(for Dr. R. MACDONALD) (Ross and Cromarty) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is true that a person named Neil O'Hare, agent for a firm of Glasgow hide merchants, and well known for many years in the Western Highlands and Islands, was lately apprehended by the police in the parish of Lochalsh, and conveyed to a cell in the prison of Portree, and there detained from Saturday 2nd to Monday 4th June current, notwithstanding substantial bail being offered for his appearance by friends to whom he was well known; whether O'Hare repeatedly protested his innocence of any crime, and asserted that the police were mistaken in apprehending and detaining him if they were really in search of some accused person; whether on the Monday night O'Hare was discharged, without apology or explanation, other than he had been taken for a person of the same name accused of committing some offence in another county; and, whether, seeing O'Hare was a well-known and law-abiding person for whom bail was tendered, he, the Lord Advocate, will take such steps as may be necessary to prevent such conduct on the part of the police in the future, and cause Neil O'Hare to be properly compensated?

It is the fact that a person of the name given was apprehended by the Skye police, at the instance of the Argyllshire authorities, at Tobermory. He unfortunately bore the same name, and was engaged in the same class of work in the same part of the country, as a man against whom a charge of serious crime was laid in Argyllshire. He was brought to Portree, and a full description of him was at once telegraphed to Tobermory, the Police Inspector making arrangements to keep the wire open after hours that night, so that the authorities at Tobermory might communicate without delay. Instructions came that night to send him in custody to Tobermory on the following Monday. It appeared from a letter found on the man that his wife lived in Ireland, and the Inspector telegraphed this fact to Tobermory. The Procurator Fiscal at Tobermory telegraphed on Monday morning to say that the wife of the man wanted had been ascertained not to live in Ireland, but at Oban, that he thought there must be a mistake, and that O'Hare should be liberated. He mentioned in the telegram a point of personal description which might be a good test; and the Inspector, on examination, found that the man in custody did not answer to it. On this being communicated the man was at once liberated. O'Hare, and a man believed to be his brother, did ask whether he could be admitted to bail; but was correctly informed by the Inspector that he had no power to do so. The question of bail could not, by law, be considered until he had been brought before a magistrate having jurisdiction in the place of the alleged crime. The Inspector, on liberating O'Hare, expressed to him his sincere regret that in doing his duty he had been compelled to detain him, and at the annoyance to which O'Hare had been subjected by the mistake of identity. I do not consider that the Inspector was to blame in the circumstances. He appears to have taken every step possible to prevent any delay in clearing up the matter, and to have O'Hare released if he were not the right man. It is not in my power to order any compensation to be made to O'Hare; but I think it right publicly in this House to express the regret of the authorities at an occurrence which is one of those that, unfortunately, must take place occasionally, even in the most careful conduct of duties of criminal prosecutions.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the United States Government have officially announced the departure of the war ship Dolphin, and three other armed vessels, to the Behring Sea, with instructions to seize British or other vessels engaged in seal fishing in those waters; if Her Majesty's Government have sent a war ship to warn masters of British sealing vessels of the consequences of infringing the Alaskan Laws; and, if any of the vessels seized for alleged illegal fishing in 1886 and 1887 have been, as promised, released?

In so far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, no such announcement has been made by the United States Government, nor has any British ship of war been ordered to Behring Sea. Orders have been given by the United States Government that the three British vessels seized in 1886, with their tackle, apparel, and furniture, should be restored to their owners. The vessels in question were the Onward, Caroline, and Thornton. As regards the seizures in 1887, we have not heard that any of them have been released; but proceedings in connection with all the seizures are before the American Law Courts.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been called to the death under suspicious circumstances, on April 8, of a gamekeeper called David Ballingall, near King's Kettle, in the County of Fife; whether it is the fact that two men, named Andrew Walton and David Wright, were arrested on suspicion, and have since been set at liberty; whether he can state why these men were not put on their trial; and, whether any further steps have been, or are being, taken to investigate the circumstances of Ballingall's death?

My attention has been called to this matter. The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. After full inquiry, no evidence was obtained connecting either of the persons arrested with the event. Instructions were given that if any further evidence could be obtained, to report again and at once to the Crown Counsel.

asked the Secretary of State for War, What progress has been made in the arrangements for so altering the Regulations for the Entrance Examinations to Woolwich that the subject of natural science shall be duly represented?

I am sorry to be obliged to ask the hon. Member to postpone his Question for a week. We are still in communication with the Civil Service Commissioners on the subject; but I have every hope of arriving at new Regulations which will satisfy the hon. Member's claims on behalf of science.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that, whilst the specifications of American and other foreign patents are supplied regularly, and at an early date, to the Patent Office Library, and whilst our Patent Office supplies copies of patents taken out in this country punctually to our Colonies, information as to Colonial patents is received in this country at long intervals only, and in an incomplete form; whether he is aware that the absence of correct information as to Colonial patents tends to occasion great inconvenience, and not unfrequently considerable loss on our manufactures; and, whether he will endeavour, through the medium of the Colonial Office, to induce our Colonies to reciprocate the advantage which they derive from the early and regular information given to them of our patents, by furnishing to us similar information in return with regard to theirs?

, in reply, said, he was informed that there was some delay in for warding specifications of Colonial patents to the Colonial Office, and that inconvenience was occasioned at the Patent Office Library thereby. The Secretary of State for the Colonies was in communication with the Colonial Governments on the question, with a view to an improvement in this respect.

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether any instructions have been given to Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools to withhold grants from voluntary schools unless the managers made certain extensions of the school buildings, although these buildings satisfied the requirements of Her Majesty's Inspectors in 1885 and 1886, and there has been no increase in the average attendance since that time?

