connection with the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada, in which £157,000 of British money was invested and lost, a body known as the London Advisory Board was formed; whether this was constituted of Viscount Maitland, William Schooling, a writer on insurance, and F. W. Kerr, a company director; can he state what the functions of this board were; what supervision they exercised over the affairs of the company; whether they held any meetings and kept any minutes; if so, whether these are now available; and whether the Board of Trade can inquire into the conduct of this board and the representations it made from time to time to deceive the shareholders of the Union Life Assurance Company?

It appears from a copy of a prospectus of the Union Life Assurance Company of Canada, which I have seen, that there was an advisory board for the United Kingdom, consisting of the persons mentioned in the hon. Member's question. The Board of Trade have no information as to the functions or proceedings of this advisory board, and they have no jurisdiction to conduct an investigation into its conduct.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of a poll for against exclusion or inclusion in the Government of Ireland Act resulting in a tie in any county, he will say on whom will devolve the duty of giving a casting vote?

The following questions on the same subject also appeared upon the Paper:—

(1) Whether it is the intention of the Government to make any suggestion to Parliament relative to Customs, Excise, and the Post Office that would alter the proposals contained in the Government of Ireland Bill; (2) whether, in the event of any alteration of the representation of Ireland in the Irish House of Commons being made necessary by the exclusion of any county from the Government of Ireland Bill, a suggestion to provide for the adequate representation of the Protestant minority in the Irish House of Commons will have the support of the Government; (3) whether, in the event of any alteration in the representation of Ireland in the Irish Senate being made necessary by the exclusion of any county from the Government of Ireland Bill, the scheme of election to the Senate, as set out in Part III. of the First Schedule, will be altered so as to provide for election by the method of proportional representation on a less cumbrous and more workable basis; and (4) whether, in view of the scanty information with regard to the Government proposals in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill contained in the Return issued on the 10th instant, and to the short interval which may elapse before the resumption and conclusion of the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, he will cause a Return giving such proposals in ampler details to be immediately issued?

(1) Whether, in view of the fact that under his scheme of settlement of the Home Rule question the Unionist counties will all be excluded, there will be likely to remain a single Unionist representative in the Dublin Parliament to voice the sentiments of the minority of the voters; and whether, under these circumstances, he proposes to introduce, so far as the Lower House is concerned, any additional safeguards for their benefit; (2) how, in preparing the requisition to the Lord Lieutenant which has to be signed by a substantial body of the electors, he proposes to ensure secrecy as regards the identity of the signatories in order to avoid the persecution which will follow publicity and to ensure the secrecy of the Ballot Act, which, so far as the signatories are concerned, would be destroyed by their names and wishes becoming known; and (3) whether any administrative difficulties are likely to arise under his amended scheme for the government of Ireland by having a county and a borough which it contains under different Governments; and whether he will state the reason for preferring this form of separate treatment of county and borough for voting purposes?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will issue a White Paper showing the Amendments that would be required in the Government of Ireland Bill if the proposals adumbrated in Parliamentary Paper, No. 143, were adopted by Parliament?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill include the abandonment of the provisions for setting up a separate Irish Customs; or whether it is suggested that the jurisdiction of the Irish Customs is to be limited to such counties as may not become excluded; and (2) whether his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill include the abandonment of the provisions for setting up a separate postal service for Ireland; or whether it is suggested that each of the excluded counties is to have its own postal service or remain under the Irish or British postal service?

asked the Prime Minister when the text of the proposed alterations in the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill will be laid upon the Table of the House?

asked whether in the event of the proposals adumbrated in Return No. 143 being adopted by Parliament the transferred sum would be reduced and, if so, by how much annually, on the supposition that the counties of Armagh, Antrim, Down, and Londonderry and the city of Belfast elected for exclusion from the operation of the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to put on the Paper the wording of the new Amendments to the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the basis on which the adjustments of revenue and expenditure of any excluded county will be fixed under the Government proposals of the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is essential to his scheme for the Amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill that the counties and county boroughs of Ulster, which vote for the exclusion, should be adjoining geographically; and will he say how he would propose to deal with a county borough as regards government generally, and the questions of the control of Customs and the Post Office in particular, which voted for retention under the Government of Ireland Bill, while the surrounding county areas voted for exclusion?

