Written Answers of 1 March 1909

  Rosyth Dockyard.
  Mr. HOLT
  asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what part of the works at Rosyth is being constructed of granite; whether alternative tenders were obtained for constructing such part in concrete; and, if so, what was the comparative cost?
  1224
  Mr. M'KENNA
  It is not easy to specify briefly where granite is used: it may be said generally that it is used in copings, altars, bilge and keel blocks, and quoins to cassion steps. No alternative tenders were obtained for substituting concrete for granite, as granite was considered to be necessary in the places where it is to be used.

  Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879.
  Mr. LLOYD MORGAN
  asked the Home Secretary if he will say how many people over 16 years of age were in 1907, or for the last year for which statistics are available, convicted in England and Wales of misdemeanours other than those specified in the second column to the First Schedule of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, as subsequently extended; and how many of these were sentenced to imprisonment for six months or less?

  Mr. GLADSTONE
  The following information will perhaps meet my hon. Friend's wishes: In the year 1907, 5,764 persons over 16 years of age were convicted in England and Wales of indictable offences other than those specified in the second column of the First Schedule to the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, as subsequently extended, and 2,492 of these were sentenced to imprisonment for six months or less.

  Floods in Ireland (Bann and Barrow Areas).
  Mr. MOORE
  asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to make any grant for works or other measures to relieve the flooding in the Bann area?

  The hon. Member further asked if the right hon. Gentleman was prepared to make any grant for works or other measures to relieve the flooding in the Barrow area; and, if so, under what head in the Votes?

  Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
  As at present advised, I am unable to hold out any hope of a Government grant for the purposes referred to in the hon. Member's questions.

  Public Elementary Schools (Corporal Punishment).
  Mr. GEORGE GREENWOOD
  asked the President of the Board of Education if he will say how many cases of corporal punishment of boys, girls, and infants respectively occurred in the public elementary schools in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, and Sheffield during 1908?

  Mr. RUNCIMAN: I regret I have noinformation on this matter.

  Steam Tonnage (Comparative Statement).
  Mr. BRAMSDON
  asked the Presdent of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the total ocean tonnage of the ships of Great Britain, America, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Norway, respectively, on the 1st January last, but if not available for that date then for the latest, but on the same day on which the information can be given; and will he

  Country.

  Steam Vessels of 100 tons gross and Upwards.

  Sailing Vessels of of 100 tons Net and Upwards.

  Total of Columns(2) and (3).

  Net. (1)

  Gross. (2)

  Net. (3)

  (4)

  Tons.

  Tons.

  Tons.

  Tons.

  United Kingdom

  9,960,399

  16,336,869

  981,482

  17,318,351

  United States*

  1,081,442

  1,654,049

  1,192,857

  2,846,906

  France

  825,024

  1,416,987

  466,907

  1,883,894

  Germany

  2,353 367

  3,839,378

  392,767

  4,232,145

  Italy

  554,472

  -903,567

  381,658

  1,285,225

  Norway

  823,332

  1,351,647

  631,231

  1,982,878

  Russia

  448,965

  755,350

  219,167

  974,517

  *Exclusive of vessels trading on the Great Lakes.

  1231 1235

  Steam Tonnage (Comparative Statement).

    Cargoes in Merchant Vessels.
    Mr. BRAMSDON
    asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of the cargoes carried by the seagoing ships of Great Britain, America, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Norway, respectively, during the year 1908, or, failing that, during the year 1907?

    Mr. CHURCHILL
    No particulars are available with regard to the value of the cargoes carried by merchant vessels sailing under the different flags.

    Indictable Offences (Return).
    Sir FREDERICK BANBURY
    asked the Dome Secretary if he will grant the Return relating to Indictable Offences standing on to-day's Notice Paper?

    Mr. GLADSTONE
    I cannot undertake to make a selection, but I am prepared to consider whether it would be advisable to give a comparative Return for the three countries generally.

    Indian Colleges (Imperial Service).
    Mr. HART-DAVIES
    asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Bombay Government has recently addressed a recommendation to the Government of India that the Imperial Service should be re-opened to recruits from Indian colleges in accordance with the pledge given by the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Provinces at Ruski on 28th November, 1893?
    1226
    state sparately the number of steam and sailing ships respectively?

    Mr. CHURCHILL
    The following statement showing the tonnage of Steam Vessels (of 100 tons gross and upwards) and Sailing Vessels (of 100 tons net and upwards) owned in each of the undermentioned countries on the 30th June, 1908, has been compiled from Lloyd's Register Book:—

    Mr. BUCHANAN
    The Secretary of State has no information regarding the recommendations referred to by my hon. Friend, but he will inquire.

    Mr. HART-DAVIES
    asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that under the recent reorganisation scheme of the Public Works Department provincial engineers who accept the terms offered will have to wait 15 years to obtain executive rank, whereas Imperial engineers only have to wait eight years, and that the pay offered is even less than the two-thirds of the pay of the Imperial branch to which they (provincial engineers) were entitled; and whether many officers of the Public Works Department have refused to accept the new terms, and have been warned that they will receive no increase of pay and will have their names removed from the Imperial list?

    Mr. BUCHANAN
    It is the fact that under the recent reorganisation scheme an Imperial engineer obtains executive rank after 8 years' service, and a provincial engineer after 15 years' service. With regard to the pay, the new organisation offers an improved scale to both services, but so far as the Secretary of State is aware, no fixed proportion of the Imperial scale has ever been laid down for the provincial engineers. The Secretary of State has not received any report
    1227
    from the Government of India on the manner in which the new conditions of service have been received, or as to how officers already in the service who did not accept the new conditions have been dealt with, but he will ask the Government of India for a report on the whole subject.

    Mr. HART-DAVIES
    asked whether the attention of the Secretary of State for India has been called to the Order of the Government of India, No. 997 E, dated 6th June, 1908, addressed to the Government of the Punjab; and whether, seeing that these Orders conflict with Government of India Resolution 2112 G, dated 19th July, 1892, which contains the conditions under which the provincial engineers entered Government service, and under which engineers trained in Indian colleges, to the number of 10, were brought on the Imperial list, he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

    Mr. BUCHANAN
    In introducing the new organisation of the Department, the Government of India will no doubt pay due regard to the reasonable claims of officers already in the service. In replying to another question on the paper, I have stated that the Secretary of State will ask the Government of India for a report on the subject.

    Public Works Officers (India).
    Mr. HART-DAVIES
    asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that discontent has been caused in the ranks of the Public Works Department officers recruited in India by the recent order as to reorganisation; and whether the whole matter will be inquired into with the view of re-instating these officers in the position they formerly held?

    Mr. BUCHANAN: I have nothing to add to the answer given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member on the 10th December last, except that, as I have stated in reply to another question to-day, the Government of India will be asked to report on the results of the recent reorganisation.

