reported from the Chairmen's Panel, That they had appointed Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice to act as Chairman of the Standing Committee for the consideration of Bills relating to Law, and Courts of Justice, and Legal Procedure.

further reported from the Chairmen's Panel; That they had agreed to the following Resolution:—That any Member of the Chairmen's Panel be and he is hereby empowered to ask any other Member of the Chairmen's Panel to take his place in case of necessity.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, if the Government are unwilling to take legal action against the Chartered Company in respect of the Jameson Raid, he will sell any rights pertaining thereto that the British Government may have as successors to the Transvaal Government, and at what price.

I have never stated that His Majesty's Government were unwilling to take legal action in this matter, but that they were advised that they had no legal rights. I have no reason to believe that a purchaser can be found for rights which we are told on the highest authority do not exist.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who his legal advisers are? And is he aware that the coffers of the Imperial Exchequer are empty—

Order, order! The hon. Member is arguing the question.

Will the light hon. Gentleman kindly state who his legal advisers are?

The ordinary advisers of the Crown.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer one other question? Will he sell the rights if a purchaser can be found to take them, seeing that the coffers of the Exchequer are empty, and that an honest penny may thus be earned?

Any tender which the hon. Member may wish to make had better be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will the Law advisers send their fees as conscience, money to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the motion introduced in the House of Assembly in Cape Colony on 9th October by the hon. J. X. Merriman, declaring the publication, without his permission, by the Colonial Secretary of Mr. Merriman's letter to President Steyn, dated 11th March, 1898, to be deprecated, and to Mr. Merriman's statement that Sir Alfred Milner had forwarded that letter without the knowledge of Mr. Merriman to the Colonial Secretary, and had, with the Colonial Secretary, been guilty of a breach of the ordinary decencies and courtesies of official life; and whether he has any explanation to offer to these statements.

I have seen the report of a debate in the Cape House of Assembly in which Mr. Merriman attacked the High Commissioner and myself in moving a resolution deprecating the publication of his letter. The resolution was rejected by the Cape House, and I have nothing to add to what I have already said on the subject.

Was the resolution rejected by a majority of three, at a time when there were six Members away?

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why he calls the speech an attack upon himself?

Order, order! The hon. Member is arguing.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will publish his own letter that he sent back with the Rhodes correspondence?

That question is out of order.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Australian Commonwealth Government have refused to allow Boer prisoners to be imprisoned in Tasmania, and whether, in view of this refusal, the Imperial Government still intends to send any prisoners to Australasia.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Federal Cabinet of the Australian Commonwealth, at its first sitting in Melbourne on 11th April, decided to reject the recommendation of the Colonial Secretary that Boer prisoners should be sent to Tasmania; and what course does he propose to adopt in view of the action of the Federal Cabinet.

I telegraphed to the Governor-General of Australia on 14th March requesting him to ascertain from his Ministers whether they were willing that I should address an inquiry to the Governor of Tasmania asking if any Boer prisoners could be accommodated in Tasmania, and if so, how many. I added that his Ministers would, of course, understand that if there were any local objections His Majesty's Government would not desire to press the suggestion. I was informed by Lord Hopetoun that although the Tasmanian Government would be willing to receive Boer prisoners, the Federal Government were averse to the proposal. The idea was accordingly at once abandoned. This reply also answers the question on the same subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for South Donegal.

Were not the last convicts sent to Tasmania Irish Nationalists?

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph of my question.

Yes; I said the proposal had been immediately abandoned.

Then, where are these prisoners to be sent?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the High Commissioner's Consultative Committee has as its secretary Mr. R. J. Pakeman, who wrote an atricle in the Johannesburg Star, entitled "The Dead Duke" (at the time when the late Duke of Clarence was awaiting burial); whether the British population of Johannesburg compelled Mr. Pakeman to leave for Durban in consequence of this article; and whether this committee has held meetings at Government House, the official residence of the High Commissioner.

Mr. Pakeman is hon. secretary to the committee, but I have no information as to the newspaper article referred to, and I have received no complaints in regard to his appointment to this unpaid position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Uitlanders on the subject?

Mr. Pakeman is in a sense representative of the Uitlanders on a committee appointed by the Government to assist me in dealing with the question of the refugees, and they would naturally be the first persons to complain if they thought they had any right to complain. I believe there is great doubt—this much I may say—whether Mr. Pakeman was the author of the article.

The statement I quoted appeared in the public newspapers of South Africa.

