I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any definite information as to whether the Royal Commission on Opium have concluded their inquiries; and when the Report may be expected?

I am informed that the Royal Commission on Opium have concluded their inquiries, so far as the taking of evidence is concerned. I understand that the Evidence and the Appendices are most voluminous, and that the medical aspect of the question will require to be very fully considered from a scientific point of view. Under these circumstances, the Commissioners are not able to fix a date for the presentation of their Report.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, as stated by Mr. Jacob Jones at a recent meeting of the St. Asaph Board of Guardians, the Rhyl Board of Guardians use the largest hotel in the town as an office from which to distribute relief to the poor; and whether he contemplates taking steps to put an end to the practice?

As the result of my inquiries, I find that the pay station at Rhyl is a room at the extreme end of the hotel buildings adjoining the kitchen of the hotel. I am informed that it has a separate entrance in a different street from that in which the public entrances to the hotel are situate, and that persons receiving relief have never been allowed to enter the hotel from this room. The Guardians have received notice to give up possession of this pay station, and they are now taking steps to procure one elsewhere.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it has been brought to his notice that the number of dock labourers idle on any one day of the week at the Port of London is 10,000; whether the Shipping Federation, and the shipping firms belonging thereto, are forcing their men to take up free labour tickets; and that the Federation, or the shipping firms belonging thereto, in cases where their men refuse to take the Federation ticket, are importing other labourers from the country, and thereby adding to the congestion at the London Docks; and whether he proposes to take any action to put an end to this state of affairs?

^* (Mr. BURT, Morpeth) (who replied) said: Dock labour in the Port of London is subject to very great fluctuations, though the recent tendency has been towards a greater regularity of employment for the majority of the labourers so employed. I do not know the basis of the calculation alluded to in the question. It is, however, estimated by the Labour Department that during the first three months of the present year the average daily number of dock labourers seeking employment in the Port of London and not taken on has been about 3,000, though on particular days, especially towards the end of March, this number has been greatly exceeded. It cannot, however, be assumed that all these labourers were necessarily unemployed. The number of labourers employed at the docks has been considerably greater than in the corresponding period of 1893. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed by the Shipping Federation that they have imported no labourers to London since February, 1891, and that their Registry of so-called "free labourers" has been in existence for the past three years. The Board of Trade are unable to prevent fluctuations of work at the docks, which are largely due to the periodic wool sales.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Shipping Federation arc forcing seamen and dock labourers to take the Federation ticket, and refuse to give them employment unless they do? Is he also aware that when seamen are engaged on board ships without going to the Federation offices the agent of the Federation refuses to allow the captain to employ them?

I am not aware of that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Chief Engineer of the Works Department, at Woolwich Arsenal, has on several occasions lately found the tubes of his condensers choked with whitebait; and whether he will cause an endeavour to be made to prevent the fish being sacrificed and the machinery being blocked?

^* : It will be well if no worse thing happens than that the Thames water should become so pure as to admit of whitebait being found to choke the tubes in which it is used. Such an accident did occur, I am told about six months ago; but a grating has been placed in the culvert, and I believe there has been no further damage to machinery or sacrifice of whitebait.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangement has been come to between Trinidad and the Island of Tobago to prevent the extinction of the latter colony, owing to its being deprived of any fiscal revenue under the federation scheme recently adopted?

The matter is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if Her Majesty's Government has received the Resolution of the Legislative Council of St. Lucia, West Indies, with regard to the effect of reducing the import duties on American goods under the McKinley Tariff—namely, the loss of revenue without any corresponding benefit to the planting interest of the Colony; and what action has been taken thereon towards the termination of the existing agreement with the United States?

The Resolution was duly received, but it was considered undesirable to take any action upon it until it was seen how the present arrangement with the United States would be affected by the Tariff Bill which is now before Congress.

Has the position taken up by St. Lucia been adopted by either of the West Indian Colonies?

I do not know. I will inquire.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War have the Military Authorities at Monaghan taken ground at Carnacassa for a camp to accommodate the Monaghan Militia in their annual training; is it true that last year, when the Militia were trained on the same ground, water for drinking and cooking purposes had to be carted from a lake nearly three miles distant from the camp, and have any provisions been made in the meantime to prevent a recurrence of this disadvantage; were tenders invited for camping ground; and, if so, were any offered; and was that for Carnacassa lower than all others; will any correspondence that passed on this subject be produced; and does the Commander-in-Chief approve of an Irish Militia regiment being trained where the supply of water is precarious and bad, and where it cannot even be availed of without carting it a distance of two or three miles?

^* : Ground for a camp for the 5th battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers has been taken at Carnacassa for the training for this year. Last year, when there was a very unusual drought, water was obtained from a well 150 yards away, and from the town pumps at a distance of 1,200 yards. This year there is a good supply from wells on the ground, supplemented by a well within 300 yards. Tenders were called for. Of the three offers received,, the Carnacassa ground was selected as most suitable for camping purposes. I may add that it comprises 10 acres more than last year, and that the rent is less. The Commander of the Forces in Ireland considers the arrangements very satisfactory.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is. aware that James Conniffe, who has been out of Ireland for 15 years, and who was recently an inmate of the Roxburgh District Lunatic Asylum, was admitted into the Athlone Union Workhouse on the 10th instant under a warrant of removal from Mr. Peter Speirs, one of the Sheriffs Substitute of the County of Roxburgh, and that the Athlone Guardians are now obliged to have said Conniffe removed to Mullingar Lunatic Asylum; whether, considering that Conniffe was 15 years out of Ireland, his removal under the circumstances was legal; and whether any steps towards legislating to redress this grievance, which is only one of many, is contemplated?

The Local Government Board inform me that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph. It also appears from the warrant of removal that the individual named had not acquired a settlement in Scotland, and the fact of his being 15 years absent from Ireland would not under the circumstances render the removal illegal. As regards the last paragraph, I have already directed the heads of a measure to be framed on the subject, and the Government are considering the propriety of introducing it should a suitable opportunity present itself.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can explain on what grounds the Senatus Academicus of the Edinburgh University have decided under the new curriculum that a degree with honours in modern languages is to be limited to French, German, Italian, and Spanish, to the exclusion of Celtic, although a Celtic Chair is established in the University?

The Senatus Academicus of Edinburgh has been compelled to accept the new curriculum referred to by the hon. Member in accordance with Ordinance No. 44, Section 6, interpreting General Ordinance No. 11, Section 11, Sub-section 1 (a), under which the Universities Commission have excluded Celtic from the subjects to be studied with the view to graduation with honours. Ordinance No. 44 has lain before Par- liament for the statutory period under Section 20 of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, and no Petition has been presented against it. As the hon. Member refers particularly to the Senatus, I think it right to state that the Senatus would have preferred to include Celtic.

Who is responsible for this retrograde course?

I am afraid the Commissioners first and Parliament next, because Parliament has passed the Ordinance.

Is there any remedy?

None whatever.

Can the question be re-opened, say, on the Estimates?

