asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Lords Commissioners are willing to co-operate with the Indian Government, in providing suitable dock accommodation at Bombay for large ships of Her Majesty's Navy, by payment of a moiety of the cost of enlarging existing docks in the Government Dockyard at that port; whether different Admirals in command of the Indian Station have repeatedly urged the necessity of providing such docking facilities as aforesaid, especially in view of requirements in time of war; whether estimates have been submitted showing that the cost of such dock extension would not exceed £100,000, or thereabouts; and, whether, in January 1882, the Euryalus, late flagship on Indian Station, was compelled to be sent to Malta (distant 4,000 miles) to be docked for repairs, through the want of the necessary accommodation at Bombay? The hon. and gallant Gentleman also asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government of India are prepared to co-operate with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in providing the necessary dock accommodation at Bombay for largo ships of Her Majesty's Navy, in accordance with the repeated recommendations of different Admirals in command of the Indian Station, to meet the urgent requirements of the Navy, especially in time of war; and, whether he is aware that the flagship on Indian Station, in January 1882, was obliged to proceed to Malta to be docked for repairs, for want of the necessary accommodation at Bom- bay, whereby the said Station was deprived of the most efficient ship belonging thereto for a period of several months?

The Admirals in command of the East India Station have reported the insufficiency of the existing docking facilities at Bombay. A dock extension, costing £83,000, was formerly suggested; but it was found that this extension would not; make sufficient provision for docking first-class ships. It was, therefore, thought preferable to build a new dock altogether; and I understand that the Indian Government are taking stops to provide the accommodation. It is the case that the Euryalus had to proceed to Malta from Bombay to be docked.

The Government of India are now engaged in providing the necessary dock accommodation at Bombay for the largest type of ships in Her Majesty's Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the intention of the Government to grant any decoration or batta money to the troops who were quartered at Assouan during the hot season of 1886, on account of the appalling mortality and sickness which was rife there, in accordance with the procedent of 1885, when the Egyptian medal was granted on account of the excessive heat?

(who replied) said: The medal granted in 1885 was for the campaign in Egypt, towards which the troops at Assouan wore directly contributory. Excessive heat of the climate does not in itself constitute a claim to a medal or decoration. It would not be convenient that the pay of a soldier should be dependent on the climate in which he may be serving; but all troops in Egypt have advantages in rations which they would not have at home. The value to the individual soldier is about 4½d. a-day.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, How soon the new rooms of the National Gallery will be in readiness for the admission of the public?

The new rooms and staircase will be completed, so far as this Department is concerned, by the end of May. There will, however, be some further time required to complete the hanging of the pictures, so that I do not think it likely that the rooms will be in readiness for the admission of the public before the end of June or the beginning of July.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If he is aware that much dissatisfaction exists when the town in which land cases are to be heard is selected to meet the convenience of the landlord, to the cost and inconvenience of the tenants; and, whether Dundalk has been lately selected as the place of hearing for 43 cases arising in the Castleblayney Union, when Castleblayney itself, and other towns, would be much more convenient and easy of access for the tenants?

, in reply, said, in selecting the place of hearing of land cases the convenience of the landlords was not consulted more than that of the tenants. With regard to the latter part of the Question, a number of cases were heard at Dundalk, and no complaint whatever was made as to that place being selected.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether ex officio members of the Board of Fishery Conservators must be magistrates, and, in addition, hold land abutting a river or lake in the district, and pay licence duty for the current year; whether certain magistrates attended meetings of the Board of Conservators of the Limerick District on the 5th of August, 1886, 6th of January, 20th of January, and 4th of February, 1887, and took part in the proceedings without possessing the requisite qualifications; whether the Limerick Board met on the 5th of August, 1866, and proceeded to elect one of their number to the position of Inspector of Water Bailiffs, contrary to Act of Parliament; if the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries have remonstrated with the Limerick Board respecting this election, and declared the appointment, in their opinion, illegal; whether the Board still retains this member of their body in the position of Inspector as aforesaid, and have refused to hold a now election; and, whether the Irish Executive will inquire into these allegations; and, if proved to be true, will take the necessary steps to set matters right?

I am advised that the law is as stated in the first paragraph. With regard to the alleged matters of fact about the election of Inspector of Water Bailiffs, the circumstances are understood to be as stated, though the hon. Member has not given any sufficient opportunity for inquiry on those points not already within the knowledge of the Inspector of Fisheries. The matter does not appear to be in a satisfactory state; and I understand that some questions connected with it are at present before the Law Officers, with the object of ascertaining whether, in the present state of the law, any action can be taken by the Executive.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether, looking at the facts that during the present and recent sittings of the High Court of Justice, the hearing of actions, particularly jury actions, has been delayed in consequence of the insufficient number of Courts at the Royal Courts of Justice, and that three Judges are sometimes unnecessarily sitting together in bane, because there is no Court for the third Judge to sit in—he will consider the desirability of providing further accommodation for the Judges to hold their Courts?

The facts referred to have not been brought to my notice. The question of further accommodation at the Royal Courts of Justice seems to be for the consideration, in the first instance, of the Lord Chancellor, rather than of the Office of Works. Of course, any suggestion coming from the Lord Chancellor would be immediately and carefully considered.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the Odessa Correspondent of The Daily News, regarding the case of John William Robinson, a British subject, stated to be undergoing the eleventh month of an imprisonment at Kieff, in connection with some passport offence; whether Robinson's offence was the non-possession of a passport, or the possession of a false passport; and, whether representations have been made to the Russian Government on the subject?

