I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the Boers have invaded Zululand and attacked the natives, and also that natives have been employed by the Boers as armed combatants in recent operations, he still adheres to his statement made in October last that native troops would not be employed by the Government in the present war; and whether the same pledge applies to the natives of India and to the troops of the native princes who have offered their services.

My hon. friend has wisely placed the two branches of his question in different paragraphs, for, I need hardly say, there is no resemblance or analogy whatever between the native tribes of South Africa and the native princes of India and their troops. The aid of the latter we should be proud to have in a war carried on under ordinary conditions. The statement of policy, however, to which my hon. friend refers was based on the idea that the war in South Africa was not to be carried on under ordinary conditions, and that by common consent it was decided it should be confined to the two European races chiefly concerned. If the Boers adopt a course inconsistent with this idea we should, of course, hold ourselves free to reconsider our decision.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Boers have invaded Zulu-land; and whether provision has been made for enabling the Zulus to defend themselves against such aggression.

I have been informed that on three occasions, two of them recent, the Boers have invaded Zululand, and in one district have seized as prisoners the magistrate with his staff and police, while in another they have plundered all the stores. It is also reported that a commando with guns is moving further into Zululand. These acts have caused great alarm and unrest among the Zulus, which must spread among the Natal natives. The consequences throughout South Africa of such raids on native territories cannot fail to be very serious. The Natal Ministers have stated that they can no longer hold themselves responsible for the peaceful attitude of the Zulus; and Sir A. Milner, while greatly deploring the invasion of Zululand, points out that it is contrary to the tacit compact that natives should not be dragged into this war'. I may add that it has been decided that if native territory in the Cape Colony is deliberately invaded, the natives will be encouraged and assisted in every way to defend themselves.

. In view of the extreme gravity, which everyone will allow, of the answer made by my right hon. friend the First Lord of the Treasury to the question put by the hon. Member for Chester, and the answer by my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, may I lie permitted to ask these two supplementary questions of the First Lord-First, whether he will take care that the utmost certainty shall be secured as to the reality and authority of the Boor attacks on the natives; and, secondly, whether ho is aware that in this, as in so many other instances of alleged violation of the practices of war, there are charges and counter-charges on both sides?

As regards the second question, I am not aware there has been any allegation in this case of any violation of the practices of war. As regards the first, asking that the most, careful investigation shall be made, I can give him every assurance he thinks desirable on that subject.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, as on 28th February, 1855, Her Most Gracious Majesty, by and with the advice of the Privy Council, issued a Proclamation that Wednesday, 21st March, 1855, be observed as a day of solemn fast, humiliation, and prayer, for a blessing on our arms, and the restoration of peace, Her Majesty's present advisers will tender to the Sovereign similar advice that such a day may be appointed as was done during the Crimean War.

I shall be glad if my hon. friend will put this question down for Monday.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a cablegram from Cape Town stating that three Dutch subjects of Her Majesty detained in custody at Simon's Town had been suddenly removed to a district where martial law had been proclaimed, in spite of the issue of a writ by the Cape Supreme Court calling upon their custodian to show cause why they were detained; and will he explain by whose orders the prisoners were so removed, and where they are now detained.

My attention has been called to a telegram in The Times of 10th February, which does not exactly correspond with the hon. Member's statement. I am making enquiry by telegraph as to the facts.

I bog to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the information in the hands of the Government shows that the number of Cape Colonists who are joining the forces of the Boers is increasing; whether the withdrawal of British troops from the neighbourhood of Rensburg has been hastened by the disaffection of the inhabitants; and whether the area of disaffection throughout the colony is increasing.

I have no information on this point which I can give to the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the notice issued by Sir Alfred Milner, on the 26th January, 1900, pledging Her Majesty's Government to refuse to recognise and to treat as invalid confiscations of gold mines in the Transvaal was issued on the advice of the Foreign Office, or on advice from any other departments of the Home Administration.

The notice was issued under instructions given by Her Majesty's Government after due consideration of the legal and other aspects of the question.

Did this instruction come from the Colonial Office in the first instance?

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state whether Her Majesty's Government is satisfied that the Government of Portugal is fully observing its duty of neutrality in regard to Delagoa Bay, and effectively preventing the irregular use of that port during the war; and what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government in the matter.

The instructions given by the Government of Portugal are such as to leave no doubt of their intention fully to observe their duty of neutrality in the present war. Her Majesty's Government have throughout given most attentive consideration to the situation in Delagoa Bay, and we are in constant communication with the officer commanding the Fleet in those waters and with Her Majesty's Consul at Lorenzo Marques.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, can he explain why the despatches describing the operations of the Naval Brigade at the battles of Graspan and Colenso have not yet been published, although the despatches describing the operations of the military forces in those battles were published in the London Gazette of the 26th January last; is the delay due to the Admiralty, to the War Office, or to the action, or forbearance from action, of the generals in the field; will he take steps to secure the immediate publication of these despatches; and will he also take steps to secure that in future the despatches describing the operations of the Naval Brigade are published at the same time as those describing the operations of the military forces on the same occasions.

In my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for the Eastern Division of Berkshire, I stated that I was making certain inquiries by telegraph. As no definite answer has been received I will telegraph again.

That is not a reply to my question. I asked why.

I have given the answer have been instructed to give.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any, and, if so, what contracts for the transport of troops and stores for the war in the Transvaal have been entered into between the. Admiralty and the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company; whether he is aware that a member of the Government is a director of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company; and whether it is in accordance with practice for a Government Department to enter into contracts with companies of which members of the Administration are directors.

We have chartered many vessels belonging to the P. and O. Steamship Company for the transport of troops to South Africa, particulars of which will be given in the return now being prepared. I presume that a member of the Government is a director of the company, as the hon. Member says so, but I was not aware of it. I do not know precedents in the case one way or the other.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could see his way to introduce any legislation for the reduction of succession or probate duties payable by the estates of soldiers killed on active service.

