asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, since, on the trial of James Smith and Patrick Donohoe and others, before Mr. Justice Harrison, at Belfast, the chief witness gave different evidence as to the relative culpability of the several parties from what he did at Tullyvin, county Cavan, before the magistrates, with the result that Smith and Donohoe got sentence of fifteen months' imprisonment, while the others got twelve months', which latter has now expired, the Lord Lieutenant will now remit the remainder of sentence passed on Smith and Donohoe?

Sir, I cannot enter into any question as to the merits of the evidence, and obviously it is no no part of my duty to do so. The case has been more than once carefully considered by the Lord Lieutenant, and he sees no reason to interfere with the sentences passsed.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether an epidemic of measles existed in Rostrevor for the six months ending in July last, and that the number of children attending school consequently fell off very much; whether he is aware that the salary of the assistant teacher has been stopped on the ground that the average attendance fell below seventy; and, whether, seeing that the decline of numbers was of an exceptional nature, and from causes beyond the control of the assistant teacher, he will order the salary to be paid?

, in reply, said, that in the March quarter measles prevailed, and the Commissioners allowed for the payment of an assistant, although the attendance had fallen off. With regard to the June quarter, the Commissioners informed him that they would make special inquiries into the matter, and if the result was satisfactory payments in full would be made.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If his attention has been called to the injury caused by the late heavy rains, and the flooding of the Shannon; if it be true that the sluicegates at Meelick and Lusmagh were not raised till much injury had been done; and, if he will arrange that in future orders shall be given to raise the sluicegates at all times when the water shall have risen, or is likely to rise, above a certain defined level, such as the summer level?

The recent floods have been the first since the new works on the Shannon were complete; and I am glad to say that I am informed that the works came up to the expectations formed of them. It is true that some of the sluices were, through a misapprehension, opened a few hours later than was desirable; but it is not believed that this led to any appreciable damage, and it will not occur again, as a Code of Instructions has been prepared for the persons in charge, embodying, among other things, the suggestion contained in the final paragraph of the hon. Member's Question.

asked whether any compensation would be made to the people whose crops were destroyed?

I have stated that no appreciable damage was done.

I say there was great damage done.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, in the negotiations now going on regarding foreshore at New Brighton, regard will be had to the claims to the foreshore of the owners of property abutting thereon; and, whether there is any intention to convey to the Local Board any right of sub-letting?

The neighbouring owners have as yet made no claim to any right over the New Brighton foreshore, and it may be assumed that they have none. The Local Board had, under the old lease, the power of subletting, though not of assigning. It may be matter for consideration whether the former should be continued to them under the new lease; but as the lease was, and should be, determinable at short notice, the power of under-letting was under sufficient control.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why Mr. John Q. Regan, who is undergoing six months' hard labour under the Crimes Act for writing a threatening letter, was refused permission to receive the visit of Mr. Ridington on or about the 12th instant; whether Mr. Regan was convicted on the 7th of May; whether he is not entitled by law to receive a visit; and, whether the state of Mr. Regan's health renders his further detention dangerous to his life?

Sir, Regan was convicted on the date mentioned, and would have been entitled to receive a visit on the 8th of this month if his conduct in prison had been good; but, owing to misconduct, he lost marks, and was not entitled to receive a visit when Mr. Ridington called. The state of his health is not such as to render further detention dangerous to his health. I have in my hand a joint certificate from the two medical officers of the prison, dated the 17th instant, in which they state that they have carefully examined the prisoner and found him in good health.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the result of those marks will not be that, while he is in prison, Regan cannot receive a visit?

I do not know how long a time it will be during which he will be deprived of visits.

What was the conduct for which the man was deprived of visits?

I got a telegram describing his offences to be eight or nine, principally disobeying orders and idleness in performing tasks.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can explain why the Governor of the prison informed Mr. Ridington, on the 10th August, that he could not give permission for a visit to Regan, because the time entitling him to a visit had not expired; and why the Governor had not then given any other reason?

I cannot know all those details. I answered the Question on the Paper and stated facts.

But I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on this question some days ago, and he promised to make inquiry.

I did make inquiry. These facts are the result.

No; they are not.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. If he can give a Return of the names of the Trustees to Aid Sea and Coast Fisheries, the dates of their election, and the number of their attendances at the meetings of the Board; could he say if it be a fact that any of them are resident in England, and consequently unable to attend to their duties as Trustees, and if the other Trustees have taken any steps to appoint residents in Ireland in their room; and, can he give the date of the scheme sanctioned by the Court of Chancery for the administration of this fund, as referred to in Trustees' letter to the Chief Secretary, dated 17th November 1882, page 2, and if a Copy of that scheme is in possession of the Chief Secretary, as one of the Trustees, or, if as such, he will obtain a Copy and lay it upon the Table; also date of the appointment of the present secretary?

I have no objection to forward to the hon. Member a statement giving all the information he requires, except so far as the number of attendances is concerned. That, I presume, could also be stated without difficulty if any period were fixed. All the existing Trustees reside in Ireland. I do not include in this statement those ex officio Trustees whose duties in this House require their absence from Ireland. There are at present two vacancies on the Board, and two gentlemen are up for election at the next meeting.

said, that, as this matter was likely to be the subject of legislation next Session, he would wish to know whether the Return could be laid on the Table before the House separated?

said, it was likely the matter would be the subject of legislation next Session; and he would see whether the request of the hon. Member could be complied with.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What are the respective duties and salaries of Messrs. Matthew Anderson, Samuel L. Anderson, George Bolton, Alexander Murphy, and William Lane Joynt, Crown Solicitors for the City of Dublin; whether, formerly, Mr. Matthew Anderson singly discharged the duties of Crown Solicitor for the City of Dublin at a salary of £1,500; and, whether now, the amalgamated salaries of the five solicitors amount to nearly £5,000?

Only one of the gentlemen named—Mr. Matthew Anderson—is Crown Solicitor for Dublin. His salary is £600 a-year, with £500 for expenses. He is sometimes assisted by Mr. Bolton and Mr. Murphy in his ordinary duties; but this is a matter of arrangement between themselves, and involves no charge to the public. When Mr. Anderson is specially directed to conduct an investigation at the Police Courts without counsel, he is allowed an assistant, who is paid a fixed rate per diem. Mr. Bolton and Mr. Murphy have on some recent occasions acted as such assistants. Mr. Lane Joynt is Crown and Treasury Solicitor in Ireland. His duties are chiefly of a civil character, and his connection with criminal business relates only to prosecutions in the Queen's Bench. His salary is £1,200 a-year, with £800 for expenses. The late Mr. Kemmis formerly discharged the duties now divided between Messrs. M. Anderson and Joynt, and received a salary something higher than the united salaries and allowances of his successors. The other gentlemen named hold Crown Solicitorships in other parts of the country, wholly unconnected with the Dublin appointments—namely, Mr. S. L. Anderson, Kilkenny and Waterford; Mr. Bolton, Tipperary; and Mr. Murphy, Clare and Kerry.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Scientific Committee to whom was referred the case of Dr. Cory and his inoculation of himself with syphilis in the course of vaccination have completed their examination; whether the fact that syphilis can be and is inoculated by vaccination was not well known previously; and, if any Report has been made, will he lay it upon the Table of the House?