No, Sir; no such instructions as are indicated in the Question have been issued. If the hon. Baronet will give me particulars of any special case I will make inquiries, it being important to secure uniformity in dealing with these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has discovered who was responsible for sending guns to Aden without sights; whether he intends to call the delinquent to account for his negligence; and, what he proposes to do to prevent, as far as he can, a recurrence of such negligence in the future?

These were guns of a new description, and some delay arose in making sights owing to a question of pattern. As the latter are small articles, readily fixed and always packed separately from the guns, the officer whose duty it was to despatch the stores considered that it was best to forward the guns, which would take some time to mount, without waiting till the sights were ready. And as he had every reason to feel confident that, as the guns would take some time to mount, the sights could be sent out in ample time, I do not feel called upon to visit his conduct with censure. But this omission was not reported to the Director of Artillery at the time, as it should have been; and I have taken due notice of the omission. Steps have been taken to secure that, in future, all essential fittings for guns shall be ready for despatch as soon as the guns themselves.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Prison Warder John Daly, of Sligo Prison, has been dismissed, after sworn inquiry, for having allowed prohibited articles into the possession of a prisoner; when was the inquiry held; when was its result communicated to Daly; and, whether he has any objection to furnishing a copy of the information sworn at the inquiry to Daly?

The man referred to was dismissed for the reason stated. Subsequently, on his own request, a sworn inquiry was held on the 26th of April. The result, which confirmed the decision already arrived at by the General Prisons Board, was communicated to him on the 9th of June. The Board report that the course suggested would be contrary to practice.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if Daly was examined at the inquiry; and, also, if the Government made any inquiry of the prisoner in question—my hon. Friend the Member for South Galway (Mr. Sheehy)?

I am not aware if that is so.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What action has been taken with regard to the appointment of Registrar for the Loughrea District; also with regard to the appointment of sub-sanitary officer of Loughrea Union; and, why the application of the Guardians of Loughrea Union for a powder licence for Mr. Peter Sweeney, their building contractor, has been delayed, which delay has prevented Mr. Sweeney from carrying out important public contracts?

The person who acted ad interim Registrar has been appointed to the vacancy. The Guardians have appointed a sanitary sub-officer, and have submitted the appointment for the sanction of the Local Government Board, before whom the matter now is. As regards the last paragraph, the Guardians have been already informed that a licence for dynamite and blasting powder cannot be issued to the man referred to, as he is not considered a fit person to hold such a licence.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long the Local Government Board have had under their consideration the question of sanctioning the appointment of the sanitary officer?

I cannot answer that.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the amount that has accrued from fines for drunkenness in the Militia since 1878 will be distributed among the battalions of that Force, in accordance with the precedent of 1879; and, if so, whether deprivations of Militia bounty for offences will be similarly dealt with?

(who replied) said: There is no accumulation from these fines, as the amount is spent from year to year in aid of increased pay to the Militia sergeants and corporals. The hon. Member will find that the sum is taken as an appropriation in aid of Vote 5 of the Army Estimates.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is a fact that members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India who were in receipt of a salary of Rs.6,000 a-year on February 10, 1876, and those appointed by the Secretary of State for India, obtain two years' furlough on half-pay after eight years' service, whereas members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service who have been appointed by the Governor General of India can only obtain one year's furlough after 10 years' service; and, on what principle is this distinction drawn between members of the Uncovenanted Service appointed by the Secretary of State and those appointed by the Indian Government?

(1.) Yes; subject to the qualification that those to whom the first part of the Question relates held certain specified offices at the date mentioned; and that those mentioned in the last part of the Question have been appointed by the Governor General in Council without the sanction of the Secretary of State, given either before or after the appointment. (2.) On the principle that the Uncovenanted Service should be recruited, as far as possible, from Natives of India; and that appointments carrying the special privilege mentioned should be filled by officers who are selected in England with special qualifications, or who have gained their appointments by competitive examination involving expensive training.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India who are nominated by the Secretary of State for India as officers of the Public Works, Telegraph, and Forest Departments are allowed to count service for retirement on pension from the year they leave Cooper's Hill or other College, irrespective of age, whereas service before the age of 22 years, in the case of an Uncovenanted civilian appointed by the Governor General of India, is not permitted to count as service for retirement on pension; whether officers in the Administrative Departments of the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India have been placed, before the age of 22, in charge of Divisions of Districts, and in exercise of the powers of magistrates of the first class; did the Government of India in 1868 recommend that the limit of age for service counting for pension should be reduced; and did the then Secretary of State for India refuse to entertain it; and, on what principle is this distinction drawn between different members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India?

The answer to Questions 1, 2, and 3 is affirmative. The principle of the distinction is that more favourable Pension Rules are given to Departments recruited in this country, for which special training is requisite.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he can now state the boundaries or extent of the "Amandabele country with its dependencies" (mentioned in the Treaty of Friendship of 11th February of this year), of which the permanent Chief, Lobengula, undertakes not to alienate any portion without the previous sanction of Her Majesty's High Commissioner for South Africa; and, whether he can state whether that territory is bounded on the north by the Zambesi River?

Her Majesty's Government are not at present in a position to state precisely the boundaries and extent of the territory over which Lobengula claims to have authority. It is, however, understood that this territory is bounded, in part at all events, to the northward by the Zambesi.

asked the Lord Advocate, If he can state the amount of poor and education rates due by owners and occupiers respectively in the Island of Lewis for the present year which is still unpaid; whether it has been customary in that Island for the owner to collect rates with the rents in the case of holdings under £4 annual rental; whether it is true that, in consequence of the refusal of the principal owner in the Island to pay tenants' rates in the customary manner, thousands of crofters are in danger of being struck off the roll of Parliamentary voters; and, how many collectors there are in the Island to whom small tenants can pay their rates direct, so as to enable them to retain their status as voters?