Her Majesty's Consul General at Odessa reports that Robinson is stated by the Russian authorities at Kieff to have been condemned on the 4th of December last to four months' imprisonment for having resided in Russia under a false name with an Austrian passport. Robinson states that he was in prison about six months before being tried. Her Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburgh is inquiring into the case; but his report has not yet been received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he is aware that the Government loans in the leading Australian Colonies have been expended in railways and other reproductive works, which remain Government property, and which make a return of about 4 per cent in some cases, on the whole amount of the debt of those Colonies, and that the railways alone would sell for more than the whole debt, making such loans a perfectly safe investment; whether he will take this into consideration in the future re-investmet of Greenwich Hospital Funds; and, whether he will endeavour to continue the payment of age pensions, without the conditions as to the ability to earn a portion of their sustenance, to seamen who have served their full time?

(who replied) said: I do not contest the accuracy of the facts mentioned in the first part of the Question of my hon. Friend; but, as already stated, arrangements have been made, or are in progress, for re-investing at home, on favourable terms, a large portion of the Three per Cent. Stock hitherto held on account of Greenwich Hospital, and it is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in similarly re-investing as much of the remainder of the Stock as may be considered advisable. In the Charter of Foundation it is stated that the benefits of Greenwich Hospital are intended for seamen who, by age, wounds, or other disabilities, shall be incapable of further service at sea, and be unable to maintain themselves. It seems proper, therefore, to take into account, when distributing the funds, the physical condition of the men as well us their age.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to an article in The Daily News of the 14th March, entitled "A Job Lot," and having reference to the Magisterial Bench at Winchester; whether it is true, as stated in the article referred to, that there are at present 17 magistrates in Winchester and only 19 policemen; is it usual in English cities for judicial officials to be nearly equal in numbers to administrative officials; is it true, as stated in the article referred to, that the Lord Chancellor has sent down a list to the Town Council of Winchester of five other gentlemen, whom he intends to raise to the dignity of the Bench—so that in Winchester there will be 23 magistrates and only 19 policemen; and, whether the Town Council of Winchester have struck out four of the five names sent down by the Lord Chancellor, and have substituted others for his consideration?

Yes, Sir; I have seen the article in question. The number of magistrates and police is accurately stated. I am informed that the late Lord Chancellor added four names to the list of Justices in 1881, making the total at that time 22. Since that date there have been five vacancies through death; and it is to fill those vacancies, and not to add to the total number of magistrates, that five gentlemen have been recently nominated by the Lord Chancellor. The Town Council have submitted to the Lord Chancellor the names of certain gentlemen from among whom they suggest that he should select four magistrates in lieu of four whom he had nominated, but for whoso rejection they assign no reason. The Town Council have thereby gone beyond their proper function.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether all the magistrates recommended by the Lord Chancellor are Tories?

No, Sir; they are not.

May I ask how many are?

asked the Postmaster General, If the Post Office Authorities can make such arrangements as will insure an earlier delivery of the Irish Mails in the House of Commons to Members representing Irish constituencies than that which at present obtain; and, if they can arrange such an alteration as will permit of Irish Members posting letters for the Irish night mail by special mail-bag, or otherwise, at a later hour than is at present necessary?

Before the Question of the hon. Member was placed upon the Notice Paper, arrangements had been made for accelerating the delivery in the House of the day mail letters from Ireland, and such letters can now be obtained at 7 p.m., or one hour earlier than before. As regards posting for the Irish night mail, letters can at present be posted up to 7.15 p.m. without late fee, and up to 7.30 p.m. with a fee of a halfpenny. It is proposed to extend the hour for posting letters with a late fee up to 8 p.m.; and this will apply not only to letters for Ireland, but also to letters for places in England, North Wales, and Scotland, served by the night mail train from Euston at 8.30 p.m.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Under what Statute, or by what authority, £35,000 of the Unclaimed Dividends of the Irish Court of Bankruptcy were transferred to the Commissioners of the National Debt; whether the transfer of the money of the unpaid creditors is contrary to, and in violation of, the sections 294, 295, 296, and 297 of "The Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1857;" and whether it is a fact that, owing to the conduct of the Bankruptcy Court officials, dividend warrants are frequently returned by the Post Office, in consequence of wrong direction or address, and large sums are thereby allowed to accumulate, creditors not being permitted to examine the list for themselves?

The transfer referred to was made pursuant to the provisions of the 85th section of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Act, 1877. Dividend warrants are often returned by the Post Office, in consequence of persons to whom they are addressed not being found; but I am not aware that this arises from the misconduct of the Bankruptcy Court officials, who are themselves often unable to discover the proper addresses. Creditors can see for themselves what are the unclaimed dividends in any particular estate; but a general examination of all the lists is not allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If it is true that Major Macdonald is acting as military attaché to Sir Evelyn Baring, in Cairo; whether in consequence of their being an English Army of Occupation in Egypt, the Egyptian Army being officered by English officers, Major Macdonald's extraordinary services to Sir Evelyn Baring will be dispensed with; and, whether the extra pay drawn by Major Macdonald is defrayed by the Egyptian or English Government?

Major Macdonald is attached to the British Agency in Egypt as a military attaché. His functions are on be-half of the British Government, who pay him, in connection with the presence of British troops in Egypt.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether John Malone and Richard Magee, inmates of the New Ross Workhouse, arrested and lodged in New Ross Police Station on the night of the 21st ultimo, on a charge of insubordination, wore, on the following day, brought before a magistrate in a room of the said police station, and sentenced on conviction to three months' imprisonment; whether this private mode of trial was in accordance with the law; whether Mr. Hurson, the solicitor retained for the defence, was absent from the proceeding in the police station, not having received notice of it; and, what action will be taken upon the case?

, in reply, said, the men named were arrested in New Ross Workhouse, and brought before the presiding magistrates, charged with insubordination. Bail could not be obtained, and on the arrival of another magistrate the case was heard in the police office, and the case being proved by three witnesses, they were sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The proceedings were taken under Geo. IV., c. 83. The Government did not intend to take any action in the matter.

I would ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, whether it is a fact that no legal opportunity for legal defence was given to these men? My information is they had got a solicitor, and he never received any notice of the trial.

