I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if arrangements have been made for paying the military bands who have been playing in the Royal Parks?

An objection has been raised by the Military Authorities that it is inadvisable for a public department other than the War Office to pay for the services of a military band when those services are placed at the disposal of the public by the order of a commanding officer. It has, however, been arranged that the bands which have played in Hyde Park and the Green Park shall receive a gratuity out of the receipts from the letting of chairs; and before next year the whole question will be considered by the Office of Works in conjunction with the Military Authorities.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state when the new regulations for the cab industry will be circulated?

The recommendations of the Committee which were approved by the late Secretary of State, are now being carried out. I am not aware that any "regulations" need be "circulated," but the slight alterations which are necessary in the Secretary of State's order of March 1871 will be published in the London Gazette.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the chief officer and second officer of the s.s. Cambay were compelled to leave the bridge of that vessel during their watch on deck, in order to attend to the steam winch, they having to drive it and also attend to the runner for heaving up coals; whether he is aware that during the time the men were absent from the bridge no proper look out was kept, and that the only man left on the bridge was the man at the wheel; whether he intends to take any steps to prevent ships' officers leaving the bridges of steamers during their watch on deck; and, whether he has sufficient power under the Merchant Shipping Act to prevent such neglect of duty; if not, whether he will take steps, at an early date, to introduce a Bill into the House which will prevent such a dangerous practice?

I have been in communication with the owners, who inform me that the chief and second officers were not compelled to leave the bridge in order to attend the steam winch; but that, on the suggestion of the chief officer himself (who wished to get the ship cleaned up as soon as possible), the master did sanction the attendance of the officers at the winch during afternoon watches for six days in fine clear weather, out of 28 days' passage in the Indian Ocean, between the Cape of Good Hope and Colombo, and when there was no risk of collision or stranding. The master further states that he himself was about at the time, so that the safety of the steamer and crow was not in any way endangered. The master further states that the ship is well manned, and there is never any need for an officer to leave the bridge. I cannot be responsible for everything that goes on on board every vessel in the Mercantile Marine; but Section 220 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, which provides that an officer or seaman who, by wilful breach or neglect of duty, endangers life or ship, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, appears to me to provide for the contingency which the hon. Member supposes occurred in this case—if, as a matter of fact, it had occurred.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, after the admission had been made that the bridge was neglected, he intended to hold any inquiry into the circumstances on the return of the ship to the United Kingdom?

No, Sir, I see no necessity for an inquiry.

asked whether it was not a breach of the law for officers to leave the bridge of a ship when on the high seas?

said he had already stated to the hon. Member that, in the circumstances referred to, the law provided for officers being prosecuted and punished if found guilty.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman intended to enforce the law in this particular case, seeing that it had been admitted that the bridge was neglected by the officers of the ship in question.

replied that, so far as his information went, he saw no reason for moving in the matter. If the hon. Member received any further information, and communicated with him, he would consider it.

said he would again call attention to the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether it is still the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the expenses of the visit to Europe of His Highness Nasrulla Khan, shall be paid out of the Revenues of India?

Her Majesty's Government propose to make no change in the manner in which the late Government decided that the expenses of his Highness's visit should be defrayed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether, in addition to papers relating to the recent operations in Chitral, he will lay upon the Table of the House Papers relating to the establishment of a British Agency at Gilgit.

The papers asked for will be included in the Blue Book.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, what is the monthly pay of the Indian soldiers and carriers, who are stated to have received 15 rupees (16s. 4d.) as a reward for conspicuous gallantry and devotion during the Chitral Campaign; and whether Her Majesty's Government propose to increase these rewards?

According to the general order issued by the Government of India, certain carriers attached to the 14th Bengal Infantry Regiment will receive as a reward three months' pay; but I am not able to state accurately what is the amount of their pay. The matter is one which Her Majesty's Government must leave to the discretion of the Government of India. ["Hear, hear!"]

said, that he understood that that was the amount of the reward that was offered to some of the soldiers.

No. I understand that three months' pay was given as a reward to certain soldiers and water carriers, and that some ingenious gentleman has calculated the amount according to the rate of exchange current in London. ["Hear, hear," and laughter.]

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, (1) whether in December of last year a petition was received from the Ridley Clerks of the Second Division praying for a revision of their scheme of salary, and, as nearly eight months have now elapsed since the receipt of this petition by the Treasury, whether a reply can be given immediately; and, (2) whether, in the consideration of this memorial, the Treasury will endeavour to remedy the practice which exists in the Government service whereby a junior clerk of the Playfair Second Division, who may be only two years senior to a Ridley Clerk of the Second Division, receives a salary of over £50 a year more than the latter, although both are generally employed on the same sort of work in the different Government offices, and, in addition to this, the former receives £7 10s. whereas the latter only receives £5 annual increments.

A reply to this memorial is about to be despatched. As regards the latter paragraph of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to an almost similar question on the 13th June last. That answer was as follows:—

"The salary of the Second Division was fixed in 1890, after very full consideration by the Royal Commission. The Government has no intention of altering it. The scale previously in force has been given to no one since employed, but it cannot be taken away from clerks then serving. A clerk on the new scale who serves till he is 65 will have received in salary £1,700 more than if he had been paid on the old scale."

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when he will be prepared to submit to the House the Report of the Committee presided over by Lord Playfair, and appointed to inquire into the application of an age limit to the officers of the Queen's Colleges in Ireland.

The Government have not yet received the evidence taken by the Committee on which the Report is based. When the evidence has been received and they have had time to consider the Report, they will consider the question of laying the Report on the Table.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in the case of Dr. Moffett, president of the Queen's College, Galway, the Queen's letter, retiring him under the '65 Rule," was withdrawn on the ground that that rule did not apply to the predecessors of the Queen's Colleges; can he state what Dr. Moffett's age is; and whether, in view of the decision in his case, compensation will be made to Professor England, of the Cork College, for the injury he has sustained by his having been compulsorily retired under a rule having no application to him?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the "65 Rule" as to superannuation applies to professors of the Queen's Colleges in Ireland; whether Professor England was compulsorily retired on the allegation of the Executive in Ireland, that he was bound to retire in consequence of the said rule; whether, in consequence of the opinion of Lord Herschell that such Rule did not apply to professors of the Queen's Colleges, a Queen's letter dismissing Professor Moffett of Galway was withdrawn; whether there is any distinction between the cases of Professor Moffett and Professor England; and whether, under the circumstances, compensation will be awarded to Professor England?

