reported from the Select Committee on East India (Hyderabad Deccan Mining Company), That they had made progress in the matter to them referred, and had come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report to the House, and the Resolution of the Committee is as followeth:— That the Committee having received applications from the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Deccan Mining Company, the Sirdar Diler Jung, Mr. Witham Clarence Watson, Mr. Henry Parkinson Sharp, and Mr. James Graham. Stewart to be represented by Counsel before the Committee, the Committee are of opinion that it will be advisable to allow Counsel to represent the said Applicants for the purpose of assisting the Committee to such extent and purposes as the Committee may from time to time direct.

asked, whether it was intended by the Resolution which had been moved by the right hon. and learned Gentleman to impose any restriction upon the most searching inquiry?

said, there was no intention of putting any limitation upon the inquiry. It was, however, intended to impose a limit upon the action of Counsel in matters which the Committee did not think it necessary to inquire into. They thought it was necessary to assert their right to control Counsel.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether A. E. Fleury, reported in The Lisburn Standard, of April 14 last, as having been appointed incumbent's churchwarden, at a meeting of the annual Easter Vestry of the parish of Christ Church, Lisburn, held on the 4th of April last, the Rev. Arthur J. Moore, M.A., in the chair, is the Constabulary District Inspector of Lisburn; and, whether Mr. Fleury was present at said meeting, when a Resolution in favour of the continuance of the Irish Sunday Closing Act and its extension to the five cities now exempted was passed unanimously; and, if so, whether it is in conformity with the Regulations of the Service for a member of the Constabulary Force to accept or hold any such appointment, or to support, or to assist in the passing of a Resolution at any meeting condemnatory of any Act of Parliament which it is his duty to enforce?

The Inspector General of Constabulary reports that it is the case that District Inspector Fleury was appointed incumbent's churchwarden at Lisburn. A meeting was held at which a Resolution in favour of the Irish Sunday Closing Act was passed. As a matter of fact, Mr. Fleury took no part in the discussion, nor was he, as far as I am aware, present. There is no Rule providing that men in the position of District Inspector should not occupy such a position as that of churchwarden; but the Inspector General recommends the Force not to join Local Bodies.

Do I understand that Mr. Fleury was not present when the Resolution was passed?

He was not present, as I understand.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether his attention has been called to recent articles published in The Port of Spain Gazette, with reference to the articles which appeared in a Spanish paper called El Venezolano, published in Trinidad, and containing language insulting to Great Britain; whether he is aware if the paper in question is the property of General Guzman Blanco; and, whether the Government is prepared to take any steps to prevent the publication in one of Her Majesty's neighbouring Possessions of articles openly inciting the Venezuelans to attack Her Majesty's Colony of British Guiana?

(who replied) said: The attention of the Secretary of State has been called by a letter from the hon. Member to an article of the nature referred to. The Secretary of State has no information as to the ownership of El Venezolano; and, as this newspaper is stated to circulate in Trinidad only among a few Venezuelans, Her Majesty's Government do not think it necessary to take steps to prevent the publication in it of such articles.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the most highly cultivated counties of Scotland, Fife and the Lothians, are to have no better Ordnance Survey than the old 6-inch scale, since the last Report says nothing of any new survey on the larger scale?

, in reply, said, it was intended to take up the revision of the Ordnance Survey of Scotland as soon as the re-survey of Lancashire and Yorkshire had been completed. That would be in about four years. It could not be done sooner.

asked, if it could be done on a larger scale than the present?

Yes; when the resurvey is made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that no attempt has yet been made to comply with Section 12 of "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887," at the Bank Hall Colliery, Burnley, the Townley Collieries, or the Cliviger Colliery, respectively; on what date, or dates, since the 1st of January last, the said collieries were respectively inspected by the District Inspector of Mines; and, whether he reported the total absence of weighing machines at each of the above-named collieries; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The reason that no attempt has been made at these collieries to comply with Section 12 of the Act of 1887 is that they have been working in accordance with exemptions granted under the Act of 1872. It is a legal question whether these exemptions are now in force; and I informed the House some days ago that steps are being taken to have this question settled by a prosecution in a Court of Law. The Bank Hall Colliery was visited on January 25 and 26; the Townley Collieries on February 11 and April 23 and 24; and the Cliviger Colliery on January 28 and March 24. The Absence of weighing machines was brought to my notice shortly afterwards.

(for Mr. PINKERTON) (Galway) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Mr. James Giffin, merchant, Ballymena, on the 7th of May last, ordered a summons from the Clerk of Petty Sessions against Constable Haughny, for abusive language; whether the Clerk filled the summons, and handed it to Alexander Bell, summons server, to have it signed by a magistrate; whether Bell went to the Hon. John Young, J.P., D.L., and requested him to sign the summons; whether Mr. Young, after refusing to sign it, tore the summons into pieces, threw them at his feet, and said to the process server—"You can report me, if you like;" and, whether, under these circumstances, the attention of the Lord Chancellor will be called to the matter?

It is the case that the magistrate referred to refused to sign the document presented to him, requiring that the case should be proceeded with by civil summons. An application for a civil summons was a few days afterwards made at the Court of Petty Sessions, at the suggestion of Mr. Young, before the magistrates, who were unanimous in refusing it, thus showing that the magistrate had exercised a proper discretion. I do not think that, under these circumstances, it was necessary that the attention of the Lord Chancellor should be called to it.

asked that he might be allowed to draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to what appeared to him to be the gravamen of the matter—namely, that Mr. Young, J.P., D.L., tore up the information and threw it at his feet and said—" You can report me if you like."

said, Mr. Young was not at home, and he could not answer the Question contained in the last paragraph but one.

(for Mr. PINKERTON) (Galway) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware of defalcations in connection with Ballymena Union, through the acts of the late clerk, F. A. Mathews, to the amount of £1,700; whether, before his appointment as clerk of the Union, he had been found guilty of dishonesty in his previous clerkships; whether the auditor (Major Studdart) always certified the accounts as being correct, and bonds of relieving officers as being produced, when, in point of fact, some of the sureties were dead; whether he is aware that a section of the Board are opposed to any inquiry, while other Guardians are in favour of an inquiry being held; whether the Local Government Board have been memorialized to grant a sworn investigation, and if he can state their reason for refusing to grant it; whether he is also aware that Mr. F. A. Mathews was High Constable, and that the office has since been filled by another nominee of the Grand Jury, without due notice, and without competition; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will order the Local Government Board to grant a sworn inquiry?

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Mr. Mathews held the office of clerk of Ballymena Union for a period of 42 years, having been elected in 1846. I have no information as to the alleged dishonesty on his part before his election. The accounts of the Union have been certified by Colonel Studdart, auditor, as correct down to the time he discovered the defalcations. At each audit of the accounts the bonds of the relieving officers were produced. Colonel Studdart is not aware that any of the sureties are dead. I have no knowledge as to a section of the Board of Guardians being opposed to any inquiry. The Guardians did adopt a Resolution asking for the holding of a sworn inquiry as to the entire business of the Union. The Local Government Board replied that if specific charges were preferred against any responsible officers they would consider the propriety of in- stituting an inquiry. Mr. Mathews's defalcations are under investigation by a committee of the Guardians, assisted by the Local Government Board Inspector. If charges affecting any of the remaining officers of the Union are submitted to the Local Government Board the propriety of ordering a sworn inquiry will be considered.

asked the Chief Secretary, how it was that the Local Government Board were so reluctant to take action in a case of this kind; whereas in the case of the Listowel Union they had of their own initiative taken action and held an inquiry? He asked, whether the difference in politics made any difference in the action of the Local Government Board?

said, the difference in politics made no difference in the action of the Board. He saw no sign of reluctance on the part of the Board to take necessary action.