The men made no application whatever, or any statement whatever, that they had engaged a solicitor.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the statement is made by a solicitor who as a supporter of the right hon. and learned Gentleman?

Order, order!

I should like to ask, whether an opportunity was given to the prisoners to obtain bail before they wore convicted?

Sir, I have already answered the Question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Local Government Board. Whether his attention had been called to the proposed new bye-laws of the Thames Conservators, by which

"no direct action will be taken to put a stop to the insanitary nuisances caused by houseboats and steam launches; "

and that,

"although a bye-law provides against casting any sewage, rubbish, or other offensive matter into the River, this will not be taken to apply the shocking condition of things seen at places where the River is shamefully polluted by the sewage from house-boats;"

whether he is aware that any objection or representation against the proposed new bye-laws must be made on or before the 28th instant; and, whether, in the interests of the millions of people who depend upon the Upper Thames for their water supply, he will compel the Thames Conservators to take immediate and efficient steps to free the River from its present and over-increasing state of pollution?

My attention has been called to the proposed new bye-law of the Thames Conservators. I have been in communication with the Conservators on the subject. I am informed that the hon. Member is incorrect in assuming what is stated in the first part of the Question. The Conservators state that the bye-law is intentionally drawn as wide as possible, to cover every possible mode of pollution of the river; and that it was so prepared with the object of carrying into effect Section 4 of the Thames Preservation Act. 1885, which enacts that it shall be the duty of the Conservators to make special Regulations for pro-venting the pollution of the river by the sewage of any house-boat or steam launch. The Conservators believe that when the bye-law comes into operation, it will have the effect of preventing the nuisance which now arises from vessels moored in or navigating the river. If the hon. Member would wish to make any specific suggestion as to any additions to the proposed bye-law, and will communicate it to me, I shall be happy to forward his communication to the Conservators.

gave Notice that in consequence of the answer of the President of the Local Government Board he would call the attention of the House to the subject, and move to disallow the proposed bye-laws of the Thames Conservancy Board, in consequence of their neglecting to deal with the nuisance caused by house-boats and steam launches.

asked, Whether the legal advisers of the Local Government Board were satisfied that the bye-laws would prohibit house-boats from discharging sewage into the Thames?

said, that he had not considered it necessary to consult the legal advisers of the Board on the subject; but, so far as he had been able to ascertain the opinion of the officials, he thought that the bye-laws would have that effect.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he has any information to show that discontent has, within the past five years, been exhibited in Madras; and, if he will call for a Return showing the number of tenants evicted or otherwise proceeded against, by the Government of Sir M. E. Grant Duff?

There has been no information of any special discontent in Madras. There is no eviction of Government tenants in Madras; but both land and personal property is liable to sale to realize arrears of land revenue. The average annual number of landowners whose property is thus sold is 116,000 out of 4,500,000. No further Return appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there are sufficient police in the Killavullen Police District to distribute the voting papers for the election of Poor Law Guardians to the Mallow Union; whether the Mouanimy Division was the only one so attended to at the last election, when the police did not allow sufficient time for the delivery of the post containing the votes of distant electors, and otherwise displayed negligence in the collection of votes by passing the houses of voters if their doors happened to be closed at the time of their calling; and, whether he will give instructions to the police to extend the time of collection until 10 p.m., as is done in other districts, and to exercise greater diligence in the collection of the voting papers from the residents in the locality?

The Local Authorities of the Mallow Union have made their own arrangements for the distribution of the voting papers, and they have not reported to the Local Government Board what agents they are employing. I am not aware that any question as to the sufficiency of police has been raised. I am informed that, at the election last year, they were employed only in the Electoral Division named in the Question, and that they discharged the duty satisfactorily, so far as is known to the Local Government Board. One individual complaint with regard to the collection of a voting paper was made, but, on consideration, was not found to affect the vote. I see no reason arising out of these circumstances to give any special instructions to the police.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the Question which says the police did not allow time for posting the papers?

we have no ground for believing that the state of things ever occurred.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that a sum of no less than one milliard of francs, or forty millions sterling, is duo to France by the English Government under Clause 9 of the private Convention, dated the 20th of November, 1815; if it is a fact that, by the Conventions signed in May, 1814, November, 1815, and April, 1818, a guaranteed fund of 6,500,000 francs of French Rentes, with a capital of 130,000,000 francs, was transferred to the British Government; whether M. Blandin, a Deputy, lately proposed to the Chamber that a Committee should be appointed for the purpose of asking the British Foreign Office for an account of these funds, and also for a return of the surplus, with the interest accruing thereon, to the French Treasury; whether the surplus, with the interest, is estimated to amount to one milliard of francs; and, whether a Committee has been appointed by the Chamber with M. Blandin as reporter?

It is not true that the sum mentioned in the hon. Member's Question, or any other sum, is due to France by the British Government under the Convention of November 20, 1815. A statement of the matter was made to the House of Commons by the Secretary to the Treasury on the 8th of June, 1869; and a Return of the disposition of the funds received from the French Government is shown in a Paper (No. 239) presented to Parliament in 1872. There is no now feature to be considered. A report of a proposal made in the French Chamber of Deputies has been made in the French newspapers similar to that mentioned by the hon. Member; but Her Majesty's Government are not aware that a Committee has been appointed by the Chamber to inquire into the subject. The statetment in question is, no doubt, connected with the legend of the Baron de Bode, which haunted this House for a long period; but which, after being investigated by a Select Committee, was laid to rest.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether he can state what "specific subjects" have been sanctioned by the Education Department other than those mentioned in Article 15 of the Education Code?

The Returns for the last three years show that bookkeeping, theology, German, hygiene, navigation, physiography, social economy, and Welsh have been included in the subjects specially sanctioned by the Education Department.

asked, whether instructions in Welsh would be definitely entered in the Code?

said, he thought that he had just shown that this was practically included.