With the permission of the House I will reply to the question of the hon. Member for Cork (Mr. M. Healy), and of the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Dublin University (Mr. Carson), together. Since Monday last, when I gave an answer on the same subject, I have looked further into the papers, and frankly admit that the question whether the Order in Council of August 15, 1890, on its proper construction applies to the presidents and professors of the Queen's Colleges is more complicated than I then supposed, inasmuch as it appears that the matter has never been decided by a Court of Law, and the Law Officers of two successive Governments have differed in opinion as to its application. The late Government, acting on the opinion of their Law Officers, held that there was no doubt as to the application of the terms of the order to these colleges, but that there was a question as to the policy of the order being applied. This latter point they referred to Lord Herschell for consideration. He decided that the regulations of the order ought not to be applied, but recommended that an inquiry should be held as to whether an age limit should be fixed in the case of these appointments. In view of this proposed inquiry, action in the case of Dr. Moffett was suspended by the withdrawal of the Royal Warrant to await the result of the Committee's Report. Dr. Moffett appears to be now 74 years of age. Professor England was compulsorily retired on December 22, 1894, under the Order in Council. There is no dictinction as regards the origin of the proceedings in the respective cases of Dr. Moffett and Professor England, in each case the proceedings having been under the Order in Council, though the merits of these cases do not appear to have been identical. The question whether, in view of all the circumstances of the case and of the doubt attaching to the legal construction of the Order, Professor England is equitably entitled to compensation is one on which I cannot express at present a decided opinion. The Committee referred to have just reported. When I have had the advantage of considering their Report I shall then be in a position to determine whether any recommendation should be made to the Treasury to sanction compensation to Professor England in the matter.

Will any decision be announced during the present Session?

I believe that the Committee, have just reported, but whether I shall be able to consider their Report so as to announce my decision during the present Session I cannot say.

I shall repeat the question later on.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the names of the Armenian prisoners, clerical and lay, in Constantinople to whom the recent amnesty of the Sultan has been extended, and what steps have been or will be taken by her Majesty's Government to insure the release of the prisoners now incarcerated in the dungeons of Angora, St. Jean d'Acre, Diarbekir, Tripoli in Barbary, Van, Aleppo, Moush, and Bitlis, who have not had a fair trial, or who have been imprisoned without trial?

The clerical prisoners in Constantinople were released on May 29th. No information as to the lay prisoners there has been received since the amnesty of July 23rd, by which the release of all political prisoners was ordered, except those accused of murder, bomb-throwing, or similar crimes. Concerning Diarbekir and Bitlis no information has yet been received. At Tripoli in Barbary there are no prisoners detained. A large number have been detained at Angora, Acre, Van, Aleppo, and Moush; and Sir Philip Currie has called the attention of the Turkish Government to the action of the provincial authorities in keeping these prisoners in confinement in disregard of the orders of the Sultan.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire the names of the ecclesiastics?

I do not know that any object is to be gained by ascertaining the names. If the hon. Member will give any good reason, I will consider the matter.

asked whether the Turkish Government had made any compensation to persons who had been illegally detained.

said, he had not heard anything about compensation; he would make inquiry as to the likelihood of its being paid; on the right or wrong of the question he offered no opinion.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the deplorable condition of the scattered Armenian fugitives from Sassun in the Eastern Asiatic provinces of Turkey, of whom 5,000 are stated to be absolutely destitute and starving; and what steps have been or will be taken to secure the immediate transport of grain in order to save their lives?

said, the attention of her Majesty's Government had been called to the condition of the Armenian fugitives from Sassun. On August 2nd, a further contribution of £1,000 from the committee of the Armenian Relief Fund was remitted to her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, to whom, at the request of the committee, full discretion was given as to the distribution of the amount. Sir P. Currie had since reported that Vice-Consul Hampson had visited Semal, Shenik, Gheliguzan, and Talori. He had been engaged in superintending the distribution of relief, and in concerting with the missionaries measures for the support of the villagers during the coming winter.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, will he explain why the employés in the Ordnance Survey Department, Phœnix Park, Dublin, are not allowed the usual Saturday half-holiday given to other Government employés of the same class in Dublin and the neighbourhood; and whether even the shorter hours of employment allowed on Saturdays to the Ordnance Survey employés referred to can only be obtained by the men working extra on other days of the week; if so what is the reason for this treatment of the Ordnance Survey Department, and whether it will be continued?

who replied to the question, said: During the five summer months the civil assistants employed at the Ordnance Survey Office in Dublin are allowed to leave at one o'clock on Saturday, on condition that on the other days of the week they work seven and a-half hours a day. The Departmental Committee which satin 1892 to consider this and kindred questions, reported that the hours of work in the Survey Offices were considerably less than those worked in the other manufacturing departments of the State, and that they could not be regarded as excessive. I do not feel, therefore, that I could properly assent to any arrangement which would involve a reduction of the aggregate number of hours worked per week, but if representations are made to me in favour of the adoption of some suitable arrangement for a similar reduction of the hours worked on Saturday during the remainder of the year, and by all ranks in the Survey Offices, they will receive my careful attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the employés of the Valuation Office, who have the same duties, have shorter hours than those of the Ordnance Survey Department?

I am not aware what the hours are there. I know that the aggregate hours in the summer months in the Ordnance Survey Office are: engravers, 44; assistants, 41.

I am much obliged for the information; but will the right hon. Gentleman consider that, owing to the situation of the Ordnance Survey Office in the middle of Phœnix Park, some of the employés have to walk two, three, or four miles in going to and returning from the office?

Of course all the circumstances will be taken into consideration. I do not think I can reduce the aggregate below 41.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the efforts made by the inhabitants of Clontarf, County of Dublin, to induce the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland to re-open their station at that place, and to the persistent refusal of the Company to comply with this request; and, whether he is aware that the railway company in question is bound by one of its Acts to "make and maintain for ever" a station at Clontarf; and, if so, whether the Board of Trade will communicate with the company with a view to inducing it to comply with the law.

I have communicated with the company on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and shall be happy to show him their reply. The company state that the obligation to maintain the station ceased under the Act of 1837, and as a legal question is involved, I fear it would be useless for the Board of Trade to interfere further in the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his legal adviser on the legal question?

The legal adviser has, of course, seen the reply the railway company have made, and they have specifically stated the Act under which their obligation has been repealed.

I would like to direct attention to the fact that there are other than legal considerations involved.

It may be so; but if the railway company have got an Act of Parliament which sets them free from a previous obligation it is impossible for the Board of Trade to interfere.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed forthwith with the conversion of the rifle with which the Volunteer Force is at present armed; and, if so, what is the alteration proposed?

The conversion is now proceeding, all details having been practically settled. The alteration consists in the conversion of Martini-Henry rifles into small bore rifles to fire the same ammunition as the Lee-Metford rifle, and the trials of the converted rifle have been completely satisfactory.

asked if any steps would be taken to provide more ranges?

replied that this was a large question, and he could not answer it without notice. But his hon. friend would be aware that in 1892 a Bill was passed to enable Volunteer corps to obtain rifle ranges more easily by borrowing public money.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received copies of resolutions passed by the Kanturk, Youghal, Rathkeale, Carrickmacross, and other Boards of Guardians in Ireland, calling on the Government to revise immediately the judicial rents, with a view to fix them in fair proportion to the very great depreciation in the returns yielded of all kinds of farm produce; and, whether, in view of the recent and long-continued inclemency of the weather and the serious fall in the prices of agricultural produce, the Government will undertake to bring in a short measure dealing with the revision of the judicial rents on the lines of the 29th section of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1887, but taking into account the difference of prices and the average yield of agricultural produce?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Mountmellick Board of Guardians calling for an immediate revision of all judicial rents, as, owing to the present depressed state of agriculture, it will be utterly impossible for them to meet their present rents; and, what action the Government intend taking in the matter?

before the question was answered, asked whether the Land Commission did not fix judicial rents for 15 years on the basis of the average in prices, and whether an abstract of these prices could be laid before the House.

