The period of the session has now arrived when it is customary to make alterations in the Standing Orders. I gave notice of these more than a week ago, but I do not think they call for many observations. One of the Amendments it is proposed to insert in Standing Order III.—namely, the words "or compulsory user of the same"—has become necessary in consequence of a Bill having been introduced which proposed to deal with certain lands without acquiring them, by taking the right of user for certain military purposes. It was found that the Bill had been brought in without notice to the individuals whose land it was proposed to use, and at the suggestion of the Standing Orders Committee this Amendment is now proposed. Its effect will be that in similar cases, before scheduling the lands of any individual, due notice will have to be given of the intention to do so. The next Amendment to Standing Order VI. is purely a drafting one; and a further trifling one to insert the words "or newspapers" is intended to give facilities for further publicity, instead of confining the advertisment to one newspaper. There is a new Standing Order proposed providing that a map shall be deposited at the Board of Trade on or before 30th November in the case of Bills for the supply of electrical energy, it being felt that the districts affected should be able to see from the map the extent to which the Bill applies to them. A fresh series of new Standing Orders are also proposed (250 to 257 inclusive) for the purpose of carrying out the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act of last year. Throughout that Act there are many references to certain procedure to take place in this House—the words usually being "subject to Standing Orders if the two Houses of Parliament think fit so to order." These Standing Orders are little more than a repetition of the words of the statute, but they have become necessary in order to enable the various proceedings laid down by the Act to take place. I beg to move the series of Amendments standing on the Paper in my name.

I should like to ask the Chairman of Committees what is to be done with regard to the constitution of the non-Parliamentary panel. I understand it has to lie appointed by the two Chairmen before the 1st January. There is more latitude with regard to the Parliamentary panel.

I have not been in communication very recently with the Secretary for Scotland on this matter, but during the recess I will communicate with him and we can then constitute the non-Parliamentary panel. But, of course, no action will be taken and no members will be selected to sit upon any of these Commissions until the Parliamentary panel has been constituted at the commencement of next session. The Bills will not be ready for the Commissioners until February or March. Under the Act of Parliament the Commissioners are to be selected, in the first place, from the two Parliamentary panels, and it is only in the event of those two bodies being exhausted that the non Parliamentary panel can be drawn upon. I do not think it likely that the services of the non-Parliamentary panel will be often needed.

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Mayo, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been directed to the fact that Admiral Kempff has reported to the Government of the United States that ho had declined to join in the demand for the temporary occupation of the Ta-ku Forts because it endangered the lives of people in the interior in advance of absolute necessity, for up to 17th June the Chinese Government had not committed, so far as he was aware, any act of open hostilities towards the foreign armed forces; and whether the Foreign Office are still without any information as to the refusal of the American Admiral to join the other Admirals in the demand for the surrender of the Ta-ku Forts.

We have no information to the effect suggested in the first part of the question. In a report which reached the Admiralty on the 31st July, Roar-Admiral Bruce states that though Rear-Admiral Kempff attended the Council of the Admirals on each occasion, he did not sign the protocols, and informed Rear-Admiral Bruce that he was unable to take any action, not having received authority from Washington to do so.

Having regard to that answer, does the right hon. Gentleman adhere to his statement of 3rd July that the American Admiral acted absolutely in concert with the other Admirals?

Order, order! It is irregular to refer to a previous answer and to proceed to argue on it.

The right hon. Gentleman would not have answered in any case.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the forces of Great Britain and Japan are now prepared to advance in strength to the relief of the Legations and Europeans at Peking, and if he will state who is in command of these allied forces.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on Tuesday on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not the force has actually started?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in determining the amount and incidence of any indemnity to be obtained from the Transvaal, regard will be had to the indemnity admittedly due to the Transvaal Government in respect of the Jameson raid; and what steps will be taken to determine the amount equitably due to the Transvaal Government by the Chartered Company in respect of the raid, and to obtain such amount from the Chartered Company, and to include this amount in the assets of the Transvaal out of which any indemnity is to be paid.

It does not seem that the question of the indemnity due to the Transvaal in respect of the raid has any connection with the indemnity to be obtained from the Transvaal for the war. With regard to the second paragraph, I must refer the hon. Gentleman to an answer given by my right hon. friend the Colonial Secretary on 15th June last.*

Are we to understand that in taking over the Transvaal we are not taking over the assets as well as the liabilities of the Transvaal Government?

I cannot answer any general question of that sort. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will confine himself to the question on the Paper.

Is the Chartered Company freed from liability?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonics if he will state what tariff is now applied to goods imported into the Orange River Colony;

*See The Parliamentary Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. lxxxiv., page 142.

The tariff applied to goods imported into the Orange River Colony is the Customs Union Tariff which applies equally to the Cape Colony and Natal. The duty on tobacco manufactured and cut is 3s. 6d. per pound, on cigars 6s. per pound and 10 per cent, ad valorem, on cigarettes 4s. per pound.

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Mayo, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Roberts had authority to issue the proclamation of 1st June, announcing that after a certain date all inhabitants of the Orange Free State found in arms against his troops would be treated as rebels; whether such a proclamation is in accordance with the usages of war, and why Lord Roberts did not consult Her Majesty's Government before taking so grave a step; why the issue of this proclamation was not reported to the Government until the 28th June, and then only on an inquiry from the Colonial Office; whether the issue of this proclamation is sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government; and whether it is proposed to act in accordance with its terms.

(1) Lord Roberts had authority to annex. Upon annexation the burghers of the Orange Free State became British subjects. His proclamation stated that inhabitants found in arms would be liable to be treated as rebels, not that they would be treated as rebels. (2, 3, 4, and 5) Under his commission Lord Roberts had power to take this step, and Her Majesty's Government have full confidence in his discretion as to any action under the proclamation.

