asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any preparations of cocoa have been imported into the United Kingdom since the Royal Proclamation prohibiting such imports, dated 23rd February, was issued; if so, from what countries have such imports been received; and why His Majesty's Commissioners of Customs and Excise have discontinued supplying information relating to such imports to British manufacturers?

No preparations of cocoa imported since the 23rd February have been admitted into the United Kingdom for home use except under licence or other authority from the Board of Trade. I do not think it would be desirable to publish the information asked for in the second part of the question. As to the third part, I would refer to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Islington on the 26th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that quantities of potatoes are being produced by private growers who have no means for, and no knowledge of, the proper method of storage of their surplus stocks; and if he will arrange to have such stocks taken over either by purchase outright from or on account of the growers for use during the period when no potatoes can be grown?

The storage of stocks of potatoes throughout the winter is simple. It is usually effected by utilising a small portion of the ground in which they were grown. The grower must, of course, cover them with straw and soil to protect them against frost. It is not in contemplation to take over the small stocks of private growers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will make it compulsory for wholesale traders or other persons who supplied retailers in 1915 to continue to supply their 1915 customers in preference to new customers?

I have been asked to reply. If the hon. Member will specify the commodities to which he refers I will consider the suggestion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will see that persons undergoing sentences for political offences in Ireland under the Defence of the Realm Regulations will be released?

The decision in each case must depend on the facts of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether he is aware that a memorial signed by 650 members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police was recently forwarded to the Chief Commissioner asking for the reinstatement of the five members of that force who were dismissed last year and who had been acting as officers of an organisation established by the men to secure better pay and conditions of service; that the Chief Commissioner has declined to accede to the request of these men, the reason given being that four of the men took part in what was described as disgraceful exhibitions; if one of the men was dismissed before this alleged demonstration took place and the other four men were penalised, being transferred at their own expense to other stations, to which they drove on an outside car and reported themselves at these stations in accordance with the regulations; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst members of the force owing to the treatment accorded to these men, the feeling being that the five men, who were Catholics, were dismissed because they called meetings of the men to be held in the Hibernian Hall; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (2) whether he is aware that a series of meetings of members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police was held recently in Dublin and was attended by over 700 of the men; that resolutions were passed at these meetings asking the Government to rein-state the five members of the force who had been dismissed, or to grant a sworn inquiry in order to give the dismissed constables an opportunity of justifying their actions, to inquire into the treatment of the men generally, and also into the disappearance of certain looted property which was recovered after the rebellion and handed over to certain officers in Store Street station; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the meetings suggested in the question, and such meetings if held would transgress the regulations which govern the Dublin Metropolitan Police as a disciplined force. Representations on behalf of certain members of the force who were dismissed for a serious breach of discipline were received by the Chief Commissioner, but the facts of the case are clear and no inquiry is therefore necessary. The question with regard to looted property has been fully answered to the hon. Member on a previous occasion. If the hon. Member has information on which he considers himself justified in making a specific charge against some member or members of the police and will communicate it to me I will submit the facts to my legal advisers. Unless he has such information I deprecate the publication of general insinuations against police officers which give the men attacked by the hon. Member no chance of defending themselves.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police at the beginning of the War, respectively; the dates and amount of any increase since, either by way of improved pay or bonus; and the total pay of each force at the present time?

The detailed figures asked for cannot conveniently be given within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question. I will circulate a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement above referred to:

The annual maximum pay of constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary before the War was £72 16s. In October, 1914, it was raised to £80 12s., and the last increase, which dates from 1st April, 1916, brought their pay up to £88 8s. per annum. In addition a war bonus was granted from 1st July, 1916, to all constables of 3s. 6d. a week, and was increased from 4th June, 1917, to 5s. 6d. a week, with additions for married men of is. 6d. per week for wife and 1s. per week for each child under fifteen years of age maintained at home.

The total estimated pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, exclusive of war bonus, is £847,647.