The estates of sailors, marines, and soldiers killed on active service are now exempt from probate or estate duties. I do not think this exemption should be extended to succession duties. To do so would really be in certain cases to relieve comparatively distant relations or stranger's obtaining an inheritance by the death of a soldier at an unexpectedly early date. I do not see why such persons should receive the inheritance free of tax. Of course it would very rarely happen that the estate, was of sufficient value to be liable.

Could it not apply to lineals?

I do not think that would be fair.

On behalf of the hon. Member for S. Salford, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that several changes recently made in the officers commanding the several divisions and brigades in the army on the Modder River, the supreme command of which has recently been taken over by Lord Roberts, he is in a position to give the names of the several officers at present commanding divisions, and brigades in that army.

No, Sir, we have no information.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State-for War whether, when Irish Militia regiments are brought to England and the men are asked to volunteer for service at the front, he will provide Members of this House who may wish to visit Militiamen belonging to their constituencies who are in such regiments, with the opportunity of ascertaining in what way they were asked to volunteer for the front, and whether they were free agents or not, and with the necessary authority to interview them on these points.

Arising out of that question, may I ask my hon. friend whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Kilkenny on a recent occasion is reported to have advised Irish soldiers to shoot their English comrades and join the Boers?

Don't stand that.

Order, order! That does not arise out of the question.

In reply to the hon. Member who asked the original question, I have to say that this would be quite contrary to military discipline.

Is the hon. gentleman aware that several of the soldiers have written to their friends saying that they have been coerced into volunteering?

No, Sir; I have no information to that effect, and I believe the case has been misrepresented.

I have a letter my self—

Order, order!

I beg to give the hon. Gentleman notice that if he brings Kilkenny Militia into this country I shall—

Order, order! This is not the time to give notice.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether nearly 50 per cent, of the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Louth Militia), stationed at Sheffield Barracks, have signified their objection to go to the front in South Africa; and if so, whether the men are within their rights in refusing for foreign service; and whether he will see that no undue pressure is put upon them to compel or induce them to go.

I have no information to the effect stated in the question. But, as I have before informed the hon. Member, commanding officers have received the most explicit orders not to place any pressure upon their men to accept service in South Africa, and the Secretary of State has no reason to believe that such pressure is being exercised.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, considering he asked me to postpone the question, he instituted the inquiries which he promised to make?

I cannot accept the statement that I promised to make any inquiry. I have on more than one occasion given the answer I have given this afternoon.

I am in the recollection of the House—

Order, order!

Move the adjournment.

The question has been fully answered.

I will take the earliest opportunity to raise the question of the kidnapping of Irish Militiamen to send them abroad.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can explain the method adopted by the colonel of the 3rd Royal Munster Fusiliers (Militia), now stationed at Dover, en route to South Africa on the 21st inst., to ascertain whether any of the men were willing to volunteer for the front; whether he will inquire if the men were asked en masse while on parade; whether he is aware that very few of them understood the colonel's words; also that some men who were not on parade at the time afterwards explained to their officers that they were not willing to volunteer or be bound by what happened on parade on the occasion, and were then told that the majority had volunteered, and that they were bound to go with them; whether he will order, before this regiment is sent to the front on the 21st inst., that each man is asked separately if he wishes to volunteer, and allowed reasonable time to give his reply, and that ho is protected against any attempt to influence him in his decision; and whether he will give the necessary authority to Irish Members of this House to interview any of their constituents who are amongst the 3rd Royal Minister Fusiliers.

There is no information on the subject in the War Office; but strict orders are given that no pressure is to be put upon the men; and the Secretary of State is not disposed to interfere with the commanding officer, who, he does not doubt, did his duty.

Perhaps now I may be allowed to ask the Hon. Gentlemen if he did not send mo a letter from his Department asking me to post pone a question in order that he might make inquiry, and did he not tell me that personally?

I have no recollection. It has escaped my memory if I said so. A letter may have been sent on my behalf.

Are we to understand that the hon. Gentleman is not responsible for letters that come from his Department?

Order, order!

remained standing.

When I call the hon. Member to order I must ask him to resume his seat.

I wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for War a question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether his attention has been directed to a letter dated 12th February, in the Irish press, from Dr. Logue, the Cardinal Primate of Ireland, with reference to the case of a Militiaman named Duffy, under orders, as he believe, for military service in South Africa, without having been given any option of accepting or declining active service; and whether, having regard to the statement of the Cardinal on the subject of the grievances of this man, that "he knows as little of what he is about as a bullock being led to the shambles"—

Order, order! This illustrates the inconvenience of not putting questions down. Members read out what would be struck out as irregular if the question were duly handed in.

I am only quoting from the Cardinal's letter.

Perhaps I may inform the hon. Member that I have not received his private notice. I should be glad if hon. Members would give me two or three days notice of these questions.

The case is urgent, because this man will soon be gone.

May I ask whether a message sent by special messenger to the War Office before noon is likely to reach the hon. Member?

I am certain to be there, but when there are thirty-five questions put down I cannot undertake to reply to such questions without fuller-notice.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland if his attention has been called to a green handbill circulated in Dublin addressed to Irish Roman Catholics, and headed "England's Robber War," in which it is stated, on the authority of the Rev. Father Kavanagh, that every man who engages in such war if he dies in it must suffer the loss of his soul; and what steps the Government propose to take in reference to the printing and circulating of such documents.

Circulars such as are described in the question containing a letter purporting to have been written by the Rev. Father Kavanagh have, it is believed, been circulated privately to a limited extent in Dublin. The police have been instructed to seize and destroy the circulars when found. The matter is being carefully watched, but up to the present the Government have not considered it necessary to take further action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular puts this forward as the doctrine of the Catholic Church?

Is it not perfectly notorious in Dublin that the circular was got out by the Orange party?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what is the number and description of the cannon captured by the Boers from the British forces since the opening of the present war down to the latest information in the possession of the Government, and how many of the Boer cannon have been captured by the British forces within the same period.

I regret to say I have not the information here. But the number of guns captured has been published several times, and there is no objection to publishing them now. But I do deprecate for the future publishing the debit and credit until the account is closed.

When will that be?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Vickers-Maxim quick-firing gun has proved very effective in the hands of the Boers; and whether it was offered some years ago to Her Majesty's Government and refused; and if so, by whose advice.