(for Mr. LEAHY) (Kildare, S.) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether Thomas Sweeney, the National School teacher, of Ballyroe Leinster Lodge, County Kildare, whose health has broken down with chronic bronchitis and asthma, has been ordered by the doctors to go to a warm climate, and to enable him to do so he has applied to the Commissioners of Education for a retiring gratuity instead of a pension, which application has been backed by the Reverend James Doyle, P.P., who knows the peculiar state of the case; whether, he being over 55 years of age, a Treasury Rule operates against this course; and, if he will take into consideration the necessity of relaxing this Rule, so as to grant him a sum sufficient to enable him to follow the doctor's advice, and the only way they think of saving his life?

I am sorry that nothing can be done by the Treasury to meet this distressing case; but the Teachers Pension Act of 1879 does not allow the grant of gratuities to male teachers retiring at 55 years of age and upwards; and the Treasury has no power to alter the Rules laid down by that Act in favour of a particular teacher.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a report published in the Sydney newspapers of 13th and 14th of March, to the effect that a labourer named Michael Carroll had on the previous Sunday (11th March) confessed to the murder of Jane Maria Clousen in Kidbrooke Lane on the 25th of April, 1871, giving at the same time particulars sufficient to show that he was well acquainted with the locality and the circumstances connected with the commission of the crime, and stating that he had served in the British Army, from whence he had twice deserted; whether it is true that Carroll was discharged from custody on receipt of a telegraphic message from the Police Authorities in London that there was "not the slightest ground for his confession," and that he was "not the murderer;" and, if so, whether he can say by what means the London police were enabled to arrive at so prompt and definite a conclusion without having seen the prisoner, or having received fuller particulars than could be given in a telegraphic communication; and, whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the case, considering that the late Lord Chief Justice Bovill rebuked the police for withholding important evidence which conflicted with their theory of the murder?

I have seen a newspaper report of the confession of Carroll on March 11. In reply to telegram from the Sydney police, asking whether the man should be detained, the Scotland Yard Authorities replied that they did not consider this man to be Clousen's murderer, and that he might be liberated after his statement had been recorded, and they asked that the statement might be forwarded. This statement has been since received, and in the opinion of the police is not reliable. The police were not aware of any evidence or suspicion which would have warranted the detention of Carroll. With regard to the strictures passed on the police concerned in the case by the late Lord Chief Justice Bovill, I must refer my hon. Friend to a statement made in this House by Mr. Secretary Bruce on July 31, 1871.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If tent services held at Gortnessy, County Londonderry, under the auspices of the Irish Evangelization Society, have been disturbed by Nationalists for several nights, the tent wrecked and the services stopped; whether the population in the district is chiefly Presbyterian, and if they have suffered from attacks of stone throwing by parties of Roman Catholics on their way to or from the services; and, if he will take steps to protect this community in the exercise of their religious privileges?

The local Constabulary Authorities report that it is the case that the tent services in question have been on several evenings disturbed by the lower class Roman Catholics of the district, and that attempts have been made to wreck the tent. The better class Roman Catholics, however, have expressed their intention to use their influence to prevent these proceedings. The population in the district is mainly Presbyterian. It is alleged that on one evening stones were thrown at the congregation when returning home. The police have adopted full precautions to prevent a recurrence of this disgraceful behaviour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What is the number of persons who have been imprisoned for violation of the provisions of the Torquay Improvement Act with respect to street processions?

Thirty-three persons have been committed to prison in default of sufficient distress and payment of the penalties imposed for offences under the 38th section of the Torquay Improvement Act.

asked whether, having regard to the fact that 33 persons had been sent to prison for violation of a clause inserted in a Private Bill, against the views of the Government of the day, and without the knowledge of the House being called to it, he would introduce a Bill to repeal the clause?

said, he was afraid he must take time to consider that matter.

gave Notice that if the Home Secretary did not bring in such a Bill he (Mr. Henry H. Fowler), at the earliest opportunity after Whitsuntide would ask leave to bring in a Bill with that object.

asked the Home Secretary, whether the Government would be prepared to bring in a short Bill to repeal the clause interpolated into the Torquay Harbour Act of last year, and so put an end to this question?

asked whether, in view of the pledge given to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton to bring in a Bill to the effect stated, the Home Secretary had the power, and would use it, to represent to the Torquay magistrates, his intention to do so, and thus induce them to postpone any further action under the clause of the Torque Act?

I have no intention of the kind stated by hon. Members opposite, nor could I properly interfere with any further action of the magistrates under the law they administer.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he would consider the possibility of introducing into Provisional Order Bill now before the House, by which the Local Authorities of Torquay sought fresh powers, a clause repealing the clause of the existing Act dealing with street processions?

said, it was obvious he could come under no such obligation without full consideration and full notice of the desire of the House.

gave Notice that he would move the rejection of the Provisional Order Bill.

(for Mr. M'CARTAN) (Down, S.) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he is aware that there is no stamp distributor attached to the Land Commission Office at Dublin, and that persons requiring copies of orders or other documents there are obliged to pay the fees in stamps, and cannot obtain any stamps at the Land Commission Office; and, whether, considering the inconvenience and delay involved thereby, he will take into consideration the appointment of a stamp distributor at that Office?

It is the fact that there is no stamp distributor at the Land Commission Office; but the necessary stamps can be obtained at the post office about 100 yards distant. This being so, I cannot believe that any serious inconvenience can arise; and as there are serious objections to the appointment of a stamp distributor within the office, I can hold out no hope that the suggestion of the hon. Member will be adopted.

(for Mr. KILBRIDE) (Kerry, S.) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, How much money has been advanced to The MacGillycuddy or the Reeks by the Board of Works since the year 1879; what is the Poor Law valuation of the property on which this money is chargeable; how much, if any, of this loan has been paid back into the Treasury; who inspected the works for which this money was advanced; and, what provision is made to satisfy the Board of Works that money advanced for drainage purposes is so expended?

A total amount of £7,625 has been advanced for the improvement of land since 1879 on this estate, the annual valuation of which is £1,353. Of this amount £150 has at present been repaid. The works were inspected by two of the Inspectors appointed for such purposes. Issues on account of such loans are only made upon certificates of the Board of Works Inspectors as to the amount expended on the works.

asked, if the hon. Gentleman could state the character of the inspection in cases of this kind; and, whether the Treasury had any assurance as to the nature of the improvement effected by means of the loans?

said, he did not know whether the Treasury had any direct concern with the inspections while they were being made; but when he himself had been in Dublin at the end of last year he made some inquiry into this question, and he understood that the first inspection which was made before the loan was sanctioned was an inspection as to the value which would accrue to the property supposing the works to be carried out. He was informed also that as the works progressed, and before each instalment was paid, there was an inspection of the works which had been done up to the time. Therefore, it was clear that there was an inspection for the purpose of satisfying the requirements that the loan should be made, and also that the instalments were only paid after other inspections.

