I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty at what ports in the United Kingdom are 3/16 inch plates kept for repairing destroyers; and whether sufficient supplies of these plates for immediate repairs are now in stock at each one of the ports he names.

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member on the 11th June, steps are being taken to secure an adequate reserve of these particular plates. In the meantime there are approximate sizes in stock at each of the Home Yards which can be utilised in lieu of the 3/16-inch plates should the occasion arise.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many employees recently engaged at Deptford, Chatham, Greenwich, Devonport, and Portsmouth have been discharged through old age; what has been the amount of weekly pension granted to them; whether he is aware that the allowance made to employees discharged through old age is so inadequate that many of the above have been compelled to apply for parochial relief; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in view of the letter and spirit of the House of Commons Resolution of 6th March, 1893.

It is estimated that during the six months ended 30th April last, some fifty established workmen were discharged from the home dockyards on reaching the age of sixty, with an average pension of about £45 a year. Very few dockyard pensioners are in receipt of parochial relief, and these few are men who have been discharged at a considerably earlier age than sixty. It is considered that the Resolution to which the hon. Member refers is being fully adhered to.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why the directors of the Ayrshire Foundry Company or the officials of that company, who were responsible, were not brought to trial for fraud for their conduct in supplying a defective rudder for H.M.S. "King Edward VII."; and, considering all the circumstances of the case as reported in paragraph 18 of the Report from the Public Accounts Committee, who is responsible at the Admiralty for the fact that a criminal prosecution was not instituted.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why the manager of the Ayrshire Foundry Company has not been prosecuted for fraud in having supplied to the Admiralty the rudder for H.M.S. "King Edward VII.," which they knew to have a dangerous flaw, which flaw they concealed by a secret electric welding operation on a Sunday during the absence of the official inspector; and whether, in view of the recent disclosures regarding adulteration of cordite, the adulteration of canvas, and the secret commission paid by an Admiralty con tractor to certain stewards for passing ready-made clothing, he will take steps to deal with such cases with the utmost severity permitted by the Law.

The question of a prosecution was carefully considered, but the law officers of the Crown, under all the circumstances, advised against that course. The firm in question was immediately struck off the contractors' list, and the running contract cancelled. The Admiralty will certainly use all their legal powers to suppress and punish such malpractices.

asked whether the names of the directors of the company were to be given to the House.

The name of the company is stated in the Question and in the Report. I do not know the names of the directors.

asked whether the publication of the names would not act as a deterrent.

Anyone can find out the names of the directors of the Ayrshire Foundry Company.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 10 of the Report from the Committee of Public Accounts; and whether he can give an assurance that in future the procedure followed in connection with the contracts for H.M.S. "Invincible," "Inflexible," and "Indomitable," for which, without Treasury sanction, no competitive tenders were invited, will not be repeated.

Treasury sanction will be invited should the occasion indicated in the Question arise.

Who was responsible for this departure from the ordinary practice?

It was not during the tenure of the present Board of Admiralty.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 5 of the First Report from the Committee of Public Accounts issued on Saturday last; and what steps the Admiralty purpose taking to prevent a repetition of these offences, either by contractors to the Board of Admiralty or persons under the control of the Admiralty.

As regards employees of the Crown, the Admiralty are considering how best to emphasise the already stringent regulations forbidding such offences. The warning against bribery contained in the contract conditions has been made more clear. Any breach would result in the contractor being struck off the list, and other Departments would be informed of the delinquency. The Admiralty are determined, so far as is in their power, that these practices shall cease.

asked whether the contractors in this case had been prosecuted, or whether there was any intention to prosecute them.

No, Sir. This case occurred about two years ago.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why the contractors who supplied the 6,000,000 rounds in 1900 and 1901, 5,000,000 of which were condemned in 1905, were not proceeded against in a court of law, with a view to recovering the loss which the public suffered, in accordance with the view expressed by the Public Accounts Committee in paragraph 24 of their Report; and who is responsible for the fact that no action has been taken.

It was considered that as the ammunition had passed inspection and proof and been accepted no claim could be sustained. There was no suggestion that the deterioration was due to fraudulent conduct on the part of the contractor.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any steps have been taken by the Board to prosecute the general dealer at Portsmouth who was discovered to have in his stock 22,400 cartridges for use with the Morris tube, all of which were marked Government property; and if not, why, considering the advice given in paragraph 26 by the Committee of Public Accounts in their last-issued Report.

The general dealer referred to was prosecuted by the police of Portsmouth, but the charge was dismissed as there was great doubt in the case, and the law officers of the Crown advised that fresh proceedings against the man would probably prove fruitless. A further case at Portsmouth is now being investigated. The accused man, who was also concerned in the previous case, should have appeared before the Portsmouth magistrates yesterday, but I understand that this man has committed suicide.

