laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, that, in the case of the following Bill, referred on the First Reading thereof, Standing Order No. 62 has been complied with, viz.:—

I wish to ask the Leader of the House whether he can communicate any further war news.

Yes, Sir; just as I was coming to the House the following telegram from Lord Roberts was put into my hands—

"Paardeburg, Feb. 21, 6.5 a.m.—Yesterday afternoon I was satisfied by a careful reconnaissance in force of the enemy's position that I could not assault it without a very heavy loss, which I was most anxious to avoid. Accordingly, I decided to bombard him with artillery, and to turn my attention to the enemy's reinforcements. The result was most satisfactory. The Boers were driven off in all directions, losing a good many killed and wounded, and about fifty prisoners, who state that they arrived from Lady smith two days ago by railway. They say that it was our artillery fire which caused them to abandon the kopje they were occupying. Our loss consisted of two officers—Captain Campbell, 9th Lancers, and Lieutenant Houston, Royal Horse Artillery—and four men, all slightly wounded."

I wish to ask the Under Secretary for War whether he has any late official information as to the condition of General Hector Macdonald.

I regret I am unable to give any further details as to the nature of the wound unhappily received by General Hector Macdonald. As to its gravity, I think we may console ourselves with the reflection that it has not been described as dangerous. We may therefore hope that his services will soon be restored.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any regulations have been issued by the Admiralty insisting upon all vessels chartered as transports being manned by seamen belonging to the British Isles; and whether the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Shipping Company and the British India Steam Shipping Company's vessels, chartered by Her Majesty's Government, are manned by persons belonging to the British Isles or by Asiatics.

No such regulations have been issued. As regards the vessels of the two com- panics named, a portion of the crews are Asiatic subjects of Her Majesty, but the deck hands are European.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the transport "Pinemore," with troops for South Africa, which arrived at Queenstown with her propeller disabled and was taken back to Liverpool for repairs, will he explain why the more expeditious course of doing the necessary repairs in Haulbowline Dock was not adopted; whether Haulbowline Dock is fully equipped for executing such repairs; and whether it is intended, in view of the emergencies that may arise in war time, to fully equip this dock for the accommodation of the Navy, and to send vessels there for repairs to test its utility.

The answer to the first question of the hon. Member is that it was not practicable owing to the length of the vessel. I should have been glad if it had been possible. The answer to the second and third questions is in the affirmative, under the conditions which have been previously stated.

is it intended to send other vessels there?

That is the very question I have attempted to answer.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that a Portuguese company, directed and controlled by British subjects, called the Empreza Africana Company, has been and is still importing and exporting materials for the Transvaal Government at Delagoa Bay; and, whether he will take steps to prevent British subjects from thus, in contravention of the law, directly or indirectly acting in conjunction with the Queen's enemies.

Her Majesty's Government are assured by Sir Donald Currie that the Empreza Africana neither imports nor exports merchandise, but is solely concerned in the carriage of goods between ship and wharf, and that the Empreza Africana has not acted directly or indirectly in conjunction with the enemy.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether some time ago the British Consul at Delagoa Bay warned British firms against giving succour to the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, now in a state of war with Great Britain, by assisting in the shipment of wool the produce of either of those Republics; whether he is aware that such wool is being laden in large quantities at Delagoa Bay by the Empreza Africana Company; whether he is aware that the Empreza Africana Company is an offshoot of the Castle Line Company owned by British capitalists; whether he is aware that the Empreza Africana Company is directed from the office of Mr. Pott, the consul for the Transvaal at Delagoa Bay; and do Her Majesty's Government propose to take any, and, if so, what, steps in the matter.

Such a warning was issued by Her Majesty's Consul. Her Majesty's Government trust that British subjects having interest in the Empreza Africana, which is a Portuguese company will not fail in their duty as declared in Her Majesty's Proclamation of the 27th of December last respecting trading with the enemy. Her Majesty's Government are assured by Sir Donald Currie that the Empreza Company is not directed from the office of Mr. Pott. Her Majesty's Consul at Lorenzo Marques has been instructed to report on the matter.

I beg to ask whether the House is to understand the answer given to the second paragraph of the question to be an admission by the hon. Gentleman that the company named has loaded wool at Delagoa Bay.

My reply was perfectly clear. In answer to the last paragraph, I stated that Her Majesty's Consul at Lorenzo Marques had been instructed to report on the second paragraph and on the whole question.

I beg to ask the Under Score- tary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any reason to believe that contra hand goods find their way into the Transvaal over Portuguese territory otherwise than through Delagoa Bay.

Her Majesty's Government are not aware of the existence of any evidence to show that contraband goods are passing to the Transvaal through Delagoa Bay or other Portuguese territory.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have reason to believe that in respect of contraband of war the Portuguese officers at Delagoa Bay are loyally carrying out the instructions of the Portuguese Government.

General allegations have been made that the local authorities fail to carry out as completely as might be desired the instructions of the Portuguese Government in regard to contraband, but no proof has been produced in support of those allegations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the salary of the chief Portuguese officer is only £7 a month?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date did Mr. Pott, consul for the South African Republic at Lorenzo Marques, cease to be agent for the Castle Line Steamship Company or for Donald Currie and Co.: is Mr. Pott still acting as agent for the Portuguese Company known as the Empress Africana: is the Empress Africana active in forwarding into the South African Republic merchandise of various kinds which British subjects are debarred from supplying to the Transvaal: is the Government aware that the capital of the Empress Africana is so largely held by British subjects that the policy and actions of that undertaking are controlled by British subjects; are such British subjects or any of them known; and can their action in this matter be in any way restrained.

Her Majesty's Government are assured by the hon. Member for West Perthshire that Mr. Pott is not agent either for the Castle Line or for Messrs. Donald Currie and Company, and that he is not acting as agent of the Empress Africana. The hon. Member for West Perthshire also assures Her Majesty's Government that the Empress Africana is not, so far as he knows, doing anything contrary to Her Majesty's proclamation; and that the policy of the company is so far controlled by British subjects that its management has been withdrawn from any possible influence inimical to British interests. Her Majesty's consul at Lorenzo Marques has been instructed to report any deviation from these assurances.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman answer the specific question as to when Mr. Pott ceased to hold office?