As a matter of fact, has he dared to treat them as rebels?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Leroux was a justice of the peace at Vredefort under the Orange Free State Government, and whether he was reinstated in his office by the British authorities after taking the oath of allegiance; whether he has been convicted on a charge of giving information to General de Wet, by the help of which information the recent raids on the railway were carried out successfully by that general; and whether he has been sentenced to five years imprisonment; whether he can state approximately the number of our troops and Colonial troops; who were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners in the railway raids referred to; and whether any other punishment is contemplated to be inflicted in such cases, with a view of deterring others from similar acts of treachery.

No report has reached us of the alleged trial and condemnation of Mr. Leroux. The charge, if made, is serious, but it is one with which those responsible for the administration of martial law are competent to deal. Under these circumstances my hon. friend will, I am sure, agree that I should not be justified in expressing any opinion which might be held to influence either the verdict or the sentence in this or similar cases. In the railway raid of the 21st July, to which I believe my hon. friend alludes, two officers and one hundred men of the Welsh Fusiliers were captured. Both the officers and thirty-one men have since been released, one of the latter being severely wounded.

Will an inquiry be held, in accordance with the Queen's Regulations, into the circumstances under which these officers and men were taken prisoners?

That does not arise out of the question. I have dealt with this subject six or seven times already, and I have nothing to add.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can state approximately the number of Boers who have signed conditions of neutrality and returned to their homes.

No, Sir; no statement of these numbers has reached us.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any information has yet reached the War Office of the sentences of death alleged to have been passed on Captain Tossel and Mr. Solomon Gillingham, of Pretoria; if so, what was the charge, by what tribunal were they tried, what was the sentence passed, what date was fixed for its execution, and has it been carried into effect yet, or when is it intended to be carried into effect.

No, Sir. No information has yet reached the War Office.

Considersidering the hon. Gentleman told me three weeks ago that despatches were on their way home, may I ask if we are likely to get the information, or is it always to be refused when Ireland is concerned?

Most certainly we shall get the information, but I do not feel justified in sending inquiries to South Africa, for reasons I have already given.

I will repeat this question every day until I get a satisfactory answer.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, considering the spread of enteric fever in South Africa, he will consider the possibility of increasing the number of pocket Rustem filters served out to the troops on active service there.

No filters of the kind referred to have been issued to the troops. The only filters that have passed the tests and have been issued are of the Berkefelde and Stack and Brownlow type.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can inform the House whether the noble Lord the Member for the Westhoughton Division of Lancashire is now serving in South Africa as military press censor; and how many, if any, other Members of this House are serving or have served at any time during the war in that capacity.

Yes, Sir. The noble Lord is serving as chief press censor. The following hon. and gallant Members of this House have served as military press censors—namely, the Member for the Kendal Division of Westmorland, the Member for the Northern Division of Somersetshire, and the noble Lord the Member for the Chichester Division of Sussex.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he can tell me whether the chief press censor is the Tory Whip in this House?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state what steps have yet been taken in pursuance of the resolution of the House of Tuesday, 1st May, relating to compensation for injuries to soldiers and sailors.

As regards soldiers killed in action or dying of wounds received or disease contracted on active service the Government propose to ask Parliament for a grant for pensions to widows, with allowances to children, as soon as the necessary rules can be drawn up by a small committee of experts. Such a system already exists with regard to the widows and children of men in the Royal Navy and Marines, and both soldiers and sailors are entitled to allowances while disabled from wounds or disease. If this plan is carried out, all subscriptions by the public will be available as additions to such pensions and allowances as may be found desirable after inquiry by local committees or otherwise in the circumstances of each particular case, so that the intention of subscribers will be fulfilled. This is the course recommended by the War Relief Fund Committee.

Will Parliament be asked to make provision for this purpose this session?

No, Sir; no Vote will be taken this session.

Will the compensation be equivalent to that given under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I think the two cases are quite different.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can state what are the conditions under which it is expected that some 15,000 of the troops now in South Africa will make their homes there; and whether this settlement will be carried out as part of a general scheme under the encouragement and supervision of Her Majesty's Government.

The whole question of soldiers settling in South Africa after the war is under the consideration of an Inter-departmental Committee.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what was the reserve of field and horse artillery ammunition in this country when the South African Republic declared war, and how many rounds per gun were sent with the batteries which went from India to Durban; and whether, in order to make up the artillery ammunition required for the war recourse was had to foreign manufacturers.

It is not desirable to state definitely the number of rounds of ammunition which are held in reserve in this country; but I may say that when war was declared in October last that authorised reserve was in existence. Five hundred rounds per gun were sent with the batteries which went from India to Durban. The answer to the second paragraph of the question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether officers formerly of Her Majesty's Regular Forces, who have served or who are serving in South Africa with the Imperial Yeomanry, colonial forces, or other corps, could, if properly recommended, be reinstated in their former branch of the service.

Officers who have retired cannot be reinstated without injury to the prospects of officers still serving; there would therefore be serious difficulties in carrying out the hon. Member's suggestion except in very special circumstances.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state what was the number of Boer prisoners taken with General Prinsloo on the 30th July, and also the number of horses, rifles and cannon taken on the same occasion.

Lord Roberts's telegram giving the detailed numbers was published in yesterday's papers. The number surrendered on 30th July was: 986 men, 1,432 horses, 955 rifles, and one Krupp 9-pounder. Since then, on the 31st July, 1,200 men surrendered to General Hunter; and a further number, the total of which is not reported, surrendered to General Bruce Hamilton, giving up 1,200 rifles, 650 ponies, and one Armstrong gun.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he has any information which he can communicate to the House as to the condition of the British troops under the command of General Rundle, who, it is stated, are starving; and, if he has no information, will the Secretary of State for War at once cause inquiry to be made.

There is no official information, but I understand that, owing to the nature of the country and of the operations in which these troops have been engaged, they have suffered some hardships.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to more fully utilise the barracks and twenty-one acres of War Office ground facing the sea at Great Yarmouth; and why only some half-dozen invalids have been sent there since his statement on 1st August last year that this was one of the barracks selected to receive convalescent soldiers.