No reports on the effectiveness of the Vickers-Maxim as employed by the Boers have been received at the War Office from South Africa. In regard to the second paragraph the gun was submitted for trial not for the Army, but for the Navy, to see if it would prove effective in repelling attacks of torpedo boats, and the report on it for that purpose was not favourable. I have already told the House that we are sending out a number of these guns to South Africa.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary, of State for War if it be the intention of the War Office to arm the forty-three new batteries of artillery with guns similar to those at present in use in South Africa, or with a new pattern equal in rapidity of fire, range, and other qualities to the latest type in the possession of any Power".

The new guns will be of the same calibre and of about the same weight as the guns now in South Africa. The new equipment will be at least equal in all their principal features to any field guns possessed by foreign Powers.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether orders have been received at Aldershot for the battalions of the Eighth Division to draw clothing and equipment immediately on the South African scale and to bring up their establishment to war strength by drafts from the depôts; and whether it is intended that the Eighth Division should proceed forthwith to South Africa.

I must ask my hon. friend to excuse me from replying at present to this question.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War a question, of which I have given private notice, namely, whether he has been able to acquire any further information in respect to the military authority who advised a reduction of the Royal Horse Artillery in 1887.

Yes, Sir; but it is of a negative character only. I am able to state on the authority of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge that so far from advising a reduction in the number of the Royal Horse Artillery batteries in that year, he pressed for an increase on the Estimates.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of officers in the Reserve of Officers have applied for employment on active service; whether, in order to fill up vacancies, the Government will employ these officers for service at home and foreign stations and for departmental work; and whether the Government will employ these officers of the Reserve to take the place of officers employed at depôts or as adjutants of Auxiliary forces.

Officers of the Reserve are being appointed to depôts and for other duties; but not at present as adjutants of Auxiliary forces, for which appointments it is considered necessary to retain officers who have recently been in actual regimental employment, and who are conversant with the office work of the depot.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the issue of lodging and fuel and light allowances to the wives and families of all staff and senior departmental officers now serving in the South Africa field force can be extended in favour of such other departmental officers ordered to that country on mobilisation of the Army as were drawing those allowances when ordered abroad.

The continuance of these allowances does not, as the ques- tion seems to imply, depend on the rank of the officer drawing them, but on the length of the fixed period of tenure appertaining to the appointment held.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of casualties amongst senior regimental officers serving in South Africa, steps can be taken to provide against possible vacancies in the future by releasing adjutants of Volunteer corps for active service, and employing officers from the Reserve of Officers to take over the duty of adjutant of such Volunteer corps.

Having in view the need of maintaining the efficiency of the Auxiliary forces, the Commander-in-Chief is not prepared to take their present adjutants from them.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether officers chosen from Volunteer battalions for service in South Africa will receive a grant of £100 for equipment, such as is given to an officer promoted from the ranks or to a Reserve officer recalled for service.

An officer from the Reserve of Officers if called out is granted £100 for outfit. Terms were offered for Volunteers for service in South Africa, which were accepted and, as we are at present advised, were acceptable. These did not include more for the officers who volunteered than the special capitation rate which is granted to the corps for men of any rank who volunteer.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, as alleged by Sir Henry Norman, some of the Imperial Yeomanry have been supplied with coloured horse rugs and black overcoats, whereas most regiments of the Imperial Yeomanry have khaki coloured great coats and horse rugs.

These supplies have all been arranged by the Yeomanry Committee. They report that about seventy-five light coloured horse-rugs have been issued, as enough ordinary rugs were not at the time procurable. They will be replaced from the depot. As regards greatcoats, none of khaki colour have been issued. The authorized colours are navy blue and dark grey. If any black ones have been supplied, the number must have been small.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state what arrangements have been made for conveying the remaining troops of the Imperial Yeomanry to South Africa.

1,900 men and 1,700 horses of the Imperial Yeomanry are awaiting embarkation. Of these, it is expected that 1,800 men and about 950 horses will be embarked between the 23rd instant and the end of the month, Shipping will be ready for the remainder very shortly afterwards.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what are the circumstances attending the arrest of two yeomen named Buck on a charge of being Boer spies.

An inquiry is now proceeding in this matter.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident which happened to a yeoman or volunteer within the grounds of the Victoria Barracks, Belfast, on Wednesday last, the 7th inst.; whether he is aware that the soldier was put upon a vicious horse to submit to the test for horsemanship; that this horse bolted, unhorsed its rider, and then trampled over his body; and that the rider was afterwards removed to the general hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries sustained; whether lie will state the name and address of the rider; and whether, under the circumstances, steps will be taken not to employ vicious horses for i the fast riding tests.

I am afraid that the hon. Member has been completely misinformed. The horse in question was the quietest in the stables, and did not bolt. The man, James Baird, insisted that he was able to pass the test, though carefully warned beforehand, and was. promptly thrown. He was able to attend to his business on the same evening, and has enjoyed perfect health ever since. No horse has ever bolted during the tests.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the present uncertainty as to the customs regulations in Cape Town and Natal is checking the sending of parcels of tobacco and other comforts for the troops when the parcels are too large to go by post: whether seeing that parcels urgently needed by the soldiers may remain indefinitely at the Custom House unless some system of paying the duties is established, arrangements can be made either for enabling the senders of parcels to pay the-colonial duties in this country or for appointing an officer in South Africa to do this; and whether in some other way the War Office will make arrangements so that it shall be possible and reasonably certain for these comforts to reach our soldiers, and that without unnecessary delay.

The privilege of sending parcels of tobacco and other presents to the troops free of the Colonial Customs duties was originally intended by the Government of Cape Colony to apply only to parcels. A letter from Mr. Hamilton Gatliffe, dated January 20th, seems to show that the Capo Customs authorities were not then prepared to go so far in respect of large consignments as I gathered to be the case from his telegram of January 29th. It may be that the later and more liberal attitude indicated by the telegram is the one which the Cape Government has finally decided to adopt. But to avoid any chance error I must ask my hon. friend to allow me to confer with the Colonial Secretary.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he has observed the extremely large items and the absence of particulars from the paper which has been distributed with regard; to the Supplementary Estimates of the War Office; and when it will be possible to lay before Parliament complete details of the expenditure of the twenty-three millions included in these Supplementary Estimates.