I cannot give the date.

Was it subsequent to the date of the last question asked on the subject?

Perhaps the hon. Baronet the Member for West Perthshire can toll us?

rose to reply.

Order, order! It is not in order to ask a question of a non-Ministerial Member in this way.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War how many general officers of each grade are now employed in South Africa, and how many in each grade belong to the artillery.

The general officers now employed in South Africa, according to their rank there, are—one field marshal, one general, nine lieutenant generals, twenty-three major generals, one brigadier general; total, thirty-five. Of these officers there belong to the Royal Artillery-one field marshal, two major generals, and one brigadier general. The Eighth Division, now mobilised at Aldershot is in command of a general who is an artillery officer.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to an extract from a letter from Trooper G. Benton, of the 12th Lancers, to his father (who resides at Whaplode, Spalding), in which, writing from Enslin Camp on 19th January, he says that they (the 12th Lancers) burn and blow up houses which the Free Staters have left behind, and that the furniture and pianos are set fire to and destroyed; and whether the attention of the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa will be called to the destruction by British troops of houses and property in the Orange Free State.

There is no official confirmation of the statement referred to. The proclamation recently issued by Lord Roberts shows clearly that the troops are not permitted to interfere with the property of the inhabitants of the Orange Free State, provided they are peaceful and do not resist Her Majesty's forces.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to that part of the official dispatch reporting that the fruits of victory could not be reaped for want of a battery of Royal Horse Artillery at Enslin; and whether, in view of the fact that the reduction of Royal Horse Artillery in 1887 was carried into effect against the opinion of the then Commander-in-Chief, he will now state the name of the individual or individuals responsible for that reduction, resulting at Enslin in the inability of a general to reap the fruits of victory gained at so much sacrifice of life.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second, I have to say that the distribution of the three arms on the occasion referred to cannot fairly be ascribed to an administrative act of the year 1887.

Was anybody now at the War Office responsible for the reduction, or rather for the recommendation that the artillery be reduced?

I do not see the relevancy of the question. The hon. and gallant Member asks if my attention has been drawn to a certain despatch. I answer "Yes." Then he asks who was responsible in 1887 for the lack of horse artillery at Enslin recently. I reply that you cannot ascribe the lack of artillery in South Africa to an administrative act in the year 1887.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether our heavy guns now in South Africa have been provided with the disappearing mountings which are stated to have been used with so much effect by the Boers during General Buller's last advance across the Tugela; and, if not, whether similar mountings, will be dispatched from this country without delay.

No, Sir. It is considered that the disadvantages attendant on the use in the field of this class of mounting more than counterbalance its. advantages.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any offer has been made to the War Office to raise a cycle corps; and, if so, whether the offer has been accepted or declined; and whether he is aware that a number of Boers are mounted on cycles and have proved of considerable service to the enemy.

Proposals to raise corps for service in South Africa have been made, but it has not been thought advisable to approve them. The subject is, however, being further considered. We have no knowledge of the Boers using cycles.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made for important news from South Africa being communicated to the public without the delay which occurred on Friday, when the news of General French's entry into Kimberley is understood to have reached the War Office at 4.30 a.m., but was not given out until 9.45.

It is impossible; to review and publish news at an earlier hour. The Press Lobby only opens at 9.45.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War how many men of the 3rd Leinster Militia Regiment, at present stationed at Woolwich, have volunteered for foreign service, and how many have declined.

All except two of those at Woolwich volunteered.

Was any disability or punishment put upon the men who refused to volunteer?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, so far back as 2nd November, 1899, the 5th battalion of Royal Irish Rifles (the South Down Militia) volunteered for garrison duty, or such other duty as they might be called upon to perform. And whether their services have been or will be accepted. In putting this question may I express the hope that the House will wish many happy returns of his birthday to Colonel Baden-Powell at Mafeking.

Yes, Sir. The battalion has offered its services, but, as in the case of other corps, it has not yet been embodied owing to want of barrack room.

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.

These two men have been discharged from arrest and given the £5 gratuity which they would have earned on completing the period of their engagement.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what the inquiry resulted in? Did it prove the guilt or otherwise of the men in regard to the charges made against them?

The inquiry resulted in their being discharged and being given a sum which, in ordinary circumstances, they would not have been entitled to until after completing a year's service.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, before distributing amongst Roman Catholic soldiers serving in South Africa the prayer reported to have been composed by His Grace the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh and circulated by order of Lord Roberts, the military authorities have consulted, or intend to consult, the Roman Catholic chaplains serving with the Army in South Africa.

This is a matter entirely within the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in South Africa.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that no recruit can be enlisted for the Royal Army Medical Corps if he is over 5 ft. 5 in. in height, however otherwise eligible he may be, this restriction, which prevents enlistment of men otherwise eligible in this branch of the service, can be removed.

The maximum standard for the corps is 5 ft. 5 in., but a taller man, who might for special reasons be eligible, would be taken as "specially enlisted."

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if the number of nursing orderlies employed in field and general hospitals in South Africa is only one orderly for every seven patients, and if, in the interests of efficiency, it can be increased to one for five patients.

The proportion of orderlies to beds is as stated—one to seven—and the Secretary of State is advised that that is sufficient. In a field hospital the bearer company can supply additional orderlies as soon as an action is over; and as patients are always transferred as soon as possible to the base hospital the beds are rarely all full. In a general hospital many of the cases are always slight, and there is a regular staff of nursing sisters.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that the dining halls at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, are supplied with wooden forms without any back support, which are unsuitable for invalids; and if he will consider the advisability of substituting barrack chairs.

Not long since the opinions of principal medical officers as to the requirements of military hospitals were collected and reported upon by a committee. The change suggested was not among those proposed. The question will, however, be considered.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Government intend to give any indication of the manner in which they propose to fill up the vacancies in the commissioned ranks of the regiments now serving in South Africa and in the forces to be raised temporarily for home defence.