The Committee to which was referred the case of Dr. Cory have completed their examination. It is the fact that an operation professing to be vaccination can be the means of conveying syphilis; and this fact was, principally from some foreign experiences, well known before Dr. Cory's experiment. It is not the fact, in general terms, that syphilis is inoculated by vaccination. Dr. Cory's experiment had for its object a better understanding of the conditions under which any such conveyance was possible. The Report of the Committee has been made, and will appear in the annual Report of the Medical Officer of the Board, which is presented to Parliament. That Report is now in preparation.

IS it intended to reward Dr. Cory for the sacrifices he has undergone in pursuing these examinations?

I am not aware that it is.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, "Whether there is any rule under which any householder, or anyone purposing to buy or hire a house, can apply to the local sanitary authority, and for a reasonable fee obtain an inspection and certificate as to the sufficiency of the drainage and other sanitary arrangements; and, if there be no such rule, if he would consider the expediency of establishing such an arrangement with all sanitary authorities?

There is no rule under which a person can obtain from the sanitary authority of the district, on payment of a fee, a certificate as to the sufficiency of the drainage and other sanitary arrangements of a house; and the Board think that, as a general rule, it would not be desirable that sanitary authorities should undertake the responsibility of granting such certificates. The sanitary authorities and their officers should be on the watch to discover sanitary defects; and there would be some reason to fear that if such certificates as suggested were granted by the authority they might subsequently be hampered in their action by the fact of the certificates having been given. A certificate might be given without the knowledge of facts which might subsequently come to light, and in the case of old houses it is not always easy to ascertain accurately the facts. These certificates might also be used, although there might be a different condition of things after the examination was made. If, however, a local authority were to propose that the Medical Officer of Health and Inspector of Nuisances should jointly give such a certificate as proposed, on payment of a reasonable fee, the Board would not object to such an arrangement, by way of experiment, provided the duties of the officers were not thereby interfered with.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to a report in the "Glasgow Evening Citizen," of August 11th, which states that a procession of Orangemen of the Grand Black Chapter, which marched through that city, was accompanied by a Renfrewshire Volunteer Band; and, if the report be true, whether he approves of a force aided from the Imperial Exchequer participating prominently in partizan demonstrations offensive to a large section of the population?

In reply to the second Question of the hon. Member for Mallow, I have to say that such a proceeding on the part of a Volunteer band would be entirely contrary to the Volunteer Regulations, which state in paragraph 479—

"That no body of Volunteers will in any ease take part in a public procession or ceremony without the special authority of the General Officer commanding the district."

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, "Whether it has come to his knowledge that dissatisfaction exists throughout the county Kildare regarding the management of the county infirmary, which is principally sustained by a grant of about £1,300 from the cesspayers; whether it is a fact that at the last March Presentment Sessions the cesspayers refused by ten votes to five to renew the grant; whether Judge Harrison, to whom the governors appealed at the Naas Assizes, decided that the ratepayers were within their right in refusing the presentment; whether at the May Presentment Sessions the cesspayers were overruled by the votes of nine magistrates, four of whom were governors of the infirmary, and the presentment again imposed upon the county; and, whether the ratepayers have any representatives on the Board of Governors, or have any detailed statement of accounts submitted to them?

Sir, the Secretary of the Grand Jury of Kildare informs me that no widespread dissatisfaction with regard to the management of the county infirmary in question exists. Many of the ratepayers have gone to the expense involved in keeping it up. The hon. Member must know that this is not a matter over which the Government has control, the question being purely a local one. It is true that at the Presentment Sessions previous to the Spring Assizes the presentment was rejected, and that when the matter came before the Judge, Chief Justice Morris, be decided that it was not compulsorily. At the next Presentment Sessions it was passed on a division, eight magistrates and two cesspayers voting for it, and eight cesspayers against it. With regard to the last part of the Question, I understand that it is competent for a person to become a governor on the payment of three guineas a-year, and that there is a statement of accounts supplied to the ratepayers every half-year. The secretary of the infirmary submits vouchers at the Sessions if called on by the ratepayers to do so.

Is it not a fact that that presentment was carried by four magistrates who are also governors of the infirmary?

I am not informed on that point.

I will renew the Question then; and I will also ask whether there is any tribunal before which the management of the infirmary may be tried?

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he will inquire into the truth of certain statements in the "Madras Standard," dated June last, as to the method of levying a special Police Tax which has been imposed on the inhabitants of the town of Salem, in consequence of a riot which occurred there, viz., that—

"The Tax is fixed in accordance to the will and caprice of a revenue officer, and that the collector simply confirms the assessment;"

The special police tax, to which the hon. Member for Queen's County refers, is levied on the inhabitants of Salem under Madras Act III., of 1882, which corresponds with the law in other parts of India. The Act provides that—

"The magistrate of the district, after inquiry, if necessary, shall assess the proportion in which the amount is to he paid by the inhabitants, according to his judgment of their respective means."

asked the Vice President of the Council, If the Endowed Schools Commissioners have abandoned their Scheme to regulate the Beaumaris Grammar School; and, if not, when they propose to make it public?

The scheme has been submitted by the Charity Commissioners to the Education Department for consideration; but we thought it desirable that it should be suspended, with other Welsh cases, until the Bill for Intermediate Education in Wales should have been considered by the House.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the fact that, in the Island of Rotumah, a Resident Commissioner is the sole representative of both the Civil and Judicial authority of the Crown; that he is invested with the functions of both prosecutor and judge; is able to pass any sentence short of death; and is supreme in both Civil and Criminal eases, there being no appeal from his decisions to the Supreme Court of Fiji; and, whether the person now holding the office possesses the age and experience necessary for the exercise of these extraordinary powers?