Nothing but a very rough estimate of war expenditure ' can possibly be framed. The actual expenditure will be shown in the Army Appropriation Account for 1899–1900 under ail the subheads of the Votes. The present mode of presenting the demands for war funds has been preferred to that of a vote of credit, as an approximate estimate of the amounts required under each Vote is presented, but it is not possible to present a more detailed statement.

Will the Appropriation Account give fuller details?

The hon. Member must know that in the Appropriation Account every sixpence is accounted for, and you can tell exactly how much is spent on men and how much on horses.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government can, without detriment to the public interests, authorise the publication of earlier and fuller official information with regard to the progress of the war, and give greater freedom to the correspondents of British newspapers, so as to prevent the earliest news of important or critical events reaching this country from the Continent.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this. Every telegram describing military operations which can be published is published at the earliest possible moment. The Government must leave the restrictions on correspondents at the front to the discretion of the military authorities in South Africa.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that the postage from this country to North-Eastern Rhodesia is 2½d., whereas the postage from that territory to this country is 6d.; and, in view of the fact that Imperial troops are now stationed throughout Rhodesia, will arrangements be made to reduce the postage from that country to 2½d.

Yes, Sir, the postage in the outward direction is fixed by Her Majesty's Government, and that in the homeward direction by the local authorities, who are now arranging to reduce it to 4d. the ½ oz. The interests of the forces now in Rhodesia are, however, saved by the fact that non-commissioned officers and men of the Army and Navy enjoy by statute the privilege of sending and receiving ½-oz letters for one penny.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Australian coal can be obtained at little more than half the price now being paid by the Admiralty for Welsh coal, and has been most successfully used by great English liners as well as by the United States Navy, he can inform the House why no Australian coal has been used for the British transports to the Transvaal.

The actual price of Australian coal compares favourably with Welsh, but when the cost of freight is added the comparison has not hitherto been in favour of the former. Offers, however, are now under consideration which approximate more closely to present prices, owing to the high rates now prevailing both for Welsh coal and freight from England. Although Australian coal is being used by Her Majesty's ships in Australian waters for ordinary passages, reports from that station describe it as unsuitable for continuous steaming at high speeds.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether the Committee at Aldershot, who reported unfavourably of the shooting director invented by Mr. T. A. Russell, had tested it by any firing; whether he is aware that the officer commanding the Regimental District at Hounslow in 1890, now commanding a division in South Africa, had tested it exhaustively by unofficial trials, and had reported that it nearly doubled the accuracy of the rifle practice; and whether those results were known to the Com-mander-in-Chief and the Adjutant-General.

Yes, Sir. The Committee did test it by firing at different ranges and at different sorts of targets, and reported that it was not suitable for active service. The trials carried out by the officer commanding the Regimental District at Hounslow were on a small scale, and were prior to the exhaustive trials at Aldershot. The results were known to the Commander-in-Chief and to the Adjutant-General.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the inventor of the Brotherhood depression range finder, on taking out provisional protection for his invention, offered it to the War Office for inspection and trial, and was informed that it could not be considered unless he first submitted to the authorities two complete sets of drawings; and will he state whether it is the practice of the War Office to place similar restrictions on inventions submitted to the Department; and, if so, will he say whether the rule can be so modified that inventors may not be discouraged and driven to offer their inventions to foreign Governments.

Yes, Sir. Drawings are invariably required, and are obviously essential.

What is the object of having drawings when you have the article itself to experiment with?

In consequence of the unsatisfactory reply I shall take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the action of the War Office in this matter.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry was made by the War Department into the cause of the failure of the Mark IV. ammunition at Bisley last year; and, if so, what has been the result of such inquiry.

Yes, Sir. A full and minute inquiry was made, and it was decided to stop the manufacture of Mark IV. bullet and replace it by Mark V.

On behalf of the hon. Member for York (Mr. BUTCHER) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Militia sergeant majors appointed prior to February, 1889, were entitled to the rank of warrant officers; will he explain why an Army Order was issued in February, 1889, depriving Militia sergeant majors appointed after that date of the rank of warrant officers; whether under the Special Army Order No. 203 of 3rd November, 1899, Militia sergeant majors will receive the pay and allowance, but not the rank of warrant officers; why in the event of a warrant officer being killed in action his wife and children are entitled to pensions, but in the event of a Militia sergeant major being killed in action his wife and children are entitled to no pension whatever; and whether the Government will take into consideration the question of raising all Militia sergeant majors to the rank of warrant officers, or otherwise ensuring pensions for the wives and children of those killed in action.

Militia sergeant majors never were warrant officers, and as. during peace they are only employed for a portion of the year it is not considered necessary to give them the rank or pay. During embodiment, however, they are granted the same pay and allowances as in the Line, but warrant rank is not conferred upon them. The question of the provision for their wives and families in the case of men killed in action or dying in consequence of foreign service is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Department what pensions or retiring allowances have been or are being paid by the Royal Patriotic Commissioners to persons employed by the Commission. What are the details of those at present in enjoyment and the amount of capital fictuarially reserved to secure their payment. Whether he is aware that Clause 5 of the Patriotic Act, 1881, expressly forbids the granting of any pension or retiring allowance without the approval of the Treasury. That the Commissioners have guaranteed, notwithstanding, a pension to the present secretary upon retirement. Whether such undertaking has received Treasury assent. And whether the Government will undertake to see that no further misapplication of the funds in such direction be permitted.

Superannuation allowances have been granted from time to time to officers and clerks of the office, with Treasury consent, in accordance with the requirements of the Patriotic Fund Act. The amounts now outstanding are £235 8s. 8d. a year, for which £1,550 has been set aside by the actuary from the capital. Subject to the approval of the Treasury, the present secretary will on retirement be granted a pension in accordance with the Act already mentioned.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether ho is aware that an Army pensioner named William Coleman, who took part in the Crimean War, and fought in the battles of Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastapool, and also went through the Indian Mutiny and other engagements, for which he holds six medals, during which he was severely wounded, was compelled, owing to insufficient pension, to apply to the Thrapston Board of Guardians, Northants, for outdoor relief; and whether, owing to the insufficiency of pension granted to Coleman and other Crimean veterans, the War Office can see their way to giving them some small increase of pension.

