I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether it is true, as reported, that as excellent school teacher has been dismissed from the Board school at Arlington in Sussex because he complained of the insufficient and impure supply of drinking water at his residence; whether the Inspectors are authorised to report upon the suitability and condition of the teachers' residences when attached to school buildings, and if any Report or complaint was made to the Department in this instance; whether the Department has any authority, if appealed to by a teacher who may feel aggrieved at his dismissal by school managers, to direct an inquiry into the case, and to require him to be reinstated in his school if satisfied that he has been unjustly dismissed; and whether he will cause a searching inquiry to be made as to the grounds of dismissal of the aforesaid teacher?

Mr. Roach, teacher of the Park Mead Board school, has received notice of dismissal from the Arlington School Board under the circumstances stated in the question. Inspectors are not authorised to report on the condition of teachers' houses except in so far as they may affect the sanitary condition of the school. In this case the whole school was without a proper water supply, and the Inspector called the attention of the Department to the fact last November. The Department at once communicated with the School Board, who are now having a well sunk in the playground, and in the meantime have made arrangements for a daily supply of water to be sent to the school-house. The Department have no power to require the reinstatement of a teacher, even if they are satisfied that he has been unjustly dismissed. But they have addressed a letter to the School Board, stating that they regard the conduct of the Board in dismissing the teacher on the grounds stated (which the Board admit to be correct) as improper and unjustifiable.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is now prepared to make a statement with reference to his action regarding the nomination of County Magistrates in; Lancashire; and if he will lay upon the Table of the House his Correspondence with the Lord Lieutenant upon the subject, as well as the Memorandum of 1870?

Having received many complaints regarding the composition of the County Bench in Lancashire, and the great disparity in the representation of the political parties upon it, and having satisfied myself that the complaints were well-founded, I called the attention of the Lord Lieutenant to this disparity, and to the unfortunate results upon the status of the Bench and the sentiments of the people which it involves. Intimating that I was unwilling to depart from the existing practice, although that practice was of quite recent origin, I suggested to him the propriety of taking some action to diminish the disparity, and laid before him the names of 39 gentlemen as suitable to be recommended by him to me for appointment in case he were satisfied of their personal fitness. The Lord Lieutenant having absolutely declined to entertain the suggestion thus made to him, I have felt myself obliged to revoke, and have revoked, the Memorandum of 1870, by which the right of recommending was entrusted to the Lord Lieutenant, and have decided to revert to the practice in force before that year, under which the Chancellor of the Duchy received recommendations from various quarters, and not from the Lord Lieutenant only. I have informed the Lord Lieutenant of this decision, and of the reasons which have constrained me to take it. There will be no objection to producing the Memorandum of 1870 and the letter then addressed to the Lord Lieutenant, together with the Memorandum I have now signed and the correspondence (so far as it is not confidential) which has recently passed between the Lord Lieutenant and myself upon the subject, if the hon. Member will move for these documents.

In view of the remarkable action of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if there will be any opportunity of discussing it, his salary, unfortunately, not being on the Votes?

The hon. Member is as able as I am myself to judge from the forms of the House what opportunity he will have of raising the question. I can only say that, as far as I am personally concerned, no one would be better pleased than I should be that this matter should be discussed.

What is the practice of recent origin to which the right hon. Gentleman alludes?

The practice of recent origin was for the Lord Lieutenant to be the only person to send recommendations to the Chancellor of the Duchy.

Is it not the practice in every other county in England that the recommendation shall be made by the Lord Lieutenant alone?

In other counties the Lord Chancellor has the same functions as the Chancellor of the Duchy in Lancashire.

Is any portion of the correspondence confidential?

The letters which are not confidential are perfectly sufficient to show the whole case. I only qualified my answer for the reason that the names of the gentlemen I mentioned were included, and they were of course given confidentially, and there are two or three letters marked "private" which passed between the Lord Lieutenant and myself. The correspondence which will be produced consists of three official letters, and they fully show the whole matter.

I beg to give notice that I will move for the Papers.

Under the Statute, is it not the duty of the Chancellor of the Duchy and not of the Lord Lieutenant to appoint the magistrates?

If my hon. Friend does not move for the Papers I shall do so immediately after Easter.

The hon. Member can if he likes move for them at once.

I am sorry to say I am going to Malta on Saturday.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the great disproportion between Liberals and Conservatives on the Commission of the Peace for the County of Gloucester, where out of 260 Magistrates only nine are of Liberal politics, while in the Eastern Division there is no Liberal on the Bench; and whether the Lord Chancellor will consider the expediency of adding to the Commission?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask him if there is any official record of the politics of the Magistrates of Gloucester, and whether the right hon. Gentleman considers it consistent with the spirit of the Ballot Act to inquire how gentlemen exercise their political privileges?

Is it not the case that the present Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire is still, in any intelligible sense of the term, a Liberal in politics?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lords Lieutenant of Gloucestershire have, for the last half century, been exclusively members of the Liberal Party; and has he received any complaints as to the administration of justice; and, if so, whether there is any sufficient foundation for such complaints?

May I ask whether the late Mr. Winterbotham did not, on several occasions, bring the miscarriages of justice before the House in the form of questions; and whether the present Lord Lieutenant is not known as a Unionist?

May I ask whether it is the duty of the Lord Lieutenant or of anyone else to seek for gentlemen to be recommended to the Commission of the Peace unless vacancies have been certified on the Magisterial Bench?

What connection has politics with judicial appointments? If the principle of inquiring into the politics of Magistrates is to be adopted, will the politics of Judges of the High Court also be inquired into?

In reference to the question put to me by the Member for Preston, in my judgment politics ought to have no connection whatever with appointments to judicial functions; and that I gather to be the ground of my hon. Friend's question. I am not aware of the precise proportion between the number of Liberal and Conservative Magistrates in Gloucestershire, though I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of my hon. Friend's figures. The Ballot Act, so far as I am aware, has no connection, direct or indirect, with the appointment of Magistrates or the exercise of their duties.

I did not suggest that the Ballot Act had anything to do with the appointment of Magistrates. I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he did not consider that the spirit of the Ballot Act would be infringed by inquiring how gentlemen exercised the franchise?

We are not considering the question of how these gentlemen vote, but the question of what their politics are. So far as the politics of the Lord Lieutenant are concerned, I am afraid I must confess total ignorance upon the subject, though I am credibly informed that the present Lord Lieutenant is not, and has not for a long time, been a Member of the Liberal Party.

rose again, but Mr. ASQUITH did not give way.

Order, order! The right hon. Gentleman is not bound to give way.

I have no official knowledge of miscarriages of justice in Gloucestershire. As to the duties of a Lord Lieutenant being only to fill up vacancies, I am not aware there is any rule as to that.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire is not, and has not been all his life, a staunch Liberal, although he is not one of those staunch Liberals who joined in the surrender to Home Rule?

