asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether the imports of intoxicating liquors into India have increased from the value of £1,092,551 in 1911 to £1,243,265 in 1913; whether he can give the figures for each of the last ten years; and whether any steps are being taken to check the growing importation?

The reply to the first question is in the affirmative. Figures showing the quantity and value of the imports of intoxicating liquors for the last ten financial years will be circulated with the Votes. Taking a triennial average for the beginning and end of this period, a decrease in the quantity of imported liquor is shown, amounting in the case of spirits to a decrease of nearly 6 per cent. During the ten-year period the rates of duty have been twice enhanced and are now higher by 50 per cent, than at the beginning. [See Written Answers this date.]

Is the increase in imports officially said to be due to the greater prosperity of India?

There is no increase in the quantities; it is only an increase in values, and that, I think, is accounted for by the increase in the rates of duty.

asked the number of sovereigns imported into India during the current year, approximately?

The net imports of sovereigns into India in the first ten months of the year 1913–14 were £5,044,100. The net imports for the whole financial year may be estimated at £7,400,000.

Does this great falling off, in conjunction with the lower prices, accepted for Council Bills mean that the Government of India has successfully attempted to check the flow of gold to India?

The hon. Member must put his question on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary for India if he is aware that the absence of any provision in the Indian Bankruptcy Acts corresponding to the provision of the British bankruptcy law, whereby an act of insolvency is committed if a notice to pay is served on a debtor and remains unsatisfied for seven days after service, is regarded by traders in India as placing them at a disadvantage as compared with Home traders; and can he say on what grounds the Secretary of State is advised that the difference in position is more apparent than real, and that the remedy provided to creditors in India is equally effective?

Under Indian law, if a judgment creditor is unable to obtain satisfaction for his judgment debt, he may apply for notice to issue to the judgment debtor to show cause why he should not be committed to prison. If the debtor be committed by the Court to prison, such commitment amounts to an act of insolvency upon which the creditor can take action in the Insolvency Court. The judgment creditor has thus a remedy as effective as the bankruptcy procedure of this country and not dissimilar from it.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the attention of the Secretary of State for India has been drawn to the conduct of Mr. Oakden, superintendent of district Debra Dun, and as such district magistrate of Mussoorie, in transferring from the hearing and adjudication of Mr. Hoare, deputy magistrate of Mussoorie, to the hearing and adjudication of Mr. Grant, assistant magistrate of Debra, the case of Hearsey v. Forster, in which a criminal breach of trust was alleged, when no application for such transfer was made by the parties, and after Mr. Hoare had recorded some evidence and expressed his intention to frame a charge; whether such transfer was made by Mr. Oakden on the informal complaint of one of the witnesses in the case, a Mr. Priestley, manager of the Mussoorie branch of the Alliance Bank of Simla, where the accused kept his floating and loan accounts, and to whom Mr. Hoare had issued an order to allow such accounts to be inspected by the prosecution; whether, notwithstanding that there is no provision in the Indian criminal procedure code investing district magistrates with revisional or corrective jurisdiction in cases which are being tried by deputy magistrates, Mr. Oakden, on the strength of Mr. Priestley's communication and without giving the prosecution any hearing in the matter, called upon Mr. Hoare, who is a first-class magistrate, for an explanation of his conduct of the case, and incidentally quashing Mr. Hoare's order for inspection, transferred the case as stated above; whether he is aware that in his explanatory letter to Mr. Oakden, Mr. Hoare charges Mr. Priestley with having on three or four occasions after the institution of the case attempted to influence Mr. Hoare in favour of the accused, and that, although this circumstance along with the other facts of the case were made the subject of a representation by the counsel for the prosecution to the legal remembrancer to the Government of the united provinces of Agra and Oudh, no remedial action was taken by the officer in question or by the judicial secretary to the local Government; and will the Secretary of State for India direct that copies of this representation and the papers referred to therein be forwarded to the India Office, and state whether any action will be taken by him to prevent a repetition of the abuses complained of, and in particular what action it is proposed to take to prevent Europeans holding influential positions in India from endeavouring to influence magistrates in favour of parties in cases which are being tried by such magistrates?

On a point of Order. May I ask if there is any space limit for questions put on the Paper?

In explanation of that question may I explain that the details were very numerous and to the very best of my ability and with the assistance of the clerk I reduced them.

If we have very many questions of this kind I think we shall have to introduce some regulation. But this is an exceptional case.

