asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Report of His Majesty's Consuls shows that religious and civil freedom has been established in Bulgarian, Greek, and Servian territory for those who do not desire to declare themselves members of the Churches of those States?

If the hon. Member is referring to the territories recently annexed from Turkey, the religious and civil freedom of the inhabitants of those districts is safeguarded under Article 62 of the Treaty of Berlin and although I have received no special Consular report on the subject I have no reason to suppose that the annexing States dispute that the provisions of that Article are of binding force. I am instructing British Consuls, now that a more settled condition of affairs may be expected than was possible till the war was over, to send reports on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning fighting between Tibetans and Chinese in Eastern Tibet?

Both the Chinese and Tibetan Governments have agreed to a cessation of hostilities pending the conclusion of the negotiations now proceeding in India. I have reason to believe that orders issued for this purpose by both Governments have occasionally been disregarded by subordinates on both sides, and that skirmishes have taken place, but as far as can be ascertained there has been no fighting of a serious character.

asked whether the Hellenic Government has carried out its pledges as regards the evacuation of South Albania?

The evacuation of the district in question was, by international agreement, to have been completed by 31st March. It was proceeding up to a few days ago, when the Greek Government suggested to the Powers the advisability of delaying the withdrawal of their troops, in the interests of public order, pending the conclusion of negotiations between the Albanian Government and the provisional Government of Northern Epirus. No reply has, as yet, been returned to this proposal and, at the present moment I am unable to say whether the evacuation has in fact been completed.

asked whether regular Greek troops have assisted Komitajis in pillaging Albanian villages?

No such information has reached me.

asked whether Great Britain has ratified the Opium Convention of 1912; whether any further conference is to be held at, The Hague; and, if so, when such conference will be held and who will represent Great Britain?

Great Britain has not yet ratified the Opium Convention of 1912. A further conference is shortly to be held at The Hague to consider the question of putting the Convention into effect, which is distinct from the question of ratification. His Majesty's Government have as yet no information as to the exact date on which the conference will assemble. They will be represented at the conference by Sir William Collins, who has again most kindly consented to represent us, and Mr. W. G. Max Müller.

asked which foreign Powers, respectievly, have up to the present time signed, agreed to ratify, and actually ratified the International Opium Convention; and whether any and, if so, which Powers have refused to sign or to ratify the Convention?

With regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 7276, Miscellaneous No. 2 (1914), which contains a list of those Powers which had signed or ratified the International Opium Convention up to the end of January; since then I have not been informed of the adherence of any Powers then outstanding. I am not aware that, since the meeting of the International Conference of last year, any Power has definitely refused either to sign or to ratify the Convention.

asked whether any, and if so, what, action is being taken to induce the Powers that have not yet adhered to the International Opium Convention to do so; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed to ratify the Convention even should it fail to induce some of the Powers to adhere to it?

The Powers that have not yet adhered to the International Opium Convention are being constantly pressed to do so, and it is confidently hoped that the difficulties which stand in the way of their adhering may shortly be overcome. It is very desirable that the ratification of other Powers should be secured as well as that of His Majesty's Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the latter part of the question, "whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed to ratify the Convention even should it fail to induce some of the Powers to adhere to it"?

If my hon. Friend presses me on the point, what we hope is to be able to induce other Powers to ratify, and if I give a definite undertaking that we will ratify whatever they do, I am afraid I shall very much diminish the possibility of joint action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that while in most of the provinces of China the sale and smoking of opium are being severely penalised, its sale and use are protected and encouraged in Shanghai and in British and other foreign concessions in China; is this in conformity with the International Convention; and, if not, what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to repress the vice?

I have no official information regarding the present position of the opium traffic in the foreign concessions in China. The subject is dealt with in Articles 17 and 18 of the International Opium Convention, to which I would refer the hon. Member. It will receive the careful attention of His Majesty's Government in common with the other Articles of the Convention when the Convention comes into force.

Is the Government actually taking any steps to put an end to this scandal?

I understand we have already taken sonic preliminary steps on our own behalf. It needs the consent of other Powers as well. I am in entire sympathy with the objects of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to state whether he can lay before the House the terms of the draft treaty of arbitration between the United States of America and this country?

