Questions Belleville Boilers MR. A. B. FORWOOD (Lancashire, S.W., Ormskirk) I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty when, will the trials of the Belleville boilers fitted on the Sharpshooter commence; what length of time are they to occupy at sea; will instructions be given to maintain an indicated horse-power in proportion to the full-designed power of the machinery, so as to secure a thorough test of the boilers and their consumption of fuel; and what is the average power it is proposed should be developed? *THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH, Lancashire, N.E., Clitheroe) said, the boiler trials in the Sharpshooter will commence in a few days' time. I shall be happy to give my right hon. Friend a copy of the programme of the trials so far decided upon. Any further trials considered desirable will be considered on the completion of this programme. MR. W. ALLAN (Gateshead) asked whether it was the fact that on the first trial of the Ohio, which was fitted with the Belleville boilers, one of them burst and injured the firemen? *SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH said, he could hardly answer for any but Her Majesty's ships, and the Ohio was not one of Her Majesty's ships. He thought his hon. Friend should seek for information from the company to whom the ship belonged. MR. FORWOOD asked if the right hon. Gentleman could give any closer indication as to the time for the boiler trials in the Sharpshooter, and whether it was not the fact that the Ohio was the first English merchant vessel which had adopted similar boilers to those which had been adopted in Her Majesty's Navy? MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston) asked if it was the fact that the Admiralty had practically no information about the Ohio; he thought it was of great importance that the Admiralty should get information as to the practical experience of private companies in regard to such matters? *SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH said, the Admiralty would be very much more interested in subsequent performances of the Ohio than in the very first performance which she had made, under conditions of which he was not fully aware. It would be very interesting to the Admiralty to obtain information as to the experience in the Merchant Navy of such boilers. With respect to the question of his right hon. Friend, he really thought that "a few days' time" was sufficient indication; he would not like to tie himself to any day this week, but he believed the Sharpshooter would really be ready this week. MR. HANBURY asked if it was intended to have a very short trial or a long continuous trial at sea? MR. FORWOOD asked if the programme would be laid on the Table? *SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH said, he did not think there would be any advantage in laying the programme on the Table, but he would give a copy to any hon. Member. The trials would occupy a considerable time, and would be very thorough. MR. HANBURY asked if the trial would last for days, weeks, or months? *SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH referred the hon. Member to the latter part of his original answer. Preferential Tariff Treatment In Colonies COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he is able to state what fiscal advantages are given in the Colonial possessions of France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands to goods imported from the Mother Country over goods imported from foreign countries; and what fiscal advantages are in return conceded by France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands to goods imported from their own Colonies instead of from other countries? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (SIR E. GREY, Northumberland, Berwick) Since the hon. and gallant Member last asked a question on this subject some further information has been received. We will have this brought up to date as far as possible, so as to present a Paper giving the latest information. Sale Of Estates In County Longford MR. EDWARD BLAKE (Longford, S.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, would he explain the cause of the delay in the Land Judge's Court or elsewhere in completing the sale to the Land Commission of Lord Annaly's estate in County Longford, the tenants' undertakings having been signed more than a year ago; are the tenants liable during the interval to pay the unreduced rents; are the tenants at liberty, in view of the delay, to withdraw their undertakings; and when is it expected that the sale will be completed, and can anything be done to expedite it? *THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN MORLEY, New castle-upon-Tyne) This estate is, as stated in the question, for sale in the Land Judge's Court. I am informed that the rental has not been settled, and until it has been settled the Land Commission cannot make an offer to purchase. The Commissioners, however, understand that it is probable that the rental will be settled at an early date. In the case of proceedings pending in the Land Judge's Court, until the sale takes place the tenants remain liable for the existing rents. The Commissioners cannot say whether any of the tenants in question are at liberty to withdraw from their undertakings; whether any tenant can do so or not depends upon the agreement he may have entered into. The Commissioners will, as far as it is possible for them to do so, endeavour to expedite the sale in question. MR. BLAKE asked, if the Land Judge had not been for a long time absent, and whether there was any prospect of his being