In reply to this question, and that standing in the name of the hon. Member for Queen's County: I must refer the hon. Gentlemen to my reply to similar inquiries addressed to me on Tuesday last by the hon. Members for East Cork and South Monaghan. With regard to the suggested legislation, Government, upon the information at present before it, cannot admit that any measure of the kind referred to is in any way called for.

asked whether the Chief Secretary was aware that Lord Winchilsea had stated that the harvest this year would be one of the most disastrous on record; that it was worse before prices fell, and under these circumstances, would he make inquiry from reliable sources whether legislation was needed or not.

said, the suggestion of the hon. Member seemed to be inferential. He presumed that Lord Winchilsea referred to the harvest in England and not in Ireland.

asked whether attention would be paid to resolutions calling attention to the badness of the harvest prospects in Ireland which had been passed by Boards of Guardians in all parts of the country.

asked whether the Chief Secretary would give the names of the ladies and gentlemen from whom the Land Commission obtained their information.

thought there would be no advantage in doing that. In reply to the hon. Member for Shropshire, the Land Commissioners, in fixing judicial rents, naturally had regard to what they considered the probable average.

intimated that he would raise the whole question on the Chief Secretary's Vote.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether he is aware that the average price of butter at country markets in the South of Ireland during the spring and summer has been under 6d. per lb., and that even at the present time the top price in the Cork butter market is 8d. per lb.; while the average price of oats in the Cork corn market on Saturday last was only 6d. per stone; (2) whether he is also aware that the prolonged drought in the early part of the year has caused a partial failure of green crops, and that the heavy rains of the past month have seriously damaged the hay and corn; and, (3) whether, in view of these facts, he will take steps to give some immediate relief to Irish farmers by passing a measure for the temporary revision of judicial rents this Session.

The average market price of butter, as ascertained from returns of actual transactions in the chief market towns of Minister during the quarter ended June 30, is shown to be 73s. 11½d. per cwt., or nearly 8d. per lb., and since July 1 a slight increase is shown in the average price. From the returns for the week ended 7th inst., the average price of oats in the Cork market was at the rate of 6d. a stone, as stated in the question, but it must be remembered that only a small quantity of this season's oats can have come upon the market, and I understand that at the beginning of the season new oats, being imperfectly matured, damp, and heavy, command a lesser price than when the season is more advanced. It may reasonably be expected, therefore, that the price will improve. As to the second paragraph, I see no reason to vary the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman's previous inquiry on this subject on Tuesday last. It is not yet possible, of course, to speak with absolute certainty as to the harvest generally, but the reports I have received all agree in stating that the prospects on the whole are decidedly favourable. Both green and oat crops are looking, I am told, exceedingly well in many parts of the country, though in some parts affected by the drought the corn crop is short, and there is in some places a partial failure in green crops. The potato crop, which is practically the most important crop in Ireland, gives every promise, I am glad to learn, of an abnormal yield; and at the recent fairs the prices of store cattle, on which the Irish farmer depends much more largely than the sale of his crops, has improved.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the prices I have quoted in my question were taken from official and trustworthy reports published in the Cork newspapers, and that my statement as to the condition of the crops in the south of Ireland is derived from intimate personal knowledge and close personal observation on the spot; and, in view of the facts which the right hon. Gentleman has admitted, may I ask him whether he can see his way to reconsider this matter, with a view to giving immediate relief to these unfortunate Irish farmers?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the butter merchants who paid for butter the prices which he has named? ["Hear, hear!"]

My answer is derived from information received from the Land Commission.

Who supplied the information to the Land Commission? ["Hear, hear!"]

Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries as to the price of butter in country markets?

said, he was unable to give any further information.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the eviction of a labourer from his allotment at Ballybar (Killarney Union), whether he is aware that the gate in question was erected by the late Rev. Father O'Connor, and under what provision or regulation of the Labourers' (Ireland) Acts the vice guardians acted in intervening in a dispute between landlord and labourer tenant?

I am informed that the gate was erected by Mr. Leahy, the owner of the land, and not by the reverend gentleman named. The land is held by the Guardians under statutory lease from Mr. Leahy, and the Guardians, in acting as they have done, were guided by legal advice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the resolutions passed by a large number of public bodies in Ireland, and the Resolution of this House excluding all except Government Bills for the remainder of the Session, he will introduce a short Bill on the lines of the 13th Clause of the Land Purchase Act, 1891, or extending and enlarging the said Clause so as to deal with the reinstatement of evicted tenants in Ireland?

I have nothing to add to the First Lord's statement on this subject on Tuesday last.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the undertaking of the Government to legislate on the Land Question in Ireland next Session, he will take steps to secure that no evictions shall take place in Ireland meantime?

No, Sir; the hon. Member must know that Government have no power to do what he proposes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is a fact that the forces of the Crown were given to protect the persons engaged in evicting a number of tenants on the De Freyno estate, in the county of Roscommon, on the 8th instant; whether it has come to the knowledge of the Government that as much as three years' rent was offered by or on behalf of those tenants before the eviction was completed and refused by the landlord; and whether Lord De Freyne or his agent has applied for the protection of the forces of the Crown in carrying out further evictions on that estate; and, if so, whether, in view of promised legislation on the Land Question next Session, the Government intend to give the forces of the Crown to carry out further evictions on this estate?

Five evictions were carried out on this property on the 9th (not 8th) instant. In the cases of three tenants, settlements have been arrived at by the payment in each case of four years' rent with costs. In the remaining two cases an offer of three years' rent, in one, and two years, in another, was refused by the agent. A small force of police was present on the occasion, and the hon. Gentleman is doubtless aware that the Executive is bound to afford protection to the Sheriff and his officers in the execution of decrees in ejectment.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to bring about an international agreement amongst the Maritime Powers bordering on the North Sea to extend the territorial limit for fishery purposes, and to make such international regulations as regards trawling as may be agreed upon?

The question is one of which the importance is recognised by Her Majesty's Government; but it is beset with many difficulties, and I am afraid that I am not at present in a position to make any more definite statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been directed to the frequent infraction of the by-laws of the Scotch Fishery Board, particularly with regard to the prohibition of trawling; and, whether the Government will take steps to provide a more efficient system of sea police and a larger number of fast vessels for that purpose?

The Secretary for Scotland is aware that the attention of the late Government was frequently directed to the infraction of the by-laws of the Fishery Board, but the replies in this House by the Right hon. Member the late Secretary for Scotland were to the effect that the cruisers at the disposal of the Fishery Board, along with the assistance so frequently rendered by the Admiralty, seemed sufficient for the reasonable protection of the Scottish Fisheries. The Secretary for Scotland does not, therefore, propose at present to suggest any alteration in the existing system.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the Irish Board of Works, or the Congested District Board have come to an arrangement for the building of a pier at Killybegs, County Donegal; whether the pier will be so constructed as to afford adequate accommodation to coasting vessels at all states of the tide, for which purpose it should run out about 300 feet, and give from 12 to 15 feet of water at low tide; what will be the dimensions of the pier, and its probable cost; and when will the work of its construction be commenced?

