asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Banque Industrielle loan of 75,000,000 francs, issued in Paris, is intended in part for the purchase of the undertaking of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, which would transfer Yangtze trade to French and German bottoms; if the Government of the latter Power has, as is believed, a large interest in the Banque Industrielle; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to acquiesce in the interposition of other nationalities in the affairs of the China Merchants Company?

As regards the first part of the question, I have no reason to believe that the Banque Industrielle are interested in the matter. As regards the second part, His Majesty's Government have no information. As regards the last part, I am unable to say more than that the affairs of the company are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the fact that the determination of Russia to provide herself with extensive and permanent barrack accommodation in the Azerbaijan province is causing anxiety in Persia; has he any official information to the effect that the recall of Russian troops from Persia was intended to be temporary, and took place because of the lack of barrack accommodation; and has he received any confirmation of the alleged promise of the Russian Minister at Teheran to the effect that Russian troops shall be withdrawn from Persia after the coronation of the Shah?

The answers to parts one and two of the question are in the negative. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him on the 26th ultimo, to which, at present, I have nothing to add.

May we take it that it is still the intention of the Russian Government to withdraw the whole of their expeditionary force from Persia?

Yes, I hope so.

asked whether the Russian Government has decided to subsidise a line of fast steamers to run between Odessa and the Persian Gulf ports; does this indicate an increased interest on the part of Russia in the South of Persia; is there a likelihood of Russian war vessels being sent into the Persian Gulf on the ground of a necessity to protect Russian commerce from attacks by pirates; and does the letter from Sir Edward Grey to Sir A. Nicholson, dated the Foreign Office, 29th August, 1907, still represent accurately the policy of His Majesty's Government and the assent of the Russian Government to that policy?

The answers to the first and last parts of the question are in I he affirmative, and I have no means for forming a reply to the other two parts of it.

Is it the opinion of the Secretary of State that this action is within the spirit of the limitation of spheres' of influence under the Russian Convention?

As the hon. Gentleman asks if that is the opinion of the Secretary of State, I shall be glad if he will put down a question for Tuesday, when he will be here.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the stocks of unsold Indian opium in Shanghai are being held by a syndicate of dealers; whether he is aware that the syndicate has realised and is realising from recent sales profits amounting to as much as 100 per cent.; and whether the time has now arrived when we should cease to compel China to permit her subjects to purchase from this syndicate the drug the production of which she prohibits in her own territory because its use is so ruinous to her people?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member in the first two parts of the question, but have no information as to the exact amount of profits that the holders of the stocks of Indian opium in China have realised. Under the agreement of 1911 provinces which are shown not to produce or import native opium can be closed to Indian opium, and action will no doubt be taken whenever or wherever this condition exists as it has been in the past.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the opium in question was bought by the syndicate at from 3,000 to 4,000 rupees per chest, and is being sold in China ot 6,000 to 7,000 taels per chest, which represents profits of from 100 to 200 per cent.?

I believe that is about the rate of profit recently.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these merchants have been a long time out of their money, and it is a question of justice?

I believe they are making enormous profits wholesale.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Treasury have refused to sanction the scheme for the teaching of Irish in Irish national schools which was most carefully considered and drafted by the general council of county councils, the Catholic school managers of all Ireland, and the school teachers' association; whether, in view of this unanimous demand from these three bodies, representing every interest in Ireland, he can explain the refusal of the Treasury; and whether in educational matters affecting Ireland the views of the people have any weight whatever?

A scheme, prepared by the Commisisoners of National Education, which proposed a revision of the system of payment of fees for instruction in the Irish language in national schools, was submitted to the Treasury in December last. The result of this proposal would be to throw upon the Vote for National Education a net additional charge for the teaching of Irish eventually amounting to £30,000 per annum. In view of the many other educational purposes for which Grants are required and demanded, the Treasury considered the present system of Grants to be as large as the claims of this branch of instruction, in competition with others, demanded; and consequently they were unable to give their sanction to the proposal of the Commissioners of National Education. The representations of the public bodies referred to in the question were very carefully considered, but the existence of other claims cannot be overlooked.

