I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, when Mwanga, after his first defeat, was driven into German territory, a communication was addressed to the German authorities, by the British military authorities on the spot, pointing out the danger of Mwanga's escape, and asking them to keep Mwanga at a safe distance, which they promised to do: what evidence there is that care was exercised to prevent Mwanga's escape; whether he will state to the House what is the latest information received with regard to the expeditions of Major Martyr and Major Macdonald from Uganda,; and whether further Papers can at once be laid upon the Table with regard to the affairs of the Uganda Protectorate?

Yes, Sir. A communication was addressed to the German authorities. There is no reason for supposing that care was not taken to prevent Mwanga's escape. There was a sentry outside his door, who shot the servant with whom Mwanga had exchanged clothes by mistake for the King.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education how many reformatories and industrial schools under the Home Office receive grants from the Science and Art Department; under what inspection the grants are now given, and how frequently such inspection is made; and whether he would consider the advisability of increasing the number of such grants?

Fifty in England, and six in Scotland; heretofore under inspection of the Science and Art Department, hereafter under that of the Home Office and Scotch Office. It is for the last-named Departments to consider the propriety of increasing such grants.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Militia regiments recruited in purely agricultural districts show more marked deficiency if called out in August and September than in May and June; and, if so, whether he will communicate with General Officers commanding districts with a view to consideration of this point when fixing dates for drill and training next season?

Statistics have been collected which show that the percentage of men absent from training is not affected by the season, but that the percentage of those who buy their discharges is, as a rule, somewhat higher when the training is in August than when it is in May. The date of the training is always fixed after consultation with the commanding officer of each battalion, and every effort is made to comply with his wishes. In reply to a Question of which the honourable Member has given me private notice, I may say that in the Bucks Militia the percentage of men absent, and of men who bought their discharges, was lower in 1898, when the battalion trained in August, than in 1897, when it trained in May.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he proposes to introduce this Session a Public Bill embodying the clauses relating to inspection of water supplies by local authorities, which he proposed last year to insert in several Private Water Bills.

If I see any reasonable hope of making progress with a Bill upon this subject I shall be quite prepared to introduce it, and I hope I shall have the opportunity of doing so.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount of money, in respect of the wages and effects of deceased seamen, during the last ten years, has been unclaimed by their relatives and representatives; how that sum has been appropriated; and whether such balances in future could be distributed in pensions to aged seamen?

Under the 179th section of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, the Board of Trade cannot treat the wages and effects of deceased seamen as "unclaimed" until six years after their receipt. They are then paid over to the Mercantile Marine Fund in accordance with the same section. The amount of unclaimed wages and effects of deceased seamen so dealt with during the last ten years amounts to £35,448 11s. 6d. The amounts derivable from this source would not go far in providing pensions for aged seamen, and they are decreasing in consequence of the efforts made by the Board of Trade to discover the relatives of the deceased seamen. The revenue is, therefore, too small and too uncertain for the basis of a pension fund.

May I ask whether any of this money due to deceased seamen has been appropriated for expenses of the offices of the Board of Trade?

No, Sir. It has been appropriated for the expenses of the Mercantile Marine Fund.

Which includes, among other things, the provision of offices?

Undoubtedly.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the new form of Admiralty Contract has now been settled, and whether a copy will be laid upon the Table?

The new form of contract is not yet settled, but its preparation is well advanced.

When will it be settled? Six months have already elapsed.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fatal boxing contest which took place at Cape Town on Monday, 6th February, in which a private of the King's Royal Rifle Corps was engaged, and in which his opponent lost his life; and whether, out of consideration for the maintenance of the respect in which the British Army is universally held, as well as on the grounds of expediency, he will take such steps as to prevent the soldiers in Her Majesty's Army taking part in such contests?

NO report on this matter has reached the War Office. The Secretary of State for War does not propose to prohibit soldiers from taking part in any lawful pastime.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, at what date is it likely that Sir J. B. Lyall's Report on the Famine of 1896–8, its causes and administration of relief, will be placed before Parliament, together with any minutes or resolution thereon by the Government of India.

The Report of the recent Famine Commission was laid on the Table last Thursday. The papers printed on the third page of the Return show that the evidence taken by the Commission will be presented hereafter, and that the Government of India have not yet recorded their opinions on the recommendations made by the Commission.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the mortality among the Indian coolies employed on the Uganda Railway; and what arrangements are made for their protection, both at the port of emigration and in Africa?

The answer given by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the honourable Member for Chesterfield will have supplied the information sought by this question. I will only add: (1) The mortality among coolies employed on the Uganda Railway Works during 1898 appears to have been about 16 per 1,000 per annum on an average labour force of 12.800 hands; (2) at the port of emigration the labourers are kept, as far as possible, apart from all infection; they are medically inspected before they go on board, where their food, clothing, sanitation, and medical attendance are provided for. There are hospitals at the base and at different points on the works. Medical men and medical subordinates. European and Indian, are provided for the service of these hospitals and of the labourers. At the most un- healthy season of the year nearly 10 per cent, of the labourers were in hospital; at healthier seasons from 2½ to 5 per cent, may be in the hospital. The medical report of July last says: "The prevailing diseases are malarial fever, diarrhœa, dysentery, liver complaint, scurvy, and ulcers. A complication of the last two generally necessitates invaliding." Those who are invalided are sent back to India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will furnish a Return showing the number of Press Committees which have been established in India; the names of the places where they have been established: and the number of warnings which they have respectively issued, together with the names of the persons warned and (he nature of the warning in each case?

I can give the honourable Member in my answer the information he seeks. The Government of Bombay informs me that these committees have been established in 12 places—namely, Poona, Ahmedabad, Broach, Kaira, Thana, Ahmednagar, Satara, Nasik, Belgaum, Dharwar, Bijapur,' Ratnagari. These committees have no power to issue warnings, their functions being to keep the local authorities informed as to what appears in the local newspapers.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he will grant a return for 1898–9, in continuation of, and similar to, that entitled Army (length of service and ages of men in each unit), presented to Parliament during the Session of 1898?