I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many coastguard stations have been closed during the last two years; and in how many cases was there a lifeboat station or a rocket apparatus, or both, at the coastguard stations which have been closed.

Seventy stations and detachments have been abolished since 1st April, 1905. At twenty-five of these stations and detachments there was a rocket apparatus. Lifeboats are not maintained at the coastguard stations, nor are they in charge of the coastguard; but there are lifeboats stationed at nineteen of the places where coastguard stations or detachments have been closed since the date mentioned.

Are we to understand that the rocket apparatus is also abolished?

The rocket apparatus is under the control of the Board of Trade.

Is it not a fact that the rocket apparatus is worked by the coastguard?

No, Sir, not entirely. The rocket apparatus is under the control of the Board of Trade, but by an arrangement with the latter Department it is placed in charge of the coastguard, where the costguard station is conveniently situated for the purpose.

Will the hon. Member make inquiry into the matter?

There is a Report now before the Board of Admiralty.

Are we to understand that the rocket apparatus will be worked at these stations?

The Board of Trade is responsible.

Will they work the apparatus?

The, hon. Gentleman had better address that question to the President of the Board of Trade.

Will the Report be laid upon the Table of the House?

I cannot say that. It is being considered by the Admiralty.

Are any more coastguard stations likely to be closed?

A pledge was given by the Secretary to the Admiralty that no more stations should be closed until the House of Commons has considered the matter. That pledge will be strictly adhered to.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated cost of the machinery now housed at the Gibraltar dockyard; when it is proposed to set it up; and what sum is allotted in the 1907–8 Estimates for this service.

Sufficient particulars are not available at the Admiralty to state what is the cost of the machinery now housed, but not erected, at Gibraltar dockyard. But if the hon. Member wishes, I will call for a report from Gibraltar, and communicate the information to him when received.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the age and calibre of the quick-firing gnus now lying unmounted on the shore at Gibraltar.

There is no information in the War Office in regard to the quick-firing guns alleged in the Question to be lying on the shore at Gibraltar. I will inquire about the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the Report from the Committee of Public Accounts shows that four stewards at one of the naval depots have been in the habit of receiving from the contractor a commission of 5 per cent. on all clothing-examined, and that the Admiralty, in view of the contractor's statement that he thought it was the custom, have found it necessary to issue notices warning all employees against the acceptance of commissions, will he state whether it is clearly understood throughout the War Department that such practices are irregular; and, if not, will he consider the expediency of issuing similar notices.

If my hon. friend will kindly refer to paragraph 419 of the King's Regulations, paragraph 94 of the Supply, Barrack, and Transport Services Regulations, paragraph 98 of the Army Ordnance Services Regulations, and paragraph 180 of the Engineer Services Regulations, he will find ample instructions in regard to the matters to which he alludes. There is also the usual clause in Army Contracts warning contractors of penalties in case they attempt to bribe. There are also the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1906.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish any details regarding the bursting of a shell in a howitzer, whereby the howitzer was destroyed and men's lives jeopardised, at Lydd on Saturday last; and to what does ho attribute the accident.

A portion of the muzzle of an 8-inch R.M.L. howitzer was blown away at Lydd on the 29th ultimo (not on Saturday last), apparently by the premature explosion of a black powder filled common shell in the bore. No reason for the destruction of the howitzer can be assigned. Although formerly numerous prematures occurred with powder-filled shells, this is the first instance of any damage having been caused thereby to the howitzer.

asked whether there was a defect in the shell such as had been complained of the other day.

We have no reason to think so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what are the tabular results of trials of British service ammunition and high-velocity ammunition such as is used abroad, on which the official statement is issued that at 1,100 yards range the velocity of the latter was considerably less than what was attained with British service ammunition.

My hon. friend is apparently referring to a statement I made in debate in Committee on Army Estimates Vote 9, in which I inadvertently used the word "velocity" instead of "energy"; in regard to the "energy" of the Lee-Enfield bullet the statement would be quite accurate.

Is it not the case, with regard to the substitution of energy for velocity, the energy is greater with the rifle bullet only after 1,400 yards has been reached?

That has got to be proved.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Hoxton, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has made any inquiry and can give any computation of the number of women and children dependent for their food upon the 1,952 men of good service, extending from one to fifty-two years, discharged from the Ordnance Factory at Woolwich from 1st June, 1906, to 1st June, 1907; and, if not, will he make such inquiry and communicate the result to the House.

In selecting men for discharge, regard is paid to all the circumstances of each man including any points concerning his family he may put forward, but no record has been kept of the number of women and children dependent on those discharged. I am not prepared to order the undertaking of such an inquiry; in many cases the information could not be obtained, and I am inclined to think that some would resent the investigation as inquisitorial.

asked if records were kept of the circumstances in each individual case.

No, Sir.

