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Returns, Reports, Etc

Volume 176: debated on Tuesday 18 June 1907

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Punjab Land Colonisation Bill

Return [presented 12th June] to be printed. [No. 202.]

Department Of Agriculture And Technical Instruction (Ireland) (Departmental Committee)

Copy presented, of Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Provisions of The Agricultural and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899, together with Appendix, Minutes of Evidence, and Minority Report [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.

Irish Land Act, 1903 (Evicted Tenants)

Copy presented, of Special Report of the Estates Commissioners of their Proceedings up to the 31st May, 1907, in respect of persons applying as Evicted Tenants, or their Representatives, for restoration to their former holdings or for parcels of land in lieu thereof under The Irish Land Act, 1903 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.

Metropolitan Boroughs (Non-Payment Of Rates)

Return presented, relative thereto [Address 20th March; Mr. Weir]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 203.]

Questions And Answers Circulated With The Votes

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether purchasers under the Land Act of 1903 are entitled to pay their annuities as to three-quarters in cash, and one-quarter in Land Stock; whether regulations have been made to enable purchasers to buy Land Stock through the Post Office Savings Bank; and, if not, when it is intended to issue such regulations. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) It is not considered that Section 2 o The Purchase of Land (Ireland)Act, 1891, applies to annuities payable by tenant purchasers under The Irish Land Act, 1903. As to the remainder of the Question, I would refer to the Answer given on the 12th instant by my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury, from which it appears that the Treasury are in communication with the Departments concerned in reference to the question of making regulations under the section quoted. [The foregoing Answer is in substitution for the Answer circulated with the Votes on June 13, and published in the Debates, clxxv., 1578.]

Hydrographic Survey Of Canadian Coast

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, from what date the Dominion took over the hydrographic survey formerly under the Admiralty, and engaged a British naval officer, and commenced the employment of survey-ships on the Atlantic Coast of Canada; when the survey-ship building for the Dominion on the Pacific Coast is likely to be ready; whether the Admiralty survey in British Columbian waters during 1906, recorded in the Annual Report recently laid before Parliament, was still under Admiralty direction; and what arrangements have been made for the future as to joint action between the Admiralty and the Dominion Government in the extension of hydrographic survey, stated by Mr. Brodeur, in his speech, at the Colonial Conference, to be now taking place. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) No Admiralty survey has been in progress on the Atlantic Coast of Canada since 1888. At the request of the Dominion Government, a naval officer was lent, in March, 1906, for surveying duties. It is not known when the Dominion Government surveying-ship for the Pacific Coast is likely to be ready. The Admiralty survey in British Columbian waters during 1906 was, and is still, solely under Admiralty direction. No such arrangement as that suggested has been made, as the Dominion Government have taken over a large part of the hydrographic surveying, and from what was stated at the Colonial Conference they are apparently prepared to undertake the whole of the survey of their own coasts.

Nucleus Crews For Destroyers And Torpedo Boats

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the provision intended to be made for the complements of torpedo destroyers and torpedo boats, so as to obviate the present arrangement whereby, when a flotilla puts to sea, boats in commission in reserve are depleted of the engine-room artificers required to carry out necessary repairs. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The present arrangement is that the complements of nucleus-crew destroyers and torpedo boats, which may from time to time for special reasons be brought up to full numbers, shall be completed from the resources of the port to which they belong without withdrawing ratings from other nucleus-crew vessels. It is the exception and not the rule to complete them from nucleus crews. I am not aware of any intention of altering the complements of torpedo-boat destroyers and torpedo boats.

Rates On Royal Dockyards

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether, as the sums paid in lieu of rates for the Royal Dockyards to local authorities appear on the Civil Service Estimates, it is to be understood that the prices quoted for Government work in building ships do not include any proportionate charges for the payments in respect of contributions to local authorities, whereas the private ship-builders have to allow for their payments of full rates levied by the local authorities. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Answer is in the affirmative.

