I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to lay before the House in greater detail than he has yet done the proposals of His Majesty's Government regarding the civil administration of the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies before asking the House to vote supplies for that purpose.

I have to refer the hon. Member to an answer on the same subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Banff on Tuesday, 11th June.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Miss Hobhouse's suggestions with regard to the management and care of the women and children in the concentrated camps have been adopted by the War Office; whether Miss Hobhouse has requested to be allowed to proceed again to South Africa, in order to give help in the work of charitable relief in the camps; and whether such assistance has been accepted or refused, and, if refused, on what grounds.

I communicated to Miss Hobhouse on 27th June in detail the points on which the Government had been able to adopt suggestions made by her in respect of concentration camps. Miss Hobhouse requested leave to return to South Africa to represent the "South Africa Distress Fund," the officials of which wrote officially proposing that their representatives should undertake in the camps functions similar to those discharged at home by women guardians of the poor. I have been forced to decline Miss Hobhouse's proposal, in common with those of several other ladies representing philanthropic agencies, as the Government have appointed a committee of their own, and are of opinion that the establishment of independent committees in camps controlled by the Government would lead to difficulty.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the despatch of General Broadwood on the Sannah's Post defeat has been published in its original form; and can he state what explanation, if any, there is of the circumstance that in the despatch written three weeks after the engagement there is no mention of the fact that General Broadwood had telegraphed twice for reinforcements.

General Broadwood's despatch was published exactly as it was received by the War Office. I have no further statement to make with regard to it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the curious circumstance that no notice was taken in the despatch of the fact that General Broadwood telegraphed twice for reinforcements?

That is a question for General Broadwood.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether on the night of 30th May the British forces at Vlakfontein retired under cover of the night to Naauwpoort Nek, leaving all their wounded in the camp at Vlakfontein, and whether the wounded were all captured by the Boers on the following morning; and, if so, whether he can inform the House what has become of these wounded men.

In reply to inquiries Lord Kitchener telegraphed as follows—

"General Dixon reports that when he marched from Vlakfontein night of 30th May, for Naauwpoort, he left his hospital which contained many serious cases to move by daylight 31st May along good road directing for Krugersdorp. This he did. Some six or eight Boers came in sight of the hospital, but in no way molested it."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 58th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry returned to England on the 25th June; that on the 24th July they had still not been paid off; and that there was an officer of the company in England, who might have been employed to pay the men, but that he was allowed to resign before the aforesaid company was paid; can he explain why this officer, who alone knew to what medal clasps the men of the company were entitled, was allowed to resign, and thus prevent the medal rolls being properly made out to enable the men to receive their due at the hands of His Majesty at the presentation of medals on 26th July; and will he state whether these men were sent home from South Africa without any documents; and whether they are entitled to receive pay until these papers are sent to England and the men are finally discharged.

This company has been demobilised. I am making inquiries into the facts mentioned by the hon. Member, and I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars of any specific case of hardship.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that thirty-two noncommissioned officers and men declined to attend the presentation of medals by the King on the Horse Guards Parade on Friday, on the grounds that they cannot submit to be decorated while the wives and families of some of them are starving through their pay being in arrear, and whether he will investigate the alleged grievance of the men and provide some arrangement by which they may receive their pay more promptly in future.

I am not aware of the matters alleged in the question. On the contrary, the applications received to attend the parade were far in excess of the number who could be accommodated. In a corps not organised as regulars the settlement of these accounts is not easy, but every effort is being made to meet the difficulty. As I have already told the House, orders have been given for a payment of four-fifths of the sums which appear to be due to the men.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in consequence of orders issued by the officer in command of troops on board the steamship "Kent," in February, 1900, all revolvers and pistols in possession of the troops conveyed by that ship had to be given up to the troop leaders on arrival at Cape Town, and that Trooper G. W. Roberts, No. 3,622, 29th Company Imperial Yeomanry, in pursuance of such orders, gave up to Lieutenant C. Wynne Eyton a Mauser pistol, which he had received as a present from a relation, and that on his return on applying for the pistol he was unable to obtain the same, and was informed by Sergeant-Major Bruton that it was lost; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter and see that the pistol or its value shall be restored to Mr. Roberts.