Yes, Sir; but everything which appears in the public newspapers is not necessarily true.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new justices whom Sir Alfred Milner will appoint will have power to administer as many as twenty-five lashes to any native culprit who may come before them; and, if so, whether, in view of that part of the King's Speech which said our object was to establish in South Africa equal rights to all white people and protection and justice to the native pouplation, he will reconsider the appointment of magistrates with these powers.

I have received no official information, but I shall take the opportunity of Sir Alfred Milner's visit to this country to discuss the matter with him.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the Commission on Land in South Africa, presided over by the Secretary to the Admiralty, will be published.

As I stated in reply to a previous question, I have forwarded the Report to Sir Alfred Milner for his observations, and when I receive them I will consider whether it is desirable to publish the Report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary to the Admiralty has quoted from the Report in a speech to the Orangemen of Belfast?

On the contrary, I know that he has not done so.

And I know that he has.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can explain why the despatch received from Sir A. Milner in February last was only published this week; and whether, in future, important messages from South Africa will be laid before Parliament as soon as they are received.

There was in my opinion no necessity in the public interest for the immediate publication of the despatch in question, which was kept back with other matter in the expectation that further despatches of interest might be received which would be included in the publication of Papers. Owing to the continuance of the war, the progress in regard to civil administration has been slower than I anticipated and the publication of Papers was only finally decided upon when Sir A. Milner's request for leave was received, which I considered should be immediately laid before Parliament.

Was not the despatch which the right hon. Gentleman says it was not in the public interest to publish the one in which Sir Alfred Milner stated that affairs were now worse in the Transvaal than they were six months ago?

I did not say it was not in the interest of the public to publish it. I said its immediate publication was not necessary in the public interest, and it has never been the custom for any Department of the Government to publish every despatch immediately it is received.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House of the number of camps of concentration formed by the military authorities in South Africa; where they are situated; what is the approximate number of men, women, and children confined in each; what is the nature of the shelter erected; whether the system of diminished rations for the women and children whose husbands and fathers have not yet surrendered is still in practice with the sanction of His Majesty's Government; whether records of the births and deaths in these camps have been and are accurately preserved; what provision exists at each camp for the medical attendance and nursing of the sick; and what arrangements have been made for the education of the children confined in the camps.

It is not possible within the limits of a reply to a question to give all the detailed information required, and, further, such information as has reached me at present is confined to the Transvaal. These camps and numbers of refugees, so far as we are aware, are as follows:—Barberton, 703; Heidelberg, 1,307; Irene, 1,497; Johannesburg, 5,487; Klerksdorp, 456; Middelburg, 977; Potchefstroom, 5,373; Standerton, 1,342; Vereeniging, 661; Volksrust, 2,068; Mafeking, 800–20,671. There are also 434 self-supporting refugees. The nature of the shelter varies according to the locality, solid buildings being used where possible. All refugees were placed on the same scale of rations on 27th February. Every provision has been made for medical attendance, and the education of the children is being conducted in sheds or marquees according to the accommodation. Sir Alfred Milner is giving his personal attention to improving the conditions of life in these camps. Records of births and deaths are preserved, and I have telegraphed for figures.

Are not the children Dutch-speaking children, and is the education given in English?

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

How many of the camps has Sir Alfred Milner personally visited?

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the authorities at Port Elizabeth?

I asked Lord Kitchener for a general Report on the whole of the camps, and he has sent me what he could get before the last mail. I hope to get more.

Is the wholesale deportation of non-combatants in a State admittedly, prior to the war, a free, sovereign and independent State—

Order, order!

remained standing.

If the hon. Member persists in standing up after I have risen to call him to order, I shall have to call serious attention to his conduct.

I beg to say that as a, new Member I might be reasonably excused.

If the hon. Member tells me that he was not aware that there was any such rule I shall accept his statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of Boer women and children detained in camps by the British authorities, and what the death rate has been amongst them since they were brought into camps from their homes.

I have telegraphed to Lord Kitchener for the figures desired by the hon. Member.

When shall I put the question down again?

In a week or so. It requires careful investigation.

This day week.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to an appeal by the wife of the British Military Governor of Pretoria to the American public for funds to provide clothing for the Boer women and children confined by the military authorities in the camps of concentration in South Africa; and whether His Majesty's Government will give instructions that all reasonable facilities by way of access to the camps shall be given to those desirous of alleviating the situation and mitigating the sufferings of the women and children therein confined.

I am aware that the Governor of Pretoria has opened a subscription list for funds to supplement the issues made to the Boer prisoners. I have received some information as regards the camps in the Transvaal, but I have not yet received a Report on those in the Orange Colony and Cape Colony. As regards the former, I am informed that every facility of access to the camps is granted. Admittance is permitted on application to the head officer or local superintendent. The authorities are and have been for some time in communication with various charitable institutions regarding aid to the refugees, and have received expressions of thanks. The refugees themselves are allowed to freely visit the towns adjacent to their camps, and stores have been as far as practicable established in the camps themselves.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the average weekly cost of the war in South Africa for the last ten weeks.