Does the Inspector see the receipt for the money expended?

said, he was afraid he could not say that. Besides, he was not sure whether the Inspector would rely upon the receipts; because he (Mr. Jackson) could conceive cases where a receipt might be produced for an amount in excess of what the Inspector deemed to be the value of the work. Therefore, he took it that the Inspector judged by his expert knowledge as to the actual value of the work performed.

asked the Lord Advocate, What amount of money was received by the Government for the sale of the Crown Lands or Bishopric Revenues of Orkney; and, to what purpose was the money so received devoted?

The amount of money received for the sale of Crown Lands or Bishopric Revenues of Orkney is £50,465 17s. 9d. It was not received by the Government, but by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, as part of the capital of the Land Revenues of the Crown, and applied in accordance with the Land Revenue Acts of Parliament to the purchase of real estate for the Crown, or to extinguish charges on other property of the Crown Land Revenues.

asked, whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman could state what portion of this money was devoted to the extension of public parks in London?

I am quite unable to answer that Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the statement of Colonel Rich, one of the Inspectors of the Board, after an inquiry held in July, 1887, as to a fatal accident to a boy named Reeves while working at the fish stage at New Milford Station, that the railway and station yard were most dangerous, and had been so for many years, and to the recommendation—

"That the Company be required to fence their property at once, and the Company should be urged to build a foot-bridge across their railway for the safety of their own servants and of the numerous labourers that are employed;"

whether about 600 men and boys are employed in and about the fish traffic and similar duties at New Milford Station; whether the Board of Trade has made any subsequent representations to the Railway Company; whether the Railway Company have as yet done anything to carry out Colonel Rich's recommendations; and, whether he will include cases of this nature of defective traffic accommodation among the matters for which he will ask for extended powers for the Board of Trade in the Bill recently foreshadowed?

Yes, Sir; Colonel Rich's Report on the accident in question has been before me, and the circumstances are practically as stated in the Question. A copy of the Report was sent to the Railway Company; but the Board of Trade have no power to compel the erection of a bridge. Negotia- tions, however, are pending, which the Board of Trade hope will result in the erection of a bridge; but I may add that had a bridge been in existence at the time the accident would not have been prevented. The case seems to be one of those as to which I indicated that, in my opinion, further legislation would be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a lottery, promoted by the Castleton-by-Rochdale Liberal Association, to be drawn on the 7th of July, in which the value of the prizes is stated to be £50, application for tickets being invited by the Secretary, Draw Committee, Liberal Club, Castleton; and, whether, if this is the case, he will communicate with the local police, with the view to such proceedings being taken as, under the circumstances, may be necessary?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been drawn to this lottery, and I am now in communication with the local police.

asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to his reply to a Question on the 13th of September last, Whether he has found it practicable to give the House information as to the approximate total annual charges for the transport of troops, for the supply and conveyance of purely military stores, and for the maintenance of garrisons at each of the naval coal depots abroad; and, if so, when he proposes to give that information?

(who replied) said: The time of the War Department has been so much over-occupied since the Question of my hon. Friend in September last that it has not been practicable to get together the information he asks for. I hope, however, to be able to furnish it at no distant date; but some very important questions affecting coaling stations are now under consideration by a small Inter-Departmental Committee, and it may be well to reserve the answer until their Report has been received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the statement, that the Russian Squadron in the Pacific consists of one iron-clad and five cruisers, is founded upon authoritative information; from what source such information was obtained; and, what are the names, armaments, and speed of the vessels composing that Squadron?

The statement I made with regard to the strength of the Russian Squadron in the Pacific is correct in every detail. It is not desirable to communicate the sources from which such information was received. The Squadron in question is composed of one belted frigate, two corvettes, three clippers of small tonnage, and seven gun vessels, of which four are practically condemned. I am not prepared to give, on the authority of the Admiralty, the further particulars asked for.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he will consider the desirability of having another entrance made into Hyde Park between Knightsbridge Barracks and Albert Gate owing to the continually increasing block of traffic at the latter place?

, in reply, said, he was not quite sure that, as far as the traffic inside the Gate was concerned, the change suggested would be an improvement. He had nothing to do with the outside of the Park; but if any representations were made to him by the Local Authorities in the sense of the Question of his hon. Friend it would be very carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he is now in a position to state anything as to the Return asked for in reference to the liquidation of Companies under the Act of 1862; and whether, if the production of the full Return asked for would be difficult or expensive, he would undertake to give a Return for two years, 1866 and 1867, as an example, showing the time occupied by and cost of liquidations under this Act?

I have ascertained that a Return can be given showing the names of Companies in liquidation since 1862, and of the solicitors and liquidators, with the dates of commencement and closing of liquidation, but not including the costs of liquidation, or the amounts realized and distributed amongst the creditors. But the Lord Chancellor has directed inquiry to be made as to the reasonable practicability of giving the complete Return for two years, as suggested by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, having regard to the vast population within the district of the Metropolitan Board of Works (the proposed limits of the County of London), he would object to that area being divided into two counties, one for the north side of the River Thames, and another for the south side; or whether he would consent to the business, both civil and criminal, arising on the north side of the River Thames and that on the south side of the River being transacted by separate authorities and officials?

Her Majesty's Government would not be prepared to assent to any proposal that the Metropolis should be divided into two counties, or that the business of the County Council of London arising on the north and south sides of the Thames should be transacted by separate Authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the fact that Van and Wheel Taxes are about to come into force, he will consider the justice and expediency of causing the military toll gates in the neighbourhood of Rye and elsewhere to be removed?

(who replied) said: The tolls received for the military road are used in aid of the maintenance of the road. If the County Board will undertake to maintain the road there will be no objection to the abolition of the tolls.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, under the Local Government Bill, the Treasury will continue to contribute to Local Authorities money in lieu of rates on Government property?

The arrangement under which the Treasury make contributions to Local Authorities in lieu of rates on Government property will not be affected by the provisions of the Local Government Bill.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether Her Majesty's Government has received any information from the Government of India relating to the import of wool into British India from Thibet, and the prospect of the profitable establishment of woollen factories within British territory in India?

No special Reports have been received; but the Trade Report shows that last year 3,464 cwt. of wool were imported into British India from Thibet. The factories established on the Baree Doab Canal and elsewhere are said to be doing fairly well.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, "Whether an application has recently been made to the Office of Works, or to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, to grant a piece of land in Richmond Park or in Petersham Park for the erection of a Vicarage; and, if so, whether any, and what, answer has been returned to such application?

