asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Local Government Board Inspector, Dr. Thomson, on two occasions—namely, June 4 and July 17, 1888, wrote to the Newcastle Union, stating that the Board would require the dispensary doctor of Ardagh District to reside within the district; and, at what distance from the centre of such district does the present medical officer reside?

It is the case that the Local Government Board in consequence of a recommendation of their late Medical Inspector, addressed the Dispensary Committee requesting them to call upon the medical officer of the Ardagh District to reside within the district; but, having fully considered the representations made by the Dispensary Committee, the Local Government Board decided not to insist on the present arrangement being disturbed. Athea, where the medical officer previously re sided, and Newcastle, the present residence, are about equidistant from the centre of the district—namely, some six miles.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he can state how many retired Army medi- cal officers are now employed, and what saving on the pension list is effected thereby; whether, in order still further to reduce the charges for Non-Effective Services, any increased number will be employed; and, whether the practice will be extended to other Departments?

Fifty-nine retired medical officers are now employed. The saving on the pension list is rather nominal than real, as the officer still draws the full amount of his retired pay. The real saving is on the effective list, where the payment is only £150 a-year, instead of the full pay and allowances of an officer on the active list. This for 59 officers cannot be less than £8,100 a-year. In the future there will be a non-effective saving, consequent on a smaller number of officers passing through the effective list. An increase in the number of these appointments in the Medical and other Departments is about to be carried out.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Assistant Land Commissioners first appointed under the Land Act of 1881 have been deprived since August last of the 21s. per night allowance for expenses which they received during the seven years expiring in that month, and in lieu thereof now receive an additional salary only of £50 per annum; will he state at whose suggestion this change was made; and does it apply to Commissioners Litton and Wrench, whose term of office expired also in August; if it does not apply to these two Commissioners, what are the grounds for the difference in treatment; will he inform the House what alterations have been made in the salaries and expenses allowed to the Registrars originally appointed to the Sub-Commission; and, whether he will consider the desirability of placing these Registrars on the terms promised them when appointed, considering the extra duties now imposed upon them by the additional sets of lay Commissioners added to the Sub-Commission?

said, Assistant Land Commissioners were appointed in 1881 for seven years, and their appointments, therefore, ceased in September last. From that date new appointments were made, some of them being given to the holders of the lapsed offices. In making the new appointments the Treasury made a change in the scale of remuneration of the office. The appointments of 1881 were made on a salary of £750, with a subsistence allowance of £1 1s. for each night absent on duty. The scale sanctioned for the new appointment is an inclusive salary of £800 a-year. The Treasury made the change on their own responsibility, after full inquiry. I believe the new rates afford remuneration adequate to the work to be done, and I can hold out no expectation of their being altered. Commissioners Litton and Wrench are not in any way affected by the change. The Sub-Registrars appointed in 1881 received salary £250, subsistence £1 1s. The scale has now been fixed at an inclusive salary of £500.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the pier and harbour constructed at Keel, in Achill, County Mayo, out of the funds of the recent Relief Act, under the supervision of the Board of Works, has gone to pieces, especially that portion of it constructed and superintended by Messrs. Peddy and Cowen, the latter County Surveyor of Mayo; and, if it is true that Mr. Cowen, County Surveyor, Westport, has now given it by contract to a Coastguard pensioner to be patched up; and, if so, why the Board of Works has not, in the first instance, intrusted the execution of this important work to competent hands?

I am making inquiries on the subject of this Question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests distrained, on October 1 last, on a farm called Leafield Farm, in Oxfordshire, held of the Crown, for rent which was not due and payable until October 10 last, and without any previous demand having been made upon the tenant for payment of such rent; and, if so, under what right or authority they so acted; whether the Commissioners demanded possession of the farmhouse to be given up on October 10, refusing to the outgoing tenant permission to occupy any part thereof in accordance with the usual custom, to enable him to dispose of the stock and produce of the farm; whether the Commissioners have taken proceedings in ejectment against the tenant, because he refuses to give up possession until he has been paid, either by the incoming tenant or by the Commissioners, the value of his unexhausted improvements; and, whether, if this be so, such ejectment action will be proceeded with?

Instructions were given to distrain for the rent due in respect of the last quarter of the tenancy, expiring on October 10 last, which rent was payable on July 5 last. No distress was actually made, as the rent in arrear was paid to the bailiff. Under the lease the tenant had no claim to occupy the farmhouse; but, as usual, authority has been given to occupy for a short time part of the barns and outhouses. A valuer has been appointed, and there is no wish on the part of the Crown to delay a settlement. It is necessary to obtain possession of the farmhouse, as the holding has been let as from Michaelmas last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a paragraph in The Leeds Daily News of Thursday, December 6, as follows:—

"An Irish landowner recently evicted several tenants. His bailiff, acting under instructions, distrained the cattle of one of the evicted tenants. On attempting to dispose of them in Ireland he was Boycotted. Consequently they were consigned to a salesman in Liverpool, the bailiff going with them, and being followed by the evicted tenant. He (the tenant) is said to have informed the cattle salesman that if he disposed of the cattle it would be at his own peril. The salesman, therefore, refused to sell, and the cattle were taken by the bailiff to Newcastle. The same proceedings took place there as at Liverpool, the cattle not being sold. The bailiff then brought them to Leeds, where they were sold yesterday at the cattle market. The evicted tenant, who stood by, was heard to say to the salesman, Mr. David Wright, of Halifax—'At your peril sell the cattle: your portrait will be taken, and you will be shot.' Notwithstanding this threat, Mr Wright disposed of the cattle at full market prices, although many persons refused to purchase;"

In reply to inquiries I have made I have received Reports from the authorities at Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle-on-Tyne, which do not, however, enable me to trace the consignments of cattle with any certainty. The paragraph quoted in the Question appears to be inaccurate in many particulars; but there is some evidence to show that attempts were made to interfere by threats with a sale of cattle at Leeds and another at Wakefield. These acts are, undoubtedly, breaches of the law; and if I am able to procure sufficient evidence I shall certainly direct prosecutions to be instituted.

asked, if the threats were not essentially due to the repugnance of the dealers to buy; and whether the right hon Gentleman had any evidence of the two statements in the Question—"At your peril sell the cattle," and "Your portrait will be taken, and you will be shot."

Yes; I have evidence not that the tenant—for I cannot identify the person—but a man, said to be an Irishman, threatened the salesman at Halifax in the words quoted. I have no evidence to show that there was any indisposition on the part of the purchasers to buy.

What is the nature of the evidence on which it is said the person was from Ireland?

In the first instance the Report of the Mayor; in the second the Report of the Chief Constable; and in the third also the Report of the Mayor.

Do they only say that he was said to be an Irishman, or do they offer any evidence?