Is it the fact that the National Board of Education, representing the public interest in education in Ireland, made this demand?

Yes; but of course other bodies in Ireland, including some of these same bodies, make other demands, and the Treasury has to consider the relative importance of each. It is not a question of one demand only.

Have any of these bodies explained what benefit it will be to any living Irishman to be taught the Irish language?

Yes; over and over again, very powerfully.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any official information with regard to the attack made on the 13th April, near Bally gawley, upon two Unionist farmers, Andrew Agnew and Joseph M'Cartney, aged sixty; whether these men were attacked and beaten by a party of Nationalists, two of whom held M'Cartney down while two more beat him till he became unconscious; and whether any arrests have ben made?

I am informed by the police that the two men mentioned were assaulted by some persons returning from a football match on the 13th instant, some of whom were apparently under the influence of drink, but neither of the men was seriously hurt or rendered unconscious as stated. The men assaulted have so far failed to identify any of the assailants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any official information with regard to the attack made, on the evening of 13th April, at Killybearn, upon eight working girls who were proceeding in a conveyance from Cookstown to Coagh for the purpose of attending a ball given by the Orange Order; whether the girls and driver were attacked by a gang of rowdies with volleys of stones and iron nuts; whether one girl sustained a fracture of the skull; and whether any arrests have been made?

The police inform me that on the night of the 13th instant while eight girls were driving from Cookstown to Coagh to a dance, stones were thrown at them by some persons from the top of a deep cutting through which the car was passing. One girl was struck on the head and her skull fractured, but none of the others received any serious injury. Six persons have been arrested and remanded until the 24th instant. I am happy to be able to state that so far the injured girl is progressing favourably.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Margaret Halpin, of Boherbuoy, Limerick, who was born in or about the year 1840, but of whose birth no record can be found, who is a claimant for an old age pension, and who, in support of her claim, is able to produce her marriage certificate which shows that she married a soldier who served in the Crimean War, and who, after her marriage, was in the service with her husband, who died in 1901 after service in the Army; and, seeing that this old widow states that she was twenty-five years of age at the time of her marriage in 1865, and that it is impossible to get any record of her birth, although her two sisters are receiving the old age pension, whether, taking all the circumstances of this case into account, steps will be taken to grant the pension in this case?

Margaret Halpin's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal in October, 1911, for want of evidence of age. The fact that she was married in 1865 could not be accepted as sufficient evidence that she is seventy years of age unless she is able to prove that at the time of her marriage she was over twenty-one years of age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board received a communication from the people of the parish of Mullagh, county Galway, in reference to the contemplated sale of the estate of Miss Browne in the said parish; is he aware that the district contains a number of uneconomic tenants; and whether the tenant on Miss Browne's estate, to wit, Mrs. Timothy Ryan, was approached with a view to acquiring her interests; and, if not, will he direct the Board to open negotiations with the tenant?

The Congested Districts Board have received the communication referred to which states that there is congestion in the vicinity of Mrs. T. Ryan's farm. The Board have not yet communicated with Mrs. Ryan, but inquiries are being made regarding the farm.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that some of the tenants on the Ely estate, South Wexford, dwell in houses unfit for human habitation; and whether, seeing that the holdings on the estate are now being vested in the tenants, the Estates Commissioners will consider the advisability of giving Grants or loans to such tenants for the purpose of improving their dwelling-houses or building new ones?

The holdings on this estate were purchased direct from the owner, under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and have been vested in the purchasers. As regards the allegations that the houses on some of the holdings are unfit for human habitation, this is a matter for the local authorities under the Public Health Acts, but so far as the Estates Commissioners are aware, the facts would not appear to be as alleged in the question. The Commissioners are not prepared to sanction any further advances in respect of the holdings which have been vested in the purchasers, but it is open to the purchasers if they require loans for building purposes to make application for such loans to the Commissioners of Public Works under the Land Improvements (Ireland) Acts.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Act of 1909 does not provide for loans to tenants through the Estates Commissioners, and further, if the inspector has made any report with reference to these houses?