The hon. Member had better ask the Lord Lieutenant.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is a fact that contracts to supply boots for the Navy have been given to the firm of T. B. Elley and Co., of Stafford; whether he is aware that under previous contracts this firm has reduced wages and enforced conditions of labour contrary to the recognised practice of the trade in that locality; whether he is aware that the workmen belonging to this firm are at present on strike against reductions from their wages, which bring them below the current rate of the district; and whether he will undertake that no further contracts shall be placed with this firm until they comply with the terms of the Resolution of this House of 13th February, 1891?

Contracts for boots for the Navy have been given to Messrs. T. B. Elley and Co., and all have been very satisfactorily fulfilled. They hold no contract at the present moment. Allegations of the character stated in the question have been made to the Admiralty, but after full inquiry, and a complete and satisfactory reply from Messrs. Elley, the Admiralty are of opinion that the terms of the Resolution of the House of Commons of 13th February, 1891, are complied with by this firm.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried at the Gloucester Assizes, when a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment was inflicted on a girl for stealing the sum of 3d.; and whether he will look into the case, with a view to mitigation or remission of such sentence?

My hon. Friend does not give the name of the prisoner, but from inquiries I understand that the only case which at all corresponds to the description in the question is that of Ellen Jones. She is a woman of 49 years of age, and is an old offender, having been several times previously convicted of theft and housebreaking, and once sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. There is a wide difference of opinion among the judicial authorities of the country as to the proper mode of dealing with habitual criminals who are convicted of comparatively trivial offences, and while I am always ready to consider the special circumstances of particular cases, I cannot undertake the impracticable task of equalising the scale of punishment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what changes have been introduced into soldiers' messing and rations at Aldershot in order to provide for a proper breakfast, dinner, and supper?

No change has been made in the soldiers' messing and rations at Aldershot, but a more varied system of treating and cooking them has been introduced; while the so-called grocery ration, which the men pay for, has been bought on principles which allow of better meals being provided. The changes are too detailed for an answer in this House; but a Paper entitled "Memoranda on the Messing of the Soldier, together with Appendices and a Minute by the Assistant Adjutant General, Aldershot," which has been sent to all commanding officers, gives full particulars. If the hon. and gallant Member thinks it desirable to move for this document I shall be glad to present it.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the claims of Mr. Baird and others against Sir Baldwin Walker, senior officer of the Newfoundland Fishery Protection Service, have yet been settled; and, if not, why not?

Yes, Sir; they were settled and paid last December.

Have all the claims been settled which were practically governed by the case of "Baird v. Walker"?

All the claims in Court were settled for a sum of 5,500 dollars.

Will the money appear in the Estimates?

It has been paid out of the Newfoundland Estimate for 1892–93. The sum was provided last year.

I shall call attention to this matter on another occasion.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he will lay upon the Table a Copy of the Report of the Procurator Fiscal of Midlothian to the Crown Agent for Scotland, showing the result of his investigations into an accident which took place at Newbattle Collieries on the 20th January, 1893, whereby John Neesam, a workman, was killed; and will he also produce the Report upon the same accident by Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines?

I cannot lay upon the Table a Copy of the Report of the Procurator Fiscal relative to this matter, as such Reports are confidential, containing as they do the results of inquiry made with a view to considering whether there is ground for criminal proceedings. It will be for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to say whether the Report by the Inspector of Mines can be produced.

I beg to ask the Home Secretary now?

The hon. Member must give me notice.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in consideration of the importance of British agriculturists, importers, and shipowners being able to make their arrangements for the ensuing season, he will now state what course the Board intend to take with respect to the restrictions on the importation of Canadian cattle?

After the most careful consideration of the various facts which have been brought under my notice in connection with this matter, I have arrived at the conclusion that I should not be justified in restoring the privilege of free entry in the case of Canadian cattle until I am in possession of the additional evidence which would be afforded by a systematic examination, extending over a reasonable and sufficient period, of the lungs of the cattle landed here for slaughter at the port. I trust that the result of such an examination may be to confirm the view that the requirement of slaughter at the port can be waived with reasonable security against the importation of diseased animals, in which case, and in the absence of any unfavourable news from Canada, I consider that I should be bound under the Statute to allow free entry to be resumed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the inquiry will take?

No; I cannot do that. It shall not be prolonged beyond the period absolutely necessary for the examination, and the more rapidly the cattle are brought in the more quickly will it be possible to come to a decision.

In the absence of the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Government to carry into effect the recommendation of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Greenwich Age Pensions (1892)?

The first recommendation of the Committee has already been acted on. The other, which involves a charge upon the Consolidated Fund, was also virtually accepted by the late Board of Admiralty, and the present Board are now consulting with the Treasury as to the best means of carrying it into effect. As it involves a charge upon the Consolidated Fund, legislation will be necessary. This reply applies also to the Question No. 25, asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, and to one of which I have had private notice from the hon. Member for Devonport.

When may we expect legislation on the subject to be brought in?

That is a question I cannot answer.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Slate for India (1) with reference to the intimation by the Viceroy of India to the deputation of the Indian Services on the 31st January last, that the grievance arising from the depreciation in the rupee was one which the Government could not expect them to tolerate, but that the Government was obliged to await the Report of Lord Herschell's Committee, whether there is any immediate prospect of a Report from that Committee; and (2) whether in view of the urgency of the matter in regard to the efficiency of the Civil and Military Services of the Crown in India, the Secretary of State will arrange with the Indian Government to afford relief to those Services, or will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the subject?

(1) It is hoped that the Report will be soon ready. (2) The effect of the fall in exchange on the position of the Services is under consideration in connection with the currency question; but it is impossible to separate the two subjects, nor would it be advisable, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, to act in anticipation of any decision which may be arrived at in respect to the currency.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether there is any truth in the report that the Secretary of State has sanctioned a proposal of the Government of India to levy the Indian Income Tax on pensions paid to its retired servants in England; and, if so, for how many years the Indian Government has paid pensions in England without imposing the Indian Income Tax?

The answer is No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many miles of public roads in County Londonderry are out of contract and remain un-contracted for at the Summer Assizes, 1892; is he aware that contractors refuse to tender to keep such roads in repair, although the prices charged for their maintenance is from 10 to 15 per cent. higher, according to the county surveyor's statement, than has been the case for the past 10 years; is he aware that the sum of £1,374 1s. 9d. of the money to be passed to the contractors, at the Spring Assizes for said county, was, by the directions of the county surveyor, re-presented by the Grand Jury; will he explain what legal authority has the Grand Jury or county surveyor to re-present the said money; is there an Act of Parliament for dealing with contractors who fail to properly carry out their contracts for keeping roads in repair; and, if there is, does the county surveyor for the said county avail himself of the provisions of the Act in all cases; if not, can he assign any sufficient reason for not doing so; does the county surveyor receive the full amount of money levied for the keeping in repair of those roads which are in his own hands; and does he supply the full quantity of metal mentioned in the presentment for these roads?