It has been impossible, since this Question was put upon the Paper, to obtain all the particulars required by the hon. Member; but I may state that recently £3,574 of rates have been paid up by proprietors and tenants. The principal proprietor's factor has declined to pay the rates for those tenants under £4 who have not paid any rents, but has paid the rates of all who have paid rent. There are four collectors of rate—namely, in Stornoway, Barvas, Lochs, and Uig.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in the case of Thomas Barry, convicted on May 31st, at Castle Martyr, of conspiracy, and sentenced by Resident Magistrates Gardiner and Redmond to a month's imprisonment, any evidence was taken beyond the fact of his personal refusal to supply goods to a member of the Constabulary?

It would seem that much additional evidence was taken. It was proved that a Boycotting conspiracy existed among several shopkeepers not to deal with the police, involving, as such conspiracies always do, mutual compulsion and coercion

My Question was rather more specific than that. I knew that several persons were tried at the same time; but my Question is, whether, in the case of the man I have mentioned, Thomas Barry, evidence was taken beyond the fact of his personal refusal to supply goods that he was implicated in the conspiracy?

Yes, Sir; evidence of conspiracy was given.

In this case I hope the right hon. Gentleman will consent to lay the evidence on the Table.

That would be a very unusual course. [An hon. MEMBER: No, no!] The hon. Gentleman who said "No, no" cannot have had much Parliamentary experience; but it is a very unusual course to lay the evidence in such a case on the Table, and I could not give an answer in the affirmative without consideration.

May I ask a Question with reference to this? I have read an account of the evidence in this case; and I cannot find there is any such evidence as that stated by the right hon. Gentleman in the printed account. I wish to know, will the right hon. Gentleman furnish from some other source the evidence to which he refers?

Yes; for the right hon. Gentleman's satisfaction, I believe I can supplement the printed account.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether or not it was sworn at the trial that Barry was a member of the conspiracy?

Well, Sir; I have stated what I believe to be the fact, that evidence as to Barry's participation in this conspiracy was given at the trial. I do not know that I can give a more specific reply either to the hon. Gentleman, or to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman opposite.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he is now in a position to introduce a short Bill to deal with the several points of safety arrangements on railways, and Returns of Overtime Work, on which he undertook, on the 8th of May last, to legislate?

, in reply, said, he had no hope, during the present Session, of introducing such a Bill. As to the Returns of Overtime, he intended to insert in the Railway and Canal Traffic Bill a clause requiring statistics, which he thought would cover that point.

asked the Postmaster General, What arrangements had been made for the conveyance of mails by the down London day mail combined with the Scotch night mail from Perth to Inverness and the North of Scotland after the 30th of June.

, in reply, said, he had assented to a proposal made by the Railway Company that the train conveying the London day mail and the Scotch night mail from Perth to Inverness should remain under the control of the Post Office. No alteration would, therefore, be made after the 30th.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can yet state the intentions of Government as to affording any assistance to the English University Colleges?

This Question would have been more properly addressed to my right hon. Friend the Vice President of the Council. I may say, however, that I believe that the Lord President and the Vice President received a deputation on this subject, and have since been in communication with the various Colleges, in order to ascertain all the material facts of their position. The information asked for is not yet, in all cases, complete.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Metropolitan Asylums Board has accepted a tender for the erection of a small-pox hospital at Darenth which is £5,000 in excess of the lowest of the nine tenders received?

The tenders for the erection of the hospital for convalescing small-pox patients at Darenth ranged from £41,928 to £59,100. The lowest tender was by a firm at Sleaford; and before the tender was accepted the managers received a communication from the firm requesting that they might be allowed to withdraw their tender, as the cost of the cartage and other matters very much exceeded what they had anticipated. The next lowest tender, which was for £47,000, was accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Upon what grounds the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital refuse to pay to George Williams the amount of arrears of good conduct pay to which he is entitled, and which was certified to be due to him, and payment of which was promised by the Letter of the Com- missioners, No. I. Bd. 1. 6. 85, Case No. 31, dated 8th June, 1887?

(who replied) said: Under the Warrant of 1848, 1d. a-day was added for each good conduct badge to pensions—whether temporary or permanent—granted on their discharge to soldiers incapacitated in the Service—the temporary pension being renewable for such period as the circumstances might warrant. It was decided by Viscount Cardwell, in 1870, that a temporary pensioner, whose pension was so renewed, had no claim to have good conduct pay added to the renewed pension. Pensioner Williams claims arrears of this good conduct pay, which was not added to his renewed pension in 1865. The present Secretary of State is of opinion that a soldier who was granted a temporary pension under such circumstances, and whose temporary pension was so renewed or made permanent, should have the good conduct pay added to pensions, as had been the case up to the decision of Viscount Cardwell in 1870. He caused his interpretation of the Warrant to be notified to the Chelsea Commissioners, who informed Williams that he would get the arrears. It was subsequently pointed out that the Secretary of State would require the approval of the Treasury to a reversal of the decision of a former Secretary of State, involving the grant of arrears. The Treasury differed from the Secretary of State in his interpretation of the Warrant, and held that, as the Chelsea Commissioners and Secretary of State for the time being refused to recognize the claim, their Lordships could not grant the arrears asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true, as stated in the Press, that it is the intention to disestablish the post of chaplain at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; and, if so, on what grounds?

also asked, If the recent Regulation, dispensing with a chaplain at the Woolwich Academy, is a permanent or only a temporary one?

No definite decision has been arrived at. I am sorry to say that there is no chapel in the Royal Military Academy, and, therefore, there is some doubt as to the necessity for a resident chaplain, unless the duty can be taken, as it formerly was, by one of the Professors; but there is no intention of leaving the cadets without proper spiritual supervision.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is the case that the Chilian Government have recently refused to allow letters to be sent to the British Squadron serving in Chilian waters in any other way than through the post office; and, if so, whether he will be able to arrange any plan by which the seamen and marines can continue to send and receive their letters for 1d., in accordance with the privilege that has been granted to them for many years in all parts of the world?