I will make inquiry into that. I cannot reply without making inquiry.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in accordance with his undertaking in connection with the recent Dublin disturbances, any disciplinary measures have yet been taken with any members of the Royal Irish Constabulary or the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force; if so, in how many cases and to what extent; and whether he is yet able to state what compensation has been paid to those injured or whose property was injured by unjustifiable assault at the hands of police constables?

A disciplinary inquiry has been in progress for some time into the action of the police in Dublin whose conduct was condemned in the Report of the Dublin Disturbances Commission, but the inquiry is not fully completed, pending the result of civil proceedings which have been taken against some of the Dublin police for damages alleged to have been done by them. The compensation which I stated in this House on the 18th February last I considered ought to be given has been paid.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what compensation has been paid?

Yes, Sir. Compensation has been paid amounting to £42 9s. 4d. to twenty-four persons, and, in addition, compensation amounting to £21 3s. 8d. has been paid to the Dublin Corporation.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will say by how many beasts, and to what estimated money value, the export of fat pigs from Ireland has fallen in the last six months, in consequence of restrictions in connection with disease, as compared with the corresponding period when last disease free?

The total number of fat pigs exported from Ireland to Great Britain during the six months ended 31st March last was 117,351, and during the six months ended 31st March, 1912, 278,980, showing a decrease of 161,629 animals of an estimated value of £622,195. For comparative purposes, the period 1st October, 1911, to 31st March, 1912, has been taken, inasmuch as restrictions on exportation were in force during the part of the corresponding period of 1912–1913. It must not be assumed that these figures represent an actual loss or that the decrease shown is wholly due to foot-and-mouth disease restrictions.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), having regard to the sufficiency of the fifteen-mile radius restriction against foot-and-mouth disease hitherto in Ireland and still in England, and for the information of the sufferers from the fifty-mile radius enforced by the Department this year, what reason, if any, there was for it; what opinion the Department obtained of its legality before enforcing it; the number of families injured by it; their estimated aggregate loss; and when this wide radius will be reduced?

A fifty-mile radius has not been in use in dealing with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland. This question probably refers to the boundary line drawn to admit of the embargo on exportation to Great Britain, which applied to all Ireland, being relaxed as regards the area north of such line, in which no outbreak had appeared. Movement out of the area south of such line was necessarily at the same time prohibited. Steps of this nature are within the powers conferred by Section 22 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894. It is not possible to answer the latter part of the hon. Member's question.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question, asking on whose opinion this Order was regarded as legal—whether it was the opinion of the legal authorities or the opinion of the officials?

The opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) by how many beasts and to what estimated money value the export of stall-fed fat stock from Ireland has fallen in the season now closing as a consequence of restrictions in connection with disease, as compared with the most recent normal disease-free season; whether he is aware that many beasts fit for sale last February are still in the stalls, reduced in value £4 a head, plus the cost of feeding in the interval; whether he is aware that some of these cases in North Westmeath are 50 miles from the nearest disease centre; and whether he will give a reference to the specific statutory authority for imposing this loss in these circumstances?

This year, since 30th January, the exports of fat cattle to Great Britain are short by about 48,000 head in number as compared with the same period last year. The value of these animals is approximately £850,000. It must not be assumed that these figures represent an actual loss. The authority under which the Department deal with the suppression of foot-and-mouth disease is the Act 62 and 63 Vic, chap. 50.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered whether he is aware of the specific cases of losses fifty miles from the nearest centre of the disease.

The only ground upon which the hon. Member can use the figure fifty miles is by drawing a line right through the centre of Ireland and taking everything north of the line as free.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department, or does it not, deny the losses stated in the allegation in the question?

No, Sir, but we have no means at the present moment of accurately judging of the losses.

Then you do admit them?

I categorically said that you must not assume that the cattle are not in existence, and that they may not be sold. It is absurd to say that there are losses when there may be no loss.

Is it or is it not a fact that these animals are reduced in value after two months' feeding?

That is probable, but they may recover.