I have called for a Report in reference to this matter, but in consequence of the engagement at Assizes of both the secretary to the Grand Jury and the county surveyor, I must ask that the question be postponed for a few days.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governor of the Gold Coast has instructions to report to the Colonial Department every six months; and, if so, has he done so since the 28th July, 1891, and how often; has he stated how many political prisoners are now confined in that Colony, and what are the causes of their detention; are there any who have been tried by the ordinary law, and any who are detained under Ordinances of the Gold Coast Legislative Council; and, if so, how many respectively; have any died in confinement since 1883; and, if so, how many; has any Report been made as to the imprisonment of Geraldo de Lima and others who have been detained without trial; have they been brought to trial or released; and if still in prison, will they be tried by the ordinary law or released?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. There are still five political prisoners de- tained by the Gold Coast Government besides seven from Sierra Leone. They have not been tried under the ordinary law, but are detained under special Ordinances. Four prisoners have died in confinement since 1883. As regards the case of Giraldo de Lima and the other prisoners, I fear that a complete answer cannot well be given within the compass of a reply across the Table, but I shall be very glad to send the hon. Member all the information he may require.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of accidents caused by hooded vans in London during the year; whether vans in which the driver is entirely surrounded on three sides are permitted in any other city in the country; what powers the police have to prevent vehicles plying the streets which are a source of danger to the public; and whether he will take measures to insure that in all vehicles plying the streets the driver shall be able to have a sufficient view at the sides to prevent danger of collision with other vehicles or of running over foot passengers?

The number of accidents by covered vans in London and known to the police during the year 1892 are 646–18 of which were fatal. I have no means of obtaining the information asked in the second paragraph. Except in the cabs and omnibuses the control of the police only extends to the manner in which vehicles are driven.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the case of "Wallace v. J. and A. Allan" in the Sheriff Court of Glasgow, in which it has been held that a Shipping Company which has carried back to this country a destitute alien (being an imbecile Russian Jew whom the Shipping Company had transported from Bremen to New York), who was not allowed to land in America by the authorities there, acting under the powers of an Act of the United States dated 3rd March, 1891, was not liable in relief to a parish to which the alien subsequently became chargeable; whether, in view of this decision, there is anything to prevent Shipping Companies from turning adrift destitute aliens, rejected by the United States, at any of our ports to become chargeable on our rates; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to prevent such a course of conduct from being pursued?

The attention of the Scottish Office was called on the 13th instant to the case alluded to by the hon. Member and the Board of Trade was at once consulted. They are now considering the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the new signal light on the Clock Tower of the House, which is a dioptric lens of the second order, was procured by competitive tenders from the English and French constructors, in accordance with the practice of the Board of Trade with regard to lighthouse apparatus; and, if not, for what reason a French firm was chosen to supply it, without any opportunity having been given to any English firm to compete?

I have been requested by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. Competitive tenders were not invited for the lens and apparatus for the new signal light. The order was given by the Office of Works to Mr. J. R. Wigham, of the firm of Messrs. Edmund-son and Company, of Westminster and Dublin, who is the patentee of the lighthouse apparatus, which has been in use on the Clock Tower since 1872.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he has made arrangements with the Treasury so that provision will be made in this year's Budget for a super-annuation scheme for the teachers of schools in Scotland?

I have laid on the Table to-day a Minute under which the amount available for pensions to teachers in Scotland will be increased proportionately to the increase in England, by £830 a year.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State for India in Council has had under consideration the expediency of applying to those Indian Railway securities which are authorised trust investments, and carry a guarantee by the Indian Government, the provisions of the Forged Transfers Acts, 1891 and 1892; and whether he is aware that, for a premium of £500 a year, those Companies can collectively obtain insurance against any probable loss?

The question of applying the provisions of the Forged Transfers Acts of 1891 and 1892 to the guaranteed Indian Railway Companies has been under the consideration of the Secretary of State in Council. An offer to insure these Companies from loss by forged transfers for an annual payment of £500 has recently been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State, who is awaiting the necessary communications on the subject from the Boards of the Companies.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he will at once take steps to abolish the inconsistencies in counting words in telegrams; and whether, in view of the fact (amongst many other instances) that West Derby counts as two words, and West Kirby as one word, Rock Ferry as one word, New Ferry as two words, and Broughty Ferry as one word, he will give instructions that all compound words, constituting names of places or persons, shall in future be charged for as one word?

The regulations laid on the Table of the House which relate to the names of places prescribe that "the names of all towns and villages shall be counted as one word each." West Kirby and Broughty Ferry are counted in this manner. Rockferry and Newferry do not come within the description, but they are commonly written as one word each, and they so appear in the PostOffice Guide; they are, therefore, accepted by the Department as one word when they are so written. The names of districts and roads are under the control of the Local Authorities, and need not be compound words. I do not think it would be advisable to allow such compound names as West Derby, which is the name of a district in Liverpool, to be charged for as one word, as it would lead to a serious loss to the Revenue.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Report of the official deputed by him to examine into the truth of a petition, or statement of grievances, sent in to him at the end of last year by certain clerks representing the major establishment of the Postal Service; and whether he will appoint an independent committee, unconnected with the Post Office, to report to him with respect to the matters contained in the petition referred to, and particularly to the offer of the clerks to prove every one of their allegations?

I presume the hon. Member refers to a statement emanating from Liverpool. If I am correct in this assumption, the matter referred to raised serious questions of discipline. I examined it most carefully myself, and and satisfied that the course which I took was the right one. I am responsible for the maintenance of discipline in the Department, and am not prepared to lay the Papers on the Table of the House.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General why the submarine cable to Islay, which was broken on 10th February, has not been repaired; and if he can say when communication will be restored, as the absence of telegraphic communication with the mainland is the cause of much inconvenience to the community in Islay, Jura, and Colonsay?

The cable ship of the Post Office has been at work on the East Coast of Scotland laying a cable to Inchkeith, and repairing the cable to Shetland, which was totally interrupted. She has, unfortunately, been much delayed by bad weather, but I trust she will soon be able to return to London. She will then be got ready, without delay, for a trip to the West Coast of Scotland, in the course of which she will repair the cable to Islay.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that large numbers of unqualified persons habitually practise as medical men or apothecaries, or assistants thereof, in London and other populous places; whether the only power of preventing such persons from so practising is vested in the Society of Apothecaries under the Act 55 Geo. 3, c. 194, except in cases where such persons use titles prohibited by "The Medical Act, 1858," s. 40; whether the Society of Apothecaries have ceased to use their powers under their Act for many years; and whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of conferring powers similar to those possessed by the Society of Apothecaries upon the General Medical Council, or whether he can suggest any other method of checking such unqualified practitioners?

said that he was not aware of any means by which he could ascertain the extent to which unqualified persons practised as medical men or apothecaries in London or other populous places. The power of preventing such persons practising lay alone with the Society of Apothecaries, and that only, so far as practising as apothecaries was concerned. He was informed that the Society had not ceased to exercise its power, but he was not prepared to introduce legislation on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when last the Society of Apothecaries exercised this power?

