asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether any Treasury Minutes or Instructions exist at the present time forbidding or discouraging the holding by members of the Government, members of the Civil Service, and members of the judiciary, or any of them, of paid directorships in commercial or mining companies; if so, whether such extend to Scotland; whether special cases exist where Treasury sanction has been given to individuals to act otherwise; and, if so, to what individuals?

With regard to Ministers, the policy of the Government remains the same as that of their predecessors. With regard to Civil servants, Clause 17 of the Order in Council of the 10th January, 1910, which applies to all parts of the United Kingdom, prevents any officer from accepting any part in the management of any society or any trading, commercial, industrial, or financial firm or company which would require his attendance at any time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; the extent to which he may be allowed to participate in commercial activities outside those hours is a matter for the consideration of the head of his Department. With regard to the judiciary, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 8th March to a question by the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of a man and his wife who are assessed for Income Tax on their joint incomes, the man on his earned income and the wife on her income from rents and investments, an Income Tax surveyor, in breach of Section 33 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, which provides that the tax on the earned income shall be paid in two instalments, on 1st January and 1st June, is empowered to deprive the husband of his right to pay the tax in this manner, by appropriating for the payment of the whole amount of the husband's tax at the beginning of the year the difference between the 5s. in the £ deducted at the source from the wife's dividends and the 3s. 6d. in the £ for which, on the explicit admission of the Inland Revenue authori- ties, she is liable, and by this means to obtain six months before it is due payment of the second instalment of the husband's tax on his earned income; and whether, in these circumstances, an Income Tax surveyor is also empowered to insist under threat of distraint on the immediate payment by the husband of Property Tax at the rate of 5s. in the £ on the annual value of his freehold residence, though on the explicit admission of the Inland Revenue authorities he is only liable to taxation at the rate of 3s. 6d. in the £ on this account?

If my right hon. Friend will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have the matter investigated and communicate with him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the quantity of spirits taken into stock by the licensed houses in Carlisle from 1st April, 1914, to 31st March, 1915, and the quantity which has been taken into stock from 1st April, 1916, to 1st April, 1917?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in any compulsory system of food rationing, he will have regard to the fact that beer is made from grain and include beer as an item in the apportionment of grain foods?

No, Sir. The adoption of this suggestion is considered impracticable. The attempt in any scheme of compulsory rationing to make allowance for the food value of grain consumed in the form of beer by each individual beer drinker would render its administration too complicated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will now make a definite statement as to the keeping of dogs, so that owners of these animals may know whether they are to destroy them, or whether other food will be provided by the Controller, having regard to the fact that in accordance with instructions the manufacture of dog biscuits has ceased?

I will ask the hon. Member to await the statement on this matter which will be made this afternoon by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the names of the members of the Sugar Commission, including all agents and secretaries?

As I informed the House on Tuesday, the names of the members of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply are as follows:-

Lord Devonport, Chairman.

Sir H. W. Primrose, Vice-Chairman.

Sir R. P. Lyle.

Mr. H. Fountain.

Mr. Austin Taylor.

Mr. G. E. May.

Sir Joseph White Todd.

I was wrong in stating that Mr. May was connected with the Co-operative movement; he is, in fact, the Secretary to the Prudential Insurance Company, and acts as manager to the American Dollar Securities Committee. The sole secretary is Mr. C. S. Rewcastle. I cannot in reply to a question give a list of all the numerous agents employed by the Commission for various purposes both here and abroad.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the application of the Aran Isles Co-operative Fishing Society for a motor boat for fishing has had no attention; when it was received, when considered, and with what result: and, in view of the special importance of increasing the food supply this season, in what way and to what extent the Department propose to help this industry in the present season?

No such applications appears to have been received by the Department of Agriculture or the Congested Districts Board, but the Board will be prepared to consider any application which may be made. Several loans for various purposes have been made by the Congested Districts Board to the Aran Co-operative Society, but loans for boats in Aran have always been applied for and made to individual fishermen.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to a memorial from ship inspectors employed under the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland praying for an increase in their rate of pay and an extension of the time limit as to retirement at sixty years of age; is he aware that these Government employés only receive a wage of £1 per week, irrespective of a war bonus of 4s., notwithstanding the increased prices of the necessaries of life; when and why the Department ceased to pay these men in cases of illness; and, as many of these men have young families dependent on them, will he, without further delay, favourably consider their memorial which was forwarded about three months ago?