Rotumah is a very small Island, under 10,000 acres in extent, forming part of the Colony of Fiji, but distant several hundred miles from it. As only an exceedingly slender Revenue can be raised there, it has not been found possible to maintain any judicial officer in addition to the Resident Commissioner. The facts, therefore, as stated in the Question, are substantially correct; but all sentences of imprisonment exceeding 12 months, and all fines above £50, must be reported to the Governor of Fiji, together with the notes of evidence, and are reviewed by him, with the assistance of the Chief Justice and the Attorney General. Mr. Gordon, who now fills Office of Commissioner, was Clerk to the Lands Office, and Clerk to the Executive Council in Fiji; and there is no reason to doubt that, though young, he possesses the requisite qualities for the post. There have been no complaints made from the Island.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, When he proposes to make his promised statement giving, in a summary form, the views of the Local Governments in India upon the Criminal Jurisdiction Bill? The right hon. Gentleman further asked whether the hon. Gentleman contemplated bringing forward the Indian Financial Statement to-night; and, if so, at what hour?

The official replies of the Local Governments have not yet reached the India Office; but I believe the following may be taken to be a correct statement of the answers, so far as they have been received:—Bengal and Assam urge withdrawal of the Bill; Madras, Bombay, Punjab, North-West Provinces, Central Provinces are against the withdrawal; Coorg, Hyderabad, and Burmah have not yet sent in their Reports. I may add that we understand that various modifications of the Bill are suggested by the Local Governments.

Has any one of the Local Governments approved the Bill as it stands?

I have given the best answer I can to the Question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say from what officials the Reports came of which he has just read a summary?

I have said that the official Reports from the Local Governments have not yet been received at the India Office. The summary I gave is official as far as I can give it; but is not official as coming from the India Office.

And as to the Indian Financial Statement to-night?

Oh, I beg pardon. That is not on the Paper.

Yes; it is No. 14.

Well, it will not be taken to-night.

I would ask, Sir, whether the course adopted in regard to the Indian Financial Statement is not without prece- dent? On Thursday the House understood from the right hon. Gentleman that it was to be taken on Monday. ["Order!"] I am asking a Question. On Saturday the Prime Minister, distinctly and without qualification, said it would be the second Order for to-day. That caused a great deal of inconvenience; but now, without any Notice whatever, it is put down as the 14th Order, which means that it will not come on at all to-night.

said, he was not aware that there was any precedent in the matter, and he was not aware of any precedent for the House sitting for 70 hours in the third week of August; but that was the state of extremity to which the House was driven by pressure of Business. He regretted very much, for the convenience of the House, that under such pressure the accident had occurred by which the Indian Financial Statement appeared on the Paper for to-day. The hon. Gentleman was quite right in saying that he (Mr. Gladstone) had stated the Indian Budget would be the second Order for to-day; but, at the same time, he said everything would be subject to the paramount consideration of Supply, and when they found it would be possible to close Committee of Supply on Sunday morning, and to discuss the remaining Votes on Report, it was felt that the discussion on Report would occupy some hours, and that they could not, in consequence, be sure of presenting the Indian Financial Statement at an hour which would be suitable and convenient. They had, therefore, come to the conclusion that it would be for the convenience of the House that the Indian Financial Statement should be postponed until Wednesday, the Appropriation Bill being the first Order.

I would put it to the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering the state of public affairs, it is not a farce to take the Indian Financial Statement this year at all; whether it would not be better for the Under Secretary of State for India to publish some statement in the newspapers, and let there be no Indian Financial Statement this year.

I do not think we are so hard driven as that, though I admit we are hard driven.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that Dr. Nash, J.P., a pensioner of the Manorhamilton Union, acts as an ex-officio guardian on that Board; whether, under the twenty-second section of the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth Victoria, chapter eighty-three, it is enacted that no paid officer engaged in the administration of the law for the relief of the poor, or under the Medical Charities Act, and no person receiving any fixed salary or emoluments from the poor rates in any union, shall be capable of serving as a guardian in such union; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board will continue to permit Dr. Nash to act as a guardian on a Board from which he draws a pension, and under which he was formerly an official?

The facts are as stated. It is true, I have been told, that superannuation allowances are not classed as salary or emolument. There is no question that salary would disentitle him, and what are usually regarded as emoluments, such as fees and perquisites; but the Board is advised that the law does not interfere with the retention of such office in the ease of superannuation.

Upon whose advice and authority is that law laid down; is it upon the advice of the Attorney General for Ireland?

I gather that that is the usual rule as regards Civil Servants. The Attorney General for Ireland was not consulted.

I beg to give Notice that, on Report of the right hon. Gentleman's salary, I will raise this Question; and call attention to the way in which the pensioner of a Board in Ireland is allowed to sit on that Board and vote other people pensions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state under what law this pensioner is allowed to sit?

It is not under law, but under the interpretation of law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will lay upon the Table of the House the Papers referred to (in C. 3,726) relating to Dover, excluding the Reports of the Committees and Commissions previously laid upon the Table of the House; if specific information can be given as to the number of acres of varying depths of water within the Harbour areas, and the length of the breakwater and arms forming the proposed Dover Harbour; and, Statement of the income to be expected, and the rate of interest which that income will provide, on the capital to be invested?

, in reply, said, that his right hon. and learned Friend was unable to lay on the Table the Papers referred to until they were out of the hands of the Admiralty. Application had been made for them, and he did not think there would be any difficulty in obtaining the assent of the Admiralty to their being laid on the Table. There was no statement at the Home Office as to the number of acres within the harbour areas; but he was able to inform his hon. and gallant Friend that the length of the breakwater and arms forming the proposed Dover Harbour would require 10,000 lineal feet of new work. As to the third part of the Question, he had to refer his hon. and gallant Friend to the Treasury, as there was no information in the Home Office on the subject.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he will consider the desirability of establishing a Post Office in Clashaganny, near Tulsk, county Roscommon?

, in reply, said, he was at present inquiring into this subject, and it would have his best attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the fatal fire which took place a few days since in a private lunatic asylum at Southall; and, if he would consider whether it should be made one of the conditions of the grant of licences to such establishments that all necessary means and appliances should be provided and maintained and precautions taken for the prevention of fires, and for the escape of the inmates in such establishments?

said, in reply, his right hon. and learned Friend had drawn the attention of the Lunacy Commissioners to this unfortunate occurrence at Southall. He had no power himself to lay down any conditions as to the mode in which licences ought to be granted for these houses, the number of licences being determined by the Commissioners, and in some districts by the magistrates. The Commissioners said that their attention, when visiting these asylums, had been constantly directed to the necessity of precautions against fire and the means of escape, and they had frequently urged the adoption of additional means of protection against outbreaks of that kind. A great deal had of late been done in that direction. It had not hitherto been the practice to grant licences conditionally; but in examining premises which were proposed for a licence, the Commissioners stated that they never overlooked such alterations as were necessary for giving security against fire.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Law Officers have yet decided, with regard to the prosecution of the Collector General for Dublin; and, when he expects to announce the decision of the Lord Lieutenant with reference to the Collector's retention in office?

