I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, under the American Immigration and Foreign Labour Law of the 3rd of March, 1893, the master and surgeon of every vessel carrying emigrants to America has to swear before the United States Consul at the port of departure full particulars as to the age, sex, and occupation of all emigrants carried in their ship, as well as other details with regard to their antecedents and present condition, and that the result has been that, of 7,637 brought during the past year before the Board of Special Inquiry, 1,653 were refused admission and sent back to England, at the expense of the Steamship Company conveying them, as unworthy of American citizenship; and if Her Majesty's Government will in future obtain more accurate information than is now furnished concerning the increasing augmentation from abroad of the labour competition in London and other great towns?

; The United States Immigration Law of the 3rd of March, 1893, requires the master or first or second officer and the surgeon of every vessel carrying emigrants to the United States to verify on oath or affirmation before the United States Consul at the port of departure lists containing such particu- lars regarding the emigrants as are mentioned in the question. We have no Returns showing the number sent back in the past calendar year, but it appears that in the year ending June 30 last the number returned to all countries was 1,630, but from inquiries made of the Shipping Companies carrying emigrants from the United Kingdom to the States, it appears that only 340 were brought back to this country from all causes in the year 1893. The Labour Department are preparing a Report on the effect of alien immigration on the demand for labour. This is nearly ready.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he could, in order to add to the usefulness of The Labour Gazette, under the heading " Industrial Accidents," give the percentage of accidents to the number of persons employed, in addition to the figures already given?

The Board of Trade have no information as to how many persons are employed in factories and workshops, and consequently the percentages suggested by my hon. Friend cannot be given. Such particulars as are known are given in the introductory heading to the table, and will be found in this month's number of the Gazette, at page 123.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of S. Saxon, a seaman, who was pensioned on the 3rd of January, 1893, having been lent to the Japanese Navy from the 6th of March, 1890, to the 6th of August, 1891; whether this man became entitled to a pension on the 17th of January, 1891, and has repeatedly applied for pension due to him from the 6th of August, 1891, to the 24th of February, 1892, but, failing to get any answer from the Admiralty, continued to serve on board H.M.S. Impérieuse until the 3rd of January, 1893, when he was pensioned; whether he will be granted his pension as from the 6th of August, 1891, to the 24th of February, 1892, the time during which he was unemployed, he having re-entered the Navy on the latter date in order to exist while the Admiralty considered his application for pension; and why his letters remained without answer?

(who replied) said: This case was carefully investigated in 1893, the result being that their Lordships allowed the man pay for the period 6th of August, 1891, to 23rd of February, 1892. This, of course, was more advantageous to the man than pension. A bill for the amount due (£33 10s.) was sent to H.M.S. President, in March, 1893, for delivery to Saxon, but was returned unpaid, as the man had been discharged to the shore and his address was unknown. As since that date no application was received in the Admiralty from the man, the money has not been paid over to him, but steps will now be taken to do this.

If the man's address is sent to the Admiralty, will the money be paid to him?

Certainly.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the last Return relating to the Sea Fisheries of the United Kingdom, from which it appears that 266 tons of fish were in 1893 brought inland from Newcastle, County Down; whether, with the exception of Ardglass, which lies to the north-east of Dundrum Bay, on which Newcastle is situate, the quantity of fish sent inland from Newcastle last year was greater than that from any other fishing place in Ulster; whether he is aware that the Inspectors of Fisheries, in their Report for 1891, state that boats cannot get in or out of Newcastle Harbour without great risk and difficulty, and that the difficulty and danger have considerably increased since then; and whether, considering the number of lives already lost, the great risk to the fishermen still living there, and the wealth of fish in Dundrum Bay, he will send an engineer to inspect and report what, if anything, can be done in the matter?

I have no reason to question the statements in the first two paragraphs, though I am informed that the figures are for the Newcastle Coast Guard Division which includes Annalong, a much larger fishing port. The statement referred to in paragraph 3 is not that of the Inspectors of Fisheries, but, as I stated on the 21st of July last, is contained in a summary of Reports from Coast Guard officers, and is not ascribed to any one in particular. As I stated on the same date, there are no funds available for improving the harbour, and it could therefore only give rise to unfounded hopes if an engineer were sent down by the Board of Works. It appears to me that it is rather for the County Authorities to take action in the matter, if they see fit.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any proceedings have yet been instituted against the men who assaulted Robert Lewis, the bailiff of the Newcastle Emlyn County Court, at Pembryn, on the 14th of March, and who he had stated were well known to the police; and, if not, why not; whether any notice of the sudden withdrawal of the police escort on the 16th of March was given by the Chief Constable to the bailiff till the actual morning of the 16th, when the bailiff had started on his duty; whether last week the Chief Constable refused to give Lewis an escort sufficient to protect his life, and in consequence no further attempts have been made to execute the 118th Order of the County Court still unexecuted; and whether he can take any steps to compel the Chief Constable of Cardiganshire to enforce the law?

1. Proceedings have been instituted by the bailiff. 2. Notice was given on the 16th of April not of immediate withdrawal, but that the escort would have to return to its station on the following night, the 17th. 3. The Chief Constable offered 10 men, to be under his own command, but the bailiff refused them. The Chief Constable considers such an escort adequate. 4. I have no reason to think that the Chief Constable is not taking the necessary steps to enforce the law.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that great local dissatisfaction exists regarding the postal arrangements of Strokestown and Elphin, which are considerable country towns in the County of Roscommon; that the town of Strokes-town has got no benefit whatever from the accelerated mail service, because, though most of the correspondence is in the Dublin direction, the mail car proceeds in exactly the opposite route to Castlerea, thus losing two hours of time otherwise available for answering letters; and that Elphin has similar reason to complain of the existing defective arrangements; and will he, in deference to the strong local wishes on this subject, give his favourable consideration to a new arrangement by which the mail car shall leave Strokestown at 9 o'clock for the town of Roscommon, and the midday car from Longford to Strokestown be extended to Elphin; or, better still, a car run direct from Carrick-on-Shannon to that town?