Suggested Select Committee To Examine Estimates

To ask the Prime Minister, if, for the purpose of an economical formation of Estimates, he will take into consideration the appointment of a Select Committee for the purpose of examining and reporting on them, precedent to their being discussed in Committee of Supply, as recommended by the Select Committee on National Expenditure. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.) This is not so easy or plain a matter as might appear on the surface, and, in addition to the difficulties that have always been foreseen, there is now this fresh objection, that the changes in Procedure, made this session, have involved a large addition to the Committee work of the House, and it is desirable to gain more experience of the working of these arrangements before adding another important Committee to the list.

Kinvarra Harbour Improvement

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps have been taken to carry out the pledge given by the Irish Government that a Bill would be introduced in the present session to enable the county council of Galway to carry out a scheme of improvement in Kinvarra Harbour. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It seems to have escaped the hon. Member's notice that my right hon. friend the Attorney-General for Ireland introduced the Navigation Works (Ireland) Bill on Thursday last.

Uneconomic Holdings On The Estate Of Mrs O'hara

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have yet dealt with the estate of Mrs. O'Hara, Raheen, Gort, under the Land Act, 1903; and whether the memorial of the uneconomic holders adjoining has yet received the consideration promised in their letter of acknowledgment dated 16th June, 1906. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) No proceedings for the sale of the estate mentioned have yet been instituted before the Estates Commissioners. The memorialists were informed in the letter referred to that their petition would be considered when the Commissioners should come to deal with the estate

Enforcement Of The Game Laws At Gort"

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the Lough-Contra property, Gort, of Lord Gough, Chargé d'Affairs at Dresden, a tenant on the estate, Mr. John Hennelly, took proceedings against his lordship at the Gort January quarter sessions to recover damages for trespass of game on his corn crops; can he state the approximate amount realised in fines for the past twenty years at the Gort petty sessions against his tenantry for alleged offences under the. Game Laws; is he aware that the tenants on the estate and in the neighbourhood, through fear of the class of men who compose the Gort bench of magistrates, submit to the fines imposed by the gamekeepers and the agent on the estate, outside the petty sessions court; and what action he purposes taking to remedy such a state of affairs. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) I am informed that Mr. Hennelly brought an action against Lord Gough to recover damages for the trespass of game, and that the action was dismissed by the county court judge. During the past twenty years fines amounting approximately to £21 have been imposed at Gort petty sessions on some of Lord Gough's tenants for offences against the Game Laws. I have no definite information that the practice referred to in the latter part of the Question prevails. If it does, it is the fault of the persons who make the payments. I have no reason to suppose that the magistrates do not act impartially.

Intimidation Of Mr Farrell At Roscommon

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on Sunday, 2nd June, a Mr. Farrell was brought before the Roscommon branch of the United Irish League, and there stated that his cattle had been stopped on the road by order of the League and that he himself was boycotted; and what amount of protection is now given to Mr. Farrell and his property. (Answers by Mr. Birrell) Mr. Patrick Parrell, who is referred to in the Question, has informed the police that he attended a meeting of the R03-common branch of the United Irish League on the 2nd instant, but made no statement that his cattle had been stopped on the road or that he was boycotted. Farrell, who is himself a member of the branch, is not boycotted. He receives no protection, none being necessary.

Intimidation At Moylough

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Moylough branch of the United Irish League, on Sunday, 2nd June, to the effect that the pressure of the League should be brought to bear upon certain persons indicated at the meeting; whether the circulation of this resolution is or is not considered by the police and the inhabitants of the locality as a direct incitement to boycotting and intimidation; and whether, seeing that it has been held in the courts of justice that it is a criminal offence for a newspaper to publish resolutions under the special circumstances of a disturbed locality, he proposes to take steps to bring to justice those who are responsible for publications of this nature. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) A resolution, which purported to have been passed by the branch mentioned on 2nd June, has appeared in a local newspaper. The resolution appears to be directed against a certain tenant, and the police inform me that previous similar resolutions have produced no effect. As regards the latter part of the Question, I would refer to my Answer to the hon. Member for the City of London on 6th June.†

