To ask the Postmaster-General why certain Bradford postmen have not yet been paid for overtime which they worked on Friday, 28th December, and Saturday, 29th December, 1906. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.)It is not usual to pay postmen for overtime due to prolonged delivery (which as a rule cannot be checked) except on certain days of extreme pressure at Christmas time. The 28th and 29th of December were not among these days. I regret that a decision on this case has been delayed owing to the official papers having been accidentally mislaid.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the Indian mail was in the hands of the Post Office before 11 a.m. on Saturday, and why no letters were delivered in the City earlier than 1.30 p.m., or newspapers before 4.55 p.m., even in cases where special arrangements for the delivery of newspapers are in existence. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) on the occasion to which the hon. Member refers the Indian mail, which came to hand after 11 a.m., was exceptionally heavy, and, notwithstanding the employment of a large additional force, it was not possible to effect an earlier delivery. So far as the City was concerned the bulk of the letters were sent out by postmen who left the General Post Office between 12.45 and 1.20 p.m., and a number of them were delivered before 1.30. p.m. The hon. Member may rest assured that on occasions, such as the one under question, all possible steps are taken to ensure the delivery of the mails as soon as possible.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from John Maguire, Drumkeany, parish of Cloone, an evicted tenant on the Lauder estate, in county Leitrim; and, if so, will the same be investigated by an inspector. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners cannot trace the receipt of any application from the person referred to in the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Mrs. Bridget Craemar, Kiltynashinagh, Ballinamore, an evicted tenant on the Marsham estate, in county Leitrim; and, if so, will the same be investigated by an inspector. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have inquired into this application, and have ascertained that the eviction took place in consequence of a dispute regarding the tenancy among members of the evicted tenant's family. The Commissioners have not succeeded in settling this dispute, and have, therefore, decided to postpone the further consideration of the application until they are dealing with the estate upon which the evicted farm is situate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will cause an inquiry to be made as to the alleged grievances from which Protestants, as such, suffer at the hands of their Catholic neighbours in those counties in Ireland where the Catholics are in a majority; and whether he will issue a Return showing the number of Protestants appointed on representative Irish Boards where the Catholics are in a majority, and of the number of Catholics appointed on Boards where the Protestants are in a majority. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I do not think it would be possible to undertake the inquiry which the hon. Member suggests. The Government have no information as to the religious persuasion of members of elected bodies in Ireland, and do not propose to make any inquiry on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of two brothers, Divers Horton and John Robert Horton, who were sentenced to three months' imprisonment each at the Rutland quarter sessions for stealing one pint of milk; and whether, in view of the character of the sentence and of the fact that one of the prisoners has never been convicted before, he will, under the circumstances, remit the remainder of the sentence, seeing that these men have already been in prison six weeks. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) No representation has been made to me in this case other than the Question of the hon. Member. I am making inquiry into it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say when the Estates Commissioners will give a grant to Cornelius Cahill, of Clonoul, Croagh, in the county of Limerick, evicted tenant, to enable him to work his evicted farm, in which he has been reinstated by the landlord; and whether, seeing that there is little likelihood of an immediate sale of the estate by the landlord to the tenants, they will do so without waiting until a sale takes place. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have asked for the landlord's consent to an inspection of the holding with a view to arranging a sale to Cornelius Cahill. If a sale should be arranged the Commissioners will consider the question of making a grant to Cahill, otherwise they have no power to make such a grant.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the precedents for guaranteeing loans to Colonies having full responsible government; and under what circumstances were each of these loans guaranteed. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Guarantees have been given in favour of three loans raised by New Zealand and three raised by Canada.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Domicile Act of 1861 has been applied to China, including Shanghai. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The reply is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the boy artificers promoted to the fifth-class engine-room artificers, and sent to ships abroad, have been favourably reported upon; and whether they are being borne as additional to the usual complement, or in lieu of others whose time has expired.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any difficulty is experienced in obtaining candidates for engine-room artificers; how many of them are expected to leave the naval service on pension during the present financial year, and what proportion of this number it is proposed to obtain from engineering shops in the country; and what is the percentage of failures among those now presenting themselves for entry. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) No difficulty has been experienced in obtaining candidates. Taking the average of the last seven years, it is anticipated that about thirty engine-room artificers will complete time for pension during the present year. It is proposed to obtain about 30 per cent. of the number of entries required for the year from engineering shops in the country. The percentage of failures among candidates last year was twenty-six.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the frequent deductions from the wages of employees in Belfast factories and workshops in violation of the provisions of the Truck Acts; and whether he will direct the local inspector of factories to see that the provisions of the Acts are more rigidly enforced. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Complaints have been received with regard to the bonus system adopted in certain factories in this district, and a case was taken last year to test the legality of the system. In that case, Deane v. Wilson and Co., the High Court held that no violation of the Truck Acts had been committed. Apart from this question, which is now under the consideration of the Departmental Committee on the Truck Acts, I am not aware that there is any prevalence of truck abuses in this district; but if the hon. Member will furnish me with the particulars of any cases that have been brought to his notice they shall be inquired into.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the Report of the Royal Commission on Motor Cars, he can see his way to introduce a Bill dealing with the regulations affecting motor traffic, so that an opportunity may be given to the House of Commons and the public generally of discussing its provisions with a view to legislation next session. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to this Question. Looking to the statement made by the Prime Minister on Monday last, with reference to the business of the session, there would not seem to be any probability that time could be found for the discussion this year of such a Bill as that suggested. and, in these circumstances, it does not appear to me that there would be any advantage in its being introduced.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the inadequate accommodation for the public and officials in the Portrush post office; and when it is proposed to effect an improvement. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) A site for the erection of a new post office has been acquired, and it is hoped that building operations will be begun shortly.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegraphs learners at Bristol, after waiting three years for appointment, have now been asked if they are prepared to leave that office in order to secure positions upon the establishment; and whether, seeing that a competitive examination is announced to be held at Bristol in July, 1907, for the post of telegraph learners, he will state the reason for his decision to add to the staff of learners, in view of the fact that he cannot find vacancies for those already placed in the Bristol office. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Certain telegraph learners at Bristol, whose promotion to the establishment at that office has been delayed longer than was anticipated, by reason of an unexpected dearth of vacancies, have been offered opportunities of early promotion elsewhere, but, with one exception, have preferred, to wait their turn at Bristol. The learnerships to be filled by examination in July will supply officers for appointment to the establishment, not now but some two years hence, and not affect the prospects of the existing learners.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the annoyance caused to the public in the county of Surrey by vagrants and, if not, whether he will ask for information from the local authorities in the county so that he may convince himself of the desirability, or not, of introducing legislation at an early date on the lines of the Report of the Departmental Commission on Vagrancy.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the annoy-

