I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, to ascertain the correctness of Lord Cromer's statement of 1882 about the annual average income per head, and to show whether the people of British India are improving or becoming worse in their material condition, he will grant the Return for which a Motion stands on this day's Paper; and whether, if he be unwilling to grant as a Return the details of Lord Cromer's calculations, as asked in the first part of the Motion, he will give an opportunity to the hon. Member for Central Finsbury of personally inspecting them?

, answering, in the absence of Mr. H. H. Fowler, said, considering that the statement to which my hon. Friend refers, was confessedly founded upon uncertain data, and that any similar calculation, which might now be made, must be founded on equally uncertain data, and might probably be misleading, the Secretary of State is unable to agree to my hon. Friend's Motion.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what, board and lodging allowance per diem has the Treasury approved for clerks sent from their own prison to another on temporary duty; and whether the Treasury has sanctioned the reduction of the Commissioners of Prisons of this allowance by one-half after the first three weeks; and, if so, upon what grounds, seeing that the clerks expenses must necessarily be about the same as during the first three weeks?

The allowance is 8s. for each day and night, during the first three weeks. The rule of the Department was to reduce the allowance by one-half after the first week, and the extension to three weeks, conferred a considerable benefit on the officers. The reduction is made, on the ground that during the period allowed, an officer would reasonably expect to make arrangements for board and lodging on better terms than at first.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the fishermen at all the principal ports along the coast of Kincardineshire, at a series of meetings held two years ago, unanimously declared by resolution that the enlarging and extending of Stonehaven Harbour would be of the greatest benefit to them in the pursuit of their industry; and that the Harbour Commissioners of Stonehaven, after raising a considerable sum by local effort, applied to the Fishery Board for a sum of £3,000 as a collateral security by means of which, and of a guarantee on the rates of the burgh, they would have been enabled to borrow from the Loan Commissioners the amount required to extend and enlarge the harbour; and that the Fishery Board, though they have frequently recognised the claim of Stonehaven, now refuse this sum, on the ground that they would not be justified in granting money for such a purpose; and whether there is anything in the Acts which put the present funds at the disposal of the Fishery Board, which would preclude their applying a portion of it to Stonehaven for this purpose?

I am informed by the Fishery Board that, as stated, the fishermen at all the principle ports along the coast of Kincardineshire have unanimously approved of the enlarging of Stonehaven Harbour, and that the Harbour Trustees, after raising a considerable sum by local effort, applied to the Fishery Board to become collateral security for a loan of £3,000, which would have enabled the Trustees to borrow an amount sufficient, to cover the cost of the proposed improvements, which the Board were reluctantly compelled to decline. There is nothing in the Acts, or otherwise, to preclude the Fishery Board from giving assistance to Stonehaven Harbour, except the large number of applications from small and struggling localities, as well as from various important, fishery centres, and the limited fund at the disposal of the Board for such undertakings.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received copies of the Official Reports of the Veterinary Inspectors who investigated some recent cases of alleged pleuro-pneu-monia in Canadian cattle landed in Belgium; whether he has also received a Report from the Minister of Agriculture on the health of cattle in the Dominion of Canada; and whether he proposes to publish these documents in the Official Journal of the Board, or otherwise?

I have taken the necessary steps to obtain, if possible, copies of the Reports to which my hon. Friend refers, but they have not as yet reached me. I received the Report alluded to in the second paragraph of the question yesterday. I shall be glad to consider whether these further documents can conveniently be published in the Journal of the Board, or otherwise.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General, will he explain how it is that, although an open examination was held about 15 months ago for vacancies in the Telegraph Department in Edinburgh, the successful candidates, after some 12 months' attendance in the Telegraph School, have been informed that there are no vacancies, and that they must wait on indefinitely for appointments; and, whether working overtime is optional to clerks in the Edinburgh Office; and, if so, why have the clerks there been punished for declining to work overtime?

In consequence of the unfortunate stagnation of telegraph business, which has resulted from the general stagnation of trade, the Telegraph Establishment at Edinburgh has been found to be in excess of its requirements. In consequence of this, learners have not been required to fill places as soon as was anticipated. They will, however, receive appointments as vacancies occur. I should add, however, that the Department has done what it could for these lads by offering them appointments on the postal side. As regards overtime, it is my desire to reduce it as far as possible. But it is the duty of every officer in the Postal Service to give such extra attendance at all times as the circumstances may call for. So long, however, as there are Volunteers for the duty, it is not the practice to enforce overtime on those who are reluctant to undertake it.

, on behalf of the hon. Member for the Partick Division of Lanark (Mr. J. PARKER-SMITH): I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, why the subject of Natural History of Animals and Plants has been dropped from the class subjects for Standards IV., V., and VI. in the new Code; and, whether, inasmuch as the effect may be to discourage the study of Natural History in the higher standards, teachers will, under the Supplementary Schedule, have, the same encouragement to teach the subject as hitherto?

In place of the Elementary Science Course, which appeared in the Schedule of Class Subjects in former Codes, has been substituted the course which formerly appeared in the Supplement to the Schedule as the Science to Common Things. The reason was, that this was regarded as a more useful and practicable example of a General Science Course. This substituted course does not provide for the teaching of the Natural History of Plants and Animals after Standard III. is passed; but there is full liberty for managers to obtain the sanction of the Department to any alternative Science Course which they may desire, and they may present, if they think fit, the course which has been omitted, or a course dealing to a larger extent with Natural History. I do not think this change in the Code will have the effect suggested. The Department are far from desiring to discourage the study of Natural History.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to place the Ordnance Factory at Enfield again on full time; and, because of the long duration of short time at the factory, will he allow the loss of time consequent on the factory being closed on the 1st and 2nd April for stock-taking to be made up?

The amount of work which can at present be assigned to the Small Arms Factory at Enfield is not sufficient to justify the resumption of full time without much larger reductions of numbers than are contemplated, and it is not proposed to work on Saturdays. It is not intended to ask the men to work up the days of closure for annual stocktaking.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the consent of both Houses of Parliament, under Section 55 of 21 & 22 Vic., c. 106 (an Act for the Better Government of India), was obtained for the expenditure on Military operations beyond the west and northwest frontiers of India of the following sums (shown in a Parliamentary Return, entitled "East India (Military Expenditure beyond the Frontier)," and dated India Office, February 1895, viz.: Rx. 159,116, in 1884–5; Rx.2,121,086, in 1885–6; Rx.116,055, in 1888–9; Rx.4,825, in 1889–90; Rx.143,730, in 1890–91; and, upon, what date, with reference to each of the sums mentioned in the previous question, was the consent of the House of Commons and the House of Lords respectively obtained for such expenditure?