Administration Of Justice At Roscrea

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on two occasions the proceedings taken before the Roscrea petty sessions court against sixteen men charged

† See (4) Debates. Clxxv., 813.
with having driven cattle off the land of Mr. Nathaniel Luttrell have been rendered abortive because five out of ten magistrates are opposed to a conviction; and what steps he proposes to take to secure an effective adjudication upon the case. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The magistrates at Roscrea petty sessions have been equally divided in opinion on the three occasions on which this case has come before them. The case now stands adjourned to the 24th instant. My right hon. friend the Attorney-General for Ireland will in due course consider what further proceedings, if any, should be taken in the case.

Intimidation At Craughwell

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 5th June a party of men drove up to the residence of a farmer named Keary, in the Craughwell district of county Galway, and deliberately fired several gun shots into the dwelling house; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with this incident. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police have reported that on the early morning of 8th June several shots were fired into the house of Thomas Keary. No arrest has been made.

Disturbances At Gurrancoyle

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at midnight on Saturday, 8th June, a party of men entered upon a Gurrancoyle farm in the neighbourhood of Athenry, and in spite of the efforts of the police drove off some of the cattle; whether two shots were fired by members of the crowd; and whether he will state what measures the holder of the farm in this case could have taken to protect his own property. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) A prosecution has been directed in this case, and in the circumstances I am not prepared to enter into the details of the offence. It is not for me to enumerate the acts which may be permissible under the law in defence of private property.

Police Protection To Servers Of Writs For Rent In County Cork

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings in the King's Bench Division on Tuesday, when, owing to the refusal through fear of civil bill officers to serve writs for rent in certain districts in county Cork, Mr. Justice Johnson made an order allowing service to be effected by post; and whether, having regard to the previous attacks made upon postmen while delivering letters supposed to contain writs, adequate police protection will be afforded to servants of the Crown in the performance of their duty. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative.

Pay Of Men Employed In Building Works Department At Woolwich Arsenal

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can now see his way to pay the standard rate of wage to the workmen employed in the building works department at Woolwich Arsenal. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I would refer the hon. Member. to the reply I gave to a similar Question of his on the 13th March last to the effect that, when the benefits accruing from Government employment are taken into account, the wages paid in the building works department of the Royal Arsenal are considered fully equal to the rates current in the district. There is no intention of making any change in the present conditions.

Defective Ammunition

:To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that defective and ill-assorted ammunition has been served out to some Volunteer battalions; he will arrange that these battalions do not suffer in capitation grants as a consequence of bad shooting resulting there from. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane) I am not aware that any bad shooting has resulted from defective ammunition Served out to Volunteers.

Mr Justice Dodd And Land Appeals

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether it is proposed to continue Mr. Justice Dodd in the office of a Judge for the hearing of Land Commission appeals. (Answered by Mr. Cherry) On 23rd February last the Lord Chancellor nominated Mr. Justice Dodd to act, for the term of five years, as an additional Judicial Commissioner for the purpose of hearing appeals under the Land Law Acts, and at the same time nominated him to act for a like term as an additional Judicial Commissioner for the purposes of the Land Purchase Acts. The Judicial Commissioners of the Irish Land Commission regulate among themselves the division of their business, and the Government does not and cannot control them in the matter.

Thefts From Letter-Boxes

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will furnish a Return of the number of prosecutions in cases where letters have been stolen from letter-boxes during the last three years; and whether he proposes to introduce the system in use in Germany for the prevention of such thefts. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) During the last three years there have been only five prosecutions in the United Kingdom for the theft of letters from Post Office letter-boxes and four prosecutions for attempted theft. I am in communication with the German Post Office on the subject of the apparatus in use in street letter-boxes in Germany.