All that we ask is that it should be included in the Code.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is the fact that Mr. William Roper, who lately lost his life while working in the Government Dockyard at Devonport, was a skilled artizan whose character stood very high in the estimation of the Dockyard authorities; whether it is the fact that he lost his life under the following circumstances—namely, that after serving under the Government for some 30 years he was disentitled to any pension, because, through the difference of a few days in his age, he had never been put on the establishment; that at the age of 60 he might have retired and received a gratuity of about £60 which was then due to him; that he had the option of remaining on, if he passed the doctor, till he was 65; that he did so stay on, and left his gratuity of £60 to be taken up when he should have completed his extra five years; but that he met with his death a few weeks after while working overtime in December last; whether the authorities have refused to pay over to the widow the gratuity to which her husband was entitled before his death, and why; and, whether he will, taking into account the deceased's long service and high character, and the fact that his widow is left with a family of six children, consider whether the above decision of the authorities should not be reversed?

It is true that William Roper was injured in the Devonport Yard when at his work; but his death was not attributed to such injury. He was 60 years of age, and was allowed to remain for his own benefit, and was entitled to a gratuity only as a hired man on completion of his service Such gratuity has hitherto only been paid to the man himself upon his discharge from the Service. Compensation is only given to the widows of civil employés when their husbands' death is directly attributable to the service in which they are engaged. My hon. Friend the Member for Devonport has already spoken to me concerning this man's case; and we are in correspondence with the Treasury on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Sheriff of the County Donegal issued any warrant, special or otherwise, on foot of decrees for rent at suit of Mr. A. J. R. Stewart, of Ards, against John M'Cue, Manus M'Fadden, Mrs.—M'Cue, and James Magee, or any of them, during 1886, and especially to James Wason, the bailiff of the Stewart Estate, at Dunfanaghy, in said county; whether Wason collected the said decrees, with costs and Sheriff's fees, as if he had such warrants in the said year of 1886; whether, in the end of 1885, he extorted from widow Ellen M'Fadden, Magheramana, £3 11s., pretending that he had there a decree at suit of Samuel Fleming, of Letterkenny; whether he was compelled to refund this latter sum, having no decree at all then in his possession; whether there is any means of distinguishing between bailiffs duly authorized and those not; and, if the facts are as alleged, what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

(who replied) said: the hon. Gentleman is, of course, aware that the only action that the Executive could take in reference to James Wason would be to prosecute him for a criminal offence, in case there was evidence to show that such an offence has been committed by him. I have caused inquiries to be made on this subject; and as the matter may come before a legal tribunal it is not expedient for me to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War, What number of Lieutenant Colonels under 60 years of age will be compulsorily retired in July next, and what will be the annual amount of the half-pay of the officers so retired; and, whether he will lay upon the Table a Statement showing the financial effect of the recent Royal Warrant as to compulsory retirement?

From the present time to the end of July there will be no compulsory retirement of Lieutenant Colonels, although a certain number will vacate their regimental appointments on completing the term for which their appointments were made. While unemployed, these officers will be on half-pay at 11s. per day. A calculation was made last summer on the probable financial effect of the then intended Royal Warrant; but several important changes were made later in the conditions. The calculation does not, therefore, now hold, and a new one, showing the effect of the "Warrant as promulgated, is now being made. When completed, I will consider whether I can lay on the Table a statement of the financial effect of the Royal Warrant.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he has seen, in this morning's Daily News, a report of an inquest held on the body of Eliza Ryan, aged 62, in the St. Pancras Workhouse; whether he will inquire if it is true, as stated in the report, that the woman was placed in solitary confinement for 12 hours on bread and water,

"In a cell at the workhouse some nine or ten feet beneath the basement of the main building,"

while suffering from inflammation of the lungs following on chronic bronchitis; whether he will inquire into the statement of the master that he ordered the confinement "as a punishment, in the exercise of his lawful authority," for offensive language to the matron; under what statute have masters of workhouses a power of summary jurisdiction in such cases; and, what steps will be taken in the matter if it is found death was hastened by the punishment?

I have made inquiry respecting this case. I am informed that it is not the fact that the woman was placed in solitary confinement as stated in the Question. The room in which she was placed was on the basement of the main building. Although the woman had occasionally been under medical treatment for chronic bronchitis during the past five years, she had not, prior to her last illness, been under any treatment during the past three months, and she was not placed in the punishment room until after she had been seen by the assistant medical officer. On the day following she was apparently in her ordinary state of health, and was at work in the needle-room. On the second day she left the workhouse to attend the funeral of her mother, and on her return she told one of the inmates that she had caught a chill while in the cemetery. She died six days afterwards; and both the medical officer and the assistant medical officer concur in the view that the commencement of the illness from which she died was the shivering and chill taken at the cemetery. At the inquest the verdict was that the death was duo to natural causes, and 11 of the 12 jurymen desired to add to their verdict that no blame attached to the workhouse officers. The woman, I am informed, was punished for being very drunk, violent in her conduct, and for using abusive and insolent language, and per- sisting in doing so. The punishment was duly reported by the master in the punishment book, and was approved by the Workhouse Visiting Committee. The Rules as to the punishment of refractory paupers are contained in the Regulations of the Local Government Board as to the management of the workhouse.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether Article 272 of the Queen's Regulations states—

"Of the total number of Chief Gunners and Chief Boatswains, including Officers holding either rank by virtue of their appointments, one-half shall be composed of Chief Gunners;"

whether The Navy List has, for a considerable time past, contained the names of 18 Chief Boatswains, and of 17 Chief Gunners; whether there were 18 Chief Gunners on the Active List before the retirement of Mr. Bechervaise; whether that officer, although retired, is at present doing duty at the Admiralty; and, whether he still draws full pay, and therefore keeps the number of Chief Gunners on the Active List at 17?