The figures given in the Return under the heads "Expeditions and Explorations," "Expenditure in the Military Department," do not relate to what are called in Clause 55 of the Act for the Better Government of India "Military Operations carried on beyond the External Frontiers" of Her Majesty's Indian Possessions for which, as the hon. Baronet points out, the consent of Parliament is necessary; and, as a matter of fact, there were during the period covered by the Return no "Military operations beyond the External Frontiers" on the north-west, which were held to fall within the scope of Section 55 of the Act; a reference to the Return, which comprises such items as "Railways," "Fortifications," and "Cantonments," shows that it does not refer to expenditure beyond the frontiers of India in the strict sense of the words.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the claim of Captain M'Phail, of the British ship St. Mary's Bay, of Glasgow, against the Chilian Government, has yet been adjusted; and, if so, when he expects it will be settled?

Her Majesty's Legation at Santiago have instructions to take the necessary steps to have this claim brought before the Mixed Commission, which is now sitting; but it is not possible to say when this particular claim will be adjudicated upon. The Commission is, by Article 7 of the Convention between Great Britain and Chili, allowed a year in which to discharge its duties, with power, under certain circumstances, to prolong its existence for an additional six months.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a lion tamer named Rowland, connected with a travelling menagerie, who is reported to have been savagely attacked by a lioness three times within a few days, and in one instance terribly injured and rescued with great difficulty, while in another the spectators became panic stricken, women fainted, and several persons fell and were trampled upon; and whether he has any power to discourage or suppress such dangerous exhibitions?

My attention has been called to this case, but I have no power to interfere with exhibitions of this kind.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he is aware that in the northern division of the country of Longford the Quarter Sessions are held only twice in the year, that is, in April and October, and then only for one day each time, and that litigants and jurors from the Granard division of the county are compelled to attend at Longford four times yearly, a distance to most of them of more than 20 miles and without the advantage of railway communication; and (2) whether it would be possible to have the county divided for legal purposes as it now is for Parliamentary purposes, and to have the County Court judges sitting as often in the northern as in the southern division?

I understand the facts are stated with substantial accuracy in the first part of the question, though I am also informed that the transaction of the criminal business at Granard, as well as at Longford, would be attended with difficulty and inconvenience to witnesses. As regards the second paragraph, there is power to alter the existing divisions and to appoint additional places for holding Quarter Sessions, and if a memorial from persons resident in the county and interested in the subject be forwarded to the Lord Lieutenant the matter will at once be carefully considered.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Second Reading of the Conciliation Bill is likely to be fixed, when the Light Railways Bill will be introduced in pursuance of the Reports of the Departmental Conference and Committee, and when the Sea Fisheries Bill will be introduced in accordance with the recommendations in the Report of the Select Committee of the House?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Her Majesty's Government have yet been able to fix a day for the Second Reading of their Conciliation (Trade Disputes) Bill; and whether they will at the same time facilitate the Second Reading of the other two Arbitration and Conciliation Bills now before the House with a view to referring them all to a Select Committee so as to ensure as far as possible some legislation on the subject during the present Session?

said, that the Second Reading of the Conciliation Bill would depend on the progress made with the other business of the House. He desired, however, to take it at the earliest possible moment. In answer to the hon. Member for Barrow, he said that he was prepared to allow the other two Bills to be read a second time when the Government had obtained a Second Reading for their Bill, so that the Bills might go together to the Grand Committee. As to the Light Railways Bill, he was looking for the first possible opportunity to introduce it, and he was still in hope of being able to do so early next week.

Does the same answer apply to the Factories and Workshops Bills and the Truck Acts Amendment Bill?

We hope to take those two Bills at the earliest possible moment.

Is it not the case that the Government always block private Members' Conciliation Bills when they come on?

No, Sir; it is not the fact. The Government have stated on all occasions that these Bills would proceed pari passu.

Will the Second Reading of the Conciliation Bill be taken before midnight or after?

I hope to take it before Twelve o'clock.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in reference to the reply given by him to a similar question last Session, what steps have been taken to supply bands to the Royal Artillery in large stations and districts other than Woolwich and Aldershot?

It has not been found possible to provide for this service in this year's Estimates.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether his attention has been called to a recent outrage upon a man named Shea, of Athea, a labourer in the service of John Danaher; (2) whether he is aware that previous to the attempted murder a series of resolutions denouncing Danaher by name, and generally denouncing land grabbers in the neighbourhood, had been passed, and that such a resolution was passed by the Athea branch of the Irish National Federation in May 1894, and a similar resolution passed in the same mouth by the Guardians of the Newcastle West Union; (3) whether he is aware that a third resolution was passed by a meeting of delegates from Limerick and Kerry, held at Athea in June; that a fourth resolution was passed by the Athea branch of the Irish National Federation in September; that on September 16 the branch actively boycotted persons working for Danaher; that at a meeting held at Athea on October 14 the hon. Member for West Limerick attended and declared that he would have no hesitation in speaking for West Limerick that the grabber would get a hot time of it for the next few weeks; (4) whether he is aware that, in December, Danaher's premises were fired into by Moonlighters; that a sixth meeting was held on January 20th, 1895, for the purpose of denouncing Danaher; that on March 3rd a seventh meeting was held for the purpose of further boycotting Danaher; and that on the 14th instant Shea was shot and dangerously wounded; (5) and, if he can state what protection, if any, was accorded during the past six months to the people thus threatened?