, in reply, said, a Memorial was presented through the Home Office last February to this effect, and the usual preliminary inquiry was made. Information, especially as to the position of the desired site for the vicarage, was requested by letter from the Vestry Clerk on the 16th of April, but no reply had yet been received; and, pending the receipt of this information, the consideration of the Memorial is necessarily postponed.

asked, whether the House might understand that no definite action would be taken in the matter until there had been an opportunity of ascertaining its opinion?

said, he could not answer for the action which the Office of Woods might take.

gave Notice that he would address further Questions on the subject to the Secretary to the Treasury.

(for Mr. CRILLY) (Mayo, N.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If any date has been as yet fixed for the next sitting of the Land Sub-Commission Court in the County Dublin; and, if so, would he name the date fixed upon?

The Land Commissioners inform me that no date has yet been fixed.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a book, containing a copy of the Prison Rules, was excluded from a selection allowed in to Father M'Fadden, in Derry Gaol; and, if so, can he explain for what reason?

The General Board inform me that the Governor of the gaol declined to give the book referred to to the rev. gentleman, inasmuch as it was not one of those sanctioned by the Visiting Justices. The Visiting Justices had previously pointed out that all the Rules were hung up in his cell.

asked, was the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was any other matter objectionable in the book except the Prison Rules; and, whether there would be any objection in the case of a first-class misdemeanant obtaining these Rules?

said, that was a question which lay with the Visiting Justices, and not with himself.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any, and if so what, steps will be taken to insure the attendance of a paid magistrate at the Cork Police Court in the event of Mr. J. C. Gardiner, R.M, at present Stipendiary Magistrate in Cork, being employed out of the City of Cork to assist in forming a Court under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act?

Mr. Gardiner, while engaged in his other duties, experiences no difficulty in securing the attendance of local magistrates at the police court; and, if necessary, the attendance of another Resident Magistrate is arranged for.

asked how it happened, then, that the Court had had to be adjourned altogether on last Thursday week, in consequence of the absence of Mr. Gardiner, and of any of the other friends and employés of the right hon. Gentleman?

asked for Notice of the Question.

asked if he had not last year addressed a Question to the right hon. Gentleman on the subject; and if the right hon. Gentleman was not then obliged to acknowledge that, owing to the absence of the Resident Magistrate and the inaptitude of the local magistrates, the business of the Court was completely and absolutely stopped?

said, he was afraid that this and many other Questions addressed to him by the hon. Gentleman had escaped his memory.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that the Protestant chaplain to the Skibbereen Union receives a yearly salary of £20; and, if it is true that there are at present, and have been for a considerable time, only two Protestant inmates of the Union?

I am not able to answer the Question fully at present; I will give fuller particulars later. This salary of £20 has been given to the Protestant chaplain since his appointment in 1868. I believe there are at present three Protestant inmates in Skibbereen Workhouse; that does not, of course, include casuals.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a sentence imposed at New market Petty Sessions on last Friday, by Mr. O'Neill Segrave, R.M., and W. Monan, Esquire, upon a man named Daniel Pigott, of six months' imprisonment with hard labour; and, whether the statement made by Sergeant Walton, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, that the man was said to be of unsound mind, and was some time previously to have been sent to a lunatic asylum, will procure a medical investigation of the man's mental condition prior to the carrying out of the sentence?

I am afraid I cannot give the hon. Member any information on the subject at the present moment.

When will it be convenient to the right hon. Gentleman to answer? [No reply.]

Mr. Courtney, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to be courteous enough to give me an answer?

The hon. Member is the last person in the House I should desire to be discourteous to. I cannot give any answer at present, as I have not got the requisite materials by me. Subsequently, Dr. TANNER repeated the Question.

This case was heard before Captain Segrave, R.M., and a local Justice of the Peace, Mr. Langford. Pigott was charged with having committed a most dangerous assault on his wife with a spade, causing serious injuries to her head. Sergeant Walton stated that the man had once been examined by a medical man, who refused to certify that he was not of sound mind, but that he (the sergeant) thought he was not always in his right senses. There does not appear to have been any evidence that he had been in a lunatic asylum. The sentence was as stated in the Question. Should the Prison Authorities have any reason to doubt the man's sanity, they will, of course, take such steps as they may deem necessary in his case.

(for Mr. H. CAMPBELL) (Fermanagh, S.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can now state the result of his inquiries as to the practice adopted by the Poor Law Unions in Ireland, with regard to the service of the requisition forms under the Representation of the People Act?

I find by the Report of the Union clerks that the general practice is to deliver the requisition forms by hand to the persons rated, or leave them at the rated premises. In about 50 Unions, however, some of the forms were sent by post, chiefly in cases where the persons taxed lived at a distance.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he received a Memorial from the inhabitants of Newport, County Tipperary, praying to have a mid-day arrival and morning despatch of mails in connection with that town; and, what steps, if any, he has taken to meet the wishes of the Memorialists?

A Memorial such as the hon. Member describes was received from Newport, County Tipperary, in October last; but as it was found that the existing service in connection with the night mail was carried on at a loss, I was unable to sanction the additional expenditure for the establishment of a second post.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, When the Land Sub-Commissioners are likely to sit next at Carlow for the purpose of hearing the large number of cases of which notice has been given?

The Land Commissioners inform me a Sub-Commission will commence its sitting in the County Carlow on the 4th of June.

(for Mr. JOHN O'CONNOR) (Tipperary, S.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. John J. Therry, J.P., of Springvale, Kildorrery, County Cork, has been adjudicated a bankrupt; and, if so, whether he will be retained on the Commission of the Peace?

hesitated to rise.

Is this Question convenient to the right hon. Gentleman to answer?

I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that Mr. Therry has been adjudicated a bankrupt, and has ceased to hold the Commission of the Peace.

asked the Postmaster General, On what principle vacant Postmasterships in the Provinces are filled up; whether, in the case of several recent appointments to important offices in Provincial towns, officers of the Registered Letter and Money Order Departments have been appointed; and, whether, as the filling of such vacancies by a process other than that of selection from the general body of Postmasters retards promotion in this class of public servants, he will explain the grounds of these appointments?

The Question of the hon. Member would seem to imply that promotion to the more important post offices is by right confined to those who are Postmasters already. But such is not the case. When one of these post offices becomes vacant candidates are invited from all parts of the Post Office Service; and out of these candidates the Postmaster General selects the one whom he considers the best fitted for the duties to be discharged. Out of more than 200 such appointments which have been filled during the last 10 years, I find that one has been given to an officer of the Money Order Department; while the Registered Letter Department has received none at all.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the fact, as stated in the newspapers of Tuesday last, that 25 crofter families, or a total of 113 souls, left Stornoway on the previous day for Manitoba; and, whether he can inform the House how much land the emigration of these 25 families or 113 souls has been made available for those who remain?

Eighteen families have started from Lewis for Manitoba, numbering about 100 souls. Of these, two have left crofts, and 16 were cottars who had been squatters on crofts. I am unable at present to state the area of land thus vacated, or the relief to township common pasture, as I have not particulars of the distribution.

wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to continue to send cottars and crofters from Lewis during the Whitsuntide Recess, the Government having refused to lay before the House the scheme under which the crofters were sent?

said, the assumption in the last part of the Question was incorrect. The scheme was in print, and had been laid before Parliament. It was not intended to send any further emigrants from Lewis; but he expected some would be going from the Island of Harris.

asked, when the scheme would be in the hands of Members?