Is it not a fact that cattle were selling at the fair at Athy at 31s. 6d. per cwt. live weight, and that in the ordinary course, if there had been no restrictions, these cattle would have brought 36s. 6d. per cwt. live weight?

That is quite possible.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will say what special opinion the Board obtained on the legality of the requirement before requiring the Irish Department of Agriculture to enforce a fifty-mile radius of restriction against foot-and-mouth disease, while a fifteen-mile radius is held to be sufficient in both England and Ireland; find if he will give a reference to any statutory authority for requiring the wider restriction to be enforced in Ireland?

The Orders restricting the movement of animals in Ireland on account of foot-and-mouth disease are made by the Irish Department, and questions concerning the area affected by them should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Vice-President. The Board have no reason to doubt the legality of the Orders, but they have not obtained any special opinion on the point.

asked which ports in Great Britain are now open to receive Irish store stock, and which ports in Ireland are open to receive store cattle from Great Britain?

The following ports in Great Britain are now open for the reception of store stock from Ireland, namely. Ayr, Barrow-in-Furness, Fleetwood, Greenock, Heysham, Holyhead, and Stranraer. The second part of the question should be addressed to my right hon Friend the Vice-President of the Irish Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman put it to the President of the Board of Agriculture that it is a great grievance in this country that we cannot send stock to that country when they can to this?

asked what is the least period of time since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that is given to allow an area in Ireland to export store cattle to this country; and what area or distance is now considered safe from a late outbreak before the area is allowed to export store stock to this country?

It is impossible to lay-down any rule. The extent and the duration of the restrictions depend upon a great variety of circumstances, the evidence as to the origin of the outbreak, the length of time during which disease existed before being discovered, the tracing of contact animals, and so forth. In every case the Board and the Irish Department are in constant communication with one another, with the single object of allowing the trade in store cattle between the affected area and Great Britain to be resumed at the earliest possible moment reasonably compatible with due precautions against the spread of infection.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the minimum distance?

Each case depends upon its own merits.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture a question, of which I have given private notice, namely: Whether he can state when it is likely that Dublin port will be opened for the export of Irish live stock; whether any arrangement is being made for the reception of Irish live stock in the port of Plymouth; and whether he can give the dates, titles and sections of the Orders under which those embargo Regulations are issued?

After consultation with representatives of the Irish Department, the Board propose to issue an Order, to come into operation on Monday midnight, the effect of which will be to allow fat stock from the southern part of Ireland, excluding the present scheduled areas, to be shipped from Dublin and Wexford for immediate slaughter at the following ports in Great Britain, namely, a portion of Birkenhead, Cardiff, Bristol (Avon-mouth), Manchester, and Deptford. At present there is no suitable landing place for Irish live stock at Plymouth, but the Board will be glad to consider any proposals made to them for the provision of the necessary accommodation. The Regulations governing the importation of Irish live stock into Great Britain are contained in Orders issued from time to time by the Board, under the powers conferred upon them by Section 22 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894.

May I ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any decision has been come to as to the reopening of the port of Waterford?

Yes. We hope to be able to open the port of Waterford on Thursday next.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me when the port of Limerick will be reopened?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question as to the port of Limerick for Monday next, I hope to be able to give him a satisfactory answer.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the restricted area in county Kildare has been reduced to a radius of five miles from Ballysax, and whether, in view of this limitation, the fair of Kildare on Monday and Tuesday next can be held?

Kildare Scheduled District at present includes the town of Kildare, but if nothing unforeseen occurs it is proposed to reduce the district by the end of this week. This will exclude the town of Kildare, and admit of the fair being held on Monday and Tuesday next.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether any debt against the East African Protectorate is made on account of the Uganda Railway; if not, how does the account stand between the taxpayer and the beneficiary in respect of that undertaking; what is the annual charge upon the Consolidated or other fund for interest; is there any and, if so, what provision for a sinking fund; and how does the account in that behalf also stand?