I must ask for notice of that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there are at this moment nearly 200 muzzle-loading 9-pouuder guns in the hands of the Royal Artillery in India; whether these guns are of an obsolete pattern condemned many years ago; and how soon a modern breech-loading gun can be supplied to the whole of the Royal Artillery in India, provided that immediate orders be given to all establishments in the country capable of manufacturing them?

The Royal Artillery in India have in their possession 120 muzzle-loading 9-pounder field guns. These guns are not condemned as obsolete, though they are not of the latest pattern of field gun. The whole supply of the new guns could probably be produced in a year, if the Indian Government gave the order for them; but this is a question for the consideration of the Indian Government, which would have to provide for the cost.

Is it not a fact that the Indian Government have already given an order for the guns?

That is not according to my information.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience caused by the want of a post office at Doonaha West, County Clare; and whether he is disposed to meet the views of the inhabitants in that respect?

An application on this subject has been received only within the last few days, and I have directed inquiry to be made into it. I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the bursting of a water pipe during the winter in the Cavalry Barracks at Windsor, the supply of water was cut off or stopped, and the men were in consequence for several weeks unable to obtain a bath; and whether this state of things still continues, or when it was remedied?

The supply of water was interrupted during the severe frost, and, no doubt, some inconvenience was felt. The water supply was re-established before the end of January.

T beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds his Department has dis- couraged the making by Mr. Van Laun, at his own risk, of detailed quantity surveys for the construction of a harbour at Sordwana, on the northern coast of Zululand, and a railway thence to Swaziland; why, in the face of the statement that the information at present in the hands of Mr. H. T. Van Laun is insufficient to enable the Crown Agents for the Colonies to judge of the cost of these works, the Colonial Office still persists in referring the matter to the Crown Agents; why the negotiations with Mr. Van Laun and Colonel William Jesser Coope have been so prolonged by the Colonial Office; whether he is aware that the Chambers of Commerce of Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, London, and Bradford have by resolution desired the construction of the harbour of Sordwana and its railway; and whether, in spite of this consensus of commercial opinion, this important harbour is to be handed over to the South African Republic?

Permission has not been refused to Mr. Van Laun to rake detailed quantity surveys for the proposed harbour and railway. But, as Mr. Van Laun stated that such a step would involve him in a large expenditure, the Secretary of State decided that the question of the practicability of the scheme and of the financial ability of Mr. Van Laun to find the necessary capital might be referred to the Crown Agents, in the usual course, for a preliminary Report, without requiring the detailed surveys to be first made. The negotiations on the subject have not been prolonged by the Colonial Office; but Mr. Van Laun has not yet approached the Crown Agents. The Secretary of State has received various Memorials on the subject from divers Chambers of Commerce; but he has not been furnished with the materials on which such Memorials have been based. There is no intention of handing over Sordwana Bay, which is part of Zululand, to the South African Republic.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the new practice recently introduced with regard to the transfer of dangerous lunatics from workhouses to district asylums in Ireland, whether hitherto, as a preliminary to such transfer, an order was first obtained from two Justices under the 30 & 31 Vict. c. 118, s. 10, on a certificate from the dispensary doctor; whether there has been any change in the law enabling this order and certificate to be dispensed with; whether it is the practice now to transfer such lunatics in the same manner as if they were harmless pauper lunatics—namely, without a magistrate's order, and on the certificate of the workhouse doctor merely; and on what authority this change of practice is based?

I am not aware of any new practice respecting the transfer of dangerous lunatics in Ireland from workhouses to district asylums. Persons admitted to district asylums as dangerous lunatics require a committal order to be signed by two Justices, together with a certificate of the dispensary medical officer. If the hon. Member is aware of any case in which there has been a departure from the law I will inquire into it.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the loss of the four-masted sailing ship Bendouran, and is he aware of the fact that she was a vessel carrying over 3,300 tons of cargo; that she had four masts; that three of those masts were square-rigged, and had 15 sails, and 15 fore and aft sails; that to stow a mainsail or a foresail on a ship of this size requires 12 men for each sail; is it the fact that this vessel had only 27 hands, all told, and that it was composed as follows:—captain, three mates, boatswain, carpenter, one cook, one steward, one cabin boy, first voyage 12 able seamen, and six apprentices; and that the usual complement of hands for a ship carrying over 3,000 tons of cargo is 42; has any inquiry been held into the loss of this ship; if not, why not; and will he state whether it is his intention to direct any inquiry to be held into the alleged under-manning of this and other ships which have been missing?

This ship is known to be missing. She is reported to have had a cargo of 2,780 tons, and she had a crew of 27. It is not in my power to afford further information, beyond explaining that inquiry is not ordered in such a case, as the lack of evidence precludes all prospect of a useful result. The vessel was on her homeward voyage, and there is no evidence as to the cause of loss.

Will the Board of Trade appoint a Wreck Commissioner to inquire into the large number of vessels of this type lost in recent years?

I must ask for notice of that question.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended that, in the event of the Bill for the Government of Ireland becoming law, the number of Members in the House shall be permanently reduced; and whether the Government propose to bring in a Bill to distribute in other parts of the United Kingdom the seats intended to be set free?

No, Sir; the Government have no intention at present of introducing any Redistribution Bill in connection with the Home Rule Bill for Ireland.

Then I may take it that the number of Members in this House will he permanently reduced.

I did not say so.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, with reference to the intimation of the Viceroy of India to the deputation of the Indian Services, on 31st January last, that the grievance arising from the depreciation of the rupee was one which the Government could not expect them to tolerate, whether the Viceroy in making such intimation had given, and whether the Secretary of State for India will give, consideration to the burden that will be added to the already existing heavy burden, caused by the depreciation of the rupee, from which the taxpaying people of India are Buffering; and whether the Secretary of State for India will submit the matter to the consideration of this House before adopting any decision?

In considering the position of the members of the Indian Services owing to the fall in the gold value of the rupee, the effect upon the taxpayers of India of any measures that may be adopted will necessarily be borne in mind. On the second question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 16th February respecting the currency question, which must be considered in connection with the subject of compensation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, during the late Administration, the Lord Lieutenant ordered any Dublin stockbroker to be fined; and, if so, was the fine gazetted, and when?