As regards the Dublin Metropolitan Police, the maximum pay of a constable before the War was 30s. a week. This pay was increased, as from 1st October, 1914, to a maximum of 33s. per week, and, as from the 29th December, 1916, to a maximum of 36s. per week. A war bonus of 3s. 6d. per week was granted to constables, Dublin Metropolitan Police, as from 1st July, 1916, and was increased as from 4th June, 1917, to 5s. 6d. per week, with like additional allowances for wives and children as in the case of constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The total estimated pay of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, exclusive of war bonus, is £116,236.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to complaints made by a number of traders in and around the town of Boyle, in the county Roscommon, that the merchants with whom they are in the habit of dealing have refused to provide them with their proper proportion of beer and porter that these merchants are supplied themselves from the brewers with quantities based upon the amounts given to them when they were supplying these traders; and what action he intends to take in these cases?

My right hon. Friend has received the complaints referred to and is having inquiries made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give any information regarding the recovery of the body of Mr. Henry James Maddock, telegraphist on His Majesty's ship "Vanguard"; and whether any inquiry is to be held into the cause of the ship's destruction?

No report as to the recovery of the body of the late Henry James Maddock, telegraphist, has been received at the Admiralty. As I stated yesterday, in a reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford, a full inquiry is being held in connection with the loss of this vessel.

asked the Prime Minister whether a convention has now been made with the Russian Government under the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Act, 1917, whereby all Russian subjects in this country between the ages of eighteen and forty-one become liable for service either in the Russian or in the British Army; whether those who elect to join the British Army have the same rights of appeal as British subjects; whether special tribunals will be set up for dealing with their appeals; and whether, if these appeals are dealt with by existing tribunals, arrangements will be made for placing Jewish representatives on the tribunals in cases affecting Russian Jews?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. It is proposed to set up a special local tribunal for London. Some special arrangements may also be necessary at some other places where there are large numbers of Russian subjects.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what action has been taken arising out of the case of James Brightmore?

The letters from the War Office giving effect to the decisions would hardly have reached those concerned by now, and I, therefore, would ask my hon. Friend to put down the question again.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether a man holding a valid certificate of exemption under the Military Service Acts, 1916, is not liable to be called up by the Army authorities for a medical examination during the currency of his certificate, except in the case of a man who has never been examined and classified by an Army medical board; whether in this respect an attested man is on the same footing as a conscripted man; and if he will state in which Army Council Instructions these rulings are embodied?

1. It has come to notice that some misapprehension exists as to the scope and effect of Defence of the Realm Regulation 45 C (printed overleaf), the terms of which should be carefully studied, and it is to be noted that power is given to examine only the following classes of persons—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of a soldier who was called up while an apprentice and with some years of his apprenticeship unexpired and who after serving two years at the front is incapable or too old to complete his apprenticeship, there is any power possessed by the War Office or otherwise of compelling the employer to return a corresponding portion of the premium paid in respect of the unexpired portion of the period of apprenticeship?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the somewhat similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Medway Division on the 14th February, 1917.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a private soldier acting as cook for a first-line transport regiment is entitled to any pay in addition to the pay allowed him as a private soldier while in England and while in France; and, if so, how much extra in each case?

A cook is entitled to no extra pay from public funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether John Frederick Clarke, of 82A, Wellington Street, Burton-on-Trent, a conscientious objector, at present in Newcastle Prison, has recently made application to be allowed to undertake work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, and has received no reply to his application; and whether, in view of Clarke's delicate health, steps will be taken to secure his discharge from prison and employment under the Committee?

This man declined to accept the conditions of the investigation of his case by the Central Tribunal, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given in connection with a similar case to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 17th instant. I have decided that in future the case of a man who, having refused to work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors afterwards changes his mind and applies for leave to work under that Committee shall be considered by that Committee, and accordingly this case, and the case mentioned by the hon. Member for Blackburn, will be referred to that Committee for investigation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegraphists enlisted for the War signed on the understanding that they were to receive full civil pay plus annual increments; whether a promise that learners who had completed two years' service were to be appointed at the expiry of two years was made; whether Mr. P. N. George, a learner, who enlisted from T.S. in May, 1915, signed a paper to the effect that his full civil pay plus increments would be continued; and whether he has now completed two years' service and is entitled to an appointment on the establishment?