Metropolitan Police—Effect Of Granting One Day's Best In Seven

To ask the Secretary for the Home Department whether he is now prepared to furnish the detailed statement and estimate to which he referred on the 26th November last, showing the effect of granting one day's rest in seven to the Metropolitan Police. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The following memorandum, which has been prepared by the receiver for the metropolitan police district, gives the details of the estimate. The estimate has been very carefully framed, and errs, if at all, on the side of underestimating rather than on that of overestimating the cost.

Metropolitan Police

Approximate Estimate of the additional cost which would be incurred were each man granted one day's leave in seven:—

At present each metropolitan police officer has on an average: twenty-six

Total.Deduct number of men who do not, now perform Sunday duty.Number to whom the 26 additional days' leave would have to be granted.Augmentation required at the rate of 8·904 per cent.
Uniform:
Inspectors4642444039
Sergeants1,8761481,728154
Constables13,09416512,9291,151
Criminal Investigation. Department:
Inspectors416353
Sergeants2351022520
Constables214520919
15,92435815,5661,386

days per annum in fortnightly leave; eleven days per annum in annual leave; ten days per annum in sick leave. Total, forty-seven days.

The number of working days is consequently 318.

If a weekly instead of a fortnightly holiday were granted each officer will work twenty-six days less, that is, on 292 days only.

At present 1,000 men work 318,000 days a year.

This would be reduced to 292,000 days a year, or 26,000 days less than at present.

To provide for these 26,000 days the number of men required to be added to the force will be 26,000/292=89–04 per 1,000 men, which is equal to an increase of 8·904 per cent.

The number of men now employed at the cost of the Metropolitan Police Fund, that is, excluding all those paid for out of Imperial funds or by public companies and private individuals, is as follows—

The cost of the force for each rank, based on the present actual expenditure, is—
Exclusive of any charge for pension.Inclusive of charge for prospective pension-.
£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Uniform men:
Inspectors20615325754
Sergeants1301610156181
Constables991311115168
Criminal Investigation Department:
Inspectors26910933642
Sergeants14419317447
Constables1011611118811

These rates include the pay of the officers, rent-aid allowance, gratuities, and reserve pay, the cost of clothing, coal allowance, medical attendance, and supervision by superintendents, and a charge of 7½per cent. to cover all administrative expenses, inclusive of the cost of section-house accommodation.

The charge for the contingent cost of the men's pensions is calculated at—

Augmentation required.Increased charge excluding superannuation.Increased charge including superannuation.
£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Uniform:
Inspectors398,06314910,03380
Sergeants15420,14912424,163410
Constables1,151114,749181133,32434
Criminal Investigation Department:
Inspectors38081231,008126
Sergeants202,899503,484118
Constables191,935152,25095
1,386148,606310174,26499

28 per cent. on the annual pay of an inspector; 24 per cent. on the annual pay of a sergeant; 20 per cent. on the annual pay of a constable.

These percentages were fixed by Mr. Finlaison, the late actuary to the National Debt Office, after an exhaustive actuarial investigation.

The cost of the additional men would therefore be—

The total sum which would, therefore, have to be raised by means of an addition to the Metropolitan Police rate would be £174,264 9s. 9d., if proper provision is made for the future pensions of the men augmented, or £148,606 3s. 10d., if no provision is made for these pensions. The proceeds of a Id. rate are estimated at £223,420.

In addition to the men employed at the cost of the police fund there are 51 inspectors, 232 sergeants, and 1,572 constables employed at the cost of the Imperial Exchequer.

These men are employed under varying conditions which necessitate special charges being made for their services, but it is estimated that if the leave be increased by twenty-six days per annum, the additional cost which will have to be provided for by the Treasury will be £21,575 6s. 7d. per annum.

( Signed) A. R. PENNEFATHER. 17 th June, 1907.