To-morrow.

asked, what arrangement had been made with regard to the tenant right of these crofters?

said, a letter had been sent pointing out to the factor of the landlord that an arrangement would be made by which any land that would be vacated was to be made available for the neighbouring crofters; but he could not speak in detail.

said, he would like the right hon. and learned Gentleman to explain to the House why these crofters had been sent away before any Parliamentary authority had been obtained?

An opportunity will be afforded for entering into that matter?

said, that the selection of the crofters had been made by Mr. Malcolm M'Neill, who was a man with a great deal of experience of the Highlands.

gave Notice that on the Motion for the adjournment of the House he would call attention to the policy and action of the Government in this matter.

asked the Lord Advocate, in regard to the sum of £5,000 to be voted for Dairy Investigation, How much of that sum it is proposed to allocate to Scotland, and also to whom it is proposed to entrust its distribution; and, under what conditions it will be granted?

The proportion of the sum for which a Vote is asked as between the different parts of the Kingdom has not been fixed. The distribution will be arranged by the Privy Council. The final adjustment of the conditions under which the grant is to be given is not yet made.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether Her Majesty has had under consideration a Memorial from Fraserburgh in regard to assisted emigration on behalf of fishermen and others; and, whether the same assistance will be given to fishermen on the East Coast as has been offered on the West Coast of Scotland?

The Memorial referred to has received the consideration of Her Majesty's Government; but at present the colonization scheme is necessarily limited to the crofting population of the West Highlands and Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether each of the prisoners who were sentenced to be flogged at Liverpool Assizes on Monday last had inflicted bodily harm upon any person; and, if so, what was the nature of the injury done in each case?

I understand that these men were found guilty of robbery with violence. According to a newspaper report of the proceedings, the Judge remarked that they might have been tried for inflicting grievous bodily harm. In one case the man attacked had two or three ribs broken; and in another the prosecutor's head was cut, and he was struck in the mouth. In each of the other three cases there was a violent assault committed, in one upon a woman, and in another cuts were inflicted with a knife.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether a Circular Letter has been recently addressed by the Civil Service Commissioners to Civil Service writers employed at the various out-ports, informing them that they will be shortly discharged from the Customs Department, and that, if they are prepared to come to London at their

"own expense, employment could probably be found for them shortly after their arrival;"

whether this will have the effect of compelling their removal to London (in many cases with their families), and subject them in consequence to much expense and hardship, or in the alternative to practically enforce their retirement from the Service, contrary to the statement of the Secretary to the Treasury, made on the 15th of July, 1887—

"That there was no desire on the part of the Government to inflict any injustice on the writers, nor to force them out of the Service;"

and, whether, having regard to the fact that most of these writers have been employed for many years in their present posts, the Board of Customs will reconsider their decision?

A Circular Letter as described was sent by the Civil Service Commission without consultation with the Treasury. I am distinctly of opinion that if any copyists are removed for the benefit of the State from the outports to London the Treasury should allow travelling expenses; and, further, they will be ready to consider any cases which, in the opinion of the Customs, would involve hardship.

asked the First Lord of the Ad- miralty, Whether it is the fact that some eight seamen belonging to the Indus are continually employed by the Admiral Superintendent of the Devonport Dockyards in his garden, and upon domestic duties in his official residence; whether the services of these men are allowed him in addition to the £200 per annum voted to him in lieu of servants; whether he can state the total cost to the country of these seamen in pay, provisions, and allowances; what was the cost of the floating bath recently constructed and equipped by Steam Reserve artificers with Government material for the use of the Admiral's family, and out of what Vote in the Estimates was the cost of such labour and material defrayed; and, what was the cost of transforming and furnishing the Dockyard Lower School into a card-room and billiard-room by the Director of Works Department for the use of the Admiral Superintendent and his friends, and under what Vote was the cost of the material and labour of such work accounted for?

, in reply, said, the insinuation running throughout the Question that the Admiral Superintendent had made improper use of his position for his own personal convenience was wholly unfounded. The eight seamen referred to formed a boat's crew, who had been employed in their legitimate duties, and not in the house or garden of the Admiral. The floating bath was for the use, not of the Admiral's family, but of the officers generally. The alterations in regard to the billiard-room had been sanctioned by the Admiralty for the use of the Dockyard officials; and similar billiard-rooms had for some time existed both at Portsmouth and Chatham.

asked, if it was to be laid down as a general principle that sailors were to be available for domestic service? [No reply.]

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government of India has taken, or is about to take, any stop for securing the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act in that country, in addition to temporarily suspending its operation; whether Her Majesty's Government is prepared to make to the Government of India any representation with the view of securing that repeal; and, whether Her Majesty's Government is prepared to make to the Government of India any representation with the view of securing the repeal of those provisions in the Cantonment Acts which give powers to the Local Government to make Rules and Regulations for inspecting and controlling houses of ill-fame, and for licensing and compelling the examination of prostitutes?

The power of repealing Acts of the Indian Legislature is vested, by Act 24 & 25 Vict. c. 67, in the Council of the Governor General for making Laws and Regulations. The Government have no intention of interfering—nor have they the power to interfere—with the discretion of that Body in making, repealing, or amending laws. The directions given to the Government of India as to the Regulations to be framed under the Cantonment Act will be found in the despatch which I have laid on the Table.

asked, whether the House was to understand, from the hon. Gentleman's reply, that the Government, while condemning certain Regulations as immoral and ordering their removal, were unwilling to take any steps for removing that legislation which authorized them, and, in some cases, encouraged them.

The Legislature having entrusted a particular Body in India with the duty of making and amending the laws, it would be highly unbecoming of Her Majesty's Government to interfere with them.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to assure the House that in the history of the relations of Her Majesty's Government with the Government of India there are no precedents of advice or counsel being given by the Secretary of State to the Government of India?

That being a Question of precedent, it is only fair that I should have Notice of it.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that advice was given to the Government of India by Her Majesty's Government four years ago?

asked for Notice of that Question also.

In consequence of the answer of the hon. Gentleman, I beg to give Notice that on the 5th of June, on which day my hon. Friend the Member for the Crewe Division (Mr. M'Laren) has obtained first place for a Notice of Motion, he will move a Motion in favour of the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts, or those portions of them which authorize or encourage either the compulsory examination of women or the regulation of prostitution, and on that occasion he will undoubtedly endeavour to obtain a decision from the House.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether a numerously signed Memorial was presented, in September last, to the Governor General of India, from the Ladies' Committee of the Calcutta Missionary Conference, and from other women in India, praying that the protection afforded by "The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885," to young girls under 16 in this country might be extended to India; whether it is the case that the Governor General has replied to that Memorial refusing its prayer; whether such protection is afforded to girls under 16 in Russia; and, whether a Treaty has been concluded between this country and Russia, which came into force a year ago, by which provision is made for the extradition from India to Russia of persons accused of seducing girls under 16, which persons are thus liable to be delivered up from India to Russia, to be there tried for what is not a crime in India itself?

