asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of evicted tenants who have not yet been reinstated in their holdings, or been provided with holdings in lieu of them, under the Evicted Tenants Act?

There have been 3,370 evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants reinstated in their former holdings or provided with new holdings as purchasers under the Irish Land Purchase Acts, and 260 have been provisionally noted for consideration by the Estates Commissioners in connection with the allotment of untenanted land as acquired.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he does not deal largely and generously with this question, this irritating question, so as to remove it once for all from the purview of politics?

"Largely" and "generously" are words of varied interpretation, and I am disposed to think that has already been done.

Is there any prospect of those tenants who are still out getting reinstated in their former holdings?

Of course, a number of evicted tenants for definite reasons have been passed over altogether as being persons who would make no use, or no good use, of agricultural holdings. There are only 260 persons who have been passed, and who have not yet been provided for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that those 260 persons are dealt with without further delay?

Yes; I will see that they are dealt with as quickly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary if ho will ask the Estates Commissioners to reconsider the case of Thomas Courtney, brother and legal representative of the late Henry Courtney, an evicted tenant who applied for reinstatement or for a new holding under the Evicted Tenants Act; and will he call the Commissioners' attention to the fact that the necessary notices of application were served in due time, and that Thomas Courtney has eight sons and five daughters to provide for?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, decided not to take any action with reference to the late Henry Courtney's application for reinstatement in a holding on the estate of Lord Rathdonnell, county Fermanagh, formerly occupied by him, and now in the possession of another tenant, and they are not prepared to provide his representative with a holding elsewhere. The Commissioners cannot see their way to depart from their decision in this case.

Is it not the fact that the applicant, who is brother and legal representative of Henry Courtney, has eight sons and three daughters still un-provided for, and that he was put off a holding of 200 acres?

That may be so, but I cannot see my way to make any alteration in the decision of the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will ask the Estates Commissioners to reconsider the application of James M'Gourty for reinstatement in the holding of Belcoo, county Fermanagh, from which he was evicted, or to provide him with a new holding in lieu of it?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Estates Commissioners see no reason to alter their decision in the matter of James M'Gourty's application for reinstatement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what there is against this young man that he could not get some holding in place of the one he was evicted from?

It is a matter left to the decision of the Commissioners, and I cannot take it upon myself to revise this decision.

asked the Chief Secretary how many men, women, and children were recently evicted at Augnish, North Clare, on the Wilson Lynch estate, and the circumstances under which they were evicted; whether any efforts were made to purchase this estate and why such efforts, if made, failed; and whether any further efforts will be made to settle the estate by purchase and so bring about the reinstatement of the people who have been evicted?

I am informed that six families, consisting of thirty persons, including men, women, and children, were evicted on this estate for non-payment of rent. The estate was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, but before an offer for purchase was issued the owner died, and his son has decided not to proceed with the sale at present. The Board are quite ready to take any action open to them in the matter.

May I ask whether the forces of the Crown were used in evicting these tenants from their holdings?

I have no doubt the police were present. I have no power to stop them.

May I ask whether, in accordance with the new doctrine laid down, the police were asked if they had any conscientious objections to throwing out these old men, women, and children on to the roads?

I hope not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see whether the Congested Districts Board can open up fresh negotiations with a view to the reinstatement of those tenants?

Certainly I will.

asked the Chief Secretary why advertisements have not yet been issued for candidates for the office of clerk of Petty Sessions at Brookborough, county Fermanagh; and will he take steps to have the appointment made without further delay?

It is proposed to make certain alterations in the Brookborough Petty Sessions district, and the proposal will be considered at the Quarter Sessions to be held at Enniskillen next month. Pending the decision of the justices, the election of a clerk cannot be held.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state when the £1,000,000 promised by the Government for the housing of the working classes in Ireland will be available; whether he is aware that there are a number of schemes for the building of cottages passed by the Local Government Board for two years or more at a standstill for want of funds, although the houses are badly needed to replace the hovels at present existing; and whether, having regard to these facts, he will without further delay introduce a Bill dealing with this matter without waiting for the passage of the Irish Land Bill into law?