No.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many elected, and how many ex-officio members there are on the Letterkenny Board of Guardians; how many of the ex-officio Guardians failed to attend any meeting of the Board in the year ended the 31st of March, 1893; and how many failed to attend any meeting in the year ended 31st of March, 1894?

There are 21 elected and 21 ex-officio Guardians on the Board referred to. I understand that in the year ended the 31st of March, 1893, 14 ex-officio Guardians failed to attend any meeting of the Board, and that in the year ended the 31st of March, 1894, 12 ex-officio Guardians did not attend any meeting.

Is it not possible for the Lord Chancellor by appointing Magistrates to do something to remedy this grave scandal?

I will call the Lord Chancellor's attention to the facts.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether a dispensary doctor who is served with a red ticket is bound to attend to the case throughout, or only to give a single visit; and whether he can require a second ticket before revisiting the patient?

The Local Government Board inform me that when a medical officer of a dispensary district receives a ticket signed by a duly authorised person requiring him to attend a patient he is bound to continue his attendance throughout the illness for which it was issued and without requiring a second ticket. If, however, the ticket has been improperly issued and the Committee of Management cancel it, his responsibility to attend the case ceases from the moment it is cancelled.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the explanation of the items charged at page 204 of the Annual Accounts of the Ordnance Factories for the year 1892–3 for cases and packing for Lee-Metford rifles, and cordite ammunition, to be sent to various foreign Governments; why, in the case of the German Government, a Lee-Metford rifle and a cavalry sword were alone sent, whereas it would appear from the Return that, in addition to Lee-Metford rifles, certain quantities of cordite ammunition were also sent to the Netherlands Government, the Russian Government, the Swiss Government, and the Uruguayan Government; why were empty cartridge cases only sent to the Japanese Government, and why were 500 rounds of cordite ammunition sent to the Russian and Uruguayan Governments as against much smaller quantities sent to the Netherlands and Belgian Governments; why were these particular Governments selected for these favours; will the Government of this country receive reciprocally any samples of rifles and ammunition, up to date, from the Governments to which these gifts are made; is there any reason to suppose that the Governments so favoured are able or willing to give us in return equally valuable or useful specimens of articles of war material; and is it the practice in this country to communicate to foreign Governments the results of inventions for improving the armament of our troops?

^* : The Lee-Metford rifles and cordite ammunition were presents to foreign Governments strictly on the principle of re- ciprocity. As the foreign Governments can, if they please, obtain the articles from the trade, there is an advantage in presenting them and in obtaining specimens of foreign manufacture in exchange. No information is communicated which it is desirable or practicable to keep secret; but when arms and other stores are in general use there can be nothing confidential in regard to them.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Cork (Mr. Maurice Healy), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Mr. George Williams, prominent as the leader of the street preachers in Cork, is the person of that name who was until recently a clerk in the Paymaster's Office, Dublin Castle, and who, at the age of 40, was permitted to retire from the Public Service on pension on the plea of ill-health; if so, what the amount of the pension is; who certified as to Mr. Williams's ill-health; and, what was the nature of his malady?

The gentleman referred to is, I am informed, the same person who retired on pension last year, at the age of 43, from the Paymaster General's Office, Dublin. The pension was £143 15s. per annum, and the cause of retirement was rheumatic gout, it being certified that his arm was so disabled that he could scarcely write, and was uncurable. The certificate was that of Mr. Williams's own medical adviser, but was confirmed by the Government medical referee in Dublin.

Do this gentleman's physical infirmities prevent him leading the evangelists in Cork?

I believe they do not.

Then seeing that they seem to have disappeared, will he be called upon to resume his duties or give up his pension?

Is it not a fact that many of the most distinguished preachers have been men weak in bodily health?

They had no pensions.

I may say I have seen the handwriting of this gentleman, and it is so bad that I should be sorry to see him again in office.

Is it not a matter of congratulation that this gentleman has so far recovered as to be able to preach the gospel?

I beg to give notice to-morrow to strike off the pension of this gentleman, in order that he may preach the gospel gratis.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if the attention of the Education Department has been drawn to the fact that the London School Board propose to erect a school in Section or Block VI. in Hammersmith, at a point on the extreme verge of the area remote from the great body of the school population, on a site abutting on a railway, while abundant vacant land near the middle of the section and convenient for the great mass of the children is available for the purpose; and if he will see that the school is placed where it will be most useful to and accessible by the children?

The site referred to is the Brook Green site in Block VI. of Chelsea, upon which the London School Board are about to erect temporary buildings to supply a pressing need for free education. It is near to the railway, and to the western boundary of the block. In the opinion of the Department it is fairly well situated to meet the needs of the district; it is within the radius of half-a-mile of nearly all the inhabitants, and, in point of access, is greatly preferable, especially for young children, to the nearest Board schools upon the other side of the Uxbridge Road and Hammersmith Road. The Petitioners, at whose instance the school is being supplied, themselves urged that it should be erected upon this site, and the Department have informed the School Board that they see no reason why the Board should not proceed to the erection of a permanent school there. The acquisition of any alternative site in the position indicated in the question by the process of compulsory purchase would necessarily involve very considerable delay.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a letter published in The Star, of the 21st April, from a woman, one of whose children recently died at Brentwood School, with marks of violence on its body, caused, as she alleges, by its being kicked down a flight of stone stairs, detailing various acts of cruelty, such as severe beatings with sticks, blows on the face and head, whipping with nettles, and prolonged immersion in cold water, perpetrated on the persons of pauper children in that school; and whether he will order an inquiry into the case?

The Local Government Board have communicated with the Guardians of the Hackney Union as to the letter referred to, and they are informed that a special committee of 14 members has been appointed to inquire into the charges, and that the committee will sit from day to day until the inquiry is completed. The Local Government Board will await the result of the investigation by the Guardians before determining as to directing an inquiry by one of their Inspectors.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to him as to the advisability of appointing engineers as assessors at Board of Trade marine inquiries; and, if so, whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps in the matter?

^* (who replied) said: Under the existing practice, an engineer is appointed as assessor in all cases in which the formal investigation into a shipping casualty involves, or appears likely to involve, the cancelling or suspension of the certificate of an engineer, and also in any other case in which special engineering knowledge is required.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Bomford, who is now acting as valuer for the Land Commission in the County Cavan, was formerly agent to a large landlord in the county; that he is related to that landlord and to several other landlords in the county, and to Mr. Barnes, the principal valuer for the landlords in the county in fair rent cases; that he was formerly a member of a Sub-Commission in the county, and removed to another county on account of his close connection with the landed interest there; whether these facts were known to Mr. Wrench and other members of the Commission when Mr. Bomford was sent as valuer to Cavan; and whether in all cases in which the figures are given in the preliminary list the Court valuer's valuation exceeds the rent fixed by the Sub-Commissioners?