The drafts submitted to us by the Government of the United States are those of treaties signed between them and one or two other States, but I believe they have not been published by any of the States concerned, and I cannot therefore make them public. But I may add that one of the drafts submitted to us by the United States appears to be generally acceptable; one or two Amendments would be required to meet the case of the self-governing Dominions, and these are now under consideration in consultation with the Colonial Office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Patrick Murphy, Fermoyle, Emlaghmore, who is eighty-six years of age, is an applicant for an old age pension; that he has been fourteen years in Ireland since his last visit to America, and that when particulars were taken by the pension officer Murphy, who is hard of hearing owing to old age, he did not properly understand his questions; and whether inquiry will now be made with a view to granting a pension to him?

Patrick Murphy's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the 9th January, 1914, on the grounds that in their opinion he did not comply with the statutory conditions as to residence in the United Kingdom. The Board have no information as to the allegation that the claimant was unable to understand the questions put to him by the pension officer. He made no statements of the kind in any of his communications to the Board, and in any case he was unable to furnish satisfactory evidence to show that he was qualified for a pension. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of a case already decided.

asked whether, in the absence of a register of births, the Local Government Board for Ireland accept the evidence of persons over seventy, corroborated by dates of marriage and birth of children, in support of a claim for an old age pension; and, if so, why this evidence, tested and accepted by the Coole Pension Committee, in Mrs. Peppard's case has been rejected by the Board?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Local Government Board have regard to all evidence of age submitted to them in connection with old age pension appeals, but it is impossible to lay down hard and fast rules as to the type of evidence that could be accepted as satisfactory in all cases, as each case must be dealt with on its merits. As regards Mrs. Peppard's claim, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his previous question on this subject.

May I ask whether the Local Government Board is making any inquiry in this case?

We have made inquiry. If there is any further point I shall be glad to answer it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the pension officer, before appealing against the old age pension granted by the Coole Committee to Mrs. Julia Peppard, or the Local Government Board before disallowing the pension, had searched the Census Returns, or have searched them since; if no evidence adverse to the claim has been found there, will he say what evidence is before the Board to displace that tested and accepted by the Coole Committee; and, since age and poverty entitled to a pension even a person unable to give technical evidence, whether the pension will now be allowed in this case?

The Census Records were searched for evidence of age in Mrs. Peppard's case, but without result. It devolves on claimants for old age pensions to furnish satisfactory proof of age, and, as I have already informed the hon. Member, Mrs. Peppard was unable to do so.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that pension officers in Ireland have for some time past estimated the cost of living at 12s. 6d. per week in the cases of aged applicants for an old age pension; whether he can say by what means or method of calculation is the sum of 12s. 6d. arrived at; whether he is aware that the average working man in Ireland has in most cases to support himself, a wife, and large family on a smaller sum per week than 12s. 6d.; and, if so, how can he justify the pension officers' estimate of 12s. 6d. per week for the support. of an aged man or woman, which amount debars them from a pension?

It is the practice of pension officers, both in Ireland and elsewhere, to estimate such value according to the actual facts in each case, and not at 12s. 6d. per week or any other arbitrary sum. In Ireland the amount arrived at on this basis is rarely anything like so high as 12s. 6d. a week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how workmen in Ireland, with wives and families averaging eight in number, are to support them on 8s. a week, when the pension officer fixes the amount at 12s. 6d.?

The hon. Member asks whether it is the practice to take 12s. 6d. a week. It is not the practice in Ireland or elsewhere, and in Ireland, as the hon. Member states, the figures are much lower than that.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that complaints have been frequently made against the neglect of the Royal Canal by the Midland Great Western Railway Company in the interest of its own traffic, and that in every instance those complaints have been found on investigation to be justified; whether a board of control of the canal was appointed to see that the company discharged its duty; whether he will specify the authority under which the company has again superseded the board; when, and in what manner, the board concurred in its own supersession or in the procedure practically amounting to supersession; under what authority the Board of Works concur in giving exclusive control in a disputed matter to a party found to have neglected its duty in that matter; and whether he will have a meeting of the board of control of the Royal Canal convened forthwith to consider its position in relation to the business for which it was appointed?

As I have already stated, there have been no recent complaints of neglect of the Royal Canal. Some complaints which were made in past years were found to be justified. The board of control still exists, and has not been in any way superseded by any other body. The Board of Works have no control in relation to the Royal Canal, but their staff, by leave of the Treasury, give their services to the board of control. This Board will meet if any business requiring such a meeting should arise.

asked whether there is any record in the offices of the Land Commission showing that some of the tenants now seeking advances to purchase their holdings on the estate of Lady Chapman applied to have a fair rent fixed and failed because, in the opinion of the Court, they had no legal status as boná-fide occupying tenants?