I understand that, just before leaving office, my predecessor made a proposal to the Congested Districts Board on the subject of building a quay, not a pier, at Killybegs. The matter appears to be still under the consideration of that Board.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would confer with the Chief Secretary for Ireland and the Chairman of the Congested Districts Board in this matter, as the condition of Killybegs pier was really a scandal.

it is my intention to inquire into the matter at the earliest possible opportunity.

hoped the right hon. Gentleman would see that a deep-water pier was constructed. A low-water pier would be of little value.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether it was determined, some time ago, to build a deep-water pier at Cladnageragh, County Donegal; whether the engineer entrusted with the work reported that a pier 48 feet beyond low-water mark was necessary for the requirements of the Kilcar district; whether plans were drawn up for a pier of those dimensions, and the work actually begun, but that subsequently instructions were given to the engineers in charge to stop the work at low-water mark; whether representations have reached him that the pier constructed on the altered plan will not admit trading steamers, and open up a competition between the merchants of Sligo and Londonderry for the custom of Kilcar, but confine that custom to smack-men now trading between Kilcar and Sligo, thus increasing the freight and the price of goods; whether he is aware that if the pier were extended even 24 feet beyond low-water mark there would be sufficient accommodation for trading steamers, and that there are on the ground ample materials for this extension, which could be effected at an extra charge of about £100; and, whether, having regard to the great advantage the extension of the pier would confer on the locality, the Government will use their good offices with the Board of Works and the Congested Districts Board to come to some arrangement whereby this pier may be constructed as a deep-water pier?

Neither the Treasury nor the Board of Works have any information as regards this pier. I understand that it is being constructed by the Congested Districts Board, which is under the control of the Irish Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether attendants and porters in the Dublin Museum, and the gatekeeper in the Botanic Gardens, Dublin, appointed before the date of a Treasury letter of the 20th June 1890, are only admitted to pensions on submitting to reductions if service previous to 1st April, 1891, is to count towards pensions, or on foregoing all service previous to 1st April, 1891, the subsequent service only to count towards pensions; whether, before the issuing of this Minute, it was distinctly understood that these officials, having passed the examinations of the Civil Service Commissioners, were entitled to pensions without reductions, and that one man, Mr. John Redding, who was appointed under these conditions, was in receipt of pension without any deduction until his death; whether, since the said Treasury letter, several attendants have been appointed who are entitled to pension without deductions being made from their pay, and that a newly appointed attendant, when he attains the maximum rate of pay accruing to his class, is in a better position as regards pay than the attendant with much longer service; and whether, having regard to the fact that only a small number of persons are subject to these disadvantages, an arrangement will be made whereby all the porters and attendants in the Dublin Museum, and the gatekeeper of the Botanic Gardens, Dublin, will be placed under equal conditions with respect to pension and increase of pay?

The conditions on which these persons acquired a right to pension in 1891 are as stated. Previously they had no such right. Their case is not the same as that of Redding, who entered the service as porter under the Royal Dublin Society. Persons appointed since 1891 receive reduced rates of pay, as a condition of acquiring the right to pension. The existing arrangement applies to numerous persons in the service of the Science and Art Department in London and Edinburgh; it was settled after very full consideration by the Government in Office at the, time, and I can hold out no prospect of its being altered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that on the 2nd July last a number of Orangemen and Protestant Unionists, about 300, assembled in the village of Lisbellaw, county Fermanagh, with the avowed intention of attacking the members of a Roman Catholic temperance partyon their return from a holiday excursion to Warrenpoint; that, during the day, Unionist scouts collected their friends from the country districts into the village; that from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 that evening, the bell of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Lisbellaw was rung to collect a crowd; that, whilst this mob were waiting for the return excursion, they inarched up and down the village to the tune of "No Popery" and "No Surrender," using offensive party expressions, and conducting themselves in such a manner as was calculated to terrorise and intimidate Her Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects; that, as the hour approached for the arrival of the train, they massed themselves at the station; and that several of the mob were armed; and, whether any steps have been taken by the authorities to bring the leaders of this armed mob to justice; and, if not, will he have the matter fully investigated?

I understand that, prior to the date mentioned, the Roman Catholic party announced its intention of marching through Lisbellaw, which is a Protestant district, and a contingent of the Catholic party did, as a matter of fact, take the train there unmolested. A crowd of Protestants assembled during the day, but I have no information to show that they assembled with the avowed intention, as alleged, of attacking this Roman Catholic excursion party on the return journey. It is quite true that the former paraded the village, which, I am informed, is a Protestant village, but the police who were present heard no offensive party expressions used, nor did the people conduct themselves in a riotous manner. The police saw no firearms in the possesion of the Protestant party, and no shots were fired. No breach of the peace occurred, and everything passed off peaceably.

The Chief Secretary says he has no information that the Orangemen assembled with the avowed intention of attacking the excursion party. Will he ascertain why no breach the peace occurred? [Loud laughter.]

I beg to ask the representative of the Postmaster General, whether representations have reached the Postmaster General that dissatisfaction exists throughout this country at the high rate charged for porterage on telegrams; and also for guarantees that have to be given before telegraph offices are established in the country: whether he is aware that there are 20 telegraph offices within a distance of a quarter of a mile of the Houses of Parliament, London; whether a few of the London telegraph offices could be spared for the country; and, whether he will abolish the telegraph porterage and guarantee charges, so as to place every person in this country, whether near to or distant from a large centre of population, on an equality; and no longer punish a person for living in the country?

No such representations have reached the Postmaster General. There are, I am informed, only four public telegraph offices, including the House of Commons Office itself, within a quarter of a mile of the Houses of Parliament. The offices in the Metropolis have been established to meet the requirements of the public, and to close any of them would not facilitate the establishment of telegraph offices in rural districts, The charges for porterage are fixed by statute and only represent the actual charge incurred. The charges for guarantees are required by Treasury regulations. The Postmaster General therefore is unable to abolish either of them.

May I ask if it is intended to introduce a Bill to abolish porterage on telegrams and guarantees?

No; I think not.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the railway companies in England have increased the rates on agricultural produce 5 per cent, since 1st January, 1893; and, whether he will take steps to have the rates reduced to their former standard?

No, sir, I am not aware that there has been any such general increase. The effect of the Provisional Order Schedules was to materially reduce rates on certain commodities. It is true that some companies have increased rates in specific cases, and the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894, was passed to deal with such increases. Where traders have complaints to make on that score they should follow the procedure laid down by the Act. On this matter it is satisfactory for me to be able to mention that the Great Eastern Railway Company contemplate a considerable reduction of rates for agricultural produce.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman contemplated taking any action as to preferential rates on foreign produce.

asked whether, since January, 1893, the Companies had not increased their rates to an amount not exceeding 5 per cent., not only on agricultural, but other produce.

replied that what was done was this. He understood that a line was drawn by those who drew up the schedule, and all rates on one side of the line had to be reduced, but rates below the line were not affected at all. Several rates running below the line had been brought up to the line. Preferential rates were, of course, for the Courts of Law.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been directed to the numerous complaints regarding the ineffective and primitive arrangements for night nursing in union hospitals in Ireland; and, whether he can state what steps have been taken by the Local Government Board to have a better system enforced in the different unions in Ireland?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the admitted defects in the management of Irish workhouses, he will grant a commission of inquiry into the Poor Law System of Ireland?