I am not aware that the Chilian Government has recently refused to allow letters to be sent to the British Squadron in Chilian waters in any other way than through the Post Office. That Government has certainly within the last few months raised objections to the delivery of bags containing homeward letters direct from Her Majesty's ships in Chilian waters to mail packets proceeding to England; but I have been in communication with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the subject, and I have no reason to suppose that the diplomatic steps taken in the matter will fail to secure the maintenance of the privilege.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that in five Unions of Ireland a considerable debt has been incurred to contractors for food supplied for purposes of relief under the belief that it would be met by the provisions of the Relief Act passed by the present Government; and, if the Government will find money to settle such of these debts as are owed for goods bonâ fide supplied, or if they will introduce a measure which will enable these five Unions to borrow money to pay the contractors; and, if not, will they suggest any course by which these contractors can recover the money of which they are actually out of pocket?

It is the case that the Guardians of five of the Unions scheduled under the Poor Relief Act, 1886, incurred large debts to contractors who supplied food for the purposes of exceptional out-door relief. The Guardians had no grounds for believing that this debt would be mot by Government; and they were warned by the Local Government Board of the consequence of extravagant expenditure. As regards the concluding portion of the Question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave a few days ago in regard to the Swinford Union.

What was that?

I certainly do not propose to pay the debts of these Unions.

But will you allow legislation by a private Member for the purpose? [No reply.]

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is the case that the Court of Policy of the Colony of British Guiana have passed a Resolution requesting the Secretary of State for the Colonies to remove the Medical Inspector of Estates Hospitals from his office; whether this action of the Court of Policy is traceable to a Report made by that officer in the course of his duties which was considered to have "injuriously reflected on the planters;" and, whether it is the intention of the Colonial Secretary to comply with this demand without investigating the correctness, or otherwise, of the allegations contained in the Report?

The Combined Court have passed a Resolution of the nature suggested in the first paragraph of the hon. Member's Question. The action of the Court is understood to be the result of dissatisfaction on the part of the members with the manner in which the officer has discharged the duties of his office; and particularly with certain statements in an Official Report made by him, which they consider to have reflected unjustly on the employers of immigrant labour. The Secretary of State has received such conflicting statements supporting and contradicting the allegations in the Report that he would be unable to arrive at a conclusion as to their correctness without a Commission of Inquiry; and he has not considered the question to be of sufficient importance to justify the expense of such a Commission. He had already decided, before receiving this Resolution of the Court, to transfer the officer in question to another appointment in the Colonial Service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether Transatlantic steamers sailing from the ports of Liverpool and Queenstown ever put to sea with an over complement of passengers; and, whether the ship's surgeon is, or has been, instructed in such cases by the authorities from Liverpool offices, or their agents at Queenstown, after leaving port to make over the hospital for such passengers' accommodation?

The emigration officer is the last person to leave the ship before she sails, and it is his duty to see that there is for every passenger the space and accommodation required by Statute. I have every reason to believe that the duty is strictly performed.

May I ask, whether the Board of Trade inspecting emigration officers always visit the hospital before they leave the ship?

I presume they make such inspection as they consider necessary?

I beg to give Notice that on going into Committee of Supply I shall raise this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Where H.M.S. Belleisle is at present; how long she has been absent from her moorings at Kingstown; and, when she is to return there?

The Belleisle is at present at Devonport, undergoing her annual re-fit. She has been absent from her moorings since January last on special duty, and will return there as soon as the summer manœuvres are over—in about six weeks.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following in The Daily News:—

"At Falcarragh yesterday four prisoners were remanded for the fourth time to Derry Gaol for seven days for refusing to give evidence. An old man named Shane O'Donnell fainted on his third journey from gaol. He was with great difficulty resuscitated, and was eventually discharged;"

The District Inspector of Constabulary reports that The Daily News' allegation that O'Donnell fainted is untrue. On the contrary, he was perfectly well during the entire journey. O'Donnell can hardly be described as an old man. His age is 64. He was first committed to prison on the 24th of May, and brought up on two subsequent occasions on remand, and finally discharged on the 13th of June, There were no previous convictions against him.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the alleged offence on which he was discharged?

said, he would require Notice of that Question.

May I point out that the right hon. Gentleman has failed to answer that portion of the Question in which I inquired how long O'Donnell was in prison, and if he was convicted of any crime, or charged with any crime, and that the right hon. Gentleman said there was no previous conviction.

Certainly he was committed for an offence—of refusing to answer a question that he could have answered. With regard to the other Question of the hon. Member, I stated that he was committed on the 24th of May, and finally discharged on the 13th of June.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, upon what ground he makes the allegation that the man was committed to prison for not answering a question which he could have answered? How does the right hon. Gentleman know that the man could have answered the question or not? What evidence was there to show that he could have answered it?

said, the Resident Magistrate so held from the facts of the case.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give any information as to the probable duration of Mukhtar Pasha's Mission in Egypt?

I can only reply to my hon. Friend, as I have done on previous occasions, that Her Majesty's Government are unable to give any information on the subject of the probable duration of Mukhtar Pasha's Mission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will bring in a Bill to repeal the by-law of the Metropolitan Board of Works, which gives power to prohibit public meetings amongst the poorer classes of the Metropolis by taking from them the power of collecting money to pay their printing and other expenses?

also asked, Whether the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiry into the grounds alleged by the one ratepayer on which the Metropolitan Board of Works made the additional by-law forbidding collections on open spaces approved by him on the 24th of February last; whether he will inquire if similar collections have taken place without objection in the Metropolis on behalf of Sunday bands for more than 33 years, and on behalf of various political and charitable objects for more than 40 years, and whether any breach of the peace or other public evil or annoyance has arisen in consequence of such collections; and, whether, pending such inquiry, he will direct the police not to initiate further prosecutions for alleged breach of such additional by-law?