The average cost of the war for the last ten weeks may be taken approximately at about one and a half millions a week.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the men serving in Volunteer and Yeomanry corps receiving higher pay than the Regular troops will receive the special war gratuity.

Yes, Sir; the gratuity is granted to all commissioned officers and attested men, irrespective of the rate of pay.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any probability of the early recall of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars.

I am not yet in a position to say when these men will be recalled.

Why not replace them by the Household Brigade?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the period of service of the members of the Imperial Yeomanry who volunteerd for war was understood to be for one year, that members of this force volunteered for the war on the faith of that understanding, and that some of them who so volunteered left situations in this country which cannot be kept open for them much longer, whether he can explain why the Imperial Yeomanry, in breach of the understanding on which they volunteered, have been detained in South Africa while other Volunteers who went under similar conditions, and Regulars, notably the Household Cavalry, whoso service has been shorter, have been allowed to return home, and whether the War Office will give an intimation to these men that they will be immediately recalled.

The hon. Member is mistaken. The men were enlisted for a year or until the conclusion of the war. Every consideration will be shown to them which is compatible with the public service.

Why were the Household Brigade allowed to come home before the irregulars?

I answered that question last Friday.^*

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the pay of the Yeomanry serving at the front has been reduced to cover the cost of their rations or for any other cause.

The hon. Member's question is not understood. Nothing is known of any such reduction.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state approximately the number of troops at present in hospital in South Africa.

The House has been informed on previous occasions that as the numbers vary from day to day, and as we receive no telegraphic information about them, it is not practicable to give the required information. The last Report, dated 8th March, 1901, showed 13,993.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether

^* See page 780.

his attention has been directed to the letter of Captain H. G. Classon, South Wales Borderers, the officer in command of the post captured at Modderfontein, contradicting the statement in a Reuter's cablegram dated Krugersdorp, 2nd February, that Dr. Walker, who was amongst the killed at Modderfontein, had received three bullet wounds and was finally despatched by a Boer, who battered in his skull with a stone, and stating that Dr. Walker was hit only once by a stray bullet and died in the afternoon from the effects of the wound, and that the Boer General expressed his deep regret at the occurrence, and that every possible kindness was shown to the wounded British soldiers by the Boers; and what explanation has the War Office to give for the permission of the Military Press Censor to pass this Reuter's telegram.

I believe that statements to this effect have appeared in the press. Military press censors are not in any way responsible for the accuracy of the facts alleged in telegrams passed by them. Their duty is limited to the prevention of the publication of statements or intelligence which may assist the enemy.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of civilians, exclusive of doctors and natives, employed in the private, field, and stationary hospitals during the course of the war; and seeing that many of these men threw up lucrative positions in order to volunteer for service, that the pay they received was by no means equal to what they were previously earning at home, and that some of them have not been reinstated in the positions they occupied before the war, he will reconsider his determination not to allow these men the same war gratuity that is to be awarded to the men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who performed exactly similar work.

About 860 civilians exclusive of doctors and nurses, were employed in the private hospitals, including the hospital ships "Princess of Wales" and "Maine"; these were not paid from Government funds. About 1,600 men of the St John Ambulance Brigade were employed by Government under a civil contract; and as part of their remuneration they receive a gratuity equal to, or in case of those re-engaged, exceeding the war gratuity received by the men of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Only civilians who have enlisted into one of the local medical corps in South Africa are entitled to the war gratuity. The House will understand that it is not feasible to grant the war gratuity to men serving on civil engagements. Such a course would expose the Government to endless claims on the part of civilians employed on other semi-military service during the campaign.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a senior subaltern of the 4th Volunteer Battalion "The Queen's" (Royal West Surrey Regiment), on having volunteered and been accepted as a trooper in the Imperial Yeomanry, was compelled to resign his commission; and whether it is obligatory on an officer of Volunteers desiring to serve either as a non-commissioned officer or private in the Imperial Yeomanry or in a Volunteer Active Service Company in South Africa to resign his commission in his Volunteer corps.