The records of the Irish Land Commission show only one case upon the estate referred to where the tenant's application to fix a fair rent was dismissed upon the question of occupancy. In this case the lands in question have, with other lands forming the "estate," since been sold under the Land Purchase Acts, and the holdings vested in the several tenant purchasers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has given any attention to the opinions of numerous bodies of tenants and public bodies in Ireland that the Irish Land Bill of last Session could not complete and would probably retard the completion of land purchase, and suggesting amendments; seeing that these are for a purpose with which all parties express agreement, whether they will be embodied in the Bill this Session; and whether the Bill will be put down for Second Reading sufficiently early in the Session to make discussion and amendment possible?

I have received a great number of suggestions for alterations in and additions to the provisions of the Irish Land Bill of last year, but very few, if any, of these suggestions would meet with the approval of all parties. I propose, therefore, to reintroduce the Bill to-day, practically in the same form, and shall give careful consideration to any proposals or amendments that may be put forward by agreement between the parties most interested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question asking when the Bill will be put down for Second Reading?

I should like to know what prospects there are of proceeding with a Bill of this kind before I give an answer to that question. I cannot answer until I know from the proper authorities what they will be.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenants of Viscount Gough had maps prepared and a survey taken of the town holdings in the town of Gort, at the suggestion of the Estates Commissioners, with a view of purchasing their respective holdings; whether he is aware that a number of the tenants have land attached to their houses which would afford sufficient security for the advancement of the purchase money; and will he interpose with the Estates Commissioners to have them carry out the arrangement originally entered into between the landlord, the tenants, and the Estates Commissioners in respect to the purchase of this estate?

The Estates Commissioners did not ask the tenants to prepare any maps. The question of the security for advances is a matter for the Commissioners who have decided not to sanction any advances for the purchase of the premises in the town of Gort. The Commissioners entered into no arrangement to purchase these premises.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me what are the difficulties that stand in the way of the Estates Commissioners in dealing with town tenants in the same way as agricultural tenants?

The hon. Member knows that it is by no means an easy matter for the Commissioners to deal with town tenancies, with all the different under-letting, and the like, in the same way as with agricultural tenancies; but, if they could do it, they would.

May I ask whether, in view of the definite understanding arrived at between the landlord and the tenants, the right hon. Gentleman will ask the Commissioners to take some steps in the matter?

No, Sir; the Estates Commissioners have entered into no arrangement.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can explain the circumstances under which the Estates Commissioners decline to carry out the promise made to the town tenants of Gort to the effect that facilities would be afforded to the town tenants to acquire their holdings conjointly with the agricultural tenants on the estate; whether he is aware of the nature and character of the holdings in Gort town which prevent the Estates Commissioners from co-operating with Viscount Gough to carry out a sale of the town property; and will he explain what the difficulties are?

No promise was made by the Estates Commissioners to make advances under the Land Purchase Acts for the purchase of the town holdings in the town of Gort. As regards the refusal of the Commissioners to make advances in respect of such holdings, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on the subject on the 14th August last. Such decision in no way prevents the occupiers purchasing for cash direct from the owner or through the district council under the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will cause the Estates Commissioners to send a representation to the tenants on this estate pointing out in what position they stand in reference to the purchase of their houses?

I will see whether the necessary information can be given.

asked when and under what circumstances a number of pictures forming what is known as the Lane Collection were brought to the National Gallery, Dublin; whether they are still there, and, if so, under what terms or conditions, if any?

The Director of the National Gallery infertile me that no pictures belonging to the Lane Collection are, or ever have been, in the National Gallery, Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any of the county authorities in Ireland, in preparing schemes for the treatment of tuberculosis, propose to treat non-pulmonary tuberculosis; and, if so, will he state the names of such authorities and say whether such treatment is proposed to be at the patients' homes, by dispensaries, or in sanatoria?

Provision for non-pulmonary tuberculosis is generally in- cluded in county schemes, and the county infirmaries of Armagh, Waterford, Louth, Londonderry, Dublin, Mayo, Queen's County, King's County, Tyrone, Carlow, Leitrim, Galway, Cork (2), Fermanagh, Sligo, Meath, and Antrim, have been approved by the Local Government Board for the purpose. Treatment will be provided institutionally or otherwise, according to the circumstances of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary what counties in Ireland are providing their own sanatoria for the treatment of tuberculosis under the National Insurance Act, Part I., and how many are contracting for accommodation for their patients in proprietary institutions; whether any of the county sanatoria are in full working order; and, if so, will he state the counties, and will he state the total number of beds provided under each system?