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in the event of the proposals adumbrated in Return No. 143 with regard to the future government of Ireland becoming Law, the control of elementary education in any excluded area will be vested in a board chosen on a denominational basis; and what security he proposes to afford for the protection of the religious educational rights of any Catholic minority in such an area?

asked (1) whether any Poor Law unions or other areas for local government purposes are situated in two counties; how it is intended under his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill to deal with such areas if one of such counties becomes excluded and the other remains included within the jurisdiction of the Irish Parliament; and (2) whether, under his suggestions for the amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill, the £500,000 subsidy to be given to the Irish Parliament will be reduced in proportion to the area excluded; and, if not, what is the fixed basis referred to on page 4 of the White Paper No. 143 as that to be adopted for the necessary financial adjustments?

In regard to these questions which all deal with the Government proposals in regard to the Government of Ireland Bill and to provisions consequential upon, or supplementary to those which have been already explained, I shall be obliged if I may postpone my answer till Monday, when I will make a general statement on the subject.

Meantime, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the House something better than this truncated, eviscerated and emasculated stump?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the acreage of the coal lands in Kent which have been acquired or leased by French, Belgian, and German companies and syndicates, respectively; (2) the acreage of the colliery in South Yorkshire recently acquired by a German company company, and the estimated amount of steam coal contained in the colliery; and (3) the acreage of the collieries in South Wales owned and controlled by German companies, and the estimated amount of steam coal contained in those collieries?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions of the hon. Member, and I will, answer the three questions together. The Home Office has no official information on the points raised in the questions, and I am not sure that it will be possible to obtain it, but I will make such inquiries as are possible.

Will not this sort of thing increase when the channel tunnel is made?

The hon. Member had better address his question to his neighbour (Mr. Fell).

asked the Post-master-General whether he has yet been able to arrange for the collection of letters at Pennart, Carnarvonshire, after 10 a.m.; and whether, in view of the fact that a postman passes within two miles on his round in the evening, he can provide an evening collection by arranging that the letters be handed to the postman by the auxiliary postman, as is done with the morning delivery?

I am having inquiry made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the expressed desire of the Department to give extended postal and telephone facilities to farmers, he can now see his way to provide a daily delivery of letters to all those resident within a radius of two miles of the Garn Dolbenmaen, Carnarvonshire, post office?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has any official information to the effect that Sir John Henniker-Heaton is prepared to come forward with personal guarantees of a satisfactory nature against any loss either Government may sustain in the event of penny postage being initiated between this country and France; and whether any announcement can be made on the subject?

I am aware that in April, 1910, Sir John Henniker-Heaton, during the course of an interview between my predecessor and a deputation of Members of this House, offered to provide the interest on the British revenue sacrificed by the introduction of penny postage with France, and in a letter received recently he repeats his statement that certain gentlemen are prepared to give guarantees against any loss of revenue. The Government cannot accept an offer from private individuals to defray any part of the loss to the revenue caused by a reduction in rates of postage.

Why is it that the Post Office never do anything until they are forced?

asked the Postmaster-General why the telephone call rate between Horrabridge and Tavistock, Devon, has been raised from 2d. to 5d.; and if he will take steps to have the charge reduced to its former level?

This is not a recent change. It was made as far back as 1907 when Horrabridge and Yelverton were transferred from the Tavistock telephone area to that of Plymouth to meet the wishes of the local subscribers. It is not possible under present conditions to revert to the original arrangement, but the whole question of the fees for calls between neighbouring places is now under consideration with a view to the removal of anomalies.

asked what increase of pay, if any, has been given to sub-postmasters and Post Office employé generally for the increased responsibility and work entailed on them under the Old Age Pensions and Insurance Acts?

In the case of scale payment sub-postmasters the remuneration for old age pension work is at the rate of 40s. per 1,000 old age pension orders paid and 1s. for each accepted claim in the preparation of which the sub-postmaster has rendered assistance to the pensioner. The rates of remuneration for national insurance work are stated in the reply given to a question on the subject on the 12th February. Increases of work at the counters of post offices which are staffed with officers employed directly by the State are met by the employment of additional staff or the employment of the existing staff on overtime, not by increases in the rate of pay of the officers employed.

asked whether it is the practice in Glasgow to promote postmen to sub-postmasterships; and, if so, how many postmen from the head office there have been promoted to such posts during the year 1913, and since the Liberal Government came into power in 1906?