I have had the memorial under consideration. The pay is small but the inspectors are mostly police pensioners and have also the war bonus of 4s. per week. The Department of Agri- culture thinks that, having regard to the nature of the duties, the age limit for retirement ought not to be extended. The rule as to payment during illness is the same as that in the case of other public servants having the benefit of the National Insurance Act.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if merchant ships are effectively protected on entering or leaving a British port; and will he consider the advisability of adopting the same methods for the protection of merchant ships as are adopted for the protection of ships transporting troops?

Merchant shipping is as effectively protected against submarine attack as our resources in patrol vessels will admit. The whole question of affording protection to shipping is under the constant consideration of the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the conditions under which the bonus granted to inspectors of trades, foremen, senior draughts-men, etc., in the Royal dockyards are such that these officials have to work sixty hours per week before they are entitled to overtime; and, if so, are the meal hours included in the sixty?

Yes, Sir. The officials in reference have to work sixty hours a week before they are entitled to overtime. Meal times are not included in the sixty hours. The bonus is, of course, payable irrespective of this condition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the conditions obtaining in that part of Macedonia where British troops are engaged; and whether, having regard to the losses through sickness which were incurred by our Army in the Struma Valley last summer, he can state whether there is any prospect of the British Forces being moved to less malarial positions before the hot season commences?

I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest to give any information as to the part of Macedonia in which the troops are engaged. In regard to the question of malaria, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 23rd April to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War which article in the "Nation" of 10th March was quoted by the German wireless, and on what date?

The extracts quoted in the German wireless were from an article in the issue of 3rd March, but were assigned by the author of the wireless message to the issue of the 10th.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any proposals have been agreed upon with reference to the specially-enlisted clerks in military departments in Dublin; whether the agreements signed by these men and by Government representatives will be respected; and if he is aware that these men have received notices of compulsory transfer to Line regiments?

These men were enlisted for general service, and their transfer to combatant units is made under the Army (Transfers) Act, 1915; no question of the Military Service Acts, therefore, arises. Instructions have been issued for the transfers to be carried out.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers recalled from the front for special service in munition inventions, explosives, and supplies do not receive promotion; and whether, seeing that their exceptional qualifications call for special recognition, he will issue instructions so that they may qualify for promotion at least as quickly as if they had been kept at their posts at the front?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend's suggestion is impracticable. No promotion can be given by the military authorities to an officer except when performing military duties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the promise that promotion in the Royal Garrison Artillery would be attended to has been unintentionally overlooked; whether he is aware that the seniority and distribution lists show that several hundred captains in the Royal Garrison Artillery are senior in date to majors in the Royal Field Artillery; whether he is aware that there was a distinct promise when the branches were first separated that this discriminating promotion should not take place, but both branches be treated on a corresponding footing; and when it is intended to carry out the promise he himself gave a few weeks ago?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent-ford. I hope that a decision will shortly be reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the heroism displayed by the members of the Royal Flying Corps, he will arrange for reports of aerial engagements to be published in greater detail, together with the names of the officers and men distinguishing themselves therein?

The reports of combats in the air are supplied by the officers and men who have been engaged in them, and are remarkable for their brevity. When such actions are considered by the Commander-in-Chief to be worthy of reward, short accounts are published, and it would be difficult to amplify those. With regard to the second part of the question, I may remind my hon. Friend that, as pointed out in a reply given by the Financial Secretary to the War Office on the 13th of July, 1916, those actions which appeal to the public are not necessarily the most commendable, and only the Commander- in-Chief is in a position to judge in what cases the names of those participating should be made public.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether he is aware that a schedule of prices agreeable to the wholesale merchants, retail dealers, and consumers has been submitted to the Army Forage Committee by the British Hay Traders' Association; whether he is aware that the Army Council refuses to consult the British Hay Traders' Association, whilst recognised members of the wheat, wool, and potato traders are so consulted; whether, in view of the situation contemplated, two such recognised members of the trade will be called into consultation without delay with a view to avoiding the stoppage of so vital and important an industry; whether a duly recognised member of the British Hay Traders' Association will be appointed on the Forage Committee forthwith; (2) whether he is aware of the unrest amongst the hay, straw, and chop merchants of the country and the contemplated stoppage of their trading in consequence of the Army Council Orders of 27th February, 1917, and 14th March, 1917, governing the selling prices of hay, straw, and chop, respectively; whether he is aware that the last-named Order prohibits the sale of chopped hay and straw at a price not more than that of chopped hay and straw, when its manufacture involves an additional expense of fully 32s. 6d. per ton; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

One of the largest hay dealers in the country is, and has been for some time, a member of the Forage Committee. The points brought forward by the Hay Traders' Association were discussed at a special meeting of the Forage Committee on Tuesday last, when three members deputed by the Association attended. These points are being considered by the Forage Committee at the present time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, when a soldier is liable under a magistrate's order to pay 5s. per week for the support of an illegitimate child, the Army authorities refuse to stop more than 2s. 4d. out of his pay; if so, what are the reasons for such refusal; and whether the child must in such cases become dependent on the Poor Law authorities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 145, Sub-section (2), of the Army Act, which governs the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the price of conversion of wool tops into worsted yarn for military clothing, giving the details of quality and spinning counts, and also the average price of the same tops and yarns in the past two pre-war years?

