asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen the report of the statement made by Mr. Kisby, Q.C. Queen's Advocate, in the trial of Shaw v. Lloyd, to the effect that the affirmance of the original eviction decree, which is alleged to have been tampered with by the Clerk of the Peace of Monaghan, "had been sent to the Irish Office in London, and, owing to it being sent here and there it got lost;" did the affirmance reach the Irish Office; if so, is there any trace of it to be found; has he seen the report of the further statement of the defendant's counsel, Mr. Dodd, Q.C, that the affirmance had been sent to the County Inspector of Constabulary now in Carlow; have the Government questioned the Inspector on the subject; and, if this statement is true, can he explain of the disappearance of this document, which is an important piece of evidence on the question of classification of the county records; and, is it a fact that the Lord Chief Baron, with the consent of counsel on both sides, directed a shorthand writer to be sworn to take notes of the evidence; if so, will the Government, before coming to any decision on the dismissal of the Clerk of the Peace, or of his deputy, give directions that a transcript of the shorthand writer's notes may be made, and would there be any objection to these being printed and circulated amongst the Members, as the case is one of much importance, and must form a subject of debate in the House?

I have made inquiries, and have been informed that there is no record of this decree having been received at the Irish Office; certainly it is not there at present. I have no information as to whether the County Inspector received it, and I really see no reason why it should have been sent to him. I am informed that a shorthand writer took notes of the proceedings by order of the Court; but the Government have no control over him, and they therefore could not undertake the printing and circulating of the evidence. As I have already indicated on more than one occasion, in reply to former Questions, the Government have no power to dismiss this Clerk of the Peace. That rests with Quarter Sessions.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Sergeant Finlay, county inspector's clerk at Cavan, has relations in Ralahan, Bailieborough, and Lisball, in county Cavan; and, if such be the fact, whether it be in accordance with the constabulary rules that Sergeant Finlay be stationed in the same county?

, in reply, said, Sergeant Finlay, who was stationed at Cavan, had an aunt residing at Ralahan, 20 miles off, and cousins at the other two places named, 25 miles distant. There was a rule of the Service that men should not be located in their native counties or in counties with which they were connected. This rule was relaxed in some cases where, as in the present, no inconvenience was likely to arise.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether it has come to his knowledge that on Friday, March 5th, Mr. Ridout, Assistant School Inspector, when visiting the National School at Tattingstone, near Ipswich, Suffolk, asked the children "for whom their fathers voted at the late election;" asking those whose fathers voted for Rendelsham to hold up their hands, and then those whose fathers voted for Everett to do the same; and, what steps he has taken or proposes to take in reference thereto?

I have no knowledge of this charge against an Assistant Inspector except through the Question of the hon. Member for Suffolk. As I may have to exercise a judicial function in regard to it, I would ask the hon. Member to furnish me with the names and addresses of witnesses who were present when the alleged serious indiscretion occurred. When he does so I will at once make an official inquiry. But I cannot institute an inquiry upon a mere general statement.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, Why Caithness and Sunderland are exempted from the provisions giving increased grants to the Highland counties for increased regularity in attendance, and why graduates should receive 10s., while teachers who are not graduates only receive 4s. for the same work, tested by the same standard?

The counties of Caithness and Sunderland are not excluded from the increased grants for average attendance; but the Department has not thought that it would be proper, without special sanction, to extend to these counties the exemption from the 17s. 6d. limit, which exemption under the Code applies only to those counties for which the Legislature has made special and express provision. The additional grants received for specific subjects, which are received by managers and not by teachers in cases where graduates are employed, is based upon the fact of the additional expense of employing graduates, who are specially qualified and require a specially large salary. It is very important to encourage the connection between the University and the elementary schools.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that all letters for the United States posted in Brussels, Paris, and other large cities on the Continent, and arriving in London in closed mails on Thursday morning, are forwarded by the British Post Office to New York by a fast line of steamers from Southampton on that day, to the prejudice of English traders, the correspondence posted in this Country being kept back for a later steamer; and, whether the Postmaster General will take steps to remedy this grievance?

Closed mails from the Continent are received in London every Thursday morning for conveyance to New York by the North German Lloyd steamers from Southampton, while the British mails containing correspondence posted as late as Thursday evening are forwarded that evening by British steamers viâ Queenstown. So long as the present agreement between the Postmaster General and the British steamship lines remains in force the Postmaster General is precluded by that agreement from sending by non-contract lines any other letters than such as bear a special superscription; any letters so endorsed are sent by the German steamers.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What Report was made by the Local Government Board inspector recently sent to inquire into the distress existing in the town of Wicklow; is he aware that the inspector did not call on any of the Roman Catholic clergy, who are best acquainted with the circumstances, or on the Chairman of the Town Commissioners; why did he not do so; and, how else did he obtain his information?

, in reply, said, the Inspector who inquired into the distress in the town of Wicklow had interviews with the relieving officers, the medical officer of the workhouse, and the hon. secretary of the relief committee, and he also visited the relief works. He also called on the Chairman of the Town Commissioners, but was not fortunate enough to find him at home. The Board considered that the inquiries he made were sufficient to enable him to make a Report.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal; and, if not, whether they would be disposed to provide facilities to a private Member to introduce such a measure; and, what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the codification of the Criminal Law?

, in reply, said, that the state of Business would not permit the Government to deal with the matters mentioned in the Question. As to whether facilities would be given to a private Member, if the hon. Member meant that the Government were to give up their own time, they were not prepared to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If Isaac Hempton, now living at Mount-joy East, Omagh, county Tyrone, served for 21 years in the Army, 16 years and 354 days being Foreign service, and was retired in 1875 on a pension of 11d. per diem, having medals for Crimean and Indian service; if he is aware that, owing to a wound received by Hempton at the relief of Lucknow, he is now absolutely unable to engage in any occupation for the support of his wife and family; and, if, considering his long service and good records, the Commissioners will be prepared to consider his claims for an increase of pension?