If the objection is pressed I must decline to put the question. I could not summarise it in briefer form.

I have said this is an exceptional case.

I have not heard of the case. If the hon. Member will supply me with the evidence on which he bases his suggestions, the Secretary of State will consider the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether his attention has been drawn to the Brigade Order No. 11, issued to the 3rd Infantry Brigade, and dated 14th February, 1913, in which the supply and transport officer is authorised, on the recommendation of the senior medical officer, to make a free issue of rum to the troops in camp; whether arrangements are made under similar circumstances for a free issue of non-alcoholic drinks to the troops; and whether such an arrangement is official and confirmed by Order?

I have to thank my hon. Friend for supplying me with a copy of the Order in question. Under the Army Regulations the senior medical officer may recommend the free issue of rum on occasions as a medical precaution to troops on service attended by cold or wet. When practicable a free ration of tea may be given as an alternative.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government of India to allow the sentence of transportation for life passed upon Gangha Singh, in the Sitapur murder case, to be carried out without snaking any inquiries into the truth of the statements made to the police since the trial implicating one Mathura in this murder, and alleging that he had already been the subject of previous charges of murder; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that Gangha Singh was acquitted by the only Court that tried him and heard the evidence, and that doubts exist as to the justice of his subsequent conviction, the Secretary of State will now direct that these inquiries should be made?

The Secretary of State has no information as to any such statements. The story about Mathura did not form part of the defence in the first case, either in the original trial or on appeal; nor was it advanced in the original trial of Bachan Singh. When it did appear in Bachan Singh's appeal it was not supported by any evidence, and was discredited by the Assistant Judicial Commissioner. It subsequently came to the notice of, and was the subject of careful consideration by, the Local Government, the Government, of India and the Secretary of State in Council in connection with Gangha Singh's memorial. The decision on that memorial has already been stated, and the Secretary of State sees no sufficient reason for directing that further inquiry should be made.

Do I understand that inquiries have been made into the facts alleged in the petition?

Yes, Sir; they have been the subject of careful consideration by the Local Government, the Government of India, and the Secretary of State in Council.

Can my hon. Friend say if, as a result of the inquiry, it has been found to be the fact that this man Ganglia Singh has been accused of murder previously?

Has he been accused three times of murder?

I can inquire into that, but it was not included in the original petition.

It is of no use making inquiries unless they are made as to the particular points mentioned in the petition.

asked whether on occasions when the Indian Army has been engaged in frontier operations native officers and men have been informed that they may disappear if they have conscientious objections to engaging in military operations against men of their own race and religion?

The answer is in the affirmative. On the occasion of the Tirah expedition the Government of India decided that Afridi soldiers should be excused from service, and directed that those serving in corps detailed for service with the force were not to be so employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the claim made as long ago as 3rd December, 1913, on behalf of C. Cooper, of Knutsford, Cheshire, for an Indian war medal, will how be settled; and, in view of the applicant's age, whether he will cable to India, if necessary, for a reply to his letter of December last?

I understand that the India Office have not yet received a reply on this case from the Government of India, and that no reply is expected before the middle of next month.

Will the hon. Gentleman telegraph—this man has been awaiting a reply since early in December last?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware of the hardship involved in the recent reductions in ratings which have had recently to be enforced at the Small Arms Factory, Enfield, owing to improved processes of manufacture and the consequent reduction in the number of workmen for whom work is available, and also to the lack of new work coming forward; and whether the War Office will consider whether the manufacture of articles other than those designed for the arming of troops could be profitably undertaken?

I am informed that about twenty men have recently been transferred from one part of the factory to another owing to improvements in processes. Some of these have suffered a reduction in rating. No hardship is known to have been caused through lack of work. It is not proposed to undertake in the Ordnance Factories the manufacture of articles not required by the Admiralty or the War Office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that quite recently the War Office paid £120,000 for the purchase of chassis abroad?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, under present regulations, an employé is liable to be discharged, though capable of work, from the Small Arms Factory on reaching the age of sixty, with a gratuity which represents on an average but six months of the salary he was earning; whether the Treasury have put repeated difficulties for twenty years to any contributory scheme of pension put forward by the employés; and whether he will inquire as to the terms of pension and gratuity on retirement now, in existence in other large firms such as Vickers-Maxim and Harrods?