When are the discharges to cease?

I inquired this morning, and am glad to say that they are approaching a termination.

We have been approaching the termination for five years. Is it not the fact that the last Government sacked or discharged 6,000 men and they said they were approaching the end of the dismissals? You have been forced to discharge many more, and surety the right hon. Gentleman can say when the minimum will be reached.

The reason why I cannot say accurately is that the calculation of the minimum is a difficult and intricate matter, but it is very nearly determined now.

How many men have been discharged at Newcastle and Sheffield owing to the reduction in the demand for munitions of war?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can say how many men were discharged from Woolwich Arsenal during the period between the end of the war in South Africa and December, 1905; and how many have been discharged since that date.

The number of men discharged at the Ordnance Factories in Woolwich Arsenal between 1st June, 1902, and 30th November, 1905, was 4,567, and between 1st December, 1905, and 22nd I June, 1907, was 2,473. These numbers do not include men discharged for other reasons.

asked if the same type of men were being discharged by this Government as by the last. Was not the policy of the last Government only to discharge recent comers?

When you are performing this painful duty you naturally discharge the men who have been with you the shortest time, but as time goes on the short-service men become exhausted and you have to deal with those of longer service.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he can now state if it is intended to reduce the number of Militia battalions; and, if so, which battalions are to be done away with.

When the scheme for the Infantry of the Special Contingent comes into force there will be fifteen battalions of the Militia in Great Britain to be disposed of. These battalions would be dealt with as follows: — (1) By amalgamating the officers and men into the third battalions; or (2) by amalgamating the officers and men into the fourth battalions; or (3) by offering them transfers to the Territorial Army. Possibly a combination of all these methods might be adopted. It is not possible to say at present which Militia battalions will be dealt with as above.

:I beg to ask the Secretary of State; for India whether it is the intention of the Indian Government to impose an increased tariff on British beer entering India, the result of which will be that His Majesty's British troops in India and Burmah will have to pay an increased price for British beer.

The Indian Excise Committee have recommended that the existing Indian duty of one penny per gallon on beer (imported as well as locally produced) should be raised to twopence The Government of India are considering the recommendation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that judicial sentences of whipping in India are appealable, but that the sentences in such cases are carried out at once, before the appeal can be heard, and that in many cases injustice has followed from this procedure; and whether ho can see his way to enjoining that such sentences when appealed against shall not be inflicted pending the hearing of the appeal.

Sentences of whipping are not ordinarily appeal able when whipping is the sole punishment ordered. They are appealable only when passed by a magistrate of the second class specially empowered by the Local Government, and it is believed that this authority is seldom given, and only when a magistrate having superior powers is at hand to hear an apeal, if any is made. When whipping is ordered in addition to imprisonment in a case subject to appeal, the whipping is not inflicted until fifteen days from the date of the sentence, or, if an appeal is made within that time, until the sentence is confirmed by the Appellate Court. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the whole subject has been for some time under the Secretary of State's consideration.

Have there not been cases of scandalous injustice in which the whippings have been inflicted pending the appeal which has been allowed after the whipping has been carried out?

I am not aware of any such scandalous cases, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will draw my attention to any.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman there have been many.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the sentences passsed on Mr. Grogan and other Europeans concerned in the flogging of natives at Nairobi, whether they spent their term of imprisonment in the native gaol; whether sentence was passed about ten o'clock in the morning, when the prisoners were removed to a portion of the gaol, the only one in Nairobi, which had been divided from the rest of the prison; whether the same evening, Mr. Jackson, the acting Commissioner, arranged that the prisoners should be taken to some rooms above the police station which had been specially cleared for them, but the prisoners elected to remain in gaol for that night; whether a bungalow, situated in the best residential part of the town, which had just become unoccupied, was rented by the Government for the detention of Mr. Grogan and his companions until their sentences expired; whether he is aware that the prisoners had all their meals sent in from one of the hotels or the Travellers' Club; that they were allowed to smoke, while friends and relatives were permitted to visit them daily; will he explain why these lapses from prison discipline were allowed to occur, and who is the official responsible; and what action has been taken in the matter by the Colonial Office.

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The Acting Commissioner is the officer responsible for the treatment of these persons while in prison. The reason which he gives for removing them from the ordinary gaol was that it had been medically condemned as insanitary for Europeans. In these circumstances the Secretary of State considers that their removal was justified; and he does not consider it neccsary to express any opinion on the subsequent relaxations of prison discipline, which are matters which must be left to the discretion of the responsible officer on the spot.

Why is this preferential treatment accorded to Mr. Grogan?

said there was a good deal of feeling between the official and non-official European classes in the Protectorate. They had consistently adopted the policy of supporting our officers on the spot in their administration of the law. If our officers had found it possible and advantageous to make some relaxations of prison discipline with a view to producing a better state of opinion, he thought full discretionary power should be given them.