I am informed that Mr. Bomford, now acting as valuer for the Land Commission in County Cavan, is related to two Cavan landlords for whom he acted as agent prior to 1881. I am not aware that he is related to Mr. Barnes, the principal valuer for the landlords in the county in fair rent cases. The Laud Commissioners state it is not a fact that Mr. Bomford has been removed from a Sub-Commission in Cavan. The allocation of work to the different Assistant Commissioners now acting as Court valuers forms no part of Mr. Wrench's duties, and until the present question was put he tells me he was not aware that Mr. Bomford was at work in the Cavan district. As to the Court valuer's valuation exceeding the rent fixed by the Sub-Commissioners, my hon. and learned Friend refers to cases which have been listed for hearing and are now pending the decision of the Court, and under these circumstances I do not think it is desirable or expedient that at the present stage they should form the subject of discussion in the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman name any instance in which this gentleman has not raised the valuation? Who allocates these duties?

The allocations of work are made, I presume, by the Land Commission. It is certainly extremely and obviously undesirable that the valuer of the Court should be sent to a district in which he has connections among the landlords.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Mr. Bomford is sent to another district, and that an independent valuer is sent down?

I am not clear that I have any power whatever to give directions to the Land Commission. But I will call their attention to the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire-laud whether he can now say if one Timothy Boland, a tenant on Lord Lanesborough's property, purchasing the interest in his farm from the former tenant in 1888, and paying three and-a-half years' arrears of rent to the agent, an oral undertaking was given by the agent that the rent would not be raised; whether the rent has since been raised by the Land Commission; and whether he will direct the attention of the Committee on the Land Acts to cases in which advantages secured to the tenant in this way are ignored by the Land Commission in fixing fair rents?

When replying to a question on this subject on the 12th instant, I stated that it was a fact that the Laud Commissioners, after hearing all the evidence given by both landlord and tenant, fixed the rent in Boland's case at £37, the old rent having been £30. Inquiry has been made relative to the statement to the effect that an oral undertaking had been given by the agent that the rent would not be raised, and I am informed by the Commissioners that they have no information in the matter, and are unable, therefore, to say whether such an undertaking was or was not given.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, on the last occasion when the Land Commission sat in Cavan, Mr. Wrench, formerly agent to Lord Lanes-borough, was one of the Commissioners, although, as he says, taking no part in the adjudication of appeals from Lord Lanesborough's property; whether he is aware that several of the appeals put down for hearing at the coming sitting of the Commission in Cavan are appeals by Lord Lanesborough or by his tenants; and whether Mr. Wrench will be one of the Commissioners sitting in Cavan on this occasion?

Mr. Wrench informs me that he was one of the Com- missioners at the last sitting for hearing appeals in Cavan, but took no part in any case from the Lanesborough estate. There are five appeals on this estate for the coming sitting of the Commissioners at Cavan, and Mr. Wrench will not be one of the Court.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he could state the number of cabdrivers summoned at the various Metropolitan and City Police Courts, during the three months ending the 31st of March, for offences against the Hackney Carriage Acts, such as loitering, plying for hire, causing obstruction, &c.; whether he is aware that as many as 70 or 80 of such cases are frequently heard and decided at one Police Court in a single afternoon; and if he will consider whether such cases might be dealt with more suitably in a special Court, where an inference against the drivers would be less readily suggested than in a Police Court?

^* said: The two Metropolitan Police Courts which have far the largest number of summonses against cabdrivers are Marlborough Street and Bow Street. I am informed by the Chief Magistrate that at Bow Street, during the three mouths ending March 31 last, there were 333 summonses against cabdrivers for the offences mentioned by my hon. Friend, making an average of 26 a week. At Marlborough Street, where these cases are heard on two days a week, the number of summonses against cabdrivers would be from 20 to 25 each day. It is therefore not a fact that so many as 70 or 80 cases are heard at one Police Court in a single afternoon. In the opinion of the Chief Magistrate it would be extremely injurious to the interests of both the public and the cabmen if all such cases were heard at a special Court.

Will the Home Secretary consider the advisability of establishing a much larger number of stands for one or two cabs, and thereby enable the public more easily to call cabs?

The right hon. Gentleman will no doubt consider that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Government will give directions to the local Inspectors of Weights and Measures in Ireland to prosecute, at the instance of the Agricultural Department of the Irish Land Commission, the keepers of weighbridges which are unsuited and useless by reason of their construction for the weighing of cattle, sheep, and pigs, pursuant to the provisions of the Market and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Acts, 1887 and 1891?

The Acts mentioned provide for the prosecution of persons appointed by the Market Authorities to weigh cattle, for refusing to weigh, for neglect of other duties, or for issuing false Returns of weight as specified in the statutes, but such persons are not responsible if the weighing machines are unsuitable, useless, or of faulty construction. The Local Market Authorities in respect of markets and fairs, where tolls are collected, are the persons responsible for providing proper weighing machines and equipments, and the Laud Commission assure me that they are and have been using every endeavour, with a considerable measure of success, to induce the Local Authorities to provide suitable accommodation in this respect.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why it is that no Quartermaster is allowed to the 3rd Battalion of the Inniskilling Fusiliers; has this regiment recently been raised to six companies; and is it now the only six company Line Battalion of Militia regiment without a Quartermaster?

^* : The battalion referred to has had six companies for many years; but it has only the strength of five companies. A battalion should have six full companies to justify the appointment of a Quartermaster. The 3rd Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers is not the only Militia battalion of six nominal companies which is without a Quartermaster.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what steps Her Majesty's Government are now taking to carry out the Resolutions of the Berlin Conference of 1890, as to the desirability of prohibiting the employment of women in the underground workings of mines?

Lord Cross and Lord Kimberley have both intimated to the Government of India their opinion that the employment of women and girls under ground should be prohibited in India, in accordance with the Resolution of the Berlin Conference. Lord Kimberley decided that an Inspector of Mines, who had served as one of Her Majesty's Assistant Inspectors of Mines in this country, should be sent out to India in order to advise upon the details of a Mines Regulation Act. That Inspector has been for some time prosecuting his inquiries, and when his Report is received legislation will be undertaken on that subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that alongside of the public highway between Bruree and Killmallock, County Limerick, a barbed wire fence has been set up which extends several hundred yards along the road to the danger and annoyance of persons passing along the said highway; is it the duty of the Police Authorities to take legal proceedings in such cases; and whether he would see that steps be taken to have the law complied with?

In reference to this question, I am advised that it is not the duty of the Police Authorities to take proceedings in such cases. Under the Act 56 & 57 Vict. c. 32, the County Surveyor appears to be the proper person to look after those road fences.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Department received a Petition from 336 parents in the neighbourhood of Albany Street, St. Pancras, demanding free education for their children, in March, 1893; is he aware that, although after correspondence with the School Board for London, and inquiry by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, the Department on 17th August, 1893, wrote calling on the Board to provide a new school in the neighbourhood of Cumberland Market, and asking to have at an early date any proposals the Board may think well to make as to a temporary school; and that, from that date to the present time, the School Board for London has made no proposals either for permanent or temporary accommodation; and whether he is prepared to take immediate action in face of this delay on the part of the School Board?