Employés are liable to be discharged at the age of sixty, with the gratuities provided by the Superannuation Acts, but thoroughly efficient workmen may be kept on till sixty-five. A contributory scheme of pension has been under consideration in the War Office—not the Treasury—for some time. The delay has been due to defects in the schemes put forward on behalf of the workmen, which were found upon actuarial examination to be unsound, but I hope that this difficulty has now been surmounted. In the circumstances, I do not think the inquiries suggested would be likely to be of use.

As regards the question of superannuation—the hon. Member knows to What I am alluding—is there any prospect of that being settled before Whitsuntide?

I should not like to answer that in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, on the occasion of Imperial troops killing twenty men and wounding several hundred people in the streets of Johannesburg in July last, any officers tendered their resignations or threatened to do so?

I have no reason to believe that any resignations were tendered on the occasion referred to.

In the recent disturbances in South Africa were any Imperial troops employed?

That question should be addressed to the Colonial Office.

asked if, on the occasion of the military being called out in connection with the railway strike in 1911, officers were informed that they might disappear if they had conscientious objections to supporting the civil authorities?

Not to my knowledge.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether representations have been made to him in respect of the diminution in the balance of the Education (Scotland) Fund; and whether, in consequence of the position in which voluntary schools in Scotland are placed, he can see his way to secure an increase of the Grant?

Such representations have been made, and the question of increased Grants for education is under the consideration of the Government.

asked whether the janitor and inspector at Moffat is a retired soldier whose services have given complete satisfaction to the school board; and whether the Education Department insisted upon appointing a physical instructress in his place, and as the school board objected they cut off a portion of the Grant?

In 1911 the school board of Moffat appointed an ex-driver of the Royal Artillery to the combined post of janitor, attendance officer and "drill instructor" in their higher-grade school. For the former two posts he is probably quite competent, but, as was pointed out to the Board at the time of his appointment, he has no recognised qualification for taking charge of the physical exercise instruction of a higher-grade school which is something quite different in purpose and method from military drill. At a subsequent visit by the chief inspector of physical training (October, 1912) his work was reported on as being unintelligent and ineffective, and a reduction of the Grant was accordingly made in terms of Article 144 of the Code. The advisability of appointing a woman teacher for the older girls has been repeatedly brought to the notice of the Board, and a temporary appointment of this nature has now been made.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Education Department are now insisting that physical instruction shall hence-forth be given by those who hold a diploma from one of the gymnasia recognised by the Department; whether a Dane has been appointed an instructor in physical drill; and whether, as a result, the appointment of ex Army men as attendance officers is being hereby prejudiced?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative as regards primary schools, and in the affirmative, as a rule, in the case of higher-grade and secondary schools. With regard to the second part of the question, the governors of Dunfermline College of Hygiene and Physical Training have appointed a Dane to be one of their instructors of physical exercises, and this gentleman has been employed temporarily by the Scotch Education Department for the inspection of physical exercises under the supervision of the chief inspector of that subject. This appointment does not seem to have any possible bearing on the question of the employment by school boards of ex-Army men as attendance officers.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman do something to obtain the employment of soldiers on what is really the special work of the Army; and will he not communicate with the officer in charge of the gymnasia in the Army and try to get soldiers trained for this special purpose?

That is a question of which the Noble Lord should give me special notice. The training of soldiers is rather outside of my Department.

asked whether the case of the imprisoned Lewis cottars was treated as one of contempt of Court; and whether it was so treated from the first or, if not, what was the reason for the change?

These cottars have from the first been treated as prisoners committed for contempt of Court.

Am I to gather from that that there has been no change in these prisoners' dress since they first went into gaol?

Probably my hon. Friend did not hear what I said the other day, that they preferred the dress of untried prisoners. It was their own choice, and was not adopted under compulsion.

Did they wear it from the first?

I think so.

Has my right hon. Friend any statement to make as to whether these men will be released?

Yes, Sir. I have received news to-day from which I gather that they will be prepared to give the undertaking to the Court.

In these circumstances, will it be possible for the Court to review the sentences, as the Court at present is not sitting?

I know there is that technical difficulty, but if there is any way in which I can assist the Lord President and the Court to get over that technical difficulty I shall be only too pleased to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the desirability of reviewing the circumstances of the land problem in the Island of Lewis?

