: MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN (Tipperary, Mid.) To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether inquiries have been made into the proposed increases of salaries to the outdoor medical officers of the Poplar Union; if so, what were the reasons advanced for refusing such increases; was a salary of £150 paid in one division of the union in 1900, though the number of persons entered on the medical register was only 1,050; and is a salary of £140 now being paid in the same division, while the number for the past twelve months is 3,152, showing a decrease of £10 in the salary, while the work has increased by more than 300 per cent. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Local Government Board considered the application made to them in this matter, but it appeared to them undesirable that a permanent increase should be made in the salaries of the officers referred to. I presume that the particular case mentioned in the Question is that of the Bromley District of the union, the medical officer of which received a salary of £150 in 1900. According to statements supplied by the guardians the number of orders for medical attendance in this district (excluding paupers on the permanent list) was 1,044 in 1900 and 2,246 in 1906. A new officer was appointed for the district in 1901 at £130 per annum and his salary was increased in 1904 to £140 per annum. Married Women's Poor Law Liabilities. MR. L. HASLAM (Monmouth Boroughs): To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether in view of the fact that the Court of King's Bench held, on appeal, that a married woman with ample separate estate cannot be compelled to contribute towards the maintenance of her parent or parents, while a man under similar circumstances can be legally compelled to do so, he will introduce legislation to remove this inequality. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) As I have stated in reply to previous Questions, I have taken note of this point, but I cannot promise to introduce legislation on the subject at the present time. Vaccination Order. MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland) : To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Vaccination Order, promised on the 14th instant to be circulated in a few days, is now ready for publication; whether such Order will take effect from the beginning of the next half-year, 25th March; and whether, if such Order is to come into force on that date, he will cause it to be issued in good time for the boards of guardians throughout the country to consider its provisions and make their necessary arrangements. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Order is in an advanced state of preparation, and will be issued as soon as prac ticable. I will take care that there shall be a suitable interval between the date of its issue and that on which it comes into operation. Fishery Board Rates. MR. LEWIS HASLAM: To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill on the lines of the recommendation made by the late Royal Commission on Salmon Fisheries for the protection and preservation of such fisheries, by which fishery boards may be empowered to levy a rate on fishery owners for that purpose. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) My noble friend hopes to introduce a Bill on the lines of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Bill of last session, which will enable effect to be given to the recommendations of the Royal Commission. Income Tax Collection. MR. RENDALL (Gloucestershire, Thornbury): To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Surveyors of Taxes and Income Tax Commissioners are authorised to ask individuals and firms for copies of their balance sheets, disclosing their liabilities and capital, as Questions. distinguished from and in addition to | Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware their trading or revenue accounts, and that the public buildings at Dublin, such information about plant as is usually especially the Custom House, furnished to enable them to arrive at a Courts, and Post Office, have been correct assessment. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Taxpayers are not under obligation to disclose their balance sheets for the purpose of the making of an assessment upon them, and they may refuse to do so when asked. On the other hand there is nothing to prevent Surveyors of Taxes and Income Tax Commissioners from asking for such information, and many individuals and firms are glad to supply it, as the best way of arriving at a fair assessment and of avoiding dispute. In the event of an appeal, Commissioners have demand full information. power to Severe Sentence on an Amritsar Syce. MR. WEIR: To ask the Secretary of State for India if he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances under which a syce in the service of Mr. Cason, magistrate of Amritsar, India, was recently subjected to a criminal prosecution for accidentally injuring his employer's trap, and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment; and will he state why so severe a penalty was imposed for an offence of this character. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have no information as to the case mentioned. It is open to the accused to appeal to the proper court for a revision of his sentence. The Chowkidari Tax. MR. WEIR: To ask the Secretary of State for India, having regard to the fact that the Chowkidari Tax, which is levied for the remuneration of village watchmen, presses heavily on the agriculturists of Bengal, will he state whether the Bengal Government have yet reported as to the expediency of remitting the tax. Four neglected for years past and require to be cleansed and renovated; and whether he will cause expert inquiry to be made, and take measures to have those buildings suitably renovated. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I have already informed the hon. Member that these buildings are in need of no structural repair. Their cleansing, however should, in my opinion, be postponed to desirable, is not a pressing need and be provided for. I do not understand works of greater urgency which have to that the state of these buildings compares unfavourably with that of many public buildings in this country. College of Science, Dublin. MR. FIELD: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that a long period has elapsed since the plans of the College of Science, Dublin, and the College at Glasnevin were adopted and the money earmarked for immediate expenditure; and, seeing that there is a dearth of employment in the building trade in Dublin, whether he will arrange that the work should be commenced at once, and that Irish materials, including slates, shall be utilised. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am informed that the works in connection with the new College of Science were commenced in March, 1905, and that the building will be completed to the level of the ground floor in a few weeks. Similarly, the building of the new residences for King's scholars at Glasnevin are, I understand, rapidly approaching completion. I have already answered numerous Questions about the building materials for the College of Science, to which I have nothing further to add except that, as flat roofs will be used, no slates will be required. The buildings at Glasnevin are not within the cognisance of the Board of Works, but there can MR. FIELD (Dublin, St, Patrick): To obviously, at this stage, be no question of ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-changing the materials. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The Answer to the Question is in the negative. Dublin Public Buildings. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Carrick-on-Shannon Evicted Tenant. MR. THOMAS F. SMYTH (Leitrim, Commissioners have not received an S.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the application from Thomas Fitzpatrick, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Estates but have received one from Rose FitzCommissioners have received an applica- patrick, of Lisgillick, and this has been tion for reinstatement from Mrs. Eliza referred to an inspector for investigation. Noone, for her former holding at Kiltycarney, Carrick-on-Shannon, on the Rowley estate, in county Leitrim; and if a Report will be made thereon. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received Mrs. Noone's application, and will have it inquired into in due course. Cloonsherevagh Evicted Tenant. MR. THOMAS F. SMYTH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Mrs. Jane M'Dermott for the farm which she formerly held at Cloonsherevagh, Carrick-on-Shannon, on the Hatley Manor estate, in county Leitrim; and if an inspector will be sent to inspect the farm. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Ballinamore Evicted Tenant. MR. THOMAS F. SMYTH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he has received an application for reinstatement from Hugh Fox, Commissioners inform me that they have Lisicairn, Ballinamore, on the McGovern and Harlison Estate, in county Leitrim; and if an inspector will be sent to inspect the farm. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received the application, and have referred it to an inspector for inquiry and report. Drumsna Evicted Tenant. received no application for reinstatement from Mrs. Jane M'Dermott. The Rowan Tributary. MR. THOMAS F. SMYTH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he has received a petition from a number of tenants on the Crofton, Clements, and Massey estate, in the county Leitrim, and who resides in the Eslin drainage district, in Mohill union, with reference to having the Rowan tribu of the tenants on the above estates are Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant tary, in the same district, cleaned, as, of Ireland, if the Estates Commissioners owing to its present condition, the crops have received an application for reinstatement from Mrs. Bridget Moran for her holding at Minkill, Drumsna, on the Rowley estate, in county Leitrim; and if the same will be considered. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received and in vestigated Mrs. Moran's application, and have decided that, as the applicant already possesses a sufficient farm, they will take no action in the matter. Cloone Evicted Tenant. being continually flooded, and consequently they suffer great loss; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The Board of Works inform me that they have no knowledge of the petition in question. by reason of neglect on the part of the If, however, any persons are aggrieved Eslin District Trustees to maintain the Works in the district their proper course is to write to the Board, who will give the matter full consideration. Mr. Robert Pearson's Queen's County MR. DELANY (Queen's MR. THOMAS F. SMYTH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinCounty, statement from Thomas Fitzpatrick, Lis- Ossory): To ask the Chief Secretary to gillock, Cloone, an evicted tenant on the the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether Ruthven estate, in county Leitrim; and he can state the grounds upon which a if steps will be taken to have him restored. sum of £195 is retained by the Estates Commissioners from Mr. Robert Pearson, | available, they could be expended with Clonmore, Errill, Ballybrophy, Queen's more advantage at another place than County, out of the purchase money of his Meenlaragh on that part of the coast of state at Ballyquaid, near Ballybrophy, the county Donegal. which he sold to the tenants under the Land Act of 1903. Army Meat Supplies. MR. HENNIKER HEATON: To ask (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates the Secretary of State for War, if he will Commissioners inform me that the pur-state the quantity and cost of the meat chase money of the estate referred to was consumed by the Army in 1905; from distributed in August last, when a sum of what sources was it obtained, British, £6 6s. was retained for costs. No further the Colonies of the Empire, and from Foreign countries respectively; and the approximate amount paid to each of the three divisions for the supplies. amount was retained. Labourers' Cottages at Banbridge. MR. J. MACVEAGH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the scheme for the erection of twenty-four labourers' cottages in the Banbridge Union, county Down, which was sanctioned after the Local Government Board inquiry of 19th December, 1905, whether he can explain why an arbitrator has not been appointed, and what steps the Local Government Board is taking to expedite the appointment. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board are unable to appoint an arbitrator until the rural district council make application to them for that purpose. The board have twice addressed the council on the subject, but the necessary application has not been received. A further communication is being sent to the council. Meenlaragh Port. MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.) To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord To ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland, whether the Irish Government and Congested Districts. Board have received a memorial praying for the improvement of the port of Meenlaragh, or Phahalen, county Donegal; and whether it is proposed to carry out the work in view of the importance of the herring fishery to the inhabitants of this district. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The quantity of meat used by the British Army in 1905 is estimated at about 45,000 tons. As regards the latter part of the Question there are no statistics available at the War Office of such a detailed character as would enable me to give the information required, and it is more than doubtful whether such information if obtained by means of special returns, would be at all reliable. Discharged Soldiers' Claim-Ex-Private To ask the Secretary of State for War, (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Nothing is known of the matter referred to in the first part of the Question, nor could any such claim be inquired into after a lapse of twenty-two years. regards the second part of the question there is no form of compassionate allow (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Irish ance for which he is eligible. Government received the memorial in question, and referred it to the Congested Districts Board for consideration. The Board have since fully considered the matter, and have arrived at the con QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. As Battleships with Nucleus Crews. clusion that, if any funds should be beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty Ipswich Artillery Barracks-Wage Dispute. whether, when the thirteen battleships! which are being, or are going to be, laid up with reduced nucleus crews of seventythree men have been in that state for six or eight months, they will be unfit for service unless much time and money is spent on them; and, if so, if it is the intention of the Admiralty to allow them to be sold. THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dundee) The Answer is in the negative to both parts of the Question. : Stoker-Mechanician Watchkeeper. MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how far it is understood that by the new regulations the stoker-mechanician watchkeeper, whether warrant officer or not, will take precedence of the actual trained mechanic of the artificer class in the engine-rooms of our battleships. MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON: There is no question of precedence in the relations of engine-room artificers and mechanicians, both being chief petty officer ratings. It is not contemplated that these two ratings will be employed at watch-keeping duty in the same engine room. The warrant officer, whether of the artificer or mechanician class, being of superior rank, would have disciplinary authority both as regards engine-room artificers and mechanicians. Engine Room Artificers. MR. ALDEN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how far the Selborne Memorandum will become inoperative as a result of the relegation of the engine-room artificers to repair work only, and their divorce from watch-keeping duties; and how far will the new regulations affect those who joined the senior service under the old conditions. MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON: The Selborne Memorandum will not become inoperative as a result of the revision of the respective duties of the engine-room artificers and mechanicians. The new duties to be allotted to the mechanician will not affect the pay, rank, or prospects of advancement of the engine-room artificer, though the numbers of the class will be gradually reduced. VOL. CLXX. [FOURTH SERIES.] MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the nature of the Report made to his Department by the Board of Trade relating to the wages of labourers in the Ipswich district; and what are the present wages paid by the contractors to the men employed upon the Artillery Barracks, Ipswich. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE, Haddington): The Report was in favour of the view that 5d. an hour was the current rate for builders' labourers at Ipswich. All labourers employed by contractors to the department on work at the barracks are now paid that rate. Army Contracts for Preserved Meat. MR. HUNT: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, why it is that, although our Colonies supplied the Army with very nearly half our supply of preserved meat during the whole period of the late Boer War, during the years since the war nearly all the preserved meat has been bought from foreign countries, and only a very small amount from our own Colonies. MR. HALDANE: The Colonies are invited to tender to meet every demand, but on account of drought or the shortness of stocks they are not always able to quote for delivery as required. In many cases they are beaten by price. Belturbet Barracks' Water Supply. MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military authorities at Belturbet have made frequent complaints to the district council as to the insanitary condition of Lanigan's well, from whence supplies are drawn for the troops; whether he is aware that the Cavan Rural District Council have refused to remedy the insanitary state of the well; whether he is acquainted with the reasons for this refusal; and what steps he intends to take to protect the health of the troops at Belturbet. MR. HALDANE: The General Officer Commanding reports that complaints have been made and have been the I |