In all cases recommended by the medical officers convalescents have been sent to the barracks at Great Yarmouth. The number of cases so sent is thirty-one. The value of the land as a piece of War Department property is fully recognised, but it is not possible to determine the best method of turning it to account except in connection with a general scheme of distribution.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the Secretary of State for War has been directed to the fact that the band of the Coldstream Guards played at intervals on Saturday last at Compton Place, Eastbourne, at a garden party to which the Duke of Devonshire invited nearly 4,000 members of the United Conservative and Liberal Unionist Associations of the Eastbourne Parliamentary Division of Sussex; whether the band went to the garden party with the permission of the colonel of the regiment; and whether it is with the sanction of the Secretary of State for War that soldiers in a Queen's regiment were allowed to take part in a political gathering of a party character.

Sanction was given by the colonel of the regiment. His action was approved by the General Officer Commanding the Home District, who was under the impression that the engagement was not of a political nature. I have no reason to believe so either.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the Queen's Regulation prohibiting bands from attending political gatherings? Was not this a gathering of the Primrose League?

I have no reason to believe it was a political gathering.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that cards of invitation were sent out to members of the Liberal Unionist Association for such and such a Division of this county? Is not that a political gathering?

I am not aware of it.

Then what is the hon. Gentleman aware of?

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he will state the total number of Royal Reserve men who have been re-enrolled and are now serving, distinguishing cavalry, field and garrison artillery, engineers, guards, and Line, and how many corps of each arm of the service have been formed; whether field and garrison artillery and engineers have been formed into separate Reserve units, or whether the men have been utilised to fill up vacancies in existing regular organisations; whether all such Reserve corps are in every respect fully supplied with arms, accoutrements, and other appointments, and whether the mounted portions are fully horsed; and whether these corps are fit to take the field, and have taken part in all field days with other troops where they are stationed.

The numbers are: —Cavalry, 1,586; Horse and Field Artillery, 1,518; Garrison Artillery, 1,121; Royal Engineers, 437; Foot Guards, 631; infantry of the Line 18,055; other corps, 429; total, 23,777—out of 28,262 who offered their services. Four cavalry Reserve regiments and eighteen infantry Reserve battalions have been formed; in other arms the men have been posted to existing units. The Reserve units are not yet fully supplied with arms and accoutrements; some 230 rifles, 1,250 swords, and 3,000 sets of accoutrements and 500 waistbelts remain to be supplied. The cavalry regiments are not yet fully horsed; horses are furnished gradually as the regiments apply for them. In some cases the generals under whom these units are serving consider them already fit to take the field; but in others, owing to their musketry training being unfinished or their accoutrements incomplete, they are not yet ready.

Will the men of the field artillery be retained at the end of the twelve months, or will fresh men be called up?

The question of retaining for service any of these men has, as I have already informed the House, been considered, and we shall do so in some cases, though it will not be the general rule. Probably in the case of artillery there is a stronger reason for doing so than in other cases.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can inform the House whether Australian coal, which is obtainable at Hong Kong, has been used for Her Majesty's ships now engaged in China; and if so, what is the amount so purchased; and whether he can inform the House approximately of the cost per ton to the Admiralty of Welsh coal at Hong Kong, and what is the price per ton deliverable at Hong Kong, all charges included, at which Australian coal has been offered to the Admiralty.

No information has been received of any purchase of Australian coal at Hong Kong, and no Australian coal has been bought here for Hong Kong. Offers of Australian and New Zealand coal delivered at Hong Kong have ranged since the 1st April last from 38s. to 54s. per ton. The price of Welsh coal during the same period has been from 38s. 6d. to 61s. per ton for cargoes shipped by the Admiralty from Cardiff.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have under consideration the construction of distilling ships of adequate capacity for the service of the Mediterranean Fleet.

The Board have had under consideration for some time past the provision of distilling ships for service with fleets, and two hired vessels are now under trial in the manœuvres.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee animadverting on the failure of the Admiralty to enforce penalties for breaches of contract for the amount of £113,760 under the Shipbuilding Vote in the year 1898–99, and on the failure of the Admiralty to answer the Treasury Letter relating thereto, dated 28th March 1899, and to similar animadversions in connection with Vote 9; and whether he can now state to the House the defence, if any, of the Admiralty to these censures.

No, Sir. My attention has not been specially called to the Report in question. I am informed that the letter referred to did not seem to call for a reply, and that none was asked for. The defence of the Admiralty to the so-called "censures," if I wished to make one, would be that the question involved is one of administration, on which it is possible to hold opposite views, and not one of finance. I may remind the hon. and learned Gentleman once more that the policy of the present board as to penalties is still the same as that of the board of which he was a Member.

Was not the Admiralty's defence before the Committee that it was practically impossible to enforce these penalty clauses

That would be a question of administration.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the new form of Admiralty contract has been finally settled; and, if so, whether a copy will be laid upon the Table before the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill; and if he can explain why contracts for the delivery of armour plates and of electrical apparatus contain, as stated by the Report of the Public Accounts Committee, no penalty clauses.

The answer to the first paragraph is in the negative. On the final revision a point of considerable importance was reserved for discussion with the Law officers. It was found impracticable to insert penalty clauses in contracts for armour plates, and with regard to contracts for electrical apparatus which are made by the Director of Navy Contracts, penalties are omitted in accordance with the general policy pursued since the formation of his Department some thirty years ago.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can reconsider the case of John Blythe, who was discharged from the Navy on the 4th May, 1900, with a gratuity, with the view to granting him a pension, as he states that he was injured in the back by a fall while on service, and is now partially paralysed.