The question of rearranging the postal service to these places has been more than once considered, but, there being already a considerable loss to the Revenue, no improvement has hitherto been found practicable, except at an additional outlay, which was not considered to be warranted. I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion of a service viâ Roscommon or Carrick-on-Shannon and let him know the result; but I wish to point out that, as the existing day mail from Longford to Strokestown works in close connection with the Dublin mail, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in stating that Strokestown has derived no benefit whatever from the accelerated mail service.

intimated that he would forward to the right hon. Gentleman communications he had received on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Sultan of Zanzibar, in 1886, on the joint invitation of Great Britain and Germany, in adhering to the Berlin Act, specially reserved his fiscal rights under the first Article of that Act, and subsequently, in pursuance of that reservation, for a stipulated annual payment conceded the entire Customs Revenue so reserved of his territories within the British sphere of influence to a British Company; whether, acting on the advice of Her Majesty's Government subsequent to the declaration of a British Protectorate over his dominions, and to the exclusive advantage of that Protectorate if extended to the interior, the Sultan withdrew such reservation, on which the Company's contract of rent was based; whether any claim has been made against the Sultan in respect of the withdrawal above-mentioned, and whether it is correct, as stated in the Report issued to the shareholders of the Company on the 15th of February last, that the Company, in virtue of Article 7 of the Charter, sought the intervention of the Secretary of State on the 6th of October last, and again on the 16th of January 1893, and that the only reply so far has been a bare acknowledgment of those letters; whether the Directors of the Imperial British East Africa Company submitted an offer in June, 1893, to Her Majesty's Government for the re-absorption of the Company's concession and rights by the Sultanate; and whether Her Majesty's Government will inform the House, before the Uganda Debate takes place, of the terms of any arrangement come to with the Imperial British East Africa Company?

It is not possible to make an adequate statement on the points raised in the first three paragraphs of the hon. Member's question within the limits of an answer to a question. It is the case that the Company submitted some time ago an offer to Her Majesty's Government such as is described in the last paragraph but one, but it was not possible to discuss the proposal till a decision had been come to respecting the future occupation of territory which the Company had evacuated. I am not able to say whether the communications with the Company will be sufficiently ad- vanced to enable me to announce before the Debate that an arrangement had been come to.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that goods manufactured in German Prisons by prison labour at nominal wages are being exported to England, and sold in competition with English manufactures; whether he can obtain any information as to the amount and value of such importations, and their influence on the English trades affected; whether he can state the number of prisoners so employed in German prisons; and whether he will endeavour to obtain through the Foreign Office a Report on the character and extent of this competition?

We have been unable to obtain any evidence of the importation of goods manufactured in German prisons beyond the statements which have appeared in a trade newspaper; but steps are being taken to obtain through the Foreign Office all the information available on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state what proportion of the Customs Duties, referred to in the late Sir Gerald Portal's Report (page 33, paragraph 3) as accruing to the British East Africa Company, has been appropriated to the payment of rent to the Sultan of Zanzibar; and what other sources of revenue (tax or otherwise) have been or are available to the Company for the purposes of administration mentioned in that Report?

Her Majesty's Government cannot give information as to the financial arrangements or resources of the Company.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the district of Gosha, lying on the right bank of the Juba River, which is occupied by an agricultural colony of runaway slaves numbering several thousand souls, forms part of the Protectorate transferred by Germany to Great Britain in 1890; whether the district in question is now part of the same Protectorate, or is included in the territory placed under the administration of the Sultan of Zanzibar along with Witu; and whether any, and if so what, measures have been taken since the territory was placed under the Sultan of Zanzibar to protect the people of Gosha from the lawless tribes of the country around, and to secure to them free access to the coast by the Juba River?

With reference to the first paragraph, it is understood that a large settlement, composed in a great measure of runaway slaves, exists in territory in the interior near the Juba. That territory did not form part of the protectorate transferred by Germany to Great Britain in 1890. With reference to paragraphs 2 and 3, it is not included in the Protectorate which has been placed under the administration of the Sultan of Zanzibar, who has, consequently, not taken measures in regard to it. When the territory is explored and access to it opened information will be obtained as to these natives of whom little is known at present.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings at an inquest held at Filey on the 13th of April to inquire into the deaths of certain persons at a shipwreck on Filey Brigg, when it was stated by the chief officer of the Coastguard that the bell buoy to warn vessels from this dangerous reef had been allowed to fall entirely out of order, and that there was no system of periodical inspection into its condition; and whether he will cause such a representation to be made to the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House who are responsible in the matter as will prevent this state of things in future?

I have forwarded to the Trinity House a communication made to me by the Yorkshire coroner in the case of loss of life owing to the stranding of the Chilian on Filey Brigg, and the Elder Brethren informs me that they have given instructions for another bell buoy to be placed in lieu of the present one.

Will they give instructions that it shall be looked after properly?