    Cost of Medical Inspection.
    Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD
    asked the President of the Board of Education, whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction of local education authorities regarding the burden which adequate medical inspection of school
    1228
    children will put upon rates, and the failure of the Board of Education hitherto to give what the local authorities consider to be fair financial assistance for this purpose; and whether he can now say what the Board of Education proposes to do, or when he intends to make a statement on the subject?

    Mr. RUNCIMAN
    Yes, Sir. Many requests are constantly being made to me for increased grants in relief of local rates. Had either of the Education Bills of last Session passed into law, increased grants for educational purposes would have been made to local authorities. I am not in a position to make any statement at present, but the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have undertaken to receive a deputation on this, subject on the 20th of March.

    Irish Ordnance Survey Maps.
    Mr. FIELD
    asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether all the Irish Ordnance survey maps being now revised are being published eliminating the names of sites of Irish antiquities; if so, under whose authority this is being done, and with what object the names in Old English characters are being eliminated; and whether he can state the number of maps published under the altered conditions and the county localities to which these maps refer?

    Sir E. STRACHEY
    The Board are not aware that any of the names of sites of Irish antiquities, if properly authenticated, have been eliminated from the new or revised Ordnance Survey maps now being published. If any such omission has occurred and the matter is brought to our notice the Board will be glad to investigate it.

    Competition of Pauper Labour.
    Mr. DEVLIN
    asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that several inmates of Greenock Poorhouse are employed at basket-making and wood-carving, the materials for which are supplied by the Brabazon Society, and that the finished articles are handed over free of charge to the members of that society, who sell them in the open market; and whether he will take such steps as shall, in future, prevent pauper labour entering into competition with that of ratepayers?

    Mr. URE
    It is the fact that certain benevolent ladies are in the habit of instructing the inmates in sick wards of
    1229
    Greenock Poorhouse in basket-making, wood-carving and such work, and thereby trying to relieve the monotony of poorhouse life. It is not the case, according to my information, that the completed articles are sold in the open market.

    Police in Scotland.
    Mr. ELLIS
    asked what were the numbers of the police force in the municipal boroughs in Scotland having separate police forces and the counties of Scotland outside such boroughs, respectively, on the 1st January, 1909, or as near that date as the figures are available?

    The LORD ADVOCATE: So far as is known, the numbers of the police were 3,587 in cities and burghs, and 1,966 in counties in Scotland on December 31st, 1908.

    Civil Services (Total Sums Voted.)
    Mr. GRETTON
    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total sums voted for Civil Services, including Supplementary Votes, in the years 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, and 1908–9 (the latter year including the Supplementary Estimates), showing the increase or decrease, as the case may be, in each successive year?

    Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
    The information asked for by the hon. Member is shown in the following table:—

    CIVIL SERVICES.

    Year.

    Amount Voted, including Supplementary Estimates.

    Increase.

    1905–6

    £28,777,353

    —

    1906–7

    29,831,802

    £1,054,449

    1907–8

    30,988,780

    1,156,978

    1908–9

    33,188,468

    2,199,688

    Revenue Departments are not include. The figures for 1908–9 include the Supplementary Estimates presented on the 19th instant (H. & C., 29 of 1909), which have not yet been voted (£1,100,025).

    British Exports to France.
    Mr. PIKE PEASE
    asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of the total exports of British products to France in each of the last three years, and what proportion of these are manufactures; the amount of imports from France, distinguishing manufactures from all other commodities; and the total exports from France to all parts of the British Empire for the same years?

    Mr. CHURCHILL
    presented the following statement showing the value of the Imports from and Exports to France in the years 1905–7, and the value and pro-
    1230
    portion of this trade, which consists of articles wholly or mainly manufactured:—

    Year etc.

    All Articles

    Articles wholly or mainly"manu-factured"only.*

    Propor-tion of"manu-factured to total."

    Imports into the United Kingdom consigned from France:—

    £

    £

    Per cent.

    1905

    46,458,000

    28,370,000

    61·1

    1906

    47,099,000

    29,694,000

    63·0

    1907

    46,334,000

    27,610,000

    59·6

    Exports of British and Irish Goods con-signed to France:—

    1905

    16,046,000

    10,713,000

    66·8

    1906

    20,307,000

    13,378,000

    65·9

    1907

    23,308,000

    14,585,000

    62·6

    *Excluding Parcel Post.

    The following statement shows the value of the Exports of Domestic Produce from France to the British Empire (including the United Kingdom) in the years 1905–7, as given in the French Official Trade Returns:–

    Year.

    All Articles.

    "Manufactured"articles only.*

    Proportion of"manu-factured"to total.

    Per cent.

    1905

    £52,347,000

    £31,870,000

    60·9

    1906

    53,896,000

    34,289,000

    63·6

    1907

    57,161,000

    37,718,000

    66·0

    * Including Parcel Post.

    Small Holdings Statistics.
    Mr. ELLIS
    asked when the House can receive information in the same form as that given in reply to a question in November, 1908, of the actual figures of holdings obtained under the Small Holdings Act, 1907; and whether such figures and information can now be given periodically?

    Sir E. STRACHEY
    The annual report of the Board's proceedings under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act which is now in course of preparation will bring the information to which my right hon. Friend refers up to the 31st December last. Its compilation entails considerable labour on the part of the officers of county councils, belt we shall, of course, be glad to obtain and publish the information whenever there is reason to suppose that any material change in the situation has occurred.

    Land at Oxted.
    Mr. BRODIE
    asked whether, referring to the reply to a question on 17th December last, what measure of success had attended the efforts of the Surrey County Council to obtain land for Mr. Payne at Oxted?

    Sir E. STRACHEY
    The land for which Mr. Payne has applied cannot be acquired by the County Council, inasmuch as part of it is already cut up for building and the rest is ripe for building. Mr. Payne has been so informed, and has been asked if he is prepared to take land elsewhere in the parish.

    Mr. BRODIE
    asked what has been done by the Surrey County Council to deal with the applications of Mr. Jenner and Mr. Malyon, members of the Oxted Land Club, for small holdings?

    Sir E. STRACHEY
    The Parish Council and not the County Council are dealing with the applications to which my hon. Friend refers, the amount of land applied for in each case being only one acre. The applicants have been offered certain land which the Council considered suitable, but the offer has been refused.

    Small Holdings Agents.
    Mr. BRODIE
    asked whether in some cases county councils are employing agents to buy or hire land for small holdings who are also agents for the landowners whose land is or may be required; and whether he will take steps to secure the discontinuance of this arrangement?

    Sir E. STRACHEY
    No case of the kind has been brought to the knowledge of the Board. They have advised county councils to appoint salaried agents giving their whole time to the work.