Yes, Sir; I am aware of the case. It is obviously impossible to permit any person to occupy the position of officer and soldier at the same time. Any Imperial Yeoman, or other soldier so situated, will, when discharged from his present engagement, be considered for reinstatement without loss of seniority.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Michael McMahon, now a prisoner in Gosport gaol, whose offence was that he struck a sergeant, who he allegesstruck him first, for going for a drink of water at the Modder River; is he aware that this boy joined the County Limerick Militia without the consent of his widowed mother, when he was not fifteen years old, that he volunteered into the 3rd Royal Minister Fusiliers, and was sent to South Africa, and in ten weeks marched 800 miles; and whether, taking this boy's age into account, and the fact that he has already spent five months in prison, he will take his case into consideration with a view of remitting the remainder of his sentence.

It is presumed that No. 6449, Private Michael McMahon, 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, is the man referred to. He was tried by general court-martial on November 11th for striking his superior officer, and again on November 13th for disobeying the lawful command of a superior officer, and was sentenced to one year for the first offence, and to one year and discharge with ignominy for the second. Nothing is known about the statements made in the second paragraph of the question. He stated his age at seventeen, and had the physical equivalents. As to the final paragraph, the Commander-in-Chief decided about a fortnight ago to make a partial remission of his imprisonment, contingent on his good behaviour in prison.

Is it not the fact that this boy when sentenced was under sixteen years of age, and that he was a mere schoolboy fighting the battles in South Africa?

He gave his age as seventeen and looked like it.

If I can prove he was under sixteen at the time sentence was passed, will the noble Lord see that the remainder of his punishment is remitted?

When does the noble Lord expect to give me the particulars of sentences on soldiers in South Africa about which I have several times questioned him?

I am afraid I cannot answer that. It hardly arises out of the question.

How many Irish soldiers have you in gaol?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will take the case of the wife and children of George Powell, R.A., No, 82,930, into his consideration, seeing that this man has over ten years good service, never had a crime, that he married without leave in 1893, and that his wife lived with him in Woolwich until he was sent to South Africa, leaving his wife with three children at home with a very small sum allotted to them from his pay, quite insufficient to keep them; and, whether, if on inquiry this woman's statement is found to be correct, he will order such increase in the pay as will keep herself and her children.

If this soldier would have been entitled to transfer to the Reserve had no war taken place, his wife can be given separation allowance; but no separation allowance can be given to the wives of men married without leave who are not on the strength of the regiment.

Will the noble Lord inquire if this man's commanding officer did not promise that his wife should be placed on the strength of the regiment? Will he increase the grant to her?

If there is any question of hard treatment in the matter I shall be most happy to take it into consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the contract price for the civilian suit which the Government presents to each soldier on his return to civilian life has recently been reduced from 12s. 9d. to 11s. 9d.; and, if so, what precautions are taken that the contractor can make a reasonable profit and pay a reasonable wage.

The old rate of 11s. 9d., which was temporarily raised owing to the increase in price of the raw material, has now been reverted to. The War Office has nothing to do with the profits of a contractor, but only insists that the wages paid in the execution of the contract shall be those generally accepted as current in each trade for competent workmen in the district.

In view of the price, which cannot be termed extravagant, will the noble Lord see that the wage regulations are strictly enforced?

Certainly not.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether all the Royal Engineer Corps in the Home district have been without the services of adjutants from the Regular forces for at least a year; and, if so, can he state when it is proposed to remedy this state of things.

It is not possible to provide adjutants from the Regular forces until the Royal Engineer officers return from South Africa. Their work has been meanwhile performed by acting adjutants selected from the Volunteer corps concerned.

Seeing that the Volunteer adjutants have done the work so well, cannot they be given the temporary rank of captain in the Army?

I am afraid that that does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what Army manœuvres are proposed to be carried out this year.

There will be no Army manœuvres in 1901, but only some district camps for tactical exercises.

Are the manœuvres in South Africa enough for the British troops just now?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the scarcity of range accommodation in parts of the country and the distance rifle butts are frequently from the quarters of Volunteers, he will consider the relaxation of the condition requiring the completion of class firing before going into camp, bearing especially in mind that some camps have for local reasons to be held early in the musketry season.

The special circumstances of any particular corps in any particular year will be given careful consideration. But the military authorities strongly deprecate any amendment of the regulations in the direction suggested.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to modify the requirements of the War Office as to height and weight of gentlemen competing for commissions in the Regular forces.

The physical standards for candidates for commissions in the Regular forces are under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that two of the members of Lord Rayleigh's Committee on Explosives are taking out patents in their own names for improvements in detonators and nitro-explosives for artillery; and whether this action is consistent with their position as members of the Committee on which they are serving.