I understand that in May, 1890, the Committee of the Dublin Stock Exchange reported to the Lord Lieutenant of the day that a member of their society had violated one of the rules of the Exchange approved by his Excellency under a certain statute, and they asked the Lord Lieutenant for his sanction for the infliction of a fine. That sanction was accorded and the fine was inflicted. It does not appear to have been gazetted, and I do not understand why it should be.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police have any statutory power to refuse to grant or renew certificates under "The Chimney Sweepers Act, 1875," to persons who have been convicted of burglary, theft, or other felony; and whether complaints have reached him that persons who have been so convicted carry on the business or trade of chimney sweepers, and thus have special facilities for committing crime?

There is no statutory power such as that mentioned in the first paragraph. I understand that no complaints on the subject have come to the knowledge of the police.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended to give crofters, cottars, and others opportunities for submitting statements and giving evidence before the Deer Forest Commission, with respect to grievances occasioned by deer forests, grouse preserves, and sheep runs; and whether the Commissioners will make arrangements to give due notice of their intended visit to the districts concerned?

The Commission have instructions to inquire whether any and, if any, what, land in the crofter counties now occupied for a deer forest, for other sporting purposes, or for grazing on a large scale, is capable of being profitably utilised by crofters or other small tenants. Naturally, they will receive evidence from all competent sources, whether crofter or landlord, which bears on this subject. I have little doubt that is how they will read their Commission. The Commissioners will give due notice of their visit to any district.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of "Howard de Walden v. Howard de Walden," tried before Sir Francis Jeune and a special jury; and whether, inasmuch as the verdict of the jury involves the conclusion that the evidence imputing misconduct to Lady Howard was procured by perjury and subornation of perjury, he will take the necessary steps for bringing to justice the persons guilty of these crimes; and whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Sir Francis Jeune has ordered the documents to be impounded?

I believe it is a fact that the documents have been impounded. I have communicated with the learned Judge, and am in consultation with the Attorney General on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that on the 22nd January last the hay yard of a farmer named William Taylor, residing near Lurgan, was burned, and that two farmers, named Daniel Campbell and Joseph Campbell, supplied District Inspector Gray, of Lurgan, with a statement to the effect that they saw Taylor himself set fire to some of the stacks, and why the police have not taken any steps to prosecute Taylor on a charge of arson?

It is reported that an action for slander has been brought by Mr. Taylor arising out of the burning of his hay, and pending the hearing of this action it is not advisable to make any statement.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. R. M. Richardson, an officer receiving £120 a year, with a bonus of £10, in the Department of the Collector General of Rates in Dublin, who has been retired after 14 years' service, at 10 days' notice, on a superannuation allowance of £6 10s., under "The Dublin Corporation Act, 1890," while of seven officers retired under the Act five were awarded two-thirds of their salaries as retiring allowances; and if he will state on what grounds Mr. Richardson was awarded only one-twentieth of his salary and bonus; and whether he will reconsider Mr. Richardson's claim, with the view of granting him a more equitable retiring allowance?

I am informed that Mr. Richardson's appointment as warrant officer in the Collector General's Department is dated 8th May, 1890, and that his office was abolished from the 1st January last in consequence of the Corporation taking over from that date the collection of the municipal rates. Mr. Richardson then had but two years service towards pension, and his case was dealt with under the terms applicable to a Civil servant with less than five years pensionable service, whose office is abolished. The other officers referred to had many years of service, and were awarded two-thirds of their emoluments, because these were the terms usually awarded to officers appointed to the Collector General's office as far back as they had been. Mr. Richardson, before his appointment in 1890, was in the private employment of his predecessor for 12 years. He was not during this period in any sense an officer of the Department, and whatever remuneration he received was paid to him out of the private pocket of the previous warrant officer.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say upon what principle it is that Official Receivers in Bankruptcy are prohibited from accepting political agencies or appointments of that character, and also from being either County or Town Councillors, whilst Registrars of County Courts, whose duties are in many respects very similar, are placed under no restrictions whatever?

The salaried Official Receivers are permanent Civil servants of the Crown, and to these the Rules of the Civil Service undoubtedly apply. The unsalaried Receivers are in a different position, and at the time of appointment several of them held municipal offices, and have continued to do so. The Registrars of County Courts are not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if a formal protest has been received at the Colonial Office from all of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong against the Third Reading and passing of the Appropriation Ordinance for 1893 (Ordinance No. 12 of 1892) in which they affirm that the sums included for salaries and official expenses were much in excess of what was necessary, and what the Colony could afford; if such sums for the salaries, &c, were included by the Committee of Council over-ruling the decision of the Finance Committee, which had passed resolutions amending the Estimates for 1893, and reducing the corresponding items in the Appropriation Ordinance; and if, in view of this protest and the known depressed condition of affairs in the Colony, the Secretary of State for the Colonies will grant the prayer of the protestors, that an independent Commission be appointed with full power to investigate and report on the condition of affairs in Hong Kong and the relative cost of the administration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the facts are as therein stated; but it should be noted that the increases of salary of which complaint is made, which date from 1891, were sanctioned by Lord Ripon's predecessor on the recommendation of a Committee almost entirely composed of unofficial members of Council. With regard to the third part of the question, while Lord Ripon cannot assent to the reduction of the salaries of the holders of office, he is fully alive to the fact that the expenditure on establishment in Hong Kong is very high, and he is taking measures, consistently with respect to the claims of existing officers, to reduce it. The question of an inquiry is under his consideration.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is true that Sir Brand ford Griffith has proposed an official survey of railway routes within the British protectorate on the Gold Coast; if so, what are the proposed routes to be surveyed; is it also true that Captain Irvine Long, of the Royal Engineers, has been appointed to the command of the surveying expedition; and whether he is to be accompanied by an armed escort of Houssas, and what is the necessity of such an escort?

A preliminary survey is about to be undertaken with a view to ascertain the most practicable and expedient route for a railway or railways in the Gold Coast Colony. The question of what routes shall be surveyed will be decided in conference between the Governor and the officer in charge of the survey—namely, Captain J. Irvine Long, R.E. It will be, of course, the Governor's duty to take such precautions as he may deem necessary to secure the safety of Captain Long and his party.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any of Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station have been specially charged with the duty of supervising the recruiting of Kanakas; and whether any official Report has yet been received from the Admiral in command on the Australian Station as to the working of the new Regulations adopted by the Parliament of Queensland for the recruiting of Kanakas for the sugar plantations of that Colony?

Some of Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station are annually employed among the Pacific Islands, and among their duties is that of preventing abuses in recruiting labourers. No Report has been received from the Commander-in-Chief as to the working of the regulations issued by the Governor of Queensland in May, 1892, in pursuance of the Pacific Island Labourers Acts, 1890–92.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the late Right Hon. W. B. Dalley, P. C, when acting Premier of New South Wales, brought Tinder the notice of Her Majesty's Government the embarrassing condition of New Caledonia in relation to the Australian Colonies; whether Mr. Dalley submitted any proposals or suggestions with a view to the acquisition of New Caledonia by Her Majesty's Government, if so, whether there is any objection to stating the general tenor of such proposals or suggestions; and whether it is on record that the French Government expressed a willingness to cede New Caledonia to the British Crown in exchange for the Falkland Islands?