William Coleman has, I am informed, been awarded the highest rate of pension which present regulations allow, namely 1s. 1d. a day.

Will the hon. Gentleman permit me to ask if this man was not employed by the Duke of Devonshire. Cannot he do something to prevent the man going into the workhouse?

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state how many officers on active service are connected with the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society; and is not this society an association trading for profit; and if so, is it consistent with the Queen's Regulations that officers on active service should engage in trade competition with taxpaying traders and contractors.

Eleven officers of the Imperial Army on the active list hold shares in the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society, representing in all capital to the amount of £821, or a maximum annual dividend of £41 1s., which gives an average annual income of about £3 15s. a head. The hon. Member has been informed in the House more than once that this is not a trading association but a provident society, conforming in every way with the conditions laid down for such societies in the Provident Societies Act, 1893. As such it is not contrary to the Queen's Regulations for officers on the active list to take part in its management.

Is it not a fact that this provident society pays a dividend of 5 per cent., and is there anything to-prevent the relatives of the officers holding a large number of shares?

I have stated precisely what the interest of the officers amounts to—they get about £3 15s. each a year.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether commanding officers of regiments in Ireland will be allowed freedom in connection with future contracts for groceries, provisions, and other articles supplied to regimental canteens; whether under present arrangements these contracts are practically decided by staff officers, though they are of entirely regimental character according to Queen's regulations; and will the War Office give instructions to commanding officers to procure supplies from local contractors in cases where price, quality, and conditions of supply are satisfactory.

General officers have power to make district contracts when they consider it in the interests of the troops. There is no reason for depriving the general officers in Ireland of this discretionary power. District contracts are decided by boards composed of regimental officers drawn from all parts of a district and not of staff officers, though a staff officer with special knowledge regarding supplies generally attends to give advice. There is no reason for fettering general or other commanding officers in their choice of the source from which they may purchase supplies for canteens.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his answer. But may I ask him if it is not a fact that the officers who decide as to these contracts are connected with the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office what proportion of the amounts claimed by those who catered for the troops at Aberdare and Pontypridd in 1898 has been paid out of Imperial funds; whether any of the balance not paid by the War Office has been paid from local or other sources; and, if so, how much; if he is aware that the amounts claimed were based on the, rates for catering specifically agreed upon between those who catered and the stipendiary magistrates for the districts in which the troops were quartered; and that the non-payment of a large portion of the amounts arranged under such contracts has involved some of the caterers in serious embarrassment; and whether he will take steps to let tradesmen throughout the country know that the War Office and county councils are in no way bound by contracts for the catering of troops made by stipendiary or other magistrates when troops are sent to maintain the peace in disaffected districts.

Of £4,307 claimed, £1,531 has been paid out of Imperial funds. It is stated that a further £105 has been paid by the Glamorgan County Council. There is no knowledge at the War Office of the arrangements as to the rates for catering which were made by the chief constable of Glamorganshire; but it is understood that the county council considered the claims exorbitant. The whole question of the incidence of the cost of catering for troops in such circumstances is under consideration.

I am not concerned with the arrangements made by the chief constable, and my question referred to that made by the stipendiary magistrate.

My answer covers both.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will consider the advisability of increasing the maximum rates allowed by the War Office for the catering of troops when quartered in districts where rioting is anticipated or has actually occurred.

The rates for billeting are fixed by Act of Parliament, and the question of liability for any charge not covered by those rates is under the consideration of the Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state whether, under the existing laws of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, any impediments are placed in the way of coloured persons desirous of acquiring and holding land. Whether, so far as the Transvaal is concerned, any such impediment constitutes an infringement of Article XIX. of the Convention of 1884. And whether coloured persons are under any disabilities as to the acquisition and ownership of land in Cape Colony and Natal.

In the South African Republic natives and other coloured persons are not allowed to acquire land in their own name. Application has to be made to the Superintendent of Natives, who took the place of the British Secretary for Native Affairs and the Native Location Commission provided for by Articles 13 and 31 of the Pretoria Convention. I do not, therefore, think that the existing arrangement is a breach of Article XIX. of the London Convention. In the Orange Free State I believe that coloured persons of partly European origin are allowed to acquire and hold land, but not other coloured persons. Indians are practically excluded from settling in the State at all. In the Cape and Natal coloured persons other than natives residing in locations (who own land in common) are not under any restriction as to acquiring and owning land.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government proposes to make such alterations in the harbour of Famagusta as will make it more convenient for trade purposes; and whether due care will be taken in the process of carrying out such alterations that no damage shall be done to, and that there shall be no interference with, the ancient walls and gates of the town.

The improvement of the harbour at Famagusta will be taken in hand as soon as the necessary preliminary legislation has been passed by the Legislative Council. Every care will be taken to avoid any undue interference with the ancient walls and gates. I am in communication with the High Commissioner on this point.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state what steps he has taken and proposes to take in pursuance of the intimation he gave to the House on 8th June last relative to Savings Banks.

I took steps, as I promised to do, for obtaining some fresh information on this subject during the recess, especially with regard to the system adopted in France, and I have a measure in course of preparation based on the result of those inquiries; but I cannot yet say when I may be able to introduce it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state at what date he will issue the reports of the inspectors of factories for 1899, promised by him last August for an early date in this session.

I have considered carefully, with the Chief Inspector of Factories, the question of the reports of the work of his Department. New arrangements hare been made for the preparation of the great mass of material with which his annual report has to deal; and he expects to have it ready for publication in May. With this object, it is necessary to omit the annual returns of persons employed which in recent years have been tabulated for the purposes of the report.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the explosion of a petroleum lamp at Salford, on 29th December last, which caused the death of five persons; whether he has considered the verdict of the jury in the inquest held on the five bodies, and the remarks of the coroner, who strongly condemned the use of dangerous lamps such as the one which caused the accident; and whether he intends this session to introduce the Bill to deal with the sale of lamps, and carry out the promise to Parliament made by the Under Secretary to the Department on 15th March, 1899, when he informed the House that the Government had decided to deal with the questions of dangerous lamps and oils, and that their Bill had long been in preparation and was in a forward state.