The Petition received in March, 1893, from 336 parents, related to the neighbourhood of another Marylebone school; but a Petition was received on 27th April from the neighbourhood in question, and, upon inquiry, a deficiency of 164 free places was reported by Her Majesty's Inspector; a letter was addressed to the School Board upon the 17th of August in the terms quoted, and no proposals have yet been received. The Department are pressing the Board to take action, and addressed a further letter to them on the 2nd instant.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Police-constable Whiting, of the C Division; whether he is aware that Whiting has been dismissed the Force, although he has borne a good character for seven years; and whether he will cause further inquiry to be made into the case, seeing that Whiting acted in the exercise of his duty, when called upon for help by Police-constable M'Carthy, and was not at the time aware of M'Carthy's offence?

(who replied) said: The Commissioner of Police has reported to me on this case, and it appears that Police-constable Whiting was dismissed for deliberately taking into custody one of two men on a charge which he knew to be false and unfounded, and for which the prisoner was detained in the cells for one hour and a quarter on a false charge. It is true that Police-constable Whiting had had no reports since 1887, but the deliberate taking into custody of a man on a false charge, and allowing that false charge to be made against him, knowing at the time that such charge was false, entirely unfits him for a position of trust or authority, with the characters and liberty of innocent men at his mercy?

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the demolition of Millbank Prison is now completed; what is the acreage of the entire area thus placed at his disposal; what proportion of the site is to be appropriated to the new Picture Gallery and to the London County Council (for workmen's dwellings) respectively; whether any portion of the site is to be disposed of to any other and what persons or bodies; in what way the river frontage is to be occupied; and whether the opportunity will be taken to create improved access to this property from the direction of Victoria Street and Westminster?

^* : The demolition of Millbank Prison is complete. The entire area of the site is just under 23 acres. Of this, about two and a quarter acres have been appropriated for the Picture Gallery, and about 10 acres to the London County Council for artisans' dwellings. The remainder of the site will be disposed of as follows:—About six acres will be handed over to the War Office for military purposes; a plot of about one and a-half acre behind the Picture Gallery will be reserved for a building for offices and examination rooms for the Civil Service Commissioners, and the balance will go in roads. The centre of the river frontage will be occupied by the Picture Gallery, and on either side will be military buildings, of which the form and character are not yet decided. The question of improving the approaches to the site is one that must be dealt with by the Vestry and the London County Council.

Will no part be reserved for open spaces?

Not actually as open spaces, but a good deal will not be occupied by buildings.

Will the Government, in the interest of the public, try and secure a good approach to the property from the back?

Yes; so far as it is in our power.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the burning of the saloon in the Hull trader and passenger boat Countess of Aberdeen after she had stranded on the coast of Aberdeenshire on the night of Sunday, the 15th of April; if he has reason to believe that the fire was due to the use of dangerously inflammable oil; and whether the Board of Trade has any power to restrict the use of oil with too low a flash point for safety?

^* said: Yes, Sir; the attention of the President of the Board of Trade has been called to the case of the Countess of Aberdeen, and he has ordered an inquiry to be held with regard to her stranding and to the fire which subsequently occurred. Until the result of that inquiry is known, I prefer not to express any opinion in the matter, but I may say that the Board of Trade have no power to prescribe the quality of oil to be used on board ship.

Arising out of this subject, may I ask the Home Secretary when the Committee on Petroleum will be appointed?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an inquiry recently held at the Queenstown Petty Sessions into a charge of manslaughter of a seaman, named John Gomer, by Samuel Nelson, Captain of the British ship Bannockburn; whether he is aware that five seamen of the said ship were in attendance to give evi- dence on the hearing, and were not called; whether he is aware that the said seamen were prepared not only to give evidence of the circumstances immediately attendant upon the death of the said John Gomer, but were also prepared to make a statement of previous ill-treatment of the deceased by the captain; and whether he will direct an inquiry to be made into all the circumstances of the case?

^* said: The attention of the President of the Board of Trade has been called to the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but the Board of Trade have no power to review the decision of the Court with regard to the criminal charge upon which it adjudicated. The President has, however, decided to order a Local Marine Board investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment made against (he master of the Bannockburn, with a view to his certificate being dealt with if the evidence is found to justify such a course.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate at which port the local inquiry will be held?

I cannot say, but I will get the information for the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what is the reason of the protracted delay in granting to the Barnet Local Board authority over an extended district, which extension is not objected to by either the Hertfordshire or Middlesex County Councils or the neighbouring authorities affected?

The Hertfordshire County Council made an Order which, whilst extending the district of the Barnet Local Board, would have altered the Rural Sanitary District of the Barnet Union, which is partly included in the County of Middlesex. The Local Government Board had doubt as to the legality of this Order, and they submitted a case to the Law Officers of the Crown as to the powers of a County Council under such circumstances. The Law Officers advised that neither the County Council nor a Joint Committee of the Councils of the Counties in which the Rural Sanitary District was situate could make such an Order. With the view of meeting this difficulty a provision has been introduced into the Local Government Act under which an Order may be made for the extension of the district by a Joint Committee of the two counties.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether Mr. James Keith, C.E., has prepared a Report with reference to the heating and ventilation of the Houses of Parliament; and, if so, whether the Report will be circulated for the information of Members?

^* : In December last Mr. Keith, as a professional gentleman interested in such matters, obtained leave from my predecessor to examine the warming and ventilating arrangements at the Houses of Parliament, but he was expressly told that no commission was thereby given him to make a Report. He has sent in to me a Report condemning the present system in some respects, and it has, apparently, been widely circulated. I do not propose to lay it on the Table of the House. I must remind hon. Members that in 1891 a Select Committee, presided over by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dublin University, made a thorough investigation of the ventilation of the House, and drew their Report upon the evidence of surveyors, sanitary and mechanical engineers, chemists, and other independent experts. As at present advised, I see no reason for disturbing the decisions then arrived at.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what the total amount of fees would have been which would have accrued to the Patent Office of the Treasury, in respect of the 121,242 patents which were voided from the 1st of July, 1852, to the 31st of December, 1893, if such voided patents had been kept up by payment of renewal fees, or otherwise,. for the full period of 14 years (including in such total the sum of £3,000,000, or thereabouts, paid in respect of such patents until they became voided)?

^* said: This is a hypothetical question, to which I can only give a very general reply. The figures would probably reach somewhere about £20,000,000.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Wands-worth, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the freeholder of the Clarence Lanes, Roehampton, has offered to place them at the disposal of the public gratis, if the Government will re-open the gate into Richmond Park at the end of the lane; and, if so, whether he will make the necessary provision in the Estimates for maintaining the road and gate?

^* (who replied) said: It is true that the owner of Clarence Lanes has made a generous offer to make them over to the public, but, pending the result of communications between the Office of Works and the London County Council and the Wandsworth District Board as to the making-up and maintenance of the road, I am unable just at present to give the hon. Member a definite reply.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board why his Motion for the Return "Parliamentary Electors " (No. 40 of this Session), agreed to by this House on the 15th of March, was not framed so as to elicit the information required from the Register which came into force on 1st January, 1894, instead of being limited to the expired Register of 1893?