I am glad that my hon. friend has given me an opportunity of stating the facts of this case. The chairman of the Isle of Wight Board of Guardians is reported to have stated to that board that Blythe was badly wounded in the back at Zanzibar in 1896, and that he had malarial fever in the Benin expedition and was now suffering from paralysis as a result, and that it was a standing disgrace to this country that no more provision should have been made for one who had become incapacitated when fighting for his country. It would appear from the official records that these statements are wholly untrue, that Blythe was not wounded at Zanzibar, and that he was not landed in the Benin expedition. His medical history sheet shows that ho was not a healthy man, but there is no record of his ever having suffered from malarial fever. I shall be glad to show it to my hon. friend if he cares to see it. Blythe had less than seven years service, and his invaliding was not due to the service. Under these circumstances the Board cannot increase the pension already awarded. I regret that the chairman of the board of guardians did not communicate with the Admiralty before making an attack based upon statements which appear to be wholly without foundation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the Reports of the Bengal Opium Department it appears that the area under poppy cultivation increased from 770,000 big has in 1889–90 to 890,000 big has in 1896–7; that "the increased area obtained was doubtless largely attributable to the necessitous condition of the cultivators"; and that, in the Report for 1897–8, it is stated that "food grains are selling at so high a price that the cultivators are expecting to gain more by sowing wheat, and such crops, than by sowing poppy"; and whether he will call the attention of the Indian Government to the undesirability of tempting cultivators by the offer of Government advances to sow poppy instead of more profitable food crops.

(1)I am aware that the area of poppy cultivation in Bengal has increased, nearly as stated in the hon Member's question, between the years 1890 and 1898. The area in 1898 appears to have been considerably below that of 1897. (2) The cultivators are perfectly free to sow food or other crops as they may prefer; and if food crops are more profitable, as stated in the question, they will no doubt sow them. The present system is the result of long experience and much inquiry and consideration, in which full weight was given to the importance of controlling the traffic in opium and keeping it within bounds, and I should be reluctant to interfere with the rules and regulations of a system which has worked well.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can yet say what action the Government of India have resolved to take on the subject on which representations have been made by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, as to insufficient provision in India of special churches or the use of garrison churches for services for Presbyterian soldiers at garrison stations.

The intentions of the Government of India have been fully explained in the correspondence laid before Parliament—namely, to establish equality of treatment, so far as the provision and use of churches is concerned, between the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. As regards increased accommodation it is proposed to build Presbyterian churches at Rawal Pindi, Sialkote, and Cherat. Inquiries are being instituted on this point elsewhere.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any further information as to the murder, on 26th February, of Mr. James Lyall, acting vice-consul at Ciudad Bolivar; whether the Venezuelan Government have refused to try the murderer, who was taken red-handed; whether Her Majesty's Government have sent Her Majesty's sloop "Alert" to investigate the murder, and whether this means that a trial will be insisted on at an early date; and whether, considering the fact that there is evidence that this was a political crime, and that Mr. Lyall was murdered on account of his official position, Her Majesty's Government will insist upon an indemnity being paid, and in any event make adequate compensation to Mr. Lyall's family.

There is no further information to give respecting the murder of Mr. Lyall. The Venezuelan Government have not refused to try the murderer, but have assured Her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires, who is constantly making representations on the subject, that the proceedings will be conducted properly in accordance with Venezuelan law. An early decision has been pressed for. Her Majesty's ship "Alert" has visited Ciudad Bolivar. Her Majesty's Government must await the full report of the trial before the question of demanding compensation can be considered.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state what steps are being taken to prevent the working of young women and children for excessive hours in the fruit-preserving factories, and whether any improvement has taken place in this industry since attention was called to the abuse of the regulations by the report of the principal lady inspector.

The danger referred to by my right hon, friend is no new thing. It is the result of the undue latitude allowed by the Factory Acts as they stand at present, the abuse of which it is impossible to prevent without legislation. One of the clauses in the Factory Bill was designed to provide a remedy. In the meantime the law is enforced as far as it will go; and some improvement has been effected.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say when the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police magistrates and county justices, which was signed in August, 1899, will be presented to Parliament.

I had not intended to publish this Report, and my hon. friend must remember that it by no means follows that Reports of Departmental Committees are presented to Parliament, but in this case I have no, objection to adopt the course suggested.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case in which the right of interment under the provisions of the Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880 was refused; and whether the removal of a man to a hospital outside his own parish for six months deprives him of such right of interment in the churchyard or cemetery of the parish in which he has lived for ten years, and in which his family continued to reside during his stay at the hospital.

I presume the hon. Member refers to a case about which he wrote to me a few days ago. I am in communication with the incumbent on the subject; but the question as to any right of interment is one which I have no authority to determine.

From whom can I get an opinion on the point?

I know nothing about the case, so I am afraid I cannot answer.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, not-withstanding the representations made by the Mayor to the Trinity Board on behalf of the Rye fishermen for the lifting instead of the blowing up of the "Monica," this vessel was, on 19th July, blown up, which has resulted in wreckage being scattered over the principal fishing area in Rye Bay, thus rendering losses in fishing gear inevitable, and causing danger to navigation by floating debris; and whether, seeing that the cost of blowing up the "Monica" was in excess of the expense which would have been incurred in her removal by those on the spot, ready to act on the understanding that in the event of failing to remove her they would not ask to be paid, he will represent to the Trinity Board the desirability of its showing some consideration for the interests of the fishing industry.

I am informed by the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House that the wreck of the "Monica" was a serious danger to navigation and required to be dealt with immediately. They were unable to entertain the application made to them by the Mayor of Rye to lift the vessel instead of dispersing her by explosives in the usual manner in consequence of the uncertainty as to the success of the operation and the expense involved. An application was subsequently received from the Rye fishermen through the hon. Member to be allowed to undertake the work of lifting the wreck at their own expense, but in the meantime the divers had shattered the vessel beyond any possibility of lifting her. I am assured by the Elder Brethren that, when applications from the fishing interests in similar cases are made at once, and are accompanied by sufficient guarantees for payment of the expenses involved in departing from the prescribed course, full consideration will be given to them.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education if he is now prepared to place upon the Table of the House of Commons a Minute of the Board giving a right of appeal to teachers in eases of their alleged, wrongful dismissal by managers of schools, Board and Voluntary, which receive grants under the Day School Code.