My attention has been called to the recent outrage on Timothy Shea referred to in the first paragraph of the question. Proceedings are now pending against one person who was arrested in connection with the outrage the day after its committal. It is the fact that meetings have been held, as stated, at which resolutions were passed directed against Danaher, but there is no evidence of what transpired at these meetings, all of which, with the exception of that held on October 14, were held indoors. With regard to the alleged firing into the premises of Danaher in December last, it is true that it was alleged that, on December 4, a shot was fired for the purpose of intimidation in the yard of the house of John Danaher, father of the man who has taken the evicted farm, but the police entertain doubts about the genuineness of the alleged outrage. In reference to the last paragraph, I am informed that John Danaher would not allow police into his house for his protection, nor would he allow them to accompany him on a car. He receives, however, protection by patrols both by day and night, and his son, who occupies the evicted farm is similarly protected. Shea was also protected in the ordinary manner.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether auctioneers who have erected cattle-weighing machines within their auction marts are bound to issue to the seller or buyer a ticket specifying the true weight of the cattle weighed; whether a ticket which does not give the odd pounds, if any, sufficiently specifies the true weight; and, whether the Board of Agriculture will issue a Memorandum directing the attention of auctioneers to the duties which the Weighing of Cattle Acts, 1887 and 1891, require them to perform; and, if auctioneers fail to perform these duties, what steps can be taken by farmers to compel auctioneers to give them the facilities conferred by the Statutes in question.

An auctioneer cannot, unless specially exempted, sell cattle at any mart where cattle are habitually or periodically sold, unless weighing accommodation is provided, and a proper person appointed to have charge of the machine. If that person refuses or neglects to weigh cattle, when required, or to deliver to the seller or buyer a ticket specifying the true weight of the cattle, he is liable to a penalty. There is no definition of "true weight" in the Statute, and it would be for the Court to determine in each instance whether, having regard to the particular machine in use, the person giving the ticket had sufficiently complied with the requirements of the Statute. A circular letter on the subject of the Acts in question was issued in November, 1891, and we are constantly bringing under the notice of auctioneers their liability under those Acts. I doubt whether the issue of a further Memorandum would be of advantage, but I shall be glad to make inquiries on the point. Any person can take proceedings against an auctioneer who makes default in complying with the requirements of the Act of 1891.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the provisions of the Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, which impose on the Water Companies the duty of keeping charged with water at all times (except when prevented by frost) all their pipes to which fire-plugs are attached; and, whether he has any power to enforce compliance by the Water Companies with this enactment; and, if so, whether he will at once take steps to secure that their pipes shall be kept properly charged with water for the purpose of extinguishing fire?

I am aware of the provisions of the Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, to which my hon. Friend refers, but I have no power to enforce compliance by the Water Companies with this enactment. It appears that the only remedy is by way of mandamus, but I am unable to say who is to apply for the mandamus.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his Department was not the authority to deal with all questions under the Act.

said, that was not so. If anybody had authority it was the local authority; but the Act did not define what authority was to enforce the provision.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, is it an established rule that when medals are granted to officers and men of Her Majesty's regular troops the name of the recipient is engraved on each medal before issue; if so, why has the practice not been followed in regard to the long service medals now being issued to the Volunteer forces?

It is the practice to mark medals issued to the Regular Forces; but, as regards those for the Volunteers, great delay would have been caused by marking each medal; and as it was desired to make an issue of medals as early as possible, it was decided to leave them unmarked. I may add that no representation on the subject has been received from the Volunteers.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would make an allowance to Volunteer Commanding Officers who get the names put on the medals before issuing them, to cover the cost.

said, the War Office had received no representation on the subject, but if he found there was a general desire that something of the sort should be done, he would be glad to consider it.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture has, since its formation, consisted of three divisions, the statistical, land, and veterinary; whether the veterinary division has recently been re-named the Animals' Division, and what circumstances have arisen to necessitate this change; whether he is aware that the Veterinary Profession regard the change of name of the Department with dissatisfaction, as failing to recognise the valuable national work which has, through their efforts, been achieved; whether it is intended to appoint a veterinarian to the vacant post of Director of the Veterinary Department; what officer in the meantime is entrusted with the duties performed by the late Director; and will he explain why the professional duties of the Department are now conducted by two scientific officers, whereas for many years three have been employed?

On the retirement of the late Director of the Veterinary Department in December, 1893, I found it necessary to re-distribute the business performed by the principal officers of that Department, so as to enable the scientific officers to devote themselves exclusively to work for which the possession of veterinary knowledge is requisite, and to place the business of an executive and non-professional character in the hands of the officers best qualified to perform it. These latter officers constitute the division of the office now known as the Annuals' Division, to which the term "veterinary" would have been inappropriate, seeing that the Veterinary officers have a separate status. The new organisation has been in full operation for the past 15 months, and there is no vacant post to be filled, nor is it necessary to make any new professional appointment now that the scientific officers are in a position to devote themselves to professional work. I am sorry that any members of the Veterinary Profession should have been led to regard this redistribution of business as an indication of a lack of appreciation of their work. Quite the contrary is the case, and I may say that during the present year we have been glad to avail ourselves of the services of the members of the Profession to a much larger extent than has been the case for very many years past.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will make inquiries on the complaints of the lock keepers and others employed on the canal between Limerick and Killaloe, under the control of the Board of Works in Ireland, as to their insufficient rate of weekly wages; whether that rate, for night and day service, exceeds 7s. weekly; and if that, on their petition to the Commissioners in Dublin, an increase was recommended, and which was subsequently refused sanction by the London authorities; and whether the Board of Works in Ireland would on inquiry cause a representation to be made, with a view of equalising the rate of wages to the Limerick Canal service to the same standard as paid to the employés of the Grand Canal Company, Ireland?

Eight out of the nine lock keepers are paid 7s. a week wages, and the remaining one 9s. They are provided with lockhouses to live in, and receive extra pay when employed on repairs near their locks. They are also pensionable out of the Navigation Funds on retirement. Moreover, they are permitted to take farm work in the immediate neighbourhood. In 1893 the men petitioned the Board of Works for an increase of wages. The case was brought before the Treasury, who decided to postpone their decision until certain questions affecting the Canal Revenues had been settled. The men's position is, I believe, not strictly similar to that of the. Grand Canal Company's employés for various reasons, but I agree with the hon. Member that they have a reasonable claim to some improvement in their wages, and I am now in communication with the Board of Works as to how that improvement can best be effected.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution passed by the Bawnboy Board of Guardians at their meeting on the 18th instant, requesting that relief works should be started in the divisions of Cloverhill and Garradice, in South Leitrim, and pointing out that 200 families are in a state of destitution and willing to work; whether, as the question of the local taxation is made an element in the granting of relief works, he is aware that in the Benbrack division in the Cavan portion of this Union, where relief works are granted, according to the last Return presented to Parliament, the poor rate was 8d. and the county cess 1s. 9d. in the pound, while in the adjoining division in Leitrim, where the relief works are refused, the poor rate was 1s. and the county cess 2s. 3¼d. in the pound; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider his decision, and direct the works to be begun?