able to resume his duties? *MR. J. MORLEY said, he was sorry to say that it was quite true that for a considerable time the Land Judge had been unable to take any part in the proceedings of the Court. He had no information as to whether that inability would disappear or not. In reply to a question by MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.), *MR. J. MORLEY said, he had observed that Lord Justice FitzGibbon, Mr. Justice Madden, and other judges, had for some time taken part in the proceedings. MR. E. BLAKE I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state when it is expected that the sale to the Land Commission of Colonel Berdin's estate in County Longford, for which tenants' undertakings were signed about a year ago, will be completed; what is the cause of the delay; and can anything be done to expedite matters? *MR. J. MORLEY I am informed that the delay in this case is owing to the following circumstances:—Portions of the holdings on the estate are sub-let; the prices named in some of the cases seemed in excess of the amounts which would be adequately secured on resale; and no adequate provision appeared to have been made for the redemption of the outgoings. I am informed that it rests with the solicitors acting for the parties to meet these difficulties. The Land Commission will so far as possible endeavour to expedite the sale, but they explain that it rests in the first place with the solicitors acting for the parties and with the solicitors having carriage in the Land Judge's Court, to meet the manifest difficulties in the matter. Earl Of Kenmare MR. JAMES GILHOOLY (Cork Co., W.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the case of M'Carthy v. Sullivan and Flynn, tried by Mr. Justice Holmes and a common jury on the 7th inst.; whether he is aware that the learned judge said that Mr. Maurice Leonard, agent to the Earl of Kenmare and a Justice of the Peace for the county of Kerry, had been mixed up with collusive proceedings and fraud, and had dragged the name of the Earl of Kenmare through the mire; and whether the observations of Mr. Justice Holmes and facts on which they were founded will be brought under the notice of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland? MR. J. MORLEY ; The Lord Chancellor informs me he has been unable to find any report of the observations which, it is alleged, were made by the learned judge in question. If the hon. Gentleman will furnish me with further particulars, the matter will again be inquired into by the Lord Chancellor. MR. J. GILHOOLY asked, if the right hon. Gentleman would inquire of Mr. Justice Holmes whether he made these observations? MR. J. MORLEY thought, it was for the hon. Member to supply him with the primâ facie facts. Ashton's Green Colliery, St Helens MR. H. SETON-KARR (St. Helens) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now state the result of a fresh election of a check-weighman at the Ashton's Green Colliery, Parr, St. Helens, Lancashire, which he recently directed to be held under the provisions of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, in consequence of certain alleged interference by the colliery manager? THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. H. ASQUITH, Fife, E.) In answer to a question respecting this case I informed my hon. Friend the Member for the Ince Division of Lancashire that a ballot would be held for the appointment of a check weigher. That ballot has been held, and I am informed that Henry Pennington has been elected by a majority of 38 votes out of 56. MR. H. SETON-KARR asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that it had been stated that the matter would not be allowed to drop, and whether he was satisfied that the second election was in strict accordance with the Act? MR. ASQUITH I have no reason to doubt it. MR. T. W. LEGH (Lancashire, S.W., Newton) Is it not the fact that the nominees can only have one vote? MR. ASQUITH I did not know that the nominees had a vote. Sixmilecross National School, Ireland MR. W. E. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Coates, late master of Sixmilecross National School, had shortly before his death sent in his resignation; and whether the commutation allowance of £170 which has been earned by him has been paid to his representatives; if not, what reason has been assigned? MR. J. MORLEY The provisions of the Act of Parliament dealing with applications of this kind require the Commissioners of National Education to certify to the Lord Lieutenant that they are satisfied that a male teacher who would be entitled to a retiring allowance under the Act has become incapable from permanent infirmity of mind or body to continue to discharge his duties, and if such certificate be forthcoming, the Lord Lieutenant, with the consent of the Treasury, may grant to such teacher a gratuity. In the present case the teacher died on the 2nd April, before the issue of the certificate by the Commissioners to the Lord Lieutenant, and they, therefore, had no legal power to certify to the application for a gratuity under the provisions of the Act. I may add, however, that on proof of title a sum of £20 11s. 8d. will be paid to the representatives of Mr. Coates on account of premiums (with interest thereon) paid by him towards the retiring allowance whilst in the service of the National Board. Parish Award MR. HERBERT LEON (Bucks, N.) I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board—(1) whether, in a case where a parish award is in the custody of the clerk of the peace of a county, he has any legal right to charge a parish council a fee