They make the statement.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he will cause a favourable reply to be sent to the Memorials, one of which has now been under his consideration for upwards of a year, presented by the Lower Division clerks in that Department, and in which they ask to be placed in the same position with regard to sick leave, &c., as that held by the other clerks and established messengers in that Office?

The Memorial has been received; but, in view of the fact that Regulations governing the Civil Service generally are likely to follow the recommendations of the Royal Commission, it has not been considered expedient to vary the existing Regulation in the Admiralty alone.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that advertisements relating to the drainage works on the River Shannon are given to The Western Star, of Ballinasloe, and to The Galway Express, of the town of Galway, both Conservative papers, while The Western News, of Ballinasloe, a Liberal paper having four times the circulation of either of these journals, has been passed over and has got none of these advertisements; and, if so, would he instruct the Board of Works, or those who control such matters, to remedy this state of things?

The advertisements were sent by the Parliamentary agents; but I will inquire into the matter; and if I find that the paper in question has a larger circulation than those to which the advertise- ments are at present given, and if it is not a newspaper which breaks the law, I will do what I can to put the matter right.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that William Kilroe, of Shannon Bridge, King's County, has been served with a process of ejectment by Lord Ashbrook, which is to be tried at Birr on the 27th instant; that Mr. Kilroe and his father have reclaimed 25 acres of the land from which he is now about to be evicted, according to survey made for purpose of sale in the Encumbered Estates Court; and, whether it is a fact that Mr. Kilroe served notice on the Land Commissioners in October, 1887, and has got no answer up to the present; and, if so, would the Government take action, with a view to the protection of Mr. Kilroe, as otherwise his farms will be taken from him, and his improvements confiscated, owing to delay of Land Commissioners?

With reference to this case, if a decree of ejectment were granted, it would be competent for the tenant, before the eviction took place, to apply for a stay on payment of the arrears in such instalments as the Court might order. It is true that Mr. Kilroe served notice on the Land Commissioners in October 1887; but he was unable to say when the case would be heard.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it be true that the tenants on Captain Blakeney's estate near Glantane, County Galway, served originating notices, in October, 1887, to have a fair rent fixed, and that the Irish Land Commissioners have not as yet intimated when they are to adjudicate in these cases; that, in the mean time, these tenants are being subjected to law costs if they be unable to meet the demands of Captain Blakeney on rent day; and, if so, would the Government take such action as would bring about a speedy settlement of these cases?

The Land Commissioners report that originating notices were served in October, 1887, by tenants on Captain Blakeney's estate, County Galway. I am not aware of the tenants being subjected to any costs. There will be a Sub-Commission sitting for the union of Mount Bellew, in which these cases are situated, about February or March next. But it is not possible for the Land Commissioners to say at present how many of the cases referred to will be on the first list.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received information of the successful rising of the Samoan people against Tamasese; whether the seat of Government and the Government Offices are now in the hands of Mataafa; whether a vast majority of the Samoan people recognise Mataafa as the representative of the exiled King, Malietoa; whether Mataafa is de facto King of Samoa; whether the Government recognize Mataafa as King of Samoa; and, whether, during the present troubles, the Government could undertake to station a man-of-war at Apia?

Our latest information is of the 10th of October, when it appeared that the result of the fighting between the adherents of Tamasese and Mataafa had been so far in favour of the latter. Tamasese had transferred the seat of his Government. Her Majesty's Consul had, in pursuance of his orders, observed neutrality between the contending parties. Tamasese was recognized as the de facto Ruler, and no fresh recognition of any one else has yet been made. We are as yet hardly in a position to express a decided opinion as to the predominant balance of strength.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the last paragraph of my Question?

A man-of-war is there at present.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has yet received information that three natives—W. T. G. Caulker T. C. Caulker, and Lahai—were tried in the Colony of Sierra Leone for murder, convicted, recommended to mercy by the jury, and, notwithstanding that recommendation and much local feeling, and a petition in course of preparation in their favour, hanged at Shaingay on the 6th of June; whether the murder charged was the death of a man in fight in the course of a war by one Native Chief upon another; whether two of the unfortunate men executed were acting in the war in obedience to the commands of their natural Chief, T. C. Caulker; and, whether the Government have directed that similar cases shall be reported to them before the death penalty is inflicted?

As was stated in answer to a Question on the 22nd of June, three natives so named were tried in Sierra Leone for murder and convicted, and were executed at Shaingay on the 6th of June. They were recommended to mercy by the jury; but the Secretary of State has not been informed that there was much local feeling, or that a Petition was in course of preparation. No such Petition was presented, although 37 days elapsed between the sentence and execution. The recommendation of the jury was carefully considered by the late Governor and his Executive Council. The murder was committed in a raid made upon Shaingay, a place in British territory, by the direction of the two Caulkers, the circumstances of which are set forth in Despatches presented to Parliament in September, 1887. The Caulkers were members of a Chiefs family, but were not Chiefs, nor were they acting in obedience to their Chief; the third man executed was acting under the direction of the other two. All of them were British subjects. In answer to the last paragraph of the Question, I have to say that the Government have not so directed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the Electric Lighting Act of 1882 precludes the Board of Trade or Local Authorities from granting licences to one or more persons, firms, or Companies to light the same area; whether the Act contains restrictions as to the breaking up of any street without the written consent of the Board of Trade; whether inquiries are made by the Board of Trade as to the ability of undertakers to carry out the work before licences are granted; whether he can state what number of licences have been granted since the last Return was issued; and, whether it is a fact that the reason assigned by Companies which obtained licences under the Act of 1882 for abandoning these was the enormous law costs which would have been incurred owing to the opposition of the Local Boards or Councils?

The Electric Lighting Act, 1882, does not preclude the granting of licences to one or more persons, firms, or Companies to light the same area. With reference to the second Question, the Board of Trade cannot give power to break up streets except under a licence or Provisional Order. As regards the third Question, inquiries such as those suggested by the hon. Member are made by the Board of Trade. Two licences have been granted since the last Report to Parliament. In reply to the last part of the Question, I have to say that no such reason as that referred to by the hon. Member has, to my knowledge, been assigned for the abandonment of licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to notices given for supplying electric light in the parish of Kensington, under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and 1888, by the four following Companies—namely, the Kensington and Knightsbridge Electric Company, Limited; the Chelsea Electricity Supply Company, Limited; the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company, Limited; and the House to House Electric Supply Company, Limited; whether he is aware that the said Companies propose to conduct their operations mainly, or very largely, within the same area, and in many instances to take power to break up the same streets, roads, or places; whether it is the duty of the Board of Trade, before making any Provisional Order, to take cognizance, of its own motion, of such primâ facie objections; and, whether the Board will not take any such cognizance unless and until it is moved thereto by the Local Authority, or other parties interested?