The resolution in question has been received. The last rate, which was struck in December 1894, in Benbrack division, was 1s. 9d., and the valuation per head of the population is nearly the lowest in the Union, namely, 16s. 7d. The rate for Cloverhill is 1s. 5d., and the valuation per head £1 7s. 3d. In Garradice division the rate is 1s. 5d., and the valuation per head "£1 18s. 6d. I may add that some 30 persons from Clover-hill have been recommended for employment on the works in Benbrack. The condition of the districts of the union in which works have not been opened is the subject of further inquiry now in progress.

asked what was the general interval between the recommendation by the local authorities and the sanction by the Board of Works?

By the Local Government Board. He supposed it was two, three, or four days.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he is aware that relief work, sanctioned by the Government at Meenaveen, in the parish of Glencolumbkill, County Donegal; was stopped by the action of the local landlords, who object to the construction of a road leading to a limestone quarry at Creenveen; (2) whether, seeing that the opening up of this quarry was earnestly requested by the inhabitants, and would confer a great boon on the Musgrave tenantry, he will order it to be recommenced; (3) is he aware that the local landlords allowed all preparations to be made for the institution of the relief work thus sanctioned by the Government, and gave no notice or intimation of their objection until the work had been actually begun; and (4) whether, seeing that owing to this action, a large number of heads of families have been kept out of employment for upwards of three, weeks, and will be unable to take relief work unless by allowing their small holdings, which now require cultivation, to lie waste for this year, any allowance can be made to the men who have been thus deprived of employment to enable them to crop their holdings?

I am informed that the landlord gave his consent to the work at the place mentioned as soon as he understood what was intended. His consent was asked for before arrangements to open the work were made, and the work was not commenced until his consent had been obtained. The work was started on the 18th March, and 31 families are employed on it. It is not possible to make these families any allowance as suggested in the last paragraph, I may add that arrangements have been made with the view of enabling all persons employed on relief works to attend to the more important pursuit of sowing their lands.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has received three Resolutions passed by the Guardians of the Bawnboy Union concerning the need of relief works in other districts of the Union besides those for which provision has already been made; and, whether he will endeavour to meet the wishes of the Guardians?

The Resolutions in question have been received. Relief works have been opened for the people of Templeport, Benbrack, and Cloverhill, in the Bawnboy Union, and inquiries are in progress as to the circumstances of the people in other districts of the Union.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state if it has come to the knowledge of the Land Commission that in the case of Samuel Gordon Dreeminchin, Newtowngore, South Leitrim, a tenant who has purchased his holding on the Godley estate, the late land agent is endeavouring to recover arrears of rent which were understood to have been wiped out at the time of the purchase of this holding; and, whether the Land Commission intend to take any steps for the protection of this tenant in the purchase he has made in their court.

The attention of the Land Commissioners was drawn to this case in January last, and they wrote to the solicitors for the vendors, directing their attention to the irregular proceedings which had been taken against the tenant for the recovery of interest in excess of six months upon the purchase money in cases where the purchases had been completed. The solicitors there-upon informed the agent that no proceedings should be taken against the tenant, save for the purpose of recovering a half-year's interest. The irregular proceedings referred to were for excessive interest and not for arrears of rent due at the date of the agreement to purchase. All arrears of rent are wiped out by force of the 3rd Section of the Land Act, 1888.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether he is yet in a position to announce his reply to the representations made to him by a deputation of provincial telegraph clerks, which waited on him on 1st January, with reference to a claim for 28s. a week for telegraph clerks after five years' service, together with a proportionate increase for clerks of more than five years' service?

No, Sir; I am not yet in a position to announce my decision upon the application which the telegraphists made to me for increasing the rates of pay after five years' service.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the contract entered into by the Government with Messrs. Waterlow and Sons Limited for printing and publishing The parliamentary Debates is not the form of contract upon which tenders were submitted by other firms who were desirous of carrying out the work?

Messrs. Waterlow and Sons' tender for printing and publishing The Parliamentary Debates, which forms the basis of the contract granted to them, was made on the same form as those upon winch tenders were submitted by other firms who were desirous of carrying out the work. The only difference of substance between the form of tender and the contract as ultimately granted was to enable the Government, should it be desirable, to close the contract before, the expiry of three years. The other variations between the contract and the tender are verbal only.

inquired whether the following words did not occur in the contract entered into with Messrs. Waterlow and Sons Limited: "Connected with the composition, printing, and binding;" whether this did not alter the whole character of the agreement, and whether it did not enable the firm to sublet the reporting to The Times, thereby infringing the Resolution passed in the House of Commons in February 1891, and re-affirmed in March 1893.

said, his hon. Friend was under an entire misapprehension. There was a section in the tender which stated that the contractors might obtain the report of the Debates in the way they could be got. The only clause with respect to the Resolution of the House of Commons had reference to the printing and binding. The tender was exactly on the same lines that the tenders had been for a number of years past; no change was made; it was exactly on all fours with those of previous years.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he had heard any complaint as to the character of the Reports, and if they were not very satisfactory?

said, he had not heard any complaint, and he assumed from that circumstance that the Reports were satisfactory.

asked if it was not the fact that the words complained of by the hon. Member were not in the original contract?

said, that he would be glad to show the hon. Member both the tender and the contract, when he would see that the words were practically the same in both documents.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that much irritation is caused by the regulation winch, while permitting a label to be gummed on the address, or front side of a post card, prohibits the attachment of my label or other paper to the back of the card; whether he can see his way to permit cuttings from newspapers, chess problems, or other printed matter to be attached to the backs of post cards without fining the addressee, provided that such cuttings are not larger than the post card itself, and are securely fastened by some adhesive substance, without leaving loose or overlapping edges; and if he cannot give such permission, whether it is permissible, under the Book Post Regulations, to strike out the word "Post card" on a post card, and then to gum a chess problem or cutting from a newspaper on the back, and to transmit such card as book post matter, bearing a halfpenny stamp, as being, in the words of the regulation, "printed matter not being in the nature of a letter"?

