I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War on what date the steamship "Zibenghla" and the steamship "Zayathla" left the Mersey, and by whom they were inspected previous to their departure; what number of days was the "Zayathla" detained at Las Palmas through the breaking down of her engines; and whether these steamers were unable to obtain a sufficient supply of water at Las Palmas for the horses on board.

had on the Paper for to-morrow the following question: To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether two transports named "Zibenghla" and "Zayathla," which were hired by the Admiralty to convey three batteries of artillery to South Africa with all speed in a great emergency, broke down as soon as they started; whether news has been received from the Grand Canary that these vessels had put in there, one having already lost sixteen horses, and the other having been delayed there for three days from the breakdown of her machinery; whether he has any objection to state the age of these vessels, whether they were sold by original owners as slow and obsolete, how long these vessels had been lying up inactive, how long would a thorough and efficient overhaul of boilers and machinery have taken, and was any overhaul or examination made to the satisfaction of a competent Board of Trade engineer; on what date did these vessels set sail from England; and whether there is any news of their having arrived yet at the Cape of Good Hope.

I will ask leave to be permitted to answer this question, and at the same time the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Cheltenham, which he has placed on the notice paper for to-morrow. The "Zayathla" left the Mersey on the 27th September, and the "Zibenghla" on the 2nd October. They were surveyed by the Board of Trade last month, and given the Board of Trade certificate. They had been previously surveyed in September, 1898, by Lloyd's, and classed 100A1. When engaged as transports they were inspected by the Admiralty transport officer at Liverpool, and the engines, etc., by the Fleet Engineer of H.M.S. "Colossus." The joint naval and military inspections before embarkation and before sailing were held by the Admiralty transport officer and a military officer. All the usual strict surveys applied to the engagement of transports were carried out. The "Zayathla," which had been directed to call at Las Palmas to coal, arrived there on the evening of the 5th October, and, after coaling and having some slight repairs to her low pressure slide valve made, left on the 8th October. She arrived yesterday morning at the Cape. The "Zibenghla," which had also been directed to coal at Las Palmas, arrived there on the 10th October, and left the following day. The officer commanding the "Zayathla" reported that three or four horses had died. We know of no horses having died on the "Zibenghla." I have heard nothing as to any difficulty in obtaining water in the case of the "Zayathla." The "Zibenghla" had some little difficulty in obtaining a supply of water, but after a visit of the officer commanding the troops and the vice-consul to the municipal authorities, the difficulty seems to have been overcome. The "Zibenghla" and "Zayathla" were built in 1883 and 1884 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company for a mail and passenger service with New Zealand. I am informed that they performed that service without an accident. There have been persistent and inaccurate statements that they had been laid up for two years prior to their sale to the British India Company. This is an entire misstatement. They have been employed regularly during the last two years between Liverpool and Canada, and their last voyages ended as late as last June. The hon. and gallant Member asks how long a thorough and efficient overhaul of boilers and machinery would have taken, and was any overhaul or examination made to the satisfaction of a competent Board of Trade engineer. My answer to the question of the hon. Member for the Leek Division of Staffordshire shows that such an overhaul had taken place, and that the Board of Trade was satisfied. I am informed that the steamers were bought on the 28th June last, subject to the Board of Trade's inspection, and that inspection being satisfactory, they accordingly passed into the hands of the purchasers, the British India Company, for the purpose of being added to the fleet of that company in Indian waters, a fleet which has furnished nearly all the transports which have so successfully transferred the Indian contingent from Bombay to Durban.

Were the boilers of these vessels of the old school—compound, and sixteen years of age—and what was the rate of consumption of fuel per day in each vessel?

I am unable to answer the question offhand.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the acceptance of the services of Volunteer Corps offered for active service in South Africa by the colonies, and to the raising of Volunteer Corps in Cape Colony, Natal, and Rhodesia, some of whom have already done good work, the Secretary of State and Commander-in-Chief will, should circumstances require the despatch of further reinforcements, bear in mind the offers of service they have received from members of the Volunteer force in Great Britain, always provided that only the best marksmen and best trained men are accepted, and that this can be done without taking such a number from any one regiment as might interfere with its efficiency in the general scheme for home defence.

The law does not allow us to employ Volunteers as such outside the United Kingdom. Any Volunteers employed would have to enlist in the Regular Army. Subject to this reservation, the patriotic offers from members of the Volunteer force will certainly be borne in mind, though there does not appear to be any immediate prospect that their services will be required.

May I ask under what law the War Office are not allowed to accept the services of Volunteers?