, in reply, said, the case was not one which would come within the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, If he is aware that the Associated Companies of the Irish Railway Clearing House have adopted a form of accounts called the summary system; whether, under this system, the clerks of the clearing house are compelled to work from nine a.m. until ten p.m.; and, if he will take action to prohibit the enforcement of such long hours of clerical duty?

As the Board of Trade has no control whatever over the Railway Clearing Houses, I do not feel that I can usefully interfere.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will make the Post Office, College Green, Dublin, available for the receipt of parcels, and so remove an existing inconvenience from one of the business centres of the Irish Metropolis?

Parcel Post business is not transacted at the College Green Post Office for want of space; but there are receiving offices in Grafton Street and Dame Street, the first about 370 yards, the second about 330 yards, distant from College Green—at which parcels may be posted, and which were established mainly for that purpose. The Dame Street Receiving Office is at the present moment vacant through the resignation of the receiver, but no time will be lost in filling up the vacancy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If Her Majesty's Government knows, or has the means of ascertaining, the amount of money lent to Irish landlords by English Mortgage and Insurance Companies?

The Treasury does not know, and has no means of ascertaining, the amount of money due from Irish landowners to English mortgage and insurance companies in respect of loans advanced by those companies.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is true, as stated in the public prints, that the subordinate native servants of the Egyptian Government, and the families of deceased officers and soldiers, have been deprived of the pensions to which the rules of the Service entitled them, while the claims of the more highly paid Europeans are maintained intact; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will insist that, so long as the British Government occupies and defends Egypt, the natives shall not be treated less fairly than the Europeans?

The whole system of Egyptian Pensions has been for some time under examination by a Committee at Cairo, and a new Pension Law is in course of preparation. The statements referred to by the hon. Member are not confirmed by any information in the possession of Her Majesty's Government, who have no reason to believe that any valid claims have been disregarded, or that Natives have been treated less fairly than Europeans. It has been, and continues to be, the policy of Her Majesty's Government to take all possible steps within the sphere of their action for securing the fair treatment of Natives.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman would cause inquiry to be made as to the truth of the statements?

If my hon. Friend will indicate any particular point, inquiry will no doubt be made.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Why the contribution of the Egytian Government towards the expenses of the British Army of Occupation (which was originally to have been a much larger sum to cover all extra expenses) has now been reduced to £170,000, notwithstanding that the expenses have been very greatly increased, and are estimated by the War Office, for the ensuing year, at double the cost taken in the ordinary Estimates for 1885–6, and that one item alone, "Additional Expenditure for Supplies, Transport, &c. consequent on the Occupation of Egypt," is estimated by the same authority, for 1886–7, at £416,000 in excess of the amount estimated for 1885–6, while at the same time a new charge for Egyptian Troops at Suakin is entered on the British Estimates, thereby practically reducing the Egyptian contribution to about £100,000; whether he expects that the sums due will really be paid, and the Government has considered any proposals for remitting them; and, whether these arrangements are in pursuance of an attempt of the Financial Adviser of the Government of Egypt to establish an apparent financial equilibrium, and avoid the further inquiry into the finances of Egypt, by throwing on the British taxpayer the cost of the defence of Egypt?

At the time of the conclusion of the Financial Convention of March 18, 1885, it was agreed that the sum to be paid by Egypt for charges on account of the British Army of Occupation should not exceed £200,000 a-year from the 1st of April following. Of this sum, £170,000 is credited to Army Funds, and £30,000 goes to the Navy, and appears as an Appropriation in Aid under Vote XVIII. of that Service for Army Transport. It has recently been agreed that the Native Force which is to be sent to Suakin to replace the British garrison there, shall be paid by the Egyptian Government, but that the cost—estimated at £41,000—shall be deducted from the payment towards the charges of the Army of Occupation. The Foreign Office are net aware of any other deduction. The sums due by the Egyptian Government on account of the charges for the Army of Occupation up to the end of last year have been duly paid, and there is no reason to suppose that they will not continue to be paid. These arrangements are, therefore, in pursuance of engagements already sanctioned by Parliament.

asked if the engagements in question were international engagements?

They are between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Egypt.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the augmentation of the British troops in India by the addition of ten thousand men, and the augmentation of the Native Army in India by the addition of seventeen thousand men, which was agreed upon by the Governor of India and the late Government, is being proceeded with; what will be the full strength of the British troops in India after the trooping season 1886–7, and the full strength of the Native Army in India at the same time; what progress has been made towards raising the four additional Sikh and the five additional Ghoorka regiments; and, when these regiments will be added to the effective Military strength of India?

The authorized addition to the European Force was 10,657 men. Of these about 6,400 were sent out last trooping season. The total permanent addition to the Native Army is between 16,000 and 17,000 men. Orders have been issued for the increase of some 4,500 men to the Cavalry; and two at least of the five additional Ghoorka regiments have been raised, and recruits for the others are, it is understood, coming in satisfactorily. If the remainder of the Europeans are sent out during next trooping season and the whole of the additional Native Forces are raised, the full European Establishment will be 69,764, and the Native 141,000. No Orders have yet been issued for raising any of the Native Forces except those I have already specified; and it rests with the Government of India to use its discretion, having regard to financial and other considerations, as to the time of issuing them.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Who is responsible for the punctual and regular atendance of the officers of the Royal Courts of Justice; is it the fact that there is great irregularity in the attendance, some officials arriving about 11.30, and leaving before 3, and, in consequence, much loss of time to the public and suitors generally; and, is there any time or attendance book for signature by the various officers and clerks, and who has the supervision of it?

inquired whether it was not within the knowledge of the hon. and learned Gentleman that the officials in question gave great satisfaction both to the Bar and to the public attending the Courts, by their civility and punctual attendance to their duties?

wished to know whether some of the Taxing Masters in Chancery were not Directors of Public Companies, and as such went away to attend to meetings of the Directors during official hours?