    Special Reserve Men.
    Colonel LOCKWOOD
    asked what number of men have been passed to the Special Reserve of the Territorial regiment on completion of five or six months' training in the following depots: Hounslow, Kingston, Oxford, Stafford, Carlisle, Winchester (Hampshire Regiment), Reading, Newcastle (Northumberland Fusiliers), Newcastle (Durham Light Infantry), Perth, Inverness, Chichester, Woking.

    Mr. HALDANE
    The information is as follows. There are no depots at Stafford or Woking, and figures for Lichfield and Guildford have been given:—

    SPECIAL RESERVE.
    Infantry.—Number of men who have
    1232
    been dismissed to their homes on completion of five or six months' training at the following Depots:—

    Depot.

    Regiment.

    No.

    Hounslow

    Royal Fusiliers

    691

    Kingston

    East Surrey Regiment

    260

    Oxford

    Oxford and Buckingham- shire Light Infantry.

    32

    Lichfield

    South Staffordshire Regt.

    233

    Lichfield

    North Staffordshire Regt.

    112

    Carlisle

    Border Regiment

    57

    Winchester

    Hampshire Regiment

    101

    Reading

    Royal Berkshire Regt.

    52

    Newcastle

    Northumberland Fusiliers

    65

    Newcastle

    Durham Light Infantry

    250

    Perth

    Royal Highlanders

    113

    Inverness

    Cameron Highlanders

    10

    Chichester

    Royal Sussex Regiment

    83

    Guildford

    Royal West Surrey Regt.

    70

    Total

    2,135

    Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER
    asked what was the total number of the infantry of the Special Reserve on the 1st February, 1909; how many recruits enlisted in the infantry of the Special Reserve between 1st January, 1908, and 1st February, 1909; how many of such recruits passed to the Royal Navy or the Regular Army; how many have been discharged as unfit or for any other reason; how many have been discharged to the Reserve on the completion of five or six months' training; how many were still under training at the depots on 1st February, 1909; and how many of the infantry of the Special Reserve are Militiamen who have transferred?

    Mr. HALDANE

    SPECIAL RESERVE: Infantry:—

    1. Total strength on 1st Feb- ruary, 1909

    55,301

    2. Number of recruits enlisted be tween the 1st January, 1908, and 1st February, 1909

    25,488

    3. Number of such recruits passed to the Royal Navy or Regular Army

    6,150

    4. Number of Special Reservists discharged, between 15th Jan uary, 1908, and 1st February, 1909, as unfit or for any other reason

    2,287

    5. Number dismissed to their homes on completion of five or six months' training

    7,681

    6. Number still under training at the depots on 1st February, 1909

    11,055

    7. Number of Special Reservists included in (1) who were trans ferred from the Militia

    37,799

    1233
    A number of these are included in the reply to previous questions.

    Army Ordnance Workers (Ireland).
    Mr. FIELD
    asked whether employees of the Army Ordnance Department at Island Bridge, Dublin, work 10¼ hours each year in excess of the 48-hour week under the system of graduated hours that obtain at Island Bridge; why a half-holiday was not granted on the 24th December last in lieu of the half-holiday the workmen were deprived of by St. Stephen's Day falling on the Saturday, 26th December, 1908; and whether, under the circumstances now brought to his notice, the Secretary of State will grant a holiday on St. Patrick's Day in future?

    Mr. HALDANE
    As regards the first part of the question the local time table seems to have been brought very close to the 48 hours' average, but I will consider whether it can be brought still closer. As regards the second part of the question the regulations do not give a half-holiday under these conditions at Odnance stations generally. As regards the last part of the question I have nothing to add to the Reply which I gave the hon. Member in reply to a similar question put on 20th May last.

    Canned Meat for Troops.
    Mr. SALTER
    asked whether American canned meat of the year, 1905, has recently been served out to the Irish Guards at the Caterham depot; if so, whether, having regard to the age of the meat and the disclosures made since 1905 he will take steps to secure that such meat shall not be supplied to His Majestys' troops?

    Mr. HALDANE
    It appears on inquiry that no American canned meat of the year 1905 has been recently issued to the troops at Caterham. The canned meat supplied to the troops is guaranteed by the contractors for two years from date of receipt into Army Stores, and the supplies are invariably consumed within that period.

    The Royal Sussex Regiment.
    Mr. COURTHOPE
    asked for how long a period during the past 30 years the 2nd battalion Royal Sussex Regiment has been stationed in England; and whether, in view of the fact that over 75 per cent. of the strength of this regiment is drawn from the County of Sussex, he will consider the possibility of bringing the regiment nearer home in the near future?
    1234
    Mr. HALDANE
    During the last 30 years this battalion has passed 7 years and 3 months in the United Kingdom. Of these 3 years and 3 months have been passed in England and 4 years in Ireland, where it will complete the usual tour before returning to England.

    A Government Auditor.
    Mr. COOPER
    asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the statement made at the recent Herefordshire Assizes by Mr. Justice Grantham when sentencing Thomas Grice, assistant overseer for Orcop, who pleaded guilty to forging and uttering a banker's pass book, that he would have inflicted a heavier sentence had it not been for the fact that a Government auditor showed ignorance in his inspection of the accountancy and that the matter had gone on for 9 years; whether the official who audited these books possessed any expert knowledge of accountancy; whether he is still an auditor of the Board, and, if so, what does he intend to do in the matter?

    Mr. BURNS
    I have to-day replied to an oral question put to me on this subject by the hon. Member for the Hoxton Division. Perhaps I may be allowed to repeat the answer here:—"My attention has been called to this matter. I have also seen a report of a statement made by the Judge at the next sitting of the Court, which I find he regarded as practically exculpating the auditor from blame. I understand that the Judge instructed the official shorthand writer to take a note of this statement in case there were no reporters present, so that the statement might be the auditor's answer if anything were said against him. The present auditor entered the public service as a higher division clerk in the Office of the Local Government Board, after open competition, and up to the time of his appointment as assistant auditor in 1901 was employed on work in that office connected with the audit of the accounts of the local authorities. He is also a barrister. I am quite satisfied as to his qualifications for the office of district auditor, and also as to his ability and carefulness. The salary attached to the Audit District in question is £500 per annum, rising by £20 annually to £675. I should add that the forgery of the overseer's bank pass book, which led to the arrest and conviction of the assistant overseer, was, in fact, discovered by the auditor at the last audit."

    A Croydon Tramp.
    Mr. COOPER
    asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the report of an inquest held this month at Wandsworth prison on a tramp named Henry Andrewes, who died in the prison infirmary from heart failure folowing pneumonia; is he aware that Andrewes had been an inmate of the Croydon casual ward, and when his time expired said he was too ill to continue his journey; whether the officials of the Croydon Union refused to listen to his complaint; whether he was seen or examined by any medical officer of the Croydon Union; is he aware that Andrewes, after being turned out of the casual ward, broke a window so that he might get locked up to get proper medical treatment, and was sentenced by the Croydon magistrates to seven days' hard labour; whether the Croydon Board of Guardians have made any inquiry into Andrewes' statement; and, if not, what does he intend to do in the matter?