We cannot avail ourselves of these patriotic offers unless the Volunteers wishing to leave the country enlist for a short term in the Regular Army. As Volunteers they cannot go out.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can now state what arrangements have been made for the care of the wounded in Natal; and what number of Roman Catholic chaplains are now with the troops in Natal.

There are at the present time in Natal 44 officers and 263 men of the Army Medical Corps, with five nursing sisters. Eight more officers and 80 men were due to reach Durban to-day. The organisation of this staff depends on the principal medical officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Exham, in whom we have every confidence, but so far as is known here the arrangement is as follows:—A medical officer is attached to every battalion or regiment, and there are also two independent bearer companies. There are 5½ field hospitals, making up 550 beds, a stationary hospital at Ladysmith with 100 beds, and one at Maritzburg with 250. When the staff due at urban to-day has arrived, there will be in all 1,100 hospital beds available in Natal. Beyond this, we have at Wynberg, near Cape Town, a hospital with 520 beds, and in order to make that available as a base hospital for the force in Natal, we have sent out two transports, the "Spartan" and the "Trojan," specially fitted up for the conveyance of invalids between Durban and Cape Town. The "Spartan" should reach Durban in about ten or twelve days from now, and the "Trojan" ten days later. As to medical stores, medicines, etc., the Director-General informs me that there is an ample stock in Natal for the whole British force, but that it is possible, if we have to take charge of large numbers of Boer wounded, that our resources may be strained. We shall make provision for this contingency. We are already doing this so far as the occasion has arisen. On the 23rd instant three Boer doctors with their assistants arrived at Ladysmith, and the Boer wounded were placed in the Dutch church under their charge. These doctors expressed to our principal medical officer their gratitude and satisfaction at the unexpected arrangements for the comfort and welfare of the wounded. In reply to the second paragraph of the question, there are, so far as we know, three Roman Catholic clergymen with the force in Natal acting as chaplains, but Sir George White has authority to appoint as many more as he thinks necessary.

Do I understand the Under Secretary rightly that the forty-four officers in the Medical Corps are qualified medical doctors?

Yes, Sir. There are forty-four who are qualified medical doctors bearing Her Majesty's commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the British troops in South Africa are using bullets with hollow points constructed to expand on impact, such as have been condemned by the Peace Conference at The Hague.

No, Sir. No such bullet has been used. The bullets used are those of which I showed the hon. Member a sample last session.

Pardon me. The sample shown me by the hon. Member last session was a bullet with a hollow point such as was condemned by the Peace Conference.

I think the hon. Member misunderstands. I showed him a Mark 2 bullet. I have a specimen here. There is no hollow point to it. It is completely covered. I will show it to him presently, and I am convinced that he will be satisfied.

May I ask if specimen bullets will be placed in the Tea Room this afternoon?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether care has been taken to Provide all the troops on active service in South Africa with helmets or helmet covers of khaki, or some similar colour not easily distinguished by an enemy; and whether there is any foundation for a report to which publicity has recently been given, that the officers of the 1st or Guards' Brigade, 1st Army Corps, are to wear white haversacks, while those of the non-commissioned officers and men are of khaki, like their uniforms.

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. All ranks in the Guards' Brigade have haversacks of the same colour, except in one battalion, in which the officers have them khaki and the men white. Orders have been given that all haversacks are to be made of the same colour for all ranks. It is easy to produce the khaki colour.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what proportion of the Reservists summoned to the colours have responded to the appeal, of what regiments besides the Royal Welsh Fusiliers all the Reservists have come up, and how many of the whole have been rejected as medically unfit; what arrangements the Government are making to keep open the posts of Reservists in its employ against their return after the campaign; and if the example set by many employers in Sheffield and elsewhere has been followed of granting maintenance allowances to wives and children during the absence of their husbands in the service of the country.

Of the Reservists summoned to the colours, 98·04 per cent. rejoined, and ·91 per cent. accounted satisfactorily for their absence, leaving 1·05 per cent. as failing to report themselves. Of the Reservists who rejoined 7·11 per cent. were found unfit for service. The posts. in Government employment vacated by Reservists will be kept open for them; and a maintenance allowance for their wives and children will be granted, as already explained to this House. In the Royal Welsh Fusiliers six Reservists are unaccounted for, and, so far, the Royal Scots has been the only regiment in which all were accounted for, though in four others there remained but one each who has not answered the call.

Will the posts of Reserve men in the Post Office and the Metropolitan Police be kept open for them?

Yes. What I have said applies generally to all employees under Government.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office will he explain why Reservists are made to pay 3s. 7d. for certificates of birth of children when applying for the Government relief.