, in reply, said, he could not properly be asked to join in the general commendation which his hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Addison) had expressed; and with regard to the Question of the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) he had no information. He was not yet in possession of the facts in regard to the Question on the Paper, which perhaps the hon. Member would renew on a future occasion.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Governments of any of our greater Colonies have expressed willingness to consider some scheme for the amalgamation of the Colonial and Imperial Naval Forces; whether negotiations have been opened with any of those colonies for the purpose of considering any definite scheme: and, whether he can lay upon the Table any Papers explaining what has been done in this matter?

I am afraid it would be difficult to give a complete reply to the hon. Member within the limits of an answer to a Question. But I may state generally that such of the Australian Colonies as possess Navies of their own have, with the loyalty and patriotism which all the Colonies have always exhibited when Imperial interests were at stake, expressed their willingness to co-operate with the Home Government in any measures which might be found necessary for the defence of that part of the Empire. In order to give practical effect to that desire, Lord Derby, when Colonial Secretary, formulated a scheme for the naval defence of the Australasian Colonies, which was adopted with some slight modifications by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the late Secretary for the Colonies (Colonel Stanley). That scheme will be submitted and ex- plained by Admiral Tryon, the Admiral in command of the Australian Station, to a meeting about to be held at Melbourne, at which most of the Australasian Colonies will be represented, and the Colonial Governments which will not then be represented are considering the subject separately. From what I have stated, my hon. Friend will, I think, see that the time has not yet arrived when any Papers explaining what has been done in the matter could be usefully laid before Parliament.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he is aware that party political associations were, as a matter of form, dissolved for the period of the last General Election; and, whether the Corrupt Practices Act makes these associations illegal; and, if so, whether this temporary dissolution of the associations carries out the provisions of the Act?

I have no information as to the first part of this Question, other than that in the hands of every Member; but, so far as I understand, the main purpose sought to be accomplished by a dissolution of these associatious is to narrow the area of agency, and has nothing to do with the legality or otherwise of the association itself. I will not express any opinion as to the legality of any particular association; but, generally speaking, I may say that I am not aware of any provision of the Corrupt Practices Act which makes illegal any political association properly constituted and conducted.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, How many schemes the Charity Commissioners and the Education Department have at the present time in preparation or under consideration; and, whether he will order that in future a list of all schmes and charitable or educational trusts, for the time being under consideration of the Charity Commission, be exhibited daily for public inspection free of charge in the office of the said Commission?

I am unable to answer precisely the first Question of the hon. Member, for the words "schemes in preparation or under consideration" represent no formal stages of the procedure of the Charity Commissioners. But I may refer him to pages 23 to 27 of their Report for 1885, just issued, in which he will find the state of progress of all schemes published by the Commisioners. I am not prepared to recommend that a daily list of schemes under consideration should be made for public inspection, as this would be a restriction on administration which should not be imposed on any Public Department. All information as to the progress of any particular scheme or case can now be obtained by application to the Office of the Charity Commission.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, when the Italians took possession of Massowah, any arrangement was made with them for the permanent occupation of that place; and, if so, can he state the terms of the agreement; and, whether, in the event of the British Army leaving Suakin, any arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the permanent retention of Massowah, or for keeping the peace of the Soudan?

No arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the permanent occupation of Massowah. Lord Granville informed the Italian Ambassador, on the 23rd of December, 1884, that if the Italian Government wished to occupy any of the ports in the Red Sea relinquished by the Egyptian Government, it was a matter for arrangement between the Italian Government and the Porte. (Blue Book, Egypt, No. 14, 1885, page 70.) No arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the retention of Massowah, or for keeping the peace of the Soudan in the event of the British Army leaving Suakin.

Are the Italian Government paying the expenses of the occupation themselves, or the Egyptian Government, or is any other Government contributing to the expenses of the occupation?

So far as I can answer that Question without Notice, I believe the Italian Government are paying it all themselves.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Mayor of Belfast, Sir Edward Harland, was summoned to serve on the county Antrim Grand Jury at the current Spring Assizes; whether a number of local gentlemen regularly summoned for many years past were not summoned on this last occasion; whether amongst those who were summoned by the high sheriff, Mr. Samuel Allen, and who served at the Spring Assizes, was Mr. John Leslie Beers, formerly governor of the county Antrim prison, and now governor of the Kilmainham prison, Dublin; and, whether a governor is permitted to absent himself for several days from his post for the purpose of acting as a grand juror, and, in that capacity, aiding the adoption of a political resolution, which formed part of the transactions of the Antrim Grand Jury?

Before answering the Question, will the right hon. Gentleman kindly inform the House whether it is not the case that Mr. Beers was on leave at the time, and also inform the House whether there is any Statute which prohibits gentlemen holding the position which is filled by Mr. Beers—and being at the same time the landowner of a county—serving on a Grand Jury; and also whether, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, the High Sheriff of Antrim was not quite as justified in summoning Mr. Beers, a landowner, as the National Party were justified in choosing a leader from the same class? [Cries of "Order!"]