I do not think we can look at it with more sympathetic eyes or take more care in dealing with it than we have been doing. We shall certainly not relax our efforts to settle as many cottars as we can on the land.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any declaration similar to that made by Members before accepting to serve on Committees on Private Bills is required from persons before selection to serve on Departmental Committees in Scotland; and, if not, what steps he takes to ascertain that a person has no pecuniary or other personal interest in the matter to be examined and reported upon by the Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, it does not necessarily follow that an interest of the nature mentioned should disqualify a person from serving upon a Departmental Committee. Much would depend upon the nature of the interest and the character of the inquiry, and the suitability of persons to serve on a Committee is fully considered before they are appointed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the decision of the county of Worcester local medical committee that vaccine injections and operations for appendicitis shall not form part of the medical benefit for insured persons; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter, so that insured persons shall have the adequate treatment to which they are statutorily entitled?

The medical benefit regulations provide that any question as to whether an insured person is entitled to any particular service should be considered by the local medical committee and the insurance committee, and their conclusions reported to the Commissioners, by whom the question might further he referred for decision by a board of referees specially constituted for the purpose. My right hon. Friend understands that in the cases referred to no decision has yet been reached, and it would be premature therefore to make any statement on the subject.

asked how many invitations were issued to secretaries of approved societies inviting them to give evidence before the Departmental Committee on excessive sickness and deficiencies under the National Insurance Act?

Sixty-six invitations have been issued to secretaries of approved societies with a view to the selection of representatives for the purpose of giving evidence before the Committee.

asked how long it will be before the Departmental Committee on excessive sickness and deficiencies under the National Insurance Act present their Report?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Salisbury on the 16th February.

asked whether officials of the Insurance Commissioners visit private houses and, without stating their business, endeavour to effect an entrance for the purpose of putting questions to householders or their servants upon the answers to which legal proceedings may be founded; and whether instructions will be given that such action by the Commissioners and their officials shall be stopped?

I am not aware of any case in which an official of the Commission has concealed the nature of his business in order to effect an entrance into a private house; the latter part of the hon. Member's question does not, therefore, arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been instances of such visits being made?

If the hon. Gentleman will show that the rules have been broken, I will see that they are not broken.

asked what steps are to be taken to provide special medical service for sparsely populated districts in Scotland outside the Highland area; and what sum of money is to be devoted to that purpose?

The matter is at present under consideration. I may add that, in accordance with the promise given by my right hon. Friend, provision has been made in the Estimates for the ensuing financial year to enable a Grant for this purpose to be made.

asked if the man named Youatt, a consumptive and an insured contributor under the National Insurance Act, who has frequently become a charge upon the South Stoneham Guardians, owing to the insurance authorities refusing further responsibility for his case, was for a time an inmate of Tilford sanatorium; if the medical superintendent of that institution reported that the air at Tilford was too strong and cold for Youatt; if, on receiving this report, the only action taken by the county medical officer was to communicate with the South Stoneham Guardians to the effect that Youatt was due to be discharged; if all insured contributors suffering from tuberculosis are liable at any time to be discharged in this way; and if any compensation is payable to Poor Law authorities in respect of insured persons who leave their employment in expectation of receiving free hotel accommodation under the Insurance Act and become a charge upon the rates, owing to there being insufficient insurance funds to provide for their treatment?

I have nothing to add to my previous reply to the hon. Member, except that, as my right hon. Friend is informed, the medical superintendent of the Tilford sanatorium has made no such report.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to reply to the last part of the question?

The provisions of the Act require that the contributions of insured persons should not be used in relief of rates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue a Return as to the views of the various candidates for the recent elections in Rhodesia, together with the votes polled for each; what proportion of the electorate were employed by the Chartered Company, and how many are employed on railways controlled by the company; how many coloured electors are on the register, and how many electors were on the register in each constituency; and whether the electors were in possession of his views regarding the misuse of his letter by Sir Starr Jameson before polling took place for the purpose of influencing votes in favour of the South African Chartered Company?

No, Sir. I cannot undertake to issue such a Return. I have seen difficulties even nearer home in dissecting the quality and quantity of a "mandate." The Resident Commissioner will, no doubt, in due course, report to me through the High Commissioner on the result of the elections, and I will consider whether his Report can be laid. I made a statement with regard to the letter referred to in this House, but except with respect to the reference to the Judicial Committee of the land question, in regard to which I caused a public announcement to be made in Southern Rhodesia, I have made no public statement in Southern Rhodesia.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the electors in Rhodesia had not a free choice in the selection of candidates?