The Board of Education, having considered this question, are of opinion that legislation is necessary, and they hope to introduce a Bill dealing with the subject next session.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the managers, of the Holyhead National School habitually bring pressure to bear upon all their teachers to attend Church of England services and to be confirmed, and that out of nine Nonconformists employed at the school seven have been obliged to comply with these demands, although the parents are Nonconformists, and that this is the only school available for a Nonconformist district; and whether, seeing that repeated applications by the Holyhead School Board to be allowed to build a school have been refused, and that the National school is generally overcrowded, he will state what steps the Board of Education will take in this matter.

The statement in the first paragraph of the question is positively denied by the managers of the Holyhead National School. They state that "church attendance is not made a condition of apprenticeship; some of the pupil teachers attend church, some do not. One or two pupil teachers have been just admitted who are Nonconformists and wish to remain such; another who has just left after securing a Queen's Scholarship is still a Nonconformist….. Nellie Roberts is free to continue apprenticeship."

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that repeated demands have been made by the Education Department upon the managers of the Holyhead National School that they should sign the memorandum of agreement of Nellie Roberts, a pupil teacher at the infants' department of that school, but that, although she has been a recognised pupil teacher for over three years, these demands have not yet been complied with; and what reasons are assigned by the managers for their noncompliance.

I have inquired both in the Department and at the Holyhead National School, and find that no such repeated demands have ever been made. Nellie Roberts had been a pupil teacher for two, not for over three, years.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that, on the 11th of April last, the Rev. Canon Thomas, one of the managers of the Holyhead National School, called Nellie Roberts and another pupil teacher before him, in the presence of the head teachers, and after inquiring of each if they were willing to attend the services of the Church of England and to assist in the Sunday school, and being answered by the first negatively, and by the second affirmatively, that he proceeded to sign the memorandum of agreement of the latter and informed Nellie Roberts that he would leave her agreement unsigned for a time so as to give her an opportunity of deciding whether she would comply with his demands that she should renounce her Nonconformity; and will he cause inquiry to be made in this case.

I have made inquiries into this matter. The conversation alleged in the question to have taken place is declared by Canon Thomas to be incorrectly reported.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General if he will state the reason of the arrangement by which, while in other courts postal orders are received in payment of small debts, in the City of London money orders only are received, and the exclusion of postal orders is so rigid that if they are remitted instead of money orders, a warrant to levy is issued, as if there had been no tender of payment made; and if it would be possible to make the practice of receiving money and postal orders alike, as in other courts, applicable to the City of London Court.

I have made inquiry into the subject of the question, and find that there is no uniform practice in the matter. County court registrars commonly accept postal orders, but there are a good many county courts in which they are not accepted. It is stated that a good deal of inconvenience has in some instances been found to result from remittance by postal order. The matter is, no doubt, one which deserves consideration, and I am taking steps to have in considered in the proper quarter.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Leitrim, I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether any proceedings are in contemplation against the responsible editors of any daily papers for the publication, during the past few weeks, of unfounded news concerning the situation in Peking, thereby causing pain to the relatives of the members of the British Legation in Peking.

No case of the kind referred to in the question in which proceedings could properly be instituted has been brought to my notice

Does the same decision apply to papers publishing unfounded news from South Africa?

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether he is aware that an elector is now deprived of the right to vote by reason of his wife or other member of his family being an inmate of the County Lunatic Asylum, although he has duly made the weekly payment demanded of him, on the ground that he is in receipt of parochial relief; and whether, if such a case does not come within the Medical Relief Disqualification Removal Act, 1885, he will take steps to introduce a Bill to remove such disqualification.

So far as I am aware there is no authoritative decision that the case mentioned in the question does not come within the Medical Relief Disqualification Removal Act, 1885. There is no intention at present to propose legislation on the subject.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether he is aware that certain men serving in the Reserve, Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteer forces in South Africa have failed to pay their rates to 5th January last, which payment is a condition of registration of a person otherwise entitled to be placed on the occupiers portion of the List of Voters; whether his attention has been called to the case of Abel v. Lee (1871) L. R., 6 C., p. 363, which decided that excusal by justices from the payment of rates on the ground of poverty under the Poor Relief Act, 1814, s. 11, is not equivalent to payment; and whether this case has been overruled, and whether cases where the rates have not been paid are covered by the Electoral Disabilities (Military Service) Removal Act, 1900.

The case of Abel v. Lee referred to in the question has not been overruled on the point to which the question relates. The Electoral Disabilities (Military Service) Removal Act of this session does not cover cases of non-payment of rates.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that irregularity still exists in the delivery of letters in London; and whether he can assure the House that efficient steps will be taken without further delay to restore the efficiency of the Post Office.

The Postmaster General assures me that he is not aware that irregularity still exists in the delivery of letters in London. If the hon. Member will furnish the covers of any letters that may appear to have been delayed inquiry shall be made respecting them.

May I ask my right hon. friend whether there is any distinction in the treatment of letters posted in the Eastern Central district as compared with those posted in other parts of London?

There is this distinction, that if a letter is put in the wrong box for any district other than the E.C. district—the S.W., for instance— the mistake is corrected at the head office of that district; but, as I understand, that does not happen with regard to letters posted in the E.C. district—that is to say, no re-sorting takes place in that district office, but letters are sent on direct. It is possible delay may arise from that cause, and I will call the attention of the Postmaster General to see if some remedy cannot be applied.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state what amount was invested by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests during the financial year ended 31st March, 1899; and whether any, and, if so, what portion of this amount was invested in the purchase of ground rent; and where are such ground rents situated, and how many years purchase was paid for them.