I have had before me the evidence in the case to I which the hon. Member refers; and am only too well aware of the danger which arises from the use of inferior lamps. But the whole question of petroleum lamps and oils is, as the hon. Member will recognise, a very controversial one, and I fear that I cannot promise legislation upon it this session.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government intends this session to introduce a Seamen's Compensation Bill to compensate seamen if injured, or the relatives of those killed, in manner similar to the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1897.

The Government cannot undertake to introduce any Bill on this subject this session.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a letter, dated 27th November, 1899, "from the Secretary of State for the Colonies relating to the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1897, in which he said that when the Act was passed he certainly had no idea that pieceworkers or casual labourers, if engaged in bon^a fide employment, could or would be excluded from the benefits of the measure; and whether, having regard to the above statements, he will introduce a short Bill this session to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act, and bring within its scope casual labourers and pieceworkers.

Yes, Sir. I have seen a copy of the letter of my right hon. friend. I will only add that it has not yet been decided authoritatively that casual labourers are excluded from the benefits of the Act, and that I have no doubt that pieceworkers in regular employment are fully within its provisions. I have already stated more than once that in any case the Government does not see its way to legislation on the subject at the present moment.

But is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the relatives of a casual labourer are not likely to be in a position to carry a case to the Appeal Courts?

I believe that only one county court judge has given an adverse decision.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department why the return relating to Private Bill Legislation expenses ordered by the House on the 28th of April of last year has not been presented, and when it is likely to be in the hands of Members.

I have received from two of the Departments the portions of this return for which they are responsible, and I hope within a few weeks to receive the remainder from the other two departments concerned. It will then be issued as soon as it can be printed. The return is an extremely voluminous one, and has to be collected from hundreds of local authorities, railway and other companies, any one of whom by failing to give the required information may delay the whole return.

Will the return include similar expenses relating to light railways?

That matter has been considered, and as it is thought the information may be useful it will be included.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether an indicator of the debates can be placed in the tea room.

I beg at the same time to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether, as the news room is frequented throughout the sittings of the House, he will place an indicator of the debates there in preference to the tea room.

In answer to my hon. friend and to the question of the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division, I beg to say that I will give their suggestions my favourable consideration. I am inclined to think that of the two proposals that which suggests that an indicator should be placed in the newspaper room is the best.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state whether any, and, if any, how many railway companies have introduced on passenger trains the brake system of communication between railway passengers and the guard.

This system has been in use for some years past on the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire or Great Central Railway, and also on the Furness and Cambrian Railways. Almost all the principal companies have now decided to adopt it. Correspondence between the Board of Trade and the companies on the subject of railway passenger communication will shortly be presented to Parliament.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to give effect to Clause 2 (5) of the Mercantile Marine Fund Act, 1898, which provides that, in so far as may be compatible with the efficiency and safety of the lighthouse service, telegraphic communications with lighthouses shall be available for private messages at reasonable charges; and, if such is the intention, when he will be in a position to state the terms and conditions upon which these facilities will be granted.

The question how far electrical communication with lights houses may be made available for private messages is one of the points which have been referred to an Inter-Departmental Committee, who are dealing with the whole subject of communications between lighthouses or light vessels on the shore. Until I have received the report of that committee I shall not be in a position to-give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the electric traction experiments on the Metropolitan Under-ground Railways; and whether there is any prospect of electric traction being introduced on those railways at an early date.

I am glad to be able to state that substantial progress has been made with the experimental work on the District Railway, and that it is proposed to run a train for the conveyance of passengers between certain points on the line in the course of a few weeks.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he could state what schemes for new piers to be constructed under the Small Piers and Harbours Act, 1896, have been submitted to the Congested Districts Board; whether a plan has been submitted from St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney, and, if so, will he say what action the Congested Districts Board has taken, and the amount of grant allowed; whether a plan has been sent from North Ronaldshay, and, if so, what assistance is to be given; whether plans have been approved for piers at Longhope and North Walls, and, if so, what will be their cost, the amount of public money given, and the amount to be raised locally by taxation and by voluntary gift; and whether other plans have been submitted, and, if so, what action the Congested Districts Board have taken with regard to them.

The following schemes have been submitted to the Congested Districts Board for Orkney Piers: (1) Egilshay, (2) Burray, (3) St. Margaret's Hope, (4) North; Ronaldshay, (5) Longhope, (6) Moness, (7) North Ness, (8) South Ness. No definite application has come from Zetland. A plan has been submitted for St. Margaret's Hope. This application will be considered in due course, and when, with due regard to the claims of other districts it can be taken up. A plan has also been received for North Ronaldshay, and the board are awaiting information they asked for on 6th October last, The board have approved a plan for Long-hope Pier. The estimated cost is £3,633, of which the board will find 75 per cent., or £2,725 on certain conditions. The proprietor offered to give free a site and all material that can be found on the estate. Further, he will build North Ness boatslip, and along with the inhabitants will construct a road from Walls to Hoy, and a road over the Ayre. These roads and the boatslip are estimated to cost £2,130; and the local contribution for Longhope Pier is £908, besides site and, certain materials. The only other plans yet received are for Egilshay and for Burray, where grants of £375 and of £1,260 respectively have been made on the usual conditions.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state what progress has been made with the scheme for the erection of fishermen's dwellings in the Island of Lewis.