I have no information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Horne Department when the appeal of Julia Decies, who was tried at the Central Criminal Court on 4th March, will be heard; if he is aware that the jury, in finding the prisoner guilty, strongly 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 the offence, he can see his way to recommend a remission of the sentence?

The Court of Criminal Appeal heard the prisoner's application yesterday and refused leave to appeal. I would refer the hon. Member to the judgment of the Court reported in the Press this morning, and, in view of what the Court said as to the sentence, I regret that I could not entertain the hon. Member's suggestion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration some of the salient facts of this case which could not have been before the Court?

Yes, I certainly will.

asked the Home Secretary if he will submit a list of British subjects who fought on the side of the Boers in the South African war, and who subsequently received the Royal pardon?

So far as my knowledge goes, there is only one case.

Which case is that?

The hon. Member is as well aware as I am, and the hon. Member whose case is referred to himself mentioned the fact quite recently in this House.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegrams addressed to those residents within three miles of Garndolbenmaen post office, Carnarvonshire, are accepted for delivery at the ordinary rate; and, if so, whether, in view of the loss incurred on the telegraph service, he will consider the desirability in the first instance of securing the residents a daily delivery of letters?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No doubt such telegrams are handled at a loss to the taxpayer, but I do not think that this affords any argument for incurring the greater loss which a daily delivery of letters would entail.

asked why certain persons residing within two miles of the post office at Garndolbenmaen, Carnarvonshire, have no daily delivery of letters, whilst those resident in the hills several miles away have a daily delivery; and by what authority a distinction is drawn between the postal privileges enjoyed by various residents in the same district, and who decides what is the area in respect of which an estimate is made as to the expense of a daily delivery of letters?

The extension of postal facilities in rural areas is necessarily governed by several considerations, among them the position of the houses at which delivery is to be made in relation to the delivery centres and the roads. Departure from the general rules in order to avoid apparent anomalies would involve expenditure which I could not justify. In cases such as this the Post Office often spends all and more than all the revenue which it receives.

asked whether appointments as established postmen are now limited to ex-soldiers and sailors, boy messengers, and other employés on the establishment of the Post Office?

Vacancies for established postmen are reserved for boy messengers and for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors. In a few exceptional cases appointments are conferred on auxiliary postmen.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give special consideration to these auxiliary postmen, who, as boys, were appointed auxiliary postmen, and since then have drifted along to blind-alley employment?

We are not exactly able to do that except in cases where outsiders are unable to secure housing accommodation. When a man has been a long time an auxiliary postman, and his duties increase up to the standard required for a full time post, we usually appoint him to that post.

Have they not the same claim as boy messengers?

That question has been settled long ago. They have no claim.

Why are ex-soldiers permitted privileges which are denied to ex-weavers and ex-miners?

Because some years ago, at my instance, when the Opposition were in office, they made a rule that ex-soldiers and ex-sailors were to have the first claim.

asked when the proposals for reconstituting the Second Chamber will be introduced?

My right hon. Friend can make no statement on the subject at present.

Is that pledge still considered a debt of honour which will not brook delay?

It is still part of the programme of the Government.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the necessity of taking steps to put a stop to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease west of the Shannon, and pointing out the advisability of appointing a sentry on the different bridges to prevent the entrance of stock into the province of Connaught, and that railway companies be instructed not to book cattle to any railway station west of the Shannon; and whether he proposes to take any, and, if any, what, action in the matter?

Representations to the effect indicated in this question have been received. Stringent precautions have been taken by the Department with the object of preventing foot-and-mouth disease spreading from affected to unaffected parts of Ireland. Extensive districts, from which no movement of ruminant animals or swine is allowed, have been scheduled around the places of outbreak. In addition an Order has been issued similarly prohibiting animal movements from southward to northward of a defined line running from the coast near Drogheda on the east to Oranmore Bay, county Galway, on the west. The railway companies are duly observing this prohibition. By far the greater part of Connaught lies to the north of this line, which crosses the Shannon at Athlone. For the present these precautions are deemed sufficient. There has been no appearance of the disease in Connaught.

Why should any portion of Connaught be in the scheduled area seeing that, there is no disease near the place at all?

All I can say about that is that a line has to be drawn somewhere. Those who are on the wrong side of the line of course complain, but it has been very carefully drawn with a view to the whole of the facts of the situation. I think I can assure him that the moment the Department sees that it is possible to make an alteration, it will be done.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, seeing that there is no foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland and seeing that sheep are admitted from Scotland, he will admit pedigree bulls, under strict regulations, into Ireland from Scotland?