Promotion to the rank of Chief Gunner is not regulated by seniority alone; but is, as in the case of Chief Boatswains and Chief Carpenters, by selection of the most deserving officers. The selection of these officers is a matter of very careful consideration, and the claims of the various officers with regard to age, seniority, and service at sea are carefully compared. The promotions made are the result of these comparisons, and not, as the hon. Member appears to infer, in consequence of favouritism on the part of any individual member of the Board. There is no intention of altering the present practice of promotion in these ranks. There are on the list at the present time 31 Chief Gunners and Chief Boatswains; of these, 17 are Chief Gunners. In the present month's Navy List there appears 18 Chief Boatswains, there happening to be that number for a few days pending the pensioning of one of these officers. There were not 18 gunners on the Active List before Mr. Bechervaise's removal. Sir An- thony Hoskins had personal cognizance of Mr. Lee's good service. Mr. Bechervaise is doing duty at the Admiralty; but his vacancy was duly filled up, and his retention in his present post in no way affects, nor has affected, the number of Chief Gunners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, taking into consideration that there is no power or authority to deal with buildings not licensed but used for public performances, he will advise Her Majesty's Government to bring in a Public Bill constituting an authority who shall have the same powers over unlicensed, but public, buildings as is at present exercised under the Act 41§ 42 Vict. s. 32, and to include a definition of the meaning of the word "public "building?

I understand that this question is now engaging the attention of a Committee of the Metropolitan Board of Works, who are the constituted authority to carry the Metropolitan Management Act into effect. Any representation which they may address to me will receive my best attention; but I can hold out no prospect of Her Majesty's Government being able to legislate on the subject this Session.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any record has been kept of the plants, seeds, and specimens received at the Royal Gardens, Kew, and of the work done in connection with them, and of the information received from abroad, no Report having been issued since that for the year 1882?

A minute record is kept of everything received in the several Departments of Kew Gardens. Mainly owing to the protracted illness of the late Curator the work of compiling the Annual Reports has fallen into arrear; but materials for the series of 1883 to 1886 are in hand, and it is hoped to issue them all this year. In response to the demands for the publication more speedily than in the Annual Report of information received from abroad, I have sanctioned the publication of a monthly bulletin, which can be purchased for a small sum.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will make representations to the authority having custody of the shorthand writers' original notes and transcripts of the proceedings of the Cowper Commission, to insure facilities being accorded to Members of this House to inspect such notes and transcripts so far as the same record the evidence of witnesses?

I know of no reason why I should take such an unusual course as is here suggested.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether last year there was a fresh outbreak of discontent, accompanied with violence, in the Rumpa Country, Madras, and to what extent?

There has not been an outbreak of discontent in the Rumpa District. Last June or July 25 hillmen in the Gudem District burnt a police station and two bungalows. They were speedily dispersed and arrested.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Royal Warrant issued 1st January, 1887, has made an alteration of great importance to officers holding the rank of Major in Her Majesty's Service, who were promoted before the 1st January, 1887; whether it is the case that the pension of £300 a-year previously granted cannot now be obtained until the age of 48 has been reached; and, whether the previous Warrant will be taken to apply to those who were promoted under it, especially as a considerable proportion of those now holding the rank of Major purchased their first Commissions, and can no longer expect to receive compensation for the money which they have so advanced?

It was not intended that the Royal Warrant of January 1, 1887, should diminish in any way the privileges as to retirement enjoyed by pro-warrant Majors; but, by a clerical error, in removing the obligation to retire after seven years' service in the rank, the right to retire at that period was taken away also. The mistake was at once discovered, and Her Majesty has signed a Warrant rectifying it. The Article will be corrected in its next issue.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the late senior member of the Madras Civil Service and senior member of Council in the Government of Madras has been compelled to resign because he was unable to meet the charges brought against him, of having infringed the terms of the Civil Service Covenant forbidding the holding of land by Civil servants; whether other Madras Civil servants are known to be land-owners, or shareholders in Land Companies, or otherwise interested in land speculation within the Presidency, or in Native States under the Madras Government, all of which practices are forbidden by the Civil Service Covenant or the Orders of the Government of India; whether Civil servants who have notified these breaches of the covenant to the Madras Government have been subjected to most unfair treatment, that has been acknowledged by, and partially redressed by, the Secretary of State; and, whether the Secretary of State will order a general inquiry into the subject, or take such steps as are necessary for the cessation of these irregularities, the future strict observance of the covenant, and the full protection of those Civil servants who, in the discharge of their duty, are bound to inform the superior authorities of eases of infringement of the covenant?

Charges of the kind stated were brought against the gentleman referred to, and before any decision was arrived at he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. To the second and third Question my answer is, No. Such steps as are necessary to insure the future strict observation of the Regulation in question have already been taken by the Secretary of State.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether there are a sufficient number of Lieutenants and Sub-Lieutenants upon The Navy List, to carry on the duties of the service as watchkeepers, and to take command of torpedo and picket boats in time of war; and, if so, how it comes that in a time of peace their Lordships recently refused to accept the resignation of a Lieutenant who was able to give what have, until recently, been considered sufficient grounds to have such a request granted?

Exceptional measures would have to be taken in time of war to provide the number of Lieutenants and Sub-Lieutenants required for the duties specified, which could not be resorted to in time of peace. Owing to various causes there was at the latter part of last year an insufficient number of Lieutenants available to meet all the requirements at that time; so the Admiralty were, in consequence, compelled in the public interest to withhold their assent for the time to certain officers of that rank resigning their commissions.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the following statements, which appeared in The Times of last Friday, are true:—That a determined effort was made on the previous night to burn the house of Inspector Kerin at Youghal; that the crowd broke the windows of the Protestant Schools and the Methodist Church at Youghal; that children of 12 to 14 years of age were found drunk in the doorways, early on Thursday morning, in the streets of Youghal; and, whether any official Report, in reference to the above alleged outrages, was made by the local police officer to the authorities at Dublin Castle previous to this Question appearing on the Notice Paper?