Does the right hon. Gentle man think this relaxation of the rules —

Order, order! That is a matter of opinion.

Is such relaxation usual in the case of prisoners confined for flogging natives?

I do not think any white prisoner has been recently confined for flogging natives. A very severe example has been made of this case, and I now consider this matter must be left to the discretion of the local authorities.

asked whether Mr. Grogan was still a magistrate, and whether it would not be better to remove this "Daniel come to judgment."

said he was not discharging his magisterial functions now.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a definite statement as to the abolition of the legal status of slavery on the Zanzibar slip; and whether he will state why it is necessary to spend so large a sum as £40,000 to attain that object.

The Report referred to in the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean on the 5th of June†has arrived this morning, and I hope to be able in a few days to make a definite statement. The sum of £40,000 is the amount which it is estimated will be required as compensation to owners of slaves for loss occasioned by their emancipation.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to introduce the Bill guaranteeing the issue of the short-dated security of the Transvaal Government.

No Bill relating to the loan can be introduced until the Trasvaal Parliament has passed the necessary legislation. It is therefore impossible to fix any date.

asked if the sanction of Parliament would be asked this session.

Certainly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Metropolitan Police were detailed for duty at Ascot Heath during the recent race meeting; what the total cost of their maintenance, including pay, expenses of horses, etc., was; and to what fund is the amount charged.

The number of police doing duty at Ascot Heath during the recent race meeting was:— On the 18th inst., 649; on the 19th, 580; on the 20th, 746; and on the 21st, 530. Of these numbers, 510, 467, 575, and 417 employed in maintaining order on the course on the respective race days were paid for, as I said in answer to a similar Question last year, by various private persons; the remainder attended at the cost of the Police Fund. Nineteen mounted men were sent; these,

† See (4) Debates, clxxv., 665.

Do we understand that the ratepayers of the metropolis will be called upon to find £200 for the attendance of the police at a race meeting outside the metropolitan area?

The Metropolitan Police Fund will bear the cost of the police necessitated by the presence of the King, and of the police who have to look after that portion of the criminal population of London which attends race meetings.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the points of most of the whips used by London cabdrivers are made of gutta-percha instead of whip-cord; whether severe punishment can be inflicted on a horse by the use of such whips, and whether he will instruct the London police to take proceedings against all drivers guilty of cruelty in this respect.

I understand that largo numbers of cabdrivers and carmen use gutta-percha or cat-gut points to their whips, the reason being that such material does not fray like whip-cord. I am not prepared to say that the proper use of such a whip involves cruelty; the police would at once intervene if unmerciful treatment of horses in any form came to their notice.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received a Report from the Board of Trade inspector on the condition of the Butterley tunnel and the complaints of traders regarding it; whether he can state if he proposes to take any action in consequence of the Report, either regarding the tunnel itself or regarding the Midland Railway Bill now before Parliament; and whether he intends to lay the Report of the inspector upon the Table of the House.

Yes, Sir; the Report has been received, and will be laid upon the Table. Sir William Matthews is of opinion that the cost of maintaining a navigable channel through the Butterley tunnel would be out of all proportion to the use which would be made of such through communication, and that the arrangements proposed by the railway company for securing a supply of water may be accepted, provided that the company are required always to maintain a depth sufficient for barges drawing three feet. The Board of Trade therefore suggest that the Midland Railway Company's Bill at present before the House should not be withheld from the consideration of a Committee.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Dr. J. Lloyd Roberts, of Colwyn Bay, county medical officer of health, when recently submitting his annual Report at a meeting of the district council of St. Asaph, North Wales, was requested to amend it; and will he state whether a local authority has the right to insist on a medical officer of health withdrawing statements which he has thought proper to make in his annual Report in regard to the sanitary condition of a district under his supervision.

I am informed that, in the opinion of the St. Asaph Rural District Council, the Report was inaccurate and incomplete, and that the medical officer of health has been asked further to consider it, and to submit it at the next meeting of the council. I am not fully acquainted with the circumstances of the present case, but speaking generally, it does not appear to me that a district council can insist on the withdrawal by the medical officer of health of statements in his annual Report in regard to the sanitary condition of the district under his supervision.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the cause of delay in the construction of a destructor by the local authority at Colwyn Bay; and whether arrangements will be made for the destruction of offensive materials to be carried on at a greater distance from the town during the holiday season.

I have no information on this subject, but I will communicate with the district council with regard to it.

Is there any justification for these repeated inroads of the Picts and Scots into the sacred soil of Wales?

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board when he proposes to introduce the Valuation Bill promised by His Majesty's Ministers.

I am afraid I cannot make any statement on the subject at the present time.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has come to any agreement with the corporation of the city of Edinburgh as to the streets to be used for the underground telegraphic system through the city; and, if so, can he state the nature of the agreement.