No doubt they will.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether in reply to an application by a parent for the use of books free of charge the head master of a Board school is justified in refusing the request, and in adding, "if your children don't get a proper supply of books they can't remain here"; and whether, considering the prevailing uncertainty on the subject, he will be good enough to state plainly what the rights of parents are (either by law or under the Rules of the Department) with respect to a free supply of school books?

At the same time, I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will state the Rules of the Scotch Education Department as to the right of children attending public schools to a free supply of books and stationery?

The reply quoted by the hon. Member is certainly not one which a teacher was justified in making on his own authority. If it represents a Rule laid down by a School Board, the Department would, in case of a reference to them, request an explanation, and would inquire into the circumstances under which such a Rule was imposed. If, in pursuance of such a Rule, children were excluded from a school, the legal point might easily be decided by a prosecution for non-attendance; and unless such prosecution were forthwith instituted, and the question thus decisively tested, the Department would not hold that the exclusion was justified under the Code, and would consequently refuse the grant. As I have already stated, the Department holds a proper supply of books (and I include in this stationery) to be a condition of efficiency, upon which payment of the Parliamentary grant depends; and also that a charge for the use of books is inconsistent with relief of fees . But it does not rest with the Department to give an authoritative ruling on legal points, other than those connected with administration which may arise under the Education Acts. Au authoritative decision on such points can only be given by a Court of Law. This answer applies to the question of the hon. Baronet the Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the case that in schools in which books are thus provided free, the children are allowed to take them home and use them in the preparation of home lessons?

I am informed that in rural districts in Scotland, and especially in the Highlands, it is the prevailing custom. The Department, in granting of refusing the Parliamentary grant, takes into consideration the provision of books in these schools. It cannot go further than that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, with reference to (he Indian Cantonment Regulations, whether the Despatch from India, mentioned in one of the telegrams that were read to the House by the Under Secretary of State on the 7th of November last, has been received; and what action has been taken upon it?

The Despatch to which my right hon. Friend refers was duly received and most carefully considered by Lord Kimberley in Council. In his reply, which was sent on the 1st March last, he informed the Government of India that, in his opinion, the only effective method of preventing a recurrence of any practices inconsistent with their Orders and with the Resolutions passed by the House of Commons on the 5th of June, 1888, was to proceed by means of legislation. He requested them accordingly to undertake the necessary legislation as soon as possible, and indicated the form in which he wished this to be effected. Further, to avoid the possibility of any future misconception of Orders, he requested the Government of India to issue a Resolution explaining the policy of that legislation, and prohibiting all practices, as distinguished from Rules or Regulations, inconsistent with that policy.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has noticed the Return presented by the Secretary for War to this House in January last, showing the dreadful increase in contagious diseases in several of the Presidencies of India?

Yes, Sir; a question on that subject was answered last week by the Secretary for War, who stated that this Return was engaging the consideration of both of us. There are explanatory circumstances which I need not refer to now, but which must be taken into consideration in dealing with the Return.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of ordering during the present year an experimental mobilisation of the equipment and store depôts of the First Army Corps at Aldershot, Warley, or Colchester; and whether he will also consider the possibility of mobilising during the present year one or more of the Army Medical Staff Corps bearer companies attached to the First Army Corps?

^* : It is not considered advisable to have any special muster of the equipment of the First Army Corps; Reports arc periodically furnished, so that we are well aware of its condition. As regards the Medical Staff Corps, arrangements have been made to train this summer at Aldershot four field hospitals and four bearer companies, and one of each at the Curragh. These units will be on a war footing both as regards men and equipment, and, except in respect of the number of horses, the process will be as near an approach to a mobilisation as can be made under existing conditions.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have received the documents recently referred to by him from the Guardians of Coote-hill Union; whether the Local Govern- ment Board are now aware that three-fifths of the elected Guardians are in favour of promoting a scheme for cottages and allotments in their respective constituencies, and do not object to the expense being made a divisional charge; whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been drawn by labourers interested to Reports of the Board's proceedings on the 12th of January and the 23rd of February in a local newspaper; and whether the Local Government Board now propose to order an inquiry?

The documents referred to have been received by the Local Government Board. The papers do not contain the information required by the second paragraph of the question. The Board have received a newspaper report of the Guardians' proceedings on the 12th of January, but not of the proceedings on the second mentioned date. The Board did not receive until the 21st instant the observations of the solicitor acting for the labourers, and the question of holding an inquiry is now under consideration.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether representations have been made to him by many agriculturists in the Eastern Counties, both of England and Scotland, as to the exceptionally healthy and profitable character of Canadian store cattle; and whether, in view of the necessity for farmers being able to make their arrangements for the coming season, he can now state the result of the representations made to him by the Dominion Government of Canada with regard to the slaughtering of all Canadian cattle at the ports where they are landed?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, with a view to allowing cattle feeders to make arrangements for the coming season, he will now state what course he is prepared to take with regard to the restrictions at present in force on the importation of Canadian cattle?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a copy of the resolution of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, proposed by a veterinary surgeon and seconded by a large tenant farmer, stating that while extremely anxious to keep out all animals from the continent of Europe and from all countries where contagious diseases are likely to exist, they would heartily welcome the importation of Canadian store cattle, which have been found to be exceptionally healthy and profitable to the grazier; and whether he is prepared to allow the importation of such cattle for the benefit of graziers in the Eastern Counties of England?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in the months of May and June last, the lungs of cattle landed in this country from Canada were forwarded to the Board of Agriculture for examination by the Inspectors of the ports, who believed them to be affected with contagious pleuro-pneumonia; whether in three of these cases well-defined and typical signs of pleuro-pneumonia were apparent, and they were pronounced by the experts of the Board to be infected with the disease; whether he is aware that it was stated in evidence before the Departmental Committee of 1888 that cases had been known of the development of the disease after no less a period than 15 months; and whether, under these circumstances, and considering the length of frontier between Canada and districts where the disease is known to exist, the present restrictions which the slaughter of Canadian cattle at the port of debarkation is required will be maintained?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the long term of incubation of the disease of pleuro-pneumonia in cattle, and the great difficulty in enforcing quarantine along the extended frontier between the United States and Canada, he can assure the farmers of Great Britain that the precautions taken by the Canadian Government are sufficient to secure them from the risk of this disease being introduced into this country by cattle from the United States (where it is admittedly prevalent) passing through the Canadian ports?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, as the result of inquiries with reference to the presence of cattle disease in the Dominion of Canada, he has any reason to believe that there is any difficulty in enforcing Quarantine Regulations as between the Dominion and the United States, or any laxity in enforcing those Regulations; and whether the only access for cattle to the grazing lands of the Dominion is from Montana by three trails only, all converging upon and under the supervision of the North-West Mounted Police?