Yes, Sir; a scheme will be published very shortly.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he has any objection to say how many Army veterinary commissions will be offered with increase of horse soldiers, and also how many the Department was short at the outbreak of the present war.

At the outbreak of war there were six vacancies. The number of commissions to be offered in view of the increase in the mounted troops is at present under consideration.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Post Office authorities have demanded 7s. 8d. postage on half a pound of tobacco which a woman in Ireland desired to send to her husband, who is serving with the British Army in South Africa; and whether the War Office can make any arrangements with the Post Office, or otherwise, by which the relatives of soldiers in South Africa can send small parcels to them free of charge.

I have authority to say that if the hon. Member will send particulars to the General Post Office inquiry will be made, and that if any mistake has occurred it will be rectified. The postage for parcels to South Africa up to 1 lb. is only 9d., and no duty is charged upon them.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the family of a soldier whose marriage is ignored by the military authorities, and who is detained by the exigencies of war from passing to the Reserve although his time were about to expire, is ignored in the distribution of the separation allowances to the families of Reservists whose marriages, which are also without leave, are recognised by the War Office.

The wives of men married without leave cannot, as a matter of discipline, be considered in regard to separation allowance; and it is not practicable to discriminate between them in the way suggested in the question.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Messrs. T. Firth and Son, Limited, Sheffield, are not complying with the fair contract resolution of the House of Commons in executing their contract for 4· 7 lyddite shells, and that the men engaged in making them are paid at less than the recognised rates of the district, and less than those paid by other firms in Sheffield; and whether he will take imme- diate steps to secure full compliance with the terms of the resolution in question.

The contractors have been communicated with, and it does not appear that they are paying less than the current rates in respect of the shells referred to: but if the hon. Member has any facts that he can adduce supporting the contrary view I will cause further inquiry to be made.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any member of the Committee appointed to inquire into the Administration of the Patriotic Fund is an Irishman or Roman Catholic; and if not, whether, considering that Irish Roman Catholics are taking such a part in the South African War, and that consequently their families are likely to be largely dependent upon this fund, he will see that an Irish Roman Catholic is appointed to look after their interests, especially as a large portion of the existing fund is invested for the benefit of Roman Catholic children.

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the inquiry by the proposed Committee upon the Royal Patriotic Final and other similar funds is to be directed to the determination of some method of general organisation by which those funds may be turned to the best advantage, or whether the inquiry is to be more limited in its scope, and confined to the consideration as to how far these funds can be drawn upon and most advantageously expended in the present emergency.

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether in view of the expression of public feeling upon the exclusion from the proposed Committee upon the Royal Patriotic Fund and other similar funds of Members of the House of Commons who have special knowledge of the matters to be inquired into, he will consider the advisability of adding one or more of such Members to the Committee.

I will, with the permission of the House, reply to the three questions dealing with the Patriotic Fund together. As regards the first question I think the hon. Gentleman will see that there is no subject in the question referred to the Committee involving the distribution of the fund relating to the interests of different religious denominations. The hon. Gentleman may rest satisfied that no such distinction as he appears to suggest has ever interfered, or ever will interfere, with the adequate distribution of public subscriptions among the sufferers. As to the second question, I am unwilling to give the House a, special interpretation of the general reference to the Committee which I read to the House the other day, but I should conceive that the subjects mentioned in the hon. Gentleman's question come within the scope of the reference. As to the third question, I have already explained to the House that there are very strong reasons for keeping the Committee within narrow limits, and excluding from it persons who have taken a strong part in the controversies surrounding the subject.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that £35,000 are invested in this fund for the special benefit of Catholic children, and, if so, is it not reasonable that a Catholic should be added to the Committee?

I am not aware of the fact, but I will inquire if the hon. Gentleman so desires. But he may depend upon it that if £35,000 were so allocated they will be so applied.

The fact is as I have stated.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, upon what information his statement was based that the funds which are being subscribed by the public have up to the present been even more than sufficient to deal with the widows and children of soldiers killed in South Africa; whether any return can be made of the money collected for this purpose by the various funds, both London and provincial, and also of the sums distributed by them; and whether he will request the Committee, which he has appointed to inquire into the administration of the various funds, to first consider what is the proper annuity that a widow of a soldier killed in action or dying of his wounds should receive from all sources, in order that a minimum scale may obtain throughout the country.

I think my hon. friend has misunderstood the purport of what I said the other day, and the misunderstanding is one for which I and not he is responsible. All I wished to say was that our experience, dating at least as far back as the Crimean War, seems to show that private benevolence is adequate to deal with the widows and children of soldiers killed in action. I said nothing of the adequacy of the funds now being subscribed in connection with the war which is still in progress, and which has unknown liabilities. I think the subjects mentioned in the second and third paragraphs would properly come under the attention of the Committee appointed, and I hope it will be able to deal with them.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what military officer is, under the existing constitution of the War Office, individually responsible for the sufficiency and efficiency of the Artillery services, and to what arm of the Service does he belong.

The hon. Member will find the information which he requires in the Order in Council of 7th March, 1899. It has been presented to Parliament.

My question is, who is responsible under the existing constitution of the War Office for the sufficiency and efficiency of the Artillery service? Does the hon. Gentleman mean by his answer to cover the personnel as well as the maté riel?

The method by which advice is tendered at the War Office, and acted upon by the Secretary of State, is governed by an Order in Council, which I cannot explain by way of question and answer in this House.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any addition has been recently made to the establishment of the Army Service Corps: and if he can state the number of officers of various ranks on the permanent list (exclusive of supernumerary colonels and quartermasters) at present serving in Great Britain and Ireland.

Yes, Sir, the establishment was increased last year. The number of officers on the permanent list in the United Kingdom is as follows: Five lieutenant-colonels, six majors, three captains, twenty-seven subalterns. It must, however, be remembered that the thirteen supernumerary colonels and seventeen supernumerary quartermasters now at home are all officers of experience, who are engaged on the general duties of the corps.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that nominations to commissions in the Army are to be granted to certain schools, the Secretary of State for War will keep in view the claims of Scotland, and will consult the Scottish Education Department in regard to the selection of Scottish schools suitable to participate in the privilege.