The amounts invested by the Commissioners of Woods in the year ending 31st March, 1899 were £185,338 8s. 9d. in purchasing estates, and £328,604 0s. 6d. in Stocks, etc. The former sum includes £98,000 invested in purchasing (at 27⅗ years purchase) a freehold ground-rent at Knights-bridge, and £18,585 in purchasing (at 237/10 years purchase) an improved ground rent payable for a term of 78 years secured on Crown property in Regent Street.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether postmen of more than twenty-five years of age are not eligible to compete for the position of sorting clerk and telegraphist until they have first passed a qualifying examination in telegraphy, and whether, as no other class of public servants have to qualify in official duties before being submitted to the educational test, the regulations will be so modified as to permit postmen over twenty-five years of age to first compete at the educational examination, and, if successful, to allow them a certain period within which to qualify in official duties before being finally promoted.

Persons who are above twenty-five years of age and are candidates for appointment as sorting clerks and telegraphists are required, before being allowed to compete in the educational examination, to show that they have certain postal and telegraph qualifications, because persons above that age who do not possess the required qualifications find them very difficult to acquire, and their appointment without such a proviso is calculated to lead only to disappointment. It is not proposed to make any alteration in the present practice.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will explain why one part of the telephone district around Bradford is allowed to communicate by telephone with the post office at Bradford, while other parts of the same telephone district are not allowed the same privilege.

A certain portion of the Bradford telephone area is also included in the Leeds area. Subscribers in that part may be connected with the exchange system in either area, but not with the systems of both areas. Several of the chief exchanges in the Bradford area are connected with the nearest post offices, and not with the Bradford post office. Possibly the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member are due to these facts, but if he will kindly furnish the Postmaster General with more definite particulars, full information on the subject will be furnished.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the districts of Little Mountain, Wheatsheaf, Bradley, Glanllyn, Brynissa, and Rhosrobin, all in, the parish of Gwersyllt, in the county of Denbigh, contain an aggregate population of 2,041, and have only one delivery of letters each day; and whether, seeing, that representations have been made to Her Majesty's Postmaster General by the Gwersyllt Parish Council as to the desirability of having a second delivery, and having regard to the population of the parish, he can promise that arrangements I will be made for a second delivery of letters in the districts named.

There is already a second post to Wheatsheaf post office with a delivery to callers after 4.20 p.m. Careful inquiry has been made as to the possibility of providing a second house-to-house delivery of letters at the places mentioned by the hon. Member, but it is found that the correspondence is not sufficient to justify the expense of such a service.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his, attention has been called to the recent conviction in the Dundee Sheriff Court of a number of men for failing or refusing to have their children vaccinated, and to the fact that accused pleaded conscientious objections, and on conviction preferred to go to prison rather than pay the fines imposed; whether similar cases have occurred in other parts of Scotland; and whether, having regard to the difference now existing between the laws of England and Scotland on this matter, and to the dissatisfaction created thereby, the Government will consider the question of the assimilation of the laws of the two countries on this matter.

I have seen a report of the Dundee case referred to, and I am aware of similar cases in Aberdeen and Kirkcaldy. I believe such cases, however, to be very few. In the six convictions at Dundee referred to five went to prison and one paid the fine. One of the five paid the fine pro tanto after a detention of one day. I have reason to believe that there is a great preponderance of opinion in Scotland in favour of the existing law, and the Government do not propose to consider the question of assimilating the Scottish to the English law.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Scottish railway companies allow their passengers a less amount of free luggage than is allowed by the English railway companies; and whether he will urge upon the Scottish railway companies the expediency of giving their passengers rights as regards free luggage at least as favourable as those allowed by the English railway companies.

Yes, Sir; I understand that some of the Scottish companies allow their passengers a less amount of free luggage than that allowed by English companies. This they are apparently authorised to do by the terms of their special Acts. The Board of Trade will use their good offices with the Scottish companies with the object of endeavouring to bring about a uniformity of practice in this respect.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have yet boon taken by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company to construct the light railway from Fraserburgh to St. Combs, the Order for which was obtained last year, and for the construction of which a grant has been promised by the Treasury.

I have communicated with the Great North of Scotland Rail way Company, and they inform me that a commencement of the line has been made on their land at the Fraserburgh end, and that the company are in correspondence with the landowners who undertook to provide the other land required for the railway.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken by the Local Government Board or other authority in preventing injury and desecration of the graveyards in the Arran Islands, Galway, by the grazing of cattle in those places; and if he will state how often within the last twelve months the sanitary inspector has visited these islands for the purpose of inspection.

As already pointed out by me in answer to a previous question of the hon. Member, the matter referred to is entirely one for the local authority to deal with. I understand that the rural district council at their meeting held on Saturday last decided to appoint a caretaker of the burial ground. If the second paragraph refers to the sub-sanitary officer or medical officer of health, I can only say that both of these officials reside on the islands.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Lord Lieutenant has received a memorial from the County Down County Council against the proposal of establishing a hospital for infectious diseases at Purdysburn near the Belfast Lunatic Asylum whether he is aware that the Belfast Hospitals Act, 1898, under which this proposal is made is permissive and not mandatory, and that the statute is not a public statute; and whether, in the interest of the unfortunate persons mentally afflicted, he will take the whole matter into consideration, with the view of preventing the erection of any such hospital.

The reply to the first paragraph is the affirmative. The county council have been informed that under the Act of 1898 the Belfast Corporation are empowered to devote and hold for hospital purposes the whole or any part of the lands in question, and that under the circumstances the Government have no power to interfere in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education decided last June that with the first payment of the consolidated income would be remitted the equivalent of a full year's results fees, to teachers who would in every case receive full payment for all services, leaving no arrears; and that, if the results period terminated on 31st March, 1900, the teacher would be paid with the June instalment of income, the equivalent of twelve months results fees up to the 31st March, 1900, £20, and also one-fourth of his consolidated income; and seeing that the first payment of the new income was made to a number of teachers, and that in no case was the equivalent of the year's results fees paid, whether he can say why it was withheld, and when it will be paid.