The Secretary of State has no knowledge of the facts stated in the first two paragraphs of the Question. Protection is afforded to girls under 16 by Section 373 of the Indian Penal Code. The answer to the last two paragraphs is in the affirmative; but the 18th section of the Russian Treaty provides that its stipulations

"Shall be applicable to the Colonies and Foreign Possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, so far as the laws for the time being in force in such Colonies and Foreign Possessions respectively will allow."

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Whether it is true that a large number of originating notices have been served to have fair rents fixed by the Sub-Commissioners now sitting in the County Wicklow; whether only 22 applications have been listed for hearing from the Shillelagh Union, 42 from Baltinglass Union, and 134 from Rathdrum Union; and, whether, considering that a very large number of cases will be left undisposed of in the county, he will arrange to have a supplemental list issued for the present Sub-Commission, or have another Sub-Commission granted to sit on an early day?

The Land Commissioners inform me that the numbers stated in the Question are correct. All notices received from the County Wicklow up to and including the 27th of September last have been listed for hearing at the present sitting. The Commissioners cannot, having regard to the claim of other counties, extend the existing list of cases, or arrange at present for a further Sub-Commission sitting for the County Wicklow.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he is aware of the widespread discontent among the non-commissioned officers of the Inniskilling Fusiliers at Aldershot consequent on their being passed over in promotion in favour of the junior sergeant but one, in the filling of the post of Quartermaster Sergeant; is he aware that several general complaints have been made by the men so passed over; and, whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the truth or otherwise of the allegations contained in the General Reports with a view to removing the discontent so prejudicial to discipline?

The promotion of non-commissioned officers to the Regimental Staff is effected by the selection of the man whom the Commanding Officer considers to be best fitted for the post, irrespective of seniority. In this case the action of the Commanding Officer has been fully approved by the General Officer commanding the Brigade, and I decline altogether to interfere in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the case of James M'Keon, who was tried before Colonel Turner and Mr. Maloney, Resident Magistrates under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, at Manorhamilton, 9th May, and sentenced to 14 days in Sligo Gaol for re-entering a farm from which he had been evicted in October last; whether he is aware that the County Court Judge, in issuing a decree for possession, also made an order to the effect that in the event of M'Keon paying or tendering one year's rent within a certain time he might regain possession of his holding; whether the defence on 9th May was that such tender was made, but refused, unless costs were paid; whether the ruling of the County Court Judge was denied by Messrs. Hewson and Frazer, the complainants, who it was alleged were in Court when the ruling was given; whether there was some delay in obtaining a copy of the ruling from Mr. Harris, Clerk of the Peace, yet such copy of the ruling arrived before the Court of Petty Sessions broke up, though M'Keon had in the meantime been sentenced; and, whether, under the circumstances, the sentence on M'Keon will be set aside, and some compensation given for injury inflicted and loss of time?

James M'Keon was tried before Mr. Turner, R.M., and Mr. Molony, R.M., on a charge of forcible entry and detainer of the house from which he had been evicted at the complaint of his landlord. M'Keon pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment without hard labour. He did state that the County Court Judge made an order that if he paid a year's rent within a certain time he might regain possession. He produced no evidence, written or otherwise, to sustain this statement, which was denied by the agent, Mr. Hewson, on oath, and by the landlord's solicitor, Mr. Fenton. The written decree of the Judge was produced to the Court; but showed no such ruling on its face as that alleged by the defendant. The charge against M'Keon had been adjourned before it was heard for two weeks, which was ample time for him to procure any proof of his innocence, if such existed. Nothing is known of the alleged arrival of any document, or copy of ruling in connection with it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry of the Clerk of Petty Sessions with regard to the document furnished by the defendant; and is it not a fact it was read by the Petty Sessions Clerk to the magistrate before M'Keon was sent to gaol.

said, he was afraid he had given all the information in his power.

said, he should put a further Question on the subject.

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether it is the custom that when a Presbyterian desires to swear by the uplifted hand, in accordance with his legal rights, he is almost invariably asked in the Irish Courts of Law, "Do you believe that form of oath is binding on your conscience?" whether such a question is asked in virtue of any statutable requirement; and, if so, can he indicate where this statutable requirement is to be found; and, whether, as this inquiry is looked upon as an insult by many of those to whom it is asked, he will consider how best to put a stop to this or similar questions being asked in future?

I am making inquiry as to the existence of the custom referred to in the Question; but from the information I have it does not seem to universally prevail. If the hon. Gentleman will kindly postpone the Question until after Whitsuntide, I will be able to give him a complete answer.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether the Government have yet arranged any plan for the discharge of prisoners from Barlinnie Prison which will be free from the inconvenience to the neighbourhood, amounting to a public nuisance, caused by the present system?

, in reply, said, that arrangements to meet the difficulty had been adjusted subject to the approval of the Treasury, in which Department the matter was at present receiving consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact, as sworn by Cullinane, the Crown witness in the Lisdoonvarna Moonlighting case, that he and others had been kept in the pay of the police, and housed and maintained in a certain house in or near the Ballyrough Road, Dublin; whether he can state the cost of maintaining such lodging house, and whether it is accounted for under any, and which head, of the Irish Votes; and, whether he will state the number of Crown witnesses who have been thus housed and maintained during the last three years; and whether any, and which, of them have been convicted of any, and what, offences?

I have as yet received no Report in reference to this matter; and I am, therefore, unable to give an answer to the hon. Member.

said, if it would suit the convenience of the right hon. Gentleman, he should repeat the Question after Whitsuntide.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether any, and what, means were taken to ascertain the fact, as recently stated by him, that the firemen employed in the Davenport Dockyards are satisfied with the present arrangements; whether it is the fact that two Petitions detailing their grievances had been some time previously forwarded to the Admiral Superintendent from the turn-cocks and engine-drivers and stokers; and, whether they received a reply to the effect that "the matter has been considered, and nothing can be done in it"?

The Admiral Superintendent of Devonport Dockyard informed me that the men were generally satisfied; and that, upon his informing them if they wished to give up this duty and the remuneration attached to it they could do so, they declined to take that course. The cost of the extra arrangements for dealing with fire in all the Dockyards, except Devonport, does not exceed £35 per annum. At Devonport, where different conditions exist, the cost of provisional arrangement introduced in 1886 was £960 per annum; and because the Admiral Superintendent has made some changes by which this excessive cost is reduced to £210 per annum, the hon. Gentleman has put to me nearly 30 Questions in support of the former extravagant system.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Why it was that whereas 75 commissions were offered at the last competitive examination for subalterns of Militia only 63 were given; and, whether any change has recently been made in the system of marking?

, in reply, said, that 75 commissions had been given at the last competitive examination for subalterns of Militia.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the recent changes, it is intended to issue a new edition of the field exercises; and, whether it is a fact, as stated by many booksellers, that the present edition is out of print?