To ask the Secretary of State for War what was the strength of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery and the Royal Garrison Artillery respectively with the colours on 1st May. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures are as under, including India—

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether during the first two years of the Territorial Army there will be two rates of pay in the Territorial cavalry, i.e., the rate under which the recruits of the two previous years have been enlisted and that of the recruits of the current year; and how he proposes to make this a working arrangement. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Yes, Sir, there will be two rates of pay, as vested rights are recognised, under Section 28 (2) of the Bill, for the whole of a man's current engagement. The same conditions are not unknown in the Regular Army, and no serious difficulty need be anticipated.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what decision has now been arrived at as to the advisability of providing civilian buildings in the nature of private residences, shops, stores, etc., on Government land at Salisbury Plain (see Hansard, 14th Febuary, 1907, page 298). (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The matter is receiving careful consideration. I am not yet, however, in a position to make a statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that nearly all the tinned meat supplied to the Army and Navy comes from foreign countries, because it can be supplied cheaper than meat grown in Great Britain, Ireland, or the Colonies, he will say whether the same rule applies to the various articles, as well as granite, used for the Navy, such as chains, anchors, furniture, and the many other necessary articles required by the Admiralty.

The hon. Gentleman will find a full statement of the Admiralty policy in my reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Fareham on 5th March last year. † But, as a matter of fact, I may add that the tinned meat consumed in the Navy is now purchased mainly from Australia and New Zealand.

Does the Government buy on the principle of buying in the cheapest market for all these things, or does it not?

That Question is answered in the Reply given by me on 5th March last year.

Could we have the Answer now? Is the right hon. Gentleman afraid?

said the Answer he had given was in accordance with Parliamentary practice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any orders for cable chains and anchors are at the present time placed abroad?

I do not think so, but the right hon. Gentlemen might put the Question on the Paper. [An HON. MEMBER: "It is in the Question."]

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed that embodiment for six months, in the case it general mobilisation, shall be a condition of enlistment for men for the proposed Territorial Army; if so, whether it is proposed to enforce such a condition; and, if such an intention exists, what specific provision for giving effect to it is included in the Bill now before the House.

Men enlisting into the Territorial Force

† See (4) Debates, cliii., 80, 81.

will be liable under Clause 16 of the Bill to embodiment, which can be enforced under Clause 19. It is obviously impracticable to settle by statute or otherwise the period for which it may be necessary to embody either the whole or part of the Territorial Force, in the event of war.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can now say what will become of the assets and funds which certain Volunteer corps have accumulated by good management and economy.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the Finance Member of the Army Council in Command Paper No. 3370 for the Answer to this Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is in accordance with the Regulations and Orders for the Army that officers on full pay should be employed on the committee of management of the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society, Limited; and, if so, seeing that this is calculated to cause bias and lay such officers open to the suspicion of being influenced in the giving of garrison or regimental contracts, and with a view to securing open competition in the interests of the soldier, if he is prepared to take any action in the matter.

I explained to my hon. friend, in reply to a similar Question on the 28th November last, that the officers on full pay at present on the board of this society receive no remuneration for their services, and not one of them has any pecuniary interest in the business. These officers hold no shares, and are on the Committee of Management only for the very necessary purpose of looking after the interests of the soldiers.

These officers while looking after the society are drawing full pay from the Army.

Of course.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what number of men have been discharged during the last 12 months at Woolwich who have served over ten years.

The number of men discharged at Woolwich since the 1st January with over ten years service is 351. It would take a little time to obtain the number of men of the same service discharged during the last twelve months, but I will have the figures got out and sent to the hon. Member.

I presume the right hon. Gentleman has taken every possible step to reduce the discharges of men of long service?

We are taking every step. I have been down myself, going through the cases with the superintendent, and endeavouring to reduce them to the absolute minimum.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government was consulted as to the appointment of Sir James Mackay to the late Colonial Conference.

In the full Answer which the Secretary of State gave to a similar Question on 8th May, † he explained that he deputed Sir James Mackay to take his place at the Conference. He attended it as the Secretary of State's representative, and the question of consulting the Government of India did not arise.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the Report, for which he asked, as to the most convenient measures to be taken to abolish the legal status of slavery in the Zanzibar coast strip, and also to abolish slavery altogether in the islands; and whether

† See(4) Debates, clxxiv., 210,211.

he will state what the proposed measures are, and if they have been put into operation.