Yes, Sir; I have received many representations from agriculturists in the Eastern Counties of Scotland as to the advantages attending the importation of Canadian store cattle, and I have also received the resolution to the same effect to which my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk refers in the question which stands in his name. Upon a most anxious review, however, of the whole sequence of events, I am forced, with much regret, to the conclusion that I should not be justified in restoring the privilege of free admission to Canadian cattle until I am in possession of the evidence which would be afforded by a further examination of the lungs of the animals slaughtered at the port of landing. The examination will not be of a protracted character, and if the result confirm the representations made to me concerning the absence of pleuro-pneumonia in Canada, and no adverse circumstances arise, I should then, I consider, be bound to dispense with slaughter at the port, although some temporary Regulations regarding the movement of animals after landing would probably be requisite, if confidence in the safety of the trade is to be restored. With regard to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for County Down, I would say that the precautions taken by the Canadian Government to prevent the introduction of diseased animals into the Dominion from the United States were very materially strengthened early last year, as the hon. Member will see from No. 16 of the printed Papers on the subject; and if it were only necessary for me to consider the question of the admission of Canadian animals from this point of view, I should not hesitate to conclude that reasonable security against the introduction of diseased animals into Great Britain from Canada is afforded at the present time. What I have already said will afford a reply to the questions of my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardineshire, and the hon. Member for West Clare; and with regard to the question put to me by the hon. Member for Staffordshire, I would say that the facts and Regulations as to the admission of cattle from Canada into the United States are fully explained in a Report of the Canadian Privy Council included in the further Papers on this subject which I propose to lay on the Table forthwith.

Arising out of that answer I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, who says that he proposes to institute an examination which is not to be of a protracted character, when that examination will begin, and how long the period of examination will continue; and if he decides to re-admit Canadian cattle without requiring slaughter at the port of debarcation, will he give such notice of his intention as will enable Parliament to express an opinion before the decision is finally adopted?

With regard to the period of examination, that very materially depends upon the number of animals coming in from Canada. With regard to giving notice, I shall follow the usual course.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. When will the examination commence?

As a matter of fact, examinations are always going on. This is, however, a special examination, and it will begin as soon as the bulk of the animals begin to come in.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether contagious pleuro-pneumonia can be detected with certainty in the living animal; what is the longest known period of incubation of the disease; whether the disease has existed recently in Canada, and does it now exist in the United States?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a resolution from the Central Chamber of Agriculture stating that the time has come when the introduction of live cattle into this country should not be permitted, except on very special conditions, without the slaughter of the animals at the port of debarcation?

I have received the resolution, and I also received a deputation from the same body, to which I gave a reply.

May I ask whether, in the examination of these animals, a representative of the Canadian Government will be allowed to take part?

The usual course will be followed.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my questions. If he has any objection to doing so I will put them down.

The hon. Member will find all the information he requires in the Papers to be laid on the Table of the House, and which I hope will be circulated among hon. Members in the course of next week.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Webb, of Loughlin, recently evicted on Lord Dillon's estate; is be aware that 10 years ago Patrick Webb bought the interest of the outgoing tenant in the holding from which he has now been evicted, and, in addition to the price to the tenant, paid to the landlord nine years of arrears of rent then due on the said holding; that to this Patrick Webb further spent £500 in buildings and improvements on the holding with the full approval of the landlord, and that no rent was due to Lord Dillon at the date of the eviction, but that Patrick Webb was evicted for over-holding on the expiration of a 99 years' lease, the Laud Commission, in spite of the protest of one of its members, refusing to fix a fair rent on the ground that the holding was residential in its character, under the Land Act of 1881, because the house was situate in a village of less than 140 inhabitants; and will he afford such facilities as the progress of public business will permit to render such cases impossible in the future?

I am informed that it is not the case that Webb has been evicted. An ejectment decree for overholding possession has, it is true, been obtained against him, but this has not yet been executed pending the result of legal proceedings taken by Webb against his landlord. With regard to the refusal of the Land Commission to fix a fair rent on the holding, I am informed that the ground on which the application was dismissed was that the holding was not an agricultural one. The ease was re-heard by Land Commissioners in May, 1893, when the decision of the Sub-Commission was affirmed. Subsequently, the Commissioners gave liberty to the tenant to appeal to the Court of Appeal, but he appears to have taken no steps to prosecute the appeal.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that for a considerable time no copies of the Report of the Gold and Silver Commission have been obtainable, and that constant applications for it are being made both here and abroad, and whether, under these circumstances, he will give instructions for the Report to be reprinted: and whether it would be possible in such reprint to add a complete index of the valuable papers and tables appended to the Report, similar to that which appears at the end of the Report of the Indian Currency Committee?