The hon. Member is presumably referring to salaried sub-offices and not to scale payment sub-offices, which are usually conducted in shops and to which are appointed residents in the various localities. Postmen, with other Post Office servants, are eligible for appointment to salaried sub-postmasterships. These appointments, like head postmaster-ships, are advertised in the Post Office Circular, and the best qualified candidates are selected. The competition is extremely keen, and it is but seldom that a postman would prove to be the best candidate. I will have inquiry made as regards the latter part of the hon. Member's question and will acquaint him with the result.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that general dissatisfaction exists among the postmen with regard to these appointments, and that when notices are exhibited in the post offices as a matter of fact practically no postman ever secures one of these posts?

As I have explained to my hon. Friend, there is competition for these posts, and we must take the best man. If a postman happens to be the best man, we gladly take him, but if he happens to be the second best, we are not entitled to do so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what class of officials in the Post Office usually get the preference over the postmen who are not the best men?

If my hon. Friend will put that question on the Paper, I will give him an answer, but I cannot undertake to answer it off-hand.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the nature of the evidence for the defence given at the trial of Julia Decies, at the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, 4th March; if he is aware that the jury, in finding the prisoner guilty, recommended her to mercy, and that Mr. Justice Darling awarded seven years' penal servitude; and whether, in view of the health of the prisoner and the whole of the circumstances of her offence, he can see his way to order a remission of the sentence?

The convict has applied to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against her sentence.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect the appeal will be heard?

I am afraid I cannot say.

I will repeat the question next Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Royal Commission on Quarries and Metalliferous Mines, which was appointed some years ago, have agreed on their Report, and when the same will be presented?

I am informed that the Commission have not yet finally settled their Report, but expect to have it ready in the course of next month.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under the new by-law for regulating slow traffic in London, he can add to the by-law that the roads should be sanded up to the kerbs, with a view to assisting horses drawing heavy loads; and if the reason that heavy traffic Keeps to the middle of the roads is that the drivers find it better going?

I am advised that the requirement suggested in the first part of the question would not come within the by-law making powers. I am aware that the structure of certain roads and their condition in certain states of the weather sometimes offer an inducement to drivers of heavy vehicles to keep in the middle; but the requirement of the by-law is qualified by the words "so far as practicable," and the experience of places where this rule is already in operation shows that it can generally be enforced with great advantage to the traffic.

Is it not a fact that the sides of the road are kept watered while the middle is not, and that the heavy traffic goes in the middle of the road on account of the sides being watered?

I can only judge by experience in those places where the rule has already been in force, and we find that very good consequences have followed.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under the Established Church (Wales) Bill, the Church Representative Body will be legally bound, except in so far as existing interests are affected, to apply a private benefaction vested in the Welsh Commissioners under Clause 4 of the Established Church (Wales) Bill, and transferred by them to the Church Representative Body under Clause 8 of that Bill, in accordance with the wishes of the benefactor and for the benefit of the parish to which it was given?

I am not in a position to give any authoritative decisions as to questions of the interpretation of the Bill when it becomes law, but I am advised that private benefactions will have to be applied (except in so far as existing interests are affected), as nearly as possible, to the same purposes as those to which they are now applicable; but, of course, if, under the constitution adopted by the Welsh Church after disestablishment, the parochial system were abandoned, new considerations would arise and the cy près doctrine would apply.

Under the terms of the Bill is not an absolute discretion given to the Church Representative Body to use the endowments exactly as they please—I mean the private benefactions that are left and handed over?

I have given the best answer that I am advised I am able to give on the point put by the hon. Member. I am afraid I cannot add anything to it.

asked the Home Secretary when his promised Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill is likely to be submitted to the House?

I hope, very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to increase the number of coal mine inspectors; and, if so, when, and to what extent?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the statement which I made on this subject in the Debate on the Address last month. Large additions have been made during the last three years to the staff of inspectors, which has been increased from forty-two to ninety, and time must be allowed for the assimilation of so large a number of new inspectors, though I have little doubt that further additions will be required in the future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the recent modifications of the rates charged by the railway companies for the carriage of milk have, in several cases, involved a further increase in the rates previously charged by the companies, and that the revised rates are still in some cases 7 and 8 per cent. above those charged prior to July last; and whether the Board is satisfied with the revised tariff; and, if not, what action does he propose to take in the matter?