The answer to the first three Questions of the hon. Member is "Yes;" and the answer to the last is, that it is the duty and practice of the Board of Trade, in framing a Provisional Order, to consider any objections to which their attention is called, and also any such as may occur to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the applications now being made by various Companies to supply Kensington and other parts of the Metropolis with electric light, If he will take care that concessions are not sanctioned till the applicants have given some substantial guarantees that they will really carry out the proposed works, and not merely hawk about the concessions in the market, and throw them up if no profit is made there, as was so generally the case when Provisional Orders were granted under the former Act?

, in reply, said, that in the case of all Provisional Orders and of most licences a deposit was required from the undertakers, and the powers so given could not be transferred without the sanction of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the Report, published in The Lancet, of "the Lancet Special Commission on the dangers attending Labour in the Docks," and especially to the following passages:—

"Men are ruptured, their spines injured, their bones broken, and their skulls fractured, so as to get ships loaded and unloaded a little quicker and a little cheaper;"

, in reply, said he had no means of making any further inquiry; and he doubted whether such inquiry was necessary pending the Report of the Sweating Committee. He would consider the question, and see whether it could be dealt with by any legislation affecting the laws relating to our merchant shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is aware that on Monday night the 10th a large number of soldiers belonging to the Wiltshire Regiment, stationed in Athlone, left their barracks, and on entering the town attacked and gutted some shops belonging to publicans, taking forcibly several bottles of liquor, and breaking windows and fan-lights with stones; and whether he will order an inquiry as to the cause of those outrages?

It is reported by the Military Authorities in Ireland that there is no foundation whatever for the statements in the Question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, as the period has now expired during which Sanitary Authorities can advertise that it is their intention to make application for acquiring land compulsorily for allotments under "The Allotments Act, 1887," he can state how many of such proposed applications have been advertised, and the names of the Sanitary Authorities proposing to make them?

The period during which Sanitary Authorities can advertise their intention to apply to the Local Government Board for a Provisional Order for the compulsory purchase of land for allotments under the Allotments Act has expired; but the Board have no information as to the cases in which advertisements are issued until they receive the application for a Provisional Order. The time during which such applications may be made will not expire until the 31st of December.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can explain how the British officer commanding the Egyptian Army got the title of "Sirdar," borne by Native Chiefs in Afghanistan and the Punjab, but unknown to Arabs and Turks? The hon. Gentleman said, after the news which had come to hand that day, he was rather ashamed to ask a Question about a mere name. Perhaps he might supplement it by asking whether the troops supplied from Suakin were under the orders of the Sirdars; and whether the news published in the papers was authentic?

Order, order!

There is nothing in the records of the Foreign Office to show how the title originated, but I believe that Sarcar is the generally recognized title among the Arabs for Commander-in-Chief, as Seraskier is among the Turks, and that the word is Persian in origin. It was preferred for the reason I have mentioned by Sir Evelyn Wood. As to the news from Suakin—[Order, order!]

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give any further information with respect to the negotiations regarding the Mixed Tribunals in Egypt, and say whether jurisdiction over the Egyptian Government is to be renewed to them for another term of years; if so, whether that is to be done unconditionally, or in consideration of the surrender of some of the privileges of Europeans, and their subjection to the jurisdiction of the Mixed Tribunal for all purposes, criminal as well as civil?

The question of the conditions under which prolongation should be granted is, at the present moment, under the consideration of the Powers. There has been no question of subjecting Europeans to the jurisdiction of the Mixed Tribunals for all purposes, criminal as well as civil, though proposals have been made for a certain extension of their jurisdiction recommended by an International Commission in 1884, and for arrangements to facilitate the enactment and enforcement of Regulations of ordinary police.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Royal Warrant has been withdrawn from the Honourable Artillery Company; and, if so, whether any independent inquiry has been made on behalf of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales as to the condition of the Company, at which inquiry the general body of the members have had an opportunity of giving evidence and stating their views; and, whether he has any information to show what is likely to be the effect of the withdrawal on the future welfare of the Company?

also asked, whether it is true that Her Majesty's Warrant has been withdrawn from the Honourable Artillery Company; whether the Honourable Artillery Company is not the oldest military organization in the Kingdom; and, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to revive the regiment under a new Warrant; and, if so, in what form?

also asked, if it is true, as stated in the papers, that not only have the distinguished Commanding Officers of the old and Constitutional corps of the Honourable Artillery Company resigned their commissions, but that the corps itself has been disarmed; if he will state under what circumstances, and for what reasons, this has been done; and, if he will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence relating to the subject?

My answer to the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Rowlands) is, No. The warrant has not been withdrawn, nor would such a step be taken without very full and careful inquiry. I have every hope that the necessity for such action will never arise in connection with so ancient a corps as the Honourable Artillery Company. But the officer commanding the Honourable Artillery Company has officially reported to me that this corps is in a most unsatisfactory state as regards discipline. Owing to this state of indiscipline, and to the resignation of the Captain General, the Commanding Officer, and the Adjutant, this corps cannot be recognized as being efficient; and the usual course has been adopted in withdrawing the arms and equipment, which are the property of the State. I hope that no long time will elapse before such re-organization has taken place as will put the Company in a thoroughly satisfactory state.

asked, whether a full opportunity would be given to the Members of the corps of expressing their views upon its present condition in the course of any inquiries that might take place; and, also, whether the dissatisfaction which existed in the corps was the result of officers who were considered to have neglected their duty during a long period being put over the men?

No; I have no information in my possession which would lead to that conclusion. With regard to any expression of opinion, it is perfectly open to the men to make any representations they think fit.

asked, whether immediate steps would not be taken for the re-formation of this ancient, loyal, and distinguished regiment?

I have already answered that Question. I hope that the steps which are contemplated may be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can make arrangements to send no fresh troops to the Royal Barracks, Dublin, until these barracks have been declared to be in a sanitary condition by the eminent sanitary engineer whom he has commissioned to inspect and report upon them?

Unless military reasons should imperatively demand it, no fresh troops will be moved, for the present, into the Royal Barracks, Dublin. I cannot pledge myself further than this.

Will the right hon. Gentleman cause an inquiry to be made, by an independent authority, as to the effect upon the health of the troops, and of the inhabitants of Dublin generally, in the discharge of the sewage of the city into the River Liffey, and the present state of that river?

That is an inquiry which I think would be going rather beyond the scope of the War Office; but it is one of very grave importance, and I do not wonder that my hon. Friend has called attention to the matter. I should be exceedingly glad if a more general inquiry could take place into the whole of that subject.

Would the right hon. Gentleman recommend to his Colleagues on the Treasury Bench the propriety of the Government facilitating the efforts of the Corporation to improve the health of the City of Dublin by granting them a loan on easy terms of State money?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a Return of the number of officers and men who, during the last 10 years, have died of typhoid fever contracted in these barracks; and will he also lay before the House the confidential Reports of Commanding Officers on their unhealthy state?