    Mr. BURNS
    I have seen a copy of the depositions taken at the inquest, and I have made inquiry with regard to the case. It appears that on the day on which Andrewes' time was up for leaving the Croydon Casual Ward, he said that he did not feel well, and that he could not go on his journey. He was consequently examined by the Workhouse medical officer, who did not find anything wrong, and thought he was fit to continue his journey. The medical officer told him he did not consider the case one for infirmary treatment, but if he wished to become an inmate he should apply to the relieving officer for an order of admission. It is the fact that almost immediately afterwards he broke a window in the Workhouse and was sentenced to 7 days' hard labour for wilful damage. The medical officer states that he attended the police court and gave evidence as to the physical condition of the man, who made no complaint then of being ill, and did not appear to be so. The matter has been fully inquired into by a sub-committee of the visiting committee of the Workhouse specially appointed for the purpose, and the statement of the medical officer appears to be supported by the other statements made to them.

    Mr. COOPER
    asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to a report of an inquest held at
    1236
    Wandsworth Prison on a tramp named Henry Andrewes who died in the prison infirmary from heart failure following pneumonia; whether he is aware that Andrewes had been turned out of the Croydon casual ward too ill to continue his journey, and broke a window to get locked up to get medical treatment, and: was sentenced by the Croydon magistrates to seven days' hard labour; whether he is aware that the medical officer of Wandsworth Prison stated at the inquest that he found Andrewes' condition on admission so bad that he placed him at once in the hospital; whether the Croydon police communicated the reason of Andrewes' breaking the window to the magistrates; whether the police surgeon was called upon to advise upon Andrewes' condition before he was brought before the magistrates or after his conviction; and, if not, will he give the reason?

    Mr. GLADSTONE
    I have made inquiry into this case, and am informed that Andrewes, having complained when in the casual ward at Croydon that he felt unwell, was examined by the medical officer of the Croydon Workhouse, who pronounced him to be fit to leave, and referred him to the relieving officer for an order, if he wished to enter the workhouse. Upon this Andrewes broke one of the windows, and was therefore charged by the workhouse authorities. He gave no reason for breaking the window, and did not complain of illness either to the police or to the magistrates. Consequently there was no reason for the police to obtain medical advice. On admission to prison he was found to be so ill-nourished that the assistant medical officer put him in the infirmary instead of an ordinary cell, but no actual illness could be observed until a day later.

    Police Forces.
    Mr. ELLIS
    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total figures respectively of the police forces in England and Wales on 1st January, 1909 (or as near a date to that as is practicable), the Metropolitan Police, the police forces in municipal boroughs having forces of their own, and county areas outside the foregoing?

    Mr. GLADSTONE
    On 31st December last the established strength of the Metropolitan Police, exclusive of the Dockyard Police and all constables whose services are lent for payment to the Government or to private individuals, was
    1237
    16,252. On 29th September, the latest date for which figures are available for county and borough forces, the number of county police was 15,072, borough police 15,126. These figures do not include the police of the City of London, who numbered 1,006 on 31st December last.

    Quarries Closed (United Kingdom).
    Mr. FELL
    asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many quarries in the United Kingdom have been closed during the past three years; and how many men had previously been employed in these quarries?

    Mr. GLADSTONE
    The following is the statistical information which is available:

    QUARRIES UNDER THE QUARRIES ACT.

    Year.

    Number being worked.

    Persons em-ployed (in-side and outside).

    Approxi-mate De-crease in number be-ing worked.

    Approxi-mate De-crease in persons employed.

    1905

    7,513

    94,819

    —

    —

    1906

    7,278

    91,516

    235

    3,303

    1907

    7,03

    87,814

    185

    3,702

    1908

    Returns incomplete, and not yet tabulated.

    1238 1247 1248

    Quarries Closed (United Kingdom).

      Unemployed (Stepney).
      Mr. B. S. STRAUS
      asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the amount sanctioned by him for work for the unemployed in the Borough of Stepney during the winter of 1908–9; and the nature of the work undertaken?

      Mr. BURNS
      Communications have taken place between the Stepney Borough Council and the Central (Unemployed) Body for London with respect to schemes of work for the unemployed, but I do not understand that any definite arrangement has been come to between these Bodies, and I have not received from the Central Body any proposals for schemes of work for the unemployed in the Borough.

      Postmasters (Compulsory Retirement).
      Mr. CLAUDE HAY
      asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to fix the age of compulsory retirement of Postmasters at 62 years instead of 65 years, as at present; and, if so, when will the proposed regulation come into force?

      Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON
      The answer is in the negative. I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 7 of the Report of the Parliamentary Committee, in which they state that they do not recommend any reduction in the age of compulsory retirement.

      Post Office Officials (Annual Leave).
      Sir GEORGE KEKEWICH
      asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet arrived at any conclusion with respect to the amount of annual leave to be hereafter granted to Post Office officials; and, if not, when his decision in the matter may be looked for?

      Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON
      The matter is still under consideration.

      Penny Postage Stamps.
      Mr. HENNIKER HEATON
      asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the objections taken to the apearance and design of the British 1d. stamp, as compared with stamps of the same value issued by other nations, and to the fact that the paper it is printed on is cheap and poor; and whether he intends to take steps, without delay, to give the public an improved 1d. stamp?

      Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON
      Tastes differ. The penny stamp is printed on the same description of paper as the former issues with the Queen's head. There is no present intention of issuing a new penny stamp.

      Income Tax.
      Mr. REES
      asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under Section 141 of the Income Tax Act of 1842 and Section 10 of the Revenue Act of 1889, a discount of 2½ per cent. is allowed on all payments made before the 1st January of any given year; and, if so, upon what date the authorities are bound to issue their demand notes; and whether it is permissible to so delay the issue of the demand notes as to render nugatory the discount allowed?

      Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
      By the enactments referred to, discount at the rate of 2½ per cent. per annum is allowed on payments of Income Tax made before 1st January in the year of assessment, in cases in which a notice or certificate of assessment is produced at the time of payment. The date of issue of demand notes is determined by the date on which the Collector receives from the Local Commissioners the duplicate assessments and warrant; but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the Income Tax Authorities do nothing to discourage early payment of the duty into the Exchequer.