The return presented last year was of a very special nature, since it gave particulars as to the strength of each unit, and the Secretary of State is not prepared to repeat it. There is no objection to a return giving the total figures for each arm of the service.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to re-establish a depôt of any kind for the supply of men to cavalry regiments serving abroad; and, if so, on what conditions will such depot be maintained?

Regiments in the Colonies draw their men from depots under the system at present in force. The arrangements proposed for regiments in India will be fully explained when the Army Estimates are introduced.

asked a further Question.

There are three depots from which regiments in the Colonies draw men. The subject, however, is too complex to be explained in an answer to a Question.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether under the Queen's Regulations of 1895 sergeants could only obtain liquor from the canteen upon payment on the spot; and whether under the most recently-issued Regulations a weekly credit is allowed; and, if so, whether such credit has been found beneficial?

Assuming that the honourable Member refers to sergeants' messes, and not to canteens, at which sergeants do not buy beer except in bulk for their messes, the Queen's Regulations for 1895 laid down that payments for liquor should be made on the spot. But for several years weekly accounts have been introduced as an experiment, and, as a result of the experience gained, it is now, under the Queen's Regulations of 1898, left to the commanding officer to permit such accounts at his discretion.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that at Burnham, Bucks, the children at the National school have been repeatedly taken on Saints' days in procession from the school into the church at nine o'clock in the morning to witness the celebration of the Holy Communion; whether this enforced attendance at these children's eucharists is legal, either as a substitute for, or as an addition to, the ordinary religious instruction in the school time-table; whether, on the occasion of the Feast of the Purification, on Thursday 2nd February, the parents of a number of the children sent to the schoolmaster formal objections to their children being taken to this service; whether, in spite of the parent having thus directed, two children named Lane were ordered by the schoolmaster to join the procession, and go to the service in the church, and one of them, Ada Lane, was thus compelled to attend; and whether he will warn the managers that the grant will be withdrawn if these violations of the 7th section of the Education Act, 1870, are persisted in?

Yes; a great deal of information upon this subject has been sent me since last week by the honourable Member and others. The practice of occasionally taking scholars to places of public worship during the time set apart for religious instruction has never been objected to by the Committee of Council, and is, in their opinion, legal. On the occasion referred to many parents had objected, and I have been informed by the head teacher of the school that none of their children were taken to church. But, as the case of Ada Lane is specifically mentioned, the Committee of Council has directed a specific inquiry about her case. No complaint from any parent has reached the Education Department, and there is no reason to think that any violation of Section 7 of the Act of 1870 has been committed.

Is the right honourable Gentleman able to state whether these special services have been inserted in the school time-table, and have been approved by the inspector?

I must ask for notice of that Question.

On behalf of the honourable Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Irish Lights Board built two lighthouses, one at the eastern or man-of-war entrance to Castletown Berehaven, and the other at the western or commercial and fishing entrance, but only placed a light on the lighthouse at the man-of-war entrance; and whether, considering the necessity of placing a light on the western lighthouse in the interests of merchant and fishing vessels, and in compliance with strong and numerous local petitions, the Board of Trade would make such representations to the Irish Lights Board as would cause the latter body to put a light on the lighthouse which they built but keep in darkness?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that a beacon tower was built some years ago at tin; western entrance to Castletown Berehaven. The original intention was to exhibit a light from this tower, but before it was completed the proposal was abandoned, and the present lighthouse at the eastern entrance was constructed. The Commissioners do not think it desirable to encourage vessels to use the western channel, which is narrow and dangerous.

On behalf of the honourable Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to extend to Ireland the cheap workmen's trains which are com pulsory in Great Britain?

The Cheap Trains Act does not apply to Ireland, because no passenger duty is payable by railways there.

On behalf of the honourable Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a. Bill this Session to secure farm tenants in Ireland in their holdings and improvements, and to enable judicial rents to be fixed?

I presume the question of the honourable Member is intended to refer to town tenants, not farm tenants? The reply is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 'whether he is aware that a Mr. Garvey has been made a Sub-Land Commissioner to fix fair rents in Ireland; whether he is a son of Mr. Toler Garvey, land agent in Ireland, who gave evidence before the Morley Commission on behalf of the landlords, and was trained by Mr. Barnes, a landlord valuer; whether any Sub-Commissioners have been appointed from among the tenant farmer class in Ireland recently; and, if so, can he give their names; and whether he is able to state in what district Mr. Garvey is at present fixing rents?

Mr. Garvey has been appointed a Supplemental Lay Assistant Commissioner to take the place of any one of the regular Assistant Commissioners who may be prevented by reason of illness, or other sufficient cause, from discharging the dunes of the office. So far, however, it has not been found necessary to call upon Mr. Garvey to perform the duties of an Assistant Commissioner. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the statements in the second paragraph. With regard to the third paragraph, the following gentlemen have been appointed Assistant Commissioners within the past 12 months, all of whom have had a practical knowledge of land, namely, Messrs. Bellingham, Dickey, Adamson, Hammond, Clarke, and Garvey. Of these, I believe I am right in stating that two farmed land both as owners and as tenants, that two farmed 'and as tenants, that one was a land agent, and that the sixth was a civil engineer with a knowledge of land valuation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Catholic Bishops of Ireland recently passed a resolution condemning the Irish Executive for excluding many children when found begging from admission to industrial schools; and whether he will direct the modifying of the order referred to, and admit as usual to industrial schools all children found seeking alms?

The resolution was to the following effect—

"That we the members of the Standing Committee of the Irish Bishops, in our own name and in the names of our colleagues, deem it our duty to make a strong remonstrance against the action of the Irish Executive in excluding from Industrial Schools, by their recent circular, numbers of children who are eligible for admission under the terms of the Irish Industrial Schools (Ireland) Act as universally understood and acted on up to the present."

Arising out of that Question, may I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether there is evidence to show that children are deliberately sent to beg in the streets with the object of having them committed to Roman Catholic Institutions?