Post Office learners serving with the Colours are not appointed to the establishment as telegraphists during their absence, even if the period of two years normally served in the capacity of learner expires. Consequently Mr. P. M. George has no claim to receive the increments of civil pay proper to the telegraphists' class so long as he is in the Army. On return to civil life he will be placed in the same position as regards pay as if he had been established in due course. I am not aware that he signed any paper promising him the pay of the telegraphists' class.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the provision in the Representation of the People Bill granting the vote to soldiers, it is proposed to consider the advisability of amending Army Regulations to permit of the fullest exercise of political rights by men in military service?

My hon. Friend the Secretary of State is referring this matter to the War Cabinet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what provision has been made for the transport of the sick and wounded in Mesopotamia since the disclosures in the Report; whether there are suitable motor ambulances, launches, and hospital ships, with shallow draught, for use on the Tigris and Euphrates; is there ice-making machinery for the hospitals from Basra to our furthest point, about sixty miles north of Bagdad; and what means of locomotion is provided for the medical officers who require to visit the hospitals and different stations?

My hon. and gallant Friend's question raises points which cannot suitably be dealt with by means of question and answer, but I am collecting the desired information, and I shall be happy to show it to him when it is ready.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction existing in the Army because of soldiers having to salute German officers; and if he intends to take action in the matter?

I am not aware that soldiers have been required to salute German officers. If my hon. Friend has any information I shall be happy to in-inquire into the matter, if he will be good enough to furnish me with the necessary material.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state approximately the number of noncommissioned officers and men who have been serving in the forward areas in France and Belgium over eighteen months without leave; and whether any effort is being made to remedy the state of affairs which at present obtains in this respect, so as to bring matters into some more reasonable approach to conformity with the privileges accorded to Staff officers, administrative officers, and chaplains?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether barrack labourers employed in barrack departments in Ireland are entitled to the war bonus of 5s. per week from the 1st January last; if he is aware that the labourers of this department in some parts of Ireland have not received this bonus; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

No general bonus of 5s. has been approved for barrack labourers in Ireland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in certain district command pay offices there are delays, often extending to many months, in the payment of accounts, and that embarrassment is thereby caused to suppliers; whether, considering that similar delays do not occur where accounts are settled in London, there is any reason for their existence in the case of district commands; and whether he will take measures to ensure that prompt payment be made in all cases, either by the application of administrative discipline to the district pay offices or by the transfer of their work to London?

Inquiry is being made into the cases of which the hon. Member has given me particulars, and I will communicate further with him as to the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the purchasing officer of the War Office is now commandeering for the duration of the War from farmers in the Hassocks district of Sussex wagons and light trolleys for the purpose of carting hay to the station from the balers working for the War Office, and that the result of such action is to leave the farmers with no, or insufficient, means of gathering his harvest; and, if so, whether he will direct the purchasing officer to get the wagons and light trolleys from other sources than farmers, and preferably from the stock of Army wagons now stored at Aldershot?

A few wagons have been hired in the district referred to by mutual agreement. I am informed that there has been no commandeering.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the amount standing to the credit of the British Expeditionary Force canteen-funds at 31st December, 1916, and the amount at 31st March, 1917; and how suck balances are to be eventually utilised?

A statement of the cash, balances of the Expeditionary Force canteens on the dates mentioned would not convey a correct impression of the financial position of the organisation. Such balances represent the working capital. Large sums have been expended on supplies in hand for the canteens, and until the close of the affairs of the organisation it will be impossible to state with any degree of accuracy the amount of surplus funds, as there are contingent liabilities, the extent of which cannot at present be determined, including war risks by land and sea. Any surplus fund in hand at the liquidation of the affairs of the organisation will be devoted to the general welfare of the soldier under the Orders of the Army Council, and in such manner as they, in their absolute discretion, may think fit. Certain sums, amounting to £15,000, have been handed over to the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief for the provision of recreational training.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why non-commissioned officers of the permanent staff of the Army Pay Corps serving in Ireland have been passed over for promotion to acting regimental sergeant-majors since the outbreak of the War; and if this system is to continue as regards the Irish offices in view of the fact that recently five junior men in English offices have received these appointments, and in some cases promotions?