The Report in question will not be received until about the end of June.

Will action then follow?

I hope action will then follow; but I must remind my right hon. friend that action in this case involves expense, so that we must not only consider the views of the Colonial Office, but also our power of convincing the Treasury. But already we are eagerly engaged in bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Is expense to be allowed to stand in the way of the abolition of slavery?

I was not suggesting that. I was only pointing out that a consultation was necessary between the two Departments.

I will repeat the Question next month.

Was not an absolute undertaking given in this matter?

Did this status of slavery exist during the late administration?

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies if it is proposed that a large voluntary force should be organised in the Transvaal; whether this suggestion comprises the raising of a Volunteer Force of artillery; whether the Transvaal Government have ordered, or propose to order, any reduction to be effected in the cost of the present Volunteer Forces of that Colony; and whether the Transvaal Government have given, or propose to give, instructions that any reduction should be made in the South African Constabulary in the Transvaal.

While the Imperial troops in South Africa are maintained at their present strength it is obvious that no large Volunteer Force equipped, as the hon. Member suggests, with artillery, is needed for the maintenance of peace and order; and it is not proposed that any such force should be organised. In regard to the second part of the Question of the hon. Member, I must refer him to the Answer given by me to the hon. Member for Preston on 3rd June † and in regard to the last part of the Question, the Transvaal Government have not, so far as I am aware, as yet given any instructions for reductions in the Constabulary.

Is it the intention to allow the Boer Government to have artillery?

The Question is couched in unfortunate language, and it has already been answered. If further information is required, the hon. and gallant Member will best consult public interests by giving notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what improvements have recently been made in the gaol at Nairobi; and what improvements are in contemplation.

A sum of £5,000 has been provided on the Estimates for this year out of a total sum of £l5,029 required to build a new gaol suitable for European prisoners at Nairobi. The Secretary of State is not aware whether the building operations have been already commenced.

I want to know what improvements have been recently effected there?

was unable to state what progress had been made.

Have any complaints recently been

† See pages 298–9

received from British prisoners in the Nairobi gaol?

Complaints are often received as to the accommodation and treatment of prisoners.

Is it not the fact that prisoners are never satisfied?

Very likely.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government or any member of the Government has received a petition or a memorial signed by over 100 Members urging them to elicit from General Botha an undertaking that the Chinese now in South Africa should be repatriated at the expiration of their licences; and whether he can give any assurance that the guarantee of the forthcoming loan to the Transvaal is not based on any such undertaking.

I know nothing of such a memorial or petition except from the columns of certain newspapers, and I would advise the hon. Baronet not to pay too much attention to silly rumours of this kind.

May I tell the right hon. Gentleman—

Order, order. The hon. Member is not entitled to make a statement, he can only ask a Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether twenty-two Zulus, with three chiefs, including Tilonko, who has presented a petition to the King showing that his sentence was illegal, have been deported to St. Helena from Natal; if so, whether the prisoners will be kept in St. Helena at the expense of the Imperial Government or of Natal; and whether he will lay upon the Table Papers showing the negotiations which have taken place between the Natal Government and His Majesty's Government regarding the deportations.

Twenty-five prisoners including Tilonko have been deported to St. Helena from Natal. The cost will be borne by the Government of Natal. Papers will be laid as soon as the necessary communications have been made to the Government of Natal.

inquired if any addition was to be made to the St. Helena garrison?

reply was inaudible in the Press Gallery.

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies when a definite statement as to the railway development in Nigeria may be expected.

We are still waiting for Sir Percy Girouard's Report.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have decided to continue to participate in the North Sea Fishery investigations until July, l908, will he state what Foreign Governments will also participate in the investigations until that date.

The matter is not yet definitely settled.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are negotiating a treaty or other form of understanding with the Russian Government; whether he is in a position to make any statement on the subject to the House; and whether, before committing the country to such an agreement, he will consider the feelings of organised labour and those holding Liberal opinions regarding the relations of the Russian Government to its subjects.

My right hon. friend is unable to make any statement on this subject at present. But he cannot admit that internal affairs in Russia are relevant to any discussion of matters affecting the respective frontiers of the two countries with the object of preventing difficulties which might other-wise arise between them.

Am I to understand that the Governments are only negotiating on frontier questions and not on general questions?

That is what I have said.

Would not a good understanding with Russia be of advantage to all parties?

Are the two Governments negotiating?

That was stated some time ago in this House.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the terms of reference to the Anglo-French Commission which has been recently considering questions arising out of the New Hebrides Convention; and when the Report will be published.

As my right hon. friend has already stated, the Anglo-French Committee assembled in order to arrange certain matters connected with the working of the Joint Court. The questions discussed comprised the salaries, leave allowances, etc., of the members of the Court, as provided for in Article 10, Section 4, of the Convention of October last. The arrangements suggested by the Committee are now being considered by the two Governments, and will be published if, and when, they are mutually accepted. Other matters connected with the Convention are discussed apart from the proceedings of this Committee.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who were the members of the Anglo-French Commission which has been recently appointed to consider questions connected with the New Hebrides.

Mr. Louis Mallet, C.B., Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. F. Fitchell, Solicitor-General for New Zealand, represented His Majesty's Government on the Committee. The French Government were represented by Monsieur Weber and le Comte de Manneville.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date individuals are required by law to make their returns for the purpose of the assessment of income-tax; whether the law is the same in England and Scotland; and whether the practice in both countries is the same.