Crew Of Steamship "Maritta"

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Maritta" engaged a crew at Cardiff on 4th June, 1907, and that on the previous voyage the "Maritta" carried six able seamen, while on the present voyage she has sailed without any qualified able seamen; whether he is aware that six ordinary seamen had been engaged at £3 10s. per month to lake the place of able seamen, and can he say if the superintendent of the mercantile marine office has brought under the notice of the surveyor of the Board of Trade at Cardiff the question of the manning of this vessel, and what steps, if any, did the Board of Trade take to prevent the "Maritta" from proceeding to sea without a qualified crew of able seamen; and whether, in view of the position that may arise in steamers proceeding on foreign voyages without a competent crew, he will take steps so that British ships may be properly manned in accordance with the recommendation of the Manning Committee's Report of 1896. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George) On the previous voyage the "Maritta" carried a carpenter, a boatswain, and six able seamen, the wages of the able seamen being £4 per month. On the 4th instant a carpenter and a boatswain were engaged, and six ordinary seamen, the wages of these seamen being £3 10s. per month. The case was referred by the superintendent of the surveyors, and the surveyor who looked into it reported that these men had been seen personally by him and that he was satisfied that they would be found capable of performing the usual duties of seamen. On testing them, it was evident to him that they understood and could carry out the usual duties that are given to seamen. He also observed them moving the steamer in dock, and noticed that they obeyed orders rapidly and in an intelligent and seamanlike way. He also stated that he was informed that they had served three years at sea, and he understood that they held discharges for twelve months of that time. He added that the master stated that he had selected four of these men to act as helmsmen, and had found them satisfactory on the passage round from London. Each of these men was sent to the wheel, and given various orders in his presence which were evidently understood and executed rapidly. My hon. friend will remember that the Merchant Shipping Act of 1897, which deals with under-manning, was passed in consequence of the Manning Committee's Report. Carefully considered instructions as to procedure under that Act were issued by the Board of Trade to their officers, and, as at present advised, although I am watching carefully the way in which shipowners interpret their obligations under the Acts of 1897 and of 1906 in respect of manning, I do not think that any reason has been shown for altering those instructions.

Patents—Extension Of Protection

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of patents in force in the United Kingdom on 1st January, 1907, giving, as regards those patents which have been prolonged, particulars as to the years, serial numbering, names of patentees, dates to which prolonged, and references to reports of prolongation proceedings, and showing, as regards the other patents, how many date from Each year. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The information asked for by the hon. Member

Years.Serial Numberings.Names of Patentees.Dates to which prolonged.References to Reports of Prolongation Proceedings.
18835,718S. C. C. Currie and11th Dec. 1907 P. O. R., vol. 15, p. 63
J. A. Timmis
188815,159J. C. Thompson21st Oct. 1909P. O. R., vol. 19, p. 565
18928,700C. F. Cross6th May 1911P. O. R, vol. 23, p. 485
E. J. Bevan, and
C. Beadle

Other patents, numbering in all 68,364, dating from years as follows: —

Year.Number of Patents.
1893542
1894711
1895845
18961,089
18971,299
18981,654
18992,021
19002,440
19013,608
19025,324
190315,103
190416,118
190514,816
19062,794

Women Serving On Boards Of Guardians

To ask the President of the Local Government Board how many members of boards of guardians are women; and in how many cases the election of such women members was a contested election. (Answered by Mr. John Burns) According to the latest figures in my possession the number of lady guardians in 1,093, of whom 1,050 were elected and forty-three were co-opted. Some of the Returns, however, for the present year have not at present been received, and

number is as follows:— Number of patents in force in the United Kingdom on the 1st day of January, 1907, 68,367.

Patents which have been prolong, numbering in all three.

in these cases the numbers have been taken from last year's Returns. I am not able to say in how many cases the election of the women who are serving as guardians was contested.