The suggestion that promotion is affected by the locality of the pay office is entirely unfounded, and in point of fact non-commissioned officers serving in Ireland have been promoted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the present scale of pay of cable censors at Malta; and if he will further state where any changes have been made in the scales of pay and, if so, when; and what office or official is vested with authority for the appointment of cable censors and of fixing rates of pay?

"Where Imperial Military Officers are employed on censorship duties outside the United Kingdom and Channel Islands they receive normally regimental rates plus acting staff pay as under:

In other cases the pay of the censorship personnel is fixed by the local authorities with due regard to the hours of employment and extra labour involved."

Subject to these rules, cable censors at Malta are appointed and their rates of pay fixed by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that public meetings have been held in Dublin protesting against the delay of the War Office in establishing the examining and receiving depot in Dublin; and whether, in view of the fact that it would be more convenient and economical to all parties concerned, he will take measures to have the repeated promises carried into effect?

I have seen a report of the meeting referred to, but I fear I am not in a position to make any further statement at the present moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the purchase of horses for Army purposes in the North of Ireland; and will he give the names of those responsible for these purchases and state why purchases are made only from certain dealers, others being debarred from showing horses for purchase by the military authorities?

Purchases in the North of Ireland are made from leading dealers, men of good repute who have served the Department well for many years. The purchases are carried out by one of the Inspectors of Remounts, assisted by an officer of the Belfast Remount Depot.

asked the Minister of Munitions if, in connection with the abolition of leaving certificates, he will consider the desirability of making an exception in the case of electrical undertakings, as the loss of skilled and technical men may result in shutting down some of these undertakings and the consequent stoppage of the supply of electrical energy to munitions factories?

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the importance of protecting electrical undertakings against loss of men. This aspect of the matter will be borne in mind in the consideration of any Amendment to Section (7) of the Munitions of War Act, 1915.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that only a cursory examination was made at Ballycony; whether he is aware that operations were carried on up to about forty years ago and were discontinued mainly owing to the low price of lead at that time; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the advisability of having a thorough examination and borings made to find out if there is still a supply of lead to be had, so as to utilise the buildings and plant connected with this mine?

A complete examination would entail the systematic clearance of the old workings, which are in a ruinous state. The Minister is informed that production ceased in 1846, and that the subsequent operations were the smelting of ores brought from elsewhere. The labour which would be necessary for a complete examination would be employed with much better chances of success at other places which are under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Government, at the instance of the Ministry of Munitions, supplied a list of names of the Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners willing to act as police in munition factories; and whether he will state the number of names upon this list and the number to which employment was given?

A list of names of pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are willing to accept employment in policing munition factories has been forwarded to the Ministry of Munitions. I am informed that the Minister of Munitions hopes arrangements will be made for the employment of the applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will arrange for some machinery to be set up in India whereby genuine objectors to vaccination could be exempted from me provisions of the compulsory law, as in England, Scotland, and Wales, and injustice and the consequent soreness be avoided?

The Secretary of State will refer the hon. Member's question to the Government of India for their consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will remind the Governments of the various provinces of the policy of the Government of India, in the matter of vaccination, to have regard for the susceptibilities of the people and consideration for the feelings, and even for the prejudices, of the minority, who might view a compulsory act with apprehension?