I regret that notwithstanding every effort on my part I have not yet been able to come to any agreement with the corporation. I am advised that the direct route along Princes Street is quite practicable, and I shall be glad of any assistance the hon. Member may be able to give in expediting a settlement of the difficulty.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he has come to an arrangement with the Central Welsh Board whereby the dual inspection of intermediate schools in Wales which has been condemned by Welsh educationists and schoolmasters shall cease; and, if so, what is the arrangement.

I am aware of the serious objections to the present system of dual inspection, and I hope means may be found to put an end to it, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the suggestions made to the Board by Welsh educationists relating to the teaching of Welsh in the training colleges of Wales; and, if so, what decision he has arrived at.

A new regulation will be inserted requiring that "in training colleges in Wales provision must be made for the teaching of Welsh." The effect of this will be that there must be on the.staff' of every training college in Wales at least one person competent to teach Welsh. It has also been arranged that students may obtain on their ordinary certificate on leaving the college a mention of the fact that they have passed a satisfactory examination in elementary Welsh or, where this is the case, have obtained a mark of distinction in the Welsh language.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send a copy of that Answer to the Irish Secretary.

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if it is intended to proceed this session with the Education (Administrative Provisions) Bill; and if he can say when the Second Reading will be taken.

Yes; certainly, it is proposed to proceed with this Bill, but I cannot yet say when the Second Heading will be taken.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education when the grants due for the instruction given to pupil teachers in the year ending 1st July, 1906, will be paid over to the local authorities; and what is the cause of the delay.

The great bulk of the pupil teacher grants for the year ending 31st July, 1906, were paid before the conclusion of the last financial year. The delay in the payment of any of these grants which may still be outstanding is probably due to correspondence as to the fulfilment of the conditions precedent to the payment of the grants.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether official tests are made of patent medicines offered to the public as to the amount of alcohol which they contain: whether there is any limit to its use in patent medicines; if so, what is it; and what penalties are attached. to misuse.

Perhaps I may be permitted to answer this Question. Samples of medicines are from time to time tested at the Government Laboratory, in order to ascertain whether they are sufficiently medicated to be entitled to the privilege of sale without a spirit licence. There is no limit to the use of alcohol, but in every case there must be sufficient medication to secure that the preparation cannot be vended as a beverage. The sale as a medicine of any article not entitled to be regarded as a medicine would subject the offender to the penalties applicable to the unauthorised sale of spirits.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury for what Services Supplementary Estimates are to be presented during the present session.

It is impossible to say at present.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether any steps are being taken to constitute the office of Public Trustee under the Public Trustee Act of 1906.

This is a matter which comes within the province of the Lord Chancellor, with whom I have communicated, and who has authorised me to make this reply. It is considered necessary to have a public trustee in being three months before the Act comes into operation, so that the necessary office arrangements may be made. With this in view communications have passed with Mr. C..J. Stewart, some time Official Receiver in the Companies (Winding Up) Department of the Board of Trade, and afterwards clerk to the County Council. It is intended to appoint him in October next, and meanwhile he is acting with a committee to advise in the constitution of the office and staff' under the Act of 1906.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture; whether, in view of the fact that outbreaks of the American gooseberry mildew in its highly infectious summer stage have occurred within the last few days in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Norfolk, and that this disease, which is described in the Board's recent circular as having rendered the culture of gooseberries unprofitable and practically impossible wherever it has appeared, spreads with great rapidity by the spores produced in this stage, the Board will place the outbreaks under the charge of one or more properly qualified mycologists to supervise the carrying out of those measures necessary to secure the eradication of the disease.

The Destructive Insects and Pests Bill, which will I hope receive the Royal Assent in a few days, imposes on the local authorities the duty of taking the necessary steps to prevent the spread of this disease, but the Board will gladly supply any information and assistance which it is in their power to afford. An inspector has been instructed to go down to Norfolk in order to arrange for the destruction of the affected bushes and the disinfection of the gardens. Similar precautions are being adopted in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the Local Government Board for Scotland in their Report last year expressed the opinion that it was not possible for the duties attaching to the office of chief district medical officer in the Island of Lewis to be discharged by any one resident in Dingwall, will he state what steps have been taken by the Board to ensure the appointment, vacated some time since by Dr. Macrae, of Stornoway, being filled by a medical officer resident in the island.

I have no official information, but I understand the District Committee is to meet shortly in order to appoint a successor to Dr. Macrae.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his atttention has been called to the appointment of Mr. Carroll, a son to an official under the Department, as instructor in dairying under the Department; whether his duties consist of inspecting creameries and instructing creamery managers in the technical side of their business, and what are his qualifications and experience; and, in view of the fact that experienced Irish creamery managers have been hitherto appointed to these positions, will he explain why the Department made an exception in this case.