The latter part of the Question is irregular.

said, he was informed that the fact was as stated in the first paragraph of the Question. He was not aware, however, whether, as stated in the second paragraph, any gentlemen who were usually summoned were not so summoned at the last Assizes. The duty of summoning Grand Jurors rested with the High Sheriff under the provisions of the Grand Jury Act. He was informed that Mr. Beers was not given leave of absence for the purpose of attending, but he was on leave, and, being summoned, he attended.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Irish Constabulary have information that a landlord named Waller, residing near Navan, county Meath, has sent round his steward to his tenants and labourers to call for their signatures to a petition against Home Rule, and to extort compliance by the intimation that, if they refused, "the master wouldn't be their friend;" whether another landlord named Tisdall, in the same district, has acted in a similar manner; whether attempts are being made, in various parts of Ireland, to compel tenants and labourers to sign petitions against Home Rule, by threats of eviction and disemployment; and, whether the Constabulary will be instructed to inquire into and report upon such proceedings?

I find on inquiry that the Constabulary have no information to bear out in any way the allegation mentioned in the hon. Gentleman's Notice.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether his attention, or that of his predecessor, has been called to the Correspondence relating to the Catholic school at Chislehurst; whether it is a fact that Her Majesty's inspector has reported that during the last school-year there was an average attendance of more than thirty, and that all the other conditions for gaining the grant had been fulfilled; whether it is true that the Department has refused the grant for that year, although the school has been under inspection, and the managers have been claiming the grant for the past nine years; upon what section of what Act of Parliament such refusal of the grant is founded; whether the Code (Section 19) explains "the annual grant list" as "the list of schools claiming annual grants;" whether the managers of Chislehurst school have been claiming the grant for several years; whether this refusal of the grant for the first year in which it has been earned is ever extended to Board schools, or to schools within a School Board district; and, whether he will examine into the circumstances of this case, and consider whether the grant should be conceded; and, in case of an adverse decision, lay the Correspondence upon the Table?

On the 1st November, 1885, the Chislehurst Roman Catholic School established that it had had for 12 months an average attendance of more than 30, and, according to Article 91 of the Code, it was at once put on the annual grant list. For several years before it had claimed a grant without fulfilling this condition of the Code; refusal was then based on the 97th section of the Act of 1870, which makes compliance with the Code essential. The 19th Article of the Code is ambiguous in language, but it has always been held to mean that "schools claiming grants," are schools establishing their claims to grants. There has been no refusal to give the grant when the condition of 12 months' precedent average attendance was established. Article 91 does not apply to School Board districts, and the case could not arise with Board Schools, as they could make no claim under it. I am not prepared to lay the Correspondence on the Table, as it is voluminous and refers to more details of administration.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention had been drawn to a recent case in the country Longford, wherein three orders for attachment had been issued against three persons for contempt of court; whether the contempt of court consisted in forcibly retaking possession of a farm from which they had been evicted; whether the sheriff had only been successful in arresting one of the parties, John Clarke, now in Sligo Gaol; whether, in alluding to the other two cases, Judge Boyd had said, as follows:—

"That it was a strange state of affairs to which the Country was reduced, when there was a warrant issued by one of Her Majestys' Courts, and the authorities refused to give the police authority to execute the warrant. The idea of a sheriff making a return that, in consequence of the refusal of the authorities to give police protection before 8 a.m., the two persons could not be arrested;"

said, he was not in a position to reply now, and asked that the Question should be repeated.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether District Inspector R. H. Tilly, of the Royal Irish Constabulary stationed now at Cavan, was, twenty-five years ago, admitted to the Constabulary Force as a cadet, having duly passed the medical and competitive examinations; whether a month or two after his examination, a question arose as to defect, due to hesitation in Mr. Tilly's manner of speech, and he was medically examined a second time and declared to be fit for service; whether in November last, it having come to the turn of Mr. Tilly to be promoted to the rank of County Inspector, he was summoned before a Council of three Officers at the Castle without being informed of the purpose of the summoning, and was informed two days after, by the Inspector General, that his character, private and official, was without reproach, but that, so far as concerned promotion, he was to be passed over; whether the defect of speech referred to is of greater moment in regard to the office of District Inspector than to that of County Inspector; and, whether, in view of the length of Inspector Tilly's service, and of the fact that he has a large family dependent upon him, the Government will allow him the promotion to which, in the regular course of seniority, he has become entitled?

, in reply, said, this case came by way of appeal before the Earl of Carnarvon and the late Chief Secretary. The facts were laid very fully before them both in the reports of the examiners and of heads of the office, and also in memorials and testimonials submitted by Mr. Tilly. The conclusion arrived at was that no sufficient reason had been shown for interfering with the decision arrived at after full and careful consideration of all the circumstances.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he has received any remonstrance from commercial quarters with reference to the absence of a sufficient representation of commercial interests upon the Indian Committee; and, whether, having regard to the fact that the most important tie between this Country and India is a commercial one, he will undertake to examine the matter, with a view to acceding to the desire of the remonstrants, and so as to give a practical direction to the inquiry?

To the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's Question I have to reply that the only suggestion which has reached me from any commercial body is that which he handed to me on Friday from the executive committee of the London Chamber of Commerce. In answer to the second paragraph, I am not prepared to admit, having regard to the nature of the inquiry, which involves many questions not connected with commerce, that the proposed selection of members is otherwise than a fair one. I may remind the House that if our proposals are accepted there will be on the Joint Committee one Peer and one eminent Member of this House closely connected with the commercial interests of the City of London, and at least one other Member identified with the commercial interests of the cotton districts of England.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he can give any authentic information relating to the murder of Bishop Hannington; and, whether it is proposed to take any steps with the Native chiefs in reference to this outrage?