The Commissioners of National Education decided to make payments as stated in the question, and issued a circular on the subject. In a very large number of cases the equivalents of the results fees were issued two days after the consolidated payments for June quarter, and in most of the remaining cases the equivalents have since been sent, and the issue will soon be completed in all cases. It was impossible to complete the remittance of the equivalents concurrently with the consolidated payments, owing to the shortness of the time at the disposal of the office staff and the complexities of the calculations involved.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland can he state whether any of the teachers of Agricultural schools under the National Board have been paid results fees for the year ended 31st March, 1900; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay.

These schools have yet to be visited by the inspectors to report specially as to the claims of the teachers. Delay has necessarily taken place owing to the transfer of the agricultural inspector to the new Department of Agriculture. The equivalent grant will be paid as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education have received a petition from the National teachers of District No. 60, pointing out the hardship, which will result to them in fixing their future salaries under the new rules owing to the results of the examination held in the district for the year ending 30th April, 1898; whether he is aware that this examination was held by an inspector performing temporary duty in the district, that the results fees awarded as the result of this examination were below the average received by the teachers affected before and subsequently, and that there have been several complaints as to the character of the reports of this gentleman both in this and other districts; and whether, seeing that his reports in this district reflected injuriously on many teachers who both previously and subsequently had got excellent reports both for skill in teaching and the general management of their schools, the Commissioners propose to accede to the prayer of the petition that in calculating the future income of the teachers of this district the year in question will be excluded and another year selected instead.

Representations have been received by the Commissioners to the effect stated in the first and second paragraphs. The matter will require careful consideration and is at present engaging their attention.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education can state on what grounds they refused to pay to the assistant teacher in the parish of Fairymount, county Roscommon, three quarters salary, although this amount was certified to be due by the manager of the school; and what redress they propose to offer to the lady who has been thus deprived of the money which she alleges she had earned.

I am informed by the Commissioners that payment of salary was not allowed to the assistant teacher of the school referred to prior to the 1st October, 1899, because the necessary conditions as to average attendance and accommodation were not fulfilled, and that the circumstances of the case do not admit of any further concession in favour of this teacher.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the insufficiency of the Government grant for the erection of the proposed new National schools in Leyny, North Sligo, no contractor can be got to undertake the work, with the result that the children of the locality are practically deprived of the benefits of primary education, and that representations have been made on this subject to the Board of Education by the local manager; and whether, as the people of this and other congested districts in the west of Ireland are unable to supplement these grants, he will consider the advisability of having them increased.

An application has been made by the manager of the Leyny National school containing representations to the effect stated in the first paragraph. The regulations of the Commissioners of National Education, approved by the Treasury, limit the grant to two-thirds of the cost of the buildings as estimated by the Board of Works, and the Commissioners have, therefore, no power to supplement the grant. I will make further inquiry into the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any inspectors have been appointed to see that spraying is properly done in Limerick and other parts of Ireland where potato blight has set in; and, if so, whether he can give the names of the inspectors, their qualifications, and remuneration.

No inspectors have been appointed for the purpose suggested in the question, either in Limerick or elsewhere, but six persons experienced in spraying operations are employed by the Congested Districts Board in giving instruction in spraying in Donegal and Kerry. Similar instruction is afforded in Donegal, Mayo, and Galway by the six agricultural instructors in the service of the Board. A statement of the names of these persons, with their emoluments, is being prepared, and will be forwarded to the hon. Member.

Seeing that the potato blight is so very prevalent in Limerick, will an inspector be sent there?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the alleged case of boycotting at Tallow, county Waterford, if he can now say to whom, and in what manner such alleged boycotting is applied.

The person referred to in the question, has been, affected by boycotting in his trade as shopkeeper and merchant. The police have exercised and will continue to exercise the utmost vigilance in affording him every possible protection and assistance, and his position, I am informed, has considerably improved of late. It would, be contrary to practice to mention his name.

Is boycotting to be the exclusive privilege of the Prim rose League?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to resolutions which have been passed by certain. United Irish League courts in the county of Kerry, which were identical in character with the resolutions passed by a Land League court in 1887; and whether the Irish Government proposes to take any steps to protect life and property in districts where these courts are held.

My attention has been drawn to resolutions of the kind mentioned in the first paragraph, stated to have been passed at an indoor meeting of the Lixnaw branch of the United Irish League. The Irish Government will continue, as heretofore, to take all such measures as may appear proper for the preservation of life and property in this or any other district in Ireland.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that the Bally-gawley Bench on the 17th July instant adjudicated in the case of a man named M'Donnell, summoned before them for drunkenness, and sent the accused to Omagh gaol for fourteen days without the option of a fine; whether he is aware that, in employing vehicles for the conveyance of prisoners from Ballygawley to Omagh, the police engage those of a magistrate, who is a posting master; and that other persons than the prisoner and the escort occasionally ride on those vehicles; and will these matters be inquired into.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The summons having been amended at the hearing, the accused was convicted of having been, while drunk, guilty of disorderly conduct. The conviction was therefore legal. Vehicles for the conveyance of prisoners have been hired by the police at the posting establishment of a local magistrate. There does not appear to be anything objectionable in this practice. On four occasions persons other than the prisoners and their escort have been accommodated with seats on these conveyances, but the police have been directed not to permit this to occur in future.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the male sorting clerks and telegraphists employed at the Enniskillen post office are compelled to perform night duty for periods averaging eight months in each year, and that the meal times are arranged irregularly, and that the staff experience discomfort in this respect; whether the Postmaster General has received the petition which has been forwarded to him, but of which the staff has since heard nothing; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of these men.

