MR. JESSE COLLINGS: Then may I put it to the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Local Government Board? representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, with regard to land purchased by county councils and let in small holdings under the Small Holdings Act of last year, the county MR. JOHN BURNS: I must ask for councils are required to charge such rent notice. Swine Fever. MR. COURTHOPE: I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board of Agriculture have received any report or information upon the recent developments of science with reference to the micro-organism of swine fever. The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper. MR. COURTHOPE: To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the recent scientific discoveries in connection with swine fever show that the present methods of dealing with this disease are entirely wrong. MR. COURTHOPE: To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board of Agriculture are preparing the new Swine Fever Orders in accordance with recent scientific investigation. MR. COURTHOPE: To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the new Swine Fever Orders will be issued. SIR EDWARD STRACHEY: The veterinary officers of the Board are in possession of full information as to recent scientific work in connection with swine fever, in which those officers themselves have taken an active part. The results obtained do not materially alter the views previously entertained either as to the manner in which the disease is spread or as to the method of dealing with it. Recent discoveries have of course been borne in mind in framing the new Swine Fever Orders, which will be issued as soon as possible. Small Holdings. MR. JESSE COLLINGS: I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as as will include, not only interest on the purchase money, but also a yearly sum as whole cost of the land, seeing that the a sinking fund sufficient to recoup the of property the whole cost of which has county councils would thus become owners been paid by the small tenants in hard cash. SIR EDWARD STRACHEY: The intention of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act of last session is that the charges to which the right hon. Gentleman refers should be included in the rent, but so far as the Board are concerned they will offer no objection to the exclusion of these charges in the calculation of rents where a county council is itself willing to defray them. The matter was fully discussed, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, when the Bill was under consideration last year. it the Answer to my Question is in the MR. JESSE COLLINGS: Then I take affirmative, qualified by the statement that the county council can if it likes defray these charges? SIR EDWARD STRACHEY: I have already told the right hon. Gentleman that the county council if they think fit can include them in the rent. Ealing County Court Work. MR. NIELD (Middlesex, Ealing): I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if he is aware of the inconvenience occasioned to the inhabitants of the Borough of Ealing by reason of their having to walk upwards of two miles to transact County Court business for the want of direct communication between Ealing and Brentford; and whether he will advise the establishment of a registrar's office to be opened at least three days a week for the issue of process and transaction of the ordinary routine business connected with the County Court, having regard to the large population and rapidly increasing importance of the borough. of direct communication between Ealing gestions of my hon. friends are not new and Brentford are, I am informed, a little and, as they are aware, received the out of date, but during the last year tram- sanction of this House as part of the cars have been running to within a short Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill. That distance of the Brentford Court. The Bill expresses the policy of the Governquestion of establishing a branch office ment. It has been rejected by the has been carefully considered, but at House of Lords, and I am unable to make present it is not thought advisable to any further statement upon the subject incur that expenditure. at present. Vivisectors and Dog Licences. MR. ELLIS GRIFFITH (Anglesey): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is customary for the authorities of laboratories, licensed for vivisection, to pay the tax on the dogs which they keep for that purpose; if so, will he state the number of licences issued by the Inland Revenue to such authorities during the last two years; if it be the fact that no such taxes are paid, what is the ground of such exemption; and whether applications for such exemptions are made in those cases as provided by Sub-section 1 of Section 5 of the Dogs Act of 1906. MR. RUNCIMAN: Licence duties are paid on all dogs used for the purposes stated, but no separate record is kept of the precise number of licences thus issued. Small Holdings in Scotland. MR. AINSWORTH (Argyllshire): I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will consider the advisability of amending and extending the powers of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland by legislation, so as to enable them to create and increase small holdings in Scotland, and so meet the demand existing in the Highlands and elsewhere on the part of cottars, crofters, and others to obtain land for their support and to prevent the exodus of families to the large towns and to the Colonies and America. MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty): At the same time, may I ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will consider the expediency of introducing an Amendment of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act to enable the Board to acquire land compulsorily for the creation of new holdings. THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR, Forfarshire): The sug Norwegian Trawlers. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the fact that during the year ending 31st December, 1907, as many as 123 prosecutions were instituted against foreign trawlers for illegal trawling around the coast of Scotland, will he state how many of these vessels were flying the Norwegian flag. MR. SINCLAIR: Seventeen. Chairmanship of the Crofters MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state who is now acting as Chairman of the Crofters Commission. MR. SINCLAIR: The appointment is now vacant, and will be filled up shortly. Protection against Illegal Trawling. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the interests of line fishermen suffer through illegal trawlers sweeping the fishing beds off the coast of Scotland, will he state whether the funds at the disposal of the Scottish Fishery Board are yet sufficient to admit of the sea police being strengthened by the purchase of another fishery cruiser; and, if not, will he state what sum has been accumulated for this purpose. MR. SINCLAIR: I am informed that after the beginning of the financial year the Fishery Board will be in a position to acquire an additional cruiser, according to the arrangement made some time ago. Foreign Trawlers-Destruction of Fishermen's Nets. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that there have been many instances recently where fishermen's nets have been destroyed by foreign trawlers; and, seeing that the fishermen have no funds with found. The Answer to the second part which to set the law in motion, will he of the Question is in the negative. take such action as may be necessary to enable the Fishery Board to conduct prosecutions in the interest of the fishermen. MR. SINCLAIR: I am aware of the facts to which my hon. friend draws attention, and I regret to have to say that the remedy which he proposes is not considered practicable. MR. WEIR: Can the right hon. Gentleman suggest any other remedy for this great evil? MR. SINCLAIR: I shall be glad to consider any suggestions that may be sent me. Scottish Education Bill. SIR HENRY CRAIK (Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities): I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland when the Scottish Education Bill which was read first time last Thursday will be printed and distributed. MR. SINCLAIR: It is hoped that the Bill will be printed and in the hands of Members by to-morrow, and at the latest by Saturday. SIR HENRY CRAIK: Will ample time be allowed for the consideration of the Bill by the people of Scotland before the Second Reading? Ballycastle Pier, Mayo. MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.): I beg to ask the VicePresident of the Department of Agricul ture (Ireland) whether any plans have been submitted to his Department for the erection of a pier at Ballycastle, County Mayo; and, if so, have any plans been approved; and is the Department yet in a position to set the work on foot in this very backward district where employment is at present badly wanted, and the necessity for a sufficient pier to enable the coasting steamers to call has been recognised by every person who knows the north coast of County Mayo. Whaling off the Irish Coast. MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.): I beg to ask the Vice-President of the MR. SINCLAIR: I think that is very Department of Agriculture (Ireland) desirable. whether the proposed Bye-Law No. 2, dealing with whaling on the West Coast of Ireland, permits the towing of whales. captured beyond the three-mile limit to any place south of Downpatrick Head; how it is proposed to guard against an infringement of the three mile limit; whether he is aware that, in the opinion of persons interested in the herring fishery, any whaling off the Irish Coast, even under the restriction of a three-mile limit, would be destructive of the existing fisheries, upon which numbers of families. depend; and whether in his proposed legislation on this subject the Department will seek powers to forbid whaling altogether off the West Coast of Ireland. MR. T. W. RUSSELL: The second of the bye-laws affecting whaling off portion of the Irish Coast which the Department propose to submit for the approval of the Lord-Lieutenant in Council does not prohibit the towing through territorial waters to a factory that may be situate to the westwards or southwards of Downpatrick Head of a whale killed on the high seas. Should the proposed bye-laws be approved of, their provisions will be enforced by the cruisers at the disposal of the Department. The Department cannot take steps to banish from the country an industry which may be of advantage to certain poor districts, unless clearer evidence than is at present forthcoming can be produced as to its injurious effects on the fisheries. The Department will see that no injury is done to the local fisheries by the prosecution of the whaling industry. MR. HUGH LAW: Is it a fact that the Scottish fisheries are very much dissatisfied with the Act passed last year, and will not the Government make the Bill promised much stronger than that Act? MR. T. W. RUSSELL: I am aware of the dissatisfaction. I announced the other day that in the Bill I was going to introduce the Government would take power to grant licences in districts where the industry will do no harm. MR. CATHCART WASON: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is an abuse of terms to call these operations an "industry," and that the operations in Scotland are entirely ruinous to the fishing industry? MR. STANLEY WILSON: How many whales are caught off the coast of Ireland? THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.): The number of policemen stationed at Summerhill is seven, which includes three extra men. The temporary increase in the number is due to the necessity of taking measures to prevent cattle-driving. One of the extra men who was recently transferred to Summerhill from an adjoining county is a native of County Meath, but