      Foreign Investments.
      Sir FREDERICK BANBURY
      asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the income received from Foreign investments in the years 1900, 1904, and 1908?
      1239
      Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
      As will be seen from pages 182℃3 of the 51st Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, it is impossible to give any complete figures of income received from Foreign investments. The Gross Income from abroad brought under review for Income Tax purposes, so far as it can be identified in the statistics of the tax, amounted in 1906–7 (the latest year for which figures are available) to £79,560,000. The corresponding figures for the years 1900℃01 and 1904℃5 are:—

      1900℃1901

      £60,332,000.

      1904℃1905

      £66,062,000.

      The figure for 1907℃8 is not available.

      Tobacco Licences.
      Mr. HART-DAVIES
      asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take into consideration the expediency of introducing graduation in tobacco dealers' licences, starting with 10s. 6d. as a minimum, and graduating upwards according to the trade done or the rateable value of the premises?

      The hon. Member further asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, from the financial point of view, the expediency of doing away with the maximum on tobacco cutters' licences and graduating the licence duty throughout.

      Mr LLOYD-GEORGE
      I will consider the points raised by my hon. Friend.

      Old Age Pensions.
      Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY
      asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that there are numerous cases of old people having been deprived of their pensions for some time through no fault of their own, but owing to press of work of the officials, he will take the necessary steps to make such pensions payable from the date on which they would ordinarily have become due?

      Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
      My information is that the greater proportion of the claims which have been delayed were those of persons who failed to make their claims until near the end of 1908. If the hon. Member will refer to Section 5, Subsection (2), of the Old Age Pensions Act, he will see that the date from which pensions are to accrue is laid down by Statute, and I have no power to interfere in the matter.

      French Capital Invested in the United Kingdom.
      Sir EDWARD SASSOON
      asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he
      1240
      would state the amount of French capital formerly invested here, either in the form of securities or of deposits, that has been withdrawn in consequence of the convention concluded by the Prime Minister and the French Minister of Finance, by which information is to be given as to the estates of the deceased subjects of their respective countries?

      Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE
      I have no statistics which throw any light on this question, nor am I in a position to say whether the Convention referred to has in fact had the effect attributed to it by the hon. Member.

      Dairies, Cowsheds and Milk Shops (Ireland).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can give any information with regard to the working of the new Order as to dairies, cowsheds, and milkshops in Ireland; whether any prosecutions have been undertaken against defaulters; and whether any improvement in the quality of the milk supply has resulted?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      I am glad to be able to state that a large number of local authorities in Ireland have actively taken up the administration of the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops (Ireland) Order, 1908. In 69 districts veterinary surgeons have been appointed to act as inspecting officers, and in 42 further districts other inspecting officers have been appointed. The councils of some rural districts where the dairying industry is very extensively carried on have, however, refused to take any action respecting the Order, notwithstanding repeated representations from the Local Government Board. The Board are contemplating legal proceedings in the High Court against a few of the more important of these bodies, with a view to compelling them to perform their duties. It rests with the local authorities to institute prosecutions for offences against the provisions of the Order, and no record of such prosecutions is furnished to or kept by the Local Government Board. The Board are aware, however, that in certain districts proceedings have been initiated for non-compliance with the requirements of the Order. No means exist for measuring variations in the quality of the public milk-supply of the country, but there is every reason to believe that the vigilance now being exercised by local authorities tends to secure a cleaner and more wholesome supply of milk.
      1241

      (Army Return of Sentences).
      Mr. H. C. LEA
      asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the Annual Report on the Army [Cd. 4493], page 69, what were the rank and corps of the one man serving at Home and the 12 men serving Abroad who were sentenced to penal servitude, and of the one man serving at Home who was discharged with ignominy during the year ended 30th September, 1908; will he give in each case

      Rank.

      Corps.

      Offence.

      Sentence.

      Tried on

      Tried at

      By

      Sentence confirmed by

      Private-

      1st Bn. East Surrey Regt.

      Striking his captain-

      3 years' penal servitude

      15/9/08

      Jersey-

      General Court Martial

      The King.

      Driver-

      91st By. R.F.A.-

      Striking his superior officer in the execu-tion of his office and escaping arrest

      3 years' penal servitude

      21/10/07

      Harri-smith

      "

      G. O. C. in C.,.South Africa.

      Gunner-

      Sierra Leone R.G.A

      Violence to and dis-obedience to officers

      5 years' penal servitude

      23/3/08

      Sierra Leone

      "

      G.O.C. Troops,West Africa.

      Private-

      1st K.O. Scottish Borderers

      Murder; found guilty of manslaughter

      5 years' penal servitude

      2/7/08

      Cairo-

      "

      G.O.C. Troops,Egypt.

      "

      2nd Dorset Regt.-

      Wounding with intent to murder

      15 years' penal servitude; 5years remit-ted

      21/9/07

      Wel-lington,Madras

      "

      G. O. C. 9th Division, and approved by Governor-General in Council.

      "

      1st York & Lane.Regt.

      Murder; found guilty of manslaughter

      5 years' penal servitude

      25/9/07

      Quetta

      "

      G. O. C. 4th Division, and approved by Governor-General.

      "

      1st Manchester Regt.

      Striking superior offi-cer, and violence to superior officer

      3 years' penal servitude

      7/10/07

      Banga-lore

      "

      G. O. C. 9th Division.

      "

      2nd Leicester Regt.

      Striking lance - cor-poral

      4 years' penal servitude

      3/3/08

      Bel-gaum

      "

      G. O. C. 6th Division.

      "

      "

      Striking lance-cor-poral, non-appear-ante at parade, in-subordinate langu-age

      3 years' penal servitude

      3/3/08

      "

      "

      G. O. C. 6th Division.

      "

      1st West Riding Regt.

      Wounding withintent to murder; killing

      15 years' penal servitude

      24/7/08

      Rani-khet

      "

      G. O. C. 7th Division and

      "

      "

      cattle; arming them-selves in view of col-lision with natives

      10 years' penal servitude

      "

      "

      "

      approved by Governor-General

      "

      1st Liverpool Regt.

      Disobedience and in-subordinate lan guage

      4 years' penal servitude

      14/8/08

      Poona -

      "

      G. O. C. 6th Division.

      Gunner-

      79 By. R.F.A.-

      Violence to officers-

      3 years' penal servitude

      28/9/08

      Luck-now

      "

      G. O. C. 6th Division.

      Private-

      7th Drag. Guards-

      Enlisting after dis-charge with disgrace

      Discharged with igno-miny

      25/1/08

      Canter-bury

      District Court Martial

      G. O. C. 2nd Cavalry Bri-gade

      Except in the Indian cases the proceedings were revised by the Judge Advocate-General.

      Destruction of Vermin.
      Mr. COWAN
      asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received representations from the scientific committee of the Incorporated Society for the Destruction of Vermin and from other sources, urging immediate investigation as to whether the various bacteriological preparations now on the market for the destruction of rats are, or are likely to become, pathogenic to man; and what
      1242
      the offence or offences for which each man was tried, the sentences inflicted, and when, where, and by whom they were tried, and the names of the persons who confirmed the sentences; whether the evidence has since been submitted to the Judge Advocate-General; and if he sanctioned each sentence?