The regulations governing the transmission both of foreign and inland post cards, while allowing a postage and revenue stamp, and a small addressed label to be affixed to the cards, forbid the attachment of any other paper or article whatever, and I am not prepared to relax the regulations in the direction desired by the hon. Member. Nor can I consent to allow post cards on which the words-"Post card" have been struck out to be treated as book-packets. Such printed matter as that to which the hon. Member refers can already be sent by book post for a halfpenny, and I have no grounds for thinking that the existing regulations do not sufficiently meet the requirements of the public.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire what amount the people of the Straits Settlements and Hong Kong ought to pay for military contribution, and what amount they are able to pay for such purpose without interfering with the progress of the several Colonies respectively, and the carrying out of necessary public works, education, etc.?

Her Majesty's Government do not think it would be expedient to assent to the appointment of a Select Committee as proposed. The whole question of the military contribution for the Eastern Colonies is now under the consideration of a special Inter-departmental Committee, and in due course the result arrived at by the Government will be made known.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether complaints have reached the Local Government Board as to the incidence of taxation for the water supply of Tullamore, ratepayers living in districts which have not the direct advantage of the supply, having to pay the same poundage rate as those who enjoy that advantage; and whether the Board will recommend the Guardians to levy the contribution in proportion to the advantages concerned?

Complaints of the nature indicated in the question have been received by the Local Government Board. In 1891, the Guardians of the Tullamore Union undertook to provide a new water supply, and decided that the area of charge for the expenditure should be the whole electoral division of Tullamore. The Local Government Board declared the charge accordingly. Subsequently, a Provisional Order was obtained and confirmed by Parliament empowering the Guardians to take lands compulsorily, and a loan was granted on the security of the rates of the division, referred to. All this took place publicly and without objection, and the Local Government Board are advised that the arrangement cannot now be altered.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he will take steps to provide a post office for Four Roads, County Roscommon, there being at the present a delivery on six days in the week, but much inconvenience being felt owing to the want of an office?

When the official delivery of letters was first afforded in this neighbourhood, some years ago, a post, office was also established, a guarantee having been given to cover the deficiency of revenue; but at the end of a year the deficiency was withdrawal, and it became necessary to abolish the office. It seems very doubtful whether the office can now be re-established without a fresh guarantee; but I will have inquiry made in the matter, and let the hon. Member know the result.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether it is in accordance with the regulations governing such appointments that Dr. Dillon, J.P., Dispensary Medical Officer, and Medical Officer of Strokestown Workhouse, should canvas for proxy and other votes at the recent election of Poor Law Guardians; (2) whether this is the same gentleman whose conduct in his dual capacity of doctor and magistrate was censured last year; and (3) what steps he proposes to take in reference to his action?

said, that before the right hon. Gentleman answered the question he desired to know whether, as the first paragraph of the question assumed, without asserting, that the gentleman referred to had done the acts complained of, the right hon. Gentlemen had received from that gentleman a telegram, a copy of which he (Mr. Tully) had got, and which stated—

"Both paragraphs of question to be asked to-night concerning me utterly false. Never canvassed and was not canvassed.—Dr. DILLON."

I cannot answer the question put by my hon. Friend, but I shall bear these facts in mind. With regard to the question on the Paper, no complaints have been made to the Local, Government Board with reference to the alleged canvassing for votes on the part of Dr. Dillon. There is nothing in the Board's Regulations bearing on the matter, but they have always informed Union Officers that they do not consider they should interfere in Poor Law Elections beyond exercising their right to vote, and their privilege of nominating candidates. (2) The Board have no official record as to the alleged censure on this gentleman last year. (3) The question has been referred to the Clerk of the Union, who has been asked if he has received any information as to the charges made against Dr. Dillon.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in reply to a question of mine last year, he did not express a strong disapproval of the conduct of Dr. Dillon?

I do not remember.

I will put another question on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it would be possible to obtain a Return of the acreage of land thrown out of cultivation in England, and also of the lands held in hand by the owners (other than home farms), together with the rates and taxes payable on the same?

There are no existing statistics from which the proposed Return could be compiled, and any special statistical inquiries would be attended with considerable difficulty and expense. The subject is one, however, which has naturally received consideration at the hands of the Royal Commission, whose publications when complete will, I understand, throw much light, upon it, and who are now engaged in making an examination of the facts in particular districts.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether a chairman of a parish meeting in a parish having no Parish Council will have to be reelected this year; and whether a parish meeting can elect a vice-chairman?

The first chairman of a parish meeting in a parish having no Parish Council will retire in April 1896. Hence it will not be necessary that a chairman should be elected this year. A parish meeting has no power to elect a vice-chairman.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether it is competent for a returning officer, in the case of a parish not divided into wards, to arrange to have two polling places in a parish, and whether the appointment of two polling places in a parish necessitates a rearrangement of the statutory list of voters, and by whom is this to be carried out; and whether, with regard to second and subsequent elections, a County Council is entitled to fix the number of polling places in a parish, and give instructions to the assessors to arrange the list of voters accordingly?

If the polling places in a parish are increased, the voters whose names appear upon the Register as voting at a single polling station, and generally in alphabetical order, must be distributed for voting purposes according to the new polling place or places. The returning officer has no power over the Register which became final upon the 28th of February. It appears, therefore, to be impossible at this date to add to the existing polling places. It will clearly be possible for a County Council to arrange for an addition to the present polling stations where necessary before the next election, and to instruct the assessor to divide the list accordingly.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is anything in the Local Government Act of last year which would prevent the County Council making the same arrangement for Parish Council elections as is customary in parishes for School Board elections, whereby there is frequently more than one polling-place in a parish?