The Parliamentary Paper, 3839, of 1884, laid by the Colonial Office, shows that the attention of Her Majesty's Government was called to the serious consequences resulting to the Australian Colonies from the transportation of relapsed French criminals to New Caledonia, but the answer to the two last paragraphs of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an alleged miscarriage of justice at the Cirencester Petty Sessions on the 6th inst., in a case of assault on a labourer named Hulbert by a billsticker named Lucy, which was dismissed by the local Bench; and, if so, whether he will take any action in the matter?

The case was dismissed because the Magistrates, after careful investigation, thought the evidence was insufficient to support the charge. I have, under such circumstances, no power to interfere.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the decision of the Government not to proceed with the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill before Easter, an opportunity can be given to the House to discuss the Liquor Traffic (Local Control) Bill before that date; and whether he can name an approximate date when the Second Reading of that measure will be submitted to the House and proceeded with?

May I ask whether, in view of the impossibility of dealing with the many Bills on this subject during the present Session, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of referring them to a Committee in order that the question may be dealt with on a comprehensive basis and a settlement promptly arrived at?

In answer to the question of the hon. Member for Salisbury, I have thankfully to acknowledge his anxiety for the rapid progress of the measures of the Government. How soon I may be able to gratify his eager-ness in so good a cause I am unable to say, but I hope the incidents of yesterday may have given him some satisfaction and slake his thirst for rapid legislation. But his proposal is hardly consistent with that of the hon. Gentleman behind me, because he proposes a Committee, which perhaps would rather delay than facilitate the progress of the measure. I am only able to say that as soon as we can proceed with that measure we shall be very glad to do so, and we have great hopes of success. I do not think it is a sort of measure that could be satisfactorily dealt with by a Committee.

May I assume that this Bill is not going to be pushed forward, and that it is the intention of the Government to drop it forthwith?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a recent conviction of Thomas Chilvers at the Clerkenwell Police Court, on the prosecution of the London County Council, for unlawfully keeping open a place of public resort for the purpose of public music without having obtained a County Council certificate; and whether he will call the attention of the London County Council or direct the police to prosecute in the case of a number of places of public resort unlicensed, in which concerts and entertainments were announced in the Press to be given last Sunday?

said, that his attention had not been previously called to this case. Where there was no actual disorderly conduct or immorality the police did not take action, but left such things to be dealt with by the inhabitants of the district. He did not think it would lie advisable that the police should depart from the ordinary practice.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that all English residents in Swaziland and in the Transvaal are unanimously against any consent being given by Her Majesty's Government to the cession of Swaziland to the South African Republic, even with the consent of the Queen of the Swazis; whether he is aware that letters which are sent from British residents in Swaziland are sometimes detained or opened by officials of the South African Republic; if he can state what guarantee could be obtained for the protection of the interests and rights of British subjects in Swaziland which would not have to be enforced by war; if he can state what necessity there is for the cession of Swaziland to anyone, beyond the carrying out of the bargain made by Mr. Cecil Rhodes for the undisturbed advance of his Chartered Company into Mashona-land, as stated in Blue Book, No. C. 6201, page 14; and if he is aware that the present Representative of the British Commissioner in Swaziland has reported to the High Commissioner at the Cape that if Swaziland is handed over to the Boers there will be bloodshed?

It is possible that English residents in Swaziland might be opposed to being governed solely by the South African Republic; but it is not probable that English residents in the Transvaal are opposed to the alteration of the present system of adminstration in Swaziland. As regards the second quest ion we have no information; but if the hon. Member will furnish particulars inquiry will be made. The guarantees for the protection of the interests and rights of British subjects in Swaziland will form an important element in the forthcoming Conference. The question of the future Government of Swaziland has not been raised by Her Majesty's Government; but they are bound by the pledges of their Predecessors in Office to discuss the matter with the South African Republic before the end of three years from August 1890, with a view to meet as far as possible the wishes of the latter. The Secretary of State is not aware that the present Representative of the British Commissioner in Swaziland has reported to the High Commissioner at the Cape to the effect stated in the question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of Continental dyed and undyed yarns, also Continental woollen and worsted yarns, imported into this country during the year 1892, and during the months of January and February 1893?

It is not possible to give the information asked. Imported yarns, whether woollen or cotton, are no. divided into "dyed" and "undyed" in the import list, nor are woollen and worsted yarns distinguished. The details of the imports of cotton, linen, and woollen yarn for 1892 will be found in the Annual Statement of Trade which will be issued in a few weeks.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the Board of Works will accept the proposal of the London County Council and co-operate with it in the removal and re-erection of the stones now lying in Battersea Park, which formerly composed the Colonnade of Burlington House?

I have not been able to promise to submit to Parliament a Vote for—1,000 towards the cost of the re-erection of these stones. It would, I think, be a purely Metropolitan work.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the highest military and naval authorities in this country, sitting on the Royal Commission to inquire into the expediency of allowing the proposed Channel Tunnel to be made or examined as witnesses, expressed a decidedly adverse opinion on strategic and national grounds; whether he is further aware that the annual notice of opposition to the Channel Tunnel Bill, although given by the representative of the Board of Trade, as responsible for the control of railways, has hitherto always been given with the direct concurrence of the War Office and the Admiralty; and whether he can state that the naval and military authorities responsible for the defence of the country have in any way modified the views held and expressed by them, as before referred to, and have advised the Board of Trade to withdraw all opposition to the Bill and to support it?

The important part of the question is in the last paragraph, to which my answer is in the negative.

My question is do the Government, in face of the views of the military authorities, intend to allow this scheme to proceed?

The question was, had they modified their views. I answered that in the negative.

Then I will ask whether the Report of the Committee made to the House on the Channel Tunnel Bill was not to the effect that the majority of the Committee were of opinion that Parliamentary sanction should not be given to submarine communication between England and France, and that 13 naval and military witnesses were of the same opinion, only one expressing a contrary opinion; and whether, in view of this fact, Her Majesty's Government intend to sanction the Channel Tunnel?

I am not answering for Her Majesty's Government. Any question on that score had better be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

I ask the right hon. Gentleman this question—whether the War Office have not always expressed the opinion that such works would be dangerous; and whether the right hon. Gentleman, as head of the War Office, cannot speak on behalf of the Government and say whether he does or does not agree with that opinion?

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the War Office? The naval and military authorities are now of the same opinion as hitherto, and that is against the Channel Tunnel. How often am I obliged to say that in order to make the right hon. Gentleman understand?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 4th instant a young man named Michael M'Clean was compelled to leave off working on the Achill Railway works because on the previous night he had signed a Petition against the Home Rule Bill; and whether he will take steps to protect M'Clean and others in the exercise of their rights as citizens?