No schemes which have been approved by the Local Government Board have been held up for want of money, but there are a number of schemes which have not yet been inquired into owing to funds not being available. As stated, in the event of no agreement being arrived at as regards the Land Bill, I shall endeavour to introduce a one-Clause Bill securing a sum of £1,000,000 to complete outstanding schemes for the erection of labourers' cottages in Ireland, but I am not at present in a position to make any further statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House the difference between "want of money" and "want of funds," which he read from the Paper in his hands?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the facts alleged in my question, which are perfectly accurate, that there are schemes approved of by the Local Government Board that have been held up for two years for want of funds, and can he say when the Labourers Bill—in the event of the Land Bill not passing as an agreed measure—is likely to become law?

The statements in the question are, I believe, perfectly accurate, but no schemes actually approved are being held up. There are a number of schemes under consideration which are not being proceeded with because of the absence of money. That is perfectly true. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that no effort on my part will be wanting to see that this sum of a million required for these schemes is forthcoming before the end of the Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the scheme put forward by the Rathkeale District Council, which has been approved by the Local Government Board and passed four years ago, but cannot be carried through for want of money?

Yes; I will inquire.

Will the one-Clause Bill be introduced this Session?

I hope so; unless it is included in the Land Bill.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has yet been able to induce the Treasury to sanction the scheme for the teaching of Irish recommended by the National Board of Education, the managers and teachers of Ireland, and representatives of the Irish county councils; and, if not, will he state on what educational grounds they defend their refusal?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the question of the hon. Member on this subject on 23rd April.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the recent defacing of a statue erected at Cork to the memory of Irishmen who fought for Great Britain in the Boer war; and if any steps have been taken to trace the perpetrators of this and similar outrages committed in, other parts of Ireland recently?

Before this question is answered may I ask if there is not a mistake in it? Those soldiers laid down their lives for Great Britain and Ireland?

I cannot quarrel with the language in which questions are addressed to me. My business is to answer them. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a somewhat similar question asked by the hon. Member for the Enfield Division on the 24th March. The police are not aware of any more recent occurrences of this nature in any part of Ireland.

May I ask if this is another one of the expressions of sympathy which we shall probably have after the passing of the Home Rule Bill?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a highway robbery was committed near Abbeyfeale, in county Limerick, on the morning of 2nd April, and that the local postman was stopped on the road by two disguised men carrying rifles and robbed of all the money for old age pensions which he was carrying; and whether any arrests have been made?

A robbery of the nature referred to occurred on the morning of the 3rd April near Abbeyfeale, but the mail bag has since been recovered intact. The police have the matter in hand, but have not yet sufficient evidence to justify an arrest.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that a number of gates on the land of Mr. Pierce at Tacumshane were knocked down and destroyed by some person on the night of 1st May or the early morning of 2nd May; what is the reason for this action; and what steps have been taken to find the offenders?

I am informed that five gates on the lands of Mr. Pierce were broken on the dates named and removed from their hinges. I have no information as to the motive which inspired this occurrence. The police are pursuing their inquiries, but so far have not obtained sufficient evidence to justify any arrests.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a shooting outrage was committed in the Bawnmore district of the county Galway on the evening of 31st March, when a man, proceeding home near Bawnmore, was fired at and wounded; and whether any arrests have been made?

It is a fact that a man named Bernard Ward was fired at and wounded in the leg with five grains of shot on the night of the 30th March. The matter was not reported to the police and the injured man would give them no information to assist them in their inquiries. So far, no person has been made amenable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the man was seriously injured or not?

I should consider five grains of shot in the leg somewhat serious, but I am glad to be able to say he stands in no danger of having a long indisposition.

We are constantly hearing of no arrests having been made; are special attempts made to inquire into the matters?

Yes, most active attempts are made.

Do you make similar attempts in the case of gun-runners?

With equal success?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that at the fair of Crossmolina, on 8th April, a number of men armed with sticks and making a great noise, endeavoured to terrorise Edward Barrett and his brother Richard; if he will state for what reason these two men were subjected to this intimidation; and what steps are being taken to afford them protection?