Boards Of Guardians —Visiting Committee Of Women

To ask the President of the Local Government Board how many boards of guardians have appointed visiting committees of women. (Answered by Mr. John Burns) I have not the information desired as regards the number of boards of guardians who have appointed committees of ladies to visit workhouses.

Suggestive Fee For Registration Of Vaccination Exemption Certificates

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that the granting of exemption certificates to conscientious objectors to vaccination is a matter over which vaccination officers have no control, and that the receipt of exemption certificates entails as much clerical and statistical work upon vaccination officers as do vaccination certificates, he can see his way to insert a clause in the new Vaccination Bill to provide for the payment to vaccination officers of a fee for the registration by them of exemption certificates in the same manner as is now provided for the registration of certificates of successful vaccination. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have had occasion to consider this matter, and I do not see my way to propose the insertion in the Bill of a clause to the effect suggested.

Irish Evicted Tenants—Application Of Mr John Graham

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received and considered an application from Mr. John Graham, of Banagh, Clonelly, county Fermanagh, who was, in 1893, evicted from his holding in Aughaleague, near Ederney, for nonpayment of rent. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Estates Commissioners cannot trace receipt of the application referred to.

Claim For Disablement Pension For Mr-John Flynn

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any claim has been made by Mr. John Flynn, ex-national teacher, of Newtown forbes, county Longford, for a. disablement pension; is he, aware that this man and a large family have been reduced to extreme poverty by the loss of his employment; and will he request the Treasury to take his case into immediate and favourable consideration. (Answered by Mr. Runciman) A claim has been made by Mr. Flynn. but unfortunately it cannot be acceded to. He voluntarily quitted the service in January, 1905, and the pension premiums which he had paid were returned to him on his application. He is therefore disqualified for the grant of a disablement pension under No. 10 of the Irish Teachers' Pension Rules, 1897.

Inquiries Under The Labourers Acts

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps are being taken by the Local Government Board to carry out the numerous inquiries under the Labourers Acts which will soon be going on all over Ireland; and whether it is the intention of the Board to employ such extra help as may be required to carry out existing schemes without unnecessary delay. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative. The staff of the Local Government Board has been increased for the purposes of the Labourers Acts, and up to the present the inquiry into every scheme received by the Board has been held within the statutory period.

Purchase Of The Thompson Estate, Clonfin

To ask the Chief Secretary to the. Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any report has yet been received on the question of the ownership, for purposes of sale, of the Thompson estate at Clonfin, county Longford; and, if so, whether any offer has yet been made by the Estates Commissioners for its purchase, with a view to subdivision amongst deserving applicants in North Longford. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are unable to add anything to the statement contained in my Answer to the hon. Member's Question on this subject on the 21st February last. †

Evicted Tenants—Case Of Patrick Brady

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Brady, evicted tenant, of Aghnagarran, county Longford, whose uncle was evicted from the White estate in 1882; and will he direct that this farm of land, which is at present for sale, shall be bought in by the Estates Commissioners with a view to its being resold to Brady and to his restoration to the same. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received no application for reinstatement from Patrick Brady referred to in the Question.

† See (4) Debates, clxxv., 1050.

Sale Of The O'brien Estate

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any further progress has been made with the sale of the O'Brien estate at Cornakelly and Corglass, county Longford; is he aware that it is nearly six years since the negotiations for sale of this estate were begun; and will he now press that the promise of Judge Ross to push through this sale will be given effect to, and thus relieve a large body of suffering tenants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Estates Commissioners have not yet been able to make an offer to the Land Judge for the purchase of this estate, but intend to do so as soon as some necessary amendments in the rental have been made. The solicitors in charge of the proceedings for sale are now having these amendments made.

Firing At Police Patrol At Rivervills (Loughrea)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a police patrol was fired on at Riverville, near Loughrea, on the night of the 8th inst.; and, if so, what steps were taken to apprehend the persons concerned in the outrage. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) A prosecution is pending in this case, and I must therefore decline to make any statement upon it.