, in reply, said, that it was intended to issue a new edition of the field exercises.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether a new barge contractor has recently, by his neglect, placed the arsenal and town of Woolwich in great danger by leaving powder and ammunition barges unattended in the river Thames; whether about 750 tons of explosives were in the deserted barges, and that, with the adjacent powder ship and Government barges, a total of 2,000 tons of ammunition and powder was involved in risk; to whom would the people of the Metropolis look for indemnity for loss of life and property in case an accident had happened; whether his attention has been called to the statement of the contractor—

"That he employed vagrants, whose names and addresses he did not know, and who deserted the barges;"

And, if so, will the Government offer a reward for the said vagrants to come forward and explain whether they swam ashore, or how they all made their escape unobserved, and particularly why they left work for which they were to be paid; and, whether the said contractor will be continued in the service of the Government?

I explained, in answer to my hon. and gallant Friend a few days ago, that a barge contractor had recently committed a grave offence in the manner indicated in the Question. The contractor is bound by his contract to provide a suitable watchman for each barge; and as he failed to do so, he was summoned and punished by a heavy fine. The responsibility for the characters of the watchmen must rest with the contractor. This contractor is quite new to the work; and the notice taken of this offence will, no doubt, render him more careful in future.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether be is aware that the Austrian Government suddenly, without any previous warning or notice of any kind, have decided that bicycles and tricycles should be ranged in the class of carriages or personal vehicles, and that, under such regulation, the duty payable on each bicycle or tricycle imported will be florins 25 gold or £2 10s. (circa), and also that such duty should come into operation on the 10th of May instant; and, that, inasmuch as this measure will practically ruin the very considerable export business done by this country with Austria in the sale of bicycles and tricycles, whether he would communicate with the Austrian Government on the subject, with a view to securing the withdrawal of the impost?

Inquiry will be made, and such action taken as, in the circumstances, may be possible.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Treaty between the United States and Samoa, conceding to the former Power the conclusive control of the Harbour of Pago Pago in time of war, is still in force; and, in such case, if any period has been fixed for its termination; whether representations have been from time to time addressed to Her Majesty's Government by Australasian Ministers, directing earnest attention to the deprivation thereby to British ships of a suitable harbour and coaling station in Mid Pacific, and in the direct ocean track between Australasia and Vancouver, and Australasia and Panama; and, what steps have been taken in the matter?

There is a Treaty between the United States and Samoa of January 17, 1878, which provides that the United States may establish a Naval Station in the Harbour of Pago Pago; but it does not give to the United States exclusive control over other parts of the harbour. So far as Her Majesty's Government are aware the Treaty is still in force. As far as I have been able to ascertain at present, no such representations as are indicated in the second Question have been made.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any agreement was arrived at with Germany in regard to Samoa prior to the assembling of the Washington Conference; and, if so, what was the date of the agreement; whether the United States Government has agreed that Germany should act as the mandatory Power in Samoa; whether Germany was acting within her right in landing a force of armed men at Apia, in forcibly deporting to the Cameroons a King in Treaty relations with us, and in abolishing by declaration of their Consul the joint Consular jurisdiction over the district of Apia previously exercised by England, Germany, and the United States; and, whether there exists any correspondence on this matter with either Germany, the United States, or any of the Australian Colonies; and, if so, when it will be presented to the House?

As I have already stated, the views of Her Majesty's Government were founded on the Reports of their High Commissioner in the Pacific, and were in accordance with the proposals made by Germany to the Conference at Washington. There was no "agreement" between Her Majesty's Government and that of Germany; but certainly an interchange of views and, as I have said, a concurrence of opinion as to the basis of an arrangement for the future government of Samoa. No conclusion has been arrived at upon that proposal. The landing a German force at Apia was consequent upon a declaration of war. The termination of the joint Consular jurisdiction at Apia was the consequence of the withdrawal of Germany from the Convention of 1879, upon which the separate jurisdiction of the Consuls revived. Her Majesty's Government do not think the maintenance of that Convention desirable. No doubt, there is Correspondence on these matters; but I am unable to say, at such short Notice, whether there is any that can at present be conveniently laid upon the Table.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether only Guardians who are on the Visiting Committee are permitted to visit the poorhouse of their Union; whether this Regulation is in accordance with an Order of the Local Government Board; and, if so, for what object such Order was made; whether the Regulation has led to ineffective control and supervision of workhouses by the Guardians, and whether, in consequence thereof, many complaints have been made; and whether he will consider the desirability of rescinding or modifying such Regulation?

The Regulations of the Local Government Board require the Guardians to appoint one or more Visiting Committees from their own Body. The Board consider that Guardians who are not members of the Visiting Committee cannot claim as a right to visit the workhouse. The Regulations which the Board have issued contain no provision to this effect; but it appears to the Board to be the result of the statutory provision in the 4 & 5 Will. IV. c. 76, s. 38. It is to be observed, however, that the Board of Guardians may grant permission to visit the workhouse, if they think fit, to any Guardian or Guardians who are not members of the Visiting Committee. The fact that every member of a Board of Guardians has not the right to visit the workhouse at any time he may think fit has not, in my opinion, led to ineffective control and supervision of workhouses by the Guardians; nor am I aware that many complaints have been made on the subject. I should not be prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Guardians in this matter.

(for Mr. WATT) (Glasgow, Camlachie) asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can state if it is a fact that the United States Government have decided upon taking action against the United States of Venezuela, so as to recover the long outstanding claims of certain United States subjects; and, whether Her Majesty's Government, having regard to the widespread discontent existing in British Guiana, owing to the long delay in the delimitation of the North-Western Frontier, are now prepared to state what action they propose taking, so as to determine the question of boundary?

Her Majesty's Government have no such knowledge. I am not aware that there is widespread discontent in British Guiana. The state of affairs in the disputed territory is, undoubtedly, not satisfactory; but, at present, Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to state what action may be taken to determine the question of boundary.

(for Mr. GILLIAT) (Clapham) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he has been able to re-consider his decision not to grant a pension in the case of George Lionel Grover, late Midshipman of H.M.S. Bacchante, discharged without pension on his return invalided from service of great hardship on the coast of Africa?

No, Sir. I have very carefully inquired into Mr. Grover's case, and regret I am unable to reverse the decision previously come to. To place a midshipman after three years' service for the remainder of his life on the pension list is an act to which I cannot assent, when the officer does not, in my judgment come within the Regulations governing such pensions.

begged to give Notice that, in consequence of the answer just given, his hon. Friend would call attention to the subject on going into Committee of Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made at the meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works on Friday last, that the Board was entitled, under the provisions of the Act appointing the Board of Works Inquiry Commission, to employ counsel on behalf of the Board, and to pay the cost of them out of the money of London ratepayers; and, whether, under the provisions of the said Act, it is competent for the Board to employ and to pay counsel at the expense of the ratepayers?

The Act under which a Royal Commission is sitting to inquire into the working of the Metropolitan Board of Works enables them to appear by counsel or solicitor before the Commissioners. It is silent as to the payment of the counsel. I understand the contention of the Board to be that this clause carries with it, by implication, the right to charge the expense on the rates. Whether that contention is well founded or not is a question of construction, on which I cannot give an opinion. It must be settled by a Court of Law if any contest arises.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, under Section 8 of the Local Government Bill, the powers and duties of existing Boards of Guardians could by Order in Council be transferred to the County Councils?

