considering what action to take upon it, and am unable at present to say whether a further Report will prove to be neces sary. The High Bank Rate-International MR. FIELD: To ask Mr. Chan- Cutting of Trees in Kensington Gardens. MR. MURRAY MACDONALD (Falkirk Burghs): To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the extensive and indiscriminate nature of the polling and lopping of elms in Kensington Gardens, whereby the beauty of the Broad Walk and the neighbouring parts of the gardens is being ruined; whether he knows that perfectly sound limbs of trees have been hewn off, no attempt the Alexandria and Liverpool cotton being made, apparently, to distinguish between sound and decaying branches; and will he give the House an assurance that this work of destruction will be stayed. (Answered by Mr. Harcourt.) I am personally watching the tree pruning in Kensington Gardens by frequent visits. Nothing is being done beyond what is considered necessary by my expert advisers. It is occasionally necessary to shorten sound limbs in order to restore the balance of a tree where it has been disturbed by the removal of decayed branches. Allotment of Additional Grants for Training Colleges and Secondary Schools. SIR PHILIP MAGNUS (London University): To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can state how he proposes to allot the additional grant of £122,486 for buildings and maintenance for training colleges in the Estimates for 1907-8, Class 4, D 1; and how he proposes to allot the additional sum of £75,000 for secondary schools. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) It is impossible to set out in an Answer to a Question the various matters incident to the distribution of grants in respect of training colleges and secondary schools. The regulations that are regularly issued and presented to Parliament give full information on these matters, and they can be further discussed or elucidated, if needs be, in the debate on the Education Vote in this House. exchanges, based on an estimated American cot on crop for 1906-7 of about 2,000,000 bales smaller than it has turned out; and whether, in view of the amount of gold taken from the London market at the same period by certain American financiers, by the aid of foreign bills accepted by London bankers, which had the principal effect of artificially raising the value of money in the United Kingdom, he will say what steps does His Majesty's Government propose to take in order to safeguard Home trade and finance against these international gambling operations in London, Liverpool, Egypt, and America. MR. FIELD: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exechequer whether he is aware of the fact that of late years it has become customary with English banks and bankers to accept foreign bills with the main object of fostering international gambling operations in foreign securities; whether he is aware it is estimated that there are some £80,000,000 sterling in foreign finance paper, principally American, held in London at the present time with that object; that it is recognised that should American securities. further fall heavily it may lead to a financial crisis in England; is he aware that, in order to prevent panic, the leading bankers have been compelled to take serious steps to stop the flow of gold out of the country; and whether, under these circumstances, His Majesty's Government will take any measures calculated to prevent a continuance of such dangers arising from such international financial gambling operations. and Income-tax Assessment. LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.): To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Crown last summer allowed to the Congregational minister of Bowes Park a special deduction from his assessment to Schedule D of the income-tax of £5 in respect of the estimated rental of his study. MR. FIELD: To ask Mr. Chancellor | Congregational Minister of Bowes Park of the Exchequer whether he is aware that it is estimated that many millions pounds sterling have been lately lost by certain English speculators in gambling operations in American securities and in Siberian mines, due to a concerted international bear raid, especially with regard to the latter's shares, and that in order to meet their gambling differences large blocks of Consols, gilt-edged and other high-class British securities, have had to be melted, causing universal depression in the value of all these securities; and what steps does His Majesty's Government intend to take to stop these international bull and bear stock exchange gambling operations in England, with a view of protecting the interests of the bona fide investors in the said securities. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Dealing with this and the hon. Member's two subsequent Questions of like character together, I may say that I think the main cause of the recent monetary stringency has been general commercial activity of a sound and healthy character. In times of such activity there is always a certain amount of speculation, and such speculation is, up to a point, perfectly legitimate. When carried to excess, the results are, I agree, highly mischievous. But it would be very difficult to define the precise point at which speculation should be repressed, nor do I think that the matter is one which could be effectively dealt with by legislation. Stamp Duties on Transfer of Foreign MR. FIELD: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing in his forthcoming Budget a regulation that the transfer of all foreign securities shall be subject to stamp duties, with a view to lessen the burden of taxation on residents in the United Kingdom; and also to compel gamblers in options and futures to contribute to the revenue. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The hon. Member's suggestion shall have my consideration. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The deduction in question was allowed last year in the following circumstances. The minister appealed to the High Court against an adverse decision of the Local Commissioners of Income Tax, and the Crown permitted the case to go by default, because they were advised that upon the case, as stated by the Commissioners, the Court would be precluded from dealing with the question really at issue. The withdrawal was, however, upon the understanding that the Crown would take steps to raise the question again on the assessment for 1906–7. This has now been done. The District Commissioners have pronounced against the validity of the claim to deduct, and the minister in question has demanded a case for the consideration of the High Court. Refusal of Permission to Prosecute SIR H. COTTON (Nottingham, E.): To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the Punjab Government to allow the prosecution of the Civil and Military Gazette, as prayed for by the Punjab Indian Association, for the publication of letters tending to produce racial discord; and whether he will consider, in communication with the Government of India, the desirability of taking some steps to discourage the publication of such inflammatory utterances in the Anglo-Indian Press. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have seen a newspaper report as to the refusal of permission to prosecute in the case mentioned. As at present advised, I do not think it necessary to take any special action in the direction suggested. Completion of the Purchase Scheme for the Bandon Estate, County Cork. MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners can now say when the purchase scheme of the Bandon estate, Ardprior, Buttevant, county Cork, will be completed; and whether, in view of the fact that the purchase was sanctioned in March, 1904, the Commissioners will facilitate the completion of this sale with the least possible delay. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The purchase agreements in this case were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in April, 1905. The Commissioners anticipate that the estate will shortly reach its proper turn for inspection, but they are unable to state definitely when the sale will be completed. Right of Cutting Sedge on the Logan Estate, County Mayo. DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the annoyance and expense to which the poor tenants on the Logan estate, situate at Shraheen, Aughagower, near Westport, county Mavo, have been put to by the action of the landlords in prosecuting them for cutting sedge on an adjacent mountain; could he say whether any landlord ever tried to deprive their tenants of the right to cut sedge before the Logans came into possession of the property; is he aware that not only the present tenants, but their ancestors, always enjoyed the right of cutting sedge on this mountain, and that such right has been upheld in the Courts; and will he see that those poor tenants are no longer subjected to these annoyances. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that the prosecution in question, which was at the suit of the landlord, came before the Westport petty sessions some weeks ago, when the magistrates dismissed the case upon the ground that they had no jurisdiction to deal with it. The solicitor to the landlord then stated that he would renew the case at quarter sessions. The question at issue appears to be one as to the legal rights of the VOL. CLXX. [FOURTH SERIES.] persons concerned, which can only be decided by a Court of law. The Government have no power to interfere in the matter. Irish Constabulary Force Fund. MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.): To ask the of Ireland whether complaints have been Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant made to the Government by members and ex-members of the Irish police force regarding the Constabulary Force Fund, its control and management; and, in view of the fact that numbers of the force are expected, if not indirectly compelled, will state what steps, if any, have been to contribute monthly towards it, he taken by the police authorities to wind it up. Ballacolla, Queen's County, in con- stand that the charge for 1907-8 on junction with the agricultural portion of account of stock already issued will Captain Caldbeck's estate or only the amount to some £70,000, and that, few large business houses in the village. assuming future issues to be made at a discount of 12 per cent., the charge in respect of each million of stock will be about £3,900. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the whole village of Ballacolla is not included in the estate proposed to be purchased by them. Sale of the Ballacolla Estate. MR. DELANY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the large graziers and business men amongst whom Mr. Roper, agent to Captain Caldbeck, Ballacolla, Queen's County, has parcelled out the untenanted land on the estate, have received notice from the landlord to proceed with tilling and sowing operations; and, in view of this fact, will he ask the Estates Commissioners to expedite the purchase of the estate and see that the untenanted land is reserved for the purposes provided for under the Act of 1903. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 25th February to the hon. Member's Question on this subject.† The Irish Development Grant. MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he could state how long it would take to exhaust the entire equivalent grant of £185,000 accruing to Ireland in the Development Grant at the present rate of progress in the issue of Land Stock; and whether the charges in connection with the same are likely to equal the whole amount of the equivalent grant in the near future. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am unable to give anything approaching a precise answer to this Question, having regard to the fact that the charges upon the Development Grant will depend not only upon the amount of Land Stock which it may be found necessary to issue from time to time, but also the dates and prices of issue. I under † See (4) Debates, clxix., 1239-40. upon Grant for Marine Works at Falchorrib. MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether the sum of £1,000 recently voted by the Congested Districts Board for the proposed works at Falchorrib, county Donegal, is in addition to or in substitution for the similar sum allocated in 1902 from the marine works grant, and subsequently found to be insufficient for the purpose; and whether he state the result of the correspondence on this subject between the Board and the county council of Donegal. can now Rosyth. MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total estimated expenditure at Rosyth during 1907-8? MR. LAMBERT: £10,000. MAJOR ANSTRUTHER GRAY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what has been the total expenditure upon Rosyth during 1906-7. MR. LAMBERT: The estimated total expenditure upon Rosyth during 1906-7 is £8,000. MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham): Has the Government any serious intention of pressing on with the works at Rosyth? MR. LAMBERT: I explained the other day very fully the reasons why the Government have taken plenty of time before embarking upon this matter. MR. ARTHUR LEE: But the subject of these works has been under the minute consideration of the Admiralty since the year 1903. MR. LAMBERT: It has not been under the consideration all that time of the present Board of Admiralty. New Army Scheme-Special Reservists. MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington): On behalf of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Croydon, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any calculation has been made showing the number of special reservists to be enlisted under the new scheme who will be twenty years of age, and therefore available for foreign service, when the plan is in working order; and, if so, what is the number which will be so available. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE, Haddington): The details of the numbers of the special contingent have not yet been sufficiently worked out to enable me to give the right hon. Gentleman any figures of the nature which he desires. As regards the Infantry, the special contingent will not be required on mobilisation, but to supply six months' wastage, and it is confidently expected that the sixty-six third battalions with the Irish Militia will easily supply the numbers required. Army Pension Payments. MR. HAROLD COX: I beg_to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that out of the number of Army pensioners in this country there are some who find it impossible to resist the temptation of spending upon drink all the money under their control, and in consequence are compelled to seek relief in the workhouse, whence they emerge on or about pay day for a fresh bout of drinking; and whether he will consider whether it is possible by restraint or otherwise to rescue these men from their manner of life, and to prevent them from continuing to disgrace an honourable profession. MR. HALDANE: A Committee under the Chairmanship of the PaymasterGeneral is considering whether by a more frequent payment of pensions the temptation to dissipation to which some men are exposed by the possession of a considerable sum of money may be removed. In framing any regulations to this effect it is necessary to safeguard that there is no detriment to the interests of the general body of Army pensioners who are a well-conducted and respectable class of the community. Suggested Gratuity for Volunteers. MR. MYER (Lambeth, N): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Bill, in order to obtain a high standard in and also to attract to the Territorial Army the best material in the manhood of the country, and as a reward for the sacrifices made by the working classes in giving up their time to drill and camp, he will consider the advisability of allocating the sum of £1,000,000 in granting to each Volunteer who serves four years, and makes himself efficient to the satisfaction of the authorities, a gratuity at the end of his term of service of the sum of £20. MR. HALDANE: After careful study of the existing situation I came to the conclusion that such proposals as that of my hon. friend would not only failbecause on the footing of payment for |