Under the provisions of the Uganda Railway Acts, advances up to a total of £5,502,592 have been made from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of construction, and the expenditure out of these advances had amounted to a total of £5,460,294 8s. 4d. in the period to 31st March, 1913. Repayment of the advances from the Consolidated Fund is being made by instalments of annuities (terminating 15th November, 1925) at the rate of £319,112 a year, for which provision is made on the Colonial Services Vote. No repayment has been made by British East Africa in respect of these advances, and no such repayment is contemplated under the Acts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who are the contracting parties in regard to that contract?

The contract has long been held, but I forget by whom.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that natives recruited for the coastal plantations of British East Africa are locked in carriages sometimes for as long as thirty-six hours; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to remedy the admitted evil results of the practice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Salford yesterday.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the evil results of recruiting Kikuyu labour for the copra-producing regions of British East Africa; and whether, in view of the importance of preserving native health and life, he will prohibit the recruiting of the Kikuyu for coastal regions?

There appears to be considerable difference of opinion among the witnesses as to the results of employing Kikuyu labour on the coast, and I am not prepared to take action, as suggested on the evidence at present before me. I am, however, communicating with the Governor on the subject.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he can state the reasons which have caused the Government to decide on the reoccupation of Burao, in Somaliland, and the reversal of the policy announced to the House by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies and the First Lord of the Admiralty in March and April, 1910?

I have already stated the reasons in the Debate which took place in this House on the 24th of February, and I do not think that I can usefully add anything to what I said on that occasion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to lay further Papers on Somaliland before the Debate takes place on the Colonial Office Vote?

I hope shortly to be able to lay Papers before the House.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies what steps are being taken to do away with the unsatisfactory position which prevails at Berbera and in British Somaliland; if he is aware that our friendly native tribes are being harried by the Mad Mullah incessantly and our troops penned in at Berbera: and that the whole position is detrimental to the prestige and position of this country in the whole of East Africa?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate on Somaliland on the 24th of February.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he intends to do nothing but wait for the death of the Mad Mullah?

I think, if the hon. Member will refer to the Debate, he will find that we are taking immediate action.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies when he will be able to lay Papers upon the Table on the subject of an Imperial Defence Conference, as promised; and whether he will consider the desirability of a Conference in order to remove the present misunderstandings between the Dominions affected and the Mother Country?

The Papers have already been laid and were circulated yesterday.

had on the Notice Paper the following questions to the Secretary for the Colonies: (1) Whether Sir William Ellison Macartney has tendered his resignation as Governor of Tasmania; if not, whether he has requested Sir William Ellison Macartney to resign; and, if not, whether he will do so at the earliest opportunity; and (2) whether he can state on how many occasions, if any, since the foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia a Governor-General or a Governor of any of the States has refused to accept the advice of Ins responsible Ministers; whether his attention has been called to the action of Sir William Ellison Macartney in Tasmania in insisting on a dissolution of Parliament and attaching certain conditions to the constitution of the Cabinet, contrary to the advice of the Prime Minister of Tasmania; whether the Governor consulted the Secretary of State on the subject, and, if so, whether he will place the messages received and sent upon the Table of the House; and whether he has received any messages from the Prime Minister of Tasmania on the subject, and, if so, will he place these communications upon the Table of the House?

I do not think I could get the information by cable. The Governor has asked the Government to wait for the whole of the documents, and I think it is only fair to wait until they arrive.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not fortify himself meanwhile with the many precedents which exist for such action as that of the Governor-General of Tasmania?

These questions have been postponed.

I wish to put before the right hon. Gentleman a point for consideration before he gives an answer.

He has given no answer.

He said he would.

He has to wait until the mail arrives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in order to allay the apprehensions of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, he will extend an invitation to them to be represented on the Conference to be held on the subject of the New Hebrides or, as an alternative, give to these Governments an assurance that ample opportunity will be provided during the progress of the Conference for their point of view to be expressed in anticipation of a final agreement, rather than in subsequent criticism of a tentative arrangement they might find it embarrassing or ineffective to disapprove?