The claims of Scotland will not be overlooked, but the number of commissions so given must necessarily be very small, as it is desired not to take candidates at too young an age.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the difficulty which exists in obtaining officers, and having regard to the number of candidates who were unsuccessful at the examinations in 1899 for entry into Woolwich Academy and Sandhurst, many of whom are the sons of officers and have spent years in preparation for a military career, he would consider the advisability of admitting to Woolwich and Sandhurst a certain number of such candidates as had obtained, say, 4,000 marks or more to till vacancies as they occur between now and midsummer.

The colleges are now full; but if vacancies occur between this and June the admission of candidates who were unsuccessful at the last examination will be carefully considered.

On behalf of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Dublin University (Mr. Carson) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War will he explain why a gratuity of £100 made to Militia officers on the disembodiment of their regiments (in addition to their pay) is not granted to officers who have served in the Regular Army and have afterwards accepted commissions in the Militia; whether such last-mentioned officers whilst serving with the Militia only receive the same pay as Militia officers; and whether the War Office will consider the advisability of granting to all officers of the Militia alike the said gratuity.

Under existing regulations Militia officers who have served in the Regular Army are given a gratuity of £100 on disembodiment unless they are in receipt of a pension or gratuity on retirement from the Regular forces. They receive the same pay as the other Militia officers. It is now proposed to give the gratuity on disembodiment to all with one proviso: where the additional year's service would entitle an officer to a higher rate of pension he will have to choose between that higher rate and the gratuity.

I beg to ask the, Under Secretary of State for War if he can state whether a decision has now been arrived at with respect to the granting to ex-Army officers serving in the Militia the same gratuity as that given to Militia officers upon their regiments being embodied; and whether the case of retired officers of the Regular Army serving in the Militia being deprived of their pension dining embodiment has been considered.

I have dealt with the first point in reply to the hon. Member for Dublin University. With reference to the second point, the retired officer is allowed to draw his retired pay for twenty-seven days—being the equivalent of a yearly training in addition to his full pay; but after that period he receives only the full pay of his appointment.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether an Infantry Reserve officer who offers to rejoin for service at his depot, and is accepted, receives a sum for his outfit; if so, how much, and when is it paid to him; and whether an officer so rejoining then holds the rank and place in the Army List which he occupied on retirement, and what pay and allowances he would receive.

An Infantry Reserve officer rejoining the service at the depot is entitled to an outfit allowance of £100, payable after he rejoins. He will hold the rank which he held on retirement, but on rejoining he will be placed at the bottom of the list of that rank in the regiment. He will receive the pay and allowances of his rank, but will drop his retired pay, or if he retired on gratuity a deduction equivalent to it will be made from his pay.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in order to give the system of three-year enlistment that fair trial which the Inspector General of Recruiting has asked for it, the Government intend to propose for the. three-year men the extra 3d. of pay which is to be granted to the Militia.

This is a point which is receiving careful examination. The question is complicated by the necessity of securing full drafts for India.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a youth of the name of Maguire enlisted at Leeds in the 2nd Dragoon Guards in January last with- out the knowledge of his parents, he being only seventeen years of age: that his parents applied for his discharge, producing a certificate of birth to the general officer commanding the North Eastern District of York, but that this officer declined to accede to their request; and whether, under the circumstances, he will direct Maguire to be discharged if he so desire.

If the man is over seventeen the settlement of the case rests entirely with the general officer commanding the district.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps are taken by requiring the production of a certificate of birth when readily procurable, by inquiries from relatives, or otherwise, to verify the statements made by recruits as to their age; and if he will state by what means, if any, the relatives of boys who have enlisted under the prescribed age can procure their discharge.

On attestation the medical officer certifies as to the probable age of the recruit. If the recruiting or approving officer considers that the man is not of the age which he states, due inquiry is made. If a soldier is claimed by his parents and is proved to be under seventeen he is discharged at once; if between seventeen and eighteen, the general officer commanding has absolute discretion as to his disposal.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Cork, I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in regard to the contracts for the supplies to regimental canteens in Ireland, and in view of his statement of the 15th instant that general officers have discretionary power to make district contracts when they consider it in the interests of the troops, opportunity will be given to local merchants and traders to tender for supplies; and whether in those cases where the conditions as to price, quality, and terms are satisfactory, the claims of local contractors will be favourably considered.

As I have already told the hon. Member, the Secretary of State sees no reason for interfering with the action of the general officers commanding the districts in Ireland, or elsewhere, in connection with supplies to canteens.

Will preference be given to Irish traders in this matter?

I have only this instant told the hon. Gentleman that the discretion is left in the hands of the commanding officer of the district.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the firm of Furness, Withy, and Company, of Hartlepool, sent to the Admiralty a design for swift armed screw colliers fully twelve months ago; whether this design of vessel was approved by the Controller; and whether such vessels should now be contracted for so as to follow any fleet with coal supplies.

A design for an armed screw collier was sent to the Admiralty by that firm, in July, 1898. The speed was 10¼ knots. The design was not approved by the Controller. There is no intention of contracting for a collier of that type and speed.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the time spent by naval officers quartered in barracks on land counts exactly the same as regards qualification for promotion as time spent afloat; whether as regards qualification for promotion, lieutenants who, by keeping regular watch when afloat, gain experience in handling ships have any advantages over those classes of lieutenants who do not keep regular watch when afloat; and whether at the Admiralty such complete records are kept as to readily show how much time any particular officer has spent on shore, how much time at sea, and for what period of time he has kept regular watches.

The answer to the first paragraph is, yes, but not unless they have served the full period in a ship of war at sea required by the regulations. After they have done so, the time served by naval officers in establishments in harbour or on shore, such as the gunnery and torpedo schools and depots, does count the same as service afloat. Of course promotion is always by selection. The reply to the second is in the negative. The reply to the third paragraph is in the affirmative, except that no special record is kept of the period regular watch has been kept by officers.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in any, and, if so, in which of our self-governing colonies the law provides that all male British subjects between certain ages shall be placed on the roll of the Militia; and whether he can state what duties such Militia has to discharge, and the age during which liability for service continues.