All the information in the possession of Her Majesty's Government with regard to this sad occurrence has been forwarded to the Church Missionary Society by whom it has been published. Sir John Kirk, Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Zanzibar, endeavoured by means of letters from himself and from the Sultan of Zanzibar to influence the King of Uganda in the Bishop's favour; but it is not known whether these letters reached the King before the event. The distance of this powerful Kingdom from the coast makes it difficult to take steps for the exaction of any reparation.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to withdraw Her Majesty's troops from the posts they have occupied on the Nile Railway, and from Wady Halfa, to Assouan; if it is intended to abandon the Nile Railway, and the frontier at Wady Halfa, or whether they are to be held by Egyptian troops; and whether, if so, the course proposed has had the unreserved concurrence of the Khedival Government, and has been recommended by the English and Turkish Commissioners now in Egypt; when the decision arrived at will take effect; what forces at present constitute the Army of Occupation in Egypt; and, what will be the strength and composition of the troops which will remain there?

In answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to state that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government gradually and with due regard to local circumstances to withdraw Her Majesty's troops to Assouan. The frontier at Wady Halfa would then be held by Egyptian troops. This decision has been arrived at by Her Majesty's Government on their own responsibility; and they will be ready to make to Parliament at the proper time such communication of details as may be required. With regard to the matter of fact as to which the right hon. Gentleman inquires, the number of our forces in Egypt, by the latest Report, was 17,108 officers and men.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered that portion of my Question relating to the railways. I should also like to know when the decision arrived at will take effect?

I have stated that Her Majesty's troops are to be withdrawn from Wady Halfa to Assouan. The right hon. Gentleman can judge for himself what effect that will have upon the railway. As to the other Question, we shall have regard to local circumstances.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in view of the deep and increasing interest shown in various parts of the Country in the silver question, he will consider the expediency of separating this urgent subject from the other matters referred to the Royal Commission on the Depression of Trade, and of appointing a separate Commission to inquire into the position of silver, the condition of the currency, and the various plans of utilising silver to a greater extent for currency purposes?

I have communicated with the Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Depression of Trade, and I learn from him that the Commission has undertaken and already begun to inquire into this question. In these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government do not feel disposed to interpose in this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his attention had been drawn to a letter sent from the India Office to the Treasury in January with regard to the fall in the value of silver; and, whether he could lay that letter on the Table of the House?

I cannot say until a decision has been taken on that matter, which has not yet been done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the "patent model," now on view in the Conference Room, for recording the numbers of votes at elections, and momentarily ascertaining the state of the poll for each candidate; and, whether he will be prepared to recommend its adoption generally throughout the Country, especially in counties, so as to afford facilities to the returning officer to declare the poll on the day of the election?

Yes, Sir, I have carefully examined the model in the Conference Room, which appears to me a very ingenious and not too elaborate contrivance for recording the votes given to candidates at elections. Its object is to record the number of votes given at each polling place to the respective candidates, so that the total poll may be made up in a few minutes after the returns from those polling places have been received. This, however, is inconsistent with one of the chief objects of the Ballot Act, Section 34 of which provides that the whole of the ballot papers from all the polling places must be mixed together before they are counted. It appears to me that this provision of the Act is one of great importance, and if it is to be maintained the proposed machinery could not be adopted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many places the ballot papers are not mixed, but counted from the boxes from the different polling stations?

Where that is the case, all I can say is that the Returning Officers and all concerned are violating the law.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Her Majesty's Government is aware of the fact, that a man named John Foran, of the parish of Galley, county Kerry, has been boycotted for a long time past, and was unable to procure a coffin last month, in either the town of Listowel or Ballylongford for his wife's remains, and had it not been for the humanity of Mr. Sandes of Sallowglen, who got his own carpenter to make him one, the body would have had to be buried without a coffin; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take immediate steps to enable Her Majesty's subjects to provide the means of decent interment for deceased members of their family?

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this was not a purely local matter; whether Foran was convicted of fraud; and whether he was not generally odious in the locality?

I am afraid I cannot say what was Foran's popularity in his own district. It appears that he has been more or less "Boycotted" for some time past. He was at one time under personal police protection, but this was withdrawn at his own request in February, 1885. The allegation with respect to the coffin is, I am informed, unfounded. It is quite true the coffin was supplied by Mr. Sandes's carpenter, who was the first person to whom Foran applied, and he was not refused one at Listowel, Ballylongford, or any other place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, If there is any regulation requiring seagoing vessels to carry boats to accommodate the number of persons they are permitted to carry; if this regulation is enforced; and, if the Oregon had such a supply of boats; and, if not, on what grounds are such vessels excused from carrying a full complement?

By Statute a passenger steamer is required to carry boats according to her net registered tonnage, and not according to the number of persons she is permitted to carry. This regulation is strictly enforced, and the Oregon was not excused from carrying her full complement of boats. The law requires seven boats, of 1,893 cubic feet capacity, or six boats, of 2,035 cubic feet; in each case two of them must be lifeboats with 1,000 cubic feet aggregate capacity. The Oregon had 10 boats, of the capacity of 3,650 cubic feet, of which four were lifeboats with an aggregate capacity exceeding 2,000 cubic feet; and the Board of Trade had ascertained, as they do in all cases of steamers carrying more than 12 passengers, that these boats, with their equipments and lowering gear, were in good order and thoroughly efficient. Besides this, she had on board 120 cork lifejackets and 600 lifebuoys. The passengers and crew were all saved.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman could state the number of passengers that were on board the Oregon, and the carrying capacity of the boats?

I cannot tell that; but I have already stated that the capacity of the boats depends on the tonnage of the steamer, and not on the number of passengers.