Returns are required by law to be made within such period, not exceeding twenty-one days from the date of the notice requiring the return, as may be fixed by the notice. There is no statutory date for the issue of the notices, but the practice is to issue them during April and May both in England and Scotland, and to allow the full period of twenty-one days in both countries.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Ex-chequer whether he is aware that persons succeeding to property, agreements for the sale of which have been made under The Irish Land Act, 1903, suffer hardship in being required to pay death duties cash down on the property as personalty, although the purchase price cannot be obtained and the owners are receiving only 3½per cent. interest on the capital sum pending the sanctioning of the advance; and whether, in such cases, the property can be treated as realty until the money is actually paid over, and one-eighth of the duty only charged until the capital sum is received, when the remainder of the duty should be collected.

It is not the case that the property represented by an agreed sale of the kind described is treated as personal property on which the estate duty must be paid in one sum. The Board of Inland Revenue are quite willing to accept payment by instalments in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 (8) of the Finance Act, 1894, pending completion of the sale. But the payment even of the instalments may sometimes be difficult for the responsible persons to provide, and, where this is the case, the Board, with the approval of the Treasury, would be disposed to say that the annual (or semi-annual) payments may be limited to the amount of interest due on the unpaid portion of the estate duty, until completion of the sale, when the whole amount of the estate duty outstanding should be paid out of the purchase money.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the Irish Council Bill is not to be proceeded with, he will consider the possibility of devoting the sum which would have been payable to Ireland by the Exchequer under that Bill to the fund, the nucleus of which is provided in the present year's Budget, for the purpose of old age pensions; and, if not, can he say to what purpose, if any, he intends to devote the sum which the change in the Government's programme will place at his disposal.

No part of the sum in question would in any event have been a charge upon the revenue of the current financial year. I cannot at this date anticipate next year's Budget statement.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the occasions on and the circumstances under which the Imperial Government has guaranteed the loans of any self-governing Colony.

Guarantees have been given in favour of three loans raised by New Zealand and three raised by Canada. New Zealand: (1) A loan of £500,000 in 1857 (20 and 21 Vict., cap. 51), to provide for the payment of the debts due by the Colony, and for the purchase of native lands; (2) a loan of £500,000 in 1866 (29 and 30 Vict., cap. 104), for the purpose of expenses in connection with the New Zealand war, immigration, and other purposes; (3) a loan of £1,000,000 in 1870 (33 and 34 Vict., cap. 40), for the construction of roads, bridges, and other communications, and for the introduction of settlers. Canada: (1) A loan of £3,000,000 in 1867 (30 Viet., cap. 16), for the construction of a railway connecting Quebec and Halifax; (2) a loan of £300,000 in 1869 (32 and 33 Vict., cap. 101), for the purchase of Rupert's Land from the Hudson Bay Company; (3) a loan of £3,600,000 in 1873 (36 and 37 Vict., cap. 45), for the construction of the Pacific Railway, and the improvement and enlargement of the Canadian canals. This loan was, to the extent of £1,100,000, in lieu of a guaranteed loan of that amount which had been authorised in 1870 (33 and 34 Vict., cap. 82), for the construction of fortifications, but was not raised.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what part of the Alness River, Ross-shire, is under the control of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests; is any part of the river leased; if so, what, part, to whom, at what rental, and for what period.

I am informed that the salmon fishings in the River Alness ex adverso a part of the Coull Estate are let by the Commissioners of Woods to Mr. S. C. Munro, for a term of ten years, from Martinmas, 1900, at the rent of £6 per annum. This is the only part of the river which is at present under the control of the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what steps, if any, he proposes to take to alleviate the discontent amongst the new class assistant clerks in the Civil Service, seeing that a petition for the appointment of an inquiry into their case, which had been signed by a majority of the Members of this House, had been refused.

The pay and conditions of service of the assistant clerks of the new class have repeatedly received careful consideration in the last few years, and I do not see my way to suggest any change.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can see his way to advise His Majesty to grant a free pardon to Albert Bach, who was sentenced by Sir Ralph Littler at the Middlesex Sessions on 9th January, 1904, to seven years penal servitude for the offence of receiving stolen goods to the value of £3 15s., in consequence of his age, and in view of the fact that he has all his life borne an excellent character.

Both I and my predecessor have repeatedly given most careful consideration to this case, but I regret that I have not found any sufficient grounds for recommending any interference on the convict's behalf. Articles forming part of the proceeds of three separate cases of housebreaking were discovered in his shop. I may add that a receiver of stolen goods who has a good reputation is for that reason a more dangerous criminal.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman himself state in this House recently that good character was a reason for imposing a light penalty?

It is a question for the Court.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of William Tutt, who was arrested while on a visit to his mother, aged eighty-three, at Lidlington, Bedfordshire, on Tuesday, 28th May, and committed to prison at Bedford for three months on a warrant, dated 1st November, 1894, for shooting a hare on the Duke of Bedford's estate at Lidlington on 21st October, 1894; and whether, in view of the fact that this man has borne a good character in Lancashire during the whole of the intervening twelve and a half years, and that he has already been in prison eight days, he can see his way to order Tutt's immediate release.

I am not yet sufficiently in possession of the facts of this case to come to a decision with regard to it, but I will communicate further with my hon. friend as soon as I can.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Report and evidence of the Royal Commission which has been considering the health and safety of miners, can be laid upon the Table forthwith in order to prevent the delay which would occur owing to the decision of the Government that the scope of the Commission shall be enlarged by reporting upon accidents in quarries.