In Canada the Militia roll includes all male inhabitants between eighteen and sixty, who are British subjects and not specially exempted. The Militia may be called out for active service either within or without Canada. In the Cape Colony the burgher force includes all males between eighteen and fifty, with certain exemptions, and may be called out for service within the colony or beyond the borders. The defence forces of South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania include all British male inhabitants between the ages of eighteen and forty five in South Australia, sixty in Queensland, and fifty-five in Tasmania, and they are liable for service in any part of Australia or Tasmania. The New Zealand Militia consists of all male inhabitants between seventeen and fifty-five, and is liable for service in the colony. The compulsory powers in these colonies are not enforced, only those who volunteer being called out for training.

Are we to understand that in New Zealand all inhabitants are liable, where only British subjects are so in the other colonies?

Oh, no; of course it only applies to British subjects.

Your answer was "all male inhabitants."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the statute 6 and 7 Will. IV. c. 57, enacting that laws in force at Cape Colony for punishment of crimes be extended to British subjects in adjacent territories up to 25 deg. south latitude, is still in effective operation, or whether it has been repealed or allowed to drop into disuse.

The law in question was repealed by 26 and 27 Vict, c.; 34, which re-enacted its provisions, but made offences triable in Natal as well as in Cape Colony.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the report of H. R. H. Prince George, High Commissioner of Crete, upon the administration of that island, together with a memorandum by the financial adviser to the Cretan Government upon the revenue and expenditure and judicial and executive services during the year 1899, as well as any other information suitable for presentation to Parliament communicated to Consul General Graves by the High Commissioner.

No general report on the administration of Crete has yet been received from His Royal Highness the High Commissioner, but when information as to the services named in the question reaches Her Majesty's Government it will be presented to Parliament.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to obtain power to prevent the evasion of the law relating to death duties in the case of estates of great values.

I think that, judging from receipts from death duties, anything that could properly be called evasion of the law is rare, but I have one point relating to this matter under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been directed to the estate of the late Duke of Westminster?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the report of the principal lady inspector in the Chief Inspector's Report on Factories and Workshops for 1898, which shows a considerable diminution in the number of visits of female inspectors to factories and workshops in 1898 as compared with 1895, such diminution being assigned chiefly to the excessive development of clerical work without clerical assistance: and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of things.

I am aware of the fact mentioned, but I may direct my right hon. friend's attention to other parts of the same report of the principal lady inspector, which show that a second clerk has been given to her department; and that changes in administrative methods have boon introduced which are calculated, and which she says she confidently expects, to lessen the strain of clerical work in this as well as in other branches of the Factory Department.

But there was a diminution of visits?

If my right hon. friend is good enough to read the later pages of the Report, I do not think he will have much fault to find.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will take the stops necessary to carry out the intention intimated last session of transferring to the Scottish Office the control of reformatory and industrial schools in Scotland.

I have had a Bill prepared on this subject, and I hope to be able to introduce it within a very few days.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has obtained information since 2nd July, 1897, concerning the opinions of coroners individually on the question of retaining the obligations upon jurymen to see bodies at inquests: and, if not, will he fake stops to obtain the opinions of coroners, either by application to them individually or inquiry through the Coroners' Society.

I have nothing to add to an answer I gave to a similar question on the 28th February, 1898, which was to the effect that I had received the opinion of the Coroners' Society, which was opposed to any alteration of the law on this point, and that I did not see that I could with advantage take any further steps in the matter.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Thirsk Division of Yorkshire, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether it is proposed that the sum of £2,000 from the Owen Jones Charity at Chester is to he given as an endowment to the Queen's School at Chester, which is a denominational school of the Church of England, with a Conscience Clause: and whether it is the practice of the Commission to appropriate money left for undenominational purposes to denominational use; and if not, on what ground the money of the Owen Jones Charity, which is an undenominational charity, is to be utilised for the Queen's School.

The Owen Jones Charity was founded for the benefit of members of the city companies of Chester and their children. The Commissioners propose to comply with the request of the representatives of the companies and of the trustees of the charity, that £2,000 from this charity should be applied in aid of the buildings of the Queen's School. In return for this £2,000, the companies will have the first right to nominate competitors for four scholarships in the school worth from £8 to £16 a year. No denominational restriction is attached to these scholarships or to admission to the school. The Queen's School is largely attended by daughters of Nonconformists. The Commissioners do not consider this to be diversion of money left for undenominational purposes to denominational. A scheme to give effect to the proposal of the city companies has been duly published in Chester, and no objection has been made by anyone.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government, in view of the present strain upon the financial means and credit of the Government of India, will consider the propriety of guaranteeing the Indian Loan which will have to be raised for famine purposes in connection with the coming Indian Budget.

On the 15th instant I stated, in reply to a question from the hon. Baronet, that we have no reason to believe that either the financial means or the 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. The Indian Financial Statement will be made towards the end of March, and till then I cannot say whether the hon. Member's assumption—namely, that a loan will be necessary for famine purposes—is correct or not.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the total number of deaths from the present famine in India reported up to date; and whether he will obtain and make public fortnightly telegraphic reports showing the number of such deaths.

I am glad to say that hitherto very few deaths have been reported as caused by starvation. In the Central Provinces, through the numbers receiving relief are larger than in any other part of India, the death rate for last December was much less than the rate for December, 1897, and was not greatly above the normal rate. Monthly statements of deaths due to starvation are received, bat from the nature of the ease they must necessarily be incomplete, and any attempt to publish weekly returns would be misleading, especially as no such returns could be obtained from the native States. I am not prepared to add to the labours of officers in the famine districts by calling for more frequent reports on this subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will grant a return, in the form standing on Friday's Paper, of remissions and suspensions of land revenue in India during the last two famines.