I have been in further communication with the Board of Works, who inform me that the by-law complained of does not apply to collections of money on behalf of bands and musical performances which have been expressly allowed by the Board. These collections are made in the form of selling programmes and letting of chairs, and are not of the same character as collections made after public meetings, when persons frequenting the Parks, whether they join the assemblages or not, are solicited for money. I have asked the police to report to me whether the practice, in their opinion, tends to a breach of the peace, or creates any public evil or annoyance. I have also written to the Board of Works asking them to consider whether, inasmuch as no by-law such as this is in force in the Royal Parks, and inasmuch as its enforcement has apparently occasioned more vexation and annoyance than it prevents, any sufficient reason exists for maintaining it. The power of varying and altering by-laws is vested in the Board of Works. The prosecutions are instituted by them, and not by the police. I hope legislation may not be necessary on this subject now that attention has been drawn to it.

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that on the previous day several policemen in uniform, and some in plain clothes, were employed in taking down the names and addresses of persons collecting, and that special action was being taken by the Police Authorities in connection with those collections?

said, he was not aware that such proceedings had been in progress. The prosecutions were initiated by the Board upon information which the Board had themselves gained.

further asked the right hon. Gentleman, did he know that the by-law, as it stood, gave Park-keepers under the Metropolitan Board of Works authority to enforce the by-law; and that the action taken by the police in uniform gave the impression that they were acting under the instructions of the Government?

said, he would take care that no such impression as that could be justified.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether collections are allowed after meetings held in the Royal Parks in London; and, whether such collections have lately taken place?

There is no rule against making collections after meetings in the Royal Parks. Such collections have recently been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true that there are two vacancies in the staff of Factory and Workshop Inspectors; and, if so, whether one vacancy has been open for some months; and, whether, seeing the strong evidence before the Select Committee on the Sweating System of the necessity for increased inspection of factories and workshops, the Government will fill the vacancies without further delay?

There is at present only one vacancy in the Factory Inspectors' Department, a vacancy which recently occurred having been filled up by an Inspector who was redundant on the staff. The other vacancy has been open for some months, for this reason. I nominated a gentle- man who seemed to me to be well qualified, as he had practical experience in factory work. For reasons which I need not detail to the House, but which do not alter my opinion as to his fitness, he was unable to satisfy all the requirements of the new scheme of examination which was settled by my Predecessor. I hope, however, that in a short time he will be able to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners, and the vacancy will be filled.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What steps has the Lord Lieutenant taken to satisfy himself of the legal knowledge of the Resident Magistrates who try cases under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, especially cases of conspiracy?

The duty referred to is one vested solely in the Lord Lieutenant by Statute. He acts with a full sense of his responsibility in the matter; and I do not see that any public advantage would be served by entering into the explanation required in the Question, even if it were proper for me to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the note in italics at the head of the Return, "Inferior Courts of Record," showing that such Return is "preliminary," If he can state when the complete Return is likely to be laid before the House; and, in the event of it being impossible to furnish such Return by an early day, whether he can make any statement as to the probable number and nature of the Inferior Courts not included in the Preliminary Return?

(who replied) said: It is impossible to say when the complete Return will be ready. Urgent application for the requisite particulars has been made to 194 Courts, in addition to those to which the preliminary Return relates. Inasmuch as there are doubts whether many of these Courts are not obsolete, much difficulty is anticipated in obtaining the whole of the information sought for. As to their nature, 57 of them are Courts of Request; 56 "Hundred" Courts; 75 Borough Courts; one is a University Chancellor's Court; and five are miscellaneous.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will produce the précis of a conversation between the Acting Consul at Noumea and Mr. Lacascade, then Director of the Interior for New Caledonia, forwarded to the Foreign Office two years ago by Consul Layard; whether the Vice Consul, New Caledonia, now in London, has given any information respecting the expulsion by the French of the Rev. John Jones from Maré; and, whether a satisfactory settlement of the case of Mr. Jones has yet been obtained by Her Majesty's Government?

I can only state that communications are in progress on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and that it is not desirable to present any Papers just now.

(for Mr. CONYBEARE) (Cornwall, Camborne) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can now state what conclusion he has arrived at respecting the opening to the public use of the subway leading from the corner of Palace Yard to the Thames Embankment?

said: After consulting with the First Commissioner of Her Majesty's Office of Works, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no objection to the re-opening of the subway front Palace Yard to the Thames Embankment to the public use.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following protest of 11 prisoners in Loughrea as to their treatment:—

"Taken from our beds at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning, kept in the police barracks and Court until 2 o'clock, when the inquiry commenced, forced to sit listening to depositions being read until 6 that evening, and then, having our application for bail refused, committed to Loughrea Bridewell (11 men in all), where there was only accommodation for three, and even these beds were almost wet and filthy;"

also had the following Question on the Paper:—To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the following statement alleged to have been made by 11 men charged under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act at Loughrea on Wednesday:—

"Taken from our beds at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning, kept in the police barracks and Court until 2 o'clock, when the inquiry commenced, forced to sit listening to depositions being read until 6 that evening, and then, having our application for bail refused, committed to Loughrea Bridewell (11 men in all), where there was only accommodation for three, and even these beds were almost wet and filthy;"

Perhaps I may be permitted now to reply also to the Question of the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Harris). The charge was not under the Criminal Law and Procedure Act, but under the ordinary law. The District Inspector of Constabulary reports that, bail having been refused, it was necessary to lodge these prisoners in the Bridewell. Some were accommodated in three available cells, and the remainder in the day-room. The former had beds which were neither filthy nor wet; and the latter were given such spare rugs and blankets as were at the keeper's disposal. The question of the accommodation for, and treatment of, untried prisoners generally throughout the country has been engaging the attention of Her Majesty's Government.