I think a Return very much of the character asked for was laid before the House of Lords last year; but I will look into it, and if it does not give the figures I shall be very glad to give them. With regard to the confidential Reports of Commanding Officers, I imagine it would be un-usual to lay them upon the Table of the House; but any information that I can fairly give shall certainly be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been directed to the alleged unsanitary condition of the Royal Barracks, Dublin; whether it is a fact that an officer of the Black Watch last week, and Lieutenant Colonel Coddington, R.E., this week, died in these barracks of typhoid fever; and, whether steps will be immediately taken to remedy the terrible unhealthy condition of these military barracks?

Lieutenant Colonel Coddington's death did not occur at, or in connection with, the Royal Barracks, but at Mountjoy Barracks, in the Phoenix Park, which is rather the head-quarters of the Ordnance Survey than a barracks in the strict sense. As regards the general question of the Royal Barracks, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answers I have already given in this House, from which he will see that every effort is being made to track out the sources of disease, and to remove, as far as possible, all causes which have contributed to bring about the mortality we all so greatly deplore.

said, it was perfectly true that two Commissioners had presented adverse Reports upon the sanitary condition of the Royal Barracks; and, as he had previously stated, their recommendations, in the main, had been carried out. He was not quite sure whether the officer who, unfortunately, died a short time ago belonged to the Black Watch or not. [Several MEMBERS: Yes.] It had not come to his knowledge that the Commanding Officer of a regiment at the Curragh had refused to move his corps into the Royal Barracks because of their unsanitary condition.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a measure next Session dealing with the subject of Private Bill Legislation?

It is, of course, impossible for the Government to determine at present the exact course of their legislative proposals next Session. It must be remembered that there are several important Bills, such as the Employers' Liability for Injuries to Workmen Bill, the Universities (Scotland) Bill, and other measures of the present Session which will have to be re-introduced, and to which we must assign a prominent place. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the subject of Private Bill Legislation will receive the most earnest attention of the Government when they come to make up their legislative programme; and that they will be very glad if a measure dealing with that subject can be introduced next Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he is now able to say whether the additional certificates which have been sent to the Home Office entitle Isaac Dale, Thomas Oswald, William Butcher, Thomas Scragg, Joseph Brindley, and Caleb Johnson to receive second-class certificates under section 80 of "The Coal Mines, &c., Regulation Act, 1887"?

The applications of the persons mentioned in the Question are still under consideration. There has been a change in the Inspectorship of the district, which has caused delay.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, At what time, even approximately, the Sub-Commissioners for the Land Courts may be expected to sit at Roscommon or Athlone to hear the cases of leaseholders especially; and, whether all the cases or leaseholders who served originating notices prior to November 1, 1888, will he listed for hearing for that district at the next Sessions of the Land Sub-Commissioners in Roscommon or Athlone?

, in reply, said, that the Land Commissioners reported that a Sub-Commission would commence its sittings in the County Roscommon, at Boyle, on the 12th of January. The several unions in the county would be taken in rotation; and the Sub-Commission would probably sit in South Roscommon about February or March. It would not be possible to list all the cases for the sitting referred to.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, (1) Whether, in view of the provisions of the Act for the better government of India, 21 & 22 Vict. c. 106, s. 56, the power claimed in the Order of Removal of 11th March, 1869, that Her Majesty the Queen always had power to dispense with an officer's services upon the recommendation of the Secretary of State, cause being shown, was valid and binding in respect of officers affected by the above-mentioned statutory enactment; (2) whether it is the fact that, by decisions now at the Home Office, and dated September and October, 1884, such Order has been disavowed and rendered null and void; (8) whether the said Order is still in force, and being acted upon in respect of the case of Captain J. B. Chatterton; (4) and, whether the said Order of the 11th of March, 1869, was issued by the Secretary of State for India with authority from Her Majesty, in accordance with the above Statute; and, if not, whether the Order in question will be rescinded, and compensation awarded to Captain Chatterton for the permanent physical injury inflicted upon him under such Order?

(1) There is nothing in the Statute referred to which abridges the right of the Secretary of State to dispense with the active services of an officer of the old Indian Army; (2) No; (3) Yes; (4) The Order was properly issued in 1869; and the present Secretary of State has no intention of rescinding it.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he is aware that a Mr. Gorrie, of Crieff, in Perthshire, was on the evening of December 1, while walking by himself on the pavement in a street of that town, accosted by a policeman, ordered to come off the pavement, and then arrested and locked up all night in a cell, though he offered to find bail, and that he was charged by the police with a breach of the peace opposite to the house and shop of a certain Mr. Bain, who appeared in Mr. Gorrie's behalf, and swore that, his door being open, he heard all that occurred, and that Mr. Gorrie neither swore nor in any way committed a breach of the peace; whether Baillie Cochrane found Gorrie guilty, but dismissed him with a warning, and in doing so, laid stress upon the fact that Gorrie had been previously convicted; whether it is the fact that upon such previous occasion Gorrie was sentenced to 100 days' imprisonment, and that such sentence was, under the circumstances of the case, illegal; whether the action of the police was legal in arresting and locking up the man without allowing him to get bail; and, whether he will make an inquiry into the circumstances of the case generally?

The Lord Advocate has made inquiry into this case. Gorrie was charged on December 3, with having on December 1 committed breach of the peace on two different occasions. An agent who appeared for him asked for an adjournment to the 5th, on which day the case was tried, evidence being led for the defence as well as for the prosecution. The magistrate found him guilty of the first charge; but found the second charge not proven. The evidence of Mr. Bain referred to the latter charge only. The previous convictions, by desire of the Magistrate, were not put in evidence against Gorrie, who was dismissed with an admonition, the magistrate thinking that leniency might have a beneficial effect on him. It was the fact that Gorrie was, on a previous occasion, sentenced to 100 days' imprisonment; and, as regards the legality of the sentence, I beg to refer the hon. Member to an answer given in this House by the late Lord Advocate on the 12th of April. The action of the police in arresting and detaining Gorrie was legal. No application was made for liberation on bail before Gorrie was taken before the magistrate on the 3rd.

asked, if Gorrie offered to find bail when locked up?

No, Sir. That is not my information.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Her Majesty's Government entertain any intention of transferring British Bechuanaland, or the British Protectorate to the North of Bechuanaland, to the Cape Colony; and, if so, what circumstances have led Her Majesty's Government to alter its declared determination to maintain the Imperial control over Bechuanaland?