The case of the Collector General of Dublin has been considered by the Law Officers, who have come to the conclusion that a prosecution could not be maintained against him under the circumstances. Their opinion, which has been delayed by pressure of work, has only now reached the Government; but it will, with all the facts of the case, receive the early and careful attention of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. I am not able to state with precision when the result will be announced; but we will try and have it before the end of the Session.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has yet obtained the information which he promised to ask for in the beginning of the "Session as to the causes of the decrease of the employment of migratory Irish agricultural labourers in the north of England and south of Scotland, and has ascertained whether there are permanent causes of decrease in the demand for a class of labour previously much appreciated; and, whether the Irish labourers are likely still to be welcomed as an aid during half the year?

The English Local Government Board and the Scotch Board of Supervision were good enough to undertake the inquiries which I asked for in this matter. The greater part of the Reports, which are extremely numerous, only reached my Office on Saturday last, and I have not yet had an opportunity to look into them. I will do so during the Recess.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is understood that the Colonies having what is called responsible Government have the power to raise military and naval forces without reference to the Government in England; whether they can order armed sea-going vessels without such reference; and, whether the Colony of Queensland has actually done so?

The Colonies having a responsible Government are expected to provide for their own internal defence. They have in some cases—as Canada and the Cape—large Military Forces, and in the case of the Australian Colonies armed ships. The Colonies can order armed sea-going ships without special reference to Her Majesty's Government in each case. The Colony of Queensland includes the Islands within GO miles of the mainland; and, with the full approval of Here Majesty's Government, are providing efficient small vessels for the defence of the Colony.

Does Queensland include New Guinea?

signified a negative.

asked Mr. Solicitor General, with reference to Clause 106 of the Patents for Inventions Bill, imposing a penalty not exceeding £20 upon the unauthorized assumption of the Royal Arms, Whether engravers and designers who produce, and tradesmen who, for loyalty and ornament, display the Royal Arms on trade labels, shop fronts, paper bags, and in other ways, but without any word or words implying that they make such assumption by authority, will be free from liability?

I have no hesitation in saying that persons displaying the Royal Arms under the circumstances mentioned would not render themselves liable under the clause.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, On what authority he stated that there was a Catholic monitress, or any Catholic official, to instruct the Workhouse children in Donegal; if he will give the name of the Catholic monitress, and say if the person in question is a pauper, aged eleven years; whether, if this child be the "Catholic monitress," it is the fact that, on an examination in second class last year by the National School Inspector, she failed to pass; whether she teaches catechism at the suggestion of Mr. M'Farlane, L.G.B. Inspector; and, if not, by whoso instructions she does so; if there is any difficulty in his ascertaining whether the Rev. H. M'Fadden, P.P., after his resignation as chaplain, is now paying a catechist out of his own pocket to instruct pauper children in the parish church; and, whether the spiritual destitution, which prevails in the Donegal Workhouse amongst the Catholic inmates, is such as would justify him, as President of the Local Government Board, in over-riding the authority of the guardians in order to provide a remedy?

The statement as to the employment of a monitress was made on the authority of the Clerk of the Union, and is confirmed by the Chairman of the Board of Guardians. It appears that for many years it has been the custom in the workhouse school, when the schoolmistress is a Protestant, as is now the case, that a senior pupil should act as monitress to hear the Roman Catholic children repeat their Catechism and teach it to the youngest. It is true that the girl who now acts in that capacity is not a senior pupil, being in her 12th year; but she was selected in preference to an older pupil in consequence of her exceptional proficiency in the Catechism, she having been complimented by the parish priest on her superior knowledge of the subject, and given a special prize. It has been the custom for the Roman Catholic chaplain himself to act as catechist, and that duty was partly the ground upon which an application was made for an increase to the chaplain's salary in 1868—a time when the number of Roman Catholic children in the workhouse was much greater than at present. For my own part, I regret, as the Local Government Board regrets, that the Guardians do not see fit to comply with the wishes of the parish priest, and appoint a catechist; but they are exercising a discretion given to them by the law, and my position as President of the Local Government Board gives me no right to override their decision. I do not think, however, that there is such spiritual destitution among the inmates as the hon. Member apprehends. I am informed that the parish priest, though no longer officially connected with the workhouse, is most attentive to those of his flock who are inmates, and that the sick and dying have all the consolations of their religion.

said, the Government was engaged this Session in passing a Bill to compel Boards of Guardians to give pensions to their officers; and could they not compel the Guardians also to provide for the religious wants of the inmates?

It is one thing to introduce a Bill, and another thing to exercise powers I do not possess.

said, he had a telegram from the parish priest in question, saying that he gave the prize on the girl's recovery from fever, and not as a mark of recognition for her teaching Catechism.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is the fact that no remuneration has been given to rural letter-carriers under the arrangements of the Parcels Post, though the salaries of town letter-carriers have been raised; whether, in the general instructions issued to postmasters, Rule 57 enacts that rural letter-carriers who have to walk fourteen miles or upwards are to be relieved from the walk on alternate Sundays, and a substitute paid to perform the duty; and, whether it happens that, in cases where a substitute cannot be procured, and the letter-carrier is compelled to perform the work, the remuneration allotted for a substitute is not given to him?

The wages of the town letter-carriers were not, as the hon. Member seems to suppose, revised in consequence of the Parcel Post, the change of scale having been carried out more than a year ago. At the same time, the system of giving good conduct stripes was extended to the whole country, and the rural letter-carriers participated in the advantage. I explained some time since, in reply to a Question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Monaghan (Mr. Healy), that the wages of rural letter-carriers are adjusted according to the amount of work they have to do, and the wages prevailing in the locality. With regard to the relief afforded to rural letter-carriers by providing a substitute on alternate Sundays, I believe at the present time there is not a single instance where it is not found possible to provide a substitute in the case of foot messengers, and not more than half-a-dozen in the case of mounted messengers. Under these circumstances, I do not think it will be expedient to alter the rule to which the hon. Member refers.

inquired whether the duty of finding the substitute devolved upon the postmaster or the postman; or whether, if a substitute could not be found, the postman would be compelled to perform the duties?

said, it devolved upon the postmaster, and he had orders to report if there was not a substitute I forthcoming. The authorities then wrote back telling him to make a further search, and to offer, if necessary, a somewhat higher allowance. The result had been as he had said—that in not a single instance, he believed, throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland, had a rural post messenger been without a substitute on alternate Sundays.

said, he would give the right hon. Gentleman an instance.

said, if the hon. Gentleman would, he would be much obliged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the rescue of a man from death on the cliffs near Perranforth, Cornwall, some few weeks ago, by a coastguard named Regan; whether it is the fact that the latter risked his own life, he having permitted himself to be lowered down the cliff by a rope tied round his body; and, what notice he purposes taking of the matter?