for inspecting or taking extracts from it; and (2) whether a parish council, upon providing some safe place, is entitled to the custody of the award? THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. G. J. SHAW LEFEVRE, Bradford, Central) It is impossible to give a general answer to the first question, as the rights of the clerk of the peace vary according to the terms of the Act under which the award was made. As a rule, however, a fee is chargeable, and the parish council would have no right to exemption. I may refer generally to the provisions in Section 35 of the General Enclosure Act of 1801, and to the General Enclosure Act, 1845. The parish council are not entitled to the custody of the copy of the award which has been deposited with the clerk of the peace, and which is to be kept with the records of the county. Sheerness Naval Gunnery School ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne) I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the rifle ranges and buildings ordered in connection with the Sheerness Naval Gunnery School, for which £2,000 have been appropriated in the Estimates of 1895–6, have been begun; if not, when will the same be commenced and completed; and what is the cause of the delay? THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dundee) The work in connection with the rifle range at Sheerness (for which £2,000 is taken on account of £3,350 in this year's Estimates) will be carried out by the War Department as a repayment service. The commencement of the work was delayed pending settlement by the Treasury of general financial proposals for the joint ownership and maintenance of rifle ranges by the Naval and Military Departments. This question having been decided, the War Office were asked by letter dated May 30, 1895, to cause early steps to be taken for proceeding with the work on this range. Distress In Knock South, County Mayo MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has again been called to the distressed condition of Knock South, County Mayo; can he state how many families the Local Government Board inspector inspected on his third visit to this district, on the 11th instant, and did he find them to be in need of relief; if so, why the only provision made for these people was to instruct the relieving officer to put them on the outdoor relief list; whether, when the inspector visited the townland of Coogna, he found there 12 families in a condition bordering on starvation, and has he reported that the people in those districts are anxious to be afforded an opportunity to earn the means of obtaining support by working on the neighbouring public works for 1s. a day; and whether he will endeavour to obtain funds for the relief of this distress, and enable these people to tide over the present season of scarcity? *MR. J. MORLEY My attention was recently again drawn by a communication received from the hon. Gentleman, to the alleged existence of distress in this district. The Local Government Board inspector visited a considerable number of families in the district on the 11th instant, but he cannot state the exact number. In addition to others, the inspector visited eight houses, the occupiers of which were stated by the relieving officer to be poor. The inspector recommended the relieving officer to afford provisional relief in three of these cases only. The inspector reports he found no families bordering on a condition of starvation, and that there is no indication of the existence of acute distress in the district. Upon the information before the Local Government Board they are unable to recommend the opening of relief works in this locality. MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.) asked, whether he was to understand that while the Government could not find money to relieve distress in Ireland they were about to expend £500 on a statue of Oliver Cromwell? MR. J. MORLEY said, that if there were such distress in any part of Ireland as would justify relief, the money to relieve that distress would be found. MR. W. REDMOND asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would expend the £500 the Government asked for in respect of the statue in relieving the distress to which his attention had been directed? [No answer was given to the question.] Portadown Post Office COLONEL SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.) I beg to ask the Postmaster General when it is proposed to proceed with the erection of the post office at Portadown? THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. ARNOLD MORLEY, Nottingham, E.) I learn from the Board of Public Works in Ireland, in whose department and not in mine the matter rests, that they expect to be in a position to invite tenders for the work towards the end of the present month. Corrupt Practices At Municipal Elections MR. C. J. DARLING (Deptford) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state how many persons who have been reported by Election Commissioners to have been guilty of corrupt or illegal practices at municipal elections have subsequently to such Report been acquitted before a jury of such practices? MR. ASQUITH The Home Office has no information as to the number of such cases. MR. DARLING asked whether the Lord Chancellor had not introduced a Bill to give relief in such cases as those referred to in the question? MR. ASQUITH said, that when the Bill came down to the House the hon. and learned Member would be able to discuss its provisions. Swaziland Papers MR. T. H. COCHRANE (Ayrshire, N.) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has information to the effect that Mr. Shepstone removed all the books of the Swazi nation and papers relating to the affairs of Swaziland from the chief kraal to Pretoria, and has not returned them in spite of repeated requests from the King; if so, by what right does Mr. Shepstone retain these books and papers; and will the Government use their influence to secure their immediate return? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar) I understand that the books and papers sent to Pretoria were those bearing on Mr. Shepstone's financial and other relations with the Swazi nation. They were sent to Pretoria with a view to a thorough investigation into Mr. Shepstone's financial transactions, which was desired by the Swazis. A Swazi deputation went to Pretoria to attend at the audit. I understand that on completion of the audit the books and papers will be returned to Swaziland. MR. COCHRANE said, the hon. Gentleman, the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had asked him to postpone this question on a previous occasion. He wished to know by what authority Mr. Shepstone had detained these books and papers? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON said, that he did not understand that these books and papers were in the possession of Mr. Shepstone. They were sent to Pretoria in accordance with the more than once expressed desire on the part of the Swazis that Mr. Shepstone's affairs in regard to them should be properly investigated. He, however, understood that the books and papers would soon be returned. MR. COCHRANE asked why they had not been returned already? The King had made application to have them returned long ago. *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall) asked whether the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs was aware that the Swazis had repeatedly asked for these books and papers, and why Her Majesty's Government had continued so long to recognise Mr. Shepstone as representing the Swazis after he had been dismissed by them? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON said, that he should wish to have notice of the latter part of the last question. He understood that the books and papers had been sent to Pretoria with the object of their being examined and audited. They were of a voluminous character, and their investigation had taken some time. That, he understood, was the reason for the delay. Her Majesty's Government had received no formal complaint on the subject, and he did not think that there had been any unreasonable delay with regard to it. Arklow Fishing Industry MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.) On behalf of the hon. Member for East Wicklow (Mr. E. P. O'KELLY), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the failure of the Arklow fishing industry, he will impress upon the Congested Districts Board the necessity of extending the time for repayment of money lent to Arklow fishermen for the building of boats and for fishing purposes; and whether the legal proceedings threatened by the Board against the sureties for loans to Arklow fishermen will be suspended while giving the borrowers a reasonable time to pay the instalments due to the Board? MR. J. MORLEY Some of the Arklow boats have had fair success this season, and the Congested Districts Board would be most unwilling to proceed harshly in any case in which fishermen have been fishing zealously without success. In the cases of some borrowers, as many as eight half-yearly instalments are overdue, and in these cases the borrowers have not made any efforts, as far as the Congested Districts Board can judge, to discharge any part of their liabilities. The Board are unable to give any general undertaking to suspend proceedings except that they will, as heretofore, always give fishermen a reasonable time to pay their debts. MR. JAMES O'CONNOR I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board have seized upon an Arklow fishing boat, named the True Light, for a balance due upon the original loan, although the borrowers had already paid £120 of the loan; and whether it is the intention of the Board to sell the boat by auction? MR. J. MORLEY The Congested Districts Board seized the boat True Light, upon which £209 12s. 8d. had been paid by the borrowers out of a loan of £500. The Board have sold the boat for a debt of £244 1s. 4d., the amount of the outstanding arrears due. The boat was seized owing to the very bad repair it was allowed to get into by the borrower, and because it was rapidly becoming useless. The Board regretted having to seize the boat, but they felt obliged to do so, both because of the failure of the borrower to meet his engagements (seven half-yearly instalments of £34 17s. 4d. each being overdue), and because of the unsatisfactory condition into which the boat had been allowed to get. British Bechuanaland CAPTAIN BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the case that the Representative Assembly of Cape Colony has passed a resolution favouring the annexation of British Bechuanaland to Cape Colony; and whether, before assenting to that proposal, the Government will be careful to give the House of Commons an opportunity for discussing it? *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether Her Majesty's Government have come to a decision with regard to the proposed annexation of British Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony; and whether there have been any protests from native races against this annexation? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON A resolution such as that mentioned in the question was passed a few days ago by both Houses of the Cape Parliament. Her Majesty's Government have not as yet had an opportunity of duly considering these resolutions; I cannot, therefore, as yet make any statement on the subject. Petitions against the proposed annexation have been received from two native chiefs and their councillors, which will be duly considered with other matters bearing on the case. *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT Has Khama sent in a protest? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON Khama is not in that part of the country. CAPTAIN BETHELL said, that the hon. Gentleman had not answered the latter part of the question. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON That question will depend on the position which the Government may take up with regard to it. Relief Works In County Donegal MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when are the relief works on the new road between Ardara and Glenties, in County Donegal, to be commenced, in view of the fact that the people of these districts are without employment and in great distress? MR. J. MORLEY Since I replied to the hon. and learned Gentleman's previous question of the 30th ultimo in this matter, I have been informed by the Local Government Board Inspector that he has made further inquiries into the circumstances of the people of the district, and that he does not now consider it necessary to recommend the opening of the particular work referred to. Eight new works have been commenced in the County Donegal during the present month, and of these two are in the Glenties Union. Foreign Forage COLONEL LOCK WOOD (Essex, Epping) I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will grant a Return, for the year 1894, showing the amount of foreign forage and meat issued to Her Majesty's troops in Great Britain and Ireland; and if, in case it should be found impossible to obtain this from the various contractors for the past year, he will issue such instructions as will insure the information for another year? *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, Burghs) It is not in my power to give Returns of the sources whence supplies for the Army are drawn. Provided contractors deliver supplies of the quality required, it has not been the custom to stipulate that they shall be exclusively of British origin. To do this would be to run counter to the commercial policy of this country. In reply to a question similar in principle in 1893, the late Prime Minister said:— "The Legislature has, by a series of Acts, made careful provision that the whole of the community shall have free access upon equal terms to all products whatever in whatever country produced, and it appears to me that those Acts of the Legislature are presumably a guide for the Executive Government. It would be a singular step for an Executive Government on its own discretion to allow the course of legislative precedents to be infringed." Published Returns of the Board of Trade give complete information of the imports and exports of this country, and it is not desirable to grant special Returns dealing with a mere fraction of the subject; especially as the object for which they are asked appears to be to call in question the settled policy of the country. COLONEL LOCKWOOD said, that arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, he should like to ask him whether he was to understand that it was for the benefit of the public service that the information for which he asked was not to be given? *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN It is contrary to the usual practice to do so. I will make inquiries, but it is not usual or desirable that I should make a Return on the subject. MR. HANBURY asked whether, all things being equal both in price and quality, the right hon. Gentleman would give a preference to English produce? *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN All considerations being exactly equal, I should personally give a preference to English produce, but that rather begs the question. MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.) asked what was the object of buying this cheap foreign meat for the use of the troops? *MR. SPEAKER Order, order! The question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is out of order. International Conference At Paris MR. T. H. COCHRANE I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Her Majesty's Government will be represented at the International Conference which is to assemble in Paris on 25th instant to consider the subject of the protection of wild birds useful to agriculture; and if so, whether the British delegates have yet been appointed? *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HERBERT GARDNER, Essex, Saffron Walden) Yes, Sir; we think it will be of advantage that Her Majesty's Government should be represented at the Paris Conference on the Protection of Wild Birds useful to Agriculture, and it has been arranged that Sir Herbert Maxwell, Mr. Howard Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S., and a member of the staff of the Embassy at Paris, shall be the British delegates at the Conference. Mr. CYRIL DODD (Essex, Maldon) asked whether these gentlemen were good enough to represent Her Majesty's Government at their own expense, or whether their expenses were paid? MR. GARDNER said, that it was usual for the expenses to be paid. Foreign Prison-Made Goods MAJOR RASCH I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he still declines to allow the House to have knowledge of the Report submitted to him in print a fortnight since by the hon. Members for Central Sheffield