this was not known when the transfer was made. When the facts came to the knowledge of the police authorities, this man was at once sent back to County Louth. Labourers' Cottages in the Belfast Union. MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that five applications for labourers' cottages in Hannahstown and Englishtown have been lodged with the clerk of the Belfast Union for the last two years in respect of labourers in No. 1 Rural District Council, Belfast; whether repeated letters to the council with regard to these applications have failed to elicit any definite reply; and whether he will direct the Local Government Board to inquire into the matter. MR. BIRRELL: The fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. The Local Government Board have no information as to any default of the council in replying to letters addressed to them on the subject. The Board, however, are about to communicate with the council with a view to having the proceedings. expedited. Croker Estate, Limerick. MR. LUNDON (Limerick, E.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord MR. T. W. RUSSELL: I do not know, Lieutenant of Ireland can he say whether, Sir. Summerhill Police. MR. SHEEHY (Meath, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland what is the number of police stationed in Summerhill, County Meath, and what are their duties; whether one of the constables stationed in Summerhill is a native of Meath; and is it in accordance with the rules of the force to have a policeman acting in his among the tenants on the Croker estate in Moohawn, Herbertstown, County Limerick, Michael Power, so long evicted, has as yet been reinstated in his holding; have the Estates Commissioners sent an inspector to report on Power's case; can he say whether the inspector at any time found the landlord, Mr. Croker, or his agent, Mr. John Barrington, disposed to remove from Power's farm Kirby the planter; or does the Evicted Tenants Act of last session empower the landlord by giving him land elsewhere on the estate or by giving him compensation in money. MR. BIRRELL: The Estates Commissioners understand that Kirby, the present occupant of the evicted farm, has held the same for many years as a yearly tenant, but that he is willing to surrender provided that he does not incur loss by doing so. The Commissioners have no power to dispossess Kirby against his will, but they are at present negotiating for the purchase of certain untenanted lands on the estate, and if they succeed in acquiring these lands they will endea vour to effect the reinstatement of Michael Power in his former holding. Lord Cloncurry and his Tenantry. MR. LUNDON: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether negotiations for sale and purchase as between landlord and tenants are in progress in and around the parish of Murroe, County Limerick, between Lord Cloncurry and his tenants; is he aware that there are on this estate a number of what are commonly called future or excluded tenants who, in the arrangements between the landlord and themselves in the campaign over twenty-five years ago, were allowed back on ruinous terms; and will the Estates Commissioners, when prices are being fixed, interpose and fix the prices impartially between both parties, or is there in the immediate future a likelihood of legislation dealing with cases of the kind all over Ireland. MR. BIRRELL: The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of any negotiations for sale between Lord Cloncurry and his tenants, and have no information as to the nature of the tenancies on the estate. The Commissioners have no power to interpose and fix prices. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that the Land Act of 1903 is based upon the principle of voluntary sale and purchase. I am not at present in a position to indicate the details of the Government's proposed measure for amending land legislation in Ireland. Erasmus Smith's Schools Estate. MR. LUNDON: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that the governors of the board of the Erasmus Smith's Schools are selling to the tenants their holdings on the estate around Pallasgrean and Doon, County Limerick; is he aware that three tenants for a very long period have been evicted, namely, John Harty of Garranmore, Timothy Burke of the same place, and Joseph Ryan of Knockderk, and that their farms have been taken up by planters respectively, Lane, Griffin, and Doherty; and can he say whether the Estates Commissioners have under the Evicted Tenants Act of 1907 the power of removing those planters and providing them with either compensation or land elsewhere. MR. BIRRELL: No proceedings for the sale of the estate in question have yet been instituted before the Estates Commissioners. Applications have been received from the three evicted tenants named and are being inquired into. The Commissioners cannot say what the facts are or what action they may take in these cases until they have received and considered their inspector's report. Ventry Estate. MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in accordance with the promise that the Ventry estate would be purchased by the Congested Districts Board, and seeing that processes and writs are being served by the agent and that the tenants refuse to pay, steps will be taken immediately by the Board to reopen negotiations with the owner for the purpose of completing the purchase. MR. BIRRELL: Although it is inaccurate to say that the Congested Districts Board promised to purchase the Ventry estate, it is the fact that the Board opened negotiations for the purchase of the estate, and I hope that it may be found possible to proceed with these negotiations without much delay. Irish School Teachers' Pensions. MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in the case of Irish male teachers in national schools in that country under the age of forty-eight years, the with а constant service from age of eighteen, the maximum pension |