, in reply, said, no particulars had reached the Homo Office; but he had applied to the Admiralty, and he found they had received information on the subject. He believed the facts stated in the Question were quite correct, except to the extent that the Coastguard was not on duty at the time. The Admiralty had referred the matter to the Royal Humane Society.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that on the night of the 13th a party of Orangemen attacked the Post Office in Portadown and broke its windows; whether any of these parties have been brought to justice; whether they have also quite recently attacked and wrecked the windows of the Catholic Church and the houses of Catholic inhabitants; what effort have the local authorities made to prevent repetition of these outrages; and, whether it is true that though the Town Commission is exclusively Protestant, and the six local magistrates are Protestants, the resident magistrate of the district, appointed by the Government, is also a Protestant?

On the night of the 13th of August an Orange drumming party was passing through the town. When they were passing through the main street, a stone was thrown from the crowd which broke a pane of glass in the Post Office. It was dark at the time, and the police, therefore, could not identify the person who threw the stone. There was no attack on the Post Office, except this. There is no foundation whatever for the statement that Orangemen recently attacked and wrecked the windows of the Catholic church and the houses of Catholic inhabitants. The Town Commissioners and local magistrates are all Protestants of various denominations. So also is Captain Whelam, the Resident Magistrate. There is not the slightest reason to suppose that this gentleman does not possess the confidence of all religious persuasions. Last year, when the Government proposed to remove him to the County Galway, the Roman Catholic party were, I am informed, the chief movers in petitioning that he might be allowed to remain at Portadown.

Who does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the Roman Catholic party?

I do not know who these are personally.

asked, was it not a fact that the Orange party went openly drumming through the country, firing shots; and if this had happened in the South, would not somebody have been arrested long age?

Wexford.

appealed to the Speaker whether his Question ought not to be answered?

I put it to you, Sir, that it is not the sort of Question to answer, and that I am not bound to answer?

The right hon. Gentleman will exercise his own discretion in the matter.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government at Home has recommended to the Indian Government the cultivation of esparto grass in India?

The Secretary of State has not made any recommendation on the subject of the cultivation of esparto grass in India, which has engaged the attention of the Government of India, who have been furnished with such information on the subject as is likely to be useful.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the Austro-Hungarian Government has addressed an elaborate remonstrance to Her Majesty's Government in regard to the case of Herr Silbiger, an Austrian subject, versus the Maharajah of Jeypore, showing that the alleged arbitration (on which Her Majesty's Government had relied in former communications on the subject with the Austro-Hungarian Government) had been a mere burlesque of justice; whether it is true that Her Majesty's Government have not attempted to meet the proofs offered by the Austro-Hungarian Government, but have simply declined to re-open the question; and, whether the Papers on the subject can be laid before Parliament?

(who answered the Question) said: It is the case that in May last the Austrian Government, through their Representative in London, requested a further consideration of Herr Silbiger's claim, enclosing certain documents in support of their application. The matter was again fully considered by the Secretary of State in Council, with the result that there appeared no ground for re-opening here a question on which the Government of India had more than once expressed a very decided view. The further Papers submitted have, however, been forwarded to that Government. An intimation to the foregoing effect has, I believe, been made to the Austrian Ambassador, who, it is right I should mention, was informed in some detail, in March, 1881, of the grounds of the decision arrived at by the Indian Government in the matter.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether, in view of the probability that the Local Government Board (Scotland) Bill may become an Act of Parliament by the end of next week, and the early appointment thereafter of the first President of the Board under the Act, when all the powers and duties relating to Scotland now vested in, or imposed upon, Her Majesty's three principal Secretaries of State, the Privy Council, and the Local Government Board for England, in connection with the important affairs regulated by the various Acts of Parliament specified in the Schedule of the Bill, will be wholly transferred from those Ministers and Departments to another Minister and to a Department yet to be constituted, he will inform the House what arrangements have been made, or will be made, for the proper conduct and regulation of such Scotch affairs (which will then no longer belong to the Home Office, to the Privy Council Office, or to the Local Government Board for England Office), until the new Department is complete and ready to transact business?

By Clause 2 of the Bill it is proposed to enact that the Board shall be deemed to be established from and after the date of the first appointment of a President, and no apprehension is entertained that from such appointment business proposed to be assigned to the Board will not be duly transacted. Till the appointment is made, the business will be done by the Departments at present charged with it.

asked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been directed to the Merchant Shipping (Fishing Boats) Bill; and, whether, considering its inappropriate character for Scotland, he will consider the necessity for excluding Scotland from its provisions?

We are satisfied that the provisions of this Bill are inappropriate to the circumstances and conditions under which the fishing industry is carried on in Scotland, and accordingly the Bill will not be made applicable to Scotland. This determination is in accordance with the strongly-expressed desire of Scotch Members representing fishing constituencies, and with representations received from Scotch fishing communities.

, in thanking his right hon. and learned Friend for his answer, asked whether, as the Bill stood on the Paper, and no Notice had been given of the intended exclusion of Scotland, the Lord Advocate would take that precaution?

Certainly.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is a fact that Serbojee Rajah, of the Palace, Tanjore, was adopted by the senior Ranee and the other Ranees of the late Maharajah of Tanjore; whether the obsequial rites of the late Maharajah were performed by Serbojee Rajah, with the sanction and in the presence of Mr. Forbes, the then Resideut at Tanjore; whether, among the Hindoos, and especially the Mahrattas, the authority of the husband is necessary for legalizing an adoption by the widow; whether the High Court of Madras in May, 1865, confirming a judgment in the District Courts, admitted the status of Serbojee Rajah as the adopted son of the late Maharajah of Tanjore; whether the application by all the fifteen Ranees, dated 12th December 1855, the petitions and mahazernames from the merchants and inhabitants of Tanjore, and the memorials of Serbojee Rajah through his counsel, Mr. Kavanagh, proving the claims of Serbojee to the position and dignity of his adoptive father, the late Maharajah, have been summarily rejected by the Government; and, whether, at the present moment, Serbojee Rajah is living at Tanjore unprovided for, and totally depending upon the charity of friends?