The Postmaster General is aware that the staff of the Enniskillen post office are being put to some inconvenience in the discharge of their duties, and arrangements are under consideration for removing all cause for complaint. They will, it is hoped, be carried out at an early date. The Postmaster General received the petition referred to in due course.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why the parcels post deliveries in Dublin are made by the aid of vans, while the postmen in the towns of the county, such as Bray, Howth, and Kingstown, are obliged to carry heavy loads of parcels with the ordinary letter deliveries; and whether it would be possible to provide vans for the delivery of parcels in these towns as well as in the city, in order to expedite the letter deliveries and relieve the postmen of the heavy loads they are now obliged to carry.

About two-thirds of the parcels for delivery in Dublin are taken out by van, and of the remainder some are taken out by hand carts and some by postmen. At Kingstown also about two-thirds are taken out by van, and the remainder by postmen. At Bray and Howth all the parcels are delivered by postmen. Those arrangements work satisfactorily, and as care is always taken to provide against any postman being overloaded no change appears to be called for.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Kildalkey and the districts surrounding it asking that the midday delivery of letters now carried from Athboy to Clifton Lodge may be extended to Kildalkey; whether he is aware that under the present arrangement English letters, and letters posted in Dublin after six o'clock for Kildalkey and districts adjoining, are delayed in Athboy from midday until the following morning, and that inconvenience is thereby caused to a number of graziers and cattle traders; and whether he will see that the prayer of the petitioners is complied with.

The Postmaster General has received an application for a midday delivery of letters at Kildalkey, and the matter is under inquiry. The result shall be communicated to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any information as to the alleged intention of the Grand Canal Company of Ireland to abandon the traffic on the river Shannon owing to the conduct of the Irish Board of Works; and whether he will make representations to this Board with a view to their treating the Grand Canal Company in a more generous manner.

The answer to the first paragraph is in the negative. I am informed that the Board of Works are training the company in all respects in a very liberal manner, and that their conduct compares very favourably with that of the company towards bye-traders on their own canal. The tolls charged to the company by the Board are far below those charged by the company; and the Board are not making any profit out of them.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is in a position to make any further statement as to the construction of the direct line of railway from Cork to Fermoy.

I received yesterday a letter from the Secretary to the Fish-guard and Rosslare Railway Company stating, "So far as they [the directors] can see at the present time it will probably be about a twelvemonth before they wall be in a position to commence the section of their undertaking from Fermoy to Cork, and I am authorised on their behalf to say that that portion of their line shall be commenced within a twelvemonth from this date." I have inquired what is meant by "commencing," and said that presumably, if this assurance is to be of any practical value, it must mean at least that the whole of the necessary land will have been taken, a contract for the construction of the line been signed, and a bonâ fide start made with the works themselves.

Does the correspondence show if any portion of this line has yet been surveyed?

No.

Seeing that the Amalgamation Bill has passed through the House, I suppose the directors will choose their own time for making the railway.

I have to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether Messrs. P. J. O'Keefe and E. T. Keane, manager and editor respectively of the Kilkenny People, were arrested yesterday morning in their office; whether the offence charged was the publication in their paper of the proceedings of a public meeting; when was the offence committed; under what Act were they arrested and charged; and why the ordinary course of proceeding by summons was departed from in this case.

It is a fact that Messrs. P. J. O'Keefe and E. T. Keane, proprietors of the Kilkenny People newspaper, were arrested yesterday. They are charged with publishing a notice pur-porting to be a report of the proceedings of the Mullinahone branch of the United Irish League and advocating the boycotting of Barton Brothers. The newspaper containing the notice was dated 2nd June, 1900. The prosecution is under one of the Whiteboy Acts (1 and 2 Will. IV., c. 44). The defendants were, on the advice of the Attorney General, arrested on warrants grounded on sworn informations, that being the most expedient mode of procedure under the circumstances. No unnecessary inconvenience was indicted on the accused, who were admitted to bail.

In consequence of that answer, I ask leave to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of calling attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance—namely, the arbitrary arrest on warrant of Mr. Patrick J. O'Keefe, and Mr. E. T. Keane, manager and editor respectively of the Kilkenny People newspaper, for having published the proceedings of a public meeting, instead of the institution of proceedings against them by summons, as is usual in the case of press offences.

If the hon. Member will read the Sessional Order as to the last two days of Supply he will find that on those two days no such motion can be accepted.

If there is no other opportunity of bringing this matter before the House I will do so on the Appropriation Bill.

Order, order! This is not the time for making a speech.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government made any representations to the Belgian Government in consequence of the result of the trial of the Anarchist Sipido, what was the nature of such representations, and what reply was received from the Belgian Government.

Her Majesty's Government have informed the Belgian Government that they consider the result of the proceedings in connection with Sipido to be a grave and most unfortunate miscarriage of justice, and that they have learned with great surprise and regret that the Belgian Government did not see fit to detain Sipido pending a decision as to the course they should take in view of the verdict of the jury. The Belgian Government have not yet replied.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the growing scarcity and dearness of coal, and in view of the altered circumstances of the Trade since the inquiry into our coal, resources made by Royal Commission a generation ago, and the fact that experience has shown the conclusions of that Commission to be erroneous, he can now see his way to cause a fresh inquiry to be made in order to remove the uncertainty that prevails as to the quantity of coal remaining unworked and available for naval, domestic, manufacturing, and, commercial purposes.

I do not think the scarity and dearness of coal have any relation to the larger issue dealt with in the main part of the question. The question of a revised survey of the coalfields is, I understand, engaging the attention of a Committee now sitting in, regard to the geological survey, and a Report will be made to the Lord President of the Council. I think it will be found useful to collect tabulated information with a view to determining whether it is necessary to hold further inquiry into, this very important subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an explanation as to the, business for to-morrow and Monday?

I do not think I have any detailed information to give. As the right hon. Gentleman knows,to-day and to-morrow are allocated to Supply. After that we shall do our best, to hurry through the remaining Orders of the Day, which are not of a controversial character. If the House will consent to expedite matters, there ought to be no difficulty in proroguing on Wednesday.