I shall ask the right hon. Gentleman another Question on the subject.

asked the honourable Member for North West Staffordshire, Whether he has any objection to giving a Return containing the names and addresses of the persons whom it is proposed to name as additional Land Tax Commissioners, in order that the same may be published before the next stage of the Land Tax Commissioners' Names Bill?

, in reply, said, that the names of the additional Land Tax Commissioners were published in The London Gazette. If it could be shown that there was any general desire for the Return for which the hon. Member asked, he would agree to its publication.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on the inhabitants of the Barony of South Raphoe in county Donegal, in having to go all the way to Lifford, he will suggest to His Excellency the desirability and the convenience of having quarter ses- sions held at least twice a year at Stranorlar?

The Quarter Sessions of the County Donegal were, after inquiry, re-arranged by Proclamation in May last year, and in the following October a further Memorial was presented to the Privy Council; but that Body decided that it was inexpedient to make any further changes until the effect of the Proclamation was better ascertained.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the matter will be reconsidered?

I cannot say at present.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, What action, if any, has been taken as to the carrying out of necessary improvements on Kingstown East Pier, for which estimates were furnished by Mr. P. A. Doyle, C.E.; and, if no action has been taken, whether the Lords of the Admiralty will, within a reasonable time, take the matter in hand?

The improvements in question are wholly intended to promote the recreation and amusement of visitors to Kingstown; and Mr. Doyle and other gentlemen interested in Kingstown were recently informed by the Commissioners of Public Works as Harbour Commissioners that no objection would be raised to the execution of the scheme if carried out from other than public funds.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, Whether it is true, as stated in the newspapers, that Dr. Donaldson, Professor of Latin in the University of Aberdeen, has been appointed Principal of the University of St. Andrews; and, if it is true, whether he will state the grounds on which a stranger to the University has been appointsd over the head of candidates connected with it?

It is the case that Dr. Donaldson has been appointed Principal of St. Andrews University, on the ground that he is a very learned man, of varied experience in teaching, who holds very enlightened views on University education. [Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL: Hear, hear!] Well, it appears from the exclamation of the noble Lord that he thinks no one should be appointed Principal who is not a Conservative. While duly appreciating the qualifications of other candidates, I came to the conclusion that he was the best man for the position. I am not aware that there is any usage of appointing Professors to the Principal-ship of the University with which they are connected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, If he will cause inquiry to be made whether the following statement is substantially correct, viz.: That 36,000 employés of The London and North Western Railway Company met in London not many days ago to consider their position with regard to the proposed Amendment to the Employers' Liability Act of 1880, and unanimously resolved to petition Parliament to have their case specially considered, as they are better protected by their present Insurance Society than they would be under the Act; that their agreement to contract out of the Act was an entirely voluntary arrangement between themselves and the Company, and has resulted far more beneficially for the employés than if they had not done so, the compensation paid in respect of claims for accidents being relatively far greater, and moreover such compensation having been frequently paid for accidents in respect to which they would have been unable to claim under the Act; that the said employés look with apprehension on any measure that would deprive them of the right to contract themselves out of the Act where the Company contributes to the funds of their Insurance Society, as any such legislation would throw on the men burdens of a much larger contribution than at present paid by them, without any corresponding benefit; whether he will make inquiry by whose authority the aforesaid meeting was convened, and whether any but employés were present; whether the suggestion that the employés have signed a document, to the effect that they are satisfied with the Act as it now stands, only under compulsion is in the slightest degree compatible with the foregoing statement; and, what steps the Board of Trade intend to take in order to ascertain and give full effect to the true and unbiassed wishes of the aforesaid employés and others in a like position?

I have been informed by the London and North-Western Railway Company that the statement contained in the hon. Member's Question is correct, and that the meeting referred to was convened by the workmen. It would appear that the suggestion that the workmen signed a document under compulsion to the effect that they are satisfied with the Act as it now stands is not compatible with the foregoing statement. As I understand that the Bill in question will be referred to a Select Committee, before which the delegates of the workmen will be able to express their own views, I do not think it is desirable that I should take any further steps in the matter.

said, that the Question had reference to one which he placed on the Paper on Friday. After he had asked that Question a deputation from the men employed by the London and North-Western Railway Company waited upon him, and explained that the document referred to in the answer of the right hon. Gentleman had been signed with the greatest possible willingness and without pressure by all the men who belonged to the Insurance Society. It was clear, therefore, that in the first instance he had been misinformed, and he wished to state so to the House.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the Roman Catholic curate of the Stradbally District of the Queen's County gave notice to his flock that he would require to see each of their Poor Law voting papers before they were collected by the police; and, whether the Constabulary will be instructed to inquire into and report upon such proceedings?

Every possible inquiry has been made by the police, and they cannot find that there is any truth whatever in this allegation. It appears that there has been no contest in that electoral division this year.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the charges delivered to the Grand Juries of Cork and Tipperary, on Wednesday last, by Mr. Justice O'Brien and Mr. Justice Johnston, in which they are reported to have said as follows:—

"Mr. Justice O'Brien (Cork)—'I am forced to say that I can observe no sign whatsover that the waters have subsided. For although the aggregate of crime, of reported crime, comprised within the interval, hardly exceeding two months, must necessarily be very small, yet within that aggregate are elements that can lead certainly to no very satisfactory or favourable conclusion with reference to the condition of this part of the country. I find that in all those forms of outrage and violation of the law that must be taken to be certain and unquestionable indications of the state of public feeling, the late account of this county is less satisfactory than the former one. For example, in the cases of killing and maiming cattle, a large increase has appeared in it. In the cases of malicious injury to property there is also an increase; an increase, perhaps, in the number of cases, but certainly no decrease whatever in the quality and degree. In the cases of notices resulting from the object and design of intimidation, there is at least no decrease in one part of the county, and a great increase in the other, and even the character of the offence or the form of outrage has apparently become more bold and more alarming.'