I am informed that the first Report is now out of print, and the second almost out of print; but there is still a considerable stock of the final Report and its Appendices, which form the most interesting part of the volumes issued by the Commission. I doubt whether there is any very considerable demand for the first two volumes, which consist entirely of the "evidence" of witnesses; but, if any large demand arises, the question of reprinting shall be re-considered.

Is it not possible to provide a complete index?

I should like to consider that question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Judges have yet arrived at any understanding as to the proper course to be adopted by them at Assizes in reference to the trial of prisoners committed to the Sessions; and whether he can now issue any definite statement for the guidance of Magistrates in carrying out the provisions of the Assizes Relief Act?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that he has no information on the subject except what appears from the letter of the Lord Chief Justice of the 16th of February stating the view of himself and the great majority of the Judges; nor has he any authority over any Judge who may act on a different view. As to issuing any statement for the guidance of Magistrates, I have done all that it is in my power to do by the Circular Letter issued from the Home Office of January 8 last.

I shall have to call attention to the subject on the Estimates.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that a demand has lately been made at Atherton, Lancashire, for free education; and where there is a demand for free education in any school district and such demand may be met by the transference of scholars from one school to another, whether the burden of supplying places should be apportioned to any one particular school provided that the scholars can obtain such education within a reasonable distance?

Claims for free education for between 1,600 and 1,700 children have been made at Atherton, and are being dealt with in the usual way. In order that such claims may be met, the Department require that a free place shall be provided for each child claiming it at some school within a reasonable and convenient distance of the child's home.

In a district not under a School Board, the supply of such free places at the various schools which have the right to charge fees is a matter within the discretion of the managers. The Department cannot compel any such school to provide any free places at all; but if the free places claimed are not supplied by voluntary arrangement, it becomes the duty of the Department to order the formation of a School Board to supply the free places required.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the case, as stated in Sir Gerald Portal's Report (page 33, paragraph 5), that the Imperial British East Africa Company made Treaties in Uganda and the neigbbouring countries promising protection in return for certain commercial advantages; if so, are such Treaties a violation of Clause 16 of the Company's Charter, prohibiting any monopoly of trade; whether, in accordance with Clause 3 of the Charter, the Treaties in question have received the approval of Her Majesty's Secretary of State; and whether Copies of the Treaties will be laid upon the Table of the House before the Debate on Uganda?

(who replied) said: I must ask to be allowed to postpone any statement on this question until the Debate comes on.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of offices in England in which instruments and counterparts can be stamped?

The die denoting that the full and proper duty has been paid on the original deeds is only impressed in the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin stamp offices. Belfast already enjoys the utmost facilities that have been given to Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol, and to those places only, with respect to the transmission of counterparts to the central office.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is true, as stated by the Local Government Inspector, that whilst the liabilities of the Killarney Union amount to £5,652, the Guardians have only £565 to their credit in the bank; whether unpaid cheques to the amount of £2,183 have been issued, and that bills amounting to £1,590 are due; and if, in view of the serious financial state of the Union, he will dismiss the Guardians and appoint Vice Guardians?

The figures given in the question represent with substantial accuracy the financial condition of this Union on the 11th inst., when the Inspector made his statement to the Guardians, which was duly reported in the public Press. As regards the conclusion of the question, I can only say at present that the matter is engaging my careful consideration.

Did not a similar state of affairs prevail some time ago in the Tralee Union?

It is quite true that in consequence of the financial condition of the Tralee Union the elected Guardians were suspended and Vice Guardians appointed, and the result has been satisfactory.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is anything very extraordinary in an excess of the liabilities over the assets at a time when the proceeds of the old rate are exhausted, and the collection of the new rate began?

There is nothing extraordinary in the matter as I understand, and I hope the Killarney Guardians will soon be able to put themselves in order.

Is it not a fact that the elected Guardians are now administering in Tralee Union?

Yes, it is true that the Vice Guardians have done their work, and that the elected Guardians are now doing duty.

Is it not a fact that the Vice Guardians are paid Guardians; if so, what is their salary, and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it tends to lighten the deficit by appointing Vice Guardians, who are paid a salary, thereby putting an additional burden on the ratepayers?

Is it usual for these Unions to issue cheques for £2,000 which are afterwards dishonoured by the bank?

I am afraid that such proceedings are not entirely unusual.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

I cannot say offhand what are the salaries of the Vice Guardians. It appears that in some cases they have reduced the debt.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he has received any Report from the Inspector relating to the employment of women in coal mines in India; and, if not, when we may expect it?

The Inspector's Report upon Coal Mines has not yet been received. The Government of India hope to receive his first Report in July next, and they will send it home soon after.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the meantime, and pending the presentation of the Report, any steps will be taken to put a stop to the employment of women underground in coal mines?

I must ask for notice of that question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the number of extra police in the County of Galway in connection with the Clanricarde estate in 1893, compared with the year 1885, and the cost of maintaining same; and if he will state the number and cost of extra police on the estate since 1885?

In 1885 the number of extra police employed in connection with this estate was four, at an annual cost of £276. In December, 1893, the number so employed was 29, and the annual cost £1,999. Between 1885 and the 1st of January last the number of extra police employed on the estate averaged 23, at a total cost, as near as can be estimated, of £14,520.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what the intentions of the Canadian Government are with reference to the alteration of the Tea Duties; whether teas blended in bond in Great Britain will be subject to any and what duty in the new tariff; and whether the Canadian Government can legally differentiate against this country and home labour in favour of China and other tea-exporting countries.