The number of electors on the Parliamentary Register on the 1st of January, 1893, was taken because these particulars were at once available, having already been obtained for the purpose of a Parliamentary Return. Similar particulars could not be given as regards those on the Register in January, 1894, without calling for new Returns, and this would have occasioned very considerable delay.

Is it not a fact that under a section of the Registration Act the Register coming into force at the beginning of this year ought to have been deposited at the Home Office before the 21st October last?

Yes; but I do not think the new Register will give the hon. Gentleman the information he desires.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in some cases, writers with only 10 years' service have been promoted to the Abstractor Class with a commencing salary of £150 per annum, whilst others with over 20 years' service have commenced with only £110 per annum, rising by £2 10s. to £150 per annum, and have to serve 36 years before they can reach a salary of £150; and, if so, whether the Treasury will, in addition to allowing some writers so promoted to carry with them, according to the ordinary practice of the Service, the salaries they were earning at the time of appointment, also adopt some means by which men with 15 and 20 years' service will not be expected to serve so long a period as 36 years before they are enabled to reach the present maximum salary of £150 per annum?

I have already dealt with the matters referred to in my answers given to the hon. Baronet the Member for the Kingston Division of Surrey on the 12th of June, 1893, and to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on the 12th of April. I am not able to add anything to the answers then given.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any further information relative to the proposed transfer of Swaziland to the South African Republic; whether the Queen Regent, and a large section of the native population, are adverse to such transfer; and whether he can state what course Her Majesty's Government propose to take in view of this serious condition of affairs?

A meeting of the Queen Regent and Council of the Swazi nation to consider the question was to take place on the 24th instant, and Her Majesty's Government have not yet learnt the result.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government have considered the advisability of meeting the wishes of Lancashire (as expressed to the Lord Chancellor in deputation) that a Judge should be appointed to be attached to the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division, who should try all actions in those Divisions arising in Lancashire, and also all actions and originating summonses in the Queen's Bench Division, and that such Judge should sit throughout the legal year in Liverpool and Manchester alternately?

said: The Lord Chancellor received a deputation from Lancashire, who expressed to him their desire that there should be continuous sittings throughout the legal year in that county of a Judge of the High Court to take business arising in all Divisions of that Court. Since that occasion arrangements have been made for providing more frequent sittings at fixed dates at Manchester and Liverpool; and it is desirable to have some experience of the amount of business done at those sittings, and the adequacy of those arrangements, before contemplating a change of such importance as that which the question indicates.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether at the request of the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway Company, it is proposed to cancel the debt of £28,000, being seven years' interest due on money lent, which the Company owes to the Irish Board of Works; whether he is aware that the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland has offered to buy the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway Company, paying £90,000 to the Board of Works, and repaying the amount of interest owing; and whether this offer will receive the favourable consideration of the Government?

^* : Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Great Northern and Belfast interests combined, and represented by the hon. Member, are, with its usual philanthropy, most anxious to acquire a good going concern at less than its original cost?

^* : Order, order! A question put in those terms should not be answered.

^* said: A proposal to the effect of the first paragraph has been made, but has not been acceded to by the Government. A joint offer to purchase the line has been received from the Great Northern and Midland Great Western Companies, and will receive full consideration from the Treasury, along with other proposals; but I am not in a position as yet to announce any decision on the subject.

Is it a fact that the acceptance of the offer will entail a loss on the Treasury of £10,000? Is not public opinion in the district served by the line strongly adverse to the sale; and will the Treasury regard this question as one of public policy?

Did not the Chief Secretary receive an influential deputation, composed of persons resident in the parts served by the Company, and was it not strongly urged that the acceptance of the proposal would be most detrimental to the Company?

It is quite true that the Chief Secretary and myself received such a deputation, representative of various sections of Irish opinion, on this subject, and full consideration will be given to the views expressed by those who live in the district before any decision is arived at.

Is a decision likely to be arrived at within a reasonable time?

Matters of this kind take some time.

Before a decision is finally arrived at, will the House or hon. Members interested have an opportunity of expressing their views?

^* : Hon. Members interested in the district will have an opportunity of making any representations.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have received certain representations from the contractors for the construction of the Piraeus and Larissa Railway Company as regards the present action of the Greek Government towards them; and whether they are giving the subject their serious consideration?

^* : Representations have been received from the contractors as regards the action of the Greek Government, and Her Majesty's Representative at Athens has endeavoured by unofficial action to obtain for them favourable treatment. But the question is one of a contract between the Greek Government and the British firm, which the latter have failed to execute, and is necessarily subject to Greek law. The first remedy of the contractors, if they consider they have to complain of the action of the Greek Government, is by litigation in the Law Courts, and it is only in case of an obvious denial of justice and after that remedy is exhausted that there would be grounds for diplomatic intervention. In view of the British interests involved, Her Majesty's Government will continue to do what is in their power to promote a friendly and equitable settlement.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the removal of the Kilpedder Petty Sessions District Court from Kilgarvan to Kenmare, which is causing great inconvenience to the inhabitants of the district, many of whom are obliged to travel nearly 18 miles to have their cases heard; and that the proprietors of 30 business houses are obliged to take their weights and measures to Kenmare to be tested quarterly; if he is aware that the Kilpedder Petty Sessions Court was established nearly a century ago, and is in the centre of a populous district 12 miles square: and whether, as there is a Magis- trate available living within a quarter of a mile of the town, he will direct that the Petty Sessions Court be re-established?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to put this question down for another day, as I have not yet been furnished with a Report on it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Knight of Kerry, by persistently refusing to pay the poor's rate in sufficient time, has thereby deprived the tenants on his Valentia property rated at £4 and under of the right to vote at a Parliamentary election; whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of County Court Judge Shaw, expressing his astonishment at the number struck off the Parliamentary Register for this cause; and whether he will direct the Local Government Board to compel the rate collector to obtain payment of the rates within the statutable period, so that persons entitled to the franchise may not be deprived of the right conferred on them by Parliament?

The Local Government Board are informed by the clerk of the Union that the rate collector furnished the agent of the Knight of Kerry in May, 1893, with particulars of holdings valued at and under £4, and that subsequently he repeatedly pressed for payment, with the view of preventing the tenants from being disfranchised. It was not until November, however, that the rates were paid. The County Court Judge considered that an undue number of voters were disqualified from this cause. With regard to the last paragraph, it does not appear, I am informed, that there was any default on the part of the collector.

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct the Local Government Board to impress upon the Guardians the necessity of collecting the rate within the statutory time, so that a large number of men may not be disfranchised?

I will call the attention of the Local Government Board to the matter, and ascertain their sentiments on the point.

Will this injustice be rendered impossible by the Registration Bill of the Government?