Nearly eight years after the death of the Rajah of Tanjore and the lapse of that State to Government, the senior Ranee wished to adopt Serbojee Rajah as her heir; but Government refused to recognize any adoption, so far as claims to succession to State property were concerned. A nephew performed the funeral ceremonies of the late Rajah in the presence of the Resident; but it is not known who this nephew was. Nothing is known at the India Office of the judgment of the High Court in May, 1865. The various Memorials presented soon after the lapse of the State to Government were fully considered and rejected, as was also Mr. Kavanagh's recent Memorial. Serbojee's name cannot be traced in the list of Tanjore pensioners, and nothing is known at the India Office as to his pecuniary means.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the recent publication in the "Times" of the Minutes or Report by certain Judges of the Calcutta High Court on the Jurisdiction Bill was a premature and authorized publication; and, whether, seeing that the Report in question has been put before the public, he will also lay before the public the Minutes or Reports on the same subject that have been recorded by the Bombay and Madras High Courts, in order that comparison may be made with the Report of the Calcutta Judges?

Strictly speaking, it may, perhaps, be said that the publication of the Report referred to by my hon. Friend is irregular and premature; but it is really not a matter of much moment. The Reports of the High Courts of Madras and Bombay will be laid on the Table with the other Reports of the Local Governments.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Richard Radcliffe, the caretaker of Mr. Sheehy, (Coroner), Shannongrove, county Limerick, has been refused a licence to have a gun for the protection of Shannongrove House and Farm, although he (Radcliffe) produced a license to carry arms in Kerry, where he was recently a caretaker of Mr. Browne; whether the Resident Magistrate was, at the time of such refusal, aware that Mr. Sheehy's house was broken into at night in his absence; whether be could state how often the Resident Magistrate attended the District Sessions at Pallaskenry for the last six months; and, whether the said Resident Magistrate gave, at the same time, a licence to Patrick White, of Shannongrove, and upon what recommendation; and, whether said Patrick White is only a fisherman, and is suspected of poaching, and has been summoned for shooting a valuable dog, the property of said Mr. Sheehy, on said farm?

I answered the greater part of this Question on Friday last. I have since learnt the particulars of the case of Patrick White. He was granted a gun licence more than two years ago on the recommendation of the police and a magistrate of the district in which he resides. He is a respectable man, and not a poacher. It is true that in May last he was charged with shooting a dog belonging to Mr. Sheehy; but the charge was dismissed.

begged leave to remind the right hon. Gentleman that the case was not dismissed. It was actually now before the magistrates.

I am informed it is dismissed.

The case is reported in the newspapers as being still before the magistrates.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, On what authority it can be stated that the sentence passed upon Mrs. Fallon, by a magistrate who was playing lawn tennis with her prosecutor, was legal; whether it is the fact that the 14th and 15th Victoria, c. 93, section 8, sub-section 2, declares—

"It shall not be lawful for any justice to hear and determine any case of summary jurisdiction outside of petty sessions, except cases of drunkenness or vagrancy, or for fraud in the sale of goods, or disputes at fairs or markets; "

in reply, said, that the section to which the hon. Gentleman referred was limited to cases of summary jurisdiction; but there was no reference whatever to the matter of the offence. The accused was charged with taking forcible possession. The case was returned for trial. He had no control over the magistrates, and no right to point out to them how they should act.

asked, when would Mrs. Fallon be tried, and where?

replied, that if the hon. Gentleman would give Notice he would inquire, for he did not know.

said, he asked the Chief Secretary last week after plenty of Notice, but could get no information.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that Mr. Matthews, clerk to the Ballymena Poor Law Union, is also clerk to the Town Commissioners, clerk to the Gas Works, clerk to the Intermediate School, clerk to the Burial Board, and collector of county cess for a barony?

, in reply, said, that the Question only appeared on the Paper to-day, and on Saturday he appealed to hon. Members from Ireland to give longer Notice of Questions.

I shall repeat the Question to-morrow.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, When he will be prepared to make a statement with respect to Madagascar; and, whether he can now give the House any particulars with respect to a proclamation said to have been issued by "the Superior Commandant of Tamatave," prohibiting access to Tamatave "to all foreign sailors, soldiers, and officers?"

Sir, as I have intimated on a former occasion, I have no expectation of being in a position to make a statement with respect to Mada- gascar. As I have already mentioned, the narrative is of rather a complex character, embracing a number of different transactions and communications which have taken place between the respective authorities, and it has taken some little time, though no time has been lost, to examine them; and some little time, no doubt, may be required for communication between the two Governments on the subject, with a view to the necessary explanations. Indeed, I am not sure whether the French Government is yet in possession of full information. Some information they have received; but I am not able to state that they are in possession of full information. With respect to the Proclamation said to have been issued, I am glad to have the opportunity of mentioning that, as the right hon. Gentleman's Question implies, the Proclamation was not, as many people supposed in this country, a Proclamation limited to the officers of a particular vessel, or to the Representatives of a particular nationality. It embraced, as the right hon. Gentleman's Question says, "all foreign sailors, soldiers, and officers." But that Proclamation—although those words are correctly given—may form the subject of communications between the two Governments, and therefore I do not propose to enter into details with respect to it. I perhaps may say, as great interest is felt respecting the case of Mr. Shaw, that some information has been received about that gentleman. The French Consul at Zanzibar had been at Tamatave, and we understand, through the French Government, that Mr. Shaw himself was not actually in prison; but he was on board a French vessel, of which, of course, he had the free range. The nature of the charge has been communicated to the Government, and it amounts to this—that Mr. Shaw is accused of holding intelligence with the enemy; and likewise of directly hostile action against the French soldiers. This information, and some more, has been given in reply to the questions which were put by Lord Granville to the French Ministry here, and the information has been given by the French Government with very great courtesy, and without raising any question at all as to the title of the English Government to put questions with regard to French jurisprudence or the exclusion of French law. We are informed as to the nature of the charge against the prisoner—so to call him—although he is not strictly in prison—it is absolutely obligatory by the French law that communication should be made to the effect that under the French law he would be tried by a court martial. There is a power of appeal before a Court of Revision; and the French Government states that they have no doubt that there is no reason whatever for supposing that he will not have every facility for preparing his defence. This, of course, is only partial information; but it may, perhaps, tend to allay any anxiety that may be felt about Mr. Shaw. I may add that there have been very cordial communications between the French Admiral and the Governor of the Mauritius.

I suppose there is no doubt that Mr. Shaw is compulsorily detained on this French vessel?

He is under a criminal charge, and therefore we may justly suppose that he is so detained.

I think the answer that has been given by the right hon. Gentleman is very far short of what the House has a right to expect, and I shall repeat the Question to-morrow.

Then I beg to say that I shall not give any further answer. I cannot give any without a breach of public duty and without injury to the public interest. It would be distinctly injurious to the public interest, and, moreover, would be adverse to the perfectly amicable and friendly discussion of these matters between the two Governments, if I were to anticipate the communications that are to be made.