May I ask, if the Government will offer any explanation of the tactics which they are now resorting to in Ireland, and of taking men out of their beds at the dead of night? Could not they make the arrests either before bed-time or after the people had risen?

I suppose the usual course is for the police to arrest persons when they can find them. The people appear to have escaped arrest before.

What is the charge against these men?

The charge is not under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, but under the ordinary law. I believe it is a prosecution for conspiracy.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been called to the Petition of Mr. James Thomas Fernandez, lately in the Indian Service as a civil engineer; whether the recital of facts in that Petition is generally accurate; and, whether it will be possible to re-consider the case of the Petitioner, with a view to affording him the restitution for which he asks?

I am not sure to what Petition the hon. Member refers; but a Memorial from Mr. Fernandez was, in 1887, addressed to the Secretary of State in Council. The facts were not accurately represented in that Memorial. Mr. Fernandez resigned after 10 years' service in 1884, being at the time under suspension. In April, 1885, he was re-employed on a temporary engagement; but in November he was again suspended, and his services were dispensed with, he being granted a month's salary as an act of grace. The case has been fully considered by the Government of India and the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State sees no reason for re-considering the decision arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Mr. Patrick Loughry, Poor Rate Collector, Tulla Union, has been dismissed by sealed order of the Local Government Board; whether any communication passed between the Local Government Board and the Board of Guardians before the issue of the sealed order; and, whether he will state what was the nature of the offence charged against Mr. Loughry for which he was dismissed?

I reply to the first paragraph in the affirmative; to the second in the negative. As regards the last portion of the Question, the Local Government Board considered the man an unfit person to hold office under the Irish Poor Relief Acts, he having been sentenced to imprisonment in default of finding sureties for his good behaviour.

What is the offence he was summoned for, and for which he refused to find bail—will the right hon. Gentleman state that?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman that information.

I beg to give Notice that I shall put a further Question on the subject.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware that the south bank of the Serpentine is crowded with naked men and boys bathing at a time when Hyde Park is full of ladies; whether there is any regulation requiring the bathers to wear costumes; and, whether he will take steps to compel the observance of decency?

Bathing is allowed in Hyde Park under the Regulations made in pursuance of the Park Regulations Act (1872), only from the south shore of the Serpentine, and only at the following hours:—In the morning from 5 to 8, and in the evening, at this time of the year, from 7.30 to 8.30. Bathers may not undress or land anywhere except within the space set apart for that purpose, and must observe the directions of the Park-keepers. I do not think that it would be possible to enforce any Regulations requiring bathers to wear costumes, considering the thousands who bathe there—amounting to more than 250,000 annually. Of course, if any specified charges of indecency are made they will be attended to; but I have not received any such complaints.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the rumour, which appears in the papers, is true that a Russian officer has taken possession of the Port of Alifat, south of Tula, from which a road runs into Abyssinia?

We have no such information as is stated in my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, When the Papers referring to the recent Mission to Abyssinia, which were ordered to be printed on May 8 last, will be laid upon the Table of the House?

It is hoped that these Papers will be ready in 10 days.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is a fact that exports from Trinidad to the United States of Venezuela show a reduction of over 50 per cent during April last, as compared with the same month in 1885?

(who replied) said: I am informed that the exports from Trinidad to Venezuela in April, 1885, amounted to £13,969; and in April, 1888, to £64,527. Deducting the exports of specie, the figures are £9,471 and £16,406 respectively; so that instead of a reduction of 50 per cent, as assumed in the hon. Member's Question, there has been an increase of nearly 500 per cent in the gross exports, and an increase of about 75 per cent in the exports excluding specie.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Local Government Bill will interfere with the right of appointing representation upon the Board of Improvement Commissioners now enjoyed by the University at Cambridge and by the Manchester Ship Canal Company at Runcorn?

With regard to Cambridge, the Council of the borough are not at present the Urban Sanitary Authority; and it will be necessary that the case should be dealt with by a Provisional Order under Clause 55 of the Bill. It will depend upon the provisions of that Order, which will require the confirmation of Parliament, whether the University will be specially represented on the District Council. The Bill does not contemplate that in the case of Runcorn the Manchester Ship Canal Company should have the right of appointing members of the District Council.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the present English Consul at Ajaccio, Corsica, receives a yearly salary of £450, and £50 for office expenses; if it is true that his predecessor, Mr. Short, only received a salary of £120; when was the Deputy Vice Consulate at Bonefeccia done away with; what is the nature of the Consular business transacted in Corsica; what is the average annual amount received at Ajaccio in Consular fees; and, for what reason was the salary increased?

The salary and allowance of Her Majesty's Consul at Ajaccio are as stated in the first Question. Mr. Short, who was not the immediate predecessor of the present Consul, received a salary of £100, and office allowance of £50. The Deputy Vice Consulate at Bonefeccia was abolished on the 10th of May, 1886. The Consular business in Corsica is of the ordinary nature; there is nothing exceptional in it. The average for three years is about £7. The salary was increased on the death of Mr. Short's successor, by the advice of Lord Lyons, who strongly recommended the augmentation.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the report of a case recently tried at Sorrha Petty Sessions, County Tipperary, where Mr. Michael Hogan, Honorary Secretary to the local branch of the League, was charged with being "drunk and disorderly" on May 10, at the prosecution of Police Sergeant M'Clintock, of Pike Station; whether, according to the report, the case was dismissed by the magistrates on the evidence of the witnesses called for the prosecution, two of them being police constables; whether one witness, Constable Foy, denied having seen the defendant where he was charged with being drunk and disorderly, but stated—

"That he saw him sitting on his own stile, no way misconducting himself;"

"Having been brought into the police barrack and asked to swear against the prisoner,"

