Question
asked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether the Government are taking any steps to provide the troops at Colchester with a rifle range?
In answer, Sir, to my hon. and gallant Friend, I have to state that endeavours are being made to obtain a suitable rifle range for the troops at Colchester on reasonable terms. Tenders for land for the purpose have been advertised for, but one only was received, at £800 a-year, with an immediate payment of £500. We are now making inquiries as to the possibility of obtaining on terms which can be entertained certain rights over land adjacent to the War Department property, which is in itself hardly sufficient in extent.
Army—Carlisle Fort—Question
asked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether it is the fact that the fortifications in progress at Carlisle Fort, on the Cork Harbour, are to be stopped for want of necessary funds or other cause; and, if so, when it is supposed the works may be resumed?
No, Sir, it is not the fact that the fortifications at Carlisle Fort are to be stopped.
Ireland—Acts Of Supremacy And Uniformity—Question
asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government, in this Session, to bring in a Bill for the complete repeal of the Acts first Elizabeth, chapter 1, and thirteenth Elizabeth, chapter 2, the penalties under which were at least partially repealed by the Act ninth and tenth Victoria, chapter fifty-nine?
in reply, said, that the Question of the hon. Member did not bear upon its face what it really referred to. It really referred to the recent judgment in the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland delivered in the case of "Father O'Keeffe v. Cardinal Cullen." That case was now under appeal, and until it had been finally determined by the legal tribunals in that country, it would be premature on the part of the Government to enter into any consideration of the question.
Army—Military Hospital At Portsea—Question
asked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether he has received a memorial from certain inhabitants of Portsmouth, objecting to the erection of a Military Hospital for Contagious Diseases in a site in close proximity to the town of Portsea, on the ground that it would be highly dangerous to the public health; whether it has also received a memorial to the same effect signed by the medical men of Portsmouth; and, whether it is the intention of the War Department to persevere in the erection of the building on the site objected to, or whether steps will be taken to select another site?
Sir, both memorials have been received. The memorial of the inhabitants was referred to the Army medical authorities, who gave it as their opinion that there were no grounds for alarm; and as it appeared that no other equally suitable site could be obtained, except by allotting a portion of the land intended for the people's park, the memorialists were informed that the Secretary of State was unable to comply with their request. The second memorial—that signed by the civilian medical men of Portsmouth—has been referred to the Army Medical Department, and is still under their consideration.
Master And Servant Wages Bill—The Truck System—Question
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he still intends to introduce during this Session the "Master and Servants Wages" Bill, or any other measure dealing with the Truck system?
in reply, said, that it was not his intention to introduce such a Bill as was indicated by the Question of the hon. Baronet during the present Session, for two reasons—first, because it would be impossible for any measure to give satisfaction to both parties under present circumstances; and, secondly, because, since the publication of the Report of the Commission, the Truck system had very generally ceased in consequence of the action of the men themselves. It was highly inexpedient to introduce legislation in a period of transition, or until the further course of events had been observed, and the necessity for a stronger measure than the existing law established.