There is evidence that; children are sent out into the streets to qualify them for committal to industrial schools.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the result of the investigation, which on 5th May 1898 he stated were then proceeding relative to the causes of the great increase of enteric fever among Europeans living in India; whether he can state the number of cases that occurred in the years 1897 and 1898, and how many ended fatally; or if he has any objection to a return being made furnishing these particulars; and whether it is true that inoculation has been widely introduced as a preventive against the disease?

I am unable at present to add anything material to the information which I gave my honourable and gallant Friend on the 5th May last, on the subject of enteric fever in India. The matter continues to engage the attention of the Military and Medical authorities. Inoculation has not, however, been adopted as a preventive. The number of cases of and deaths from enteric fever among the troops in India for 1897 will be shown in the Report of the Army Medical Department for that year, which may be expected shortly; the figures for 1898 will not be available for some time to come.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the term "superior officer" mentioned in the Queen's Regulations as having power to prohibit the wearing of a shamrock by Irish soldiers on St. Patrick's Day refers to a colonel of a regiment or to any lower grade officers down to and including a corporal.

The power to permit or prohibit the wearing of a shamrock, or other emblem, is vested in the officer commanding the unit—that is, the Regiment of Cavalry, or the Battalion of Infantry, or the Battery of Artillery. It would not be delegated to any officer of lower rank except in the case of a detachment.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to pay the arrears of fee grant admittedly due to the Irish national teachers; whether portions of these fees have already been paid; whether the balance was promised on condition that the teachers would not re-open the new pension rules; and will he explain how a connection is held to exist between the Pension Act of 1879 and the Irish Education Act of 1892.

With the assent of the. National Education Board, the sum which was found to be due on account of these arrears was paid to the Teachers' Pension Fund, except a small part due to a class of schools whose teachers receive no benefit from that Fund; and the teachers not satisfied with this have asked that it shall also be paid to them. I could only sanction this on the terms which I stated last Session, and I am told that, so far from these terms having been accepted, some action has been taken on behalf of the teachers towards testing the legality of the new Pension Rules in a court of law.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether in view of the purchase by the Government of a tract of country on Salisbury Plain for military purposes it will now be possible to give to the Infantry more rifle practice than has hitherto been practicable under the service conditions of moving targets and unknown ranges on broken ground.

Every advantage will be taken of the facilities which exist on the Government ground at Salisbury Plain for training the Infantry stationed there in field-firing and other musketry practices under the service conditions.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board how many unions in England and Wales board out children within the union; whether amongst these there are any without certified committees to look after these children; and whether he would takes steps to encourage the establishment of such committees.

According to the last returns 373 Boards of Guardians board out children within the union. In some unions committees have been formed to find and superintend homes for children boarded out within the union, but in others this is not the case. Where the children are not under the charge of a committee, they are required to be visited periodically by the officers of the Guardians; but everything is done already by the Local Government Board to facilitate and encourage the establishment of committees.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that, under the Agricultural Rating (Scotland) Act, the relief afforded to agricultural occupiers has in practice resulted in heavier rating for cottars and other indigent non-agricultural occupiers: and whether he can take any steps to remove this grievance?

I have received no further representations to the effect, stated by the honourable Member. Under the Local Taxation Account Act of last Session the amount of the grant for distribution has been increased by £20,000, and no further action in the matter is proposed.

Will the right honourable Gentleman state whether the excess payment made by non-agricultural occupiers will be refunded to them, and what, is the amount of the shortage?

I think that that was fully explained on the Bill last year. Making up the shortage only takes place after the sum of £20,000 has been paid.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the £197,000 additional asked for for Uganda in Supplementary Estimates covers the cost in the present financial year of the Martyr Expedition?

Yes, Sir. It covers the cost so far as it is known up to the present time.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the oats supplied for the use of the troops during the last autumn manœuvres, and which are stated in the report of the Commander-in-Chief to have been often inferior and generally to have required screening, were, as a rule, foreign or home-grown; and if he will state the respective proportions of each description of supply, as well as the contract price paid by Government?

It is impossible to say whether the oats were foreign or home-grown, and there is nothing laid down in the contract as to sources of supply. Oats are accepted by a standard of quality. The prices paid are not made public.

Has fault ever been found with Irish oats?

I should think it very likely.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce such amendments into the Military Manœuvres Act, 1897, as have been unanimously reported by the civilian commissioners, employed last manœuvres to carry out the Act, as essential to its efficient working?

The question of introducing a Bill to embody the amendments proposed by the Military Manœuvres Commissioners in the Military Manœuvres Act, 1897, is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Statutory Rules and Orders recently issued by him under the Factory and Workshops Acts relating to dangerous trades, particulars of piecework wages, period of employment where edge tools are made, and the maximum limit of humidity of the atmosphere in certain factories, are exhibited in the factories and workshops to which they are applicable, or otherwise brought directly under the cognisance of the workpeople interested?

Special rules for dangerous trades are required to be exhibited in all factories and workshops where they are in force. The orders issued by the Secretary of State under the Factory and Workshop Acts are not themselves posted in the factories and workshops; but in most cases, including all exemption orders, a plain statement of their effect must be exhibited. Also, as I stated in reply to the honourable Member a few days ago, notices of the orders are published in the "London Gazette" and the "Labour Gazette," and the Factory Department of my office does its utmost, by distributing the orders to the Press and otherwise, to make their provisions generally known.

On behalf of the honourable Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the last report of the Land Commission, which shows that 3,810 applications by landlords and tenants for loans of £1,459,250 had been made for the purchase of tenants' holdings under the Land Acts of 1885 and 1888, bat that such loans were refused by the Land Commission; that 1,709 applications by landlords and tenants for loans of £598,821 had been made for the purchase of tenants' holdings under the Land Acts of 1891 and 1896, but that such loans were refused by the Land Commission; whether he is aware that the total number of loans in which landlords had agreed to sell to tenants, refused by the Land Commission, were 5,519 for £2,058,071; and whether he would order a return to be submitted to this House stating the counties and estates from which the refused applications were made, and the cause of refusal?