I do not think it would be advisable to ask the Government of India at the present time for the detailed statement which the hon. Member asks for. But I can inform him that the total remissions and suspensions on account of famine amounted approximately to 1,520,000 tens of rupees in 1876-7, and to 2,130,000 tens of rupees in 1896-7. In addition to these remissions during the actual year of famine, large remissions were on each occasion made during the following year, and as long as the effects of the famine required it.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the activity with which Russia and Germany are pushing forward the construction of railways towards the Indian frontier, and seeing that this question has not been discussed by the House of Commons since the appointment of the Euphrates Valley Railway Committee in 1871, he will consent to the appointment of a Committee to examine and report upon the best method of connecting the Indian and Russian railway systems, and so establishing through railway communication from Calais to Calcutta.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this. The question of connecting the Indian and Russian railway systems is one in which many important considerations, besides that of the convenience of through communication, are involved. Any such connection must run through the territory of the Ameer of Afghanistan, and as his assent is a necessary preliminary to the consideration of any such undertaking I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment at the present time of such a Committee as the hon. Member suggests.

Is it intended that Afghanistan shall always block the high road to civilisation?

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the County Council election at Woolwich on Saturday next, steps will be taken to afford to the men employed there by Government an opportunity of recording their vote, seeing that overtime is now being worked on Saturdays.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have been made for such cessation of overtime as may be necessary.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of the transference of the educational powers of the Board of Agriculture which may, under Section 2, Sub-section 2, of the Board of Education Act, devolve upon the Board of Education in April next, there will be established a department of the Board of Education to deal specifically with technical education, to which department such powers might be transferred.

The question of transferring the powers of the Board of Agriculture is, as I stated a few days ago, now under the consideration of the Government. If transferred at all, they will be transferred to the Board of Education, and not to a department, and "will be exercised by the President of the Board of Education.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether his atten- tion has been called to the speech indicating a method of organising the Education Office, which was delivered on 1st August. 1898,* by the Lord President in introducing the then Board of Education Bill, and which was subsequently officially circulated: and whether the Departmental Committee for the organisa- of the Board of Education will be instructed to take, in connection with the terms of reference which were assigned to them by the Lord President, and were communicated to this House on the 12th inst., the method of organisation suggested by the Lord President, namely, that a Secondary Education Department proper should he established, which in its supervision of all secondary schools would necessarily also take over some of the duties at present performed by the Education Department, together with other duties at present performed by the Science and Art Department, and that another Department might be charged with the duties pertaining to strictly technical education.

The answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. No addition to the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee is at present in contemplation.

I beg to ask: the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education on what grounds the alteration of the instructions to Her Majesty's inspectors was made in the year 1891, according to which it is no longer required that entries should be made of all cases of corporal punishment inflicted in elementary schools; upon what representations the alteration was made; and whether Her Majesty's inspectors have reported the results to be satisfactory, or have they made any reports on the subject.

No record exists of the grounds on which the former instructions to inspectors respecting corporal punishment were omitted in 1891, nor upon whose representations this was done. No reports as to the effect of the omission have been received from Her Majesty's inspectors.

Are we to understand that it was a mere accident then?

Things do not happen by mere accident in Government Departments.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, where a school board superannuation fund is augmented out of the rates, a teacher who is in receipt of such a pension could, if he had also accepted the Treasury scheme, be eligible for both pensions.

The position of a teacher in relation to the Treasury scheme of pensions would not he prejudiced by reason of his receipt of a pension from a school board superannuation fund.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee on Education whether he will instruct one of Her Majesty's Inspectors to make inquiry into the alleged cases of corporal punishment at St. Simon and St. Judo's Church School at Southport, in October last, one of which is said to have resulted in a child remaining unconscious for several hours.

Yes, I will cause inquiry to he made.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of his recent statement that about a million children who ought to be in attendance at our public elementary schools were absent from them every day, it is his intention to introduce legislation to remedy this condition of things.

My suggestion was that the remedy for the state of things complained of was not to be found in fresh legislation, but rather in the more effective administration of the existing laws.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, have been taken by him to abate the practice of allowing crimps to use and frequent H. B. M. Consular Shipping Office at New York during the times that seamen are being discharged and engaged from and for British vessels: whether any correspondence has passed between the Board of Trade and H. B. M. Consul General at New York upon this subject, and whether such correspondence will be laid upon the Table of the House; whether he is aware that crimps and other undesirable persons are at present allowed the same free access to such office as heretofore; and whether, in view of the gravity of this complaint, he will recommend Her Majesty's Government to appoint a small commission to visit New York and other United States ports in order to report fully upon the actual conditions there prevailing and the best means of remedying the alleged evils.

I believe the Consul General exercises great care in the management of the Consular Shipping Office in New York, but we are at present in correspondence with the Foreign Office, with a view of endeavouring to make arrangements to secure that undesirable persons are not admitted to the office.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the pledge he gave last April has not been carried out and stops taken to put an end to this unseemly condition of things?

The matter is one of considerable complication. I believe there has been correspondence between the Foreign Office and New York going on for months past.

I shall call attention to this on the Estimates for the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of Asiatic able seamen and the number of Asiatics engaged in the stokehold and engine-room of the Peninsular and Oriental steamship "Australia"; whether he can state the number of places provided for the accommodation and appropriated for the use of such persons; whether he can state the cubical space and the number of superficial feet measured on the dock or floor provided for each man; and whether he can state if the Peninsular and Oriental Company are now complying with the 210th section of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; and, if not, whether he intends to institute legal proceedings against the said company for such default,

The number of Asiatic seamen employed on the Peninsular and Oriental steamer "Australia" is fifty-one, and the number of Asiatics engaged in the stokehold and engine-room is ninety. The number of places provided for these men is two, one on the starboard and one on the port side of the poop. The cubic space provided per man is in each case rather over 72 feet. The floor area per man is a little over 9 feet. As regards the cubic space, the Imperial Act is complied with, but, as regards the floor area there is a deficiency, which will require to be remedied if deduction from the registered tonnage is to continue to be allowed. I have already explained to the hon. Members that having regard to all the circumstances of the case I do not propose at present to institute legal proceedings.

I beg to give the right hon. Gentleman notice; that I shall call attention to this matter on the Estimates.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to state if the Departmental Committee which he appointed last year to inquire into the question of seamen's discharges have yet finished their inquiries; whether it is his intention to publish the evidence given by witnesses before this Committee, and about what date does he expect the Committee to report; and whether such Report will be presented to the House.