I have not examined the case from that point of view.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he has considered the unsatisfactory postal arrangements between Castle Cove and Caherdaniel, County Kerry, under which letters arrive at Castle Cove at 4.30 p.m., and replies must be posted at 6 p.m., giving only an hour and a-half for reply to letters in a rural district where there is no delivery; and whether, to meet the wants of the locality,' he will arrange that the mail should leave Castle Cove in the morning at 6.50, reaching Caherdaniel in time for the mail leaving there for Waterville at 8.30, involving no change in present arrangements between Caherdaniel and Waterville; this alteration, which entails no additional expense, will meet the requirements of the locality?

I carefully inquired into this matter last year, and I would remind the hon. Member that I wrote to him on the 1st of August explaining that I had in the preceding month been able to effect a considerable improvement in the service, giving, in fact, a delivery on six instead of on three days a week. I pointed out at the same time why I could not sanction the further alteration, which would much extend the period during which the postman is on duty, and would involve additional expense, which is not warranted, as there is already a serious loss on the service.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the work on the proposed new pier at Ventry Harbour, County Kerry, will be commenced by the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they do not at present propose to construct a pier at Ventry Harbour. Other landing places in Kerry are to be improved, and the funds at the Board's disposal are not large enough to enable them to undertake more than a small number of such works at the same time.

Will the question of the pier be considered after these works have been completed?

The Board have it under consideration.

Will the Congested Districts Board fulfil their promise to make boatslips on the Island of Valentia, or a pier in the neighbourhood of Cahirciveen?

I will inquire.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government of New Zealand have made proposals to the Colonial Office for the future administration of the Samoan Islands, and that the Samoans have repeatedly expressed their concurrence with the views of the New Zealand Government; and whether, in view of the unsettled condition of these Islands, and of their immense importance to Her Majesty's Australasian Dominions, Her Majesty's Government will give favourable consideration to the proposals of the New Zealand Government?

At the same time, will the hon. Gentleman state the terms of the offier made by the Government of New Zealand that that colony should undertake the administration of the Samoan Islands; and whether the Secretary of State has received any communications from any of the Australian Governments, indicating their willingness to afford the necessary support to New Zealand in this matter; if so, which Governments have now adopted this course?

A telegram has been received on the matter from New Zealand; and we have learnt that it is supported by the Governments of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania; but I cannot make any statement on the subject beyond that contained in the answer of my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now inform the House if the Privy Council has arrived at any decision relative to the Marriage Legacy question in Malta; and, if so, whether the correspondence upon the subject may be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons?

The question referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council relates not to Marriage Legacies, but to the validity of certain marriages in Malta. The Judicial Committee have not yet given their decision. The Marriage Legacy question upon which there has been some correspondence with the Government of Malta is not a matter of such public interest as to warrant the presentation of the correspondence to Parliament.

May I be allowed to see the correspondence?

If the hon. Gentleman will call at the Colonial Office I shall be glad to show it to him.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that there is no copy of the Irish Law Reports in the Library of the House of Commons; and whether, in view of the early sitting of the Committee on the Land Act (Ireland), he will take into consideration the desirability of having collected and published for the use of the Members Reports of the leading cases on the Irish Land Acts, with the decisions, and also summaries of the points raised and the effects of the decisions?

I am aware of what is stated in the first paragraph. All the important cases on the Irish Land Acts down to the end of 1892 are carefully noted, and the effect of the decisions explained in Cherry's Treatise on the Land Acts, and the subsequent cases will be found in the Irish Legal Reports. The point raised by my hon. Friend will no doubt receive the early attention of the Select Committee.

Does not the Library of the House of Lords contain the Reports, and have not Members of this House access to that Library?

I understand that hon. Members have access to the Library of the House of Lords, but I am doubtful if these Reports are to be found there.

They are.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that new contracts are about to be entered into for works at the Curragh Camp, if in the interest of Irish industries, and in fulfilment of his promise given on the 27th of February, 1893, he will see that in the preparation of estimates for the proposed works, due provision will be made for making use of Killaloe slates, provided they can be supplied equal in quality and not higher in price than other slates?

^* : Only one contract for military buildings in Ireland has been made since the reply referred to. In it the specification of Welsh roofing slates is omitted, and the slates to be used are required to be equal in quality to a sample in the Royal Engineer Office, and the same course will be taken in future contracts.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a statement in the London Press of the 24th of April, to the effect that a non-commissioned officer has been refused a passage in the mail boat of the London and North Western Railway from Dublin to Holyhead because he was in uniform; and whether, if so, he will represent to the Company the illegality of the proceeding?

^* said: The Board of Trade communicated with the Railway Company, and have received a reply which I shall be happy to show the hon. and gallant Member. It appears that the Company did not refuse to carry the man by the express boat, but declined to carry him at the military fare. The difference has since been repaid him.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what measures he has adopted to deal with the extraordinary destitution prevailing amongst the inhabitants of the Arran Islands?