The figures quoted in the first and second paragraphs are correct. With regard to the third paragraph, it has been stated in previous annual reports of the Commissioners that applications have been refused, or dismissed for various reasons, such as insufficiency of security, sub-lettings, sub-divisions, difficulties as to title, etc. No statistics are available on the subject, and to obtain the information desired in the Question would involve the separate examination of the 5,519 applications referred to, which would considerably interfere with the disposal of the current work of the Department. No useful purpose would be served by consenting to the return indicated, and I see no sufficient reason for asking the Commissioners to prepare it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now considered the case of Ernest John King, who at the last Lancaster Assizes was sentenced by Mr. Justice Day to five years' penal servitude for bigamy; and whether he has seen his way to recommend a mitigation of the sentence.

My attention has not been called to this case before, but I find, on reference to the calendar, that Ernest John King's sentence is not as stated in the honourable Member's Question—five years' penal servitude—but four months' imprisonment with hard labour.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in addition to the expenditure of £516,000 estimated for in the Civil Service Estimates, original and supplementary, for the current financial year, in respect of the British Protectorates in Uganda and in Central and East Africa, any further expenditure in respect of these Protectorates is estimated for in the Army Estimates of the Indian Revenues: and, if so, what is the amount of such further expenditure?

No further expenditure is provided for in respect of the Protectorates named in the Question, either in the Army Estimates or the Indian Estimates.

I beg to ask, the Under Secretary of State for War what are the particulars of the quantity of beef supplied during December and January at the following stations:—Dundalk, Ballincolig, Athlone, Cahir; and the quantity of mutton supplied at the same places and for the same months; the amounts paid for beef and for mutton separate^ where different prices for each article have been tendered for; and whether the contracts were given on the basis of the average of mutton being taken at the rate of one-seventh to that of beef?

I will furnish the honourable Member with a statement showing' the quantity of beef and mutton supplied to the troops at the stations named in the question during December and January last, but the prices at which tenders are accepted are not made public. The contracts are given on the basis either of mutton being supplied one day a week or forming one-seventh of the weekly supply.

I beg, to ask the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland had acted within its powers in issuing an order making dispensary doctors ineligible for the position of county councillors; and, if not, whether he will state the authority under which the Board so acted?

The Local Government Board have under the Poor Law Acts of 1837 and 1847 and 1848 and the Medical Charities Act of 1851 power to make, with the consent of the Lord Lieutenant, general rules relating to the qualifications, tenure of office, guidance and control of the officers of Poor Law Unions and Dispensary districts. Acting within this power, they made the rule referred to in the Question, disqualifying not dispensary doctors alone, but all paid Poor Law Union officers from being elected as county councillors.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the prolonged delay which has arisen in connection with the transfer of the Niger territories from the Chartered Company to the Imperial Government, and the consequent disadvantage under which present and intending traders in those territories are labouring, he can give any further information as to the approximate date and terms of the transfer, and particularly whether it will take place in time to admit of mercantile operations being commenced under it during the ensuing high water season of the River Niger, which commences to rise in May.

I cannot judge of the disadvantage referred to by my honourable Friend, and any question on that subject would be more properly addressed to the Foreign Office; but I do not think it probable that the transfer will be completed before May.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the sitting of the Chief Land Commission at Belfast last week, whether he will state how many fair rent appeals were disposed of then; in how many cases were the rents fixed by the Sub-Commission reduced, and in how many cases were they increased; in how many cases the judicial rents fixed by the Sub-Commission were increased and reduced respectively by the reports of the Court Valuers; in how many cases were the Court Valuers' estimated fair rents reduced and increased respectively by the Chief Commission; and whether in the Reports of the work of the Land Commission supplied to the House the amounts fixed by the Court Valuers will be also given?

There were in all 65 cases disposed of at the recent sittings of the Chief Commission at Belfast to hear fair rent appeals. In four of these cases the rents as fixed by the Court below were reduced, in 25 cases they were increased, and in 12 cases they were affirmed. In 14 cases the appeals were either settled or withdrawn, in eight cases judgment was reserved, in one case an order dismissing the proceedings of the Court below was affirmed, and the remaining case was adjourned. Of the 41 cases referred to, in which rents were fixed by the Chief Commission after hearing, 30 were fixed at a rent lower than that estimated by the Court Valuers, nine at a rent higher than that estimated by the Court Valuers, and in the remaining two cases the rents were fixed at the same sum as that estimated by the Court Valuers. It is pointed out that the Land Commissioners, with the reports of the Court Valuers before them and after hearing the evidence and considering ail the circumstances of the case, holding, and district, determine the fair rent. The Commissioners do not propose to insert in the Return referred to the Valuers' estimates of the amount of the fair rent in each case.

On behalf of the honourable Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can say why John Reardon and Jeremiah Reardon, charged with shooting Patrick Connor at Waterville, and who were returned for trial to the next following assizes for Kerry, which would have been the Winter Assize at Cork in December last, are detained for trial at the next Spring Assize in Tralee?

The prisoners were on the 2nd of September 1898 returned for trial to the next assizes for the County of Kerry. An application for bail was refused by the committing magistrates. On the 19th of September 1898 the prisoners were by order of the Queen's Bench admitted to bail. It is not customary, unless under very special circumstances, to put on trial at the Winter Assizes prisoners who are not in custody awaiting their trial but out on bail.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government are now prepared to define what territory is included in the pledge of the Chinese Government not to alienate the Valley of the Yang-tsze-Kiang?

No further agreement has been concluded with the Chinese Government beyond that, which is upon the Table. The valley or basin of the Yang-tsze presumably includes, according to the ordinary meaning, the provinces of which the streams run into that river.