Sir William Roberts-Austen and Sir William Crookes, members of the Explosives Committee, have taken out patents in connection with explosives. These patents were taken out with my authority. The specifications were prepared by the patent expert of the War Office, and have been assigned to the Secretary of State for War, the arrangements having been made by the Treasury Solicitor, and the specifications are kept secret. These gentlemen having, in the course of their experiments as members of the Committee made certain discoveries which the Committee considered might prove of value to the State, placed their discoveries unreservedly at the disposal of His Majesty's Government. They have not received, nor do they desire to receive, any payment for the discoveries so made. They have not got, nor do they intend to get, any personal profit out of them. The only reason why the patents have been taken out is that the Committee may not be debarred by some subsequent inventor from making use of their own results. It is obvious that, unless the Government directs either the publication or the patenting of such discoveries as they are made, this danger cannot be avoided. The Committee are studiously careful to avoid everything approaching to appropriation of discoveries communicated to them by inventors.

Have these gentlemen dealt with the foreign rights in the patents?

So far as the Government think it necessary to obtain the foreign rights, the question of those rights will be considered.

Was there not a similar transaction with reference to the invention of cordite?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the officers who went abroad last year to inspect Continental rifle ranges have reported; and, if so, whether the Report will be laid before Parliament.

The answer to both questions is—Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state how many Durr water-tube boilers have been ordered from Germany; what is the total cost of same; whether the cost includes fitting on board; what vessel are they to be fitted in; and if any guarantee is given to the Admiralty by the patentees for results in continuous steaming; also, what is the nature of the defects developed in the Belleville boilers during the last trials of His Majesty's ship "Formidable."

Eight water-tube boilers of the Durr type have been ordered from Germany. The total cost of the boilers is £19,450. This is exclusive of spare parts and fitting on board. The boilers are to be placed on board H.M.S. "Medusa." They have been guaranteed by the maker to give 155,000 lbs. dry steam per hour from feed water at 80 deg. F., with an air pressure of 1½ inches; 104,000 lbs. per hour with ½ inch air pressure (that used for continuous steaming); and 80,000 lbs. per hour with natural draught. The only defects observed in the boilers of H.M.S. "Formidable" on recent trials were one nickel sleeve in number ten boiler at the junction of the feed collector with the element split, and a few others leaking slightly. The trial and the preliminary trial showed that greater provision for the moving of the steam pipes under expansion was required, and steps are now being taken to remedy the defect arising from this cause.

Why is not the "Formidable" at sea if the defects are so slight?

Owing to the expansion of the steam pipes it has been found necessary to make a readjustment, which, as the hon. Member knows, is a serious piece of work.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have received an official confirmation of the recent fire at the Peking Palace; whether any evidence as to the cause of the conflagration has been discovered; and whether any estimate of the damage done to the palace and its contents can be given.

His Majesty's Government have learned from His Majesty's Minister at Peking with very great regret that a part of the palace which was occupied by Field Marshal Count von Waldersee and his staff was burnt down on the night of the 17th instant, and that General Schwarzkoff, the Chief of the Staff, most unfortunately lost his life on that occasion. The origin of the fire was unknown. His Majesty's Government have not received any estimate of the damage done.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the indemnity demanded by Great Britain from China amounts to £5,000,000; and, if not, whether he can yet state the amount to be demanded; and, whether such indemnity includes the amounts due as compensation to private persons.

The amount of the British claim is not yet finally settled. It will include amounts due as compensation to private persons.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the indemnity asked from China by Russia is over £17,000,000, whereas the indemnity asked by Germany and England amount to only £7,000,000 and £5,000,000 respectively; and whether the Russian Government have offered to reduce their indemnity if the Russo-Chinese agreement regarding Manchuria be adopted by China.

It is not possible to give positive information as to the amounts of the indemnities claimed by other Governments, as with the exception of the United States' claim for twenty million dollars the amounts have not been finally specified by the Powers concerned. His Majesty's Government are not yet in a position to state the exact amount of the British claim. We have no information of an offer by the Russian Government to reduce their claim if the Chinese Government accept the proposed Manchurian agreement.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to reported negotiations between Russia and Japan for the independent settlement of Chinese questions.

His Majesty's Government have no information of any such negotiations.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the further correspondence respecting events at Peking, China, No. 3, 1901, was issued without the three plans being printed along with it, which were sent with it by our Minister in Peking; and whether, seeing the value such plans are, he will order them to be printed forthwith and distributed amongst the Members along with the other Papers on China.

The plans will be ready for distribution in about ten days, if the House desires to have them.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will communicate to the House the Report of the High Commissioner of Crete upon the administration of that island for the past two years, together with the remarks of the British Consul at Candia upon that Report, and any other information which in the public interest may now be made known.