The Department have had under consideration from time to time lately the question of allowing the importation of pedigree stock from Scotland to be resumed. They hope to see their way to allow such importations, subject to suitable conditions, in the course of the present week, provided there is no unfavourable change in the position of Scotland in regard to foot-and-mouth disease meantime.

asked whether the Report of the Interdepartmental inquiry into the causes of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Birkenhead will be circulated; whether it points to the fact that the disease did not originate in Ireland or from Irish cattle; and what steps are being taken consequent on the Report?

The Department is having the Report referred to printed, and it will be issued at an early date. The latter part of the question is best answered by the Report itself.

I wish to ask a question, of which I have given private notice to the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), namely: Whether, having regard to the fact that there has been no case of foot-and-mouth disease in the county of Limerick, and that the restrictions in the county have been removed, the Department will be good enough to enable the fair to be held at Rathkeale on Monday next, 6th April?

Yes, Sir, the fair at Rathkeale may be held.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that builders and housing reformers complain that the supply of building material is controlled by a trust which raised prices last year by 20 per cent., which was equal to the price of the land on which houses are built, he will make provision in the Government's Housing Bill enabling public authorities to manufacture building materials and to supply them to private builders?

The Prime Minister has asked my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. He will give the matter consideration, but he has so far received no request from any public authority to be furnished with such powers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is satisfied, in compliance with the provisions contained in Section 7 (4) of the Education Act, 1902, that the religious teaching given at Thorpe Church of England school, Surrey, is imparted in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed of the school?

I have no information as to whether the religious teaching given in the school in question is imparted in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Deed. I may remind the hon. Member that under Section 7 (3) of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, it is no part of the duty of His Majesty's inspector to inquire into any instruction in religious subjects given in a public elementary school.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any county surveyor in Ireland, at the request of the Road Board or the advisory committee or of any of the inspectors of the Board, inspected or reported on ay road improvement work in Ireland in any county other than that of which he is surveyor; and, if so, in how many cases?

The answer is in the negative, except in so far as county surveyors were members of the advisory engineering committee.

asked when Messrs. J. P. J. Butler and R. W. Butler were appointed as inspectors by the Road Board; what the terms of their appointment and salaries are; and at what they were engaged prior to their appointment by the Road Board?

Mr. J. P. J. Butler was appointed engineering inspector to the Road Board on 12th December, 1911, at a salary of £6 a week and travelling expenses. Prior to his appointment by the Road Board he was engaged as an engineering assistant upon the staff of a consulting engineer. Mr. R. W. Butler was appointed engineering inspector of the Road Board on the 28th April, 1913, at an initial salary of £250 per annum and travelling expenses. Prior to his appointment he was the chief assistant to the engineer and surveyor of the county borough of Newport.

asked the names of the persons comprising the advisory engineering committee appointed by the Road Board last year, showing the representation for England, Ireland, and Scotland; and for how long the committee was appointed?

The Road Board appointed in February, 1913, a temporary advisory engineering committee for the purpose of inspecting a considerable mileage of roads in Ireland. The committee, which was dissolved in February, 1914, consisted of Mr. P. C. Cowan, Chief Engineering Inspector, Local Government Board for Ireland; Mr. W. Cohen, County Surveyor of county Dublin; Mr. W. E. Duffin, County Surveyor of county Waterford; Mr. R. H. Dorman, County Surveyor of county Armagh. This temporary committee was distinct from the advisory engineering committee constituted by the Road Board in August, 1910, in accordance with the scheme printed in Appendix No 10 of the First Annual Report of the Road Board.

asked on whose advice, recommendation, or report, are the grants and loans made by the Road Board in Ireland; whether all work in process or actually completed is inspected by an officer of the Road Board; and, if so, who these inspection officers are?

The details of each application for grants or loans are examined and reported upon by the engineering staff of the Road Board. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and as regards the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on the 24th instant.

asked why there are more pension officers employed now than in the year the Old Age Pensions Act came into operation; how many were employed on a permanent basis in the first instance, and how many temporarily; and how many of each of these classes are now in this employment in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively?

The increase in the number of pension officers employed is due to the increase in the number of pensioners. The answer to the second part of the question is approximately—1,500 officers on a permanent basis and 100 employed temporarily. The figures asked for in the third part of this question are, approximately, as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of the increased cost of living which has taken place since 1900 in the following countries: Italy, Germany, Austria, United States of America, Canada, and United Kingdom, respectively?