I have been in correspondence with the Governments of the Commonwealth and New Zealand in regard to the questions to be discussed with the French Government, and, as I stated on the 2nd of March in reply to my hon. Friend's question, I have undertaken to consult them further before any new arrangement is entered into. I need not say that the fullest consideration will be given to any views expressed by the Commonwealth or Dominion Government.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the rate of pay obtaining on the Peninsular and Oriental steamers and all other ships under contract with the Government for carrying mails; and whether the Government will take steps to ensure that fair and reasonable wages are paid on all vessels receiving Government subsidies?

The Fair-Wages Resolution has never been considered applicable to contracts with steamship companies for the conveyance of mails. Inasmuch as steamship companies, like railway companies, are mainly engaged in large commercial operations, and the conveyance of mails is only an incidental part of the general business of transport on which their labour force is employed it would not appear to be properly applied to them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that the revised schedule of telephone rates has not been published before Easter, as was contemplated, he can now state the date when the new rates wall be announced?

The subject is one of great complexity, but my right hon. Friend hopes to obtain the authority of the Treasury for his proposals with regard to the revision of telephone charges at an early date and to announce them immediately afterwards.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that so long ago as June of last year the Postmaster-General promised that the rates would be published, and has not the time arrived now for that to be done?

The Postmaster-General is now awaiting Treasury sanction, and will publish them immediately when that is obtained.

When they are published, will the Members of the House of Commons receive them simultaneously with outside bodies?

I think that there will be no difficulty in arranging that.

Will the Postmaster-General consider the question of trunk rates for Middlesex?

That is quite another question.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) what are the rules of the Board for the protection of children and teachers and for the efficient performance of the school work during the time that a school building and playground are in the hands of the builders for reconstruction; (2) whether it is the practice of the Board, when sanctioning plans for altering or rebuilding a school, to attach any condition as to the provision of suit able accommodation for the school during the process of reconstruction, and to protect the children from injury; and (3) whether it is the practice of the Board of Education to sanction the rebuilding of a school whilst the scholars are in attendance, and to allow a school building and playground to be placed unreservedly in the hands of builders and their workmen without any educational supervision?

The Board have not found it necessary to make any such rules as he suggests. The repair and rebuilding of school premises are generally carried out during school holidays. If the work has to be done while the scholars are in attendance the local education authority and the managers are responsible for the protection of the scholars and teachers from injury and of the school work from any avoidable disturbance. If the building work prevents the school premises from being used for a considerable time or involves any substantial interference with school work, the Board may require temporary accommodation to be provided, and in that case satisfy themselves as to its suitability.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in London especially several eases have recently arisen in which the difficulties referred to have recurred in quite an acute form?

I am not aware of that. I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will give me particulars.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the granting of a political pension in place of that which lapsed on the death of Lord Cross; and whether he will consider the propriety of modifying the declaration required from a political pensioner before making any recommendation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I think that an undertaking should be exacted similar to that adopted by Mr. Gladstone.

May we take it then that these facts which have come to light have made the Prime Minister quite aware that some change ought to be made in connection with these pensions?

I think that if the undertaking suggested by Mr. Gladstone was uniformly enforced it meets the requirements of the case.

Will it be really uniformly enforced?

I cannot say that.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Bight Honourable Lord George F. Hamilton is a political pensioner of the first class and draws £2,000 per annum from the Treasury; what are the terms of the declaration made entitling him to such pension; whether he is aware that Lord George F. Hamilton is director of the American Freehold Land Mortgage Company of London, director of the Bank of Australia, director of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, chairman of the Metropolitan District Railway Company, director of the Whitechapel and Bow Railway Company, deputy-chairman of the Phoenix Assurance Company, director of the Union Marine Insurance Company, deputy-chairman of the Underground Electric Railway Company of London, and chairman of the Central London Railway Company; and whether he will take steps to have his name removed from the Civil List; and (2) whether the Right Honourable Lord Balfour of Burleigh is a political pensioner of the second class and draws £1,200 per annum from the Treasury; what are the terms of the declaration made entitling him to such pension; and whether he is aware that Lord Balfour of Burleigh is governor of the Bank of Scotland, chairman of the City of San Paulo Improvement and Freehold Land Company, chairman of the San Paulo Railway Company, director of the Great Northern Railway Company, director of the Forth Bridge Railway Company, chairman of the Imperial and Foreign Corporation, chairman of the Pacific Phosphate Company, director of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, director of the Western Telegraph Company, member of the Council of the Russian and English Bank; and, if so, will he take steps to remove the name of Lord Balfour from the Civil List of pensioners?