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether the Foreign Office will present to the House a map showing the exact districts included in the pledge?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the judicial decision, in June 1898, of Mr. Lloyd in the British District Court of Mombasa, which was confirmed by Mr. Sub-Commissioner Crauford, whereby three fugitive slaves were handed back to their former master, Salehe bin Husein; whether the girl Kombo (one of the three) had been for 10 years under the protection of the mission station at Ribe; and whether the Foreign Office has confirmed this decision or not; and, if not, whether the Foreign Office will give instructions for these three slaves being given their liberty to return, if they wish, to the mission station?

On the 10th February I explained that the Official Report called for in this case had not reached Her Majesty's Government, and that instructions have been given that British officials should not assist in returning slaves to their masters.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take any steps to give effect to the publicly-expressed opinions of the Lord Chief Justice of England and of the Incorporated Law Society that additional judges should be appointed, or would they be prepared to consent to the appointment of a Committee to consider the present state of legal business?

I should like to ask the right honourable Gentleman whether his attention has been called to a statement which has appeared in the newspapers that Mr. Justice Darling, one of the Judges of the High Court, has been to the town of Merioneth to hold an assize, the only prisoner being one charged with attempting to steal a penny, and acquitted, and, in view of this loss of three days of judicial time, whether Her Majesty's Government, before considering the question of increasing the number of Judges, will consider whether a redistribution of judicial power and judicial time will not be more effective?

If it should be found that arrears in the Supreme Court tend permanently to increase, and cannot be reduced by more elastic arrangements for facilitating the dispatch of business, the Government would be prepared to consider an increase to the number of judges; but we are not satisfied that these conditions exist at present.

Will the right honourable Gentleman in the meantime ask for the loan of a few Irish Judges?

Will the right honourable Gentleman answer the last part if my question?

No, Sir, the Government do not propose to do that.

On behalf of the honourable Member for East Clare, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the retiring resident superintendent of the Ennis Asylum has undertaken to act till his successor is appointed; and if, under these circumstances, the Government will leave the question of a fresh appointment till the Clare County Council is elected?

I am not aware that the retiring Resident Medical Superintendent of the Ennis Asylum has undertaken to act till his successor is appointed; but the Assistant Medical Officer is, I understand, a very efficient officer, and the Government are willing to postpone for the present the appointment of a Resident Medical Superintendent. It must be understood, however, that I cannot give an unconditional pledge that no appointment will be made before the new Asylum Committee is constituted.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he would invite the railway companies of the United Kingdom to make and enforce regulations on their respective lines to protect all platelayers in the discharge of their duties, by means of scouts posted to warn them of the imminent dangers from trains which threaten them and lead to such lamentable loss of life in the absence of this precaution?

I understand that the general rules of the Clearing House as to permanent way and works have been under revision, and the Board of Trade will communicate with the Clearing House as to the point raised by the honourable Member.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has under consideration the expediency of extending to retired officers of the Civil Service in India the privileges enjoyed by Military Officers of commuting a portion of their annuities; and whether, since in the case of covenanted civilians a portion of their annuities has been provided by deductions from their pay while in Service, there is any objection in principle to allowing members of the Civil Service to commute such proportion of their annuities as have thus been provided?

It has been held that, as a portion of the annuity of a covenanted civil servant is provided by deductions from his pay while in the service, the recognition of a legal assignment of such an annuity cannot be refused; and, consequently, there is the less reason in his case for allowing commutation, which, as stated in a Treasury Circular of 1882, "exposes the State to the frustration of its policy for securing a lifelong provision for its servants." It is, therefore, opposed to the public interest, and I cannot hold out any hope of departing from the previous practice of the India Office.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that no less than 50 passenger trains call at Thornton Junction Station (in the West of Fife) daily; that all the quick East Coast trains to and from London and Dundee and Aberdeen stop there; that five branch passenger lines have their south terminus in Thornton Junction Station; and that more than 100 coal and goods and cattle trains pass daily through the said junction station, and as yet the North British Railway Company have omitted to make any mode of access or egress to it either for passengers, horses, cattle, carriages, etc.; and whether ho will direct one of the Board of Trade Railway Inspectors to go to Thornton Junction and make a report thereon to him, as President of the Board of Trade?

I am not aware of the circumstances referred to, but the Board of Trade will communicate with the Company on the subject of the honourable and learned Member's Question, and, if necessary, direct an Inspector to' visit the locality.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the fact that chief constables in the provinces have found that the connection of police stations with the telephone system has led to many arrests of persons who otherwise would have escaped justice, the same plan is not adopted in London?

The police stations in the Metropolitan District— numbering 182—are connected by an efficient system of telegraphic communication which is entirely under police control, and which meets police requirements. It has not been considered necessary or desirable to substitute any other arrangement.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is a fact, as reported by telegrams of the 21st February, that the Sultan of Oman has withdrawn his concession of a coaling station to the French, under the threat of bombardment from Her Majesty's men-of-war; and that the Sultan has issued a proclamation to this effect?

The lease which the Sultan proposed to give was contrary to treaty, and has not been proceeded with. For further details we must wait till dispatches reach us.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is a fact that the Seyd of Oman has revoked the grant that he proposed to make to France, under a threat from the British Admiral on the station of a bombardment of the forts of his capital: what was the nature of the contemplated grant; whether the French Government had been previously notified of the intended action of the Admiral; whether there is any treaty between this country and the Government of Oman by which the latter pledged itself not to alienate territory, or to grant a lease of territory to any Foreign Power without the previous permission of Her Majesty's Government; whether the relations of this country and of France towards Muscat are based upon the Treaty concluded between Great Britain and France in 1862, by which both countries reciprocally engaged to respect the independence of the Sovereigns of Muscat; and whether Her Majesty's Government claims any special right to control the exercise of full sovereignty by the Seyd of Oman within his kingdom, which is not possessed by any other European Great Power?