This Question was on the Paper for Tuesday without Notice. The hon. Member was then informed that local inquiry was necessary. He has put it down again without leaving time for the receipt of the reply in course of post, even assuming that the local officer could answer by return, and without making any inquiry. All I can say, therefore, is that no official Report had up to yesterday been received in Dublin as to the alleged occurrences.

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not aware that a contradiction of the report in The Times appeared in the London papers last Saturday?

I have got no official Report yet.

Will the right hon. Gentleman permit me to ask——

Order, order!

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, What steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Duke of Edinburgh's Committee as to making provision for the widows of seamen in the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines?

The Admiralty have not yet been able to take practical action on this Report; but if my hon. and gallant Friend would confer with me I could point out to him the nature of the difficulties we have to contend with.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether there is any reason why the usual Government Grant should not be given to the Greenwich Hospital Schools, in the same way as to other schools of a similar nature?

, in reply, said, no application had ever been made to the Department on behalf of the schools. Should such an application be made, he saw no reason why they should not deal with the case on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Homo Department, Whether he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to make a Report showing the working of the Regulations made, in 1880, for carrying out the Prosecution of Offences Acts. 1879 and 1884, with statistics showing the number, nature, cost, and result of the proceedings instituted by the Director in accordance with those Regulations; and, whether he will lay such Report upon the Table before the Vote for Public Prosecutions is taken?

I have consulted the Director of Public Prosecutions, and he tells me that he will be able to prepare such a Return as the right hon. Member asks for; and, provided the Vote for Public Prosecutions is not taken before Easter, the Return will be ready before then. There will be no objection to lay the Return on the Table of the House.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether, in August, 1881, the Commissioner of the Nilgiri Hills, ex-officio President of the Municipality, ordered the local fund engineer to value certain municipal buildings in Ootacamund; whether the engineer reported their value to be Rs. 3200; whether, in spite of this valuation, these buildings were then sold privately to the senior member of the Madras Board of Revenue for Rs. 100 only; whether these facts were last year formally brought to public notice; and, whether, as the matter has been so severely commented on by the Native and European Press in India, he will say whether these statements are true?

the statements alluded to in the Question have been made by one officer of the Madras Government, and denied by another. As no formal inquiry has been made into the accuracy of the statements, I am unable to say whether they are true or not.

asked the Secretary of State for War, The number of Martello towers that are situate on the coast between Brighton and Dover, and if he can say for what purposes they are used; if the sites of these Martello towers could not be adapted, at a very small cost, to a "disappearing system" of fortifications, by substituting a pit in place of the tower and adopting the Moncrieff gun carriage; what, if any, fortifications exist on the South East Coast, from Pevensey Bay to Pett Level; and, whether the old Military Canal at the last-named place, now unused, could not be adapted to defensive purposes?

(who replied) said: There are 43 Martello towers between Brighton and Dover, one of which is armed with a 7-inch rifled breech-loading gun. Nineteen carry smooth-bore ordnance; and the remainder are used as barracks, or let. the sites could be made use of for guns; but the towers themselves could not be adapted to "disappearing," or any other modern mounting for heavy guns. With the exception of 14 towers, all at Povensey, there arc no fortifications between Pevensey Bay and the Pelt Level at Winchelsea. The old Military Canal retains its value as an obstacle in the event of a hostile force landing in the neighbourhood.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the services of the acting Roman Catholic Army Chaplains at Portsmouth, Hilsea, Fareham, Dover, Shorncliffe, Colchester, and Cyprus are to be dispensed with; if it is the intention of the Authorities, on the retirement of the nest Roman Catholic Commissioned Chaplain, not to fill up the vacancy; and, if so, whether, in view of the number of Roman Catholics serving in the Army, the War Office will reconsider their determination relative to the dismissal of Roman Catholic Chaplains; and, if a corresponding induction is proposed to be made in the number of Church of England Army Chaplains?

the acting Roman Catholic Chaplains at Portsmouth, Chatham, and Colchester are to be relieved by commissioned Chaplains returning from Egypt on the reduction of the force there. The acting Chaplain at Cyprus was sent out specially on account of the invalids from Egypt; and as there is no longer an invalid depot there he has been brought homo, and sent to relieve the acting Chaplains at Hilsea and Fareham. It has also been decided to dispense with an acting Chaplain at Dover, as the work there is not considered to be more than sufficient for one Chaplain. No change is contemplated at Skorncliffe. There is no intention of reducing the number of Roman Catholic commissioned Chaplains. The Church of England acting Chaplains will also be reduced, as a consequence of troops coming home from Egypt.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether arrangements will be made to enable the Cadets of the Royal Military School at Woolwich to take part under their own officers in the Review which is to take place at Aldershot in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee?

the arrangements for this Review are not yet complete, and I cannot, therefore, answer this Question at present. But I may say that the amount of money at my disposal is very limited.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, considering that Tuesday, the 21st of June, is to be observed as a public holiday, he can see his way to recommend that the Monday previous should, by Royal Proclamation or otherwise, be kept as a special Bank Holiday, so as to grant to Her Majesty's subjects three consecutive days in which to celebrate Her Jubilee?

I am sorry to say that I cannot hold out any prospect to my hon. and gallant Friend that Monday, the 20th of June, will be proclaimed as a national holiday, in addition to Tuesday, the 21st.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether his attention has been called to the reported presence of chrysalide of the Hessian fly in the siftings of threshing machines in Hertfordshire and Essex; and, whether, in view of the urgency of the danger, he will take stops at once to publish official instructions on the subject?

(who replied) said: The attention of the Agricultural Department has been called to this matter, and specimens of both infested substances have been sent to the Department by Mr. Whitehead. A warning has been printed, and is about to be issued to all Local Authorities in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is a fact that the principal posts in the Inland Revenue Department in Dublin are filled by Englishmen, and if the two important posts of Controller of Legacy Duty and Controller of Stamps were filled by transfers of minor Clerks from the London Office to these appointments, over the heads of competent Irishmen, of long experience, in the Irish Office in Dublin; if it is a fact that a scheme of re-organization is at present being carried out by an official from London; if there is any rule in the Department which excludes Irishmen from promotion; and, if he will lay upon the Table the draft scheme of reorganization before it has been finally adopted?