I think there must be some misapprehension on this subject. If the hon. and gallant Member can furnish me with particulars of any such charges having been made I will inquire with a view to the money being refunded.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what number and what proportion of the men comprising the regiments, battalions, and batteries ordered on active service have been rejected as medically unfit or under twenty years of age.

The figures can only be given approximately, as all the returns have not come in; but so far as is known, the percentage on all arms of rejection for foreign service on account of insufficient training, of being under age, or of being medically unfit, is 36½.

36½?

Yes. We deliberately leave behind everybody under twenty years of age, and that accounts for a very great number.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary for War a question of which I have given him private notice with reference to the Hussar officers said to be prisoners in the hands of the Boers. I wish to know to what extent the establishment of officers falls short of its proper complement. I also wish to know what is the total establishment of cavalry officers, and what is required to complete it. Also, will none but cavalry officers be attached to the establishment for special duty with the regiments sent out.

The establishment of the 18th Hussars was complete. Nothing is known as to the reason for the infantry officers having fallen into the enemy's hands, but it is assumed that they belonged to the Mounted Infantry. The peace establishment of officers of the cavalry of the line is 730. The present strength is 702. Twenty cavalry officers have been attached to the cavalry regiments sent from this country. There is no intention of attaching infantry officers.

Can the Under Secretary for War give the House any information as to the fate of the men wounded at Glencoe and Dundee?

I have to convey to the House the sad tidings of the death of General Symons. The news was considerately sent to Sir George White by General Joubert; this fact confirms our belief that General Yule had to leave his wounded at Dundee. I may add that General Yule's force has now reached Ladysmith, and we hope to have shortly full information upon the dispositions which he made for his wounded before leaving. The House will be glad to know that we have a further report from Mafe-king. It was reported "all right" on the 21st inst.

May I ask whether the Under Secretary for War can confirm or deny the report as to the capture of a squadron of the 18th Hussars?

I thought we had already confirmed that. The facts as stated in the press appear to be true. It is understood that all the officers whose names are mentioned are alive, although prisoners in the hands of the enemy.

There is one point in the hon. Gentleman's answer that is not clear. He assumed that the six infantry officers—five belonging to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and one other who was taken at the same time—were attached to the Mounted Infantry. But is there any trace of any men of the Mounted Infantry being taken?

Well, we have no further information. Our only information was really in a telegram which came from a Transvaal source, but it has since been confirmed. No doubt we shall hear everything to-morrow, when General White has had the opportunity of conversing with General Yule.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed in action during the present South African war will have any claim (and, if so, what claim) on the surplus funds of the Patriotic and Soldiers' Effects Funds administered by the Royal Patriotic Commissioners, as reported by the Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1896; and whether his attention has been called to the large amounts which the Commissioners now hold in excess of their liability to widows and children of British soldiers killed during the Crimean war.

The position of the funds referred to by the hon. Member in relation to claims of the relatives of those who lose their lives in the present war, and the schemes on which those funds and further funds that may be subscribed can best be administered, are now under consideration, and a conference with the Commissioners will be sought on the subject. It is impossible to make any definite statement at the moment, but the hon. Member may rest assured that the matter will receive early and careful attention.

Is it not a fact that these funds from the time when they were first handed over to the Commissioners have increased from £48,000 to £155,000, and that during their administration they had not spent a fourth of their income?

I cannot give a categorical answer. Undoubtedly the funds have increased. The Commissioners are convinced that by the present mode of administration the funds will be exhausted for the benefit of those for whom they were subscribed.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will arrange for the delivery in London on Sundays, during the continuance of the war in the Transvaal, of all letters from South Africa which arrive here on Saturday evenings but too late for delivery on that day.

When the Cape Mail arrives on Saturday, delivery in London can generally be effected on the same evening. The practical difficulties of making such an arrangement as that suggested by the hon. Member, on those rare occasions when the mail arrives late on Saturday evening, would be very great, and the Postmaster General regrets, therefore, that he does not see his way to adopt the suggestion, inasmuch as the advantage, if any, which individual members of the public would derive would be very small as compared with the amount of Sunday labour involved. Express letters posted in Cape Colony and Natal will be delivered by special messenger in London on Sunday, provided that they are properly marked and prepaid with the proper fee as shown on page 23 of the Post Office Guide.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will make arrangements with the Post Office to forward, free of charge, parcels which have to be redirected to soldiers who have removed to other quarters in the service of the Queen.