There has been no alteration of intention since the previous recent Questions on this subject were answered; and Her Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any statement or announcement indicating such alteration.

asked, Whether it was not the case that Her Majesty's Government had, on several occasions, asked the Cape Colony to take over Bechuanaland, and that they had always refused?

thought that Notice of such a Question should be given.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that a person, named Rudd, has recently been with the Chief Lobengula, whose territory has been declared to be within the sphere of British influence, negotiating for a transfer of the whole of the mining rights in that Chief's territory; whether inquiry will be made on the subject; whether, as any such transfer, if carried out, would deprive that country of a chief source of revenue for its future government, the High Commissioner will be directed to issue a Proclamation, declaring that no such concessions will be recognized by Her Majesty's Government unless previously sanctioned by the officer of the Imperial Government administering the territory; and, whether it is the intention to appoint an Imperial officer to reside in that territory; and when?

said, the answer to the first paragraph of the Question is, Yes. Inquiry has been made, and the High Commissioner has reported that a full account is on its way home. As we have at present no Protectorate in Matabeleland, we have no right to interfere with any grant or concession which Lobengula may choose to make; nor have we any right to issue such a Proclamation as that suggested in the third paragraph of the Question. In reply to the last part of the Question, there is no such present intention; nor has Lobengula desired such an officer.

asked the Vice Chamberlain, Whether it is the intention of the Government to expend, within the present financial year, the whole of the sum of £5,000 which was voted for the promotion of agricultural education; whether the surplus of this sum, not already allocated to dairy schools, will be given according to the recommendation of the Commission on Agricultural and Dairy Schools, or in what way, and at what time, further grants of this sum will be given; and, whether a sum will be granted for agricultural experiments?

The amount to be expended will depend upon the number of applications received from Societies and other Bodies. Fresh applications are still being received. The principle upon which the Agricul- tural Committee have acted has been to make Grants in Aid—(1) To dairy schools in actual operation; (2) in aid of lectures on dairying and agriculture; and (3) to assist Societies in conducting useful agricultural experiments. Any unexpended balance of the Vote at the end of the financial year will be surrendered to the Exchequer.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Her Majesty's Government will take into consideration, during the Recess, the Petition presented on Monday last to the House of Commons from inhabitants, merchants, and traders of the Island of Cyprus, praying for improved postal facilities, such as formerly existed between that Island and Alexandria, the present arrangement, which places the Island about 14 days from European markets, being most injurious to its commercial interests and advancement; whether he is aware that £3,000 is all that is required in the nature of a subsidy for the running of a steamer weekly from Alexandria with cargo and mails; and, whether it is a fact that the Revenue raised by taxation in the Island is about £180,000 per annum, whilst the expenses of adminstration do not exceed £115,000 per annum, thus leaving a large margin in hand?

I am aware that such a Memorial has been presented. The expenses of running a steamer weekly to Alexandria would involve a dead loss of £3,000 if the lowest tender, that of a French Company, were accepted; and something like £6,000 if we took the lowest British tender. Seeing that the Revenue of Cyprus falls far short of our expenses connected with that Island, which include the tribute due from us to Turkey, it is clearly impossible to place such a charge upon the taxpayers of Cyprus, and I am not prepared to throw it on the taxpayers of this country.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Under what Estimate or Sub-head is to be found the sum of £20,000, either paid or to be paid the French Government as compensation to the owners of the passenger ship Ville de Vittoria, run down and sunk in Lisbon Harbour by Her Majesty's flag-ship Sultan, drowning part of the passengers and crew?

The sum in question was paid out of savings on Navy Votes of 1887–8.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If, before Western Australia is handed over to responsible Government, and the lands of the temperate part of that Continent are placed under the control of the present Colonists, Parliament must be consulted?

The hon. Member must be aware that it has been repeatedly stated in the House that Parliament must be consulted, and must legislate, before responsible Government can be established in Western Australia.

With regard to land?

That is involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, If he can state whether the "Irish Exhibition in London" was registered by the Board of Trade with limited liability, without the addition of the word "Limited" to its name, under the provisions of Section 23 of the Companies' Act Amendment Act of 1867, 30 & 31 Vict., c. 33; whether he is aware that a prospectus was sent out by the responsible officers of the Company, containing no reference whatever to the fact that it was a Company limited by guarantee; that the amount of the guarantee was only that of seven subscribers of £10 each; that serious misunderstandings have arisen in the minds of creditors and others as to the responsibility for the Company's debts; and that the Company owes at the present moment from £15,000 to £20,000; whether other Companies besides the "Irish Exhibition in London" have been registered by the Board of Trade without the addition of the word "Limited;" whether any such Companies have been wound up; and whether inconvenience to creditors, arising from the omission of the word "Limited," has resulted; and, whether, to prevent similar misunderstandings, for the future, he will consider the advisability of introducing a short Bill to repeal Section 23 of the Companies' Act Amendment Act of 1867?

Yes, Sir; the objects of the Irish Exhibition in London, as disclosed in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, were certainly such as to bring it within the meaning of the section referred to by the hon. Member. The prospectus of the Company was not before the Board of Trade, nor has the Department any cognizance of its financial position. Several other Companies besides the Irish Exhibition in London have been registered without the addition of the word "Limited;" but the Board of Trade have no knowledge of the winding up of any such Companies, nor are they aware of any cases where inconvenience to creditors has arisen from the omission of the word "Limited." Many licences under the section are applied for in the course of the year. The question of the amendment of all the Companies Acts is now under consideration, and the point referred to shall be borne in mind.

had the following Question on the Paper:—To ask the Postmaster General, If he will reciprocate the conduct of Foreign Postal Authorities, by allowing paid letters of all kinds to follow the addresses in the United Kingdom without further charge; if he will cause the many communications on public business which are addressed to Members of Parliament at the House of Commons to be re-addressed and delivered without further charge for postage; and, if he will cause the sums due from right hon. Members of the House for arrears of postage on re-ad- dressed letters to be collected, so that all Members of the House may have equal treatment in this respect?

This Question has been on the Paper six or seven times, and it is desirable to answer it. As regards ordinary letters passing through the post from place to place in this country, I am unable to see any reason why they should escape the ordinary postal rate when re-directed and transmitted a second time to a different address. The second service entails on the Department at least as great, if not greater, trouble than the first. Letters from abroad, in similar cases, are relieved from a second charge by the Rules of the Postal Union. Several years have elapsed since Members of this House renounced the exceptional privilege of franking. I do not think it desirable to re-establish this in any form; and I do not believe that the majority of Members of this House desire to receive more favourable treatment for their correspondence than that accorded to their constituents. I am not aware of any case in which any Member of this House has successfully evaded the surcharge upon re-directed letters or papers; but if the hon. Member will supply me with any instance of this, I will inquire into it, and take steps to prevent the recurrence of any such evasion.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a prosecution of several policemen by the Mayor of Cork, when it was given in evidence that the Mayor was surrounded and prevented from proceeding by policemen with drawn swords and fixed bayonets, and that, having explained that he was the Mayor of Cork, was answered by the police—"I don't care to the devil who who you are;" whether, at the order of District Inspector Pearson, the Mayor was subsequently permitted to pass, but was again stopped at North Gate Bridge and treated by the police with considerable violence; whether it was sworn that cordons of police were, upon the occasion referred to, stationed at various points in the City of Cork, preventing by force of arms the citizens of Cork proceeding on their lawful business; whether it is true, as stated in the Cork daily papers, that the magistrate, Sir D. V. O'Sullivan, who delivered judgment, said—"That, taking into consideration the serious consequences of a criminal conviction to Sergeant Kennedy, &c., the Bench had determined to dismiss the case;" and, whether, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such scenes in future?