The first Report of the Commission, which deals with the use of breathing appliances, will be presented to Parliament this week, and I am informed that the first volume of evidence is likely to be ready next week. A large number of questions connected with coal mines, upon which evidence is now being taken, remain to be dealt with by the Commission, and I understand that they intend to present their Report upon these before proceeding to that part of their inquiry which relates to quarries.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any additional members have been appointed to the Royal Commission on Coal Mines, in view of the enlargement of the scope of the reference so as to include the question of accidents in quarries.

The Answer is in the negative. The question of appointing additional members will be considered when the Commission are about to enter on that part of their inquiry which relates to quarries.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that about nine months ago the magazines of Messrs. Kynoch, Limited, were seized and shut down by order of the Home Office, on the ground that certain explosives manufactured by them at their Ark low works contained ingredients contrary to the licence issued by the Home Office, and that during that period Messrs. Kynoch have been precluded from manufacturing this explosive; if he is aware that, during this period, certain English firms have manufactured explosives containing the same ingredient as that used by Messrs. Kynoch; whether he is aware that explosives manufactured abroad, and which also contain the same ingredient, have been, and are being, imported into this country; if he is not aware of these facts, will he have inquiries made as to whether English manufacturers are using this ingredient; and, if so, does he intend to take the same action against them as he has already taken against Messrs. Kynoch.

No magazines have been seized, there being no power under the Explosives Act to do so. Explosives of unauthorised composition have been seized in certain magazines belonging to Messrs. Kynoch, but this in no way prevents these magazines from being used for the storage of other explosives, so long as the seized explosives are not removed, and the total quantity for which the magazine is licensed is not exceeded. Messrs. Kynoch have in no way been precluded from manufacturing explosives of authorised composition. One other English firm has admitted the use of chloride of mercury, and its case is being dealt with. Inquiry is being made in a third case. But, so far as I am aware, no other manufacturer has added an unauthorised ingredient since the Kynoch seizure took place. Three foreign firms have been detected in sending to this country explosives containing mercury, and large consignments have been returned to the factories of origin, whereby the firms in question have been put to great expense. Two of these firms have given guarantees that the offence will not be repeated. I shall make no distinction between Messrs. Kynoch and any other firm discovered to be acting in a similar manner.

Arising out of that, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman this. He said one other English firm had been dealt with. What does he moan by "being dealt with"? Is that English firm being dealt with in the same way as Kynoch's. Has the magazine been seized?

Action is being taken, and the hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity of seeing exactly what is being done. I do not say that in the case I am referring to they acted in precisely the same way as Messrs. Kynoch.

Arising out of that, the allegation which I have made against the Home Office is that they treated Messrs. Kynoch in a distinct and separate manner from the other manufacturers, and in view of that statement I wish to know what the right hon. Gentleman means by saying that this other firm is being dealt with. Is he going to treat that firm in the same manner?

There will be a prosecution. Steps are being taken.

Has the Home Office seized the magazines of those other manufacturers in the same way that they seized those of Messrs. Kynoch?

No. I am informed that when the use of this substance was brought to the knowledge of the responsible owners of the works they withdrew all the explosives which contained the particular ingredient. Messrs. Kynoch, on the other hand, as I am informed, certainly declined to admit that the ingredient was there at all, and resisted all steps taken.

Is it not a fact that for weeks and weeks, not to speak of months, it was known to the Inspectors of the Home Office and to the right hon. Gentleman that other manufacturers besides Messrs. Kynoch were manufacturing with this ingredient, and will he explain why the delay had taken place?

I have already explained that legal proceedings were taken against Messrs. Kynoch, and judgment at quarter sessions has only recently been obtained. It was necessary to know how the law stood before dealing with the others.

I have asked the right hon. Gentleman does he intend to take the same action against this firm as was taken aginst Kynoch's. I wish to know was it not in his power, at the time of taking action against Kynoch's to take action under a section of the Act of Parliament which would have done away with the necessity of seizing the magazines and so giving an advantage to their trade rivals. Is that the way the right hon. Gentleman is going to proceed against the English firm?

It is rather difficult to answer a Question of that kind, because the circumstances might be different. I have already said that I wish to make no distinction between Messrs. Kynoch and any other firm acting in a similar manner.

Is it intended to take action against the English firm under the same section under which Messrs. Kynoch wore proceeded against?

That is so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Chamberlain, the Chairman of Kynoch's, made a public statement that the reason they were proceeded against was that they were an Irish firm?

It is quite impossible to make a more ridiculous statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the charge against Messrs. Kynoch was one of using an infinitesimal quantity of perchloride of mercury (one in 100,000 parts of the finished article) as an antiseptic or steriliser in the manufacture of high explosives, for the purpose of preserving them against decomposition under varying climatic changes; whether perchloride of mercury is the most powerful antiseptic known for this purpose, and is habitually used in England, Germany, and other countries for this purpose; and whether he can give the number of fatal accidents which have occurred in the following factories during the years 1896 to 1905, inclusive: Nobel's, Curtis and Harvey, National Explosives, Cotton Powder Company, Eley's, War Office, Kynoeh.

The quantity of mercuric chloride mentioned is quite sufficient to vitiate the official test. The use of antiseptic in gelatinised explosives is unnecessary. Mercury is not habitually used in this country, and there is reason to believe that elsewhere it is used for the purpose of masking the heat test rather than as an antiseptic. The number of accidents at the factories mentioned can be obtained from the annual reports of His Majesty's inspectors of explosives, but I may say at once that the result of such comparison is quite favourable to. Kynoch's. The danger of the use of mercuric chloride, however, arises principally after the explosive leaves the factory, because it lies in the keeping and using of the explosive rather than in its manufacture.