"Mr. Justice Johnston (Clonmel)—'Turning to the report that I have received from the authorities, I am sorry to say that the return which has been presented to me of those cases specially reported for this riding of this great county, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, shows that crime has increased by nearly one-fourth. The increase appears to be in housebreaking, in robbery, in killing and maiming cattle, and in what are known popularly as Whiteboy offences, in assaulting houses, and in threatening letters. This report is not a state of things on which this riding of the county is to be congratulated;'"

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question I would like to ask this further Question, Whether his attention has been called to some remarks of Mr. Justice O'Brien in the Court in Cork on Saturday last with reference to Mrs. John Lucas, who was charged with setting fire to her husband's house, and pretending that it was an agrarian outrage, her husband being a J.P., in which his Lordship stated that Mrs. Lucas had been guilty of an offence of the greatest heinousness to be dealt with in the strictest manner, more especially as the state of the times furnished many with a pretext for covering their crimes and casting the blame on those who were in no way responsible for it?

I would also ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this case, in which a magistrate's wife was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, was not the most serious case at trial at the Cork Assizes?

My attention was naturally directed to the remarks of the learned Judge in the unfortunate case of Mrs. Lucas. It scarcely falls, however, within the scope of the Question on the Paper. In answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman I have, of course, seen the charges referred to both at Cork and Tipperary. As regards Cork, the observations of Mr. Justice O'Brien are weakened by the fact that he appears somehow to have regarded the Return presented to him as extending over a period hardly exceeding two months, whereas in reality it covered some days more than three months. Turning from that, and looking to the recent Returns of agrarian crime, I find that the number of such outrages in the County Cork was in November last year 9, in December 11, in January 17, and in February it fell again to 11. In Tipperary county the number in November was 14, in December 13, in January 8, and in February 9. There are, therefore, no indications in our Returns of the growth at present of crime of this kind, but rather the reverse.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether, under the present Government, or during the period of Lord Salisbury's administration, the Education Department has given instructions to Her Majesty's Inspectors to reduce or limit the number of schools receiving the "Excellent" merit grant; and, whether there is any uniformity of standard in awarding such merit grants,—as between different Inspectors; as between Town and Country; and as between Board Schools and Denominational Schools?

No instructions have been issued to Her Majesty's Inspectors to reduce or limit the number of schools receiving the "Excellent" merit grant. The greatest possible efforts are made to secure uniformity of standard all through the country and among all classes of schools in awarding the merit grant; and I have reason to believe that they are to a great degree successful, although, no doubt, as the decisions depend upon individual judgments, the uniformity as between different Inspectors cannot be absolute.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, If he is aware of the very defective lighting of the "Writing Room" of the Library of this House; and, if so, will he adopt measures to remedy the defect?

If the hon. Member will be so good as to point out to me what are the precise defects of which he complains I shall be happy to endeavour to remedy them.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If advantage will be taken of the presence in the mother country, during the forthcoming Colonial Exhi- bition, of many leading statesmen and representatives of our Australasian, Canadian, and South African brethren, to assemble a Conference, under the official auspices of Her Majesty's Government, to inquire into the practicability of Imperial Federation, and so formulate, if possible, proposals for the consideration of the Imperial and Colonial Parliaments, calculated to strengthen the ties uniting the British people, and to consolidate the Governments of their Territories for such Imperial purposes as defence, commerce, and Foreign affairs, while reserving local legislative independence for all portions of the Empire now separately administered; and, in such case, if notice thereof will be telegraphically transmitted to the several Governors, for the information of their Ministers, that the most fitting delegates may be selected?

We should be very sorry to omit any opportunity which appeared to afford an opening for strengthening in any way the relations of the Colonies with this country; and I need not say that subjects of that kind are constantly under consideration—as, for instance, the subject of defence at the present time; but I do not perceive that the occasion referred to by the hon. Member could be turned to account in the way he proposes. I do not think we should take measures for assembling a Conference for the purpose of considering the subject of Federation unless we were prepared to lay before them a plan. They would have considerable ground of complaint if we had not such a plan. We have no such plan to lay before them, and therefore cannot agree to the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, among other expressions of opinion elicited by his appeal as to the state of feeling in Ireland in relation to the establishment of a separate Parliament for that Country, his attention has been drawn to the very grave condition of things in that portion of the Empire, as evidenced by the communications addressed to The Record by four hundred and sixty of the beneficed clergy of the Irish Church in the provinces of Munster, Leinster, and Connaught, showing that there were three hundred and fourteen cases of boycotting; whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to ascertain whether such cases are authentic; and, if so, how do they propose to redress that condition of things; and, in view of the fact that the present revenues and the security of the invested capital of the Church of Ireland have been seriously affected by the present crisis, whether he will take steps to have transferred the mortgages of the Irish Church body from the threatened security of Irish land to Government securities, in order that the Church may not lose any large portion of what was left her of her diminished patrimony?

May I ask whether the last part of the Question is in Order?

I have noticed the paragraph; but I do not perceive that it is out of Order.

The courtesy of the editor of a newspaper has supplied me with a copy of this information which is not otherwise in our possession in that form; but I have no reason to suppose that it adds to the information already placed before us by the observations and inquiries of the police. If there are any cases not known to the police I should be very happy to make them the subject of inquiry. Of course, we are aware that there is a serious amount of pressure upon individuals from the system known as "Boycotting" in Ireland. In the month of October last there were 800 or 900 cases of that kind; but that is now five months ago. Since that time there has been no increase in the number of these cases. In regard to the closing paragraph of the Question, I am bound to say that I do not regard the matter referred to as in any way connected with the duty of the Government. I think it would be a very unmanageable responsibility for us to recommend or procure investments of funds belonging to the Church Body in Ireland, which is, of course, essentially a private association; and I am not at all sure that the members of that Body would feel themselves placed under any obligation to us if we were so to interfere.