I will see whether that is the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended, under the new Education Code, to dispense with the University preliminary examination in the case of all Queen's students attending the Scottish Universities; and whether it will be possible to insist on this examination in the case of such Queen's students, as a rule, allowing what is contemplated in the Circular of 4th March to be a temporary provision, applying only in the case of a college, making special application and satisfying any special conditions which may be laid down by the Education Department?

It is intended that the University preliminary examination should be dispensed with only in cases where special circumstances are shown to exist. As is explained on page 5 of the Circular, we hope that the dispensation now allowed may be only temporarily necessary; but to insist everywhere rigidly on such a requirement would discourage the first efforts in this new direction in which the Government is very anxious to move.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland how it is proposed to constitute the Local Committees provided for in Article 91 of the new Scotch Code; and whether he can state what provisions it is proposed to make in order to secure that the Queen's students, in respect of whom the annual grant is to be given, will become teachers, as the provisions in respect of grants in Article 86 do not seem to apply in the case of Queen's students?

Full instructions as to the duties of the Local Committees will be given in a Circular which will be issued in due course. The constitution of any committee proposed by any university or university college, which desires to avail itself of the scheme will be carefully considered. Article 97 provides that Queen's students must sign a declaration that they intend to adopt and follow the profession of teacher. This rule is the same as is applied in England and Wales, where great advantage is taken of the facilities which this year, for the first time, are to be extended to Scotland.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, under Article 70 (4) of the new Scotch Code, it is intended to limit the schools from which pupil teachers may be examined for leaving certificates to those in which secondary education is given; and, if so, whether he would re-consider this provision of the Code, with a view to admitting to this examination, at suitable centres, the pupil teachers from any day schools?

The rules as to the admission of candidates to the leaving certificate examination are not laid down in the Code. It is undesirable to give to that examination anything of a professional character. But we are willing to consider applications for admission on behalf of pupil teachers in schools without secondary departments, provided that they can attend at, some centre where the examination is held.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many Mark I Lee-Metford magazine rifles, fitted with the original defective bolt-head, have been recalled; how many are now in the hands of the troops; and when it is intended to call in all the Mark I. Pattern?

It is not admitted that the bolt-head in Mark I is defective. In the original issue there was a defective screw, but that having been replaced, no further cause of complaint has arisen. In the Mark II. rifle an improved bolt is used, but the original bolt-head is quite serviceable. Therefore no rifles have been recalled on account of the bolt-head, and it is not proposed to recall any, or to alter the rifles of Mark I. (now known in consequence of certain other alterations as Mark I.^*) which are in store.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he can state the comparative attendance of Irish and English Science and Art students attending the classes in connection with the Science and Art Department during the past six years?

I am unable to give the information in the form of average attendance, because no figures of that kind have been tabulated. The total number of students under instruction in England in 1887–8 was 140,003, and in Ireland 14,794. The corresponding figures for 1892–3—the last figures published—were 258,754 and 14,055. I shall be glad to give the hon. Member a table showing the figures for the six years 1887–8 to 1892–3 inclusive.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the proposed tenders for meat supplies to the troops stationed in Dublin for the six mouths commencing 1st June, 1895, are to be for refrigerated beef and frozen mutton; whether he is aware that such conditions amount to a preference for foreign meat to the exclusion of native produce; whether there are any sufficient grounds for departing from the existing practice; and whether, if the facts be as stated, he would revert to the existing system?

The tenders for meat for the Dublin Garrison, like those for other stations, will be for both fresh and refrigerated meat. The conditions prescribed do not amount to a preference for foreign meat, but they admit it into restricted competition with home supplies. This is not a departure from the general system, but an application of the general system to the Dublin Garrison. Several military abattoirs were established many years ago, chiefly to secure the efficiency of butchers for field service, and for the instruction of officers in connection with meat supplies. These purposes have been attained, and a sufficient supply of military butchers can be kept efficient with a smaller number of abattoirs, while the instruction of officers in judging meat is specially provided for. Abattoirs are expensive, and the contract system has recently been reverted to at Portsmouth with satisfactory results. The same course is proposed for Dublin, where the decision has been hastened by the fact that if the abattoir had been retained a large expenditure would have been necessary for its reconstruction.

asked whether it was not the fact that the existing system had given, satisfaction to the military authorities of Dublin?

I do not think there has been any positive dissatisfaction with the present system; but it is believed that the other system of doing away with abattoirs and throwing ourselves on the public trade is better, and has been found to be better, for the service in other places.

asked what proportion refrigerated and frozen meat bore to fresh meat in the supplies?

About 60 per cent., or half and half. I cannot state exactly what it is; but there is a certain fixed percentage which cannot be exceeded.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government will expend what they save on this foreign meat in giving the soldiers that extra allowance of meat for which we have fought so long?

The question of the allowance of meat was very elaborately inquired into three or four years ago, and I think we had better leave it where it stands.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if he can state why the Reid Exhibitions in Trinity College for Kerry students have not been awarded every year since 1886, the Reid prizes for Kerry monitors having been awarded annually throughout the intervening period; (2) how long part 2 of the Reid bequest scheme has been in operation; (3) to how many students the Reid Exhibitions in Trinity College have been, awarded, and what is their religious persuasion; (4) whether those students were trained in the Marlborough Street Training College; (5) and whether it was on the result of their answering in this College that the Reid Exhibitions were awarded to them?

(1) The Reid Exhibitions in Trinity College, Dublin, are to enable students of the County Kerry, who have successfully passed the final examination at the close of their course of training in the Marlborough Street Training College to matriculate in Trinity College and to pass on, without dropping a year, to the Arts Degree. Only two Exhibitions are available concurrently, and as the course extends over four years it would not, I am informed, be possible to award the exhibitions annually. (2) Candidates are recommended by the Professors of Marlborough Street College, and 1894 was the first year in which the Professors were able to recommend any candidate as fulfilling the conditions. (3–4) Exhibitions have been awarded to two students, one of whom is a Roman Catholic and the other a Protestant, and both were trained in the Marlborough Street College. (5) The reply to the last paragraph is in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to an article; by the right hon. Sir R. Garth, late Chief Justice of Bengal, in the last number of the Law Magazine, as to the value of the Indian National Congress; and whether he will state what arrangements the Government of India make to give a hearing to the annual representations of that body?