I am informed that two policemen, not several, as alleged in the Question, were prosecuted by the Mayor of Cork on the occasion referred to. The expression attributed to one of the police was neither heard by the District Inspector, who was in charge, nor was any complaint made to him in regard to it. The Mayor was encouraging the driver of his car to break through the body of police who were on duty. He was prevented by these men, who did not know him, as they had been drafted in from the county; but the District Inspector at once let him pass through. At North Gate Bridge some 14 cars arrived close after a police escort, and among them the Mayor's car. The Mayor was allowed to pass through. There were no men stationed anywhere to prevent the people passing on their ordinary business; but to prevent a procession of cars from following a prisoner and his escort. I have seen no authoritative report of the proceedings before the magistrates; but they dismissed the charges against both the policemen.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has seen the reports in the Cork papers of the prosecution by the Mayor of Cork of two police constables (Constable Booth and Sergeant Kennedy) for assault and obstruction, committed on the occasion of Father Kennedy being conveyed to Cork Gaol; is he aware that the Mayor was refused the names and numbers of the constables on duty at North Gate Bridge, where the alleged assault took place; and, whether the Constabulary authorities are justified in withholding the names or numbers of policemen charged with assault by the magistrate of the city?

The District Inspector of Constabulary reports that it is not the case that the Mayor of Cork was refused the names and numbers of the constables on duty at the place mentioned. He asked for the name of one constable, specifying simply his number. The District Inspector said that he did not know at the time what constable bore that number; but referred him to the County Inspector. Upon application to him the name was at once furnished. As a matter of fact, it was proved that the constable referred to was not on duty at North Gate Bridge.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is a fact that by Order of the Tongan Government only English coin is accepted in Tonga in payment of Customs and similar dues; whether this leaves the Chilian dollar available for all other purposes a legal tender at 3s.; whether, in consequence of the fact that this is more than the Chilian dollar can buy, the effect of the Tongan Order is to throw upon importers the whole cost of introducing the English coin required by the Tongan Government; whether it is true that this hardship falls exclusively on English merchants in consequence of Treasury Bonds, the only other legal tender for Customs, &c., being sold exclusively to Germans; and, whether a remonstrance will be addressed to the Tongan Government on this subject?

The latest intelligence showed that, on account of the inconvenience caused by the circulation at equal rates of two currencies of different standards of value, and I believe as an experimental measure, the Government of Tonga have declared that money paid in taxes will be received if in sterling coin at $8 for 32s., and if in Chilian dollars at $9 for 36s. As regards paragraph 2, the Premier is reported not to lave given a final decision. As to three, its statement would be correct if hose in the two former were so. Four, I am unable to answer. Five, we have no recent information; and, without good ground for such action, Her Majesty's Government cannot undertake to offer decided advice in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that the estates of the late Sir N. M. Verner, in Tyrone, Monaghan, and Armagh, have been sold to the tenants under the Land Purchase Act, a portion of last year's rent being included in the purchase money; whether, since the contract for sale was completed, the Trustee of the Estates has brought a large number of ejectments for arrears of rent against some of the tenants, and served summonses in the case of others, against whom ejectment decrees have already been obtained; and, whether such proceedings are in conformity with the provisions of the Land Purchase Act; and, if he will direct the attention of the Commissioners to the action of this Trustee?

The Land Commissioners report that no agreements for the sale of the estate named have been lodged in their Office, nor have they any knowledge of the ejectment proceedings referred to. I have received a letter this morning from the Trustee of the Estate; and I shall be glad to show it to the hon. Member if he desires to see it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If all purchasers under the Irish Land Act of 1870, who have applied for the extended time for the repayment of their loans allowed by the Land Act of last year, have been given the extra period permitted by that Act?

In a few cases where the extension of the term to the full period would have reduced the annuity payable for the remainder of the term to less than 4 per cent. the Treasury have made no concession as to extension of time. In certain cases outstanding where the borrowers were in arrear, an agreement has not yet been arrived at as to the instalment of arrears to be paid up before the benefits of the Act of last Session are extended to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that, so far back as July last, the Inspector of Factories had evidence of gross breaches of the Truck Act at Harlesden, by the payment of wage to brickmakers otherwise than in current coin of the realm; and, if he will state why no prosecution has taken place?

Yes, Sir; I am aware that the Chief Inspector of Factories reported that the Truck Act had been infringed under the circumstances mentioned in the Question. The Report was referred to the Treasury Solicitor, with directions to prosecute if there was a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction. The Treasury Solicitor, after making very careful inquiries, advised that, in view of the difficulty of obtaining a conviction, it would not be expedient to undertake a prosecution. I have directed the Inspector to keep careful watch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware of the following facts:—That Enoch Harper, of Quinton, was convicted at Halesowen Petty Sessions, on March 13, 1888, of disobeying a vaccination order, dated January 3, 1888, and fined £1 and 9s. costs; that he pronounced the proceedings irregular, and ordered the fines to be remitted; that the conviction has never been quashed, and still stands on the records of the Court; that no fresh vaccination order has been issued as to the child in question; that, notwithstanding that the conviction is un-quashed, and no fresh order has been issued, Enoch Harper was summoned again for disobedience to the vaccination order of January 3, and on June 19, 1888, fined £1 and 9s. costs; and, whether this second conviction for the same offence, without the issue of a fresh vaccination order, is illegal; and, if so, whether he will direct the fine and costs imposed on Enoch Harper on June 19 to be refunded to him?

The facts are correctly stated in the Question. Whether or not a fresh vaccination order was necessary to make the second conviction good is a matter of law, which was not raised before the magistrates at the time, and upon which it is no part of my duty to express an opinion. Mr. Harper is evading the law; and as he can move to have the conviction quashed, if he is so advised, I see no reason calling upon me to interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it is true that Mr. Hill, attached to the Bermondsey Division of the Metropolitan Police, M Division, has been reduced from first-class Inspector to the rank of sergeant; and if the sole reason assigned was the delay of a telegram for a few minutes through no fault of Mr. Hill's, although he was in charge at the time; and, if he can see his way to re-instating a deserving officer to the rank he has been deprived of?