I am informed that the Committee to which the hon. Member refers has finished its inquiries, and may be expected to present its Report at an early date. The Report and evidence will be presented to the House in due course.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is in a position to grant the request contained in the resolution passed; on the 17th instant by the executive Committee of the Norfolk County Council.

I beg at the same time, to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to state the modifications which he proposes to make in the order re foot and mouth disease in the county of Norfolk: and whether, in view of the fact that all the outbreaks have been confined to a very small area, he can now see his way to withdrawing the order entirely in the more distant parts of the scheduled district.

In reply to the hon. Member and to the hon. Member for South Norfolk, who has a similar question on the Paper, my right hon. friend asks me to state that under existing circumstances the entire withdrawal of the existing restrictions from any portion of the scheduled district could not but be attended with considerable danger of the extension of foot and mouth disease to other parts of the country. He proposes, however, to issue an order to-day permitting, under certain conditions, the movement of stock for the purposes of feeding, isolation, and lambing within the outlying portions of the district, and also the movement of stock into those portions in cases whore exceptional difficulty and hardship at present exist. The order will come into operation on Saturday.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he can state the length of time during which telegraphic and telephonic communication between London and the north of England and Scotland was interrupted in consequence of the recent storm; the number and mileage of the wires blown down; the number of messages delayed; whether' there is any prospect of similar extensive and prolonged interruptions being prevented by the substitution of underground for overhead wires; and whether as, during the recent storm Scotland received its earliest messages and news of the war by undersea cables from Ireland via Dublin and Belfast, he will consider the expediency of establishing an under-sea telegraph cable, in sufficiently deep water to keep clear of anchorages, by the east coast from London to Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen.

I beg at the same time to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, considering the loss and annoyance caused through the absence of telegraphic and telephonic communication between Scotland and England during the recent storm, and which occurs at times throughout the year owing to the wires being carried overhead to-day just as they were twenty or thirty years ago, he will consider the advisability of providing an emergency underground circuit, similar to that in Germany, connecting London with the principal cities in the provinces, which, being impervious to all meteorological convulsions, could be safely employed under extraordinary circumstances.

The period of interruption has varied considerably in the case of different towns, and it is impossible at present to give details in regard to the number and mileage of the wires blown down or the number of messages delayed. The storms have been of almost unexampled extent and severity. Until the recent storm there had not been a general interruption of telegraphic communication with Scotland since 1886. The want of any form of insulated wire which could be provided at a reasonable cost, and would give even moderately satisfactory results from a telegraphic point of view, prevented the Postmaster General for many years from laving down long underground lines; but he took steps to minimise as much as possible the risk of total interruption of the overground lines by erecting them along distinct and separate routes, and by providing reserve wires. On the introduction of a new form of insulated wire at a moderate price, which gave promise of satisfactory results in telegraphy, he had it tried, and then proceeded to lay down a line of no less than seventy-six wires from London to Birmingham. This line, which has taken about three years to construct, is now on the point of completion. It passes underground through that part of the country which is subject to the most destructive gales, and it will give an increased measure of stability to the whole telegraph system. Notwithstanding the advantages which the new form of insulated wire possesses over the old, it is not free from defects; and some unforeseen electric difficulties have presented themselves. The Postmaster General is not prepared to entertain the suggestion that a submarine cable should be laid in the North Sea to maintain telegraphic communication between London and Scotland.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Postmaster General of New Zealand has acceded to the request of the members of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Association, and decided that official recognition be given to their combination: and whether it is the intention of the Postmaster General to make a similar concession to the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association of the United Kingdom.

The precise meaning intended to be attached to the expression "official recognition" is not clear. The Postmaster General is at all times ready to consider any representations made, whether collectively or individually, by persons in the employment of the Department, and it is not necessary for any person, in order to obtain a hearing, to associate himself either formally or informally with others. But all classes of Post Office servants have full liberty to form themselves into associations for any legitimate purpose, and any representations from such bodies will be duly considered, if conveyed in suitable terms and through the usual official channels. All those by whom, or on whose behalf, the representations are made must of course be in the service of the Department and the questions raised must be such as directly affect all those represented.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is in receipt of a petition, forwarded on 15th November, 1899, from the female telegraphists at Liverpool, in reference to the amalgamation of counterwomen and female telegraphists; and whether he is now in a position to reply to the same.

The petition has been received, and the memorialists have been answered.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a volume of historical manuscripts, in continuation of those already issued by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, has appeared as an independent volume issued exclusively by the House of Lords, and that Members of the House of Commons have not received this volume; and whether he will make arrangements that this volume will be issued to Members of the House of Commons amongst their Parliamentary Papers, as previous volumes have been issued.

I beg at the same time to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether copies of the House of Lords Manuscripts, Volume 1 (New Series), 1693-1695, will he made available for Members of the House of Commons in the same way as to Members of the Upper House.

Although these manuscripts are now being calendered and issued at the expense of the Vote for the House of Lords, the expenditure of the Historical MSS. Commission being restricted to documents in private hands, I think they are practically a portion of the general series, and I will arrange for their issue to Members in the same way as the other volumes.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank in Ireland by reason of the fact that applications for withdrawals have to be made to London; and whether the Postmaster General can so arrange for withdrawals to be sanctioned by the Secretary to the Postmaster General, Dublin.

In most cases there is little, if any, greater delay in withdrawing money under the present system than if such withdrawal could be sanctioned from Dublin, instead of from London. On the other hand, if the Irish savings bank accounts were kept at Dublin, money could no longer with equal facility be deposited in or withdrawn from these accounts at the post offices in England or Scotland; and the loss of this convenience would give rise to much dissatisfaction.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the hindrance to business experienced by merchants, especially in the American trade, from the postal regulations which prohibit the cables companies from telephoning cablegrams received after business hours to the addresses, though requested by them to do so, and which equally prohibit the latter from telephoning direct replies for transmission by cable, he has now made arrangements whereby the use of the telephone may no longer be denied to subscribers; and whether, if he has any fear that the revenue may suffer in consequence of such permission, he will communicate with the cable companies, the National Telephone Company, and the merchants interested, with a view to safeguarding any rights which the Post Office may possess in the matter.