I beg to point out that I am not asking for any information as to communications that are passing between Her Majesty's Government and the French Government; but I wish to know what is the state of the facts as they are in the hands of Her Majesty's Government?

I do not complain at all of that observation, nor of the Question that stands in the name of the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett), and which is virtually involved in the Question of the right hon. Gentleman; but what I feel is this—and I am sure from his experience of public affairs that he will see there is something in it—that for me to attempt to give a particular account of what he very properly terms "the facts" would involve, as I have said, going into the details of intricate Correspondence, and that account of such intricate Correspondence could not be given in a manner satisfactory to the House unless the Papers were laid upon the Table. It would be injurious and premature to lay the Papers on the Table at the present moment; and it is upon that account, and that account alone, that I feel there is no satisfactory method of dealing with the question but as I have done until the House is in possession of the whole facts of the case. I express my regret that it is not in my power to go further than I have done on the present occasion.

May I ask whether, supposing, after Parliament has risen, the case should reach a stage at which the facts could be disclosed, any steps will then be taken to make them public?

Before that Question is answered I should like to ask, though I shall not press it if my right hon. Friend desires me not to do so, whether he has any objection to state where the trial by court martial of Mr. Shaw is likely to be?

I think we have no information on that point. There is no reference to it. With regard to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman (Sir Stafford Northcote), my answer is, without Notice and hastily, that I am aware of no objection to such proceeding. Of course, the desire of the Government will be to make known to the world at once, in order to allay any anxiety, if any anxiety exists, the result of these proceedings.

I wish to ask, Sir, whether the Government intend to provide counsel for the defence of Mr. Shaw?

I am not aware of any reason why that should be done, and I have no reason to think it will be asked, unless the hon. Gentleman thinks it the duty of the Government to have an army of counsel all over the world for the purpose of defending British subjects who may be put under accusation. There is nothing in this case, so far as I know, to show reason why an exception should be made; and no application whatever has been received, nor, so far as I am aware, is there any wish for the intervention of the Government.

I may remind the right hon. Gentleman that he could obtain counsel from the Mauritius with the greatest ease.

I merely wish to ask, has the French Navy power to try a prisoner of war—if that is what Mr. Shaw is—by court martial without communicating with the country whose subject he is? Or is the House to understand that he is confined on board ship as a spy?—because he must be, I suppose, in one position or the other.

There is no charge, Sir, in the communications which we have received, of Mr. Shaw being a spy. With regard to the other Question of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, it would be rash on my part to give a reply to it until I have communicated with others who are better qualified to give an opinion upon it. I can only say that nothing has occurred which has made it necessary for us to press such a point.

said, he would put a Question on the subject on Thursday.

Is there any complaint with regard to the restrictions imposed upon Mr. Shaw, or in respect to his treatment?

With reference to his treatment we have received no complaint, and have heard of none to lead us to suppose that he is not well treated. Further than that I can give no information.

asked, Whether the Despatches from Madagascar confirm previous intelligence on the following subjects:—That the late British Consul was ordered by Admiral Pierre to haul down his flag within twenty-four hours; that his secretary was arrested in his presence, and that the British flag was hauled down by the French; that all communication between H.M.S. "Dryad" and the shore was forbidden by the French Admiral; that the British ship "Taymouth Castle," on her arrival at Tamatave, was boarded by the French, who placed a sentry on board, and forbade the Captain to land any passengers, and only allowed him to land cargo on payment of the French Tariff; that Admiral Pierre made up the outgoing Mails and demanded and took the ingoing Mails; that he also demanded the Consular Despatches, and was only prevented from taking them by Commander Johnstone, of the "Dryad" sending them on board the "Taymouth Castle" and escorting her to sea through the French fleet; that Tamatave has been proclaimed a French town, and a French mayor appointed; that a large amount of British property was destroyed, and that 2,000 British subjects, rendered destitute by the bombardment, have had to be conveyed to the Mauritius; whether an English merchant and his three servants have been arrested, and are now in prison on board a French iron-clad; whether Admiral Pierre has been recalled by the French Government; and, who now represents Her Majesty at Madagascar?

No, Sir; I am afraid I must regard the Question in the same light as that addressed to me by the right hon. Baronet (Sir Stafford Northcote). There are certain points that are incorrectly assumed by the hon. Gentleman; and I could not answer without involving myself, as I explained, in intricate considerations connected with the Papers, and placing myself in the inconvenient position of giving inadequate and partial information.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Pre-amble of the Proclamation did not run to the effect that, "considering the attempts of certain officers of Her Majesty's ship Dryad" to impede the course of justice and obstruct the authorities, and so forth, they forbade the access to Tamatave of "all foreign sailors, soldiers, and officers?" He should also ask whether the House understood the right hon. Gentleman to say that the French Government had shown great courtesy in not raising any question as to the right of the British Government to inquire under what law the claim to imprison a British subject in Madagascar was made; and whether it was not only the right but the duty of any Government, British or otherwise, to make direct and positive inquiry into the imprisonment of their subjects?

I am not prepared to allege that it is the duty of the Government, as a matter of course, or as a general rule, or except under very peculiar circumstances, to make inquiry with reference to a subject who has come, or is supposed or alleged to have come, within the range of the law administered by foreign countries. I must repeat that the French Government acted with a good deal of courtesy in the matter; and I regret that the hon. Gentleman should consider it necessary to make that matter the subject of a Question. With regard to the Proclamation, I have already stated, in reply to the right hon. Gentleman opposite, that there were portions of this Proclamation which entered into the subject-matter of communications between the the two Governments, and that is so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what charge Mr. Shaw is detained?

I have given the information which we have received; at least, I gave an account of the charge that is given. He is detained "on account of alleged intelligence with the enemy, and hostile action with respect to the French soldiers."

asked who now represented Her Majesty's Government in Madagascar?

Before Consul Pakenham died he made certain arrangements with Commander Johnstone for the safe custody of the archives and the temporary performance of the duties of the Consulate. Whether these arrangements are of a strictly binding character may be doubtful; but for the moment Commander Johnstone is performing all the duties he can perform in the matter. I have already stated that Mr. Annesley has been appointed in succession to Consul Pakenham; and Mr. Pickersgill has been appointed Vice Consul.

May I ask whether Mr. Shaw is able to communicate with his friends?

We have received no distinct information to that effect. All I have quoted has come, not from Mr. Shaw, but from the French authorities.

asked whether there was any truth in the report which had reached him, to the effect that the French authorities inspected Consul Pakenham's papers after his death, and that they were in possession of the French authorities before they were handed over to the Commander of the Dryad?