Lord George Hamilton and Lord Balfour of Burleigh are political pensioners of the first and second class respectively, and receive the pensions stated. For the terms of the declaration made by them on application for the award of pensions I will refer my hon. Friend to my reply of Tuesday last. I am not aware of the emoluments derived by the Noble Lords from the sources quoted, but I am confident that, if they were such as to render the retention of their pensions inconsistent with the terms upon which the pensions were granted, they would inform me of the fact.

May I ask my right hon. Friend how recent was the declaration given in the sense required by Mr. Gladstone to surrender the pension in the event of their pecuniary circumstances improving to a material extent?

There has been no case in my time, and I can only speak from what I have learned. In the case of Lord Balfour of Burleigh I know that undertaking was given, and I have every reason to think it was given by Lord George Hamilton.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send to all political pensioners copies of the questions and answers that have recently been made upon the matter?

They are a very small body, and I think they would probably read the newspapers.

Then it will not cause great expense.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will inquire from those pensioners the total amount of income derived from those companies, so that he can form his own judgment as to whether they are entitled to pensions or not?

I cannot do that. This is a matter of honour. Any distinguished person who has been in the service of the State and who is entitled to receive a pension of this kind would probably voluntarily and spontaneously give it up.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Noble Lords the question: Whether they will supply him with the grounds on which they opposed the Government old age pension scheme?

asked if the Prime Minister will appoint a small Committee of this House to scrutinise the protests signed by over 103,000 Nonconformist adults in Wales against the Disendowment Clauses of the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

I do not see my way to do this. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 23rd February to the hon. Member for the Denbigh District.

If the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to have a scrutiny made into this protest, will he restrain his supporters from throwing doubts upon it by saying that it was sent to the right hon. Gentleman in order that ^* it might not be scrutinised?

I never made that statement. I said that the petition should be presented to the House of Commons, and be examined by the Petitions Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the whole Debate on the Bill hon. Members opposite threw doubts on the bona fides of the petition, and, if he will not have it scrutinised, have they any right to throw doubts upon it?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the opinion prevailing in Ireland that the powers conferred upon the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries by the Contagious Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, are being unfairly and unreasonably used in the interests of English stockowners, to the detriment and possible ruin of Irish owners, and in a manner totally at variance with the intentions of the authors of the Act, he will grant an inquiry by a suitable Committee into the administration of the Act and the Regulations made by the English Department affecting the landing and treatment of Irish cattle?

I see no reason to alter the decision which I conveyed to the hon. Member on 2nd March on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has obtained a legal opinion on the question of proceeding against the owners of motorcars which carry dazzling head-lights and drive with these in the Metropolis to the common danger?

I am advised that it might be possible to take proceedings if in any case it could be proved by definite evidence that the driving of a car with dazzling head-lights was an actual cause of danger; but, in the absence of specific regulations on the subject, proceedings could not be taken against an owner merely on the ground that danger might, in the opinion of the police, ensue from his use of too powerful lights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any action has been taken by the police against the woman who deliberately shut a number of dogs up in a deserted house so that nearly all died of starvation?

A warrant has been issued, at the instance of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for the arrest of this woman, who has, however, not yet been found.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give further consideration to the questions addressed to him on 14th May, 1912, with reference to the conditions of service of matrons in police stations; whether they are on duty from 4 p.m. to midnight in one week and from midnight till 10 a.m. the next, and on^* alternate Sundays from 10 p.m. till 10 a.m. Monday, and receive no pension, no police medical attendance, and no pay during sickness nor during their one week's holiday; and if so, whether he can see his way to improve the position of these women, whose duties are arduous and often repulsive and dangerous?