The Secretary of State has not seen the article to which the hon. Member refers, and is therefore unable to give any opinion upon its contents.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the recent declaration of the poll at the East Bristol election was inaccurate to the number of 50 votes recorded for one of the candidates, and that this mistake had to be subsequently corrected; and if he will issue a Local Government Board Order as to the counting of votes at elections to prevent or diminish inaccuraces?

I have seen a report in the newspapers to the effect that at the East Bristol election 50 spoiled voting papers were inadvertently added to the total votes of one of the candidates, but that the mistake was discovered and corrected. The Local Government Board have no power to issue any order as to the counting of votes at Parliamentary elections.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, with regard to the fact that the senior Chief Inspector has now visited the St. Andrew's Infants School, Lowestoft, and has reported that the marching space is sufficient, and that the school is very fairly equipped except as to some of the desks, whereas the Local Inspector had reported that the equipment was unsatisfactory, and that the marching space was insufficient, and has also recommended that the school managers were entitled to the portion of the grant withheld (£24 18s.), whether the Department has paid the managers the sum of £24 18s. so withheld; and, if not, for what reason it is still withheld; if he can state who is responsible at the Education Department for the refusal in the first instance to send down the Chief Inspector in response to the appeal of the managers; whether he has taken, or intends to take, any action with regard to Her Majesty's Inspector; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps at the Department to prevent a repetition of such circumstances in the case of any voluntary school appealing to the Department against the report of the Inspector?

The additional grant referred to in the question was paid on the 10th January. No request was made by the managers for the Chief Inspector or any other Inspector to be sent, and, therefore, no such request was refused.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question as to who is respon- at the Department, and whether he intends to take any action in reference to the Inspector?

Nobody in the Department is responsible if no appeal has been made to the Department, and no appeal refused. I answered that question practically the other day.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many days the New Vigilant has been to sea since she was purchased by the Fishery Board for Scotland early last year and converted into a cruiser; and whether she has effected the capture of any trawlers; if so, will he state when and where they were captured, their names and numbers, and the penalties imposed in each case?

During the 301 days the Vigilant has been at the disposal of the Fishery Board she has been at sea 213 days. On 12th July last she captured the trawler Marion S.D. 29, fishing illegally in the estuary of the Clyde, the master was fined £20 with the option of 60 days imprisonment for illegal trawling, and £5 for infringing the lettering and numbering regulations, and his net was forfeited.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the French Expedition which left the Upper Ubanghi for the Nile waterway some nine months ago?

We do not know that any French expedition has left for the Nile waterway.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, seeing that telegraphic communication with the Island of Alderney has now been interrupted for more than six months, the Post Office Department has made any attempt in that period to repair the broken cable; whether he is aware that, on Friday, the 22nd instant, a steamship of 2,000 tons burden was wrecked on the coast of Alderney, and that, owing to the interruption of the cable service, the crew had no means of communicating with the owners or with their friends until Sunday evening, the 24th instant, when they reached Guernsey; whether it has been reported to him that great indignation prevails in Alderney at the persistent neglect to repair the cable; and whether he will order the immediate execution of the work?

In reply to a question asked by the hon. Member on the 11th ultimo, I explained some of the difficulties which had hindered the repair of the Alderney cable, and stated that the cable ship had unfortunately been in collision whilst actually proceeding to the work. She started again last Friday for Alderney; and now only awaits favourable weather to carry out the work.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that for the last three weeks the Midland Great Western Railway Company have never had sufficient supply of wagons at Galway, though remonstrated with in the strongest terms by every trader in town; and that upon the fair day of Galway, 21st instant, there were neither wagons for goods or cattle, and the latter were injured by standing all day in the rain; and if the Government will introduce a, short Bill to give senders a remedy, if, after long notice, their goods will not be carried?

The circumstances referred to by the hon. and gallant Member have not been brought to my notice. If the Company do not afford reasonable facilities, the law provides a sufficient remedy. Under Section 2 of the Railway Regulation Act, 1854, and subsequent Acts (1873 and 1889), establishing and giving jurisdiction to the Railway Commission, the Railway Commissioners have power to entertain complaints by traders in respect of such a grievance.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the total rateable value of London is more than one fifth of the total rateable value of the country, and that London received in 1890–91only one-ninth of the additional sum contributed to the relief of local rates by the readjustment of the basis of Exchequer contributions towards the expenses incurred by the local authorities; and, if this distribution still continues in the same proportion, whether the Government will take steps to remedy this state of things?

It is the fact that the rateable value of London is slightly more than one-fifth of the rateable value of England and Wales; but it is not the fact that, in 1890–91, London received only one-ninth of the difference between the grants which were not discontinued in consequence of the passing of the Local Government Act, 1888, and the sums which were paid to local authorities out of the Local Taxation Account for 1890–91. These sums were £3,148,231 in excess of the discontinued grants, and the amount received by London in excess of the discontinued grants, was £498,748. London received, therefore, between one-sixth and one-seventh of the additional relief afforded to local taxation by the financial arrangements in question. I have no power to alter those arrangements. I may add that the population of London in 1891 was very little more than one-seventh of the population of England and Wales.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the British Acts or Ordinances which give power to search, fine, or imprison the citizens of a friendly State who are suspected of entering the United Kingdom, having in their possession the lawful current money of the State to which they belong; which of such Statutes or Ordinances he relies upon as furnishing a precedent for the Boer Law by which British subjects are made liable to be searched, fined, and imprisoned for entering the Transvaal with English silver money in their possession; and whether, in view of the unfriendly character of the Boer Law referred to Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Boer Government with a view of procuring its early repeal?

The Act of the United Kingdom, to which I referred the other day, was the Customs Act of 1886, which prohibits, under Proclamation, the importation of all coins coined in any foreign country other than gold and silver coins; I also quoted somewhat similar prohibitions which have been enforced in some of the Colonies. I gave these facts in reply to the question of my hon. Friend, but specially refrained from treating them as precedents for the action of the Government of the South African Republic. We have not received any complaints in reference to the Act referred to in the Question, namely, the Mint Act of the South African Republic of 1891.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the Question—namely, whether it is proposed to remonstrate against Acts of this unfriendly nature, rendering British subjects liable to be searched for British coins in the Transvaal?