      Mr. HALDANE
      supplemented his answer in the House by presenting the following statement:—

      action the Board proposes to take in the matter?

      Mr. BURNS
      I do not find that the Committee of this Society have made any such representations to me as are above referred to, but my attention has been drawn to the question whether some action should be taken with regard to various bacteriological preparations for the destruction of rats, with a view to preventing danger to man, and the subject is now receiving my consideration.
      1243

      Police Forces (Ireland).
      Mr. ELLIS
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what were the numbers of the police in the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force and the Royal Irish Constabulary, respectively, on 1st January, 1909, or as near a date to that as practicable?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Police on the 1st January, 1909, was as follows: 7 superintendents, 23 inspectors, 43 station sergeants, and 1,108 sergeants and constables. The strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the same date was 37 county inspectors, 195 district inspectors, 237 head constables, and 10,242 sergeants and constables.

      Factories and Workshops (Ireland).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many, if any, factories or workshops have been, or are about to be established in Ireland for the working of patents, consequent on the provisions of The Patents and Designs Act, 1907; what steps have been taken by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction to enable Ireland to benefit by the provisions of the Act, and with what result; and whether he is in a position to make a general statement on the subject?

      Mr. T. W. RUSSELL
      The Department are not aware that any factories or workshops have so far been established or are about to be established in Ireland for the working of patents consequent on the provisions of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907. The Department in November last sent out a Committee of three gentlemen to Germany to make inquiries in connection with the Act, and their report will be issued in a few days. Any benefit which may accrue to Ireland from this Act must largely depend on the initiative of local bodies, who should take steps to make known in the proper quarters the advantages of their own districts. In several cases this has already been done. For further particulars I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for North Westmeath, on 3rd November last.

      Poor Law System (Ireland).
      Mr. POWER
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he will make representations to the Treasury in favour of the recoup
      1244
      ment, as part of the expenses of the Royal Commission on the Poor Law System, of the sums necessarily paid to their officials by Irish Boards of Guardians for the work of preparing the returns asked for by the Royal Commissioners?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for South Wexford on the 26th November last.

      Distress in Belfast.
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount of money raised locally, by voluntary subscriptions, for the relief of the present distress in Belfast, the amount contributed by the Local Government Board, and the conditions attached to the Board's grant; the amount received from other sources, if any; the total number of persons employed on relief work, the nature of the work, and the rate of wages paid; and the number of employable persons still unemployed in Belfast?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      I understand that the Lord Mayor of Belfast has undertaken to raise £2,000 for the relief of distress in that city, but I do not know whether he has as yet obtained it. The sums granted from the Unemployed Fund have reached a total of £4,000, no special conditions being attached to the several grants. The Local Government Board have, however, on each occasion satisfied themselves that the money already advanced had been properly expended before rcommending a further grant. A sum of £697 has been raised by a local rate, in addition to the grants from the Unemployed Fund, but this can only be expended on administration, not on actual employment. 2,454 different individuals have been employed during the entire course of the relief operations, and 220 employable persons are still unemployed. The total number of employable persons on the register is therefore 2,674. The latest information available shows that the weekly number employed varied from 69 in the week ended the 24th October to 624 in the week ended 16th January. The work on which the men have been employed consists of widening streets, drainage, and public park development, and the rate of wages paid has been 16s. per week.

      Water Supply (Whitehead, Country Antrim).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the pollution of the water supply of Whitehead, county Antrim; whether he is aware that Dr. Clibborn, the inspector, reported that the new reservoir is a standing menace to the health of the inhabitants; and whether the Local Government Board has taken any action in the matter?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The answer to the first two portions of the question is in the affirmative. Dr. Clibborn's Report, however, was dated the 8th January, 1908, and was communicated by the Local Government Board to the sanitary authority on the 14th January, 1908. Dr. Clibborn now reports that the owner of the waterworks reported to the Council on the 26th February, 1908, that the cause of the pollution in the new reservoir had been discovered, and that he was taking the necessary steps to prevent the possibility of further contamination. Improvements are still being carried out, and in the meantime the water from the new reservoir is not being used. There is no reason to suspect the purity of the water from the old reservoir.

      Education of Blind and Deaf and Dumb (Ireland).
      Mr. SLOAN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it is his intention to introduce legislation this session dealing with the education of the blind and deaf-and-dumb in Ireland?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      I have nothing to add to my reply to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member on the 26th October last.

      Building Grant (Irish Schools).
      Mr. SLOAN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the amount of building grants received during the year 1908 for national schools by the following denominations, Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, and Methodist; and if there be any disproportion will he explain why?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the total amount of the grants sanctioned by them during the year 1908 towards the erection of new vested national schoolhouses was £121,195. Sub-divided according to the religious denominations of the applicants for the new schools the amounts of the grants were as follows:—1246

      Roman Catholic applicants

      £105,048

      Protestant Episcopalian appli-cants

      5,032

      Presbyterian applicants

      7,982

      Methodist applicants

      1,938

      Other Protestant applicants

      1,195

      The large amount of grants made to Roman Catholic applicants as compared with the total amount made to Protestant applicants is due to the fact that a larger number of applications was received from Roman Catholic managers of national schools, many of these being in respect of schools with large attendances of pupils for grants to replace existing unsuitable schoolhouses.

      Estate Commissioners (Mrs. Sarah Hyde's Estate).
      Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have yet considered the Report of their inspector on the case of William Bullman, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mrs. Sarah Hyde, Ballindangan, Cork; and when do they expect to effect his reinstatement?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The Estates Commissioners have considered their inspector's Report on this case, and have intimated to the owner their estimated price for William Bullman's former holding. They understand that the owner has accepted their estimate. They are not at present in a position to say when Bullman will be reinstated.

      Estates Commissioners (H. V. White's Estate).
      Mr. DELANY
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the farm of Doon, estate of the late H. V. White, Stillorgan, situated near Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County, has been acquired by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, can he say when the farm is likely to be divided amongst the applicants?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The sale of the tenanted portion of this estate to the tenants was completed in June last. The owner has accepted the preliminary estimate of the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the untenanted lands of Doon and Kilpurcel, and formal proceedings for their sale were instituted on the 26th February of this year. The Commissioners have approved of a scheme for the allotment of the untenanted land, but are not at present in a position to say when possession will be given to the proposed purchasers.

      Estates Commissioners (Thomas Noonan).
      Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Thomas Noonan, of Ardagh, in the county of Limerick, evicted tenant, to have his case considered by them; and, if so, what action do they propose to take in the matter?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      This application was not received by the Estates Commissioners within the time specified by the Evicted Tenants Act, and has not, therefore, been inquired into.