A great number of questions have been put to me from time to time on this subject, and as great interest is taken in it in Ireland and in this country, perhaps the House will indulge me a rather long answer. Early in February last a meeting was held in the South Island of Arran. As a result a Memorial was forwarded to me by the late parish priest, Rev. P. J. McPhilpan, addressed to the Congested Districts Board, praying for relief works. That Memorial was brought before the Congested Districts Board, and at the same time I took immediate steps to inquire into the condition of the people. I found from inquiries made on the spot that while a number of the Killeany villagers who depend on hand-line fishing, and the people of Inisheer, who are the poorest in the islands, were, as in the best of years, badly off, there was no cause to apprehend actual want, and that taking the people of the islands generally they were comparatively well off; they had a very successful Spring and Autumn fishing season; the price of kelp was better than for some years past, and they had reared a very large number of pigs and sold them at high prices. Since that date representations of various kinds have been made to the Irish Government. The islands were visited by a member of the Local Government Board, and subsequently by a Local Government Inspector, who spent several days on the is ands, and made careful inquiries into the condition of the people, and as to the existing arrangements for relief should sudden necessity arise. The relieving officer has at his disposal means for providing outdoor relief, and the Inspector has instructed him as to his responsibilities and his duties and his power in the matter. There was no reason to apprehend "deaths by starvation " as was alleged. Early in the present month some evictions occurred arising out of ejectment decrees issued in 1893, some 38 families were at that time converted into the position of caretakers; 23 families arranged with the agent by paying, it is said, two years' rent and £4 cost in each case, 12 families were evicted, and in three cases the proceedings were postponed indefinitely. The Inspector visited 11 of these families at the time on the North Island, and satisfied himself—and he is a very competent officer—that they had shelter afforded them by their neighbours, either in out-houses fitted up as dwelling houses or, in some instances, in the abodes of their neighbours. These families, on the report of the relieving officer that they might possibly be destitute, were afforded provisional relief pending the ordinary meeting of the Board of Guardians—the Galway Board. The remaining nine families have all of them more or less the means of support. The cases of these evicted tenants subsequently came before the Galway Board on the 11th of this month, with the result that, in the case of four families, outdoor relief was sanctioned by the Board for a month. In two of the cases the Guardians did not consider that the applicants were deserving of outdoor relief. This morning I received the following information, which concludes what I have to say. There are in the Arran Islands 530 families, consisting of 3,521 persons at the present moment; 41 families, comprising 89 persons, are receiving outdoor relief. This includes food, lodging, and' such medical attendance as may be necessary, and all those persons are receiving provisions in the way of food. There are, roughly speaking, 40 or 50 families, comprising 150 people, in addition to the 41 families referred to, who are living on credit or on their neighbours at the present moment. Under ordinary circumstances of weather and season the extreme pressure on these unfortunate islanders will be over in a month. Money for kelp and cattle, as well as returns from fishing, may all be expected about the end of May, at which time also the principal fair for the island will be held. The relieving officer has received careful instructions that, whenever necessary, relief should be at once given. The question of providing seed potatoes has been all along admitted a proper and an important one. I brought the matter under the consideration of the Congested Districts Board, who found, however, that they had no power to either provide seed potatoes free or by way of loan, their powers being restricted to giving them for cash and at cost price. It has been estimated that a sum of £130, while not, of course, sufficient to admit of a change of seed being given to all the occupiers of small holdings in the islands, would enable a substantial amount, say five or six cwt., to be given to those landholders who just at present have a difficulty in procuring a supply out of their own resources. It seemed to me impracticable to ask Parliament to make a special Vote for this small amount, and while further considering the matter, my hon. Friend the Member for East Northamptonshire kindly on his own motion started a subscription. He has already remitted the sum of £80 to the clergyman of the islands, and, as the rev. gentleman has already started a fund, there ought to be no difficulty in withdrawing from it a sum of, say, £50 to make up the £130 required. I have to add that, in order to make quite sure, I directed yesterday an Inspector of the Local Government Board to cross to the island and report to me to-morrow; and if it is thought desirable by the hon. Member for East Northamptonshire, and the trustees of the other funds, the Inspector will proceed to distribute them, as instructions will be given him so to do. I think there is really no ground whatever for charging the Government in the discharge of their duty with any callousness in connection with the relief of these unfortunate people; and I hope what has been done by voluntary effort, with the assistance of the local relieving officer, will meet all the exigencies of what I admit to be a very painful case.

I should be sorry to charge the Government with callousness or neglect, but I observe that in the sketch of the situation which the right hon. Gentleman has given he does not refer to the greater probability of want this year owing to the failure of the potato crop last year, and I would ask him whether he does not think that in his estimate of the means of subsistence he may not be too sanguine owing to the fact that the ordinary supply of food from the last crop may not be forthcoming? I would further ask him whether he would not call the attention of the Congested Districts Board to the necessity of starting reproductive works, such as the construction of new roads and the building of boat-slips?

I do not think the question of the making of roads is one in which the Congested Districts Board could very well interfere at present. They would, first of all, have to obtain the consent of the Presentment Sessions and of the Grand Jury. They have already spent a sum of £370 in improving the water supply of the island. I have had under consideration whether they could not start some small road-making, and some other kind of small works, as conditions upon the receipt of relief.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that representations have reached me, and I think communicated to himself, that the supply of seed potatoes is in-sufficient?

Our information is that £130 would meet the necessities of the case; and as my hon. Friend has very handsomely authorised an expenditure of £80, I hope the other fund will produce the £50 required to meet the wants of the situation.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the case of Mr. P. Melvin, the station-master at Drumshanbo, on the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway, who is about being dismissed by the Directors because on Good Friday he attended a meeting of the Company's employés in Ballinamore and joined a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants; and whether, as this railway is subsidised by an annual grant from the Treasury, he will represent to the Directors the advisability of granting to their employés the same freedom of legitimate combination as is accorded by the other Railway Companies in the country?

At the same time, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is aware that Mr. W. H. M'Adoo, Manager of the Cavan, Leitrim, and Roscommon Light Railway, dismissed Mr. Patrick Melvin from the post of stationmaster at Drumshanbo in consequence of the latter having joined a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Workers recently established at Ballinamore, County Leitrim; and whether, as this railway line is subsidised by the State, he will order an inquiry into the circumstances connected with the dismissal of Melvin?

^* said: I will reply to the questions of the hon. Members for North and South Leitrim together. The Board of Trade have received a communication from the Company in which they deny that the station-master at Drumshanbo was dismissed because he joined a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Workers. The Company add that nine-tenths of their men have joined the Society, and that no difference is made in their treatment by the Company. It is hardly correct to say that the line is subsidised by the State. The Treasury contribution is made to the Baronies not to the Company. The Board of Trade have no power to order an inquiry into the matter.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the recent fatal accidents to platelayers near Waterloo Station on the South Western Rail-way, at Child's Hill Station on the Midland Railway, at Hammerton Street Junction on the Great Northern Railway, and elsewhere, and to recent fatal accidents to goods guards, inspectors, and others in crossing the lines of railways; and whether, having regard to the frequency of such fatal accidents, he will direct representations to be made to the Railway Companies as to further amendment of their Rules for the protection of platelayers and others obliged by their duties to be upon or to cross the lines, and as to the better enforcing of existing Rules?

^* said: Yes, Sir. The President of the Board of Trade has seen the reports of the specific cases referred to. He feels considerable difficulty in putting pressure on the Railway Companies to revise the Rules which control the duties of their servants. Such a course may involve the Board of Trade in a very undesirable measure of responsibility in regard to railway management. The attention of the Railway Association will, however, be directed to the terms of my hon. Friend's question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Board of Trade have made representations to the Rail- way Association on other matters with very good effect? Could not similar representations be made in the interests of the platelayers?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put the question to my right hon. Friend when he returns to the House.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, with a view to materially shortening the Reports on Bills committed to the Select Committee on Police and Sanitary Regulations, the column headed "Short Description of Clause" may not without disadvantage be omitted?

^* : I have consulted those cognisant of this subject,, and have come to the conclusion that the short description of clauses in the Reports on the Bills referred to could not be omitted without some inconvenience to Members who may have to refer to them.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will lay upon the Table of the House the statement lately prepared by the Board, showing the effect of "The Local Government Act, 1894," as regards Burial Boards?