May I ask how is it that when other Members ask a Question which involves some figures with regard to industrial matters in England the right hon. Gentleman is always willing to give thorn, yet he does not do so now, although the matter is within knowledge of his Department?

Do I understand ' the hon. Member wants the figures?

Yes.

I did not receive them in time to embody them in my Answer, but I now have them here and they are as follows: —

Is it not a fact that during the last ten years not a single life was lost in the Arklow factory?

I take it that it is so from the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department whether he is aware that a man named Townley is now serving a month's imprisonment for making a bet with a bookmaker in Manchester, and that police officers are employed to make bets in connection with these prosecutions; whether he has any record to show that street betting, or nuisance arising there from, has been diminished by the operations of the recent Act; and, if so, whether it is proposed to extend legislation to other classes and places so as to prevent gambling which is not now touched by the law.

I am making inquiry into the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but in any event I do not see my way at present to propose any amendment of the Act of last session. Experience of the working of that Act has as yet been short, but I have no reason to doubt that it is having a very good effect.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is now in a position to state his intentions with regard to the representations made to him last session as to the urgent need for an inquiry into the necessity for the protection and development of water-gathering grounds and other sources of water supply, the allocation of such sources on a comprehensive and equitable basis, and the general control and supervision of this subject by a central and properly qualified body or Department.

I have had under consideration the recommendations made in the third Report of the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal, with regard to the prevention of the pollution of water and other matters such as those referred to in the Question, and I had hoped that it would be practicable for me to propose legislation on the subject during the present session. I am afraid, however, that, looking to the demands on the time of the House for other business, it will not be possible to proceed with the matter this year; but I shall not lose sight of it.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the desirability of creating a more uniform system of settlement as between England and Scotland, in the case of pauper lunatics, having regard to the fact that such persons are at present removable from Scotland into England, while irremovable from England into Scotland.

I am aware that there are difficulties in the way of removing pauper lunatics from England to Scotland, although such cases are removed from Scotland to England. It is, I think, desirable that there should be uniformity in this matter; but the whole subject of settlement and removal is included in those which are referred to the Royal Commission on the Poor Law for consideration and report, and it seems to me that, pending their Report, the particular point referred to in the Question could not well be dealt with by legislation.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether an order of the Local Government Board has boon made, after inquiry held, whereby the rural district of Wincanton, Somerset, has been constituted a hospital district and an isolation hospital established; whether there is any other purely rural districts in which such a hospital has been permanently provided; whether he is aware that the almost unanimous feeling in the district is opposed to the establishment of a permanent hospital; and whether, in view of the evidence in opposition offer at the inquiry, he is prepared to reconsider this Order.

An appeal was made to the Local Government Board against an Order of the Somersetshire County Council constituting the Wincanton rural district a hospital district under the Isolation Hospitals Acts. The Board, after local inquiry, issued an Order dismissing the appeal, and I cannot now reopen the matter. There have been several cases in which rural districts have been constituted hospital districts under the Isolation Hospitals Acts, and many more in which permanent hospitals for infectious disease have been established in such districts under the Public Health Acts.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to an inquest held at Brixton prison, on the 23rd May, on the body of Robert Kerrison, who was sentenced to a month's hard labour for failing to perform his allotted task at the Chelsea casual ward; whether he is aware that a witness at the inquested stated that Kerrison was not a strong man, and that the deceased had told him he was unable to break stones; and whether he will make inquiries of the prison authorities and prison medical officer as to the man's state of health and strength when he arrived at the prison, and the length of time which elapsed between the man's failure to perform the task and his becoming ill.

I have sent for a copy of the depositions taken at the inquest in this case, and on receipt of them I will consider the suggestions made in the Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the names of those appointed to represent the Board of Education on the governing body of the new College of Science at South Kensington.

I hope to be in a position to announce the names next week.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he can state the total number of trained teachers at present employed in Church of England, Catholic, Wesleyan, and council schools respectively; what number of persons were entitled to enter training colleges as the result of the last King's Scholarship examination; and what was the number of places available for them in Church, Catholic, Wesleyan, and undenominational colleges respectively.

If my hon. friend will put down his Question for Monday next, I will give him all the information in the possession of the Board.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed by the representatives of 17,000 Welsh Calvinistic Methodists at Mold, to call his attention to the satisfactory manner in which the Central Welsh Board has carried on the duties of inspection and examination of intermediate schools, and to the desirability of strengthening the authority of the Board by entrusting to it the entire inspection of such schools; and what action he proposes to take in view of this and other manifestations of the feeling in Wales in regard to this matter.

The relations between the Central Welsh Board and the Board of Education are receiving my careful consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether the powers conferred upon His Majesty by Section 18 of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act, 1876, and Section 6 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, to appoint, on an Address by both Houses of Parliament, additional Judges of the High Court of Justice have been fully exercised, or in what manner and to what extent the same have been exercised; and, if not, whether, in view of the present serious congestion of business in the King's Bench Division and the Court of Appeal, His Majesty's Government will recommend Parliament to present such an address.

The matter is still under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the recent action by Messrs. Boyd, of Carnmoney, against the Corporation of Belfast for the wrongful seizure of two pig carcases said to be affected with tuberculosis; and if, in view of that litigation, ho will appoint a veterinary surgeon to whom such cases in Scotland can be referred, rather than to the Law Courts, which entail delay and expense on traders.