Under the Inland Post Treasury Warrant of 1897 a charge at the full rate of postage originally payable is made for every redirection of a parcel (unless the original address and the corrected address are in a delivery from the same post office), and this regulation applies to all parcels alike, including Government parcels and parcels for soldiers and sailors. The Post Office has to make payment to the railway companies for each separate conveyance of a parcel, and the Postmaster General regrets that his Department would not be justified in foregoing the fresh postage now levied for redirection on soldiers' as on all other parcels. As regards redirection abroad, a fresh postage is required under the international regulations.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he has been able to come to any decision as to the circulation in provincial towns of the official despatches from the seat of war?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state the existing law respecting those who shall maliciously and advisedly endeavour to seduce any person or persons serving in Her Majesty's forces by sea or land from his or their duty and allegiance to Her Majesty; and if he will direct its publication in the Dublin Gazette.

No general answer can be given to such an abstract question. Whether such persons are liable to proceedings or punishment must depend on the facts of the particular case.

I beg to ask whether there is any truth in the statement that in the case of the supplies to colonial troops important English orders for woollen blankets, socks, and various articles of underclothing have been given to manufacturers in several German towns.

No, Sir; there is no truth whatever in that statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if considerable amounts of coal, other than coal contracted for, have been purchased lately, not only for the use of the Navy, but for the replenishment of stores abroad, not alone from South Wales but from other districts of England, such as Northumberland and Durham; if he is aware that Scotch coal owners, although some are on the Admiralty list, have not been asked to tender at this time; and if he will see that they shall in future be asked to quote for supplies.

The Admiralty have purchased nothing but Welsh steam coal recently.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Government proposals for a reorganisation of the Guernsey Militia have been agreed to; how, and when, they are likely to come into force; and whether the Militia of the other islands (Jersey and Sark, for example) are also to be reorganised.

The question of the Channel Islands Militia is still under consideration.

Is the statement recently published about the Guernsey Militia premature, then?

There are rather complex constitutional problems involved which are different in the cases of the two islands, and it is not possible to settle the matter offhand.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that two privates of the foot guards, in uniform and perfectly sober, were refused to be served at the Dirty Dick Public House, Bishops gate, E. C., on 7th October; and whether the Department will draw the attention of the Licensing Committee of the Middlesex Magistrates to the case at the next Brewster Sessions.

The General Officer commanding the district is dealing with this case; and he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure respect for Her Majesty's uniform.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that Irish pensioners, amongst others, who have served over twenty-two years in the Army, the greater portion of their time having been passed in foreign and active service in Persia, India, and China, several of whom were given medals and clasps, and discharged from the Army with a good character, have now to apply for admission, or are being kept and supported in institutions such as "The Little Sisters of the Poor" and Irish workhouses, owing to insufficiency of pension for maintenance; and whether Her Majesty's Government can see their way, by legislation or otherwise, to remedy the condition of the Crimean veterans and others, so as to increase their pension above 8d. per day.

The whole question is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the Swazi people; and whether Her Majesty's Government will offer them a British protectorate, and restore the Swazis their ancient rights.

The British Consul left on the 14th of October. He was instructed before leaving to advise the paramount chief to keep his people quiet, and not to interfere in a war which is a white man's affair. It is understood that the Government of the South African Republic have withdrawn their officials from Swaziland. As to the second part of the question, Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to make any statement at present.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether the award in regard to the Delagoa Bay arbitration has yet been made; and, if not, can he say when it may be expected.

The award has not yet been given, but it is expected that it will be shortly.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the fortifications now being erected by the Russian Government at Port Arthur practically preclude trading operations being carried on there; and whether, as the Russian trading restrictions at Talien-wan in their present form render international trade impossible with that port, any modification of these restrictions has been suggested.

Port Arthur is not open to trade, and therefore no trading operations can be carried on there under any circumstances. No complaint with regard to restrictions upon trade at Talien-wan have reached Her Majesty's Government. In the event of such complaints being received inquiry will be made.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state what is the present position of the negotiations for the settlement by arbitration of the claims made by Her Majesty's Government on the Chinese Government, more than five years ago, for compensation to the owners of the British steamer "Kowshing," and to the families of British subjects who lost their lives by the sinking of that vessel.

Was not the "Kowshing" sunk by the Japanese, and not the Chinese?