I am informed that the answer to all the Questions of the hon. Member is no, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen a copy of the following letter, which was addressed by Dr. Charles Ronayne, J.P. (the only magistrate living in the town of Youghal) to Mr. Kerin, the District Inspector of Youghal:—

This Question has been referred to the District Inspector for the local inquiries necessary. There has not been time for the receipt of his reply.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the number of days' Notice he will require to be given of a Question for the purpose of receiving an answer by telegraph from an official in Ireland?

It entirely depends upon the special circumstances of each case.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether repeated applications have been made by residuary legatees and others interested in the estates of deceased persons, to the Controller of Legacy and Succession Duties, for office copies of residuary accounts passed by executors; whether such applications are refused, unless upon an order of the executors or an order of one of Her Majesty's Judges of the Court of Chancery; and, whether persons interested are obliged to apply to the Court for an administration suit where executors refuse to render proper accounts to beneficiaries, and are thus put to unnecessary expense; and, if so, whether the present rule cannot be altered?

It is the fact that applications are at times made by persons for inspection of residuary accounts passed by executors, and that such applications are refused unless the written consent of the executors is obtained the documents are also produced in Court on subpœna. It is also the fact that when executors refuse to render accounts beneficiaries have to apply to the Court for an order for administration of the estate. The documents at the Inland Revenue Office are filed there merely for the purpose of the Revenue, and not for public inspection, and are treated as quasi-confidential documents. The Inland Revenue officials have no means of ascertaining whether persons making the application are, or are not, persons interested, or beneficiaries. It would, in my opinion, be detrimental to the Public Service if intending litigants were permitted to have access to the books and papers filed at Somerset House; as, in the circumstances, I do not see that the Rule can or ought to be altered.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether his attention has been called to the recent out break among the students at the Exeter Training College; and, whether it is his intention to institute any inquiry into the circumstances attending it, and into the complaints of the second year students in regard to the teaching staff?

A detailed statement of the circumstances attending the outbreak at the Exeter Training College has been placed in my hands by the Principal of the College, from which it appears that the students have now submitted to discipline, and expressed their regret for what occurred. No further inquiry on this point seems to be necessary; but I have thought it best to communicate with Her Majesty's Inspector of Training Colleges, who, at his next visit, will pay special attention to the qualifications of that member of the teaching staff in respect of whom complaint has been made.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the action of certain Local Authorities in Scotland with regard to forbidding the importation of cattle from Ireland generally; whether any distinction is made by these Authorities either as to the locality or port from which cattle are sent or as to the sort of cattle, whether store or dairy-cattle; whether any disease has been traced to any, and what, Irish port and what class of cattle was affected; whether he will call the attention of the Scottish Authorities to page 22 of the last Report of the Agricultural Department of the English Privy Council, where it is shown that 69 per cent of the cases of pleuro-pneumonia in Scotland are shown to be in the dairy stock of Glasgow and Edinburgh; whether he will make representations in the proper quarter in Scotland, so as to prevent these powers of sanitary regulations from being an injury to the export trade of Ireland; whether it is a fact that two years ago some similar action was taken but afterwards modified, so far as the Ports of Derry and Belfast were concerned, on the protest of the Irish Authorities; and, whether he will take similar energetic action to have the same modifications made immediately?

This subject is much too extensive and important to be dealt with satisfactorily within the limits of the answer to a Question. The Scottish Local Authorities have no power to prohibit generally the importation of cattle from Ireland. They have power to prohibit the movement of cattle into their districts from other districts in Great Britain; and the attention of the Veterinary Department in Ireland has recently been drawn to the manner in which this power has, in some cases, been exercised, as being calculated to interfere with the export trade in Ireland. This, I presume, is what the hon. Member refers to. With regard to the recent detection of disease at Irish ports, the facts are that pleuro-pneumonia has been detected in three dairy cattle at the Port of Dublin, and that one bullock shipped at Drogheda was also found to be similarly affected. With the exception of the Dublin District Ireland is, I am happy to say, entirely free from pleuro-pneumonia. So far as I have been able to ascertain, the circumstances of the present difficulty with the Scottish Authorities are not precisely similar to those of a former occasion to which the hon. Member refers, and they may possibly not be so easily arranged; but I shall give instructions to the Veterinary Department in Dublin to communicate at once to the Agricultural Department of the English Privy Council the representations already made, and also any further representations that may be received on the subject, and to request that Department to urge upon the Scottish Local Authorities to exercise their powers with as much consideration for the Irish export trade as is possible.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the attention of the Government has been directed to the proceedings of an important Conference held on the 21st January, to consider the question of the distress existing in London, at which a Resolution was passed calling upon the Government to institute an exhaustive inquiry into the extent, character, and causes of the distress existing in London; and, if so, whether it is contemplated that any steps should be taken to give effect to the views of the Conference?