My attention has been directed to the defective arrangements for night nursing in many workhouse hospitals in Ireland. The Local Government Board have addressed a circular to each Board of Guardians throughout Ireland calling their special attention to the alleged insufficiency of the nursing, and requesting that the medical officer of each workhouse might be called upon to furnish a Report on this most important matter. The Board also stated that they considered that the whole subject might with advantage be referred to the Visiting Committee of each union for a Report, after consultation with the medical officer as to any changes or improvements that might be carried out in the hospital. The Guardians have acted on the suggestion of the Local Government Board, who are giving special attention to the subject. The entire matter is engaging my careful consideration, and I would hope that the defects referred to, and which have in every case been ascertained and recorded, will be remedied, or very largely removed, by means of friendly action and advice on the part of the Local Government Board, without having recourse to the appointment of a Commission and the enforcement of its recommendations by possibly more drastic measures. In any event, no decision in the matter can be arrived at until it is seen what steps the Guardians may take in response to the recent circular of the Local Government Board calling their serious attention to the matter.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether, in cases where a local authority in Ireland has acquired land under Section 57, Sub-section 1, of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, it is the case that the land so acquired specifically for the purpose of Part III. of that Act cannot be appropriated to such purpose without the consent of the Treasury; whether he is aware that in England the Local Government Board have been advised that no consent is necessary in the case in question; and, if the consent is necessary in Ireland, whether legislation will be introduced to make it unnecessary?

The consent of the Treasury has always been required to the appropriation of land in Ireland for the purposes mentioned in this question. I have been informed that the Local Government Board have been advised that this consent is, in a similar case, not necessary in England, but that no no case has arisen where this consent has been asked for. I am unable to give an answer in the affirmative to the 3rd paragraph of the question without further consideration, and without ascertaining the views of the Treasury on the subject.

asked whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman could say what was the object of the consent required from the Treasury, having regard to the fact that the lands were acquired specifically for the purposes of the Act.

said, he could only repeat the answer he had given, namely, that he could not state definitely what legislation might be necessary without conferring with the Treasury.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury—(1) whether it is the practice of the Irish Local Government Board to require local authorities in Ireland who have acquired land under Section 57, Sub-section 1, of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, specifically for the purposes of Part III. of that Act, to obtain from the Treasury their consent, as provided in Section 57, Sub-section 3, and Section 98, Sub-section 12, of the Act, to the appropriation of the site for the purpose for which it has been acquired; (2) whether he is aware that the English Local Government Board are of opinion that, under the circumstances stated, the consent referred to in Section 57, Sub-section 3, is not necessary; and (3) whether the Treasury have taken legal advice as to whether their consent in cases such as that referred to is necessary or has any legal validity?

So far as the Treasury is aware, the answer to the first question is in the affirmative. As regards the second paragraph, the English Local Government Board say that they—

'do not consider that their consent is requisite to enable a local authority to appropriate for the purposes of Part III. of the Act, land specially acquired by the authority for that purpose under Section 57 (1) of the Act."

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture—(1) whether he will lay upon the Table the official Reports of the alleged recent cases of pleuro-pneumonia in two Canadian cattle recently landed at Deptford; (2) whether he is aware that a meeting was held in Glasgow on Friday last, at which Principal Williams, of the New Veterinary College, Edinburgh, exhibited limelight views of sections of the lungs of cattle, showing the difference between healthy lungs and those affected by contagious pleuro-pneumonia and by bronchial pneumonia, and demonstrated that the lungs of suspected Canadian cattle were different in appearance from the diseased sections thrown on the screen; and (3) whether, in view of the conflict of the opinions of the Canadian and British experts with those of the exports of the Board of Agriculture, and in view of the assertion of the Dominion Government that contagious pleuro-pneumonia has never been known, and cannot be found, or any trace of it discovered in any part of the Dominion, he will accept the invitation of the Dominion Government to send one or more veterinarians to Canada at its expense to elucidate the facts?

The report made to me by the Chief Veterinary Officer of my Department is a very short one, and could not conveniently be presented as a separate Parliamentary Paper. I shall, however, be glad to supply the hon. Member with a copy, and to allow him to make such use of it as he thinks desirable. In reply to the other questions of the hon. Member, I would say that I have seen a report of the meeting to which he refers, and that I am aware of the views which Principal Williams holds on the subject. The conclusions at which my predecessor arrived, after hearing much scientific evidence on both sides, appear to me, however, to be fully justified. It does not seem to me to be likely that the despatch of veterinary surgeons to Canada, as suggested, would be of assistance, my action being based upon the actual detection of disease in the cattle landed in this country.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the biological science resulted largely from practical experiment, the right hon. Gentleman was prepared to carry out experiments in regard to this matter when suspected cattle were landed?

said, that he did not think there was necessity for any experiments. The officers of the Board of Agriculture were perfectly satisfied that the conclusions they had arrived at were correct, and having confidence in them he did not think that the Department was called upon to make further experiments in this particular class of cattle disease.

asked whether it was not quite possible that the disease might be developed in the cattle in the course of transit from Canada to Great Britain?

said, that cattle might be shipped from Canada showing no sign of the disease, which might develop on the passage to this country, but it would be discovered on their being landed here. The duty of the Government was simply to see that no diseased cattle were lauded in this country.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what has been the total expenditure, under all heads, by the Mother Country on account of Bechuanaland from the establishment of the British Protectorate down to the passing of the resolution in the Cape Parliament, proposing the incorporation of Bechuanaland with Cape Colony; and whether during that period the taxpayers of Capo Colony have contributed to the cost of administration of Bechuanaland; and whether the attention of the Cape Government has been drawn to the fact that Her Majesty's subjects in British South Africa contribute nothing to the cost of the sea-going fleet for the protection of their commerce in war?

Since the establishment of the protectorate, Parliament has voted slightly over a million in civil grants in aid for that territory, but most of the money has been spent in the protectorate, and rather less than £200,000 in the Crown Colony, which is about to be annexd to the Cape. The taxpayers of the Cape Colony have not contributed directly to the support of the administration, but they have probably done so indirectly in relation to the postal service and other matters. The answer to the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative. ["Hear, hear?"]

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the fact that the Reports of the Water Examiner to the Board of Trade show that since the great frost of last winter the quantity of water supplied by the East London Water Company has been largely in excess of that supplied by it before the frost, and that the average quantity supplied daily during last June was over 51 millions of gallons, whereas the quantity supplied during the month of June in each of the two preceding years was only 43 millions of gallons, whether any facts have been laid before the Board of Trade by the Water Examiner or by the Company to account for the great increase in the amount of the water thus supplied?