and Bolton, with reference to the importation of goods made by foreign convicts and felons; and what is the reason for withholding the information contained therein from the representatives of the people whose working interests are alleged to be injuriously affected by this traffic? THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. J. BRYCE, Aberdeen, S.) It would be entirely irregular to present the Report of a seceding minority of a Committee before the Committee has itself reported. Coldstream Guards Band SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devon, Honiton) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the full band of the Coldstream Guards will play at the Elevation of the Host at the celebration of Low Mass, 29th June, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral; and if so, whether such performance is usual and has the sanction of the authorities? MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.) Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question may I ask whether the Cold-stream Guards and other regiments are not supported by the taxes of Roman Catholics as well as Protestants? *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN I believe Roman Catholics pay taxes as well as Protestants. In answer to my hon. Friend opposite, I have to say that in ordinary circumstances no impediment is placed in the way of a regimental band performing on occasion of a public ceremony of a neutral character; but as some political construction, or construction connected with ecclesiastical polemics, might be put upon the participation of a band in the ceremony referred to, and a meaning given to it which would not be intended, it has been decided not to allow the band to be present. MR. T. W. LEGH Arising out of that question, may I ask whether it is not a fact that British military bands frequently play during the celebration of Mussulman religious ceremonies in Egypt? *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN I do not know that in this country it is usual to do so. Military bands may play upon various occasions, but the general principle to be followed is that they should not take part in a ceremony as if they themselves were directly connected with it. The particular reason of the authority being refused on this occasion was, as I have stated, the fact that it was contemplated that they should attend a ceremony which had already been twisted into a polemical act. MR. E. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby) By whose order are the bands not to play? Is not a regimental band under the orders of the colonel of the regiment, and subcribed to by Catholic as well as Protestant officers? *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN Certainly; the very same principle would apply to a Protestant ceremony as to a Catholic ceremony under similar circumstances. Foreign Office Clerkships MR. MICHAEL AUSTIN (Limerick, S.) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it would be possible to effect a reduction of the existing establishment of Foreign Office clerkships, and to create an equivalent number of staff posts of the Second Division; and whether it has now been decided, as recently recommended by the Treasury, to discontinue appointments outside the Office to the Supplementary Class? SIR E. GREY No such recommendation has been made by the Treasury. No reduction can be made at present in the existing establishment. But it is under consideration whether, on the occurrence of vacancies in certain posts, they might not be filled by the promotion of Second Division clerks, if any of these possess the necessary qualifications. Cabs MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is now in a position to inform the House what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Cabs; whether the new inspectors to be appointed will be men possessed of technical knowledge of cab building, and what instructions they will act under with regard to the approval of vehicles; and when the new regulations will come into force? MR. ASQUITH Arrangements are now completed for giving effect (with some slight modifications) to the recommendations of the Committee relating to the increase of the staff and the technical qualification of the inspectors, to registration of cab-yards, to the prohibition of sub-letting, to the minimum age and practical knowledge of drivers, to the use of cautionary notices in the case of first offences, and to the incorporation of a statement of facts with summonses against drivers. Some other points are still under consideration, and will be settled without delay. The new inspectors will all be possessed of technical knowledge, and will act under the instructions which are issued from time to time by the Commissioner of Police. It is hoped that the new regulations will all be in force by July 1 next. Several of them are already in force. Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1894 *MR. C. B. RENSHAW (Renfrew, W.) I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that in a Circular issued by the Local Government Board (Scotland) it is stated that, where a parish is partly landward and partly within a police burgh, the appointment of the representative for the landward part of the parish on the district committee of the county council falls to be made by the parish council, including the representatives of the police burgh, whether he will state if this is in accordance with the provision of Sub-section (7), of Section 19, of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1894? *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan and Kinross) I think that the Circular issued by the Local Government Board correctly states the effect of the sub-section referred to in the question. A parish which is partly landward and partly within a police burgh, is not, within the meaning of the Act, a parish partly landward and partly burghal; it therefore follows that the appointment of a representative from the parish council on the district committee falls to be made by the parish council. Batoum And The Treaty Of Berlin MR. T. W. LEGH I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that Article 59 of the Berlin Treaty enacted that Batoum should be constituted a free port, essentially commercial; and that, in July 1886, the Earl of Rosebery instructed Her Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg to inform the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, that the proceedings of the Russian Government, with regard to Batoum, constituted a violation of the Treaty of Berlin unsanctioned by the Signatory Powers; Her Majesty's Government consider themselves to be under the same obligation with respect to Article 59 as with respect to the remaining Articles of the Treaty of Berlin? SIR E. GREY I can only repeat what I said in reply to a similar question on the 14th instant, that the extent and degree of the various obligations imposed by the Treaty of Berlin must be gathered from the words of the Treaty itself. Governorship Of New South Wales MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to state whether any appointment to the Governorship of New South Wales has been made? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON I am not in a position to make any further statement on the subject, and I must repeat that, in accordance with practice and courtesy, the first public intimation of the appointment will be made to the Government of New South Wales. MR. BARTLEY Is it not a fact and a matter of common knowledge that this appointment has been offered to an hon. Member of this House, and if he has practically accepted it, whether that does not vacate the seat? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON As the hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, I must altogether decline to answer such a question. Royal Exchange Telegraph Office SIR EDWARD REED (Cardiff) I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the alleged undermanning of the staff of the telegraph office at the Royal Exchange, and to the statement that they are working under conditions of great hardship; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the truth of these statements? MR. ARNOLD MORLEY My attention was drawn to a paragraph in The Telegraph Chronicle of the 7th June to which my hon. Friend probably refers, stating that the increase of business at the Stock Exchange shows "how fearfully undermanned the staff of the office is at the present time," and adding that if this state of things should continue, a "vigorous protest" would reach the Controller from the staff concerned. I am glad to be able to state that the staff on seeing the paragraph, spontaneously addressed a letter to the Controller repudiating the authorship and sentiment of the paragraph in question. I should like to take the opportunity of adding that the staff, so far from grumbling or showing a discontented spirit, worked cheerfully, and exerted themselves to the utmost to meet the pressure. And I believed that this conduct, which I am happy to recognise, is a far better indication of the feelings of the staff towards the Department than the exaggerated and usually unfounded statements which have appeared from time to time in the Public Press and which have attracted attention in the House. Oliver Cromwell Statue MR. L. P. HAYDEN (Roscommon, s.) I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the small majority by which the first Vote towards the statute for Oliver Cromwell was carried on Friday, and the strong feeling of opposition to it, he will ask the House of Commons to proceed further in the matter; or, if not, will he arrange to take the Report Stage at an hour when the matter can be further considered? MR. DARLING asked whether the proposal to put up a statue to Oliver Cromwell was not carried by a majority exceeding the normal Government majority. [Loud Nationalist cries of "Order," and laughter.] THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, Derby) I do not think this is a matter of sufficient importance to require special arrangements to be made in reference to it. I think it should proceed in the ordinary course. MR. W. REDMOND asked the right hon. Gentleman, in view of his statement that the matter was of no importance, whether he was aware of the fact that every newspaper in Ireland, of all shades of opinion, had condemned this proposal; and whether, in view of the fact that the erection of this statue would undoubtedly give great offence to a large portion of the community, he would not consider it advisable to withdraw this estimate and let the admirers of Oliver Cromwell pay for the statue themselves. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER In my Office as Chancellor of the Exchequer I should be very glad if gentlemen would pay for the statue themselves. I did not say it was a question of no importance; I said it was not of such considerable importance as to demand a special arrangement. It is really a matter for the House to decide, and I think it ought to be decided in the ordinary way. MR. W. REDMOND asked, whether it was intended to take that night the report of the Vote of Supply involving this sum of £500 for Oliver Cromwell's statue? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER Yes. MR. W. REDMOND Then I beg to give notice that I will oppose it as strongly as I can. MR. SWIFT MACNEILL So will we all. Sittings Of The House MR. E. HENEAGE I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the Government have now taken all the time of the House, and the heavy work entailed upon Private Members in attendance on the numerous Committees, he will undertake to move the Adjournment of the House every night when the House is sitting at the conclusion of Government business? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER said, an undertaking of the kind the right hon. Gentleman referred to was only given when the Twelve o'clock Rule had been suspended. If the right hon. Gentleman would look at the records of last year he would see that the time of the House was taken on the 31st of May, and the undertaking to move the Adjournment of the House was only given on the 16th of August. We have not got to the 16th of August yet. In reply to Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, said that Supply would be taken on Friday. MR. HANBURY Army Estimates? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER Yes. MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposed to proceed with the North Pacific Bill and the Naval Works Bill—on both of which there must be a certain amount of discussion—that night, as they were both on the Paper? THE CHANCELLOR OF the EXCHEQUER said, that as to the Seal Fisheries Bill it was absolutely necessary that it should be passed next week by both Houses of Parliament. They must therefore proceed with that Bill. COLONEL LOCKWOOD I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will report Progress on the Welsh Church Bill at Eleven o'clock? [Cries of "Answer! Answer!" from the Irish Benches.] [No answer was given to the question.] Government Bills MR. HENEAGE I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government intend to make any proposals giving precedence to Government measures over other Bills which have been sent to the Grand Committees; and, which Bill will be brought before the Grand Committee on Trade after the Committee on the Factories and Workshops Bill is concluded? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER said, that when the Factories and Workshops Bill was concluded before the Grand Committee, it would be made known which Bill the Government proposed should next be referred to the Committee. Locomotives On Highways MR. SHAW LEFEVRE , in rising to ask leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law with respect to the use of locomotives on highways, explained that the Bill only contained one clause, and was not, he hoped, of a controversial nature. Its object was to exempt carriages propelled by other than horsepower from the regulations of the Locomotives Act in cases where they were not used for traction purposes. Hon. Members who had recently visited Paris would have observed that there were a not inconsiderable number of carriages propelled by petroleum, gasolene, steam, and, in some cases, by electricity. In a trial run between Paris and Bordeaux a carriage propelled by petroleum won, having travelled at a rate of 15 miles an hour. These carriages were completely under command, and horses were not frightened by them any more than by the ordinary traffic. The use of these carriages was practically prohibited in this country by the regulations of the Locomotives Act, which was passed with the object of applying mainly to engines used for traction purposes. Under the provisions of that Act, it was necessary that every such locomotive should be in charge of three persons at least—one walking in front, one behind, and one driving; and the engines could not proceed at a greater speed than four miles in the country and two miles in a town, and were also subject to a licence of £10 each for every county where they were used. These regulations were totally inapplicable to the light carriages such as he had described as in use in Paris. Under the circumstances, it appeared to him to be reasonable that the House should exempt carriages of that kind from the provisions of the Locomotives Act. They would be subject to the ordinary regulations of other carriages, or to any other regulations that the House might think fit to be made by the Local Government Board. He thought that the regulations should be made by that or some other central authority rather than by some local authority, because the necessity for uniformity was so great that it would not, he thought, be well to make these vehicles liable to different regulations by every county. He had hoped to carry the Bill further, and had been in correspondence with the County Councils Association for this purpose; but that Association desired further time to consult the Local Authorities on the subject. He had, therefore, been compelled to postpone the further scope of the measure, and to limit it to the one purpose which he had described. MR. ARTHUR JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke) inquired whether these carriages would pay the usual locomotive tax. MR. SHAW LEFEVRE replied that they would not. It was proposed to exempt them from that tax, but to make them pay in the way that ordinary carriages now pay. COLONEL KENYON-SLANEY (Shropshire, Newport) asked what limit of weight the right hon. Gentleman proposed to fix for these vehicles. MR. SHAW LEFEVRE said, that he had put a limit of two tons. Leave given; Bill presented accordingly, and read 1° to be read 2° upon Monday next, and to be printed. [Bill 315.]