The terms of Clause 8 of the Local Government Bill are, no doubt, very comprehensive; and when the clause is reached in Committee I shall be prepared to agree to its being made clear that it is not to extend to Boards of Guardians.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is the intention of the Government to complete the docks at Haulbowline, and to open them for the repairing and building of ships?

The dock at Haulbowline is in course of completion; and, when finished, will be utilized on any occasion when it advantageously can be.

Is it the intention to spend any of the large sums about to be voted for the improvement of the Navy——

Order, order!

asked, if the Admiralty purposed excavating a passage from the deep sea channel to the dock, inasmuch as the dock could not be utilized before that was done? He had asked this Question three times in the course of the last seven months, but had received no answer. Had the work been commenced?

Of course, the dock would be useless unless there was access to it. Of course, the passage would be made before the dock was opened; but he could not answer the Question off hand.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Lord Chancellor has received a requisition from the Board of Town Commissioners of Tullamore, asking for the re-appointment of Mr. Henry Egan to the Commission of the Peace, for the purpose of the Towns Improvement Act; and, whether there is any special objection to his re-appointment?

The Lord Chancellor of Ireland has favoured me with a statement, to the effect that last December he received the requisition alluded to; but that he declined to make the appointment. In so declining he acted in the exercise of the discretion vested in him by law.

asked, was it not a fact that after the re-election of Mr. Egan to the Chairmanship of the Town Commissioners of Tullamore he was allowed to act as magistrate; and that it was only when acting in his capacity as Visiting Justice at Tullamore Gaol in connection with some of the right hon. Gentleman's political opponents that the Lord Chancellor struck him off the list?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that, may I ask whether Mr. Egan had any right to visit as a Visiting Justice?

said, if Mr. Egan acted as a magistrate he acted on his own responsibility, and he had no title whatever to do so.

asked, was it not the fact that there was no magistrate in Tullamore for the purpose of the Towns Improvement Act; and, also, whether it was the intention of the Lord Chancellor to appoint Mr. Egan?

I am afraid I cannot answer that Question.

said, that on a future day he should put a further Question on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he is aware that since the passing of the Margarine Act thousands of packages of margarine have been shipped through the Port of Hull branded as margarine, Dutch make, but that during the last four days such consignments have been seized, the only grounds given being that it should have been marked "Dutch made," not "Dutch make?"

(who replied) said: I am informed that the goods in question have been released, with a caution to the importers. It is right to state that, in addition to the words "Dutch make" the packages were labelled with English words, such as "the best."

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Barnard's Inn, one of the Inns of Chancery, is to be offered for sale on the 20th of June next; whether it is a fact that this Inn is an ancient Corporation originally established for the training of law students; and, whether the sale, if it takes place, will divert a public property to private purposes?

Whatever may have been the original constitution of Barnard's Inn, I believe that, in common with many other Inns of the same character, it long since passed into private hands; and therefore, to the best of my belief, under the present sale no property will be diverted from public to private purposes. As the hon. Member is probably aware, there were other Inns in a similar position, and they are believed to have been private establishments, with a view to the study of the law.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Licensing Clauses of the Local Government Bill were framed upon the advice of the Law Officers that publicans have, in the absence of misconduct, a legal vested right to the renewal of their licences; whether there is now reason to believe that this opinion is erroneous; and, whether the Government will take advantage of the Recess to re-consider their proposed legislation on this subject?

(who replied) said: It is quite unusual for the Government to state what advice they receive from their Law Officers; and I cannot, therefore, give the hon. Gentleman any information on the subject. I may say, however, that I have already stated in the House that in framing our proposals on the licensing question we were guided by what we consider the paramount claims of equity, and from these we cannot recede. I desire, however, to take this opportunity of saying that the Question of the hon. Gentleman seems to imply a misconception of the proposals of the Government—a misconception which I have noticed seems to be largely shared by those who have adversely criticized the clauses in the Local Government Bill dealing with this question. It seems to be the impression that we propose to take away certain powers now possessed by the Justices under which renewal of licences may be refused. The Bill does nothing of the kind. On the contrary, it is expressly provided that where a person is desirous that a licence should not be renewed on any ground on which Justices would, if the Act had not passed, have been authorized or required to refuse the renewal of such licence, such person may apply to the Justices, who may make a Report that the licence ought not to be renewed; and if, on appeal, the decision of the Justices be confirmed the Licensing Committee must refuse to renew the licence. In such a case there would be no claim for compensation. Whether the Justices do or do not possess such a power except for misconduct under the existing law is, I am aware, a matter of contention; but if they do possess such a power it will be seen we do not propose to take it away. Undoubtedly, however, such a power, if possessed, has been rarely exercised. This being so, we thought it right, with a view of facilitating the closing of public-houses where not required, to confer upon the County Councils powers, in addition to those of a judicial character possessed by the Justices, expressly enabling them to close public-houses where, in their opinion, they were not required; and in that case, and that alone, compensation can be claimed, and to provide for that compensation a special duty on licences may be imposed. The position, in the event of the Bill passing, would, therefore, be that where renewal of licences was refused in consequence of the action of the Justices under any powers at present possessed by them, no compensation could be claimed; but where renewal was refused by the County Council under the new powers created by the Bill compensation would be paid by means of a fund practically created by the Licensed Victuallers themselves.

The right hon. Gentleman says the magistrates rarely exercise their powers of refusing licences. I desire to know whether the right hon. Gentleman is willing to give the Returns he referred to the other day in reply to the hon. Member for the Leigh Division of Lancashire (Mr. Caleb Wright)?

I have promised to communicate with the Home Office upon the subject, and have done so; but I have not yet ascertained whether the Return can be prepared. If it can, it shall be granted.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still adhere to the statement made that the Bill places holders of licences in a more secure position?

Yes, Sir; I take it that under the provisions of this Bill it will not be possible to do that which I know some hon. Members in this House desire—namely, to close the whole of the public-houses in a neighbourhood by means of what is commonly known as local option.

asked whether, according to the right hon. Gentleman's own showing, the Licensing Magistrates would not have a perfect right to close every public-house without assigning any reason; and that, if they did not assign any reason, there would be no compensation?

; As I have stated, what the exact powers of the magistrates are in this respect is a matter of contention; but, certainly, if the hon. Member refers to a decision recently given, I understand that Justices could not, even under that decision, act as the hon. Member suggests; but must take each case into consideration, and act judicially with reference to it.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, in view of the important discussions that might be anticipated on the Licensing Clauses of the Local Government Bill, he would cause to be printed and circulated as a Parliamentary Paper a full report of the case of "Sharp v. Wakefield and others," and of the Judgments delivered in that case by Mr. Justice Field and Mr. Justice Wills?

(who replied) said, although the Judgments of Mr. Justice Field and Mr. Justice Wills are, no doubt, of considerable importance, as the hon. Member is probably aware, an appeal against the decision of those Judges is pending. This being the case, it is not proposed to issue as a Parliamentary Paper a full report of the case and Judgments, as that would be a very unusual course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not bring forward the Licensing Clauses until that appeal is decided?

Yes, Sir; we shall bring forward the Licensing Clauses as soon as the House will allow us to do so.