(1) In answer to the first question, I reply that the grant which the Sultan proposed to make was contrary to treaty, and has not been proceeded with. Only brief telegraphic reports have been received, and the dispatches on their way must be awaited before I can give further details; (2) the grant referred to is understood to have been a lease to the French Government of Bunder Jisseh as a coaling station; (3) it was a question between the Government of India and the Sultan of Muscat, not between the Government of India and any other Power. It should be added that no hint was given to the Government of India of the transactions that were being com- pleted at Muscat; (4) the Sultan is under a special obligation to the British Government in respect to the alienation or assignment of any part of his territories; (5) the answer to the last question but one is in the affirmative; (6) the Sultan of Oman has for years been in receipt of a subsidy from the Indian Government, and has on various occasions received the help and advice of that Government in maintaining his authority and quieting disturbances in his territory. The relations existing between him and the British Government are special, though they do not necessarily interfere with the exercise of any sovereign rights he may possess.

Will the noble Lord say whether this obligation not to alienate territory is by treaty?

The arrangement alluded to between the Indian Government and the Sultan of Muscat was arrived at some time back.

Can the noble Lord say whether there is any record kept of this arrangement?

Yes, there is a record.

May I ask whether the naval demonstration was made by order of the Indian Government?

Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India have been in constant communication, but there is not complete telegraphic communication between Bombay and Muscat.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if ho will ascertain when a Sub-Commission will next sit to dispose of fair rent applications from Mallow Union (Cork County), some of which have been listed over two years?

A list containing cases from this Union will probably be issued before Easter.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have received any information relative to the collision alleged to have occurred at Talienwan between Russians and Chinese, with the result of 100 Chinese being killed; if so, whether he can give the House any information as to the cause of this collision, and in particular whether it arose from an attempt on the part of the Russian Government to levy taxes upon the Chinese?

According to information received from a Chinese source a collision did occur near Talienwan on the occasion of a deputation of Chinese peasants to the Russian authorities to petition against the exaction of the land tax. The Cossacks are reported to have fired upon the crowd, killing and wounding some of them; the report does not give the exact number. It is understood that the Chinese Government are considering the steps to be taken.

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman what was the Chinese source that he refers to; was it the Chinese Government?

Unauthorised.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the case of Albert Heath, of Willesden, platelayer, who was killed by a fast train at Harlesden, on the London and North Western Railway, on the morning of the 21st instant, a scout or look-out man was placed to give him warning of approaching danger?

I have communicated with the Company, and the reply is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the public press to the effect that not the whole of the Madhi's body was thrown into the Nile, but that it was dismembered, and that the skull and some of the bones are in the possession of officers who took part in the campaign; whether he' can state, or will take steps to ascertain, whether this statement is correct: and, if it be correct, by whose authority the mutilation took place; and whether he will cause the remains, so far as practicable, to be collected together and decently buried.

Her Majesty's Government have no information of the character named in the Question. Lord Cromer has been asked to furnish a report.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whose orders the body of the Madhi was taken from its grave and thrown into the Nile; and, whether any sanction was given to this act by any authority from Cairo or London?

I have no information beyond what I gave to the House on Monday last.

May I ask whether we are to understand that no one will even be reprimanded for this horrible and ghastly outrage?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true that Lord Cromer has expressed his approval of the demolition of the Madhi's tomb by Lord Kitchener of Khartoum; and whether an early opportunity will be given to this House of expressing its opinion on the subject?

Lord Cromer has expressed his opinion, after hearing the facts, that, under the exceptional circumstances of the case, the Sirdar's action was justifiable.

I had intended to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has noticed a statement in the "Daily News" of 22nd February that the embalmed head of the Mahdi was presented to Major Cordon; whether this statement is well founded; and whether, if so, the head was severed from the corpse and presented to Major Gordon, with the consent and approval of the Sirdar; and, if not with his consent, who was responsible for this act of mutilation' I understand the right honourable Gentleman has said he has no information on this point? Will he try to get it for me?

Yes, Sir. I can only repeat that I have to state that a full report has been asked for by telegraph, and I must await its receipt before I can give any further information.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in the case of townships like Boyle and Roscommon, which have town commissioners who are not urban sanitary authorities, it is proposed to have two district councillors elected for the urban portion of the electoral division and two for the rural portion of the division; and, if not, what provision will be made in case these bodies of town commissioners are constituted urban county districts?

The municipal towns of Boyle and Roscommon are not urban district councils, but they have been constituted separate electoral divisions, and will each return two rural district councillors.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give any information to the House in reference to the present position of the Anglo-American Commission, particularly with regard to the report that its deliberations have not resulted in any agreement being arrived at?

The Anglo-American Commission has adjourned until August 2nd. In certain points progress has been made towards a settlement, and it is hoped that further negotiations may resolve the questions still in dispute. Meantime, the Commissioners have requested that all which passed in the Commission may be considered confidential, so that it will not be possible to lay papers on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, referring to the vacancy in the clerkship of the union of Castlebar, and to the vacancies in the clerkships of some of the district asylums in Ireland, he will suggest to the Local Government Board the desirability of deferring the appointment to such offices until the county and district councils have an opportunity of dealing with such appointments?

The appointment of clerk of the union ought not to be postponed, as the work of balancing the accounts and making all preparations for the completion of business up to the appointed day is exceptionally heavy, and should, if possible, be undertaken by a person who will continue in the office after that date. The appointment of officers of lunatic asylums is not under the control of the Local Government Board.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will include in the terms of reference to the proposed Conference on Fisheries in the North Sea the desirability of the experimental closing by international arrangement of certain sea-areas, with a view to the preservation and development of special fisheries?

It will clearly be open to the British or Foreign Dele- gates to raise questions of this nature in Conference, and it, therefore, does not appear necessary to include specifically in the terms of the reference to the proposed Conference a clause in the sense suggested.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will say what number of tenders have been received for the proposed lines of fruit steamers between the West Indies and Home ports; and whether there is reason to expect the steamers to be running on or before the 1st August next from Jamaica or any other islands?