On 22nd August the Chinese Government, while denying their liability for the loss of the "Kowshing," asked for further time to decide as to whether they would agree to arbitration; and they intimated to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking that they were awaiting a further communication from the Chinese Minister in London. Mr. Bax Ironside was informed in reply that Her Majesty's Government could not allow the responsibility, so far as they were concerned, to be shifted on to the Minister here. Sir Claude MacDonald, who is on his way back to China, has been instructed to press for an answer.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer can he state the total amount of money expended in contributions out of Imperial taxation in relief of local taxation during the year ending 31st March, 1899, and how much of that amount was provided respectively out of the general revenue paid into the Exchequer, and out of assigned revenues not paid into the Exchequer, but intercepted and paid directly to the local taxation account; whether he has taken into consideration that the revenues intercepted and paid directly to the local taxation account escape that annual control and supervision of Parliament which is extended to the expenditure met out of revenue paid into the Exchequer; and whether, during the Recess, he will consider the advisability of bringing the expenditure of such assigned and intercepted revenues under the control and supervision of Parliament by such an alteration in the law as would secure that in future these revenues shall cease to be intercepted and shall be paid into the Exchequer, in conformity with Section 10 of the Exchequer and Audit Act, 1866, and included in the public accounts of revenue and expenditure.

The total amount expended in contributions out of Imperial taxation in relief of local taxation during the year ending 31st of March, 1899, was £13,267,895,of which £3,746,735 was provided out of general revenues paid into the Exchequer, and £9,521,160 out of assigned revenues not paid into the Exchequer. I think the statement in the second paragraph of the question is too broad; and I do not propose to make any alteration of principle in the arrangements by which local taxation is relieved out of the public revenues of the country pending the Report of the Local Taxation Commission.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the "annual control and supervision of Parliament" referred to in the second paragraph of the question?

It is not for me to interpret the question. You had better ask the hon. Member for King's Lynn.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the present condition of the balance sheet of the Post Office Savings Bank; whether the balance due to depositors, which on 31st December, 1898, was £123,144,099, has increased or diminished; whether the value of the securities held on 31st December, 1898, and which were valued according to the average price on that day at £132,953,361, has increased or diminished; what the value of those securities is at the average price of the present day; whether he is aware that the average price of 2¾ per cent. Consols, amounting to £77,380,718, included in those securities, has fallen from about 111 to about 104 per cent. since 31st December, 1898;whether the surplus of assets over liabilities shown in the balance sheet to 31st December, 1898, as £10,702,556, still exists; and, if not, by how much has this surplus diminished; and will he reconsider the method of valuing assets at the average price on the day of valuation.

I cannot answer a catechism of this kind except by a Return; and I see no reason why a Return should be given in anticipation of the usual period—namely, the end of the year when the accounts are made up. I may say, however, generally, that the balance due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Banks shows a normal increase; and, of course, the securities held against it have also increased. Owing to the fall in the market price of Consols, the assets if valued at market price on 31st December next will doubtless show a diminished surplus as compared with last year. But there is no reason to anticipate that, even if valued at par, they will show a deficiency. I do not see what better method of valuation could be substituted for the present system.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what number of firms of shipowners has enrolled boys as probationers in the Royal Naval Reserve under the provisions of the Mercantile Marine Fund Act of 1898; and what is the number of boys so enrolled.

Forty-four firms of shipowners (some of them of the highest position) have enrolled boys as probationers in the Royal Naval Reserve under the Act referred to, and the number of boys so enrolled is 184.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the fact that the proposed new code of railway bye-laws was remitted to the railway companies by the Board of Trade with certain modifications and suggestions nearly two years ago, will he state whether a revised code has yet been submitted to the Department; and if not, will he say whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

A revised code has not yet been submitted. Upon the question of policy I am afraid I cannot add anything to my reply to the hon Member of June 29th.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to his address to the electors of Croydon in 1895, the statement in the Queen's Speech of 1896 that a measure dealing with the immigration of destitute aliens had been prepared, and to his declaration in 1897 that the Government would not depart one iota from their pledges (a declaration repeated in the course of last session), he will impress upon his colleagues the absolute necessity of dealing with the matter when Parliament reassembles.

I quite understand my hon. friend's desire to obtain a forecast of the legislation of next session, especially as to a measure in which I know he takes much interest, but I am afraid it would be contrary to well-recognised practice if I were to indicate what representations I should make to my colleagues in respect of any particular measure.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the condition of Ludgate Hill Station; and if he will institute an inquiry with a view to compel the company to make such alterations and improvements as may be necessary for the safety and comfort of the large number of the general public using the station.

Yes, Sir, my attention has been directed to this matter, and the Board of Trade have been in correspondence with the company. I am informed that, owing to the want of space, it is quite impossible to carry out any extensive alterations at the station, but that plans are being prepared showing what improvements can be effected, especially in regard to the access from the platforms. The Board also understood that orders have been given for the station to be lighted throughout by electricity.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Contagious Diseases Animals Act Committee of the Essex County Council with reference to the abolition of compensation for swine fever; and if he will act according to their recommendation.

