asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to fill the vacancy for a junior clerk, lower section, in the Statistical Office, Customs and Excise; whether he can state the reason for delaying the nomination; and whether it is the intention to nominate a member of the Statistical Office staff for the vacancy, having regard to the statements of the chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise before the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, in reply to Questions 14,148 and 14,154 as to the recruitment for junior clerkships?

It is proposed to fill this vacancy, but I am not yet in a position to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. James F. O'Donnell, J.P., Burton-port, who for the past three years has been elected by the Glenties Rural District Council as delegate, under Clause 18 of the Burtonport Railway Extension Order, 1898, to attend and vote at the general meetings of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company, has not been summoned to attend any such meetings; whether the Board of Works can under their agreement with the company take any steps in the matter; whether the company is exempted from county rating; and, if so, upon what grounds?

I am informed that the appointment of Mr. J. F. O'Donnell, J.P., as a delegate to represent the Glenties Rural District Council for the past three years under Clause 18 of the Burtonport Railway Extension Order, 1898, to attend and vote at the general meetings of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company has not been notified to the Board of Works. The Board have no power to compel the railway company to summon a delegate. Clause 13 of the Tramways Order in Council (Ireland) (Londonderry and Lough Swilly (Letter-kenny to Burtonport Extension) Railway) Confirmation Act, 1898, provided that the Burtonport line should not be assessed for local rates at a higher rate than the lands upon which the line was constructed for the first ten years after it was opened. I understand that the question of an extension of that period is at present under the consideration of the Irish Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that builders' labourers in the building works Department, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, are receiving one halfpenny per hour less for their labour than outside employers are paying; and will he see this complaint is removed?

This is being adjusted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the actuary has yet reported on the Irish Constabulary Force Fund; if so, whether a copy of the Report will be supplied to each pensioners' association which forwarded a memorial calling for the winding-up of the fund; whether the actuary has ascertained the amount of reduction of staff and expenditure in the Constabulary Office, Dublin Castle, which the winding-up of the fund would render possible; whether he is aware that any opposition to the winding-up of the fund is the result of canvassing among the subscribers done by members of that staff whose functions in connection with the fund a winding-up would bring to an end; and whether he is willing to receive a deputation from the All-Ireland committee of subscribers before making his promised statement with reference to this fund?

The actuary has not yet reported upon the question referred to him, but I understand that his investigation has reached an advanced stage and that the Report may be expected shortly. The inspector-general informs me that the suggestion that the opposition to the winding-up of the fund is the result of canvassing the subscribers by members of the staff of the Constabulary Office is absolutely without foundation. Any communication from-the committee referred to will be carefully considered, but no useful purpose would be served by receiving a deputation on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that in some cases reduced fees ranging from 1d. to 6d. are charged on trunk calls in connection with which no effective conversation has been enjoyed; and whether he proposes to take any steps to abolish such charges?

I am glad to say that I am now in a position to abolish the charges to which my hon. Friend refers. I may add that, in connection with that concession, I propose also to introduce a system of following up trunk calls which cannot be effected at the first attempt, owing to inattention on the part of either of the subscribers, or to any other cause which is apparently of temporary duration. Under this system endeavours will be made by the telephonist at short intervals to effect the call so long as the originating subscriber desires that this shall be done, and no charge will be made unless the call is duly effected. I propose to bring the new arrangements into operation on the 1st of next month, without waiting for the general revision of telephone charges which, as the House is aware, I have now under consideration.