May I at the same time put to the hon. Gentleman a question on the same subject which I have had on the Paper on two days previously, but which has unfortunately not appeared to-day?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friends for having postponed these questions. We received on Saturday the following telegram explanatory of the proposal in regard to tea in the new Canadian tariff:—

"Duties proposed in Canadian House of Commons as to tea and coffee are expressed in following extract from tariff. Extract begins:' Tea and green coffee imported directly from the country of growth and production, free. This item shall include tea and coffee purchased in bond in any country where tea and coffee are subject to Customs Duties, provided there be satisfactory proof that the tea or coffee so purchased in bond is such as might be entered for home consumption in the country where the same is purchased.' Extract ends. The above item is, of course, subject to amendment by the Canadian Parliament. Despatch follows by mail."

I trust that this explanation will be satisfactory to my hon. Friends and to the trade.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will lay upon the Table a Return showing whether there is an available balance of securities remaining among the Irish Church Surplus Funds sufficient to guarantee a Treasury loan; and, if so, to what amount of loan; and, if he will show in detail all the liabilities which have been imposed on the Irish Church Surplus Funds?

A Return is being prepared, and I hope to be able to lay it on the Table in a few days.

In the form I ask?

Yes.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the indefinite postponement of the Debate on the Settlement of Uganda, he can now make a further statement as to the intention of the Government as to the exact area over which Imperial administration is to prevail, as to the railway, and means of communication with Uganda suggested by Sir G. Portal's Report, and as to the abolition of the legal status of slavery in Zanzibar?

In answer to this and other questions, I have to say that it is not possible to deal with these matters in the compass of an answer to a question, and I must reserve the explanations upon them until the Debate, when a full statement will be made on this and other points.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will be good enough to consider whether it would not make the discussion much more valuable if the House had some intimation beforehand as to the decision of the Government with regard to the main points of interest connected with the subject?

I will tell the right hon. Gentleman at once what our position is. As soon as ever we can make arrangements after the conclusion of the Debate on the Motion for the appointment of the Scotch Grand Committee, I will endeavour to fix the Debate on Uganda on as early a day as possible, when I will make a statement on the subject.

When the Debate comes on, and after the statement has been made by the right hon. Gentleman, will the right hon. Gentleman allow the Debate to be adjourned in order to enable the House to consider that statement?

I would rather postpone my answer to that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman place the House in possession of the facts of what the Government proposed to do with the money asked for in the Estimate? That Estimate refers to particulars, but gives none. Do the Government propose in the Estimate to take any sum for improved communication either by railway or road, or the tracts referred to in the Report, which are often circuitous because they are uncleared and go through swamps?

The Vote is a formal one intended for the purpose of raising a discussion only, and does not profess to give particulars at all.

The Estimate says there are particulars.

No definite statement as to details can conveniently be made at the present time.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any communication from the Board of Trade with reference to the importation into the United Kingdom of German prison-made goods; and what steps, if any, have been taken in the matter; and if the Secretary of State will cause inquiries to be made concerning this traffic of Her Majesty's Consuls in Germany, and particularly of those in Berlin and Cologne?

A communication has been received, and Her Majesty's Ambassador in Germany is being instructed to furnish a general Report on the subject.

When will the Report be laid upon the Table of the House?

I cannot exactly say.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if the £289,000, described by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as money which has been paid over to the Naval Defence Account in excess of the authorised expenditure of £10,000,000, is the proceeds of advances made by the Treasury previous to the commencement of the present financial year from the Consolidated Fund, under Section 2 of "The Naval Defence Act, 1889"; and, if not, from what source, and under what authority, has this money been obtained?

(who replied) said: The origin of the transaction is that money was wanted and was advanced by the Treasury under the Naval Defence Act.

Is not the result of the transaction this: that the National Debt has been increased by the sum of £289,000 in order that the Revenue for that year might apparently be increased by that amount, although that amount does not properly belong to the Revenue for that year?

^* : This is one of the beautiful conundrums in finance which arise out of the National Defence Act. It would take anybody two days to understand how the matter arose, and half a day for him to explain the matter. It arose in this way: £3,146,000 was borrowed from the Treasury on this account two years ago under the Statute, and the Treasury were bound this last year to pay over £1,429,000, which was more than was wanted, and the consequence is that the money, not being required to pay off the loan, is available to be restored to the Exchequer. I do not know whether that is intelligible to anybody, as it is barely intelligible to me.

I beg to give notice that I shall oppose the Resolution, and I think that I shall be able in a few minutes to make it clear to the House what is the nature of the transaction.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any further information as to a reported attack by Namaques on Bechuanas, resulting in the slaughter of many natives, men, women, and children, and also of some whites; and whether or no these Namaques belong to the German sphere of influence or protectorate?

^* : The Secretary of State is inquiring into the matter, about which we have no official information.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state what is the number of non-commissioned officers and men at home stations employed on other than strictly military duties, and struck off the ordinary duty roster; whether, at the date of the Report of the Wantage Committee, they numbered no less than 13,000; and whether the practice as to employed men, described by Sir A. Haliburton as a legacy from the long service system, has been modified; and, if so, in what manner, since the Wantage Committee reported two years ago?

^* : Proposals dealing with this subject are now under consideration. The number of soldiers employed on duties which are not strictly military cannot be stated without a reference to the General Officers commanding in the several districts.