Certain information bearing on the subject will be found, together with the necessary cautions as to the comparability of the figures, on pages 60 to 62 of the "Cost of Living of the Working Classes." (Cd. 6955 of 1913.) Since the issue of that volume figures for Prussia and Bavaria have become available, with the result that the percentage increase in retail food prices for Germany should be raised from 30, as stated in the Report, to 37. Official figures for the United States for 1912 have also been published since the issue of the volume, showing that the increase in retail food prices between 1900 and 1912 was 50 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there has been any alteration in the tariff law of Holland since 1900; and, if not, can he state when the last material alteration was made in the Dutch tariff law?

Except as regards duties on a few articles, the tariff now in force is substantially that enacted in 1862, and amended in 1877, in which latter year numerous articles hitherto dutiable were made free of duty.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he proposes to introduce legislation this Session in reference to the adulteration of bread and other articles of food of frequent human consumption?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he sees little probability of being able to introduce a Bill this Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can make a statement as to the action taken by his Department in recent years to promote the adjustment of public works undertaken by local authorities, so as to regularise the demand for labour in recurring periods of good and bad trade?

Although the Local Government Board have in times of exceptional distress from want of employment issued circulars to local authorities to urge the putting in hand of public works, and have on various occasions emphasised the desirability of regularising employment as far as possible, they have not taken direct and formal action of the kind contemplated in the question. The practicability of adjusting public works to the varying conditions of the labour market will be examined by the Committee which, as my hon. Friend is aware, the Government are appointing.

asked what number of battleships and battle cruisers and light cruisers will be available for service in the Mediterranean in 1916, consistently with maintaining in Home waters the Admiralty standard of strength compared with Germany, namely, sixteen to ten; and what will be the number of vessels of each of the classes named possessed by Italy and Austria, respectively, in the same year?

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement when introducing the Navy Estimates on the 17th instant, and to the Return standing in the name of my right hon. Friend the Member for North St. Pancras.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total strength at the present time of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force; what is the proportion of the force stationed in Ulster; and will he consider the advisability of moving some of the men from Ulster to other parts of Ireland where cattle maiming and other outrages are going on unchecked?

The total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the present time is 235 officers and 10,246 men. Of this number 58 officers and 3,213 men are stationed in Ulster. I see no reason to recommend any change in the present distribution of the force.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial from the inhabitants of Mountmellick and Rosenallis districts, Queen's County, who are, and have been, users of Mrs. Adair's bog for fuel, requesting them to purchase the bog under Section 18 of the Land Act, 1909; whether the Commissioners have also received a resolution passed by the district council of Mountmellick, expressing their willingness to become trustees under the same section of the Act; and, in view of the fact that the present owner, Major Stoney, Graigue, Mountmellick, has expressed his willingness to dispose of his interest in the property, can he say what steps the Estates Commissioners propose taking in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received the memorial and resolution referred to, and propose to make inquiries in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that two doctors, who examined Ethel Moorhead a few hours after her release on 25th February, reported that she was then suffering from double pneumonia caused from the injection of foreign substances into the lungs; if he will say if the burning of the church, referred to by him as justifying the course followed, occurred on the night of Miss Moorhead's release, when she was at the point of death; and if it is the practice in Scotland, in regulating the treatment of convicted persons, to differentiate in the case of women about whom the police express suspicions that they may have been implicated in other breaches of the law for which they have not been tried?

The only report of the nature mentioned which I have received is one by Dr. Grace Cadell, a copy of which was sent to me. I have already dealt with the allegation contained in that report in my answer to the hon. Member for the Blackfriars Division on the 9th March, to which I would refer the hon. and learned Member. As regards the remainder of the question, in deciding whether to grant to a prisoner undergoing sentence a temporary discharge on licence under the Act of last Session, I have to take into consideration all the circumstances of the case, and circumstances such as those mentioned in the earlier portion of the answer already referred to are obviously relevant in this regard. There was no suggestion in my answer to the hon. Member for Blackfriars that Ethel Moorhead was concerned in the burning of Whitekirk Church.

Is it to be understood that that suggestion was withdrawn?

No, Sir. No suggestion of that kind was made. It is perfectly clear from the purport of my answer that no suggestion of that kind was made.