      Labourers' Cottages (Derry No. 2 District Council).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of applications for labourers' cottages received by the Derry (No. 2) District Council, the number of applications sanctioned, and the number of cottages erected; and whether he is aware that this Council has kept back the building of labourers' cottages longer than any other Council in Ireland?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      Under the Labourers Act of 1906 the Council received representations alleging the need for 252 cottages, and made a scheme for 177 cottages, of which 136 were finally authorised. Some little delay arose after the arbitrator made his award in July last, but there has not been any extraordinary delay on the part of the local authority in carrying through their scheme. No cottages have as yet been erected, but tenders for a number of the authorised cottages have recently been accepted by the Council, and there is no reason to anticipate that there will be any delay in building.

      Out-door Relief (Ireland).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of persons of over 70 years of age in Ireland who are in receipt of out-door relief, and the average amount of the relief?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The particulars asked for cannot be ascertained from the records of the Local Government Board. They would have to be procured from the Clerks of the several Unions at a cost of much time and trouble to those officials. I hardly think that the value of the Return would be commensurate with the labour involved in its preparation.

      Labourer's Cottages (Number and Cost).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of labourers' cottages erected or sanctioned in Ireland under Labourers Acts, the number and the average cost in each county, the total expenditure up to the present, the total costs apart from expenditure on land, labour, and material, and the number of claims or applications at present under consideration?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      Up to 31st March last, 22,921 cottages had been erected under the Labourers Acts. The records of the Local Government Board do not show the number of additional cottages since provided. The number actually authorised to be erected up to date is approximately 44,000, not including 2,000 which are at present provisionally authorised. The total cost of providing cottages in each county, apart from expenditure on land, labour and material could only be obtained by applying to the several rural District Councils. The latest available information for all the districts in Ireland regarding the expenditure and the number of applications is contained in Tables C and D of the appendix to the Annual Report of the Local Government Board, pages 336℃357, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The Local Government Board will shortly be obtaining similar information with regard to the year ending on the 31st instant, and will then be in a position to furnish particulars up to date if required, and also to give the number of cottages and the average cost in each county.

      Old Age Pensions (Belfast).
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether claims of applicants for old age pensions in Belfast have been rejected on the ground that the applicants were in receipt of allowances from their sons and daughters; whether any appeals on this point have been made to the Local. Government Board; and, if so, what decision has been given on the point?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      Such cases have occurred in Ireland, and may have arisen in Belfast. They have all been dealt with on the principle indicated in the circular issued by the Local Government Board to Pension Committees on the 15th December last. Paragraph 7 of that circular points out that voluntary allowances in money and the value of free board or lodging or other benefits regularly given to a claimant must be taken into consideration in calculating the yearly means of the claimant.

      Duty Paid by Publicans (Dublin Police District).
      Mr. T. M. HEALY
      asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a sum of over £400 a year is annually exacted from publicans in the Dublin Metropolitan Police district by means of a 10s. duty under Section 12 of The Licensing Act, 1833, and applied to police purposes, although the general Dublin Police Rate is also payable by them; whether publicans in the added area of Clontarf are now called upon to pay this duty; and whether, as the reason for maintaining such a duty has long since disappeared, it will either be abandoned by the Government or handed over to the local authorities, as was done in the case of the pawnbrokers' licences in 1898?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The answer to the first two paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. As the amount of the duty and its allocation is fixed by the Statute, it would not be possible to make the change suggested by the hon. Member without legislation, even if it were considered desirable to do so.

      An Irish Farm Exchanged.
      Mr. KENDAL O'BRIEN
      asked whether the Estates Commissioners have given a farm and residence to Messrs. Hickey in exchange for a farm at Demone, Dundrum, County Tipperary; what is the extent of the new farm, and in what county is it situated; how many acres of land are held by Messrs. Hickey in the counties of Tipperary and Kilkenny; for what reason did the Commissioners exchange farms with these people; and is it the intention of the Commissioners to distribute the lands of Demone amongst the uneconomic holders in Doorish and district?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The Estates Commissioners inform me that the Hickeys have been provided with a farm of 88 acres in Leinster. The Commissioners do not know how many acres they hold in Tipperary and Kilkenny. The farm in Demone which they surrendered contained 94 acres. It will be distributed by the Commissioners when the necessary legal transfer has been completed.

      Challenged Jurors.
      Mr. LONSDALE
      asked the number of distinct cases tried at the late Cork and Limerick Winter Assizes in which jurors were ordered by the Crown to stand aside without cause assigned, the number of jurors so challenged, and the result of the trial in each case?
      1250
      The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND
      It would not be possible to reply to this question without obtaining reports from the Crown Solicitors of every county included in the Munster and Connaught Winter Assizes, and this would take some time. I cannot interrupt the Crown Solicitors in their work of preparing for the Spring Assizes, which have already begun, for the purpose of obtaining the information. If, however, the hon. Member is interested on behalf of any particular persons who were tried at the Winter Assizes I shall be happy on being furnished with the names to obtain the information he desires, as I did for the hon. Member for Sligo in December last.

      Illegal Trawlers.
      Mr. HUGH LAW
      asked as to recent illegal fishing by steam trawlers in the vicinity of Tory Island; and whether one of these trawlers on the 6th inst. fired several shots at two island boats which approached for the purpose of identifying her?

      Mr. CHERRY
      The Department are aware of the illegal steam trawling that has recently been carried on off Tory Island. During the past four months the Department have instituted proceedings in nine cases, in which fines and costs amounting in all to £489 were imposed. A further case is listed for hearing on the 2nd March. The shots referred to were alleged to have been fired from the trawler in this case.

      Irish Dairy Instructors.
      Mr. SHEEHAN
      asked whether Mr. Carroll, instructor in dairying, was originally appointed for a period of 12 months; whether he underwent any examination since his appointment; whether he has failed at such examination; and, if so, will he explain why, under these circumstances, he has been retained in the service of the Department, especially having regard to the fact that these appointments have caused dissatisfaction among the creamery managers and considerably hampered the working of the Department's schemes in relation to creameries?

      Mr. CHERRY
      Mr. Carroll was originally appointed in April, 1907, on probation with a number of others, as Instructor in Dairying. These instructors were submitted to an examination in the following March, as the result of which the Department continued their employment. It is not a fact that Mr. Carroll failed at this examination. With reference to the concluding portion of the question, I have
      1251
      to refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend to previous questions from him on this subject.

      Mr. SHEEHAN
      asked whether, notwithstanding the fact that there was a considerable reduction in the number of creameries applying for registration and the services of the Department's instructors for the season 1908, he appointed as an additional instructor an Englishman named Mr. Wilkinson; what salary this official is at present receiving; whether, within a few months of his appointment, he was promoted to the position of lecturer in the Ballyhaise College; and why the Department, in view of the number of other instructors who had had several years' service, promoted Mr. Wilkinson to that position?