But is it not a fact that at the date of the Report of the Wantage Committee the number was 13,000?

That may have been so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of employing first-class Army Reserve men?

The whole question is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board have yet held an inquiry into the proceedings in connection with the election of Poor Law Guardians in the Kenmare Union; and whether the alleged irregular and illegal conduct of the chairman, on the occasion of the election of chairman, will also be inquired into?

The Board on the 16th instant instructed their Inspector to hold a sworn inquiry into this matter, and the investigation will take place at the earliest possible date. The matter referred to in the second paragraph has already formed the subject of inquiry by the Local Government Board, who do not think that it calls for further interference on their part.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what will be the latest possible date for the arrangement of the boundaries under "The Local Government Act, 1894," if the Government proposals for deferring the date of the elections of Parish and District Councils are adopted?

It will be seen from Section 84 (3) (b) of the Local Government Act, 1894, that the 30th of August in the present year is the date before which the re-arrangement of boundaries must be completed. The Bill before the House for accelerating the registration makes no alteration in this respect.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether is attention has been called to a statement published in the Press by Mr. William Wheatley, that on the 19th instant he found two children undergoing a sentence of five days' imprisonment in Pentonville Prison, and that one of the children said he would be 11 next birthday, but did not look more than eight, and the other stated that he would be 13 next birthday, but did not look more than nine; for what offence, from what Court, and by what Magistrate were these children committed; and whether the committal to prison was reported to the Home Office?

The boys referred to were sentenced at the Marlborough Street Police Court by Mr. Hannay to a fine of 5s., or five days' imprisonment, for throwing bricks and stones from a partly demolished building in Nassau Street, at passengers in the street, about which practice many complaints had been made to the police. There were four boys in all; one over 14 was remanded for a week, and the three others were fined 5s. each or five days. Only one of the three fines was paid; the parents of two of the boys, Baker and Smith, wishing them to be taught a lesson, refused to pay the fines, saying that they could do nothing with their boys. The Governor of Pentonville informs me that the boys were treated in the ordinary way in cells set apart for juveniles. The matter was reported to the Home Office.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to state what questions (in addition to the accommodation in London prisons) will be referred to the proposed Departmental Committee of Inquiry into our prison system?

No; I am not at present in a position to give my hon. Friend the information he asks.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that engine-drivers in the employment of the Clogher Valley Tramway Company are obliged to work 12 hours daily, and occasionally 17 hours a day; and that on a recent occasion an engine-driver worked on the line for 36 hours without rest; and will he have inquiry made into the conditions and hours of labour of engine-drivers, milesmen, and lamp-lighters in the employ of this Company?

I have made inquiry, and the Company inform the Board of Trade that their engine-drivers work 60 hours per week of six days; that there are no Sunday trains; they add that in case of breakdown the hours may have been longer, but they do not admit the long hours referred to by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

I have made inquiries, and I have given the hon. Member the result. If the hon. Member has particulars of any specific cases, and will lay them before me, I will inquire further.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether a County Council has power to pass a bye-law requiring every vehicle drawn by any animal in that county between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise to have a lighted lamp attached to that vehicle?

The Secretary of State has held that such a bye-law may be made under Section 16 of the Local Government Act, 1888, provided its terms are reasonable. The matter is one which has been considered to fall within the words "good rule and government" of a county. Monmouthshire is a county where such a bye-law is in force.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lard Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the rod fishermen are allowed the privilege of fishing for salmon in the River Slaney six weeks previous to the time alloted to the net fishermen; whether a like custom is prevalent on all the rivers in Ireland where salmon are taken; and whether he can take any steps to assimilate the times for the beginning of net and rod fishing?

I understand the fact is as stated in the first paragraph. The difference between the dates on which net fishing and angling commence depends on local circumstances, and the Inspectors of Fisheries are of opinion that the interests of the salmon fisheries would not admit of the assimilation of dates for the commencement of net and rod fishing.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education when the Revised Code relating to evening schools will be printed and circulated; and when the same will come into operation?

The Evening School Code will be printed and circulated very shortly. It contains a provision making it apply to all schools, the grants to which fall due after the 30th of April, 1894, which is the end of the school-year for evening schools; practically, therefore, it affects but few schools until they begin their new session next winter. I will undertake that plenty of time shall be given for the consideration of the few changes which have been made from last year's Code.

When will the Code become law?

Practically it will not take effect until next autumn.

But when will it become law?

It was laid on the Table at the end of last month. It becomes law a month from the date of so laying it.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Board of Works intend to re-establish the old system of letting the grazing in Phoenix Park to different owners of cattle, now that the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council have stated in reply to the Dublin Cowkeepers' Association that there was no hindrance to their cattle being grazed upon the park?

In consequence of the withdrawal by the Veterinary Department of the objection to the admission of grazing cattle to the Phoenix Park the Board of Works decided to invite tenders for the grazing of the park by cattle the property of one owner, and that, if no such tender were made, applications from owners irrespective of numbers should be received. No tenders came in, and accordingly the old practice is being reverted to.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the medical officer of the Birkenhead Board of Guardians to grant sick certificates to members of the National Dock Labourers' Union who were unable to pay for the same, with the result that they are deprived of the sick allowance from that organisation; and whether medical officers of such Boards are justified in their refusal to grant such certificates?