I understand that the statements in the first paragraph are true so far as they go, but they do not tell the whole story. The civil engineer in charge informed the men they would be discharged if they interfered with M'Clean who returned to his work on the 6th inst., and has been working ever since.

In view of the general inquiry made in the second paragraph of the question, I beg to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will instruct the police to report to the Inspector General any cases which come under their notice of persons being discharged or subjected to injury or loss for refusing to sign Petitions?

That is a question which requires consideration, and I will give it consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Nationalist Convention recently held in Dublin was attended by Major Jekyll, the private secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and whether it is usual for the private secretary of the Queen's Representative in Ireland to attend Party political demonstrations?

I will also ask whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been called to the fact that at the Unionist meeting held in Dublin this week another Viceregal official chose to declare his colours on the Tory side?

No, Sir; I have not heard of the Viceregal official who has declared his colours on the Tory side. As to the question on the Paper, the hon. Member has been misinformed. Major Jekyll, private secretary to his Excellency, informs me that the report is entirely untrue, and that he was not present at the Convention referred to.

I feel bound to say that the question is not on the Paper as I handed it in, but no doubt it was revised properly. What I desired to ask was whether the information was conveyed by the Evening Telegraph, a Government organ?

May I inquire whether the right hon. Gentleman has any information that at a political meeting at Trinity College this week a Judge of the High Court of Justice—Mr. Justice Warren—attended and spoke, as a Judge of the High Court of Justice, against the Home Rule Bill?

I have been informed of this, and I received the information with some regret.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether there is any objection to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary signing Petitions for or against the Home Rule Bill, seeing that the measure seriously affects the future of the Force?

The Constabulary Code contains a Rule which states that—

"It cannot be too strongly or frequently impressed upon both the officers and men of the establishment that, as its character and efficiency would be seriously injured by even a suspicion of its partisanship, the expression or any other manifestation of political or sectarian opinions on the part of any members of the Force is most strictly forbidden."

That is the Rule in the Code, but, of course, if any members of the Constabulary think their position or prospects likely to be affected, it is open to them to submit through their officers to the Government any representation they may consider necessary in their interests.

May I ask whether, as under the Government of Ireland Bill the establishment of the Constabulary is to last only six years, that Rule against partisanship; is to be enforced throughout that time?

I should think so; but really the right hon. Gentleman is as well able to interpret the Rule as I am. I should think that whether the Constabulary is to last for sis years or not, so long as it remains as it is now, the Rules of the Code will be applied.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can give the number of applications for compensation for malicious injury made at the recent Kerry Assizes with the results, and if he can classify the applications and indicate the nature of the offences?

Can the right hon. Gentleman at the same time give the corresponding information for the preceding two years?

There were 39 applications for compensation for malicious injuries at the recent Kerry Assizes. Compensation was granted in 26 of these cases, classified as follows:—Killing and maiming animals, eight; incendiary fires, 12; injuries to property, five; assaulting and injuring a police-sergeant, one. In 13 cases compensation was refused, and the classification of these is as follows:—Killing and maiming cattle, six; incendiary fires, six; injuries to property, one. At the Kerry Spring Assizes of 1892 compensation for malicious injuries was applied for in 38 cases, and granted in 37—[Nationalist Cheers]—the classification of the latter being:—Incendiary fires, 17; maiming cattle, 15; injuries to property, five. At the Kerry Spring Assizes of 1891 compensation for such injuries was applied for in 40 cases and granted in 39, the classification of these latter being:—Incendiary fires, seven; maiming cattle, 26; injuries to property, six.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the address of the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland to the Grand Jury of County Mayo, as reported in The Irish Daily Independent of Saturday last, in which an increase in the class of serious crime is reported, and in which the Judge stated, with regard to the failure of the County Inspector of Police to report a case of unlawful assembly, that it caused a very nasty, uncomfortable, and disagreeable feeling to a Judge to have these things come out by special inquiries, and by putting special requisitions; and that, whatever might be the reason, there was no mention of this unlawful assembly on the record before him; and whether he can state the name of the County Inspector of Mayo, and if he has been called upon to offer any explanation of his conduct?

The Judge did, I believe, make the observation. Contrary to the usual practice, he took the figures for the Winter Assize to the Spring Assize, instead of those for the Summer Assize to the Spring Assize. The case did not appear on the return presented to the Judge by the County Inspector, because the constabulary did not consider the gathering an unlawful assembly, nor was it ever reported to the Executive Government as an unlawful assembly. It is laid down in the Code that none but offences recorded as such at headquarters should be included in the return furnished to the Judge. What occurred at the meeting was not considered sufficiently important to record, because the intended meeting on the farm had been prevented, and because nothing happened at or after the meeting which, in the opinion of the constabulary, deserved to be officially reported.

May I inquire whether this meeting was not reported as a meeting specially summoned to boycott a man who had taken an evicted farm; whether stones wore not thrown at the police, who had eventually to draw their batons; and whether such a meeting was not an unlawful assembly?

A meeting was originally arranged to intimidate a man who had gone on to an evicted farm, but the police interfered, and the meeting was not allowed to be held near the farm. It is quite true that after the dispersion of the meeting a body of men did throw stones at the constabulary and the constabulary drew their batons; but the judgment of the police on the spot was that, as the meeting had been prevented, as no injury had been done by the stone throwing, and as they had not to use their truncheons, they were justified in not reporting it as an unlawful assembly.

Is it the custom of the English Judges to cross-examine the police on their Reports?

I am not able to answer the question.

Perhaps the Home Secretary will say whether it is the practice in England for Judges at Assizes to cross-examine the police with respect to the official Reports to be presented at the Assizes?

No, Sir; I have never heard of such a thing.

Do they ever have to deal with a similar set of circumstances?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if, in view of the impossibility in some country schools in Ireland of maintaining the average of attendance required under the existing rules relating to assistant teachers, he would consider the advisability of recommending an extension of the rule regulating average attendance to two years, instead of, as at present, two consecutive quarters, for assistant teachers of long standing in the service of the Board of National Education?

As already stated, the Irish Government, in 1879, considered 70 as the minimum average daily attendance that would require the aid of an assistant teacher. The Commissioners have no intention of proposing any alteration in the Rule then made at the instance of the Irish Government, or any change in the liberal provisions existing in the Rules—namely, for two quarters' pay after the average has fallen below 70, and for even further periods of indulgence in cases of epidemic, severe weather, or such like causes of exceptional and temporary nature.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the slow rate of promotion in the Revenue Branch of the Bombay Civil Service; whether there are members of the said branch, of over 20 years' service, who have not yet attained the position of permanent heads of districts, while the average time in the other Presidencies is about 14 years; what is the cause of the difference; and whether, under the circumstances, it would be possible to employ those whose promotion has been blocked, in political or other appointments, directly under the Government of India?