Along with five others Mr. Carroll was some time ago appointed for one season to act as instructor in dairying. Amongst other duties he will be required to inspect creameries and instruct creamery managers. Mr. Carroll has studied dairying at the Midland Agricultural and Dairy Institute, Kingston, as well as at the Ladelund Agricultural School in Denmark. He is son of Professor Carroll, who has been inspector of agriculture and dairying and superintendent of the Albert Institute, Glasnevin, successively under the Commissioners of National Education and the Department. The appointment to these posts is not confined to any one class, and I understand Mr. Carroll was chosen on his technical knowledge of the subject, his special knowledge of machinery, and the personal qualifications required in those who are entrusted with these posts.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, considering the importance of the dairy industry of Ireland, he will instruct the Department of Agriculture to compile a pamphlet containing all the available information on the breeding and management of dairy cows, something similar to, but more comprehensive than, those issued by the Cornell University of New York and the Dairy Commissioners of Canada.

The Department understand that the pamphlets and reports issued by the Ministry of Agriculture for Canada and the Agriculture Department, Cornell University, comprise the results of experiments carried out by those authorities on the feeding and management of dairy cattle and particulars of a scheme for the improvement of dairy herds. The Department have in operation a scheme for the improvement of dairy herds, and are also carrying out experiments in the feeding of dairy cattle. As these experiments are not complete it would not be advisable to issue a Report at this stage. The Department have already issued leaflets dealing with the rearing and management of stock.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, in view of complaints as to the effects of the rules, forms, and instructions in use in connection with rent fixing, and the danger to the purchasers and to the ratepayers of basing prices upon rents considered inequitable, will ho advise a revision of those rules, forms, and instructions, and especially the annual and capital value of the landlord's property and of the tenant-right or occupation interest and improvements to be separately ascertained and set forth in every case; and, if not, will he state the objection to such revision.

The rules, forms, and instructions referred to in the Question have boon prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Land Law Acts, and have, when made, been presented to Parliament in accordance with the statutes. I have no jurisdiction whatever in regard to these rules. The matter rests entirely with the Land Commission.

I beg to.ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the residence connected with Edenderry national school, Portadown, county Armagh, was built for the benefit of the teacher; if the money advanced by the Board of Works was solely for a teacher's residence, and does the teacher derive any benefit directly or indirectly from it; how much interest and ground rent is paid per annum; and how much rent does the present tenant pay, and to whom does the profit rent go

The house in question was built as a teacher's residence partly from funds obtained from local sources and partly by means of a loan of £250 obtained from the Board of Works on the recommendation of the Commissioners of National Education. The house is not now occupied by the teacher, but, as I have already stated, the teacher is at liberty to use it, if he should desire to do so. The Commissioners have ascertained from the local trustees, in whom ownership is vested, that the house is at present let at £35 per annum. Of this sum £5 5s. is paid in ground rent, £12 10s. in repayment of the Board of Works' loan, and £12 in repayment of a loan of £300 obtained from other sources. The balance of £5 5s. is expended on the upkeep of premises, and any sum which may remain is paid over to the teacher. I am inquiring into the general question of the conditions upon which the Board of Works make loans in such cases.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what do the Government propose to do for the families of evicted tenants in Ireland whose claims are morally and legally good, but who, owing to the death or exile of male members consequent on eviction, are, in the opinion of the Estates Commissioners, not suitable to receive holdings.

It does not appear to have been intended by the Act of 1903 that evicted tenants should be compensated in money for the loss of their farms, but rather that such of them as were able to work land should, if possible, be provided with suitable farms. The only funds at the disposal of the Estates Commissioners for assisting evicted tenants is the Reserve Fund, upon which the Commissioners can draw, in the case of the sale of an estate, for the benefit or improvement of the estate or generally for the purposes of the Act. In the opinion of the Commissioners, these words would not cover grants of money to evicted tenants who are not in occupation of land on any estate, and whom it is not proposed to put in occupation of any such land.

Can nothing be done for families of this description?

At the present moment I am unable to give a definite Answer.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has yet been decided to present to this House, or make available for public use, statistics for other counties corresponding to those already published for Donegal; and, if so, will he consider favourably the desirability of adding the area of untenanted and non-residential land.