I am informed by the East London Water Company that the increase in the quantity of water supplied during the month of June last, as compared with the supply during the corresponding month in the two preceding years, is due (1) to an increase of 36,000 in the population since 1893; (2) to the fact that a large number of pipes belonging to the consumers were burst—50,000 burst pipes having been found between April 20th and June 29th—in many instances the necessary repairs have not yet been carried out; and (3) to the abnormally dry weather of May and June, when garden watering was a source of great waste. The Engineer of the Company states that all pipes belonging to the Company within the County of London which were damaged by frost or otherwise were replaced or made good by April 8th. I have communicated with Major-General Scott, the Water Examiner under the Metropolis Water Act, and he informs me that he has no information which would lead him to doubt the accuracy of the statements of the Company in this matter. ["Hear, hear!"]

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is the number of days' supply represented by the capacity of the storage reservoirs for unfiltered water belonging to the East London Water Company and to each of the other London Water Companies?

I have made inquiries of the several water companies as to the number of days' supply represented by the capacity of their storage reservoirs for unfiltered water. The effect of the replies is as follows:—East London Water Company, an average of about 17 days' supply of Lea water; West Middlesex, six and a third days' supply; Grand Junction Company, three and a half days' supply; New River Company, four or five days' average supply; Southwark and Vauxhall, four days' supply; Chelsea, 13½ days' supply. ["Hear, hear!"]

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the average amount of water supplied daily by the East London Water Company from various sources in each month during the past two years; and whether he will in future lay upon the Table of the House the monthly reports of the Water Examiner furnished to the Board of Trade as to the quantity and quality of the water supplied by each of the London Water Companies?

I am quite willing to lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the average amount of water supplied daily by the East London Water Company from various sources in each month during the past two years, if the hon. Member will move for it. As regards the monthly reports of the water examiner, they are furnished by the Local Government Board to the London County Council and to all the sanitary authorities in the metropolis, and they are also placed on sale. It is hardly necessary to lay these reports upon the Table of the House, but if any Member would desire to be furnished with copies and will inform me of his wish, I will arrange that copies shall be regularly supplied to him. ["Hear, hear!"]

Have these reports any official authority?

Yes.

Are they not made by the companies themselves?

I am not quite sure upon that point.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can take any steps under the Law as it now stands to protect this country against the importations of milk from countries where foot-and-mouth, pleuro-pneumonia, or other infectious diseases exist, which are liable to be communicated not only to cattle but to human beings, and are consequently dangerous to public health; and, if the existing law is defective in this respect, will he ask for further parliamentary powers in the ensuing Session to enable him to cope with this acknowledged evil?

If any danger to the health of animals in this country were to arise by reason of the importation of milk from abroad, I think there is no doubt that I should be able to meet it by the exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the Diseases of Animals Act. Questions affecting the health of man fall, not within my own province, but within that of the Local Government Board, and it would be for that Board to consider whether further legislation is necessary in the direction indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the right hon. gentleman whether he was aware that milk coming from abroad was frequently adulterated with borax, and also whether he was aware that in Brazil the use of borax was prohibited by Act of Parliament as an adulteration of the article.

said, that he believed that to be the case; but he had no power to interfere with imported milk on the ground that it was not satisfactory as human food. He could only interfere with milk and other agricultural produce in cases where the health of cattle was endangered in consequence of the condition of the article.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great irregularity and delay in the arrival of many trains belonging to various railway companies running into London, notably the South Eastern, London, Brighton and South Coast, and the London, Chatham and Dover, whereby the passengers travelling by these trains are occasioned great inconvenience and loss; and whether he is in a position to enforce the arrival of trains at their destination in accordance with the time stated in the time tables issued by the various railway companies; or, if not, is he prepared next Session to introduce such legislation as will enforce the same?

I regret to have received many complaints of the un-punctuality of the trains of the companies referred to in my hon. Friend's question. I am not prepared at present to say anything as regards legislation on the subject, but if my hon. Friend would like to move for a Return of Passenger Trains arriving in London in continuation of Parliamentary Paper 210, of 1895, I shall be glad to support his Motion.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to propose, early next Session, the reappointment, in accordance with its recommendation, of the Committee appointed in the late Parliament to consider questions connected with printing contracts?

Yes, Sir, I have every intention of doing as the hon. Member suggests.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is a fact that a British trader, named Stokes, has been hanged by Belgian officers on the Upper Congo; and if so, what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in this matter?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question I wish to ask whether he is aware that this Stokes, said to have been executed by the Belgians, is the well known Charlie Stokes who since 1879 has been a merchant trader in East Africa, that he was a Protestant Irishman from the north of Ireland, that he first went out to Africa as a missionary, that he afterwards distinguished himself by his mercantile enterprise, that he exercised a vast influence among the natives, and that he was the man who established M'Wanga——

"Order, order!" The hon. Member is somewhat exceeding the limits of a Supplementary Question? [Laughter.]

In answer to the question of the hon. Member for North Lambeth, I have to state that I was aware that Mr. Stokes was a well-known person in Africa, although I was not acquainted with all the details mentioned in the question of the hon. Member. In reply to the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield I have to state that the fact of the execution is as alleged. Her Majesty's Government have applied for, but have not yet received, a full statement of the grounds of this action on the part of the Congo State authorities, and they are not therefore at present in a position to pronounce an opinion on the matter. ["Hear, hear!"]

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could say whether Charlie Stokes was a Protestant Home Ruler from Ireland. [Laughter.]

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the attention of the Record Department has been called to an article in the Irish Ecclesiastical Record for April last, in which strong complaint is made of the manner in which the gentleman commissioned to investigate and edit the documents in the Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland has discharged his duties; whether he is aware that the summaries of the documents as published in Volume I. of the "Calendar of Entries" are seriously imperfect; that the translations of the Latin of the documents contain gross blunders even on elementary points; that the arrangement of the abstracted documents is not chronological, as the instructions to editors require; that the volume contains numerous errors in chronology arising from the want of knowledge and care of the editor, and that no translation or explanation is attempted of large numbers of obsolete and feudal and legal terms, or that they are mistranslated; whether complaints have reached the Department of the Irish portion of the work, and of the errors resulting from the total ignorance of the editor of Irish topography and the forms of Irish local names; whether it is the case that the Record Department employ only one person on this important historical work at a total annual cost of £380, whereas the French Government employ 12 scholars for the same purpose; and whether the Record Department will take care that the remaining portion of the work is more efficiently done; that a sufficient staff' is employed for the purpose; and that, to secure that the Irish portion of the work is properly done, some Irish scholar will also be employed on it?

I have ascertained from the authorities of the Record Office that their attention had not been called to the article in question; and that they had received no complaints as to the Irish entries. The serious allegations made by the hon. Member demand a careful investigation by competent persons; and such an inquiry would obviously require some little time. I am not familiar with the working of the Record Department, but I shall communicate with that Department with a view to having the necessary inquiry made, and shall be glad to convey to the hon. Member the results of the steps taken.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Council of Education if he will explain why the statue of Oliver Cromwell has been removed from the Cromwell Road entrance of South Kensington Museum; when, and by whose authority, it was removed; and, what has been done with the statue?