Papers respecting the administration and financial condition of Crete up to the end of last year are nearly ready for presentation, and will be distributed very shortly. No Report such as is mentioned in the question is, however, included amongst them.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number and the estimated cost of the Special Missions which have been sent to foreign Courts to announce the King's Accession; what are the precedents for this procedure; and whether, considering the present national burdens and the improved modern means of communication, some more economical method of conveying the information might not have been arranged.

Four Special Embassies proceeded abroad to announce the King's Accession. The accounts have not yet been received, and no estimate of the cost can at present be given. There are no precedents for the despatch of such Missions from this country, but the arrangements for conveying the announcement were made in conformity with the practice now generally observed on the accession of a Sovereign.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any negotiations are about to be entered into with France in reference to her claims in Newfoundland.

His Majesty's Government is in communication with the French Government on the subject of the Newfoundland Fisheries question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Paper he promised some time ago in reference to the old age pension question in the colonies has yet been published; and whether copies will be supplied to Members of the House.

The New Zealand Acts and Reports and the New South Wales Act, referred to in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member last February, have already been placed in the Library of the House; copies of the Acts passed in Victoria will now be similarly placed, but no further Reports on the working of these colonial schemes have since been received.

Will they also be distributed among Members?

No, Sir; I do not think that that is necessary.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of the Finance Act of the year being so framed as to make a provision making a person who made a contract in this country for the sale of coal abroad to break his contract unless the person with whom he made the contract abroad were willing to pay the 1s. Customs Export Duty, such last-mentioned person would be bound by such a provision, or whether he might still take proceedings abroad to enforce the performance, or to recover damages for the non-performance of the original contract.

The hon. Member asks me what would happen if a hypothetical clause, which is not yet before the House, became law in the case of a contract, with the provisions of which I am not acquainted. I am afraid that if I were a lawyer I should be very careful not to answer such a question; not being a lawyer I cannot.

What has the right hon. Gentleman to say to the suggestion made last Friday that the colliery proprietors of this country should be enabled to break their contracts in cases—

Order, order! The hon. Member is debating the question.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state approximately the quantity of coal sold for exportation abroad during the financial year ending 31st March, 1902, under contracts entered into before the 19th April last.

I am not in possession of the information referred to.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what was the approximate output of coal of the British colonies in the year 1900, and what was the approximate total amount of coal exported from these colonies in the year referred to.

The latest statistics available are those for 1899, in which year the output of coal from the British colonies amounted to 2,003,705 tons, and the exports, which include re-exports, to 4,509,822 tons.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will grant the Return as to unclaimed balances in Government Departments appearing on this day's Paper.

I am afraid the, Return cannot be given. I will write to the hon. Member and explain the objections to giving it.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what is the total amount received by the Treasury in respect of unclaimed moneys since the date of the Act of 1872 (35 and 36 Vic.) Court of Chancery Funds (c. 44).

The only funds in the possession of the Chancery and other Courts which can be described as unclaimed funds are the so-called Dormant Funds—that is, funds which have not been dealt with for fifteen years and upwards. A list of these funds is published triennially in the London Gazette. The last list was issued in 1899. These funds are held by the Paymaster General subject to the orders of the Supreme Court. None of them are held by the Treasury.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now inform the House when he will introduce the Bill for the amendment of the Licensing Laws which was promised in the King's Speech at the beginning of the session.

I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that English salesmen are being driven out of Smithfield Market by Dutch and American traders; that within the past few weeks several transfers have been allowed by the Markets Sub-Committee; and that in one case the sum of £16,000 was paid by American traders to acquire a stall in Central Avenue at Smithfield, and that another American firm paid £12,500 for an inferior position; whether there are any regulations in Smithfield which prohibit trafficking in market sites; and whether something can be done to put a stop to foreign firms ousting the English, Irish, and Scotch traders from their own market.

It appears to be the fact that transfers of the tenancies of premises in Smithfield Market frequently take place, and during the last fifteen months there have been two cases which correspond more or less to the description at the end of the first paragraph of the question. Regulations require that a full disclosure of the terms and of the nature and extent of the trade and all other facts and circumstances connected with any proposed transfer shall be made to the Central Markets Committee, and I am informed that this is done in every case. I am not aware that it is correct to say that English salesmen are being driven out by Dutch and American tradesmen. Subject to the approval of the Corporation these transfers appear to be conducted according to the principles ordinarily governing the disposal of the goodwill of a business. In any case I have no powers of interference.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the reasons why the Irish Lights Commissioners refuse permission to British shipowners to establish and maintain at their own cost a reporting station on the Fast-net Rock, which is desired by Lloyds, the Chamber of Shipping, several large steamship owners' associations, and the Cork Harbour Commissioners, on the ground that the Fastnet being the point for which all ships make in following the southern route across the Atlantic, is the most suitable reporting station; and whether the difficulties which formerly arose owing to the breaking of the telegraph cable being now removed by wireless telegraphy, he will use his influence with the Irish Lights Commissioners to establish a reporting station on the Fastnet as early as practicable.