I am informed by the police that Edward Barrett was the object of a hostile demonstration on the occasion referred to, but not his brother. The reason is believed to be a misunderstanding about the letting of certain land. Fifteen persons were arrested in connection with the occurrence, and four of them have been bound over to be of good behaviour, and the remainder were discharged. Mr. Barrett will be afforded all necessary protection by the police.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that this was the result of an honest misapprehension?

No, Sir, I do not.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the disturbances at the chapel at Ballybricken on 15th April; whether they arose from dissatisfaction with the distribution of land by the Estates Commissioners on the Roche Kelly estate; and what steps are being taken to afford protection to those against whom the demonstration was made?

My attention has been called to this matter, and I understand that these disturbances were due to dissatisfaction with the distribution of certain land by the Estates Commissioners on the estate referred to. Thirteen of the principal offenders were arrested and have been returned for trial at the next Assizes. The surrounding police stations have been strengthened by fourteen extra men, and all necessary protection will be afforded to those requiring it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the grounds on which these people were attacked?

Anybody who has any knowledge of the distribution of land in those districts knows it is exceedingly difficult to avoid dissatisfaction.

The right hon. Gentleman referred to a Land Bill just now. Is it proposed to introduce that Land Bill this Session?

That is a question of which I should like notice.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will take steps to see that in future when the Estates Commissioners are dividing untenanted lands that the inspectors take into consideration the local feeling in the districts to see that popular applicants should get these lands?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that local feeling predominates very largely in the distribution of any land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Canon Gerahty has possession of the Skahard farm on the Pollock estate, county Gaway; and will he say how many drives, or attempted drives, there have been of cattle from this farm, and whether there have been any other disturbances in connection with the farm on this estate?

The answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. With regard to the remainder of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Enfield on 30th April.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a crowd of men were met by the police on the morning of 29th April at Loughrea driving stock, and that as a result of the meeting a conflict between the police and the crowd followed; how many police were injured in such conflict; and what punishment has been inflicted upon the men concerned in the outrage?

A mob of about forty people armed with sticks, who were driving sheep off a farm near Loughrea, were intercepted by a force of ten police, and as they refused to desist and assumed a threatening attitude, a baton charge was ordered and the mob dispersed. The district inspector received a severe scalp wound, and nearly all the police engaged were injured, but not seriously. Fourteen persons have been returned for trial to next Assizes in connection with the affair.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the cause of this cattle driving?

Dissatisfaction with the distribution.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how baton charges were made on those who break the law in these cases and not in others?

They are rather different. Here there were ten policemen against forty men, and in the case to which I think the hon. Gentleman refers there were two policemen against 800 men.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an armed attack was made upon a police patrol at Cleggan, in county Galway, on the 1st May; that the police patrol of three constables was fired on from behind a wall on the public road, and the constables returned the fire from their rifles; and whether any arrests have been made or anyone made amenable?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Enfield on the 7th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

May I ask whether, in point of fact, any arrests have been made?

No, Sir, not so far.

Do they intend to make any?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an armed attack was made on the house of Timothy Casey, near Hollymount, in county Mayo, on the night of 19th April, when three gun shots were fired at the bedroom window when the inhabitants were asleep; whether the windows were broken by pellets of shot; and whether any arrests have been made or anyone made amenable?

The police authorities inform me that on the night of the 19th April three gun shots were fired into the house of Timothy Casey. Two of the shots were fired at the kitchen window, the room being unoccupied at the time, and the other shot was fired at the window of the bedroom occupied by his eldest son—a pane of glass was broken, but no other injury was done. So far no person has been made amenable.

asked the Chief Secretary in how many cases the Attorney-General applied for changes of venue from county Clare to county Dublin in the King's Bench Division on Friday last; for what reason the application was made; and whether any steps are being taken to remove the feeling of terror that prevails in county Clare and prevents fair trials?

The Attorney-General applied for change of venue to county Dublin in four cases from the county Clare. The application was made on the ground that, in the belief of the responsible officials, a fair trial was not likely to be had in the county Clare. There is a large extra force of police in the county and special measures have been and are being taken for the protection of life and property and the prevention of outrages. I am happy to say that the condition of the county is improving.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer charging the Opposition with having incited mutiny in the Army; and if any evidence is in the possession of the Government which bears out this charge?