I do not follow the hon. Member's statement that the recent modifications in the rates on milk have in several cases involved a further increase. Perhaps he will be good enough to furnish me with instances. On the general question, I can only repeat what I have already stated in answer to questions on this subject, that it is open to the traders to require the railway companies to justify the increases before the Railway and Canal Commission, and that I understand steps are already being taken with this object. There is no requirement that the Board of Trade should be satisfied with the tariff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Railway and Canal Commission is a wholly useless tribunal for the disorganised producers?

asked whether in the Bill which the Government have promised to introduce, making residence a qualification for eligibility to town and to county councils in England, they propose to include Scotland; or whether they propose to introduce a separate measure for Scotland, as was done in 1907?

The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative.

asked whether the state of mind of the female convict Richardson, released under the Temporary Discharge of Prisoners Bill, but at present in custody on another charge, has ever been inquired into by competent medical experts?

I have consulted competent medical experts, who saw the prisoner last October, and who advise me that she was not then of unsound mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to release the female convict Richardson; and if, before doing so, he will consider the danger to the public if this woman is at large?

There is no present ground for releasing the prisoner. The danger to the public is never left out of consideration in any such case.

Having regard to the fact that this woman appears to be a criminal of the most dangerous nature, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possible danger to the public before he releases her because of one of these so-called "hunger strikes?"

If it were only a so-called hunger strike I should certainly hope not to have to release her. The annoyance and the danger to the public will certainly be borne in mind.

Did the right hon. Gentleman notice a statement openly mocking the inefficiency of the law?

Yes, I observed that Acts of Parliament bind me as well as everybody else.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether he will, at an early date, afford an opportunity for debate as to the protective measures to be taken, in view of recent events, with regard to the art treasures of the nation?

The matter is under consideration, and I cannot make any statement at present, but I hope to do so at the earliest opportunity.

I must respectfully ask the right hon. Gentleman, in making these investigations, if he would personally inquire why it is that a woman recently apprehended, who is known to be a desperate person, was admitted without, any surveillance or search of any kind into the National Gallery, and why the muff which she carried was not searched by the attendants at the door?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a man was recently summoned at the Midhurst Petty Sessions for employing two children, aged twelve and thirteen, contrary to Regulations made under the Employment of Children Act; that the employment of the children consisted in their being taught, with the consent of their parents, out of school hours, how to milk cows; that they were so instructed only occasionally and received no payment for it; that it was admitted by the prosecution that they attended school regularly and were clean, tidy, and respectable children; that the offence for which they were summoned occurred on a school holiday; and whether he will bring in a Bill to so amend the Act as to prevent such cases arising in future?

I have no information about the case to which the Noble Lord refers, but I am making inquiries.

asked how much is provided in this year's Estimates, 1914–15, for pay, allowances, and pensions to solicitors?

It would be impossible to obtain the information desired by the hon. Member without an amount of labour which would not be justified by the result.

asked, in view of the fact that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue keep a record of the applications for exemption from Undeveloped Land Duty under Section 17 (3) ( b ) of the Finance Act, 1910, on the ground that the land consists of woodlands, parks, and gardens, reasonable access to which is enjoyed by the public or by the inhabitants of the locality, and of the fact that the Commissioners keep a record of their decisions upon such applications, how many such applications have been received by the Commissioners; and how many of such applications for exemption have been granted and how many have been refused?

While, as I informed the hon. Member on the 4th instant, such records exist, they are not assembled, and so are not available for statistical purposes. If the hon. Member requires information with regard to any particular case, I will try to obtain it for him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the estimated amount of Railway Passenger Duty that has been remitted to the various railway companies who have a terminus in London from 1905 up to 1913, under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883; and if he is aware that an answer was given to a similar question on 21st May, 1906?

The receipts from Railway Passenger Duty paid by London railway companies have declined from £276,000 in 1905 to £221,000 in 1913. But the Board of Customs and Excise do not see how it would be possible to estimate the proportions in which this decrease, and the decreases in the intervening years, should be attributed to the Operation of the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, or to other conditions. The answer given in 1906, to which the hon. Member refers, was subject to the same qualification.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any increase has lately been made in teachers' pensions; and, if so, how far this change will be retrospective?