The case referred to by my hon. friend has not been brought under my notice. It would not be possible without legislation to compel cither traders or corporations to refer such questions to an arbiter, and I do not see my way to introduce a Bill on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the number

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the public school known as Beith Academy has had advanced classes in which pupils and pupil teachers are trained for University and training college, that it is proposed to abolish these classes, that this is being done for the benefit of a fee-paying school governed by a board that is not publicly elected, and that the educational opportunities of the working classes of Beith will be there. of trawlers prosecuted for illegal trawling in the Moray Firth during the year ending 31st December, 1906, distinguishing the nationality of each.

During 1906 the masters of nine trawling vessels were prosecuted for trawling in the Moray Firth, and all the vessels carried the Norwegian flag.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many prosecutions for illegal trawling were instituted during the year ending 31st December, 1906, on information given by the commander of each Fishory Board cruiser, indicating the cases in which penalties were imposed and the cases in which the offenders elected to go to prison.

The following is the information desired by the hon. Member:—

The Beith Academy is under the control of a popularly elected body, viz., the school board of the parish of Beith, and as any changes which may have been made in the curriculum of the school must have been authorised by them, these changes cannot be regarded as a breach of the principle of public control.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the unanimity amongst the Scottish Members on both sides of the House as to the desirability of passing the Sea Fisheries (Scotland) (Application of Penalties) Bill, can he arrange for the Second Reading of the Bill to be taken.

In view of the favour with which this small and uncontentious Bill is regarded on both sides of the House, I hope that the House may consent to read it a second time without discussion; and it will be put down for an early day with that end in view.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have dealt with sales of any estates out of their proper order because of local disorder or intimidation, or whether the estates are dealt with in order of rotation as the agreements are lodged; and whether any, and, if so, how many, estates are at present being dealt with out of order of lodgment of applications.

The Estates Commissioners deal with sales in the order of priority in which agreements for purchase are lodged, as provided by Regulation No. 1 of the Regulations dated 13th February, 1906. The Commissioners have not dealt with estates out of their proper order because of disorder or intimidation, but in six cases in which they have intervened as conciliators between landlord and tenant under the Eighth Regulation, they have, in order to facilitate a settlement, dealt with the Cases without regard to priority of application. In twenty-one other cases the Commissioners have, in pursuance of Regulation No. 1, accelerated the sanction of the advances for reasons peculiar to the particular cases.

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the house of a publican named Duddy has been fired into at Athenry; if any arrests have been made; and if this district is in a peaceable condition.

I have already, on the 29th of last month, † stated the facts of this case in answer to a Question put by the hon. Member for the Rye Division. No arrests have been made. I have more than once stated that the district of Athenry is not in a satisfactory condition.

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that an attack was made on Pat Smyth, process server, in Athenry; that he was cut on the head and deprived of a revolver which he was obliged to carry for his own protection; and what steps the police are taking in the matter.

About four o'clock in the afternoon of 24th May, Patrick Smyth, who had a slight cut on the head, reported to the police that ho had been assaulted by two men near Athenry. At first he made no mention of a revolver, but said that his stick was taken from him. Subsequently ho said that his revolver was taken. Smyth informed the police that ho was unable to identify his assailants. He was not sober at the time of the alleged assault.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if ho is aware that a party of masked men on 20th May raided the houses of a man in the employment of Lord Clancarty, and five others, at Killemadeema, near Loughrea, find carried off their arms; if any arrests have been made; and if this district is in a satisfactory condition.

The police authorities inform me that no offence of the nature described was committed on or about the 20th May. The Question is probably meant to refer to offences committed in the locality named on 9th May, and as to that I would refer to my Answer to the hon. Member for the Rye Division on 29th of last month. † No arrests have been made. This is one of the districts

† See(4) Debates, clxxiv., 1554.

in the west of Ireland the condition of which is not satisfactory.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that on Thursday night, 23rd May, the house of Daniel Malony, in the Broadford district, county Clare, was fired into; have any arrests been made; and is it the intention of the Government to afford this man adequate protection.

Two men have been arrested upon the charge mentioned in the Question, and the proceedings are pending. The police have taken adequate measures for Malony's protection.

In connection with all these Questions, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, outside the alleged trifling assault on a process server, anybody has suffered the slightest personal injury?

I do not know.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he had seen a copy of the resolution of the Kanturk Rural District Council protesting against the tax for extra police charged upon the district, is he aware that upon a certain part of the district the tax amounts to 8 ½d. in the pound and in another to 4 ¾d.; and whether, seeing that white gloves were presented to the chairman of the East Riding of Cork County at the last sessions as a recognition of the crimelessness of the district, he will say what is the explanation for the imposition of this charge and under whose authority is the charge made.

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, from which it appears that the charge for extra police involves a temporary increase in the rates to the amount stated. The charge in question is in respect of the half year ending 31st March, 1906. In November, 1905, the district of New market was in a state of disturbance, and it was found necessary to send an extra force of twelve men of the Reserve for the purpose of restoring order. By the end of the following March the state of the district had improved, and the extra force was then reduced to throe men. The extra force was sent to the disturbed area under the authority of the Irish Government, and the charge followed under statute as a matter of course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as proof of the crimeless condition and general good order of this district, the Judges have of late been frequently presented with white gloves?

said he believed that that was so, but nevertheless special circumstances had arisen which necessitated giving this police protection.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any communications have passed between the Irish Office and the Treasury on the subject of the recent deductions from grants to county councils in Ireland in respect to the Land Act finance; and whether he can state when an opportunity for the discussion of this matter will be afforded.