The Board of Trade have been in communication with the Irish Lights Commissioners on this matter. The latter are at present considering the best arrangements to be made for housing the additional light-keepers on the Tuskar and Fastnet Lighthouses, which will be necessary for the establishment of a system of private signalling. The difficulties are very considerable, both on this point and as regards the method of signalling, but the consideration of the subject will be pressed forward.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that six years ago a Greek brig put into Kilrush for repairs and was waterlogged outside the Shannon and became a total wreck off Cappa pier; that the wreck was sold by auction and the purchaser has never been able to float her, and owing to a storm several sections of the wreck drifted up the channel between Hog Island and the mainland, and are a danger to navigation and prevent the bay being fished for salmon; and will he take steps to have these portions of the wreck removed.

Neither the Board of Trade nor the Commissioners of Irish Lights have any information as to the wreck in question. I will cause inquiry to be made of the Limerick Harbour Commissioners, within whose jurisdiction the wreck is probably situated.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the multiplication of the private Bills of companies established for the distribution of electrical energy, he intends to promote legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Joint Committee of 1898 to confer additional powers upon the Board of Trade, to enable the promoters of such Bills to acquire the necessary powers by means of Provisional Orders instead or by private Acts.

The recommendations of the Joint Committee have not been lost sight of, but I am unable to make any definite statement at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the certificate of death given in the case of a certain Lily Graves, whether he is aware that it is alleged that the certificate was so far false that it omitted a material circumstance, and that the Registrar General has been asked, and has declined to take any action in respect of such allegation; and whether the Home Secretary will take steps, either in regard to this particular certificate or generally, to safeguard the accuracy of certificates of death.

My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this question. The reply to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. As regards the third paragraph, I have no authority to interfere in the matter, but I may state that the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1874, provides that any person who wilfully makes a false certificate for the purpose of the Act shall be liable to a penalty. There can be no doubt that the omission from the certificate of death of the fact that the deceased person died while under the influence of an anæsthetic is to be regretted but I understand that the Registrar General was not satisfied that the omission constituted a definite offence against the Act, and that under all the circumstances of the case he did not consider that any action could usefully be taken by him, more especially as the matter was not brought under his notice until eight months after the death occurred.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether in the Census Returns it will be possible, with a view to supplying reliable information on the question of overcrowding in East London, to provide tabulated information as to the-number of one to six-roomed tenements, and the number of their respective occupants; and whether it is possible to include an accurate Return of the number of pauper aliens within the Metropolitan area.

Information as to the number of tenements consisting of one, two, three, and four rooms, with the number of occupants of each will be given, but it will not be possible to supply similar information with respect to tenements of five and six rooms. The answer to the second paragraph of the question must be in the negative.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of poor law officers in receipt of superannuation allowances and the total amount of these allowances in the year 1895, and what has been the increase, if any, in the number of officers receiving pensions, and the increase of the amount of the pensions since the passing of the Poor Law Superannuation Act of 1896.

I am not in possession of the particulars desired as regards the year 1895, but in the year ended at Lady Day, 1897, the pensions paid to poor law officers otherwise than under the Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act, 1896, amounted to £40,800. The number of poor law officers to whom pensions under the Act of 1896 were granted during the year ended 29th September, 1897, was 335, and the number to whom pensions were paid in the year ended 29th September, 1900, was about 1,340. The amount paid under the Act of 1896 during the year ended Michaelmas, 1897, was £19,800, and during the year ended Michaelmas, 1900, was about £74,500.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the reasons which have prompted him to abstain from moving for the appointment of a Select Committee on Police and Sanitary Regulations Bills, contrary to the practice of many years.

It has been decided not to reappoint the Committee.

What is the reason for that?

There are several, but a sufficient one is that the number of Bills during the last year or two has so largely increased that it has been found most difficult to get a Committee to undertake the onerous work involved in the consideration of the Bills.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at least ten hon. Members have volunteered to serve on the Committee?

That may be, but the hon. Member must be aware that at many of the sittings at which he acted as Chairman last year only two Members attended, and not always the same two. The matter has been very carefully considered by the Local Government Board and by others concerned, who have come to the conclusion that it would be better in the public interest to remit the duty to the ordinary Committees.

The Committee over which I had the honour of presiding consisted of five members. The quorum was three. The usual attendance was of four members, and on many occasions all five were present.