The statue referred to by the hon. Member is a plaster cast, which was withdrawn from exhibition last June by the authority of the Committee of Council, who did not consider its artistic merit sufficient to justify its retention. It is now stored in the old iron building belonging to the Museum.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his assistance to get a proper artistic statue put up at Westminster?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the letters of Mr. John Morley, dated respectively 8th June and 24th June, to the Commissioners of National Education for Ireland, the resolution of the Board of Commissioners, dated 18th June, and minutes of the proceedings of the Board on 25th June, the Lord Lieutenant is now prepared to sanction the scheme of the Commissioners under which the Christian Brothers' and other schools engaged in primary education may become entitled to State aid?

I replied yesterday to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Dublin.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether he is aware that Lutterworth School has been deprived, under Article 107 of the Code, of part of the grant earned; whether, though a sufficient amount to meet the grant from other sources was not returned on Form 9, yet a sufficient amount was in fact provided, and was returned either upon Form 9 or upon a separate paper sent in simultaneously; and whether, under these circumstances, the decision of the Department will be reconsidered and the full grant paid?

A sum of £36. 12s. 0d. voluntary subscriptions, was not included in the accounts furnished to the Department. If the managers are prepared to amend their accounts, the Committee of Council will consider whether an additional grant cannot be paid.

I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether a petition has been received from the established painters of Sheerness Dockyard, complaining that in their case classification has not boon abolished; and whether he will take steps for the removal of this cause of complaint?

A petition was received last year from the established painters of Sheerness Dockyard, asking for the abolition of classification and that they might all be raised to their maximum rate of pay, but it was not granted. I cannot promise that this decision shall be reversed, but any fresh petitions which the men may make in due course will be carefully considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, will he explain why the County Court Judges have not been requested to follow the procedure to be adopted by the Land Commission, and postpone judgments in pending land cases until the promised Land Act is passed next Session; will the Court of Appeal in Ireland be asked to postpone its judgments in similar cases; and at what date will the practice of postponing judgments commence, and for how long will it continue?

The hon. and learned Member appears to be labouring under a misapprehension No request has been made by me to the Land Commission to adopt a particular course of procedure. I merely asked from the Commissioners an expression of their opinion on certain points, and I received from Mr. Justice Bewley an answer, the substance of which I have already communicated to the House. That being so, I hardly see that the hon. and learned Member's question calls for further reply.

I understood that it was stated yesterday [Ministerial cries of "Order!"] that it would be proper for the County Court Judges——

Order, order!

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state on Tuesday that it would be proper for the County Court Judges to embody the procedure of the Land Commission; and, therefore, why should not the Court of Appeal, of which Lord Ashbourne, a Member of the present Government, is the head?

Put in that form, the question is a purely polemical one, which I am not in a position to answer. [Cheers.]

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether the purchase of a site for the new Custom House at Cardiff has yet been completed; what steps are being taken towards erecting the building; and when it is likely to be finished?

replied to the question, and said: The purchase of a site for the new Custom House at Cardiff could not be proceeded with until the sum required had been voted. That having now been done, the purchase of the site will be completed, it is expected, very shortly; after which, steps will be taken towards erecting the building. No provision for the building is made in this year's Vote.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government have under consideration the desirability of entering into negotiations with Foreign Governments with a view to the appointment of an International Commission to inquire into the great increase in the terrible scourge of lunacy noticed, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in all countries from which statistics are procurable; and, if not, whether he will give the question his serious consideration during the Recess?

The increase in the number of admissions of lunatic patients into institutions is attributed by the Lunacy Commissioners, in great measure, to causes other than an increase of the disease of insanity in its more serious forms, and in their last Report they point to the continuously increasing proportion of old age admissions as confirming this view. At present, I have no well-digested information with respect to foreign countries, and am not satisfied that anything would be gained by an International Commission. I will, however, consider the matter during the Recess.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is able to confirm the report that Bahri Pasha, Governor of Van, in Turkish Armenia, has been suspended from office, and will be tried by Court-martial at Constantinople on charges of inhuman treatment of Christian, prisoners; and, whether he will communicate to the House the Consular Reports dealing with the career of Bahri Pasha at Van.

Bahri Pasha has been dismissed from office as Vali of Van, in consequence of representations made to the Turkish Government by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople. No information has been received that he will be tried by Court-martial. The maladministration of Bahri Pasha has frequently been mentioned in dispatches from Her Majesty's Consular officers, but there are no special Reports dealing with his career which could be laid before the House.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, whether he can state the total amount of Residue Grant, available for technical education in Scotland, paid in each of the last three years from the Probate Duties Grant, as provided under The Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, amended as to the last year's grant by The Finance Act, 1894, and under The Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, and the cause of the great diminution this year; and, whether, in view of the great injury done with regard to technical, especially agricultural, instruction by the reduction and uncertainty of the grant, the Government will provide a supplementary Estimate to make good the deficiency, and will make, by legislation or otherwise, permanent provision for the future.

I assume that this question relates to what is commonly known as the Residue Grant under the Act of 1890. I find that the figures during the last three years are as follows:—1892–3, £54,311; 1893–4, £54,430; 1894–5, £39,400. The decrease in the last year is due partly to the diminished amount of Customs and Excise duties transferred to the account, and partly to prior charges defrayed from the account under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1890. The whole arrangements being statutory, it would not be appropriate to present a Supplementary Estimate on the subject. In suggesting that these arrangements should be re-cast with the view of stereotyping the amount available for technical instruction, the hon. Member raises a large question, upon which I am not prepared at present to offer an opinion.

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether he has considered the report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the superannuation of teachers of public elementary schools, which was presented to the House in February last; and, whether in view of the pressing need of the establishment of such a national state-aided system of superannation, he will be prepared to legislate next Session upon the lines of the recommendations of the Committee.

The report referred to by the hon. Member, and the legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations are under the consideration of the Government.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, when the Report of the Committee appointed by his predecessor to consider the position of pauper district schools will be presented to Parliament.

I have made inquiry, and am informed that the Committee are preparing their Report, but I am not in a position to specify the date when the Report will be presented to Parliament.

I beg to ask the representative of the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that there is a general demand for an international, or at least, for an Imperial postage stamp; whether, in the absence of this stamp, he will set apart a room in the new General Post Office, and also a room in each of the more important post offices of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Belfast, &c., where the postage stamps of the Colonies of the Empire may be purchased, in order to give facilites to the public to send stamped letters for replies; and, whether he is aware that British postage stamps are sold in certain Australian post offices.

The Postmaster-General is not aware that there is any general demand either for an international stamp or for an Imperial stamp, though there is a certain limited demand for such a stamp as the means of prepaying the postage on replies to letters sent abroad. He does not feel that he would be justified in making arrangements for the sale of colonial stamps, for which he also believes that there is no effective demand here, especially as such stamps would probably be used for remitting small sums of money to the colonies, and there are strong objections to the remittance of money by such means. The Postmaster General is aware that English stamps are sold at certain Australian post-offices.

I beg to ask the representative of the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that there is no exchange of postal orders between England and many of the important Colonies of the Empire, including Australasia; whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made by the Australasian postmasters general for the introduction of these postal orders; and, whether he will reverse the decision of his predecessors, by giving a trial or experimental introduction of Imperial postal orders? The hon. Member further asked whether the Postmaster General is aware that an express letter sent from England to France or Germany on Saturday night is delivered on the Sunday; but that an express letter arriving in London on Sunday morning from the Continent or from any town in England, Ireland, or Scotland, is not delivered until Monday morning, although telegrams are delivered in London on Sunday mornings; and, whether he will give instructions that express letters shall be treated as telegrams in regard to their delivery in London on Sundays?