The county boroughs of Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, and the counties of Clare, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Tipperary (North Riding), Dublin, Sligo, Tyrone, Armagh, Down, and Monaghan will have their own sanatoria. Twenty-three counties are contracting for accommodation (including arrangements of a provisional character) for their own patients in other institutions. The sanatoria in Dublin County Borough and County, Cork County Borough and County, and Clare County are in full working circlet'. As regards the number of beds provided, the figures (including institutions in contemplation) are: County institutions, 932 beds; contracted beds, 270.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, at the recent Assizes for Belfast, three men named James Toomey, Patrick Dempsey, and John Carney were awaiting trial upon the charge of publishing seditious libels of an insultng character on the Army and Navy of His Majesty the King; whether the sworn informations of the police upon which these men had been returned for trial by the stipendiary magistrate proved that each of these men had been caught in the act with which they were charged; whether, notwithstanding the gravity of the charge and the manifest guilt of the accused, the Crown declined to prosecute the charges; if so, upon whose authority was this course taken and what were the reasons for it; and in how many instances in Ireland during the year 1913 has the same course been adopted by the Crown in reference to offences of a similar character?

Five men, or boys, in all, including the three mentioned by the right hon. and learned Member, were detected by the police and returned for trial in Ireland in 1913 for posting upon walls or distributing leaflets inciting persons not to join the Army and Navy, which conduct exposed them to be tried on the charge of sedition at common law. The Attorney-General for Ireland considered, and I concurred, that having regard to the circumstances of the time, and to recent occurrences it would be unwise to put a few humble boys and young men on trial for an offence which has no real effect upon the public mind in Ireland or upon recruiting. The same course was adopted during the year 1913 in two other cases of the same character as those referred to by the right hon. Member.

May I ask the age of these so-called boys?

I know that "boys" is a term of wide application in Ireland. I do not know their exact age.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will persist in the refusal of the Executive to enforce the law in these cases?

I do not think I can admit the term "persist."

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of them was an ex-law officer of the Crown?

asked if the Commissioners of National Education have yet fully considered the question of awarding higher-grade certificates to national teachers of exceptional ability and training; when they propose to issue those certificates; how many national teachers have made application for them; and whether it is proposed to grant a bonus or other monetary consideration to the successful applicants?

The question as to the award of higher certificates to teachers of marked ability is under the consideration of the Commissioners of National Education. The date of the issue of the certificates cannot be stated at present. About fifty applications for these certificates are before the Commissioners. It is not proposed to grant a bonus or other monetary consideration to the successful applicants, but the holding of such a certificate would have due weight with the Commissioners when considering the advancement of a teacher to a higher grade or promotion to the rank of inspector.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting in Loughrea on the 27th March, protesting against the prohibition of the Loughrea Fair on that day, and calling attention to the losses inflicted on every interest in the county through the promulgation of this Order; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the smallness of the size of the farmers' holdings, and the consequent scarcity of hay and fodder, it is indispensable that they should now sell their stock, which consists entirely of store cattle; whether he realises that the small farmers will not be able to plant their crops this spring unless facilities are afforded them to dispose of their stock, as the custom of the county is to pay off in April the debt for manures incurred in the previous year before a supply for this season is given; has he received a representation from the people of Athenry in reference to the removal of the restrictions on their fair to be held on Friday, 3rd April; and what facilities does he intend giving to enable this fair to be held?

The Department did not prohibit the Loughrea Fair, but the recent Order prohibiting the movement of animals out of the part of Ireland south of a defined line running from Drogheda to Oranmore, had the effect incidentally of preventing cattle being railed from this fair, the railway forming the boundary line and being outside the scheduled area. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware the object of such Order is to allow of stock being shipped for immediate slaughter from parts of Ireland north of the defined line. It is regretted that the Order while considered necessary in the general interest should involve any hardship to farmers in the Loughrea neighborhood. It should, however, be realised that there is no bar to fairs being held in this locality. Movement from south of the boundary line to a fair north of the line is, however, prohibited as well as the movement on the railway line forming the boundary, of any stock from south of the line, but it is still open to owners south of the line to rail their stock southwards, say from Craughwell. A fair is to be held at Athenry on the 3rd instant for stock from north of the boundary line.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is likely that any change will be made in connection with this boundary line so that the four important towns of Mullingar, Athlone, Ballinasloe, and Athenry will be to the northern side of the boundary?