I presume my right hon. Friend refers to the statements of Members of the Opposition which were quoted and referred to in the Debate in this House on the 30th March.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the message that was sent by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Radical candidate for Grimsby, in which the right hon. Gentleman stated that the Unionist party are encouraging mutiny in the Army? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the statement?

I have already disallowed a question put in that form. The hon. Member is not entitled to ask the Prime Minister whether he agrees or disagrees with a colleague.

Is it proposed to institute prosecutions against any of the Members of the Opposition for incitement to mutiny?

I answered that question yesterday.

May I ask whether there has been mutiny in the Army recently?

No, Sir; there has not.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the Bill to amend the Government of Ireland Bill not being an agreed Bill, it is the intention of the Government to pass the measure through all its stages in the House of Commons in such a way as to give the House the opportunity of full and free discussion of the Government proposals; and at what date does he expect to be able to introduce the Bill?

I am not at present prepared to add anything to what was said in the House on Tuesday last on this subject.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that it will be necessary to have an Autumn Session?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £630,000, which it is proposed to allocate to Ireland for the purpose of readjusting the relations between Imperial and local taxation, will be stereotyped at that figure or readjusted from year to year in accordance with the needs and expenditure of such Irish local authorities as may comply with the conditions laid down as necessary for receiving a Grant?

Allowance will be made for this sum in calculating the amount of the Transferred Sum, which is not subject to revision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill being placed on the Statute Book before the Finance and Revenue Bills of this year, the sum of £630,000 towards the relief of local taxation will be given unconditionally to the Irish Government, or whether a national valuation, separating site value from improvements, will be a condition of the Grant and other conditions laid down defining the terms on which or the purposes for which the Grant can be claimed by local authorities?

The sum given will be at the disposal of the Irish Government.

Has the Chancellor of the Exchequer read Clause 14 of the Government of Ireland Bill?

I am quite prepared to read it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he authorised the Resident Commissioner in Southern Rhodesia to inform the newly elected Legislative Council of Rhodesia that he proposed to veto the Land Settlement Ordinance if it passed the Rhodesian Chamber in its present form; whether, in spite of this information, the Land Settlement Ordinance has been supported by the majority of elected as well as nominated members of the Council; and whether he still proposes to override the decision of the elected representatives of the Rhodesian people?

I have not received any official statement of the remarks made by the Resident Commissioner which appear to have been uttered in the course of debate. No instruction has been sent to the effect that the Land Settlement Ordinance will not be assented to. His Majesty's Government intend to await the decision of the Legislative Council and the full report of the proceedings before coming to any decision with regard to this Ordinance, which raises some difficult questions. The High Commissioner informs me that the Ordinance has passed the second reading by a majority of eight, five elected members voting in favour of postponement.

May I ask whether it is intended to give the House an opportunity of discussing this matter before a decision is come to by the Government?

I have no doubt such an opportunity will arise.

Will a decision not be taken before the Colonial Office Vote comes on?

That depends on when the Colonial Vote is taken, and that depends on arrangements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise our interest to know how soon a decision will be taken?

Is the hon. Gentleman referring to the Land Settlement Ordinance or the general question of land settlement in Rhodesia?

Land Settlement Ordinance.

I do not think the decision is likely to be taken immediately.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government will not give its decision and announce it to the High Commissioner before the Colonial Office Vote is taken, no matter when that Vote is taken?

If the hon. Member will give me notice of that question I will answer it.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether a number of insurance committees are finding that the claims on their drug fund for chemists' accounts are growing in amount as compared with last year, whether such is the case with committees which had insufficient money to pay the chemists' accounts in full last year; and what the Government propose to do to meet these increasing deficiences?

Until the total sums available to each insurance committee have been finally ascertained, and the accounts have been scrutinised, the assumptions underlying the question cannot be accepted. In a few cases the Insurance Commissioners have received information that the accounts for the quarter, which ended on the 11th of last month, are in excess of those for the same quarter of last year; but no comparison between the amounts can properly be made until the accounts for each period have been examined.