Inspector Hill has been reduced from the rank of first-class Inspector to that of sergeant for several grave derelictions of duty, the particulars of which I had better not mention publicly, but which I will give to my hon. Friend if he wishes. There is no ground, therefore, for re-instating that officer to the rank of which he has been properly deprived.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Upon what ground the back pay authorized by a Treasury Minute of the 27th of October last, in favour of certain copyists in the Statistical Office, Customs, is withheld in the case of those copyists who have received bonuses; and, whether he will make arrangements for the payment of the money before Christmas?

Arrangements have been made by which the copyists can receive the money referred to on application.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether his application for an increase of staff for the Savings Bank Department has been under the consideration of the Treasury for some months; whether, in consequence of the delay in arriving at the decision, the work of the Department is greatly in arrear; whether the work now performed on extra duty (exclusive of that necessary for the preparation of the annual balance sheet) can be entirely provided for by the introduction of the seven hours' scale; and, whether he will take immediate steps to relieve the officers of the Department from the performance of extra duty such as has been necessary during the last 12 months?

The hon. Member puts to me four Questions. To the first the answer is that the case is as stated; and to the second that, owing to the cordial co-operation of the staff, the work of the Department cannot be described as greatly in arrear, although no doubt it is not so forward as it was this time last year. How far the work now performed by extra duty can be provided for by the seven hours' scale is a question which is now engaging my careful attention, and that of the Treasury, and I am not yet prepared to express a positive opinion on the point. In the matter of extra duty no efforts shall be wanting on my part to procure the relief required.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to a statement in The Field newspaper, of Saturday last, December 15, as to the penetration attained by a bullet, the invention of Mr. Farini, and to the machinery by which rifles can, without alteration, be converted into machine guns?

The article will be referred for the observations of the Small Arms Committee; but I may pay that the bore is the same as that of the new magazine rifle, and that the greatest velocity mentioned is less than that laid down as the standard for the new arm.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether Lobengula's country is included in the British Protectorate in South Africa; and, if so, whether the Secretary of State has received information from the High Commissioner relative to a concession of all mineral rights in Matabeleland and Mashonaland to an English Company; whether such concession has been sanctioned by the High Commissioner; and, whether it is a fact that payment to the Chief Lobengula for this concession has been made by a large supply of arms and ammunition?

said, as has been frequently explained to the House during the present Session, the protectorate over part of Khama's territory, which is distinct from that of Lobengula, does not include the territory of the latter. The Secretary of State has been informed that a concession of the nature referred to has been granted to a Mr. Rudd. The High Commissioner has no power to sanction concessions granted by Lobengula, who is an independent King. It has been stated that £100 per month, in addition to a number of rifles, will be the consideration for the reported concession. On these points the Secretary of State is in communication with the High Commissioner.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any communications have passed with the French Government respecting the additional Poll Tax about to be levied upon all persons entering and leaving the French Channel Ports?

No communication has passed with the French Government on this subject. We have, however, been informed, both by Her Majesty's Embassy at Paris and the Consul at Boulogne, of the fact of an increase having been made.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the instructions given to Major Macdonald in regard to his Mission of Inquiry in the Niger District?

No instructions have yet been given; but they will be confidential, and I cannot undertake to present them.

said, Major Macdonald would arrive at the river at the time it was at the proper height to ascend it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the request of all the Members of Parliament for Wales and Monmouthshire that the Local Government Act should be issued in Welsh will be granted; and, if so, how soon the Act will be published?

, in reply, said, that he originally returned an unfavourable answer to the request that the Act should be translated into Welsh. Since then he had received deputations which consisted practically of the whole of the Representatives from Wales on both sides of the House, urging on him that this translation should be made and published, and stating they regarded it as an entirely exceptional case, and as not forming a precedent for anything of the kind in the future. Under these circumstances, he had come to the conclusion to have the Act translated into Welsh, and he hoped that no undue delay would take place in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he is aware that a proposition to award a retiring pension of £800 a-year to the medical officer of the Lunatic Asylum, Rainhill, Lancashire, is to be considered at their next Court on the 26th instant; and, whether, in consideration of the impending transfer of the county asylums to the County Council, any representation can be made to the Justices by which the imposition of such a charge on the county rates may be deferred until the Council enters on its duties?

I have no information as to the proposition referred to. The Committee of Visitors of a lunatic asylum may, under the Lunatic Asylums Acts, award a superannuation allowance to any officer of the asylum who, from confirmed sickness, age, or in firmity, becomes incapable of executing his office in person, or who has been an officer in the asylum for not less than 15 years, and is not under 50 years of age. The allowance is not to exceed two-thirds of the salary payable at the time of retirement. No such allowance, however, can be charged on the county rates until the award has been confirmed by a Resolution of Quarter Sessions. The matter is not one in which the Local Government Board have any jurisdiction; and I cannot undertake to make any representations to the Justices as to the exercise of their statutory powers in the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it would be practicable to include in the certificate of service granted to men of the Royal Naval Reserve who have served their full time an endorsement of character, as reported from time to time by the Drill Instructors, and similar to that given to seamen leaving the Royal Navy, in order to assist men of good haracter in obtaining employment ashore when no longer able, on account of age, to follow their calling at sea?

There is no objection, as far as the Admiralty is concerned; but it is a question for the Board of Trade, which issues the certificates to Royal Naval Reserve men, to decide whether it would be practicable; and the Admiralty have not had time to obtain the opinion of the Board of Trade upon this point.

asked the Secretary of State for War, How many regimental officers are now serving in contravention of Section 5, Paragraph 76, of the Queen's Regulations for the Army; whether the Regulation in this paragraph applies to military attachés and to officers on the Staff of the Viceroy of India; and, if not, why these officers are allowed to be absent from their regiments for more than five or six years; how long have the military attachés at Paris and Berlin, and the military secretary to the Viceroy of India, been absent from their regiments; and, whether, after such absence, these officers are to be allowed to return and in a short time command their regiments?