The hon. Member's suggestion will be referred to the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that four educated natives of Hyderabad (Sind) and Karachi have refused to have their children vaccinated and are now threatened with prosecution; whether one of these men, Parsram Bherumal, sent a petition to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India on 3rd November, 1916, setting forth clearly his objections to vaccination; whether Lalchand A. Jagtiani, assistant master at the new high school, Karachi, sent an appeal to the city magistrate, Karachi, setting forth his religious, humanitarian, and scientific objections to vaccination, and asking for a favourable interpretation of the Karachi Vaccination Act of 1879 in his case, since this allows reasonable ground for refusing vaccination; whether other Sind anti-vaccinists have been exempted from the requirements of the compulsory Vaccination Act on the interposition of the India Office; and whether these men will be treated in like manner?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to his question, No. 114, on to-day's Order Paper.—[ See Question and Answer below. ]

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will obtain copies of the correspondence which has passed between the Commissioner in Sind and the Government of Bombay respecting the prosecution of opponents of vaccination in Hyderabad and Karachi; whether this correspondence reveals the fact that two masters at the new high school, Karachi, were forced to give up their posts at the school because they would not submit their children to vaccination; whether the Commissioner in Sind intends to resort to similar measures against two of the present masters at this school, who entertain the same views as regards vaccination; and whether he will call the attention of the Commissioner in Sind to the fact that the policy of the Government has always been to have regard to the prejudices of the people in such matters, and more especially the religious objections they may entertain against vaccination and similar procedure?

The Secretary of State's attention has already been called to these cases by the National Anti-Vaccination League, and he is forwarding the papers to the Government of India for such action as they may think proper.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Stoke-upon-Trent Union Board of Guardians deprecating the action of the London County Council in introducing such a contentious question as the setting up of a central Poor Law authority for London, involving the abolition of London boards of guardians, at a time when by general understanding and confirmation by Parliament all matters of contention, whether concerning national or local government, should be held in abeyance or set aside, and heartily supporting the London boards of guardians and the Poor Law Unions' Association in their opposition to the endeavours of the county council in this connection as being inimical to the best interests of the poor and of the ratepayers generally, and expressing the opinion that in all work of this character the authorities should be directly appointed and elected by the ratepayers; and whether he can state the intentions of the Government respecting the same?

As I have previously stated, I do not think it would be practicable to deal with this question at the present time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an order has been issued to the effect that all telegraph offices (except those which ordinarily are open all day and all night) will not be open on Bank Holidays for public business between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, that ordinary telegrams tendered after 12 noon will be held over until the following morning and then be sent by post, that Press telegrams tendered after 12 noon will be charged a late fee, and that telegrams arriving for newspapers after 12 noon will not be delivered until after 12 midnight, except on condition of a special and additional charge; and whether he will reconsider the order with a view to saving local newspaper correspondents from such a further addition to the present hardships of their position and the special difficulties of their service as such an order would entail, and, as regards the additional charges, with a view to determining the likelihood or otherwise of any saving being affected commensurate with the increase of present difficulties in maintaining the public news services in reasonable efficiency?

Unless telegraph offices are open continuously or for some special purpose, the general attendance on Bank Holidays will be from 10.30 to noon. Attendance will be given before 10.30 and for a short time in the evening where it appears that the amount of public business warrants this Course, When telegrams in course of transmission can be delivered by post as quickly as by telegraph that course is adopted, but telegrams are not held until the following morning and then sent by post. Any attendance in excess of what is required for public business, whether for newspaper or other special purposes, is provided only upon the condition that the cost is met by the parties interested.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether, having regard to the fact that the Treasury recently granted an extra 1s. 6d. per week to married warders in the Irish prisons service not occupying official quarters or cottages so as to assimilate their pay with that of warders occupying official quarters and cottages, and seeing that the latter have received this amount as from 1st April, 1916, and the former deprived of this amount all along, will he now state if these warders, who have now been granted this allowance as well as the extra allowance for rent, will receive this amount as from 1st April, 1916; seeing that over five weeks have elapsed since the issue of the circular bearing on the same, when is this amount to be paid; and (2) whether he can now state if he is prepared to advise that existing Irish prison chief warders, warders, and matrons be placed on the same pay according to their class and length of service as corresponding ranks in England; is he aware that the announcement made in Parliament on the 11th April, 1916, assured these officials that the cancelling of their fuel and light and other allowances meant placing them on the rates of pay as paid in the English prisons' service; that no alteration or improvement in the new scheme will satisfy these officials except the restoration of their fuel and light and other allowances or identical pay with the English prison officials; and is he aware that a sum of from 6d. per week in the case of married officers to 1s. in that of. single officers would meet their demands?