Can the hon. Member say when this scrutiny will take place, and when we shall really know what deficiencies the chemists have to meet?

Does the hon. Gentleman refer to last year's accounts or this?

Last year.

That is in progress.

Can we not have a provisional figure?

We cannot get a provisional figure of the scrutiny. The scrutiny will determine it exactly.

Can we not have some record showing what is the deficiency?

The scrutiny is now proceeding and will show what the exact position is.

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman does not quite understand my question?

The hon. Gentleman had better put it on the Paper.

asked whether the chemists under contract with the West Hartlepool Insurance Committee have had 30 per cent. deducted from their bills for last quarter, chiefly because the committee has insufficient funds to meet the bills; whether there is still outstanding and unpaid 10 per cent. of the chemists' bills for each quarter of last year; if the number of prescriptions dispensed in that area have increased from 1,800 in the quarter ending April, 1913, to 2,200 in the corresponding quarter this year, and the cost increased from about £525 to £754; and whether the chemists and the insurance committee have expressed their dissatisfaction to the Commissioners.

The Insurance Commissioners hope to be able to inform the committee referred to at an early date of the total sum available to them, from the drug fund for the past year. In the meantime, any payments made to the chemists are in the nature of advances only. For the reasons explained in my previous reply to the hon. Member, no comparison can properly be made at present between the accounts for last quarter and for the corresponding period of last year.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that real hardship is being experienced by these chemists through their not being paid their bills?

That is a general statement. I cannot say whether it bears out the facts substantially.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Insurance Commissioners said two months ago that they hoped to settle it at an early date? Will he now define what is an early date?

The scrutiny is now proceeding.

The case of the chemists is very different from that of the doctors. The chemists are largely out of pocket.

If hon. Members insist on asking supplementary questions, those, hon. Members whose questions are late on the Paper cannot expect to get their questions answered in the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for the Committee stages of the two Bills amending the health and unemployment parts of the National Insurance Act not to be taken at the same time, so as to allow hon. Members who are interested in both these subjects an opportunity to take part in the discussions?

I will note the hon. Member's suggestion, and see what can be done with regard to it; but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement on the subject.

asked whether the draft arrears Regulations under the National Insurance Act will be laid upon the Table of the House; if not, whether they will be laid upon the Table as Provisional Regulations; and, if so, when?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Camlachie Division.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any progress has been made with the proposed revision of the Board's Regulations in the direction of removing the grievance recently illustrated in the case of the workmen employed by the Perth General Station Committee where the committee disputed their liability to contribute under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?

The matter to which my hon. Friend draws attention is one which requires careful consideration, but I hope very shortly to be able to come to a decision with regard to it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the local authorities which undertake the treatment of uninsured persons suffering from tuberculosis within their district, with the aid of the Hobhouse Grant, have power to provide for persons in receipt of domiciliary treatment the following among other articles of food, namely, milk, butter, eggs, bread, fish, and meat; and, if so whether he will state what Statute or Statutes give local authorities the power to make the above provision?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Treasury on this subject, and is not at present in a position to answer the question.

Am I to understand that no such form of domiciliary treatment is now being given?

The whole question is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in addition to the proposals outlined in his speech in introducing the Budget, he will consider the possibility of placing adequate institutional treatment at the disposal of insured persons as part of their medical benefit?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider the hon. Member's suggestion, though I would remind him that the provision of Grants in aid of the voluntary hospitals would necessarily raise the question of State control.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the salary of the chief engineer to the Post Office?

The engineer-in-chief to the Post Office is on a scale of pay rising from £1,000 to £1,200 by annual increments of £50.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate raising the status of the engineering department in view of the greatly increased responsibility of that department under the new telephone administration?

I have to submit all proposals for increases to the Treasury, and, while I should be very willing in certain cases to raise individual salaries, I am not quite sure whether I should be able to persuade my right hon. Friend in that Department to agree.

Does my right hon. Friend see the importance of attracting the very highest talent to these posts?

Yes, I do, and I am trying to persuade other people to that effect.

Is there not an immense amount of extra work thrown on the chief of the engineering department since the Report of the Committee on the engineering side?