The Local Constabulary Authorities report that the case referred to was dismissed on the technical ground that it was not proved that Hogan was disorderly on the public road. There could be no question as to the fact that he was drunk and disorderly in his own yard. The allegations in the third paragraph are denied. Thomas Kennedy made the statement in Court referred to; but the police doubt its accuracy, for it was Kennedy's mother who had reported at the barrack that Hogan was drunk, and had assaulted Kennedy. The sergeant having asked Kennedy if he would prosecute for the assault, he refused. The sergeant then summoned him as a witness.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the Report presented to Mr. Justice Johnson on the 5th instant by the Constabulary Authorities regarding the state of the County of Dublin; whether that Report is of an exceptional character, or is substantially identical with all previous Reports regarding the County of Dublin presented to the Judges on similar occasions for the past 10 years; and, whether that Report is the sole ground on which such an outbreak of crime in Dublin County as would justify the enforcement there of the first section of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act is anticipated by the Government; and, if not, on what other ground is such an anticipation entertained?

also asked, Whether, when the right hon. Gentleman decided to proclaim the City of Dublin under the section of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, he was aware of the condition of affairs reported to Mr. Justice Johnson, which that Judge described as satisfactory, adding that only 6 or 7 per cent of crime remained undetected; and, whether he will reconsider the question of applying the most stringent provision of the Act to that community?

I will answer both Questions at the same time. The answer I gave on Friday was that there was nothing—and there is nothing—exceptional in the state of crime either in the City or in the County of Dublin; and it is not in consequence of the exceptional state of crime that the Government have proclaimed the City and County of Dublin under Section 1. I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Murphy) that this provision is the most stringent provision of this Act; because the opinion has been expressed over and over again that it should be applied to the whole country as part of the ordinary law.

May I point out to the right hon. Gentleman that he has not answered a single one of the three paragraphs in my Questions? He has left them completely unanswered.

I thought the information I gave the hon. Gentleman would have satisfied him; but as it does not, I may say that I will not lay on the Table a copy of the Report presented to Mr. Justice Johnson on the 5th instant. That Report was not of an exceptional character, and that Report is not the

"Sole ground on which such an outbreak of crime in Dublin County as would justify the enforcement there of the first section of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act is anticipated by the Government."

The right hon. Gentleman justified the application of Section 1 to the County Dublin not by the existing state of facts, but by some apprehension of what may happen. I wish to ask him whether the Report of the Constabulary Authorities to Mr. Justice Johnson affords any ground for anticipating an outbreak of crime; and, also, whether it is not the fact that the percentage of undetected crime in the City of Dublin is only 6 per cent, which is less than the average of any other town in the Kingdom; and, does that circumstance afford any ground for the apprehensions of the Government?

The right hon. Gentleman must have misunderstood the purport of my answer. I did not state that it was in consequence of an outbreak of crime which the Govern- ment anticipated that the Government had taken this step; and, as to the second Question, I would point out that it is not the amount of undetected crime that is the justification, or need be the justification, of using this section. The sole justification required by the Government is whether, in their opinion, the application of the section may not lead to the detection of crime which would otherwise remain undiscovered.

asked Mr. Attorney General, What is the number of the general, and what is the number of the special or conditional, licences in mortmain granted by the Crown since January 1, 1868; how many forfeitures have accrued to the Crown in the like period by reason of grants or conveyances in mortmain without licence; what steps have been taken to enforce observance of the conditions contained in the licences granted during the like period; and, during the like period, have any proceedings, and, if so, with what result, been taken on behalf of the Crown for breach of the conditions contained in any such licence?

The time which has elapsed since this Question appeared on the Paper has not been sufficient to obtain all the particulars for which the hon. and learned Member has asked. But I believe that since the date referred to 37 licences have been granted by the Crown; and, in addition, a considerable number of Charters, containing clauses giving such licences. I have not yet been able to ascertain whether any proceedings have been taken since that date. There have not, as far as I know, been any forfeitures.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he is aware that the issue of incorrect versions by the Queen's Printers and other privileged presses enjoying a monopoly of the right of printing the Book of Common Prayer was complained of in 1868 by the Committee of the Convocation of Canterbury, has led to the appointment of a Committee by the Convocation of York during the present year, and was alluded to in 1870 by the Royal Commission on Ritual in their Fourth Report; whether the terms of the Royal Letters Patent, granted to the privileged printers, provide for such irregularities being punished; and, if not, in what way can they be legally corrected; and, whether, in face of the fact that not one single correctly printed copy of the Statutory Prayer Book is now procurable (while the much bulkier "authorized" version of the Bible is printed with admirable fidelity), the Gcvernment are prepared to throw open the printing of the Prayer Book to public competition, or else to authorize Her Majesty's Attorney General to take proceedings to remedy the abuse alleged to exist?

I believe that it is a fact that in the versions of the Book of Common Prayer printed by the Queen's Printers and the other authorized presses certain minor variations from the Prayer Book annexed to the Act 13 & 14 Charles II., c. 4, exist. This fact was referred to, as the hon. Member states, in the Report of the Committee of the Convocation of Canterbury in 1868; but the variations in question were apparently not of sufficient importance to justify any action. On the contrary, I find in the Report the following words:—

"Most of the variations.…are, in fact, improvements in regard to accuracy and to sense; nor could greater care and fidelity be reasonably expected than have grown up in the present century. In all ordinary particulars the Prayer Book as now printed is what the compilers would have wished to make it if their task had fallen to them in the present day."

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government are able to give any facilities for the completion of the discussion on the Small Holdings Bill, which was adjourned on Wednesday, May 10; and, if not, whether, in view of the general expression of opinion in favour of an increase in the number of cultivating owners of land, the Government will agree to the immediate appointment of a Select Committee to consider by what means, either in connection with Local Government or otherwise, this object can most effectually be accomplished; how far the practice of small ownership and cultivation has diminished in this country; and, whether there is any evidence to show whether such diminution is due to legislation?

In answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to say that Her Majesty's Government regret that, having regard to the present state of Business in this House, they are unable to afford facilities for the further discussion of the Small Holdings Bill; but they will willingly co-operate in the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the question of small holdings, and especially the points to which the right hon. Member calls attention.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Treasury have taken any steps towards generally carrying into effect the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments as regards the placing of the establishments on a seven-hour scale of service; and, whether any Department has recently applied for a large increase of staff; and, if so, whether the Treasury will place the Lower Division clerks in that Department on the seven-hour scale, and thus carry out their intention, as expressed in Parliamentary Paper No, 227 (1884)—namely,

"That this change it is the intention of my Lords to encourage wherever the increase of work justifies it,"

The question as to the establishment of the seven hour scale of service in the Civil Establishments is one that has not been lost sight of by the Treasury, and considerable progress has been made in that direction, and will continue to be made when circumstances will permit. When any large increase of staff is applied for by a Department, the Treasury carefully bear in mind the seven-hour system of employment.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the dissatisfaction generally felt by the Services in the United Kingdom at the composition of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into their administration, he will recommend the addition of one Admiral and one General to the Commission?

It has not before been brought to the notice of the Government that the Services have expressed dissatisfaction with the names of Lieutenant General Brackenbury, Rear Admiral Sir F. W. Richards, Captain W. H. Hall, R.N., and Major G. S. Clarke, R.E., who are respectively Members and Secretaries of the Royal Commission. But the Government will consider the expediency of adding the names of another General and Admiral, and will communicate the fact to the House.

asked, Whether Her Majesty's Government would consider the advisability of carrying out as fully as possible the wishes of the Australian people in connection with the Chinese question; and, also, whether Her Majesty's Government would consider seriously the desirability of adopting the suggestion unanimously agreed to by the Conference of the Australian Colonies, to the effect that it would be advisable for the Imperial Government to enter into diplomatic negotiations with the Chinese Government, in order that a Treaty might be concluded between this country and China for a satisfactory settlement of the difficult question of the wholesale emigration of Chinese to the Australian Colonies?

The suggestions and recommendations made by the Australasian Conference with regard to the Chinese labour question are receiving the fullest and most careful attention of the Government.

said, that John Mara, who was charged before Mr. Newton at Marlborough Street Police Court with attempted pocket picking, was remanded twice, not three times. The evidence to which reference was made was forthcoming on Saturday last. The magistrate informed him that the prisoner was remanded, in the first instance, in order to ascertain if anything was known of him by the warders and detectives who visited the prison for the purpose—a course which was not unusual; in the second instance, because the magistrate at the close of that day's examination was informed for the first time that the evidence of two other detectives could be obtained whose examination was desired by the prisoner's solicitor. He was also informed by the magistrate that Story did not state that he was present in the Court on Monday, the 11th. He had been present, but had gone away, not knowing he would be wanted. Gregory did say that he was on special duty on the 4th; but he had not had time to ascertain what that special duty was. Detective Mott did not require 14 days to produce two witnesses. Inquiry was now being made into the treatment of Mara in Holloway. The Prison Rules declared that criminal prisoners before trial might, if they desired it, wear the prison dress; and they should be required to do so if their own clothes were insufficient or unfit for use, or had to be preserved for the purposes of justice. But the dress was of a different kind from the dress of a convicted prisoner. It was not usual for prisoners under remand to sleep on plank beds without a mattress. He was informed by the magistrate that the extent of the charge was, for the first time, made known to him at the close of the prosecution on Saturday, and, therefore, bail was taken. Up till then he did not know whether the case might not turn out to be a felony.

gave Notice that he would take the earliest possible opportunity of moving a Resolution respecting the conduct of business at Marlborough Street Police Court.

asked, Whether the Votes would be taken in their order on Thursday?

My right hon. Friend has already stated that Vote 12 will be taken.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been drawn to three letters in The Times and one in The Morning Post of that day absolutely denying that Mr. William Tayler, ex-Commissioner of Patna, had been offered an inquiry into his conduct in 1859, and had declined that offer; and whether, as that statement materially affected the Divi- sion on that question prejudicially to Mr. Tayler's interests, he was prepared to Mr. Tayler's interests, he was prepared to lay on the Table of the House copies of the whole Correspondence pro and con on which he based that statement, including Mr. Samuells' letter containing offensive imputations against Mr. Taylor, which he subsequently entirely withdrew, and which withdrawal caused Mr. Taylor to say that he did not think it necessary to pursue the matter further; also, whether he would lay on the Table copies of Mr. Taylor's two letters of September, 1856, in which he not only invited, but urgently requested, a judicial investigation into his conduct?

, in reply, said, that the statement he made on Friday was that Mr. Tayler was offered an inquiry into the correctness of Lord Canning's belief that in the course of Mr. Tayler's proceedings at Patna men were condemned and executed upon insufficient evidence. The Papers which the House had just ordered to be laid on the Table would amply justify that statement. The Papers which the hon. and gallant Baronet required were already before Parliament, with the exception of the letters of September, 1856, for which search would be made in the India Office.

asked, in reference to the introduction of the Irish Drainage Bills, for some time on the Paper, Whether the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was aware that at this moment one of the largest floods known for the last 20 years was covering the land near the river between Monasterevan and Athy; and, whether he was aware that all the small landholders would lose the whole of the potato crops, and that the other crops would be so injured by the water that they could not be used; and, whether he would take steps to bring in these Bills at an early date?

I have already often expressed to the House my great desire to bring in these Bills at the earliest possible opportunity; but I may remind the hon. Gentleman that no expedition on our part would have saved the tenants who are now suffering from the action of floods. If they were saved it would have had to be done by action taken three or four years ago.