I regret that it is impossible to supply a general answer to this question within the limits of a Parliamentary answer. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the counts and qualities of yarn for which he requires this information, I will cause further inquiries to be made and will communicate the result to him in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now state the scale of prices fixed for this season's Irish wool-clip?

It is hoped that the 1917 price list for Irish wool will be published in the course of the next week. It is now being considered by the Irish Advisory Committee on Wool Purchase.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that soldiers were allotted to work at the Greenside lead mine, Glenridding-on-Ullswater; will he state what pay they received; whether some of them requested to be removed; and, if so, how many were removed, and for what reason; how many remain; and whether the net wage in any case is less than the National Service minimum?

No information on this subject has reached the War Office, but I am calling for a report, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether his attention has been called to the wages earned at the Green-side lead mine, Glenridding-on-Ullswater; whether the system in operation is one under which skilled men may at the end of a week's work actually be in debt to the employing company; and whether he can state whether any and, if so, what proportion of skilled and ordinary labour, respectively, is receiving an average net wage less than the National Service minimum?

I have no information about the mine in question. If my hon. Friend would furnish me with particulars of the matters in complaint, I will see whether there is anything which I can do, though I have, of course, no power to fix wages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the disused shower bath in Dartmoor Prison is only utilised for disciplinary purposes; whether the men placed in it are watched by the prison doctor until in a state of collapse; whether he is aware that a person placed in this receptacle cannot move; whether he is aware that this apparatus was in use in February this year; and whether he will take steps to prevent further recourse to this form of punishment?

This old shower bath is not used for disciplinary purposes, and, so far as is known, never was so used. It has not been used at all for at least seventeen years. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will let me know the authority on which the statements referred to in his question are based and such particulars as will make it possible to ascertain whether they are due to some misapprehension or to a wilful misrepresentation of facts.

asked the Home Secretary what are the present rations, distinguishing each meal, of the inmates of Colney Hatch and other asylums; and how do they compare with the scale of dietary before the War?

There is no, standard dietary applicable to all asylums. The Visiting Committee is responsible for settling the dietary at each asylum. For the London asylums, of which Colney Hatch is one, a standard dietary has been laid down, but latitude of choice and variation is allowed in certain items, not only in peace time but still more so at present, according to the available supplies. I am informed by the Board of Control that at Colney Hatch the quantity of meat per patient per week now used is 1 lb. 3 ozs., and of flour 3 lbs. 1½ oz. (including any special provision for the sick, etc.). As regards other asylums, on the information before them the Board of Control have every reason to think that the dietaries have generally been brought within the limitations imposed by the Food Controller, and that substitutes for bread are being used on the lines suggested by him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue as a White Paper the Report by Sir John Anderson on the inquiry made by him into the recent disturbances in Ceylon and the allegations arising in connection therewith?

Sir John Anderson undertook to investigate any cases brought to his notice in which it was alleged that persons had suffered injustice in connection with the riots, but he has not furnished a comprehensive report on all his investigations, nor do I propose to ask him to do so. He has sent me reports on a number of individual cases, but I do not propose to publish them.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether a circular has been issued by his Department purporting to give a list of paper mills using waste paper; if so, what inquiries were made to secure completeness in the list; and whether he is aware that the names of many mills now seeking waste paper for re-pulping are omitted?

The information given in the circular was supplied by the Paper Makers' Association to the Royal Commission on Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total dead-weight tonnage of cargo which it is estimated will be excluded from the United Kingdom during the year 1917 by the direct operation of the Orders in Council promulgated since the beginning of December, 1916, to 27th April, 1917?

The restrictions embodied in the consolidated Proclamation of 30th March (which is the last that has been issued) are estimated to produce a saving of imports rising from 500,000 to 1,000,000 tons a month, in accordance with the possibility of obtaining certain essential products in increasing quantities in this country.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the Canals Control Committee have any authority or power to take any steps that may be necessary to ensure the immediate utilisation of the Kennett and Avon Canal for heavy goods traffic; and, if not, what is the nature of and purpose of the consideration they are giving to the subject?