I do not think that it is any greater than the increase of work and responsibility which has fallen on other departments of the Post Office in the last five or six years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to compensate those employés who will suffer loss owing to the change in the status of the Post Office at Newburgh, Fife?

No question of pecuniary loss or compensation arises. Positions in other offices are being found for the officers concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can furnish a list of all those countries which have established a parcels post and the respective rates in force in each?

I am not in possession of full information in all cases, but I have information respecting most of the principal countries, and I shall be happy to supply that to the hon. Member.

asked what is the minimum wage paid to postmen over twenty-one years of age employed full time in the county of Wiltshire?

If the hon. Member means a postman over twenty-one years of age but under twenty-two years of age, the minimum wage for Class V., the lowest class, in Wiltshire, as elsewhere, is 19s. a week.

asked what steps are being taken to improve the accommodation for the women staff at the Brighton head post office, regarding which inquiry was promised some months since; and, having regard to the fact that a large number of women season assistants have been added to the staff, whether anything can be done to expedite the provision of improved accommodation?

I regret that it will not be practicable to effect any improvement in the retiring accommodation for the women at Brighton head post office until the new sorting office and telephone exchange are completed and occupied. A site for the new building has been acquired, but it will not be possible to begin the building work in the current financial year.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to set up a special section of the Treasury, in accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, for the purpose of supervising and coordinating service conditions?

This recommendation will be carefully considered along with the other recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect to come to a decision before the end of the Session?

reply was inaudible in the Reporters' Gallery.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be willing to allot time for discussion of payment of Members on the Vote for the purpose if it can be proved that a considerable number of Members desire it?

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury on this subject on Tuesday last.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman stated repeatedly that he is willing to have a discussion in the event of both sides wishing it? Will not the right hon. Gentleman, in the circumstances, say that, if a considerable number of Members desire it he will agree?

I am only following the usual course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that various Members of the Opposition are finding it very hard to reconcile their practice with their professions outside the House?

What is the usual course?

That communication should pass through the ordinary channels.

What are the ordinary channels?

asked the Prime Minister when the Whitsuntide holiday will commence and on what date the House will reassemble; and whether, in view of the opinions expressed publicly and in private, he can see his way to giving a day for discussing the payment of Members of this House?

As regards the first part of the question, I will make a statement at the end of Questions. As regards the latter part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to what I have recently said on the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take this Vote, which has never been sanctioned by the people of the country, automatically and without discussion?

I am most anxious for it to be discussed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain what his supporters desire in this matter?

Is not the delay in giving a date for the discussion due to a reluctance to it on the part of the right hon. Gentleman's supporters?

Not the least. If a representation is made to me in the ordinary way by those who represent the Opposition, I will take care that the very first opportunity is given.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the decision of the Government not to take criminal proceedings against the persons involved in the recent illegal importation of arms into Ulster, a similar attitude is to be adopted towards women in this country who are charged with lawlessness in pursuit of political ends?

I do not think that the two cases are parallel.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not take into consideration alike the expediency and justice in the circumstances of the present time of making some concession to brave, determined women whose cause has been vindicated—

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

Arising out of the answer in regard to the alleged importation of arms, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give an assurance that there is no truth in the statement, which I have seen, that persons said to be responsible for the importation of these arms are going to figure prominently in the coming Birthday Honours List?

It would be contrary to public policy to make any statement on that question.

Is it not the case that in the first aspect of this matter a masterly inactivity is much preferable to an awkward activity?

Will the Prime Minister inform the House by what statutory or other authority he suspends part of the criminal law in Ireland at present?

The criminal law is not suspended in Ireland.

Why, then, have no prosecutions been instituted?

That is always a matter for the discretion of the Executive.

asked how much time it is proposed to give local authorities to collect and send in the necessary information in regard to roads situated in their respective areas required under the Budget proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

The Road Board issued to local authorities their directions about the proposed classification of roads on 30th April. Proposals have to be sent in by them as soon as possible. No final date can be fixed at present, but it is hoped that local authorities will make their proposals promptly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular of 30th April stated that particulars should be sent in by the 30th May, and is he aware that it is quite impossible for the local authorities to do what is requested in the time?