I have to say, on behalf of my right honourable Friend the Secretary for the Colonies, that the negotiations for the proposed fruit service from Jamaica to England are still proceeding, and it is impossible at present to name any date at which any such service is likely to begin.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Government will now give to the honourable Member for South Donegal the permission, which was refused to him last December, of perusing, for purposes of historic research, the documents in the Record Tower of Dublin Castle, with reference to the spies and informers of the period of the Insurrection of 1798 and the Union of 1800, and more especially the memoranda of Leonard MacNally and the briefs held by him in defending the Irish political prisoners of that period; and will the facilities for the perusal of these documents be given to the honourable Member for South Donegal which were granted without difficulty to the right honourable junior Member for Dublin University when writing the seventh and eighth volumes of his "History of England in the Eighteenth Century," and to Mr. Cæsar Falkiner, now an Assistant Land Commissioner, for the writing of a magazine article at a time when he was an officer of an Irish Unionist Association.

I have already informed the honourable and learned Member that his original application, which was refused, was one for permission to peruse "State Papers till the most recent date up to which, in any case, permission has been given to see such documents," that permission was not refused to him to inspect the documents referred to in the first paragraph, and that, as a matter of fact, he never applied for such permission. If the honourable Member will make an application in writing for permission to consult papers, stating particulars, giving definite periods, and showing the special subject upon which he seeks for information, then there can be no objection to afford him the same facilities as were afforded to the gentlemen named in the second paragraph.

Then why did the officials inform me that I could not see any document of a later date than 1790?

No such information w*s conveyed to the honourable Member by my orders. We declined to give a general permission to sec documents of a later stage than anybody else.

Are the documents not in the Record Office?

Yes.

Then they are not in your custody?

I understand permission to see them has to be obtained from the Chief Secretary.

I went to the Record Office and only saw two papers after enormous trouble.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether two of Her Majesty's Judges in Ireland, the Right Honourable Christopher Palles, the Lord Chief Baron, and the Right Honourable Mr. Justice Madden, have for the last six weeks been sitting, the Lord Chief Baron as chairman and Mr. Justice Madden as one of the Commissioners, on a Commission appointed by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to inquire into the working and administration of the system of Irish Intermediate Education; whether this Commission has sat during the period for the holding of the Hiliary Sessions of the High Court of Justice in Ireland; has the absence of these two judges from their judicial duties been productive of inconvenience and delay; and what steps, if any, have been taken for the relief of the inconvenience and delay caused by the absence of the learned judges from their judicial duties, and by whom have these judicial duties been discharged in such absence?

The Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Madden have been engaged for some time past as members of a Commission to inquire into the working and administration of Irish Intermediate Education. The Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Madden are chairman and vice-chairman of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland. All the members of the Board were appointed to the present Commission. The inquiry is one of the highest importance, and the learned judges, so far as is consistent with attention to their judicial duties, have attended as frequently as possible the sittings of the Commission. Having regard to the well-known character of both the learned judges for zeal, energy, and painstaking care, it is in the highest degree unlikely that they would permit any inconvenience to arise in connection with the discharge of their judicial duties. No complaints have reached me on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the business of the Court of Appeal in Ireland and of the various Divisions of the High Court of Justice in Ireland was suspended, and the hearing of jury cases postponed, on the 31st January, so as to permit the attendance of the members of the Irish Judiciary at the Levée of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Dublin Castle; and whether, having regard to the great additional expense and inconvenience entailed on suitors by the delay of legal proceedings, and to the circumstance that the members of the English Judiciary do not suspend the business of their courts in order to attend Royal Levees, arrangements will be male to secure that the attendance of the Irish Judges at the Viceregal Levees will not be accompanied by the abandonment for the day of their judicial duties?

The course pursued by Her Majesty's Judges in Ireland on the 31st January last in adjourning their seven courts for the purpose of attending the Lord Lieutenant's Levée is one that has been usual for very many years. The practice being a well recognised and established one, known to both counsel and suitors, no public disappointment or inconvenience arises. The matter is, however, one for the judges themselves.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a memorial, addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, from resident natives of India in Natal, who have been engaged in trade there for many years and have acquired considerable interests in land and in personal property, setting forth that, under the operation of the Dealers' or Traders' Licensing Act, allowed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Colonial Office, the licensing authorities, consisting chiefly of rival traders of British or Foreign nationality, are refusing licences to trade and withdrawing licences from respectable natives of India; whether the Government of India have taken or propose to take any steps to protect Indian natives and fellow subjects from confiscation of their civil and legal rights in Natal; and whether, as Natal relies to a great extent for its supply of labour upon natives of India, under arrangements which are sanctioned by the Indian Government, that Government will be advised to stop all emigration of Indian subjects into Natal until the local laws are fairly administered to Indian subjects?

I have not yet seen the memorial referred to in my honourable Friend's Question, which has, I understand, only recently reached the Colonial Office. When it is referred to the India Office it will receive the fullest consideration from me in Council, both as to the nature of the grievances complained of, as well as the remedy suggested by my honourable Friend.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he would explain what were the circumstances under which nine English soldiers were sent, on the 8th October last, from Bombay to the Pasteur Institute at Paris, to be treated for hydrophobia; what is the evidence in the possession of the Government showing that the dogs which had bitten these men were rabid; under what official supervision these men were sent; and whether it is true, as stated by the Director of the Paris Institute, that these men arrived in Paris without any credentials or anything showing when or where they had been bitten?

I am aware that nine soldiers were sent from India, early in October, to be treated in Paris for hydrophobia, but I have no information as to the circumstances. Such cases occur not infrequently; and on this occasion the usual arrangements were made for their journey from Marseilles to Paris, and for their accommodation while under treatment. I have received no complaint, or representation on the subject from the Director of the Paris Institute, Mid I should have thought that the men themselves could have been capable of explaining to the authorities of the Institute when and where they had been bitten.

Is the noble Lord aware that the Director of the Institute requested the correspondent of the "Daily Mail" to make it known that the men had been sent without any information?