The Irish Government and the Treasury are in communication upon the subject referred to in the Question, and I hope that either my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury or myself will shortly be in a position to make a statement in the matter to the House. I have no doubt that if desired the Government will give facilities for a discussion of the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the notices or letters, sent by the honorary secretary of the Athenry Town Tenants League to each of the grazing tenants on the Caheroyan estate in April last, contained the specific announcement that fifty men had been enrolled to clear the lands in the event of the tenant refusing to surrender his rights in his farm; whether, in view of the fact that the whole of the grazing tenants on this estate were forced to surrender their holdings owing to the threat contained in the said letter and to the active intimidation and boycotting which followed, he will take steps to prevent these farms being parcelled out amongst any persons who either participated in the intimidation referred to or is a member of the Athenry Town Tenants Association; and whether he intends to issue instructions for the prosecution of the honorary secretary and members of the Athenry Town Tenants Association for issuing the intimidating letter referred to.

I am informed that notices to the effect mentioned in the first part of the Question were delivered which purported to have come from the person named. As regards the second part of the Question; I would refer to my Answer to the Question put by the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division on 14th May † The local police have endeavoured to procure evidence of the printing and publication of the notices referred to, but so far without success.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the law officers as to whether there is a good case for prosecuting the persons indicated in the Question?

No, Sir, I have not.

If evidence as to handwriting is forthcoming, will proceedings be instituted against the secretary?

If such evidence is forthcoming it will be laid before the law officers.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given by a police sergeant during the hearing of a charge at Loughrea, on 16th May, of intimidation against graziers, in which he stated that some of the prisoners, on being arrested, said they had a perfect right to act as they had, as they had the Government at their back; and what

† See(4) Debates, clxxiv., 790–800.

steps he intends to take to remove this idea.

I am informed that in the case referred to a police sergeant gave evidence that when the offence was being committed a man in the crowd made a remark to the effect stated in the Question. The fact that prosecutions have been instituted in this and similar cases seems to supply a sufficient answer to the latter part of the Question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the feeling that the Government is in sympathy with these cattle raiding operations is rapidly growing?

I am not aware of anything of the kind.

Allow me to inform the right hon. Gentleman that it is the case.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a speech of Mr. James Fagan, a leading local Nationalist, delivered at Carrick-on-Shannon, in which he said that unless his hearers were prepared to boycott the holders of grass farms there was no use passing resolutions, and that they had the sympathy of the English Government on their side, and ended by stating that he knew that the Chief Secretary was heart and soul with them in the movement to get rid of the graziers; arid whether he will take stops, either by steps in this House, or by protecting graziers, or by prohibiting the Estates Commissioners from selling boycotted estates to the tenants, to remove this widely prevalent idea.

I am informed that Mr. Fagan is reported by a local newspaper to have used language to the effect stated in the Question, but the police have no evidence that such language was used. As regards the latter part of the Question, it will be sufficient to say that prosecutions have been instituted in all cases in which there was sufficient evidence, and a number of prosecutions are are now pending. I have repeatedly stated that full protection is being afforded to graziers in the exercise of their legal rights. The position of the Estates Commissioners in the matter is stated in my reply to a previous Question to which I have already called the hon. Member's notice.

asked when the state of affairs would be arrived at which would be of sufficient seriousness to justify the right hon. Gentleman in rescinding the order with reference to the Estates Commissioners.

I must undertake the responsibility of that matter myself.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a statement made from the Bench by a justice of the peace at Athenry, in a case in which certain persons were charged with intimidation and violence with regard to grazing farms, in which he said that the Chief Secretary for Ireland had told them to agitate for the grass lands, and asked if he was expected to condemn men for what the Chief Secretary had told them to do; and what steps he proposes to take with reference to this magistrate.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the similar Question put by the noble Lord the Member for the Chorley Division on Thursday last.†

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the statistics of Irish imports and exports for 1905 will be circulated as a Parliamentary Paper.

The Department of Agriculture had expected that the Report on Irish imports and exports for 1905 would be ready by now, but owing to additional work involved in the preparation of the Report, its completion has been delayed. The Department hope to have the Report completed in the course

† See pp. 93–4.

of a few weeks, but cannot name a precise date.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state when the Report of the Commission presided over by Lord Dudley to inquire into the question of congestion in Ireland will be issued; and whether it is the intention of the Government to promote legislation on the lines of the Irish Land Bill at present before the House.

I understand that the Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland may confidently be expected towards the close of the present year. The hon. Member will have learnt from the Prime Minister's recent statement that it is the intention of the Government to introduce this session, and as soon as possible, a Bill dealing with the question of the evicted tenants. It is obvious that the Government cannot undertake to introduce during the present session a measure for the amendment of Irish land legislation generally; but after the Government have had the advantage of studying the Report of Lord Dudley's Commission it is intended to introduce a Bill amending the existing laws.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the teachers' residence connected with Edenderry National School, Portadown, county Armagh, was built from public funds; do the Commissioners of National Education pay part of the interest on the money borrowed; is the house at present let at a profit; and, if so, to whom does the profit go.

A portion of the cost of building the teachers' residence in question was provided by means of a loan from the State, the animal charge for the repayment of which has been regularly met. So long as the house was exclusively occupied as a teachers' residence the Commissioners of National Education contributed, in accordance with their regulations, a moiety of the annual charge in repayment of the loan. Since February, 1903, the house has not been occupied exclusively as a teachers' residence, and the Commissioners have therefore withheld their contribution. The Commissioners have no knowledge as to the present occupancy of the house, but the manager has informed them that the recently appointed teacher is at liberty to occupy it. Until it is so occupied, the Commissioners will not renew their contribution.