That is a Question of which Notice had better be given.

I give Notice for to-morrow.

May I ask the Government whether they have taken any steps, or propose to take any steps, for the purpose of communicating with Mr. Shaw; and, whether they have any information as to the time at which the court martial will be held?

We have no information as to the time when the court martial will be held. With regard to communications, I would rather take the opportunity of referring to the Papers before answering the Question.

I will ask the Question to-morrow.

Will the Government give an undertaking that Mr. Shaw shall have a fair trial?

The hon. Member should ask himself this Question. I will suppose that we were within what we deemed our rights in dealing with the subject of a Foreign Power. I am not sure that it would be a good compliment to us if in the Chamber of that foreign country the Government should be required to set itself in motion to see that that gentleman had a fair trial, because it would be a distinct imputation on us that there was some ground for doubting that he would have a fair trial. If any gentleman in the position of Mr. Shaw were not to have a perfectly fair trial it would be a grave and serious cause of complaint on the part of the Government of which he was a subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any danger of Mr. Shaw being tried by a packed jury?

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any negotiations are in progress with M. de Lesseps, or with the Suez Canal Company, respecting the improvement of the transit by the Canal, or the formation of a second Canal; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to make any communication to Parliament before concluding an arrangement with the Company for these purposes?

In reply to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to say that there are no negotiations in progress with M. de Lesseps or with the Suez Canal Company; and, after what has occurred, we have no desire for their early resumption. [A laugh.] That is repeating what I have very explicitly stated before. We think there are intermediate measures that may be adopted with advantage. With respect to the pledge asked for by the right hon. Gentleman, I cannot give a pledge that there will be any communication before concluding any arrangement with the Company; because, considering that we have three Directors who will be liable to require and receive our instructions upon any matter relating to the management of the Company, which might, therefore, be understood to be an arrangement by Her Majesty's Government with the Company, the right hon. Gentleman will see that it might be so interpreted as to mean that the whole action of the Directors was to be paralyzed during an uncertain interval. I think he will also feel that it is very difficult, on the ground of general convenience, to give a pledge of that kind. I think, however, it may be taken for granted by Parliament, and Parliament will not be deceived in so doing, that we have anything but a disposition to unnecessarily enter upon a course of sole I action in this matter, where we think we might be committing the interests of the country or the authority of Parliament. That consideration will be carefully borne in mind. I will refer to another subject which I have myself mentioned to the House. What we hope and desire—and we believe it will be the best course with reference to a satisfactory settlement of this question—is, that there will be communications between the authorities of the Company and the trading interests of this country, and, if necessary, of other countries. We believe a comparison of views between those directly interested in these respects would probably be extremely useful, and we should be glad to see that placed in the van as a preliminary proceeding anterior, probably, to the more direct action of the Government; and we have some reason to believe that that desire is entertained by the authorities of the Company.

Is there anything proceeding in that way, I or is it only a suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman?

It is certainly beyond a suggestion of mine, or of the present Government. It has been mentioned by the authorities of the Company in their own conversation, and I under stand very favourably. I do not know that anything has been arranged; but I understand that it is and desired.

I wish to remind the Prime Minister that the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for War gave an assurance a few days ago that he would consult with his Colleagues as to whether instructions might not be given to the British Directors that they should make no statement which would commit this country so far as the monopoly claimed by M. de Lesseps is concerned. I should like to know if any communication of the kind has been made?

No, Sir. There has been no communication with the Directors; but the right hon. Gentleman may rest assured that they will be very cautious as to making any statement of the kind.

What the noble Marquess distinctly said was that the Government would consider whether some instructions should not be given to them.

They have been fully warned in the matter, and the right hon. Gentleman may rest assured.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether a Ministerial Crisis is imminent in Egypt; and, whether the Khedive has requested Riaz Pasha to form a fresh Ministry?

We have received no information to the effect stated in the Question of the hon. Member, and we have no reason whatever to suppose that it is true or probable.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a Question of which I have given him private Notice, and which I have been asked to put by some of the sufferers by the failure of the late Western Bank. They are anxious to know if he can give any information as to when the affairs of that bank are likely to be settled, as they say that all the debts belonging to them have long since been paid, and that the liquidators have many thousands of pounds in their hands belonging to the unfortunate shareholders, which they are anxious to get as quickly as possible.

The right hon. Gentleman is, no doubt, aware that the Board of Trade has no control whatever over these proceedings. I have endeavoured since I received the right hon. Gentleman's letter to obtain information from private sources, but have been unable to obtain any of importance. The matter is in the hands of the liquidators, and perhaps the best course would be to communicate directly with them.

I wish to ask the Prime Minister, What is the course of Business for to-day, tomorrow, and Wednesday; and, whether it is intended still to proceed with the Court of Criminal Appeal Bill? I venture to hope that that will not be the case.

The intention certainly is to take the Court of Criminal Appeal Bill to-night. The Bill having passed through the Grand Committee, we feel it our duty, so far as depends upon us, to take the judgment of the House upon it. But we shall endeavour to bring the matter to an issue with as much rapidity as possible. To-morrow we propose to begin with the Amendments of the Agricultural Holdings (England) Bill, and then to submit the Medical Act Amendment Bill to the judgment of the House. On Wednesday we shall take the Indian Financial Statement. I, of course, except the stages of the Appropriation Bill.

said, he would renew the protest he had made on a former occasion, that at this period of the year it was impossible for the House properly to consider so important a measure as the Court of Criminal Appeal Bill.

asked the right hon. Gentleman, whether the Government really intended to push through the Medical Act Amendment Bill this Session?

It will be for the House to say whether it should be passed through. We intend to ask the opinion of the House on the subject.

appealed to the hon. Members who were opposing the second reading of the Factories and "Workshops Acts Amendment Bill, whether they would withdraw that opposition in the interests of the working population who would be affected?

rose on a point of Order, and called the Speaker's attention to the fact that in the Papers issued this morning there appeared Notices of certain Amendments on the Medical Act Amendment Bill, which had not yet passed through the second reading. He asked whether it was in Order that such Notices should appear on the Paper?

said, these Notices of Amendments had, no doubt, appeared quite inadvertently. They had now been withdrawn, and would not appear on the Paper until the Bill was read a second time.

desired to know whether it was intended to proceed with the Union Officers' Superannuation (Ireland) Bill?

Yes.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there was any ground for the apprehension entertained in Tipperary that the Government meant to proclaim a meeting to be held in that county next Sunday to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Charles Kickham?

I have heard nothing about any such intention, and I am in constant correspondence with the Castle in Dublin on the subject of meetings.