I do not wish to go into details about the matter. I have received to-day a deputation of Irish Members interested in the question, and the whole matter is now being considered in Dublin with the view to a proposal being submitted to the President of the Board of Agriculture.

In connection with this matter, which is of supreme and vital importance to a large number of people in the West of Ireland, I wish to give notice that I will call attention to it on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-night.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that orders were given by the officers of the Agricultural Department, Dublin, to the Loughrea and Athymore Railway at Loughrea not to carry any stock purchased at the Loughrea Fair on the 27th March over their line; can he state under what authority the stationmaster at Loughrea was wired to not to rail any more store cattle purchased at the fair; and will he explain why timely notice as to the prohibition of the fair was not given to the chairman of the town commissioners so that steps might be taken to advise the public, and thus save trouble, loss, and inconvenience to buyers and sellers?

An effect of the Department's Order prohibiting the movement of animals out of the southern part of Ireland is to make it illegal for a railway company to convey live-stock from the southern area on the line which forms part of the boundary of that area. The railway companies concerned were advised in the usual course of this effect of the Order, and the Midland Great Western Railway took steps accordingly to decline live-stock traffic from Loughrea Fair, which was held on the day the Department's Order came into force. It was not possible, without discounting the value of the Order, to give advance notice of its effect.

asked why the restrictions in connection with foot-and-mouth disease should be extended to Queen's County, as no cases of the disease have occurred therein; and why the port of Birkenhead is not to be opened for cattle for immediate slaughter from unaffected counties?

The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the Templemore neighbourhood in the north of county Tipperary have necessitated the scheduling of a district of approximately fifteen miles' radius extending beyond the boundaries of that county and embracing in Queen's County of Roscrea (No. 3) Rural District and a number of electoral divisions in the Abbeyleix rural district. Similarly in scheduling a district in connection with the recent outbreak in county Kildare it has been found necessary to take in a part of the extreme east of Queen's County. It is gratifying that the disease has not up to the present spread to Queen's County, but in defining the area from which shipments to Birkenhead and the other two selected British ports might begin, it has been necessary to adopt a boundary well removed from the vicinity of the scheduled districts. In these circumstances it has not been possible to include Queen's County within the region from which stock may be shipped.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not remove the restrictions on cattle not intended to be exported from the unaffected areas in Queen's County to districts north of the line?

No. It is not possible to remove cattle from the south of the boundary to the north.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received copies of resolutions passed at a public meeting held in Ballacolla, Queen's County, on the 29th March, requesting the Department to relax the restrictions imposed on the district on the grounds that it is twenty-three miles distant from the nearest point where a case of foot-and-mouth disease has broken out, and pointing out the loss and inconvenience caused to owners of stock, especially milch cows and pigs; and can he say when the restrictions will be removed?

Only portions of the south-west and extreme east of Queen's County are now subject to restrictions. Ballacolla has been retained in the scheduled district on account of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighbourhood of Templemore, which in a direct line is only a little over fifteen miles away. If no further outbreaks occur in the locality the Department would hope to be in a position to effect a considerable reduction in the area of restrictions in a short time, but it is not possible to say definitely when such a reduction will be practicable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, according to expert opinion, a radius exceeding fifteen miles is never necessary?

That is the radius that we have adopted.

to ask the Attorney-General if he will state what action the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken with reference to the introduction of infectious cattle disease at. Birkenhead, and with reference to the sending of men in close contact therewith to Ireland to spread the disease there, to the loss and inconvenience of the public; and, if no action has been taken, will he say why and whether any will be taken?

I beg to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the Attorney-General is entitled to refuse to answer questions relating to the administration of the criminal law? He refuses to answer question No. 41, and refers me to a civil Minister. On principle I decline to put the question to a civil Minister.

I hope that all Ministers are civil. I suppose that the Attorney-General thinks that this is a matter which does not concern his Department.

It is the administration of the criminal law.

I think that it would be better to get the answer, and then we shall be in a better position to judge.

I beg to postpone the question until Monday next to the Attorney-General.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) a question, of which I have given private notice, namely: Whether he is aware that the restrictions imposed by the Department on the important cattle fair of Mullingar, due to be held next Monday, which restrictions he has described as being satisfactory to the local people, are denounced in telegrams from those people as wholly unsatisfactory and unjust, there being no disease in Westmeath or near it; and whether he will state what the restrictions are, and what reason there is for them in the absence of disease?