Order, order! This discussion cannot be carried on by question and answer.

Who is now to do the work hitherto done by the Committee?

Notice must be given of that question.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of the Cockerton judgment, he can reassure the minds of those concerned regarding the immediate or eventual closing of the evening continuation classes; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to prevent the closing of these classes.

I fear that no statement of mine will reassure the minds of those who have been persuaded to expect the immediate or eventual closing of evening continuation schools; but no communications have reached the Board of Education which lead it to anticipate so disastrous an event. The Government await the decision of the London School Board as to an appeal to the House of Lords before considering what action on their part is necessary.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the temporary accommodation provided by voluntary effort at Wimbledon has been condemned as in-sanitary, and that the plans proposed for new schools have been rejected by the local sanitary authority; and whether he will, without further delay, secure the provision of suitable and sufficient school accommodation by forming a school board in accordance with the wishes of the ratepayers as expressed at the statutory meeting held in July last.

NO, Sir; the Board of Education has no such information. The necessity for forming a school board has not yet arisen.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the case of a sorting clerk at Swansea of ten years standing, promoted recently over the heads of telegraph clerks with services ranging from twelve to twenty-four years service; whether the sorting clerk has been passed over in his own department; and whether the Postmaster General can state the reasons which led to this promotion.

The case to which the hon. Member refers is presumably that of Mr. A. E. Samuel, who was recently promoted from the rank of sorting clerk and telegraphist on the postal side of the Swansea office to a clerkship, the duties of which are partly postal and partly telegraph. Mr. Samuel was certified to be the best qualified officer on the whole class of sorting clerks and telegraphists, and he is fully competent to perform the duties, both postal and telegraph, of the post to which he has been promoted. It is true that he had been on one occasion passed over for promotion on the postal side, there being at the time among the juniors one officer who was better qualified.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if the case of W. Chambers, of Ledbury, who for thirty-two years was employed as an unestablished rural postman, and who had received six good conduct stripes, comes within the terms of the service rule regulating the grant of compassionate allowances or bonuses, instead of pension; and, if so, will this man be granted a bonus.

Although Chambers had altogether more than thirty-one years service, his wages were paid out of an allowance to the postmaster up to the 9th November, 1889, and until that date, therefore, he was a servant, not of the Department, but of the postmaster. Chambers's service subsequent to November, 1889, did not amount to fifteen years—the minimum period necessary to render him eligible for the award of a compassionate gratuity under the Superannuation Act, 1887—and it was not possible, therefore, to obtain for him on his retirement any award under the Superannuation Acts.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the number of relatives holding appointments on the same staff, he will inquire into complaints made by the postmen at the Hebden Bridge Post Office of the undue interference of the postmaster's wife, she acting as paid assistant to her husband.

The case to which the hon. Member refers appears to be one in which two of the postmen attached to the Hebden Bridge office refused to accept instructions given to them by the postmaster's wife, who is employed as his assistant. In this refusal the postmen were not justified. Full Reports have been made on the case, and the Postmaster General sees no reason to take any further action at present.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General if it is necessary for a district councillor elected in March. 1901, who is absent on active service in South Africa, to make his declaration of office or attend the council within six months or any other period from the date of his election: or whether the Act 63 and 64 Vic., c. 46, applies to his case.

The Act 63 and 64 Vic, c. 46, applies to the case of an officer or soldier of the Auxiliary forces or Reserve forces who is on service in South Africa, so that no vacation of office or pecuniary penalty results from omission to make the declaration of office within the prescribed time or his non-attendance at the meetings of the council caused by absence in South Africa on service.

Do I understand the hon. and learned Gentleman to say it applies to councillors elected since it was passed?

I think so, Sir.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Sergeant James Sullivan, late of Mulranny, county Mayo, has recently been suspended from duty; and, if so, what was the charge on which he was suspended.

Sergeant Sullivan was suspended from duty pending the investigation of a charge preferred against him of having assaulted a married woman. The result of investigation showed that there was no evidence to sustain the charge, and tended to prove that it was fabricated. The suspension has been removed and the sergeant entirely exonerated from the imputation brought against him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us access to the evidence?

No, Sir. The evidence was submitted to the Law Officers of the Crown, who had no hesitation in saying there was no case for prosecution. I have been through the evidence, and come to the same conclusion. I have no doubt whatever that the charge was fabricated.

Are we not told that all charges against policemen are fabrications?

Order, order!

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if the money placed at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture is about being used for the support of creameries in Ireland; and, if so, whether, instead of such expenditure, he will consider the advisability of encouraging farmers by supplying them with loans to procure separators to be used by their families, and thereby encourage home industry.