The Congested Districts Board secured from the proprietor of the Island of Lewis an offer to feu direct to fishermen twenty-six quarter-acre plots at the rate of £4 an acre (the minimum rate allowed by the Court of Session for this entailed estate) in the Battery Park, Stornoway. They offered to bear the law costs and to construct necessary enclosures, roads, drains and a water supply pipe—all free of cost to the feuar. They also offered to lend £120 to each feuar to enable him to erect his house—principal and interest being repayable by instalments in thirty years. Full intimation was made of these proposals, but, as the result was one solitary application, the Board could not go further with the scheme, though they are quite willing to make another attempt if convinced that applications will be forthcoming.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has received from the Free Church Presbytery of Lewis copies of resolutions carried at a meeting held at Back, Lewis, on the 13th December last, calling attention to the depredations made by illegal trawlers around the coast of Lewis, and pointing out that the masters of these vessels make a constant practice of trawl-in the lochs and bays on Sunday, when they conduct their operations unmolested; and will he state what action has been taken in the matter.

The resolutions in question were received. Since that time the "Vigilant" has detected the trawler "Rex" illegally working in the locality, with the result that the master of that vessel was fined £105. Since then the "Vigilant" has again been cruising off the Lewis, but without detecting any infringement.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has ratified the Convention for a pacific settlement of international disputes agreed to at the Hague; and whether, if such ratification has taken place, Her Majesty's Government has appointed four arbitrators in pursuance of Article XXIII. of the Convention; and, if so, can the names of the arbitrators be now given; if these have not as yet been appointed, will early steps be taken to make an appointment.

The Convention in question was signed in October last, but has not yet been ratified, so far as we are aware, by the Governments of any of the signatory Powers. Her Majesty's Government will be ready to appoint four arbitrators when ratification has taken place.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a copy of the resolutions passed by the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture on Saturday last, and whether he is able favourably to consider them.

My right hon. friend has received the resolutions to which my hon. friend refers, and with regard to the matter to which, as he understands, the greatest importance attaches namely, the movement of animals for slaughter—he is glad to say that he has been able to give certain facilities for this purpose in an order which comes into operation to-day, a copy of which he will be happy to give to my hon. friend. The other suggestions of the Norfolk Chamber will not be lost sight of, but it would be unsafe as yet for him to sanction any further relaxation of the restrictions.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the unhappy condition of India and the unprecedented demands on the Indian revenues for famine relief, the Government will consider the propriety of making a substantial grant to India from the British Treasury.

I beg at the same time to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is intended to make any grant from Imperial funds towards the relief of those suffering from the famine in India.

We do not propose to make a grant to India from the British Treasury for famine purposes, as ire have no reason to believe that the financial means and credit of the Government of India are insufficient to meet all demands that are likely to arise in connection with the relief of distress caused by the present famine in India.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Government intend Votes to introduce the Oysters Bill again this session.

Since the publication of Dr. Bulscrode's report and since legislation was proposed on this subject, there is no doubt that a good deal has been done by voluntary action to remove the evils complained of, and it is alleged that further improvement is still in progress. I have directed one of the medical inspectors of' the Board to report me as to this. The places complained of are comparatively few, and I am awaiting the inspector's report before deciding whether reintroduction of the Bill is necessary and desirable or not.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Departmental Committee on the reorganisation of the Education Department will, before presenting their final report, consider the advisability of transferring to the new Board of Education the educational powers now exercised by the Board of Agriculture; and whether, before the Act of last session comes into operation, any opportunity will lie afforded for the discussion in Parliament of any reports or Orders in Council which may be presented as the result of the deliberations of the Committee.

The matter referred to in the first paragraph of the question is now under consideration. In reply to the second paragraph of the question, I may say that the reports of the Committee relate to matters of office reorganisation and are for the most part carried out as soon as made. But any Order in Council proposed to be made under the Board of Education Act will be laid before each House of Parliament in accordance with the Act, before it is submitted to Her Majesty in Council.

Will they be printed and issued with the Votes?

What?

The Orders in Council.

They will be laid on the Table of the House.

But will they be printed?

That is a matter over which I have no control.

I beg to ask the Vice-President; of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Director of the Art Museum is in future to be directly and finally responsible for the acquisition of art objects, as was recently recommended by a select Committee of this House, or; whether the responsibility is to be shared between the director and the new Council of Artists; whether the Council of Artists will sanction the acquisition of all art objects, and whether on questions of authenticity, art value, and suitableness for museum purposes, they will be empowered to control or override the decisions of the director, or if their functions are to be purely advisory; and; whether it will be still possible for the museum officials to take the opinion of expert antiquarians.

The answers to the alternative questions in the first paragraph are both in the negative. In I regard to the remainder of the question it is open to the President of the Board of Education to take the advice of such persons as he may think desirable on all such matters.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he will consider the propriety of modification of Schedule V.* of the Day School Code, 1899, by making English (grammar) an optional subject in the training curriculum of pupil teachers, with a view to making elementary science of necessary subject instead; whether he will frame a scheme for elementary science: in such a form as to cover the require- ments (in the first instance) for object lessons in Standards I., II, and III., as set out in supplement to Schedule TL, alternative course in mechanics, botany, horticulture, principles of agriculture and experimental, arithmetic, physics, and chemistry; and whether he will consider under Clause 101e, the propriety of making English (grammar) a specific instead of a class subject, with a view to making elementary science, as so set out, a necessary first-class subject in Standards I., II., and III.

The Committee of Council will consider the suggestions of the hon. Member, but I cannot give any definite pledge till such consideration has taken place.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to encourage the construction of light railways in the Highland crofting counties, the Treasury will consider the expediency of arranging for a free grant of half the estimated cost of the line.

Where the poverty of a district is extreme, and the scheme proposed promises exceptional advantages to local interests, the Treasury is prepared to make a grant of public money equal to one half the estimated expenditure. This has already been done in one instance (the Dornoch line). But each case must be judged by its merits, and before a grant is made the Treasury must be satisfied that the district has contributed to the utmost of its means to a railway made only in the interest of the district.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been drawn by Liverpool cotton merchants to the serious delay which occurs in communicating by I cable with the United States, after ordinary business hours in Liverpool and Manchester, but during business hours in New York, owing to the refusal of the Postal authorities to allow the cable companies to telephone direct to their clients messages received, or to allow the latter to telephone direct to the cable companies messages for transmission by cable; whether he is aware that the delay involved in sending such messages through the Post Office frequently leads to the loss of business, which is diverted to the Continent, or elsewhere; whether the Postal authorities refuse to allow such direct communication between subscribers within the same telephone area, because they hold that telephone messages in connection with cablegrams should be charged for as inland telegrams, whether the merchants concerned have offered to be registered as parties to whom cablegrams may be telephoned by the cable companies, and to pay for all such messages sent or received by telephone, as if they were telegrams, as well as a registration fee, if required; and whether he will recommend the acceptance of this offer, or endeavour to make some other arrangement whereby the rights of the Post Office may be safeguarded without detriment to business requirements.