What I stated in reply to a question the other day was that the deputation which waited on the Department to arrange this matter were quite satisfied with the arrangements made, and recognised that they were the best that could possibly he made in the present circumstances.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman explain what the restrictions are with which the people are quite dissatisfied?

They chiefly amount to this, that there must be two fairs instead of one—one on Monday next, I believe, on the northern side of the boundary, and the other a week hence on the southern side.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the nearest centre of disease to Mullingar? Is it not 50 miles away?

I am not prepared to say off-hand.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that various applications have been made to obtain a Grant for Fethard Harbour during the last twenty years; whether he admits that in the present state of the harbour it is impossible for the Fethard fishermen to pursue their calling with any hope of success; and whether, seeing the courage and self-sacrifice shown by these men in their attempt to save the crew of the "Mexico," and although nine of them who manned the lifeboat lost their lives, the five survivors, undeterred by the fate of their comrades, persisted in their efforts, and succeeded in saving the crew, he will consider the inadvisability of driving such men from the country by refusing to give proper accommodation for their fishing boats; and will he again press the Development Commissioners to give the necessary Grant for Fethard?

The Department arc aware that many applications have been made for the improvement of Fethard Harbour; also that the harbour in its present condition is unsuitable for larger boats than those now using it. The Development Commissioners are not prepared to consider any further application for a Grant for the improvement of Irish fishery harbours until the period of five years for which the existing Grant was made elapses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the harbour is most unsafe for the fishermen's boats, and will nothing be done for those fishermen?

I am quite aware that the harbour is in a very bad condition, but it cannot be improved without money, and the Department have no money for the purpose, and the Development Commissioners will not give it.

asked if any experiments were made last year in the cultivation of sugar beet in Ireland; and if any Report has been issued giving the results obtained?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A Report on the experiments is at present in course of preparation for publication in the forthcoming issue of the Department's journal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the nationality of British women marrying foreigners in the different British Dominions and Colonies is regulated in all cases by the existing Imperial law on the subject; or, if otherwise, would he accede to an Address for a Return, showing the short effect of the laws affecting the nationality of British women marrying foreigners in the self-governing Dominions?

The rule laid down in Section 10 of the Naturalisation Act, 1870, is in force in the different British Dominions and Colonies.

asked whether, in view of the decision of the Nairobi High Court that British East Africa is in effect a foreign state, and that therefore Uganda, Nyasaland, and Bechuanaland are in the same position, the Government intends to make formal annexation and proclaim territorial sovereignty over these dominions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 26th March. It applies also to Bechuanaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he has received during the last three years the records of the joint Court established under the provisions of the condominium in the New Hebrides; if so, whether he will publish the same; (2) whether he has received a Report on the conditions of labour on the Stewart and Wright plantation made by the labour inspector at the instance of Mr. Mahaffy, the Acting Resident Commissioner of the New Hebrides, in February, 1913; whether he will publish the same; and (3) whether he cabled to the British resident at Vila, in the New Hebrides, directing that the Rev. Dr. Campbell Nicholson, a British subject, should apologise to the French Commandant Rogue; and whether Dr. Nicholson's only action consisted in resisting an attempt at an illegal raid by French officers on his station on the island of Tanna?

I have received reports from time to time upon the work of the joint Court, but I am not at present prepared to publish them. I have received the report to which the hon. Gentleman refers in question No. 39, but I do not propose to publish it at present at all events.

Are we not entitled to see the public records of a public Court in one of our Colonies? They are public records.

I am not sure that they are public records. I would not wish to dispute the right of the House at the present time to see the records. All I say is that I am not prepared at present.

If the House desires to see these public records, can it not see them when it desires, and not when the right hon. Gentleman desires?

Probably, if there was a right. I did not admit the right. But there is no doubt that at some time or other I shall be able.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the third of my questions which relates to the action of the right hon. Gentleman in ordering a British subject to apologise?

The incident has formed the subject of discussion with the French Government. I do not consider it desirable to make any statement with regard to it at present.

Meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman not send out any further instructions to this British Commissioner to apologise to the French commander?

I do not think that I can enter now into the communications that have passed.

If I raise the question on the Adjournment on Wednesday night, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to deal with it?

I am bound to say on my responsibility that it would be contrary to the public interest to discuss this matter at the present moment.