I will confer with my hon. Friend as to the best mode of proceeding for securing the object he has in view.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of Major Yorke on the collision which occurred on the 5th of March at Bettisfield Station on the Cambrian Railway, in which he draws attention to the booked hours of two drivers—namely, Driver Williams, who booked on at 8.30 a.m., on the 5th of March, to work till 8.45 p.m., and Driver Griffiths, who booked on at 9.30 a.m. to 9.10 p.m., their hours of duty 12 hours 15 minutes and 11 hours 50 minutes respectively, and expresses his opinion that these hours are too long for any driver; and if he intends to take any steps to make the Cambrian Railway Company shorten the hours worked by their drivers, in terms of "The Hours of Labour (Railway Servants) Act, 1893"?

said: Yes, Sir; the Board of Trade have already communicated with the Railway Company in the terms of the Act referred to.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the police, when their assistance is asked in cases of eviction in Ireland, keep any record of the sums paid or demanded for costs, and the nature of the costs alleged to have been incurred; whether he is aware that Bridget M'Govern, a widow, tenant of a small mountain holding in the townland of Tullycrofton, County Cavan, has paid to the agent, Mr. R. H. Johnstone, of Bawnboy, within the past two years and a quarter, four years' rent, together with sums demanded for costs amounting to nearly three years' rent; whether he is aware that no account of the costs alleged to have been incurred, and no receipt for the sums paid as costs, was given to her; whether the costs claimed included the costs of a summons to Petty Sessions to obtain possession in 1892, though no such summons was served on the tenant, and who were the Magistrates who made the order for possession; and whether there is any record from which he can say, approximately, in how many cases Mr. Johnstone has ordered, as landlord or agent, legal proceedings against tenants in the County Cavan within the past two years?

In cases of evictions the police, when practicable, ascertain and note the amount but not the nature of the costs alleged to have been incurred. The police report that the facts are correctly stated in the second and third paragraphs. It appears that the rent is only paid up to the 1st of May, 1888, and that from May, 1882, to March, 1892, only three and a-half years' rent was paid. I am informed that the costs claimed did not include the costs of a summons to Petty Sessions; and that the tenant was not summoned or decreed for possession of the farm at Petty Sessions in 1892. There is no record from which the information indi- cated in the concluding paragraph could be supplied.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for the total number of moonlighting outrages in Ireland between the 22nd of August, 1892, and the 31st of March, 1894, distinguishing between agrarian and non-agrarian cases?

The total number of such outrages in the period mentioned was 129, of which 55 were agrarian and 74 non-agrarian cases.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for the actual strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 22nd of August, 1892, and at the present date?

Exclusive of officers and head constables, in whose numbers there is practically no variation, the actual strength of the Constabulary on the 22nd of August, 1892,was 11,764, and on the 31st of March, 1894, 11,652 men. The strength of the Force on this date could not be given with accuracy at such short notice.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the authorities at Enfield Small Arms Factory have informed several of the workmen that if they take part in any public meeting respecting factory affairs they will be dismissed; and whether this prohibition applies to all matters appertaining to the working of the factory; and, if not, what subjects are exempted from its application?

Certain workmen have been cautioned that participation in public meetings for the discussion of the policy of the Department in the management of its factories is inconsistent with all discipline, and with the proper working of the establishment. They have been warned that it constitutes a virtual breach of the Rule against making complaints through any but the proper channel, infringement of which Rule leads to dismissal. Every workman has full right of appeal to his superintendent in the case of a personal grievance, but it would be impossible to allow workmen to take part with outsiders in publicly discussing and remonstrating against the general conduct of the business of the Department.

Are not the men referred to citizens entitled to vote, and, as such, are they not at liberty to discuss questions of public policy?

Certainly, as citizens, they are entitled to discuss questions of public policy; but it is obviously impossible to allow workmen in the factory to discuss questions concerning the business of the factory. For instance, take the particular case of a meeting held lately to discuss, on ex parte evidence entirely, the allocation of work to the Department. This brings the workmen into a position of antagonism with those who control the Department, which would cause great inconvenience.

Does the prohibition apply to the meetings held after the men have performed their day's work?

I suppose they could not very well attend a meeting while their work was going on.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he has received a Memorial, signed by a large number of second-class tracers attached to the Receiver and Accountant General's Office, in which a number of grievances and hardships were recited, with a prayer for their redress; and whether the prayer of the Petition has been granted, or what action does he propose to take in connection therewith?

Yes; I have received several Memorials from the Tracing Staff of the Receiver and Accountant General's Branch of my Department, which have all been answered with the exception of the last one, which was only received last month, and to that an official reply will be sent to the Memorialists through the usual channel, with no unnecessary delay.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the Widnes Division of Lancashire, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it fulfils the requirements of the Local Government Act of 1894 to pass a resolution at the annual Vestry meetings for township business, of which meetings 14 days' notice has not been given, for the division of the parish into wards?

Having regard to the provisions in Sections 18 (1) and 84 (3) of the Local Government Act, it appears to the Local Government Board that a resolution passed by the inhabitants of the parish in Vestry assembled, after the usual notice for a Vestry meeting, is sufficient, and that 14 days' notice of the meeting is not, therefore, required.

On behalf of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin University, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the several meetings reported to have been recently held for the purpose of effectually boycotting a gentleman at Kells for having taken a vacant farm; whether he is aware that at such meetings resolutions have been passed denouncing this gentleman, and calling up the people in the neighbourhood to boycott him; whether the trade and business of this gentleman have suffered; and whether it is intended to take any steps to put an end to such boycotting?

On the 2nd instant I replied very fully to a question addressed to me by the hon. and learned Gentleman, which is practically identical with the further question now put. I have nothing to add to that reply, except to say that, so far as the Inspector General is aware, there has been no change in the position of Bradley, and that, as I stated in my reply of the 2nd instant, the police, by my special directions, are using the greatest possible vigilance to prevent any acts of intimidation in the case.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Dublin University, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the murder of Donovan, the caretaker of an evicted farm at Newmarket, County Cork, whether, at the date of the murder, Donovan was under any special police protection; whether he had been previously, and if so, up to what date, under special police protection; and whether any special police protection previously afforded had been withdrawn from him, and, if so, upon what grounds?

The Inspector General informs me that Donovan was specially protected by police patrols, and that he had been under this form of protection down to the date of his murder. The reply to the third paragraph is in the negative.

Will any provision be made for the two infant orphans of Donovan?

I cannot answer that question until I have received a full Report.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education when he will lay before the House the Report of the Departmental Committee on the superannuation of elementary teachers; and when the decision of the Government thereupon may be expected?

The actuaries upon the Departmental Committee have been engaged for some time in preparing new tables. These tables, as the hon. Baronet is aware, are of a very complicated character. As soon as they are complete the Committee will resume its sittings, and I hope they will be able to report within the next few months.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to remove the disabilities of officers of the Royal Marines in respect of their exclusion from Naval Courts Martial; and whether an undertaking to remove these disabilities was recently given by the Admiralty?

The question whether Marine officers should be mem- bers of Naval Courts Martial has recently been brought under our notice by other hon. Members, and Lord Spencer has called for Papers and information on the whole subject, which he will shortly examine; meanwhile, no answer can be given. The Board of Admiralty has never passed any Minute in favour of an alteration; nor could such a change be made except by passing a Bill to amend the Naval Discipline Act.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what amount of the £4,500,000 voted under the Barracks Act remained unexpended on the 31st of March, 1894; and what is the estimated expenditure under the Act in the present financial year?

^* : The amount taken under the Barrack Act of 1890 was £4,100,000. Of this, £2,364,000 remained unexpended on March 31, 1894. The expenditure during the current financial year is estimated at £700,000.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the many representations that have been made to him in reference to the grating in front of the Ladies' Gallery, he can see his way to order its removal?