As I promised the hon. Member last week, the Postmaster General is considering the whole question. The matter is, however, not free from difficulty, and an immediate decision is not practicable.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what progress has been made in establishing telephone trunk lines and exchanges in Flintshire.

Telephone exchanges have been established by the National Telephone Company at five places in Flintshire, namely, Buckley, Connah's Quay, Holywell, Mold, and Rhyl. There is trunk communication with all these, except Holywell. A trunk circuit to Holywell is now being provided. Steps are being taken to open an exchange at Flint.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether the plea for time to enable Her Majesty's 'Government to consider and develop a proper system of jurisdiction for the county courts which would be satisfactory to the country, put forward by him on 28th February, 1899, as an inducement to the House of Commons to reject a resolution in favour of an extension of such jurisdiction, has resulted in the preparation of any such scheme; and whether he is prepared during the present session to bring in a Bill in furtherance of that object; if not, what are the obstacles to such course.

I have communicated with the Lord Chancellor upon my hon. friend's question, and I regret it is not in my power to promise any legislation during the present session upon the subject of the extension of county court jurisdiction.

In consequence of the reply of my hon. and learned friend, I beg to give notice that I will to-morrow ask leave to bring in a Bill dealing with the subject.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether, regarding the terms of Clause 2, Subsection 4, of the London Government Act, 1899, the mayor and aldermen of each metropolitan borough must be chosen from those who have a qualification within that particular borough, or whether they may be chosen from all those who have a qualification within the county of London.

The mayor and aldermen must be chosen from those who have a qualification within the particular borough.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the appeal fail rent cases listed for hearing by the Chief Land Commission at its last or present sitting at Belfast, whether he will state how many of these appeals have been disposed of; in how many cases have the fair rents fixed by the Sub-Commissioners been reduced, confirmed, or increased, respectively; also the names of the Chief Commissioners who constituted the court at its Belfast sitting.

There were sixty-three cases for hearing by the Commissioners at their sitting to dispose of fair rent appeals at Belfast during the present month. In forty-eight of these cases the rents fixed by the Sub-Commissioners were increased, in two they were reduced, and in seven they were affirmed. In four cases judgment was reserved, and in two cases the originating notices were dismissed. The names of the Commissioners who constituted the court are within the knowledge of the parties in the cases dealt with at the sitting, their solicitors, and the public generally. It is therefore apparent that the inquiry at the end of the question has not been put for the purpose of eliciting information, but with a view to marking an invidious distinction between different members of the Land Commission, and this being so I must respectfully decline to answer this portion of the question.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to authorise the taking of the census in Ireland in 1901: and, if so, when will it be introduced.

A Bill is in preparation, and will be, introduced as soon as practicable.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the guardians of Shillelagh Union have repeatedly advertised for a trained night nurse for their workhouse infirmary at a salary varying from £30 to £50 a year, with rations and a furnished apartment, and having failed to procure one, they appointed an untrained person as nurse; will he explain why the Local Government Board have twice declined to sanction her appointment on the ground that she had no experience, and have requested the medical officer of the workhouse to requisition the master of the workhouse, under the Nursing Order of 1897, to obtain temporarily a trained nurse, which entails a heavy expense on the ratepayers; and whether, as the guardians maintain that in their small institution a trained night nurse is wholly unnecessary, the Local Government Board will he requested to reconsider their order to the medical officer to have a trained night nurse temporarily appointed.

The facts as stated in the first and second paragraphs are substantially correct. It appears that there are at present under medical treatment in the infirmary about sixty patients, and the Local Government Board are of opinion that as there is no trained nurse in the workhouse, it is essential for the safety and care of the sick that the night nurse to be appointed should be a properly qualified nurse. The guardians should advertise again, and, if necessary, offer a higher-salary so as to secure the services of a trained nurse, and they should bear in mind that if they appoint a nurse possessing the prescribed qualifications, one half of her salary will be paid from the Local Taxation Fund.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether' he can state the number' of tenants whose applications to purchase their farms on the Annaly (County Longford) estate were refused; whether he is aware that in 1894 a large number of tenants on this estate signed undertakings to purchase through the Land Commission on the promise of the receiver that in two years the sales would be completed; and whether he will call for an inquiry into the conduct of the receiver, or can he indicate how these tenants can obtain redress.

As regards the first and third paragraphs, I must refer to my reply to the hon. Member's previous question of Tuesday last on the same subject, to which I have nothing to add. The Land Judge has no information as to the second paragraph.

Has the right hon. Gentleman personally inquired into this matter? I am told that the information he gave me is entirely wrong.

No, I have not inquired, and I do not intend to.

Leave it to the Castle.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he can state the number of cases of appeal from decisions of Land Sub Commissioners now pending in Cavan county; whether any arrangements have been made for the sitting of the Appeal Court in Cavan during the month of March: and whether, considering the importance of expediting these cases, he will make representations to the Court to hold a sitting in Cavan at an early date.

There are 468 cases in which appeals are pending from County Cavan. No sitting for the hearing of appeals from that county has been arranged for the coming month. The sittings of the Commissioners for the hearing of fair rent appeals after Easter have not yet been definitely arranged, but it is probable that a sitting for the County Cavan will be included among their fixtures after Easter. I have no power to interfere with the arrangements of the Commissioners.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commissioners have fixed a sitting for Mullingar on March 14th? Will he not make representations to them to expedite matters?

It is not the business of the Executive Government to interfere with the Commissioners as to the conduct of their business.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he can give the date on which he proposes to introduce the short Bill to amend the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898; and whether any statement will be made on the subject before the close of the current financial half year, or whether any change in the incidence of rates on town holdings will be included in the provisions of the promised Bill.

I cannot at present fix a date for the introduction of the Bill in question, but it will be introduced at as early a date as possible. Pending the introduction of the measure I can make no statement as to its contents.