Yes, Sir; the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been directed to the Conference in question, which was of an essentially representative character. The Resolution passed at such Conference was forwarded to the Prime Minister, who has conferred with me on the subject, with the result that the Government have determined to institute an inquiry as to the employment and earnings and other particulars with regard to the working classes in four typical districts in the Metropolis. The districts selected are in St. George's-in-the-East, Battersea, Deptford, and Hackney. Each district has a population of about 50,000 persons, and is chiefly populated by persons of the working classes. The information which it is sought to obtain is of an exhaustive character; and the inquiries will be made from house to house by enumerators acting under the Registrars of Births and Deaths in the several districts. The Registrar General, through the agency of his Department, will render all the assistance he can to secure accuracy in the Returns. The Returns will be tabulated in the General Register Office, and will afterwards be submitted to Parliament. The inquiry will, I hope, commence on Saturday.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is true, as stated in a letter from Cairo to The Times of Wednesday, that—

"A poor man cannot bring his cow or buffalo into the town without paying 20 francs each time for the transit;"

whether there is any truth in the assertion made in the same letter, that, in consequence of the heavy octroi—

"Whole loads of cabbages, &c, are actually often thrown away, because: the tax on their admission is more than the cultivator could hope to gain on the sale;"

and, whether there is any reason to believe, as alleged, that—

"The land, which ought to he one of the most fertile in the world, is made comparatively barren by these; oppressive exactions, which, added to a heavy Land Tax, become actually crushing?"

The Octroi Duty in Egyptian towns is heavy, and a Bill was lately introduced into the Legislative Council to modify it in favour of the country people; but the Council did not pass it. Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe, as alleged in the Question of the hon. Member, that the land is going out of cultivation on account of these and other burdens; on the contrary, though the Land Tax is still heavy, cultivation is extending itself, the indebtedness of the peasantry has diminished, and their material condition has improved.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the regular Constabulary Force for the North Riding of the County of Tipperary stands at 309 men; whether out of that number there are at present only 266 men in active service in the district; whether the sum of £1,000 is annually paid out of the Riding for what is termed extra police; whether, including the so-called extra police, the regular force is at present short to the number of 19; and, if so, whether he will fill up the regular Parliamentary quota, and relieve the ratepayers from this tax for extra police who are not in the district; whether, at the recent Spring Assizes at Nenagh, where the presentment for this extra police tax was opposed, the Pro-siding Judge, Baron Dowse, replying to the Traverser, made use of these words—

"It is imperative on me to pass this presentment, otherwise I would be most happy to concede to the just application;"

whether he will inform the House, or give a Return, as to the number of per- sons who are at present under police protection, and the number of men employed in discharge of protection duty in North Tipperary; and, for what purpose, with the comparative absence of crime in the county, as stated by Baron Dowse, the ratepayers are burdened with this tax for extra police?

Part of this Question I have already answered. It is renewed with some additions, and without Notice, and it cannot be fully answered without local inquiry on some points. I can at once say, however, that the entire free force is not 309 men, as stated by the hon. Member, but 266.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will obtain exactly the number of extra police employed in police protection?

I have just told the other hon. Member that I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the intention of the Government to offer a reward for the apprehension of the perpetrators of the recent Kentish Town murder, as recommended by various members of the Coroner's Jury?

The question of offering a reward in the case of this murder is still under consideration; but, as the hon. Member may be aware, rewards are only offered by the Home Office under very exceptional circumstances.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can inform the House when the Motion will be made for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the Army Estimates?

It is the intention of the Government, so soon as the necessary Votes have been taken in the Navy Estimates, to move to refer the Army and Navy Estimates to a Select Committee, to report their observations on the several Votes to the House.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he is aware that a notice to the following effect was posted yesterday at Haul-bowline Dockyard Works:—

"On 1st June 80 men monthly to be discharged.—By order of Lords Commissioners of Admiralty;"

whether, in the event of the Motion to be made as to the subject of the disappointing rate of progress which is being made with Haulbowline Works, he will direct all steps in pursuance of this official notice to be held in abeyance pending a full debate on this subject in the House?

, in reply, said, he quite sympathized with the hon. Gentleman's object; but the fact was that the notice in question was given because the work on which the men were engaged was just approaching completion.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the growing magnitude of the Metropolitan debt secured on the rates, and the great burden thereby imposed on the ratepayers, the Government will consider the desirability of introducing a Bill to limit the total borrowing powers on this security?

The borrowing powers of the Metropolitan Board of Works are granted by an annual Act of Parliament. The Treasury require that the Bill for this purpose should have attached to it tables showing over a series of years the borrowing powers, the progress of the debt and of the sinking fund, and the amount of rate levied, in order that Metropolitan Members and others interested in the question may have the means of forming a judgment upon the general financial policy of the Board, and may be in a position to discuss the whole question, or the particular provisions of the Bill, when it is before the House. It appears to me that it lies with the Metropolitan Members, rather than with Her Majesty's Government, to call the attention of the House to this question of Local Government, if they should consider that the indebtedness of the Metropolis is increasing at too great a rate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the following Question, of which I have given him private Notice:—Whether he has seen the report in to-day's London papers of the proceedings at the inquest of the fisherman O'Hanlon, killed by the police at Youghal, at which Mr. Somerville, the police officer, swore there was no truth in the Chief Secretary's statement that 21 out of 22 policemen were severely injured, and that he (Mr. Somerville) had not made any such report to the authorities; and, if so, whether the Chief Secretary will state to the House from what source he received the information he conveyed to the House on Tuesday?

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, I made the statement in answer to a Question put to me without Notice by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor), and in making the statement I said I would not guarantee its accuracy. What I stated was that 21 out of 22 policemen were injured. What appears to be the fact is that 21 out of the 22 were hit, that 15 of them were hurt, and three of them were severely hurt.

Has the right hon. Gentleman since seen the statement, sworn to by Mr. Somerville, that there was no truth in the statement he made to the House on Tuesday night?

said, so far as he could make out, the statement of District Inspector Somerville was correct.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state who first gave him his information?

I have given the right hon. Gentleman private Notice of the following Question:—Whether he is aware that at the inquest on O'Hanlon, now being held at Youghal, the Coroner has made frequent complaints about receiving no assistance from the police officer; whether the District Inspector refused to execute a warrant against a policeman who was committed for contempt of Court; and, whether he will telegraph orders to the police officer at Youghal to render the same assistance in this case as he would in a case in which the suspected culprit was not a member of the Constabulary?

I have received no information to that effect; and, under the circumstances, I could not think of sending such a telegram.

The information is in this morning's papers.