The Canals Control Committee have no statutory powers in regard to the Kennett and Avon Canal, but they are concerned with the utilisation of canals and can without statutory authority consider and make recommendations on the subject of the utilisation of the Kennett and Avon Canal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller. whether the Shipping Controller is aware of the wasteful use of a British steamer by a Government Department in occupying some 24 days in loading some 3,400, tons of sisal hemp, while she could have loaded some 7,000 tons of maize or other foodstuffs in a neighbouring port in a fourth of this time; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

It is perfectly true that a certain ship has been used to lift a cargo largely consisting of sisal hemp. This was done because, at the time she discharged her owner's cargo, she was on the spot where the hemp was ready for shipment, and the material was most urgently required.

asked whether the Shipping Controller is aware that British steamers of large capacity are engaged in carrying cargoes of hay from the United States to Mediterranean ports; and whether he can arrange for some of these ships to be diverted from this service to bring foodstuffs to the United Kingdom?

It is perfectly true that certain British steamships have been employed to carry hay from America to the Mediterranean. This was done to meet the urgent need of one of our Expeditionary Forces. With regard to the last part of the question, arrangements have been made to divert these ships to other services, as different arrangements have been made which were not possible at one time. I may add that the ships in question actually carried large quantities of steel in addition to the hay.

asked whether all British steamers without exception running in regular lines have been requisitioned by the Shipping Controller at Blue Book rates; whether, in those cases where some of the steamers are permitted to run in their regular trades under the management of their owners, all earnings or profits over Blue Book rates go to the Government; and whether all British tramp steamers are requisitioned and kept on requisition at Blue Book rates?

All the main lines have now been requisitioned under terms which bring the individuals upon hire on a Blue Book basis on the termination of a specified voyage; the answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the last part of the question, the great majority of ocean-going tramps have been requisitioned, but in some cases full requisition is not practicable, e.g., where a vessel has been bought and transferred from a neutral flag under pledge of immunity from requisition at Blue Book rates.

asked whether the Shipping Controller is aware that British merchant steamers are, and have been, engaged in carrying full cargoes of straw and hay from ports in France to Salonika; and whether he can divert any of these vessels to the service of carrying food for the Army in France and the people in this country?

I think my hon. Friend will see on consideration that the British and other Expeditionary Forces must be supplied not only with food, but with fodder, and, with regard to the particular shipments of hay and straw referred to which were made by the French authorities, the best possible arrangements were made. As the ships in question are in the French War Service, being part of the tonnage lent to France to enable our Ally to carry on the War, it is not possible at present to divert them in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a man registered at Bournemouth as a National Volunteer was interviewed at the local Employment Exchange on 22nd February but not placed in work until six weeks had elapsed, when he was sent to Paisley to do work to which he was unaccustomed and which could easily have been done by men already in the district; will he say if six weeks may be taken as the average period required to place a man in work after enrolment; whether the Director-General of National Service has laid it down as an essential part of this scheme that men are not to be transferred from one district to another if there are already men in the district equally capable of doing the work; and, if so, will he explain why the Bournemouth man was sent to Paisley, a distance of 500 miles?

The hon. Member has been good enough to supply me privately with the name of the National Service Volunteer referred to in the question. I have ascertained that he was interviewed at the Employment Exchange at Bournemouth on 22nd February, that particulars with regard to him were submitted, unsuccessfully, to an employer at Woolwich on 15th March, and to an employer at Paisley on 27th March. He was accepted by the latter employer, and travelled to Paisley on 5th April. The employment was as a foundry labourer. The volunteer had asked to be submitted for employment as a labourer in a munitions factory, and in view of the fact that the employer at Paisley was prepared to engage inexperienced men, provided that they were willing to undertake the work and of fair physical fitness, the volunteer in question was sent to Paisley. After he had worked for two days as a foundry labourer it was agreed between the employer and the volunteer that he was not fit physically to continue upon the work, and the firm arranged for him to be transferred to lighter work in their establishment. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in meeting the demands for foundry labourers at Paisley, and every effort has been made to obtain suitable labour, whether National Service Volunteers or not, from the immediate neighbourhood. As it proved impossible to do so, it became necessary to draw the labour required from a distance. With regard to the period required to place a National Service Volunteer in employment, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question by him on this subject on the 19th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of the staff engaged in the War Trade Department?

The clerical staff engaged in the War Trade Department is as follows: The total number of established Civil servants is sixty-three, and the temporary staff is 742. The messenger staff is entirely temporary and the number is sixty-nine.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the complaints made to the Scottish Board of Agriculture of the number of young lambs which have been killed in the Highlands by starving dogs; and whether anything has been, or will be, done to deal with this state of matters?