There are now seven officers serving on the personal Staff of General Officers who have exceeded the period of Staff service laid down in the Queen's Regulations; but in every case their retention of office has been advisedly sanctioned. The Rule does not apply to military attachés who hold their appointments for a period of five years, subject to renewal if considered desirable for the good of the Service. The Staff of the Viceroy of India and of Colonial Governors are appointed for six years. The military attaché at Paris has been absent from his regiment since January 1, 1877. During that time he has held several appointments with advantage to the State, and has taken a distinguished part in two campaigns. The military attaché at Berlin has been continuously absent from his regiment since January, 1879. He also has served with distinction during that period in two campaigns. His second period of service shortly expires, and he is to rejoin his battalion as second in command. The military secretary to the Viceroy of India has held positions on the personal Staff of successive Viceroys at their particular request since December, 1875. While serving on the Staff he has taken part in three campaigns, in one of which he earned the Victoria Cross.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he has considered the Report of Major Marindin on the fatal accident to platelayers near Syston, on the Midland Railway; whether it appears from that Report that such Rules of the Midland Company as affect the platelayers refer to the protection of the trains, and not to the protection of the platelayers themselves; whether in the recorded Regulations for foggy weather, issued last September by the London and North Western Railway, there are no Rules for the special protection of platelayers in their work; and, whether, having regard to the frequent loss of life, he will cause a Board of Trade Circular to be issued to all the Companies, drawing attention to Major Marindin's Report, and especially to his comments on the absence of—

"Rules providing for men being posted out to protect gangs at ordinary work on curves or other places where the view of the line is restricted, or for their protection by other means;"

"Additions should be made to the Rules, defining accurately the precautions which should be taken for the safety of men working upon the line….and making it clear that during fogs no work which can possibly be avoided is to be carried on upon any part of the line where the men will be in danger?"

Yes, Sir; I have seen the Report referred to, and the facts disclosed in that Report are as stated by the hon. Member. The Board of Trade have no information as to Rules issued by the London and North-Western Railway Company last September; but a Circular to the Companies has been issued calling attention to the Report on the accident in question and the recommendations made therein.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it would be possible for the Irish Land Commissioners to publish the temporary adjustments of judicial rents since the passing of the Act of 1877, at a date prior to Christmas?

The Land Commissioners hope to be able to publish the Schedule referred to on the 23rd of this month.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can now give the names of the Committee appointed to inquire into the condition of the South Kensington Collections; and, whether he will direct the attention of the Committee to the Report and Evidence of the Duke of Devonshire's Commission, so far as it relates to this subject, and also the Reports and Evidence of subsequent Committees which Government have, from time to time, appointed without acting upon their recommendations?

I am still in communication with several of the gentlemen whom it is proposed to put on the Committee, consequently I cannot as yet state the names. With regard to the Reports of previous Commissions or Committees, the attitude of the Government was shown in an answer given by the First Lord of the Treasury in the House on the 26th of last month. The Duke of Devonshire's Commission, to which the hon. Member refers, reported in 1874 that it was desirable that the Scientific Collections should be subjected to a critical revision, with a view to restricting them to such objects as are of National interest or utility. Similarly, the Committees which sat in 1883, whose Reports were adopted by Sir Frederick Bramwell's Committee in 1885, held that the Scientific Collections might be weeded with advantage. Sir Frederick Bramwell's Committee omitted to deal specifically with this question; and for this reason my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach), who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, decided in 1885 that nothing could be done until the Collections had been thoroughly sifted by some independent authority. It is this object which the new Committee is intended to effect.

asked whether there was to be any Representative of Ireland on this Committee?

said, that the suggestion had not been made to the First Lord of the Treasury. The Committee was to be selected, not with a view to the representation of Parliamentary Parties or separate Nationalities, but to collect the best men to judge of scientific and artistic objects.

thought that it was inexpedient that Ireland should be entirely unrepresented.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he is able to state when effect will be given to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments; and, whether any Order in Council dealing with such recommendations will be published before the ensuing Session?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments are receiving our careful consideration. I need scarcely say that great caution is necessary in devising new Regulations for a large Body like the Civil Service discharging duties of such varied character. We have directed that, pending final orders on the subject, a Civil servant is not to accept a Directorship of a public Company. In like manner we have directed that no fresh grants of duty pay are to be made. We art making arrangements under which all persons under the age of 60 applying to retire from the Public Service will be subjected to the examination of a Government medical officer. We intend, at the beginning of next Session, to introduce a Bill amending the Superannuation Act in the direction of some of the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any acceptance will be accorded to the Memorial of the Congress of Sanitary Inspectors of June last, submitting the expediency of the adoption of one presented from the late Earl of Shaftesbury, K.G., and the Heads of Sanitary Institutions, praying that the like recognition may be given to distinguished sanitary service in saving life that is given to distinguished naval and military service?

The hon. Member does not state in his Question to whom the Memorial referred to was addressed; and, though I have made inquiries on the subject, I have as yet been unable to trace it, and am not in a position, therefore, to give any information on the subject.

asked, Whether the Government would give instructions for the preparation of a Return showing the number of fatal accidents in mines and factories during the seven years before and the seven years after the passing of the Employers' Liability Act?

, in reply, said, he had some time ago directed the preparation of such a Return.

I wish to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can confirm the news in the public Press, to the effect that the forces under General Grenfell have fought a successful en- gagement; and whether he can place the House in possession of fuller information on the subject?

We received a telegram this morning from General Grenfell, dated from Suakin at 8.30 this morning, which curiously, making allowance for difference of time, reached this country at 7.30 a.m. It says—

"Attacked trenches 7 a.m. this morning, Black Brigade storming them with great gallantry. Enemy fought desperately, losing very heavily. We captured both their guns. King's Own Borderers and Welsh punished enemy severely by their excellent volley firing. Navy assisted greatly by machine gun fire and 64-pounder. Enemy in full retreat on Hasheen and Handoub."

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he had received any information as to the news in to-day's papers as to the executions at Zanzibar, and the intention of the Sultan to continue those operations; and, whether he had communicated with the British Consul with a view to stop them?

Information was received yesterday by telegraph that several executions of a barbarous character had taken place at Zanzibar, and that others were impending. Her Majesty's Consul General stated that he had remonstrated with the Sultan. He has to-day reported that four more executions had taken place. Instructions have been sent to Colonel Euan Smith directing him to repeat his remonstrances; to protest in the strongest terms against the course on which the Sultan has entered; to invite the co-operation of his colleagues; and to warn him of the disastrous consequences to himself that are likely to ensue.

said, that the Government did not intend to proceed with this Bill.

asked, Whether the Government had any objection to granting a Return of Evictions and Coercion Prosecutions on the Clanricarde Estate?

, in reply, said, he was not prepared to grant the Return at present; but he would consider the matter. It would require very long and difficult inquiries to furnish such a Return.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the Return which was asked for by the hon. Member for Stepney (Mr. Wootton Isaacson), Whether that Return was intended as a substitute for the much fuller Return on Land Purchase which he (Mr. John Morley) had proposed?

, in reply, said, the right hon. Gedtleman seemed under a misapprehension. The Government would not consent to the Return asked for by the hon. Member.

asked, if the fuller Return which he himself had previously proposed would be granted?

said, he thought the Land Commissioners would have no difficulty in giving the Return substan- tially in the form asked for by the right hon. Gentleman.