I am anxious to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a Question affecting the Business this evening. I understand that it is necessary, in point of law, that the Votes for the men and money in the Army Estimates should be taken to-night. The House will perceive that there are several Notices of Motion of interest and importance on going into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates, and they will probably occupy a considerable time. It may very well be, therefore, that the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War will not be able to make his statement until a late hour in the evening, so that no opportunity for debate on that statement will be afforded to the House to-night. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if the Votes be taken to-night, there will be an opportunity given to us on Thursday next of debating the question?

Yes, Sir; unquestionably, if the course of the debate to-night should render it difficult properly to discuss the statement of my right hon. Friend, we will give the earliest opportunity in our power for the purpose of that discussion, and that, I believe, will be arranged on Thursday next. We are very anxious to get forward with the Crofters' Bill, and that Bill should not give way to anything excepting the Army Estimates in the event anticipated by the right hon. Gentleman.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the alleged extraordinary conduct of the police at Leeds last Friday?

I must point out that the Question of the hon. Member comes within the new Rule requiring that Notice of Questions should be given beforehand to the Clerk at the Table.

subsequently rose and commenced to put the same Question.

again interposed, and refused to allow the Question to be put.

said, he understood that, according to the Rule, although a Notice of a Question could not be given orally, it would be open to Members to ask supplementary Questions in addition to those on the Paper.

I have endeavoured to put the best interpretation in my power upon the Rule. Supplementary Questions purely seeking for the elucidation of former answers are in Order; but supplementary Questions which it cannot be in the power of a Minister to answer at the moment, I regard as belonging to those of which Notice should be given.

said, that his Question was one which it was entirely in the power of the Home Secretary to answer. Would the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made into the conduct of the police at Leeds?

The hon. Member is now evading my ruling.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the rules and conditions laid down, and the views expressed by him on the 8th of June, 1883, the circumstances which occurred at half-past 10 on Friday evening last, when the Government declined to set up Supply, constituted one of those rare occasions when the Government were justified in taking that course?

Yes, Sir; in our opinion they did constitute one of those rare occasions.

I beg to give Notice—

said, that Notice would be required of any further Question the right hon. Gentleman might desire to put on the subject.

, rising to Order, asked whether the Resolution come to last week by the House on the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Essex (Sir Henry Selwin - Ibbetson) excluded Notices of Motion from being given vivâ voce?

Certainly not. I understood the right hon. Gentleman began his remarks by saying—"I propose to ask."

said, he was about to give Notice of a Motion in reference to the Contagious Diseases Acts in the same terms as those used by the right hon. Gentleman on the 8th of Juno, 1883.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, When the second reading of this Bill would be taken?

said, he was afraid he could not give a definite answer.

hoped the right hon. Gentleman would give ample Notice of the day on which he proposed to take the second reading.

said, a telegram, dated March 21, had been received at the India Office from the Viceroy in the following terms:—

"General Prendergast telegraphs that he has dispersed the large body of insurgents collected at Yemethen, and that the neighbouring Woons are in friendly communication with him."

asked the Secretary of State for War, What is the number of the Infantry of the Line (exclusive of depôts) now serving at home; what is the number serving abroad; what is the number serving in India, and in the Colonies; and, what will be the probable distribution on 1st January 1887?

The strength of the Infantry of the Line at home (exclusive of depôts) is 33,803. The Infantry depôts at present contain 14,615 men. There are 81,746 abroad, of whom 52,217 are in India, 15,765 in the Colonies, and 13,764 in Egypt. It is at present proposed that on the 1st of January next the Establishment of Infantry of the Line should be thus distributed—At home, 52,956; in India, 50,998; in the Colonies, 16,110; and in Egypt, 6,269. As the number of battalions in Egypt will have been reduced, the establishments of the depôts will be 9,459.

, who had on the Paper the following Notice of Motion:—

"That the cost of the Troops employed for the defence of Egypt should not be borne by the British taxpayer, but should be a first charge on the Revenues of Egypt,"

, who had given Notice of an Amendment, which, however, he could not move, declaring—

"That the cost of the British troops employed in the occupation of Egypt should be defrayed out of the English Exchequer, as likewise the cost of all English officials engaged in the administration of that country,"

said, he would point out to the hon. Member for East Mayo that the financing of Egyptian loans had no bearing on the Votes to be taken in Committee.

said, that since the English entered Egypt the burdens of the people had advanced by leaps and by bounds, and the deficit was greater than ever. It was a delusion to suppose that the Egyptian people could pay for the Army of Occupation. He did not say it would lead to Egyptian bankruptcy, for that was certain under any circumstances; but it would hasten it. The Revenues of Egypt depend upon three things—cotton, wheat, and beans. Egypt was naturally a rich country, and if not loaded by debt it could easily pay its way. But cotton had fallen.

said, that the remarks of the hon. Member were not in accordance with the Rules of the House.

said, in conclusion, he would merely contend that England, and not Egypt, should pay for the Army of Occupation. If we did tax the Egyptian bondholders, he would be glad to see them made to pay; but, failing that, England should pay. The debts had been incurred for no benefits to be conferred on the Egyptians. He remembered being much struck with the remark made by an old fellah after Telel-Kebir—"It is pretty much as before; the English are in Cairo; the usurers are in the villages. God is great."