I have received the resolution to which my hon. and gallant friend refers, but I regret that I am unable to concur in the opinion expressed therein. It is doubtless necessary that the power we possess to slaughter swine in conformity with the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts should be exercised with discretion and due regard to the circumstances and requirements of each case, but Parliament itself has prescribed that whenever we do exercise that power, compensation according to certain prescribed rates shall be paid, and I could not propose that any change in the law in this respect should be made.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether hydrophobia is now extinct in Great Britain.

I can scarcely as yet take it upon myself to say that rabies in dogs—to which I understand my hon. friend to refer—is now extinct in Great Britain, but except in the district of South Wales, to which the Muzzling Orders still apply, we have no knowledge of the occurrence of any case of the disease since the 24th March last. We have therefore good reason to hope that our operations against the disease have succeeded, but much will depend upon the support we receive in the enforcement of the measures taken to prevent its re-introduction from Ireland and from abroad.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that contagious diseases are being communicated by public drinking troughs to horses and cattle, and whether he could advise local authorities and others to provide taps or some means by which those who have valuable horses could fill their own pails, and avoid the risk to which they are now subjected?

No information has recently reached me of specific cases in which disease has been contracted at public drinking troughs, and although I should agree that, if the matter be looked at solely from the point of view of safety from the spread of infection, standpipes afford the best means of watering horses in cases in which drivers carry their own pails, I do not think that it is necessary, or that it would be advantageous, for me to proffer advice on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Poor Law machinery of the country has lately been used for the purpose of enumerating in various districts of England and Wales the number of persons over certain ages with a view to ascertaining data for an old age pensions scheme; whether a copy of the cards issued to enumerators and the instructions to the various officials engaged, together with the results of the enumeration, will be laid upon the Table of the House; and whether the cost of enumeration will be defrayed from local or Imperial funds.

I am taking steps to obtain information bearing on certain questions raised in connection with the Report of the Select Committee on the Aged and Deserving Poor, and the clerks to certain poor law unions have rendered their assistance. In reply to the second paragraph there will be no objection to laying the information desired by the hon. Member on the Table. The cost of the enumeration will be borne by Imperial funds.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Government propose to take any steps next session to arrest the further increase in the deer forest area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the—

Order, order!

May I not put a supplementary question?

If it arises out of the answer.

I think this does. I wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of alienating the rights of the landlords—

Order, order!

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state whether the Fishery Board have yet advertised for tenders for the new cruiser; and, if not, will he say when tenders will be invited; and will he also state what is to be her tonnage, cost, and speed.

The Fishery Board are not yet in a position to advertise for tenders, or to announce particulars as to the construction of their new vessel.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get some information as to when the Fishery Board will be prepared to commence this vessel, seeing that a year has elapsed since money was voted for the purpose?

I told the hon. Member on the Estimates that his questions on this subject had been really disastrous. We do not intend to give information at a period which may have the effect of raising the prices.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has received any representations urging the addition of a lady to the Departmental Committee recently appointed by him to inquire into the treatment of prisoners in Scottish prisons; and whether, having regard to the large number of woman prisoners concerned, he will consider the propriety of adding a female member to the Committee, as was done in the case of the Departmental Committee on English prisons of 1894, and that on habitual offenders, etc., in Scotland of the same year.

The reply to the first question is in the affirmative, and an answer was sent which has appeared in the newspapers. If the Committee find it necessary, a female assistant commissioner will be appointed, but it is not proposed to add to the number of members on the Committee.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that some of the names sent in by county Members as those of qualified Land Tax Commissioners have been omitted from the schedule as published in the London Gazette; and whether he can state the circumstances under which that has happened.

On the 10th of March 1898, I promised, in reply to a question, that lists previously handed in should stand good as regards the Bill of that year. The Bill was never carried. A similar arrangement this summer was considered, but not adopted, as various Members had died or vacated their seats. The circular addressed to the Clerks to the Commissioners of Land Tax by the Board of Inland Revenue called special attention to the necessity of preparing lists de novo, and if any misunderstanding has occurred it is due to the fact that this warning has not been communicated to hon. Members by the respective clerks.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that continued annoyance exists at the full charge being levied for re-transmission by wire of a telegram, at the charge of 1d. for postage for a re-directed telegram whilst letters are re-directed free, at the charge of 2d. by the Government for giving a receipt for a telegram, and at the charge of one guinea per year being made for a registered address; and whether he can see his way to afford relief in any or all of these grievances.

The Postmaster General is not aware that any general annoyance is caused by charges which are made for specific services rendered to the public; and he does not see his way to withdraw them. The answer to both paragraphs is No.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why an antiquated procedure was resorted to by the Crown in the recent action against the Dublin Daily Express for a debt due to the Post Office; could he state what was the amount due and how long it had been due; and whether the amount due was in excess of the amount of credit usually allowed by the Department to newspapers under similar circumstances.