This question has received careful consideration. The hours of attendance vary according to local circumstanes, but may be said to be approximately as stated, except that during most of the night time they are resting and are provided with beds, and that they are relieved from attendance before 10 a.m. whenever possible. Arrangements for a weekly rest day have also been made. The appointment is not pensionable, and matrons do not receive ordinary pay during sickness and annual leave, but they receive sickness benefit and medical attendance under the National Insurance Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the case of Miss Phyllis Bourke, who has been refused a licence to perform after 10 p.m. in Mr. Galsworthy's play; and whether, if an appeal is made to him, he will favourably consider the grant of a licence to her?

My attention was called to the matter last Monday, and it was then explained to the manager that I had no power to take any action. Under the provisions of the Act it is in the discretion of the magistrate to say what restrictions and conditions are to apply to the employment of children in theatres, and there is no appeal to me.

Is it not the case that the magistrate invited the applicant to appeal to the Secretary of State if he disagreed with the magistrate?

I believe that is so.

asked the Home Secretary whether, owing to the increase in the cost of living or other causes, the increases of pay granted about three years ago to the police of the large cities of the North have been revised recently; will he say how the new scale of pay for constables in Liverpool, Sheffield, and St. Helens compares with that of the Metropolitan force; does the minimum pay for constables in the Metropolitan force remain at 27s. and the maximum at 35s. for men under fifteen years' service; and what are the minimum and maximum rates for Liverpool, Sheffield, and St. Helens?

The minimum and maximum rates of pay for constables in the Metropolitan Police are as stated. The scales of pay and pension have recently been revised in Liverpool and Sheffield. In the former the minimum and maximum rates of pay of police under fifteen years' service are 30s. and 40s. respectively, but this includes a rent-aid allowance, which in the Metropolitan Police is granted in addition to the ordinary rate of pay. In Sheffield the minimum and maximum rates are 28s. and 38s. respectively. In the case of both towns, however, the rates of pension are materially less than in the case of the Metropolitan Police. I have not yet received information as to St. Helens.

Is it not the fact that the amount granted in aid towards the cost of housing of the Metropolitan Police is so small that it does not amount to the maximum amount paid now to the police of Liverpool?

Probably the maximum amount for fifteen years' service, having regard to the pay, house allowance, and advantage of pension, is approximately the same in the case of London as in Liverpool, but after fifteen years' service the London policemen receive an additional half-crown?

Is it not the fact that the minimum amount paid towards the relief of rent is 1s. 6d., and the maximum amount 2s. 6d., and therefore the amount in total is less than Liverpool?

The hon. Member omitted the third factor, the value of the pension allowance.

asked whether the Metropolitan Police who were sent to South Wales have ever received their pay for extra duty during the coal strike in 1912?

No Metropolitan Police were sent to South Wales in 1912. All the men employed in South Wales on a previous occasion had received their pay and allowances long before the coal strike in 1912.

asked when the Report of the Naval Accountant Branch Committee will be published?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Plymouth on the 3rd of this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports per head of the population in 1913 from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, and France?

The values of the exports of domestic produce and manufactures during 1913 from the countries specified, per head of their respective populations, were as follows:—United Kingdom, £11 8s. 3d.; United States of America, £5 4s. 3d.; Germany, £7 7s. 9d.; and France, £6 18s. 7d. All these figures are provisional.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the total expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales on education, main roads, police, and the administration of the Poor Law, in the years 1902 and 1912, respectively; and what portion of the sum so used was raised from rates, and the amount obtained from Imperial taxation and other sources in the two years?

The information available on the points mentioned in the question is contained in the recently issued Appendix to the Report of the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation. I will send the hon. Member the references.

asked whether it is proposed to take any steps towards a classification and subsidation of urban and rural roads throughout the country, as suggested in the statement by Sir George Gibb published in the Appendix to the Report of the Departmental Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation?

Steps are being taken in the direction suggested.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if any reply has yet been made to the memorial addressed to the Treasury in December, 1911, by the superintendents and chief superintendents of typists serving in Government offices; and, if not, if he will state the reasons for the delay in dealing with the matter?

No, Sir; the answer to the memorial has been necessarily postponed pending the publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service and consideration of its recommendations.