Then the Director is not a man of business, or he would have communicated with India.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, with reference to the statement that, of the candidates who failed at the December examination of Militia candidates for Army Commissions, a number, according with the exigencies of the service, will be admitted to the further competitive examinations; and whether he can see his way to admitting all who may reasonably be considered could have qualified had the papers set in December been not more difficult than those set in April, when so many more qualified, either by an allowance in marks, say 1,000, or by admitting the same number of candidates as qualified in April.

Thirty-one candidates (making 60 in all) will be taken from those next below the last successful candidate. This decision is based solely on the requirements of the service, and not on the alleged difficulty of the papers set in the December examination. The Civil Service Commissioners have requested the Secretary of State to explain that the papers were similar in character to those in previous examinations, and that the failure of so large a number of candidates was, in their opinion, due, not to any difference in the standard of judgment, but to a difference in the work of the candidates themselves. The minimum was raised by 100 marks, but this affected the success of only four candidates. It has not been usual to announce the minimum in advance, although this was done on one occasion last year.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in view of the partial application of the muzzling order in the county of Essex, and the freedom from rabies among dogs, he can see his way to further relax the present order?

The position in the districts still under Muzzling Orders is being constantly watched, and I shall be glad to find myself able to withdraw those orders. But I do not consider that I could safely relax the restrictions at present.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information regarding the present whereabouts and forces of the Khalifa, and the reported retirement of the Egyptian forces sent in pursuit of the Khalifa; and whether the Khalifa is now advancing towards Khartoum?

The Sirdar telegraphed on 5th February that Colonel Kitchener found the Khalifa and a force of apparently about 6,000 men in a strong position at Sherkeila, about 112 miles from the Nile. Colonel Kitchener, having completed his reconnaissance, retired, not being in sufficient force to attack. On February 21st, the Sirdar reported that a force of Dervishes was advancing with a body of cavalry north-east from their position. They defeated some, friendly Arabs on the 15th on the White Nile, and preparation is being made to check the advance.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will, in view of the great distress prevailing among the Cretan Mussulmans who have been for two years deprived of their land and property, formally propose to the Great Powers that a sufficient sum should be raised, based upon Sir Herbert Chermside's estimates, to carry out the repatriation of the Cretan refugees.

Her Majesty's Government have on more than one occasion expressed their readiness to consider any suggestions for joint assistance towards the relief of Christians and Mussulmans in Crete, but proposals for the purpose must be initiated by the High Commissioner.

On behalf of the honourable Member for East Clare, I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the Bill to grant £30,000 to Lord Kitchener will be introduced?

I cannot give a definite answer to this Question, but I will undertake to give a week's notice before any steps in the matter are taken by the Government.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will arrange to put down the Post Office Savings Bank Vote at an early date, so that the subject of the financial condition of the country in respect of the liability on these institutions may be debated, and especially the financial effect of a war, should such an event unhappily occur, when the country might be called upon to borrow largely, with the possibility or even probability of a simultaneous heavy withdrawal from the Savings Banks?

In answer to my honourable Friend I have to say that there is a Supplementary Vote on which this question can be raised, as a Vote of this kind does not come under the Friday arrangement in regard to Supply. I think that will give my honourable Friend the opportunity he desires.

Then do I understand that time will be given on the Supplementary Vote to raise the question?

Without giving an answer which might be twisted into a pledge on behalf of the Government, I do not see how the opportunity can be denied my honourable Friend, and I have no desire to do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report resulting from the recent inquiry into French fishing rights on the Newfoundland shore is likely to be laid before Parliament; and whether the documents published will include any portions of the Annual Reports by the British Commodore on the station?

My right honourable Friend is expecting to receive the Report very shortly, but is unable to say when it will be laid before Parliament, of what documents will be published with it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will advise the abolition of the muzzling of dogs in Ireland; and whether he is aware that the carrying out of this Muzzling Order entails a lot of trouble upon the police in Ireland, and great hardships upon the people, owing to the unreasonable fines inflicted by some magistrates?

It is not proposed, at present, to suspend the Muzzling of Dogs Order in Ireland. The total number of cases of rabies throughout Ireland in the 12 months ended the 31st December 1898 was 132, as compared with 162 cases in the last six months of 1897, whilst the number or cases in the first six months of 1897, before the Muzzling Order came into operation, was 335. The enforcement of the Order has consequently been attended, so far, with satisfactory results, and it would be premature, in the circumstances, to revoke the Order. It is quite possible that the enforcement of the Order entails some trouble to the police, but I have no reason to believe that the duty is not cheerfully performed by them. With regard to the fines inflicted by magistrates, I have no information before me that the fines imposed err on the side of severity. In rural districts the average penalty amounts to less than a shilling, and in the Dublin Metropolitan District the average penalty is half-a-crown.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can state the average number of trained nurses, men and women, in attendance on the British officers and soldiers who were patients in hospital at Cairo and Alexandria between 20th September and 30th October 1898?

The average number of trained nurses between the dates mentioned was 226 men and 10 women.

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can tell us the proposed business for tomorrow and next week?

To-morrow we shall proceed forthwith with the Supplementary Estimates, and I anticipate that the greater part of Government time next week will be devoted to them. If not, it will be devoted to the introduction of Government Bills. If the right honourable Gentleman will put a. Question reminding me to-morrow, when I have seen what progress we make with the Estimates to-night, I shall be better able to answer him.

:I should like to ask Mr. Speaker, with reference to the motion of the First Lord of the Treasury relating to the procedure with regard to Supply, whether Members will be at liberty to speak in the general discussion without losing their right to move Amendments to the Rules, and, also, if a Member moves one Amendment, whether he has any right to move further Amendments. Looking at the Debate in 1896, it seems to me that there is first a general Debate on the Rule and then a discussion on the Amendments.

The practice on several recent occasions has been to allow a general discussion upon a new Standing Order, and to so far relax the rule which prevails when I am in the Chair as to allow honourable Members to take part in that discussion, and also to move or second Amendments as if in Committee. Honourable Members who move or second Amendments must, of course, confine themselves to the subject matter of the Amendment. They may move more than one Amendment, but they may not speak more than once on an Amendment.