The Act was passed in 1891, and was not protested against by the then Government. We have not thought it necessary to protest against it, inasmuch as we have not received any complaints with regard to it.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it is a fact, as stated by Reuter's Agency on Wednesday, that two large French Expeditions have arrived within the Niger Company's territory, or sphere, the one at Bagibo and the other at Boussa?

The Niger Company have informed us that they have received information to this effect, and a communication on the subject will be made immediately to the French Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he has yet forwarded to the promoters of the Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen Railway any reply to the answer forwarded by them to the Treasury Memorandum. The same hon. Member asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has received a copy of the Resolution passed at the large meeting held in Loughglynn on Sunday last, in favour of the Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen Railway, both as a relief work and one opening up a large district of country; whether he is aware that the engineer of the line has stated that the amount to be spent on labour in a thickly populated district would be £60,000; and, whether, with the view of providing employment during the summer, he will recommend the Treasury to grant the comparatively trifling guarantee asked for?

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if a guarantee under the Tramway Act for a railroad from Ballindereen to Castlerea has been refused by the Treasury; if the sum asked for is only £600 a year; whether he is aware that an enormous number of people in the locality are in favour of this line; and, if the Midland Great Western Railway Company has offered to work the line on favourable terms?

The answer of the promoters of the railway mentioned in the first question has been referred to the Irish Board of Works, and until the Board's Report is received, no detailed reply can be given. As the point at issue bears directly on the subject of the other questions, it might be more satisfactory if those questions were postponed for a few days.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer—(1) whether a payment of 2d. per gallon is made, out of moneys raised by Imperial Taxation, to exporters of spirits manufactured in the United Kingdom; (2) whether he can state the amount so paid during the last financial year; (3) whether he will state to the House the reason for this payment, and since when it has been made; and (4) whether he will consider the propriety of the abolition of such a bounty?

(1) The fact is as stated. (2) The amount so paid in 1893–94 was £26,011. (3) Such payment is made to compensate traders for the loss estimated to attach to this portion of their business by reason of Excise Regulations. Their claim was established to the satisfaction of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in 1860, and the allowance granted by a Resolution of this House in the same year. The reasons which led to their being granted seem to me still to exist.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that the Perjury Bill [Lords], although introduced as a Consolidating Act, creates a number of misdemeanours hitherto unknown to the law; and whether, having regard to the wide scope of the measure, he will undertake that the Second Reading shall not be taken without affording the House an opportunity for discussion.

replied, that this Bill was certainly not intended to create any misdemeanours, but inasmuch as in it there was a gathering up of something like 150 specific statutes, it was possible there might be some new misdemeanour created. He would undertake to move to strike out any part of the Bill which appeared to be controversial if the House would allow it to go through a Grand Committee.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Secretary for Scotland receives a salary of £2,000 without residence, that the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland receives a salary of £4,425 and residence, and that the salaries of the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland have recently been augmented, it is proposed to make any alteration in the remuneration paid to the Secretary for Scotland?

I have received no application from the Secretary for Scotland on the subject mentioned in the question.

desired to know whether, if the Secretary for Scotland made such an application, it would be considered?

That will depend upon who, in the future, may be the Secretary for Scotland.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state when the Naval Works Bill will be taken; and whether he can arrange to secure proper time for the discussion of proposals so important from the financial as well as the strategical point of view?

I hope to be able to fix a day before the Easter holidays.

expressed the hope that it would be put down as the first Order of the Day, and treated as a Bill of considerable importance. He knew great interest was taken in it.

intimated that he recognised the importance of the Bill.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, with regard to the fact that the senior Chief Inspector has now visited the Clapham Road School for Infants, Lowestoft, and has reported that he sees no reason for reducing the accommodation on the eight feet square basis, thereby allowing accommodation for 223 places to the school, whereas the local Inspector had pronounced the accommodation and the equipment, even with the most lenient judgment, as unsatisfactory, and has also recommended that the school managers were entitled to the portion of the grant withheld, £20 4s., whether the Department has paid the managers the sum of £20 4s. so withheld; and, if not, for what reason it is still withheld; if he can state who is responsible at the Education Department for the refusal in the first instance to send down the Chief Inspector in response to the appeal of the managers; whether he has taken, or intends to take, any action with regard to Her Majesty's Inspector; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps at the Department to prevent a repetition of such circumstances in the case of any voluntary school appealing to the Department against the report of the Inspector?

The additional grant referred to in the question was paid on the 10th of January. No appeal was made by the managers for the Chief Inspector or any other Inspector to be sent, and, therefore, no such appeal was refused.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a letter was sent to the Department in June, 1894, by way of an appeal against the report of the Inspector, and asking the right hon. Gentleman to receive a deputation, and that a reply was sent by the Department refusing the deputation?

That is a different point. The question asks whether an appeal was made from the Inspector. No such appeal was made.

I beg to ask the Attorney General whether his attention has been drawn to the case of George Newman, who was found guilty of having fraudulently pocketed £10,000, this being the difference between the amount he gave for some land he leased from the Commissioners of 1851 and the amount for which he sold it to George Newman & Company (Limited), and who is now undergoing a sentence of five years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that the Lords Justices have declared that on this point he was wrongly convicted, as he had expended the bulk of the £10,000 to obtain the contract for the land from the Commissioners; that Lord Halsbury, in delivering judgment of the Court of Appeal in regard to this matter, said, that the money was spent in a process described by various polite names, but which, if facts are as he (Newman) alleges, amounts to bribing different persons, some of them named, for the purpose of obtaining this contract; and that it was perfectly manifest that, considering the circumstances of the case, and considering the mode in which the contract was obtained from the Commissioners, the matter urgently requires investigation, and in the public interest it is positively necessary that some investigation should be held in respect of the obtaining of that contract; and what steps are intended to be taken in order that this investigation shall take place?

said, he had directed an investigation to be made as soon as the judgment of the Court of Appeal was given, and the Report which he had just received was now under consideration.

I beg to ask the Patronage (Secretary to the Treasury what is the cause of the delay in nominating the Committee to inquire into the Royal Patriotic Fund and other similar funds; and whether he can now state when it will be appointed?

The names will be placed upon the Paper to-night.