I have already informed the hon. Member that it is the intention of the Royal Commission on Congestion to present statistics for the other counties of Ireland which contain scheduled congested districts, similar to those already presented in regard to Donegal. The question whether like statistics relating to non-congested counties should be published has not yet been decided by the Commission. It is not proposed to include in these statistics the area of untenanted land. A full return of untenanted land in each county in Ireland was presented to this House last year at the instance of the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the districts of Glashakinleen and Rockchapel, Kanturk rural district, county Cork, are compelled to pay a rate for extra police of 4¼d. in the£, though there has not been a single outrage, agrarian or otherwise, committed in either district for a considerable period: and whether, in view of the peaceable condition of the entire locality, the people will be relieved of the payment of the extra police tax. I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the constabulary authorities can explain why a police hut and a force of one sergeant and three constables have been established on the farm of Mr. Owen Daly, near Meelin, county Cork; are they aware that this farm was sold by order of the recorder of the East Riding and purchased by Mr. Daly at public auction, but that, owing to the money having been paid to the then registrar of the court, Mr. Tristam Curry, who has since absconded, Daly has not yet got full legal possession of the holding, to his great loss and inconvenience; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Daly is popular in the district, that this police protection is personally most distasteful to him, and has communicated with District Inspector O'Neill, asking him to instruct the policemen not to accompany him to fairs and markets, this police force will be transferred to other duty, and the district relieved of the payment of an extra rate of 8¾d. in the£.

The two districts named are assessed with a tax for extra police amounting to 7¼d. in the £. The extra force consists of three men of the reserve who are required for the constant protection of Mr. Owen Daly. It is the fact that no serious outrage has been committed in the locality during the past twelve months, but in the opinion of the police authorities, who are responsible for the preservation of the peace, it is absolutely necessary to afford constant protection to Mr. Daly. The police are stationed on his farm with his consent, and he has not applied for their withdrawal. In present circumstances it is not possible to relieve the locality from the charge for extra police.

Is the right hon. Gentlemen aware that Mr. Daly does everything possible to escape from his police escorts?

It is the fact, I am glad to say, that Mr. Daly himself is personally very popular in the district. He naturally dislikes being accompanied to the various markets by the police, as this interferes with him in the transaction of business: but nevertheless it is a fact that there are some few people in the locality who entertain feelings of strong disapprobation, and it is not the fact that Mr. Daly desires that the police protection should be withdrawn.

Are the people who threaten him members of the United Irish League?

I know nothing about that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education in a letter, dated 3rd January, 1906, to the manager of the national schools at Kilmeedy, in the county of Limerick, stated that they proposed to alter rule l94 of their rules, so that they may be empowered to award grants towards building school-houses for separate boys' and girls' schools, where an average attendance of thirty five pupils is maintained in each school; and, if so, can he say what action they have taken or intend to take in the matter. I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Commissioners of National Education intend to devote any of the £40,000 voted for school buildings in Ireland to the building of separate boys' and girls' schools at Kilmeedy, in the county of Limerick; and, if so, when may it be available. I beg further to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say when will the£40,000 for national school buildings in Ireland be available for the building of new schools in places where the old buildings have been condemned by the inspector's; what are the conditions for obtaining this grant; and whether they have been declared to be realised by the Commissioners of National Education in their letter of the 3rd January, 1906, to the manager of the Kilmeedy schools in the case of the schools there; and, if so, whether a grant will be given to him, and when.

I will answer these three Questions together. It is the fact that the Commissioners wrote to the manager to the effect stated in the first Question, but they also subsequently informed him that their proposal to alter the rule had not received the necessary sanction. The Commissioners, therefore, have no power to make a building grant for separate boys' and girls' schools unless the average attendance of each sex is fifty or upwards. This condition is not fulfilled in the case of the Kilmeedy schools. The £40,000 for national school buildings in Ireland is now available, and the conditions under which building grants are made are fully stated in.the Commissioners' rules, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable in the interests of education itself to alter this rule, and will he use his influence with the Commissioners of Education to bring that about?

I cannot say that I think that is desirable. The number fifty is not unreasonable on the whole.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what is the cause of the delay in completing the sale to the tenants on the Boyton estate, near Convoy, county Donegal, who entered into an agreement to purchase their holdings over two years ago, and are still paying the old rent to the receiver; and whether he will call the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the tenants' loss in the matter.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the purchase agreements in respect of this estate were lodged in December, 1905, and the case will be dealt with in its order of priority. In the meantime rent is not payable, but, interest in lieu of rent is being collected.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the police at Mullagh and Quilty stations, West Clare, are herding twenty-seven head of cattle, night and day, on the M'Mahon property, near Quilty, leaving the supervision of the remainder of their respective districts to the people themselves; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to the police authorities to have those men withdrawn from this herding so that the landlord should employ herdsmen to look after those cattle, and have the police attend to their proper functions.

I am informed that police patrols visit a grazing farm on the M'Mahon estate for the protection both of the cattle on the farm and of the herdsman who has been threatened. It is not the case that the police act as herdsmen. The performance of their duty of affording the necessary protection in this case does not prevent them from performing their other duties in the district.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the number of cases of driving of stock off farms in certain districts in Ireland, he will issue a circular from Dublin Castle instructing tenants of grazing farms as to the best mode of protecting their property in accordance with the views of the Chief Commissioner of Police.