Untenanted Land Of The Estate Of Mrs Anne De Blaquiereat Tubbar

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the estate of Mr. William De Blaquiere, Tubber, near Gort, has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners; is he aware that the district is one where small holdings generally are to be found; and whether he will direct the Commissioners to safeguard the untenanted ands on this estate for distribution amongst the people. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It is presumed that the Question refers to the estate of Anne De Blaquiere. The Estates Commissioners have made a provisional offer for the purchase of the estate, and the owner has expressed her; willingness to accept the offer; but a formal agreement for purchase will not be entered into until title has been shown. The Commissioners will, in distributing the untenanted land, pay due regard to the wants of occupiers of small holdings in the locality.

Police And The Delegates Of The Gaelic Athletic Association

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that delegates representing the Gaelic Athletic Association from the county Galway, who attended the annual meeting of that body held at Thurles, county Tipperary, on the 24th February last, were shadowed by detectives of the Royal Irish Constabulary and were photographed by them; and, having regard to the non-sectarian and non-political character of the association, will he state what was the object of these proceedings. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. I learn from the police authorities that the delegates referred to were neither shadowed nor photographed by the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Evicted Tenants—Application Of Patrick Skerry

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners received an application from an evicted tenant named Patrick Skerry, Fiddane, Gort; whether he is aware that Skerry was evicted out of Lord Gough's estate, Gort, in September, 1888, for the nonpayment of two years rent; and whether, in view of the negotiations going on for the purchase of this estate by the Commissioners, the application of Mr. Skerry will be considered with a view to reinstatement, or providing him with an equivalent holding on the estate, when the purchase is complete. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Estates Commissioners have made full inquiries into the case of Patrick Skerry, and have decided that they can take no action in the matter.

Irish Evicted Tenants—Case Of John Keating

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the case of John Keating, of Little Graigne, South Wexford, a sub-tenant on the Marquis of Ely's estate, who was evicted some years ago by the middleman named H. P. Gahan, who is a large farmer, and who has now purchased his holding, which includes John Keating's farm; and if the Commissioners, before making the vesting order in this case, will require Keating's holding to be given back to him so that he may get the same chance of purchasing as the other tenants.

1905–6.1895–6.1885–6.
£££
Net Expenditure under Army Estimates28,478,86318,470,53523,480,086
Less Loan Annuities1,020,824131,491
27,458,03918,339,04423,480,086
Add Loan Expenditure1,287,416619,6706
28,745,45518,958,72023,480,086

Increase as compared with 1895–6£9,786,735.
Increase as compared with 1895–6£5,265,369.
The figures for 1885–6 include expenditure on the Egyptian Expenditure.

The Territorial Force And Regimental Depots

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, when the new arrangement whereby recruits will pass direct to their battalions and will not be retained at the regimental depots conies into operation, the existing establishment of these depots will be maintained; and, if so, what purpose it will serve.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men employed in the regimental depots of the infantry of the

( Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have inquired into John Keating's application for reinstatement in an acre of land which he formerly held as sub-tenant, and have decided to take no action in the case.

Army Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for War what was the increase on Army Expenditure in the financial year 1905–6 compared with that in 1895–6 and 1885–6, respectively. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures are as follows: —

Line, and what proportion, if any, of these will be retained when the new arrangement whereby recruits will proceed direct to their battalion comes into operation; whether, when that time arrives, the present strength of the depots at Winchester (Rifle Brigade and 60th), Newcastle, Lichfield, and Bury will be maintained; and, if not, by what numbers will they, respectively, be reduced.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The question of sending Line recruits direct to Home battalions for training is still under consideration, and nothing is yet settled definitely. It is largely a question of barrack accommodation. In

any case the regular staff, which it is proposed to maintain for the 3rd battalions at existing depot barracks, viz., nine officers and seventy-six other ranks, is held to be sufficient for the purpose of training not merely the recruits of the special contingent, but, if necessary, recruits for the Line as well.