      Mr. CHERRY
      The Department appointed Mr. R. H. Wilkinson in May, 1908, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of an instructor in dairying. Mr. Wilkinson's salary is £200 per annum, the same as that paid the instructor whom he succeeded. His special knowledge and previous training as a teacher and analyst, combined with 20 years' commercial experience as technical manager and general manager of the two largest dairying companies in Ireland, rendered him exceptionally qualified for the position. At the present time he is engaged at the Department's Agricultural Station, Ballyhaise, as lecturer in dairy technology, dairy engineering, and business methods in connection with the course for students in creamery management. Mr. Wilkinson is not of Irish birth, but has continuously resided in Ireland for over 20 years.

      Evicted Tenants in Wicklow.
      Mr. MULDOON
      asked whether the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned the sale to the tenants on the estate of Colonel Mervyn Tynte, of Dunlavin, county Wicklow; whether any provision was made at the time of sale for reinstating the evicted tenants; and whether the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned or propose to sanction the sale to Thomas Lee, who is in occupation of one of the evicted farms, although the evicted tenant offered the agent the full amount due?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The purchase agreements in this case were only lodged in September last, and the Estates Commissioners have not sanctioned any advances. When the estate is being dealt with in its proper turn they will make inquiry as the evicted tenants. No purchase agreement signed by Lee has been lodged.

      Costs of Pension Applications.
      Mr. DEVLIN
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the charge made for the inspection of the Census papers in the Record Office, Dublin, in connection with applications for old age pensions is a hardship on many of the applicants; whether he is aware that in many parishes the clergy are put to inconvenience in looking up the baptismal registers in connection with these applications, and are expected to do this without fee or reward; and whether he will take steps to abolish the charge made at the Record Office?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      As stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to a question asked by the hon. Member for West Mayo on the 19th November last, no expense need be incurred by claimants in cases in which it becomes necessary to search the Census returns for proof of age, arrangements having been made for the work to be done by Inland Revenue officers. If a claimant prefers to seek himself for evidence in support of his claim he has to pay the usual inspection fee of one shilling. There is no obligation on the clergy to make searches in baptismal registers without fee or reward. Some, no doubt, do so, but others do not. The fees in the Record Office are fixed by the Master of the Rolls with the consent of the Treasury as provided by the Public Records (Ireland) Act, 1867, and I have no power to vary them.

      Knights of St. Patrick.
      Mr. MOORE
      asked how many Knights of St. Patrick were summoned for an installation of the present junior knight; how many declined to attend; if there is any power of compelling the attendance of a knight at such an installation; if there is power in the statutes of the order to dispense with the attendance of knights who have merely refused to attend on such an occasion; and where the statutes of the order can be inspected?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      The summoning of the Knights of St. Patrick to a Chapter of the Order is a duty performed by Ulster King of Arms under the directions of the Grand Master of the Order, and I have no information with regard to it. There is no power to compel the attendance of a knight at an investiture. There is power in the statutes of the order to dispense with the necessary quorum at an investiture. Instances of private investiture have been frequent in recent years as in the cases of the Earl of Bandon, Lord
      1253
      Clonbrock, the Earl of Longford, the Earl of Enniskillen, the late Lord De Ros, and the present junior knight. The statutes of the Order of St. Patrick are in the custody of Ulster King of Arms as registrar of the order.

      Trials of Cattle Drivers.
      Mr. LONSDALE
      asked what was the number of cases of cattle-driving tried before juries in the year ended 31st March, 1908; what were the results of the trials in such cases; and what was the amount of the fees paid to the Law Officers, in addition to salary, during the financial year ended the same date?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      There were ten trials before juries for cattle-driving in the year ended 31st March, 1908. One case resulted in a conviction, three in acquittals, and six disagreements. As regards the last paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to page 358 of the Appropriation Accounts for the year 1907–8, which have recently been presented to Parliament.

      Sub-letting of Grass Lands.
      Mr. LONSDALE
      asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will ascertain from the county inspectors of constabulary of Galway, Roscommon, and Sligo whether a large proportion of the untenanted grass lands which have been parcelled out to new tenants in those counties has been sub-let by the latter as grazing farms, in many instances to the dis-possessed graziers; and will he state whether the practice is approved by the Government?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      No, Sir. Enquiries of the kind suggested do not fall within the scope of police duty.

      Invalid Applicants for Pensions.
      Mr. LONSDALE
      asked whether the Local Government Board for England has decided that a claimant for an old age pension who has been treated during temporary sickness in the infirm or sick ward of the workhouse, in consequence of there being no infirmary accommodation available, is not disqualified for receipt of a pension; and whether, in view of this fact the Irish Secretary will direct that reconsideration shall be given by the Irish Local Government Board of the claim of Andrew Jenkins, Derrycoose, Annaghmore, previously decided by them on appeal from the Armagh Rural (North) Pension sub-Committee?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      I understand that the practice in England is as stated. The particular claimant referred to in the 1254
      question was not returned in the Guardians' books as having received medical or surgical treatment, and the Local Government Board were therefore obliged to disallow the proposed pension.

      An Official House.
      Mr. MOORE
      asked if a house allowance has been added to the emoluments of the office of Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland; and, if so, under what head in the Vote does such allowance appear?

      Mr. BIRRELL
      A residential allowance not exceeding the annual sum of £150 is payable to the Vice-President of the Department under Section 6 (2) of the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899. The allowance appears in the Estimates under sub-head A, Salaries and Wages. No addition has been made to the emoluments of the office of the Vice-President since the Department was established.

      Berne Convention (Proces-verbaux).
      Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD
      asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to publish an English translation of the Proces-verbaux given on pp. 49 to 112 of the Correspondence respecting the revised Convention of Berne, Cd. 4467?

      Mr. McK1NNON WOOD
      It has not been thought necessary to translate the Proces-verbaux at present. It is a long document, and there does not appear to be sufficient reason to depart from the procedure followed upon previous occasions.

      Patents Act (Foreign Workshops and Revocation Orders).
      Sir WILLIAM BULL
      asked, in relation to the recent Act passed insisting that manufacturers of articles patented in this country should manufacture here, how many Foreign firms have erected workshops in this country since the passing of the Act; and in how many cases patents granted to foreigners have been revoked on the ground that the conditions of the Act have not been complied with.

      Mr. CHURCHILL
      It is impossible to say how many foreign firms have erected workshops in this country since the passing of the Patents Act. The number of patents already ordered to be revoked under Section 27 is eight. In three of these cases the order has been appealed against. The total number of applications under the Section, up to the present date, for orders of revocation is 33, of which two have been withdrawn.