I understand that Skye is the only Highland district from which the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have received such complaints. The proper remedy would seem to be for the County Council of Inverness to apply to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Dogs Act, 1906, to issue an Order requiring owners of dogs to keep them under control from sunset to sunrise.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in connection with the Early Closing Order issued last week, he will consider the advisability of excepting from that Order coast resort towns, the trade of which is entirely seasonal and lasting only for a few months of the year, in view of the fact that these towns have already been so heavily affected by the War and by the Admiralty restrictions of steamer traffic?

I see great difficulty in making any special exception in this matter, and I have not received any statement from towns of the class referred to explaining the grounds on which it is sought.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the Government is taking advantage of the fact that one ship of the Zeeland line per week has been guaranteed a safe passage by the Germans to repatriate those civilian prisoners of forty-five and over, the mutual exchange of whom has been agreed to by the German and British Governments?

In the event of any regular passenger service to Holland being established, it is proposed to take advantage of it as occasion offers for the purpose mentioned in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted as to the legality of the action of the Commissioners of National Education in seeking to deprive national teachers appointed to the magistracy of the powers of adjudicating; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Law Officers have been consulted in regard to the matter. I am advised that I have no power to intervene.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the amount paid in the year 1913 in each county and urban district in Ireland for the preparation of the voters' lists, the officers engaged in this work, and the amounts paid to each?

This information could only be obtained by the expenditure of much labour and money, and I am not ready, as at present advised, to order a Return. If the hon. Member desires information as regards any particular county or urban district I will obtain it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, on the 8th of August, 1911, the Estates Commissioners stated that they had noted the case of Mrs. Malone, Dingle, for consideration as an evicted tenant in the allotment of such untenanted land as they may acquire; whether on several occasions since they have repeated this promise; whether they have on several occasions sent inspectors under the Evicted Tenants Act who personally confirmed this promise; and will he explain why now, after so many years of delay and disappointment, they refuse to do anything?

In August, 1911, the Estates Commissioners had noted Mrs. Malone's name for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners might acquire, but it was ascertained that her husband had been ejected on title, and the Commissioners, after consideration of the facts, decided to take no action upon her application for reinstatement. Mrs. Malone was also a grazing tenant on part of the lands of Lough on the estate of the Trustees of the Irish Society, and the Estates Commissioners promised to consider her case if they acquired these lands. The Commissioners, however, were unable to acquire the Lough lands, and there are no negotiations now pending for their sale.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board (1) whether he will send an inspector to investigate the housing situation in the Middle Ward of Lanark; whether he will instruct the inspector to inquire into the threatened evictions in that part of Scotland; and since the persons affected are engaged in the mining industry and if evicted from their houses will be unable to follow their employment, he will take steps to avert the serious situation which may arise; (2) whether he is aware of the housing difficulties that have arisen at Lanarkshire, in Scotland, owing to a considerable number of tenants having been warned to leave their houses because owners and factors have sold, and are selling, these houses on condition that certain prices are paid for them at once and a bond granted for the remainder; and whether, in view of the housing shortage in that part of Scotland and the hardship that will be inflicted on many families and the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act, he will take steps to have the matter immediately inquired into?

I am aware that housing difficulties have arisen in Lanarkshire, but I have no information as to the alleged action in regard to the eviction of tenants. I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain doctors in Cheshire contemplate taking drastic action owing to the failure on the part of the local insurance committee to pay the balance due in respect of 1915; and whether he can explain the reason for the delay in making payment of remuneration earned?

The only amount outstanding between the Cheshire Insurance Committee and the doctors in that county is the small sum of about £50 for the whole county, and that is in respect of temporary residents. The main settlement for 1915 was effected by the Insurance Committee on 4th November last.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the case of one Charles Stewart, who was tendered as a witness at the hearing of a prosecution at Clydebank Police Court on the 12th March last, and who claimed to make an affirmation instead of taking an oath; whether he is aware that this witness was ordered by the magistrate to stand down and was not allowed to make an affirmation as he claimed to do, and that at the close of the proceedings he was brought to the bar of the Court and was informed by the magistrate that he had been guilty of contempt of Court and that his case would be reported to the burgh fiscal; and under what power the magistrate acted in taking this course?

My attention has been drawn to this case, and I have caused inquiries to be made. The information before me is that the witness, although given the opportunity of doing so, did not avail himself of either of the statutory grounds provided by the Oaths Act, 1888, on which he might have been entitled to give his evidence on affirmation. These grounds are (1) that the witness has no religious belief, and (2) that to take the oath is contrary to his religious belief. The Court accordingly refused to take his evidence, and at the close of the proceedings intimation was made to him that the incident would be reported to the Burgh Prosecutor, in terms of Section 36 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1908.