I will deal with the two questions of my hon. Friend together. They both relate to important questions of public policy, and I cannot doubt that my hon. Friend will perceive that neither the Postmaster General nor Her Majesty's Government can be prepared, on a short notice, to reverse the decision of preceding Administrations upon subjects of a complicated character which require the most thorough consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been directed to the proceedings at the Petty Sessions at Ruthin on the 12th inst. Whether he is aware that a summons for drunkenness against a resident in the Borough was laid before the Bench for signature, and that two magistrates, the warden of Ruthin and Mr. T. W. Rouw, had previously declined to sign the summons upon the ground that they were on intimate terms with the family of the gentleman charged with drunkenness; whether it is competent for a magistrate to refuse to sign a summons upon such grounds; and, whether he will inquire into the circumstances referred to?

I have inquired into the circumstances of the matter referred to, and am informed that only one of the magistrates mentioned was asked to sign the summons, and that he he did not positively refuse to do so, but merely expressed the opinion that it had better be done by someone else. Though the signing of summonses is a ministerial and not a judicial act, this feeling seems very natural. I have no information leading me to think that inconvenience was caused or the administration of justice hampered in any degree by the view the magistrates took of their duties.

On behalf of the hon. Member for West Newington, Captain Norton, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether no promotions from the Second to the First Division of the Civil Service have been made in the following Departments: Treasury, Foreign Office, Colonial Office, Home Office, War Office, Post Office, Customs, Exchequer and Audit Department, Education Department, Charity Commission, and Civil Service Commission; and, if so, whether immediate steps will be taken, to apply the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments to these Departments as well as to others in which no such promotions have been made?

I am not aware that any promotions have been made in the Departments specified to posts in the First Division, which are ordinarily filled by Class I. competitions. Whenever the head of a department, in the First Division of which a vacancy existed, has reported that a Second Division clerk had shown exceptional capacity and such qualifications as fitted him for the vacant appointment, the Treasury has always assented to such clerk's promotion.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether her Majesty's Government have information confirming the statements in the Press that the Mussulman village of Dospat in the Rhodope district has been burned by Bulgarian marauders, and the inhabitants, including women and children, massacred; whether other Mussulman villages have been treated in a similar way; and, whether her Majesty's Government will insist upon an investigation being made with regard to these atrocities similar to that conducted into the alleged outrages in Armenian districts?

Her Majesty's Government have received no authoritative information confirming the alleged attack upon Dospat. As I said in my reply of Monday, the 19th, they have heard of the attack upon Yanakli, and representations have been addressed to the Bulgarian Government, which has given assurances of its intention to preserve order upon the frontier. As I also said on Monday, there appears to be no necessity for an investigation by the British Government.

asked whether the Bulgarian Government had promised that the persons who had committed this massacre would be punished?

I am not aware of any such promise having been either asked for or made.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can state what reply has been made by the Boer Government and Volksraad to a petition recently presented to them, signed by over 30,000 non-Boer residents of the Transvaal, asking for constitutional rights?

I have no official information, but I have learned unofficially that the Petition has not been granted.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether he is aware that the scheme for Glamorganshire, under The Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889, which lay upon the Table of the House last Session for nearly two months without meeting with any opposition, failed to become Law owing to the dissolution of Parliament a few days before the full period necessary for it to lie upon the Table had been completed, and that the schemes relating to every one of the other counties have been passed; if he is aware that intermediate school buildings have already been erected at very considerable expense at Aberdare, Barry, Penarth, Pontypridd, Port Talbot, Porth, and Ystalyfera, and are ready for use immediately the scheme passes, several of these having been ready for over a year; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will consider the advisability of passing a short measure this Session authorising her Majesty in Council to sanction the scheme, or providing in some other manner for the passage of the scheme into Law without further delay.

I am aware of the facts stated in the first two paragraphs of the hon. Member's question; but I regret that I cannot advise the Government to bring in special legislation on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade—(1) whether he is aware that 255 passengers on board the Seaford steamship, which was run down by the Lyon steamship in a collision in the English Channel on the 20th instant, would all have probably perished but for the prompt action of Captain Sharp of the Seaford, who reassured the passengers by at once distributing life belts to every one of them; and (2) whether, in view of this fact, he will inquire whether the crowded steamers on the River Thames running to Margate, Clacton, and other places are similarly provided with a full complement of life belts ready at hand for a similar emergency?

asked whether the Board of Trade was satisfied that the boats of these Channel steamers like the Seaford were adequate for the rescue of the very large number of passengers they carried?

I have seen some newspaper accounts of the circumstances of the collision to which my hon. Friend refers, but, as a formal inquiry will probably be held, I am sure he will not expect me to express any opinion whatever as to the facts of the case. In reply to the second paragraph of the question, the steamers referred to are required to hold Board of Trade passenger certificates, and those certificates are not issued until the surveyors are satisfied that boats, lifebelts, and other life-saving appliances are provided in accordance with law and are in good condition. I am sure that I am in accord with the general feeling in the country in expressing great satisfaction at the prompt and efficient action taken by the captain of the Seaford, and also of the Lyon after the collision, which probably was the means of preventing a deplorable loss of life. ["Hear, hear!"]

asked if it was within the province of the Board of Trade to officially recognise the conduct of Captain Sharp?

asked if it was not the fact that the Seaford was kept afloat owing to her bulkheads, and whether the right hon. Gentleman intended in the next Session to bring in a Bill to compel all ships to have bulkheads in order to give greater security?

I suppose the hon. Member refers to the Lyon, which was kept afloat by that means; the Seaford sank.

said he understood that the Seaford was kept afloat some 45 minutes because she had bulkheads.

I understand that the collision was in such a vital part of the Seaford as to put any chance of saving the ship out of the question. The ship had watertight compartments undoubtedly.

again asked if the right hon. Gentleman would bring in a Bill making bulkheads compulsory?

I am afraid I cannot promise any legislation for next Session; but if the hon. Member desires any further information on the subject I will have further inquiries made. I cannot say whether the Board of Trade can officially recognise the conduct of Captain Sharp, of the Seaford, but I will consider the matter.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Thames river steamers were abnormally crowded at this season of the year, the right hon. Gentleman would cause special inquiry to be made as to the provision for saving life?

said it was the duty of the inspectors of the Board of Trade from time to time to see that the appliances were kept in good order. If the hon. Member desired him to make special inquiry into a particular case he would certainly do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have lately received applications from a number of Crown tenants in Carnarvonshire for the purchase of their holdings; whether he is aware that the holdings were enclosed and reclaimed from public commons, and built upon by the tenants or their predecessors in title; whether the Crown has ever spent any, and, if so, what amount of money in improving these holdings; and whether, seeing that the tenants are willing, if they are allowed to purchase, that the conveyances shall contain a proviso entitling the Crown to repurchase at the same price, and without any increase on account of subsequent improvements, in case the holdings should ever be required by the Crown or its tenants for quarrying purposes, he will state what answer has been given to the application?