I am informed by the Guardians of the Birkenhead Union that application was made to them by the Branch Secretary of the Dock Labourers' Union to direct the medical officer of the workhouse to give to members of that organisation who were in the workhouse certificates of illness, not for the purpose of obtaining sick pay but to keep the members in burial benefit. The Guardians were of opinion that it formed no part of the duty of the medical officer of the workhouse to give these certificates, and the Local Government Board concur in the view of the Guardians that there is no legal obligation attaching to the medical officer in this matter.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire and report as to the most efficacious method of levying a tax on land values?

May I ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that a vast amount of evidence on the subject of ground values was taken during the late Parliament by the Town Holdings Committee?

Yes. I was going to refer to the fact that the Town Holdings Committee have already collected a large amount of evidence on the subject. I can hardly understand what my hon. Friend wants to know.

I wish an inquiry into the mode of levying the tax. That has not been gone into.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay upon the Table a Return of some few typical estates, showing what would be the average payments under the head of the existing Succession Duty, and what he anticipates would be the payments under the new Estate Duty?

I do not think I can at present undertake to lay before the House the particulars asked for. When the Bill is before the House the hon. Member and his friends will, with the information then supplied, have no difficulty in forming their own conclusions.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some indication of the interpretation the Government will place on the words "marketable value," and the method in which such value will be arrived at?

I am afraid I can add nothing to my answer.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the details of the proposed arrangements for the Protectorate of Uganda could be given in answer to a question, in order to allay the anxiety on the subject?

That question I have already answered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when the Debate will be taken?

I told the hon. Gentleman it would be taken when we had got the Scotch business out of the House.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his knowledge that Mr. Deeney, of Rathmullen, in the County of Donegal, who was appointed to the Commission of the Peace for County Donegal in January, 1893, was the holder of a retail licence for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Rathmullen, and that he transferred his licence to his wife; and whether, under these circumstances, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland proposes to take any steps to revoke such appointment?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask whether the late Conservative Government did not appoint persons to the Commission of the Peace for the Counties of Derry and Donegal who then held, and still do, common retail public-house licences; whether Mr. Deeney gave a transfer of his hotel spirit licence previously to his appointment to the Commission of the Peace; whether from the date of his appointment any fault has been found with him in the discharge of his Magisterial duties; and whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland proposes to take any steps to revoke the appointment of those Magistrates who at present hold retail licences in County Derry and County Donegal?

It is a fact that the late Government did appoint holders of licences to the Commission of the Peace. In answer to the question on the Paper, the appointment referred to was made on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the County, and before acting on the recommendation the Lord Chancellor required Mr. Deeney to give an undertaking to transfer his licensed business. The Magistrates at Quarter Sessions in the county granted the licence. Owing to the lapse of time that had taken place the Lord Chancellor did not propose interfering with the matter now; and as the hon. Member will see, if such a course were taken, the Lord Chancellor would be bound to cancel similar appointments which were made by his predecessor in Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of testing the legality of these licences under the circumstances?

I will lay the point before the Lord Chancellor.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report cabled from St. John's, Newfoundland, which appeared in The Daily News and other morning papers of this day, to the effect that£

"The Legislature of Newfoundland has been further prorogued until the 23rd of May "

is correct; whether the Legislature was so further prorogued by the Governor acting under instructions from Her Majesty's Government; and whether Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table all correspondence which has passed, between the Governor of Newfoundland and Her Majesty's Government relating to a demand for dissolution made by the late Government of Newfoundland, of which Sir William Whiteway was Premier?

The. Legislature of Newfoundland has been prorogued by the Governor, acting on the advice of his responsible advisers, until May 23. I can make no promise as to what, if any, portion of the correspondence in regard to this Ministerial crisis can be presented to Parliament; but I say at once that the telegraphic correspondence that has passed between Her Majesty's Government and the Governor of Newfound- land has been necessarily of a highly confidential character, and, of course, will not be published.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman answer more definitely that part of my question as to whether the Legislature was further prorogued by the Governor under instructions from Her Majesty's Government?

I have said that the Governor acted on the advice of his responsible advisers.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant whether he can give any information as to the reported murder of a caretaker in North Cork; whether anyone has been arrested for the murder; and, if not, whether he will use all the powers conferred upon him by the Crimes Act in order to detect the murderer?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this terrible outrage was denounced vigorously from all the altars in the neighbourhood yesterday; that a strong feeling of public indignation has been aroused in the locality, and that to-day the shops in Newmarket are shuttered?

It is quite true that the murder was denounced yesterday from all the altars in the district, and that to-day the town of Newmarket bears signs of general mourning. I regret to say that the account in the morning papers is substantially correct£ that Donovan was brutally attacked on the morning of Saturday last by two men, and was beaten about the head with the stock of a gun. He then scrambled back to his room, and, about three or four hours afterwards, died. Of course, it is not desirable that I should state in any form what clue the police have, nor what steps they are taking in regard to the outrage. As to the question about the Crimes Act, I do not think that applies.

Was Donovan under police protection at the time of the murder?

He was, to the extent of being under protection by police patrol, which frequently passed his farm.

The right hon. Gentleman says the man was murdered by being beaten about the head with the stock of a gun. Is it true, as reported in some of the papers, that he was also shot?

My report is that he was beaten on the head with a gun as he lay in bed, and afterwards dragged into the yard and beaten again. I have no information as to his having been shot.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is one of those cases in relation to an evicted farm where an evicted tenant would be restored under the Evicted Tenants' Bill?

[No answer was given.]

May I ask whether, until last Sunday, there had been any agrarian murder in the district for 23 mouths, the period of the right hon. Gentleman's administration in Ireland?

Was there not a deplorable outrage only last week?

^* : Order, order! The last two questions are entirely outside the question upon the Paper.