The Answer is in the negative, for the reason stated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for North Armagh on the 17th instant.†

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a man named Brady, caretaker on a farm at Ballinaglera, county Leitrim, is so rigorously boycotted that he has to travel twenty-six miles to the village of Dromahair to obtain the bare necessities of life; whether he is aware that early on 18th June he was assaulted and his donkey and cart taken from him; whether any arrests have been made; and, if so, whether either the Attorney General or the Solicitor-General will prosecute in the case in person.

On the 17th instant two men wore arrested upon the charge of assaulting Martin Brady, a son of the caretaker referred to in the Question, and stealing from him a donkey which he was riding. The accused were on the same day taken before the magistrates, who, by a majority, refused to receive informations and return the accused for trial. My right hon. friend the Attorney-General for Ireland has since considered the evidence in the case, and has directed that a Bill against the accused shall be sent up at the next Assizes. He will consider the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member as to prosecuting in person, but he cannot undertake to do so in the case of every agrarian offence.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a grazing farm at Derrinlough, midway between Cloghan and Birr, King's County, occupied by a Mr. Parsons, of Shinrone, was cleared of all its stock on the 18th June; whether the police have any information on the subject; whether any arrests were made; and, if so, whether either the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General will prosecute in the case in person.

This Question refers to the same case as that about which the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh put a

† See (4) Debates, clxxvi., 126.

Were these proceedings instituted under the Act of Edward III.?

I dare say they were.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether negotiations for sale to the tenants of the estate of Mr. Hopkins, Blackhall, county Kildare, situated near Errill, Ballybrophy, Queen's County, are pending before the Estates Commissioners; whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Mole, who held the farms of Park and Lyrogue upon the eleven months system up to 1904, has for the purpose of sale to him been made a yearly tenant of those farms; and whether, in view of the fact that this land is required for the enlargement of small holdings and the settlement of evicted tenants in the locality, the Estates Commissioners propose to sanction the sale to Mr. Mole.

Purchase agreements in respect of the estate mentioned were lodged with the Estate Commissioners in July, 1905. The agreements include one by Joseph Mole for the purchase of a farm held by him as yearly tenant under a tenancy created in April, 1905. The question of making an advance to Mole will be duly considered by the Commissioners when they come to deal with the estate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a grant in money or kind was made to Mr. P. Kilbride, of Toomaline, Doon, county Limerick, by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, how much; whether Kilbride is a reinstated evicted tenant; and, if so, will he give particulars of when and why he was evicted.

† See (4) Debates, clxxvi., 626.

The Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a free grant' of £180 for stock and £20 for buildings to Patrick Kilbride, who has been reinstated in a holding of 113 acres on the Wilkinson estate from which he was evicted in 1889 for non-payment of rent.

Will steps be taken to see that the stock is not sold to pay this man's debts?

The Commissioners will take such steps as they can. Considering the general character of this tenant I am glad ho is reinstated.

Has not the stock been already sold?

I must ask for notice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Goverment Board have decided between the rival claimants to the position of chairman of the Mayo County Council; and who is the rightful holder of that office.

I have already stated that the Local Government Board have no power to decide the question which the hon. Member raises. The question is a purely legal one, and could only be finally decided by a Court of law.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of a special meeting of the Killoran branch of the United Irish League, signed by two secretaries of the branch, containing a recommendation by a. county councillor that the members should ignore British law altogether and stand loyally by the laws of the United Irish League; and whether he intends to take any action in this matter.

My attention has now been called to a newspaper report to the effect mentioned in the Question. Mr. Cawley, the person who is said to have made the recommendation referred to, is not a county councillor. No action appears to be called for. I have no reason to suppose that the supremacy of the law will be endangered by Mr. Cawley's remarks, assuming that he made any.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what was the total number of the statutory free establishment of constabulary distributed by Order in Council on the occasion of the last redistribution of the force among counties and county boroughs; whether the constabulary authorities are of opinion that the number so distributed is adequate to existing demands and requirements in Ireland; whether there is power to increase the establishment of police in the absence of the proclamation of counties and baronies under the provisions of the Act 6 Will. 4, c. 13; and, if not, whether he will consider, in consultation with the constabulary authorities, the question of the propriety of recommending the Lord-Lieutenant to give effect to the provisions of this Act by the issue of proclamations declaring certain counties or portions of counties to be in a state of disturbance necessitating the employment of extra forces of police.

The total number of the free force of the Royal Irish Constabulary, as fixed by Order in Council of 18th May 1906, is 8,553. I am not prepared to make any statement upon the matters referred to in the remainder of the Question beyond saying that the Government will take all proper measures for employing extra police in those districts in which their services may become necessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received particulars of the midnight affray between the police and a disorderly crowd at Athenry on Thursday last; and whether any of the rioters were arrested.