The procedure adopted in the recent action of the Dublin Daily Express was followed under legal advice, being deemed to be that best adapted to protect the interests of the Crown. It could, of course, be stated what was the amount due and how long it had been due, but it does not seem desirable to disclose these details, especially as the proceedings in court are still sub judice The similar circumstances are fortunately very rare, but the Postmaster General would assure the hon. Member that the case was treated by the Department with every consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that it would afford considerable relief to people in this country if he could see his way to admit as one word in telegrams the name of each and every place in this country, and no longer punish those whose correspondents live in the neighbourhood of Charing Cross, Tyne Dock, Hyde Park, and such other places, by having to pay for two or three words for the name of the locality; whether he can state the estimated revenue derived by charging the names of places as two words; and whether he can state the amount of revenue derived from registered addresses, and the number of persons who now pay £1 1s. a year each for the privilege.

The Postmaster General is aware that some relief would be afforded to people in this country if he were to do what the hon. Member advocates in his question, but he does not see his way to make further exceptions to the rule under which every separate word in a telegram is charged for. The estimated revenue derived from charging the names of parts of towns as two words rather than as one word is £4,500 a year, but any alteration in this direction would involve further concessions the cost of which would entail a serious sacrifice of revenue. There are some 58,000 registered addresses, the fees of which amount to £61,000 a year.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will consider, during the recess, the question of allowing the name and address not exceeding eight words to be transmitted free of charge in telegrams.

No, Sir; the question of allowing a certain number of words in the address of a telegram to go free has been fully considered, and the Postmaster General can hold out no hope that he will be able to do what the hon. Member suggests.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he has settled the scale of charges to be made for the new telephone service in London; and, if so, whether he will state what these are.

The Postmaster General hopes to be able very shortly to publish the revised rates both for London and for provincial exchanges.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Land Commission, in order to avoid the delay and expense of litigation in getting fair rents fixed by the courts, has issued circulars to the effect that where landlord and tenant consent and sign a form, the Land Commission would send two court valuers to inspect the farms and fix fair rents accordingly; whether the agents to Trinity College at Cahirciveen, county Kerry, refused to agree to the terms of said circular when approached on the subject by the tenants residing in the town lands of Gurrane-bane, Gurraneevagh and Cahirciveen; and whether he will represent to the Land Commission that such refusal on the part of the representatives of Trinity College will cause great expense and delay to the tenantry on the property, who will now have to go before the courts to have fair rents fixed.

The procedure referred to in the first paragraph is based altogether on the voluntary assent of the parties, and such assent must be signified by their signing in the prescribed form the consents on which alone the Land Commissioners can act. I have no information as to the matter mentioned in the second paragraph.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of applications made and awaiting hearing in the Cahirciveen Land Commission district to have fair rents fixed; whether originating notices were served on Trinity College representatives as early as April, 1898, and are still unheard; and whether information can be given as to the probable time when the Sub-Land Commission will sit at Cahirciveen to dispose of the applications awaiting trial.

A hundred and thirty-one applications to fix fair rents await hearing from the district mentioned in the first paragraph. In only one of the unlisted cases from the Trinity College Estate was the application to fix a fair rent lodged in April, 1898, while, with the exception of two other cases in which the originating notices were lodged in August and September of that year, the applications in all cases pending from the estate were received during the present year. A list containing cases from this district will be issued when the County Kerry list, now in course of disposal, is completed, but the actual date on which the Sub-commission will sit in Cahirciveen has not yet been fixed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the necessity for appointing more Land Commissioners?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the date on which the abstract of title in Ware's Estate was lodged in the Land Judges Court to be ruled on by the Examiner; whether the rulings on title have yet been issued; and what the cause of the delay in issuing them has been.

The abstract was lodged originally on the 21st of March, 1898, but was found to be entirely defective. In May, 1899, an amplified abstract was lodged, and the queries on title were issued on 12th of July, 1899. No replies to these queries have yet been lodged. There does not appear, therefore, to be any delay in issuing the rulings on title.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the certificates of valuation for the standard year required by the Land Commission in fair rent applications, whether he is aware that about the time of the commencement of the first judicial term a number of small holdings were consolidated into larger holdings, and one rent receipt only given for the entire holding; and that this consolidation deprived the tenants from being able to devise, alien, or sell, or have judicial rents fixed for second term on any of the small holdings so consolidated without express consent of the landlord in each case; also that the valuations on these small holdings were not then separately made, and cannot, without a revaluation, be procured or supplied to the tenants by the secretaries of the county councils or the general valuation office; and whether, for the purposes of the Irish Land Laws, revaluations of these small holdings will be made forthwith to enable the tenants to comply with the requirements of the Land Commissioners, and have their fair rents fixed for second judicial term.