I would refer to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin on Tuesday last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if officers living within the prisons in Ireland, and who are liable to be called at any hour for various duties for the convenience of the prisons, are charged for their fuel and light, and are at the loss of their lodging allowances, a condition of things which does not obtain in the English prisons; if the additional allowances approved have not yet been paid though they were announced on 22nd June last; and, if so, if he will Say when those allowances will be paid?

Unmarried officers living within the prisons in Ireland are not charged for their fuel and light, but married officers are. No officers provided with prison quarters are given lodging allowance. Effect will be given to the Amendments to the new scale as soon as the necessary formalities are completed.

asked the Home Secretary whether Ernest Harrison was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Force for attending on 8th February, 1917, a committee meeting of the National Union of Police and Prison Officers; how many other police were dismissed in connection with the same affair; and how many were degraded, reduced in pay, or position?

The officer mentioned was dismissed because he was guilty of deliberate disobedience to orders after repeated warnings. Fourteen officers were dismissed on the occasion in question, seven were reduced in pay, and three were reinstated after suspension. I ex- plained the circumstances in the House on. 28th February in reply to a question by the hon. Member for North Islington.

asked whether any restrictions or obstacles are placed in the way of members of the Metropolitan Police belonging to the National Union of Police and Prison Officers; whether it is the policy of the Home Office to destroy or to encourage the union; and, in view of the Government allowing trades unionism to develop among Post Office and other Government workers, why the police are differently treated?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies of 19th December and 28th February last on this subject, I have nothing to add to them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the help it would be to the fishing industry in the South-West of Ireland, the Congested. Districts Board proposes to erect forthwith on or near the new pier, Baltimore, an ice depot and manufacturing plant and fish-curing sheds?

I am informed that the Congested Districts Board are dealing with the question of the improvement of fishing facilities at Baltimore, and it is hoped that arrangements can be made for supplies of ice and water. The erection of curing sheds has not yet been considered. Inquiries will, however, be made into this matter.

asked the Home-Secretary if he is yet in a position to make a definite announcement in regard to raising the maximum amounts payable under the Workmen's Compensation Acts?

The consideration of this matter is being pressed forward, but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can now state the-number of acres under tillage on the Wade estate, Clonabraney, county Meath, the number of motor ploughs engaged in cultivation, the number of horses and ploughs engaged, the number of workmen and the weekly wage paid to each, the length of their engagement, the number of stewards and overseers employed, the total cost, the cost per acre of producing the crop so far, and the cost of seed per acre?

I have nothing to add to the very full answer given to the question of the hon. Member for South Meath on this subject on 28th March last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the purchase price of the Napper estate, Oldcastle, has yet been advanced; whether the Commissioners have acquired the untenanted lands on the estate situate at Balrath, Farmlough, and Carrenbawn for subdivision; if the Commissioners have had an inspection made of the uneconomic holdings in their respective neighbourhoods; and with what result?

Proceedings were instituted for the sale of this estate direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Acts, and purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners. Advances have been made and the holdings vested in the purchasers in the case of the majority of the tenants. The vesting of the remaining holdings will be proceeded with when the Commissioners' requisitions have been complied with. No untenanted lands of the names mentioned in the question are included in the sale of this estate. The owner has entered into an agreement with one of his tenants for the sale of 12 acres of additional land in the townland of Carnbane, and he has offered for sale to the Commissioners certain untenanted lands in the townlands of Garrynabolie, Gortloney, Greenan, and Milltown, and accepted the Commissioners' estimate of price. When these lands have been acquired and a scheme for distribution is being prepared due regard will be had to the wants and circumstances of the tenants of small holdings on the estate and in the neighbourhood.