Yes; the attention of the Secretary of State has frequently been drawn to the slow rate of promotion in the Revenue Branch of the Bombay Civil Service. There are five members of that branch, of over 20 years' service, who have not yet attained the position of permanent heads of districts; but of these one is serving under the Government of India as Census Commissioner, and two others are officiating as heads of districts. It is doubtful whether the average service, before attaining the position of head of a district in other Provinces, is so low as 14 years. The principal cause of the slowness of promotion has been the over-recruitment in the years 1867-70, the effects of which are gradually passing away. The choice of officers from the various local services for employment under the Government of India is a matter which must be left to the discretion of that Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what protection is given against steam trawling vessels to the fishermen along the lower reaches of the Firth of Clyde; and whether a systematic watch is maintained upon those vessels with a view to the prevention of their fishing within the prohibited waters, the spoiling of the nets of the coast fishermen, and the injury to the breeding grounds of the fish?

The Fishery Board possess a sailing cutter, the Vigilant, whose headquarters are at Rothesay, and whose duty it is to patrol the Firth of Clyde from Greenock to Campbeltown and Stranraer. Every effort is made to prevent trawling.

I may tell the right hon. Gentleman the vessel might just as well be stationed at Portsmouth as at Rothesay, for all the good it can do in this direction.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether persons making a return of Income Tax to the Surveyor of Taxes through the post are required to stamp their envelopes; and whether the form of Income Tax paper could not be so printed as to be folded up with the name of the Surveyor on the outside and forwarded free of postage, in the same way as the Demand Forms for Papers in this House?

The Post Office requires postage to be paid on all letters sent through the post to surveyors of taxes by the public. The Income Tax papers contain printed matter on all four sides, and, though the printing might possibly be rearranged, I do not think it necessary to allow the papers to be sent free of postage.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether any inquiry is made by the Education Department into the origin of and method of obtaining signatures to the Petitions for free education sent to the Department under the provisions of Clause 5 of "The Elementary Education, Act, 1891"; whether the Department would recognise any distinction between a Petition voluntarily signed by the inhabitants of a district and a Petition obtained by means of a house-to-house canvas, which could be shown to include the names of persons who were unaware of the real object and ultimate result, of the Petition, and who on becoming aware withdrew their names; and whether, after the Department has demanded that the number of free places specified in the Petition shall be provided in the district, there is any fixed period during which a further demand upon that district will not be made?

Whatever may be the manner in which the signatures to a Petition for free education are obtained, it is the duty of the Department to take action upon it under Section 5 of the Act of 1891; and consequently it is not the practice of the Department to make an inquiry into the origin of, and method of obtaining signatures to, a representation under that section. The Department, however, inquire whether the signatures are genuine; and if any parents subsequently withdraw their signatures the Department do not, of course, require free places to be provided for the children of such parents. The Department have no power under the Act to say that further claims will not be met for some fixed time after a specified number of free places have been required to be provided.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Govern- ment will undertake not to agree to any arrangement with the South African Republic, concerning Swaziland, until the terms have been submitted to the House of Commons?

Her Majesty's Government cannot give the undertaking required, but Parliament will be given the earliest practicable opportunity of judging of any action Her Majesty's Government may take in the matter.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to take any steps for preventing the overcrowding of workmen's trains on the Great Eastern Railway between Enfield and London?

Between 4.40 a.m. and 7.50 a.m. 13 trains arrive at Liverpool Street from either Enfield or Lower Edmonton. Of these, eight are 2d. trains and five are half-fare trains. It appears that certain trains are more popular than others and that there is a pressure upon these. It is not a question that I have any power to deal with.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what are the relative prices of the Lee-Mitford rifles manufactured at Enfield and at Sparkbrook?

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman allow me to answer the question. The cost for the current year cannot be given accurately, as the accounts have not been made up. For the two years ended last March there was a difference of Is. in favour of Sparkbrook. The cost varies necessarily according to the output of the respective factories, and too much importance should not be attached to any difference that may be shown in the cost accounts.

:May I ask whether, in calculating the cost, the interest on the outlay upon land, buildings, machinery, and plant was included?

The accounts for the two factories had been made up on the same principle.

My question was whether the interest upon the cost of the plant, land, buildings, and machinery of the two establishments was included in the cost of production?

The right hon. Gentleman ought to be satisfied with my assurance that the accounts of the two establishments are kept on the same principle.

May I ask whether interest is charged upon the cost of the land in both cases?

Not upon the cost of the land.

Then, of course, there is a very distinct preference given to Enfield?

It is perfectly true the manufacture of sword blades and other things is also carried on there. As a matter of fact, during the past year two-thirds of the machinery for manufacturing rifles has been standing idle.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Homo Department when the Return "Shop Hours Act, 1892 (Inspectors)," ordered on 6th February, is likely to be in the Lands of Members; and whether there is any prospect that this Return will be presented and distributed before the Debate on the Motion of the right hon. Baronet the Member for the University of London, of which notice has been given for Tuesday, 21st March?

The Local Authorities have not sent in all their Returns, and the Return will not be ready by the 21st inst. It may, therefore, be a convenience to hon. Members if I give the result of the Returns up to the present:—Four counties have appointed 15 Inspectors; 45 have not appointed any; four have the matter under consideration; seven have not yet replied; 35 boroughs have appointed 48 Inspectors; 191 have not appointed any; 15 have the matter under consideration; 60 have not yet replied.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received resolutions from Public Bodies in Ireland in reference to the rates of interest for loans for the; improvement of land in Ireland: and whether the Treasury will take into account the agricultural depression and the reduction in the rate of interest payable by the Government since those loans were granted, with the view, by a reduced rate of interest and the extension of the time for repayment, of making the payment of the instalments easier?

No, Sir; I have not been able to trace any such resolutions; but I must point out that the reduction in the rate at which the Government can borrow since the time at which the loans were granted is irrelevant to the question, the rate of interest fixed for borrowers being of course determined with reference to the rate at which the Government could borrow at the time. I may also add that the terms of repayment, being fixed by Act of Parliament, cannot be altered without legislation.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the boats belonging to the steamship Roumania had apparently not been put into the water for six months prior to her sailing, and that they were found at the moment of emergency to be unworkable, and that, as it would appear from the late inquiry, it is the practice of some ships to put the life-belts in the cabins when in port and to remove them from the cabins when at sea, the Board of Trade are prepared to give such directions to their Surveyors as shall insure to passengers by licensed vessels the same security as is granted to those by emigrant ships?

The Board of Trade have no statutory power to compel masters of vessels to carry their boats outboard, and in many instances this would not be practicable. The attention of the Board's Surveyors has been directed to the recommendations as to the stowage of life-belts contained in the Report of the official inquiry into the Roumania casualty. It would not be possible to extend to all steamships holding passenger certificates the system of survey before every voyage.

Cannot the Board of Trade point out the desirability of carrying the boats outboard?

In some cases it would not be practicable.