The Land Commissioners have no information with reference to the statement in the first paragraph that about the time of the commencement of the first judicial term a number of small holdings were consolidated into larger holdings. In cases where such consolidation took place it is assumed the tenants must have assented thereto. Without knowledge of the facts, in each particular case the Commissioners can express no opinion as to whether the consequences of such consolidations would be as stated in the question. The Valuation Act of 1854, as I have already pointed out, contains express provisions for the revision of the valuation of tenements, the limits of which shall have become altered. A penalty was recoverable from collectors of rates neglecting to take steps to have such revision carried out, and any ratepayer within the district was empowered to set in motion the procedure to have such revision made. The Order in Council of 30th January, 1899, provides for applications for revision of the valuation under the Valuation Acts, and I understand that applications made in accordance therewith in cases connected with fair rent applications are dealt with with all possible expedition.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state when it is proposed to withdraw the muzzling order for dogs in the county Waterford.

A case of rabies was reported from Waterford in June last, and sufficient time has not since elapsed to make it prudent to withdraw the muzzling order from the county.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he recently received a copy of a Resolution passed by the Innishowen Rural District Council complaining that special sanitary expenses undertaken by limited districts are now chargeable on the whole rural district; and whether he could see his way to intervene with a view to altering the existing state of affairs.

The reply given by me on Monday last to a similar question put by the hon. Member for North Leitrim respecting the area of charge in the case of the Manorhamilton Water Scheme applies equally to the present question.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds two-thirds only of one year's salary was awarded to Mr. John Austin, warrant officer for the last eight and a half years in the office of the late Collector General of Rates, Dublin, as compensation for the loss of his office, regard being had to the circumstance that, under the provisions of the Irish Local Government Act, pensions in the proportion of two-thirds of a salary are to be awarded to every person employed in the office on the 31st March, 1898, or remaining in that employment till the abolition of the post; and on what grounds has Mr. Austin been debarred from a pension or commensurate compensation for the loss of his office, having regard to the fact that pensions on a generous scale have been awarded to the other officers in the Department of the Collector General of Rates, Dublin.

Mr. John Curtin, not Austin, as erroneously stated in the question, was one of four police pensioners who were employed in the Department of the Collector General of Rates, and who were not entitled to any further pension on retirement from that Department, being, as already stated, in receipt of police pensions. The cases of these men were dealt with by the grant to them of a gratuity equivalent to two-thirds of one year's salary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that at, he sitting of the County Court of Mayo, at Ballinrobe, on Monday last, the learned county court judge dismissed a case on the ground that the plaintiff, a man named O'Connor, who knows the Irish language alone, was unable to give his evidence in English; and whether, having regard to the great proportion of the population in Mayo which is solely Irish-speaking, steps will be taken, either by communication with the Lord Chancellor or otherwise, to secure that justice is not withheld from suitors who are unable to speak the English language.

I have caused this question to be telegraphed to Judge Dane, but he appears to be on circuit, and I have not yet received his observations.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the opinion of the law advisers to the Cork Corporation and the Cork County Council, the present arrangement for the payment of the grant-in-aid towards the maintenance of the pauper lunatics in the Cork Lunatic Asylum will saddle the local taxation fund with expenditure incurred prior to the date upon which the Local Government Act came into force; and whether, in view of this fact, he will cause further inquiries to be made in the matter.

The hon. Member has been good enough to send me an extract from the opinion of the law advisers to the Cork Corporation, from which their contention appears to be that the making up of the accounts of the lunatic asylum from March to March, instead of for the calendar year as heretofore, will lay upon the ratepayers a burden equivalent to the grant-in-aid in respect of the three months ending the 31st of March in this year, unless the grant-in-aid for this period is paid by the Treasury. This, however, will not be the practical effect of the arrangement. The grant in aid of the rates in each financial year has hitherto always been in respect of an annual period commencing fifteen months before the beginning of such financial year. From this point of view, it may, no doubt, be said that at the time payment is made the grant has always been fifteen months in arrear. But in practice this only means that the expenditure during the first twelve months of the period of fifteen months is taken as the measure of the grant-in-aid for the financial year in which it is paid. In future the measure of the grant will be a period of twelve months as before, but these twelve months will be the twelvemonths immediately preceding. The ratepayers are in no way injured by the change, and no extra charge falls upon the Local Taxation Account by reason of it.