The company naturally cannot be allowed to intercept a telegraphic message on its way to the person to whom it is addressed. The Postmaster General, however, will give further consideration to the question, and endeavour to make some arrangements which will meet the difficulty now experienced in the transmission of such messages.

Will this apply to in-coming as well as outgoing messages?

Primâ facie, so far as I can see, there would be no objection to merchants telephoning to the secretary of the cable company asking him to send on messages. But the whole question is being reconsidered.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether any complaints have been recently made to the Department as to the delivery of letters under the new arrangements at Stradone, county Cavan; whether he is aware that some hundred families are not attended to owing to the route taken by the rural carrier; and whether some steps will be taken to see that each portion of the sub-district is equally served.

No complaints have recently been made as to the delivery of letters at Stradone, County Cavan. The Postmaster General is not aware that some hundred families are not attended to owing to the route taken by the rural letter carrier. There are several rural postmen working from Stradone, and it is believed that every family in the district has now a delivery of letters. If the hon. Member can quote any particular case in which the arrangements are not considered satisfactory, inquiry shall be made.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to the proposed new post office in Lurgan, County Armagh, whether he can say if the site has been yet secured; in what portion of the town it is situate; can he say about what date it is intended to commence the building; and whether he can say about what date the new premises are expected to be open for postal and telegraph business.

Legal arrangements are in progress for acquiring the site of the present post office at Lurgan, but it cannot yet be stated when the purchase will be completed. Plans of the new building have not yet been prepared, but it is expected that the work will be begun during the ensuing financial year.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that letters for Four Roads, County Roscommon, and district, arriving by limited mail at about 9.30 each morning are brought by mail car to Athleague, which is within three miles of that place, and kept there until next morning when they are brought by letter carrier, being thus delayed for over twenty hours within throe miles of their I destination; and whether he will consider the advisability of establishing a second delivery between Athleague and Four Roads, or as an alternative, one delivery embracing the two mails, and also an extension of the house to house delivery in the district.

The Postmaster General is making inquiry with the view of ascertaining whether any improvement can be made in the postal service to Four Roads, County Roscommon, and what arrangements are needed for completing the extension of the house-to-house delivery in the district. It is necessary to take returns of the correspondence, and this will occupy some time; but the Postmaster General will let the hon. Member know as soon as possible what can be done in the matter.

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Chief Land Commissioners heard appeals at Belfast in December last, and that, out of forty-eight cases heard, in twenty-two instances the rent was raised, twenty-four confirmed, and two only reduced; and whether he can say if the Chief Land Commissioners viewed the farms, or whether the rent returned by the court valuers was adhered to in every case by the Chief Commissioners; and, if not, can he state in how many instances the rent was increased, confirmed, or lowered from that returned by the court valuers.

The figures are not correctly stated in the first paragraph. The total number of appeals disposed of by the Commissioners at Belfast in December was sixty-five. Of these the decisions of the Sub Commissioners were affirmed in twenty-seven cases; in two cases the rents were reduced, in thirty-five cases the rents were increased, and one case was dismissed. It is not the practice of the Chief Commissioners to view the holdings. In forty-five cases the judicial rents, as fixed on appeal, were above the estimates of the court valuers; in nine cases below and in ten cases equal to the rents estimated by the valuers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is not the habit of the Chief Commissioners to inspect the holdings in order to estimate the value before deciding an appeal, and—

Order, order! The hon. Member must not argue the question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the intention of the Government, in the impending changes, to abolish the disparity in the incomes of teachers in non-contributory and contributory unions in Ireland; and whether an amending. Act will be introduced to restore uniformity of treatment.

As the hon. Member is. already aware, the Irish Government have recommended a proposal of the Commissioners of National Education for a large scheme of reform in the system of primary education in Ireland, and the Treasury have accepted, generally, the financial portions of the scheme. The details of the scheme are still under discussion, and, pending the explanation of the new scheme as a whole, it is not considered desirable to enter into particulars of the changes contemplated.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a large number of tenants on the estate of F. B. Chute, situate near Castle island, signed: agreements to purchase their holdings in October, 1897, and that the Irish Land Commission in November, 1898, sanctioned the agreements and purchase money; and if so, why is such a length of time allowed to elapse before the completion of the sale to the tenants.

In thirty cases upon the estate of Mr. F. B. Chute in the County Kerry agreements under the Land Purchase Acts were lodged in the Land Commission in the month of December, 1897. The applications for advances in all those cases were sanctioned during the months of April and November, 1898. The vendor's title was lodged by his solicitor's. on the, 4th February, 1899, and the rulings thereon were issued from the office of the Land Commission on the 15th May following. I am informed by the solicitors having carriage of the sale that unexpected difficulties have arisen in apportioning the head-rent, but that after very considerable labour on their part these difficulties have now been practically overcome, and it is expected that the sales will shortly be completed.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that numbers of tenant farmers throughout Ireland, and particularly in the Altmore district of Tyrone, are excluded from the benefits of the Land Acts, either in consequence of joint tenancies or the existence of reversionary leases; and whether the Government will amend, the law, and thereby save these classes of tenants from eviction, I because of their inability to continue paying their present unreduced rents.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Joint tenants are not excluded from the benefits of the Land Acts; their case is expressly provided for by Section 5, Sub-section 3 of the Land Act of 1896. The Government have no information as to the number of cases to which those provisions apply, and further legislation on the subject is not necessary, and will not, therefore, be introduced.

Arising out of the answer, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the courts have decided that joint tenants holding under leases are excluded from the benefits of the Land Act, while ordinary joint tenants are only to be dealt with at the discretion of the Commissioners?