I am not aware of the matters alluded to. All grievances of soldiers should be referred by them to their commanding officer in the manner prescribed in the regulations. Until, therefore, it is clearly shown that every legitimate attempt to obtain redress has been tried and has failed I should not be prepared to institute any inquiries.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Shoeing-smith J. Griffiths, No. 3,708, 29th Company Imperial Yeomanry, son of Griffith-Griffiths, Old Cottage, Aber, near Bangor, died of wounds at No. 8 General Hospital, Bloemfontein, early in December, 1900, having in his possession over £5 in coin, which a fellow trooper handed to Sergeant Smith, of the hospital staff, and that neither this money, nor the pay due to the deceased soldier, nor any of his personal possessions (other than a few trifling things that were taken care of by his fellow trooper) have been delivered to his parents; and whether he will make inquiries to ascertain what is the cause of the delay.

The final statement of the deceased soldier's account not having been received from South Africa, and no application having been made, by the relatives, the money in the hands of the War Office was not issued. The hon. Member's letter has been treated as an application, and the necessary forms have been sent to Mr. Griffiths to fill in.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what number of Volunteer battalions have accepted the conditions laid down in the Army scheme to qualify them for inclusion in the new army corps; and whether it is intended to modify these conditions.

Twenty-five battalions accepted the conditions laid down in the Army scheme, but the date of its introduction necessarily made it difficult this year for all to make arrangements to fulfil the special conditions with regard to camp. No question has arisen of modifying the conditions.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the War Office regulations will not admit of the grant of any pecuniary compensation to the dependents of the late Private Macaulay, 3rd Seaforth Highlanders, who lost his life as the result of exposure to the weather when making the passage with his regiment from Kyle of Lochalsh to Stornoway on the night of the 11th June, in one of M'Brayne's steamers, which was quite unprovided with any kind of shelter, will the Department communicate with Mr. M'Brayne with the object of obtaining some compensation, seeing that it was his duty to provide A suitable steamer for these troops.

The question of a claim for compensation from the owners of the steamer is one for the consideration of the dependents of the soldier concerned.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of the fact that 50,000,000 defective Mark IV. bullets were manufactured, and that 4,500,000 of these bullets were so defective that they had to be broken up, will he say when an opportunity will be afforded for discussing the Vote affecting this question.

I find that the hon. Member has already asked this question four or five times.

And why not?

He has addressed it to the Department concerned, and any further question on the subject should be put to that Department.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the noble Lord who represents the Department will not give me any information? That is why I apply to the right hon. Gentleman.

And all the information I can give I have given.

Are we not to be allowed to discuss this matter?

^* : Order, order! The question has been answered.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of S. J. Y. Brock, late colour-sergeant of the A Company, 4th Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk regiment, who has been reduced to the rank of corporal, owing to his inability, through pressure of private business, to attend camp for a fortnight; and whether there have been many other cases in which Volunteer battalions have been deprived of the services of thoroughly efficient non-commissioned officers of long service, as a result of the substitution of a fortnight's training in camp instead of one week.

Nothing has been reported to the War Office with regard lo this case or any other similar cases referred to in the question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any inquiry has yet been made into the case of Private Ryan, who is now undergoing a sentence of three years penal servitude in Stafford Gaol for sleeping on his post in South Africa, and, as this boy was the support of a widowed mother, will his release be now ordered.

The circumstances of a soldier's mother cannot justify his escaping the penalty of a serious military crime, but his sentence of penal servitude was reduced after consideration by the Commander-in-Chief.

To what extent was it reduced?

I would rather not state that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state why the promotions due in the Army Medical Department on the late Director General's retirement on 1st June last have not been gazetted.

The various measures for the reorganisation of the Department are not yet completed.

And am I to understand that that is the sole reason why the promotions have been delayed?

[No answer was returned.]

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the object of disbanding two battalions of the Liverpool Regiment, when out of the eight battalions of the garrison regiments which were to be raised only two battalions and a part of a third battalion have been formed up to the present time, and having regard to the fact that the garrison battalions can only serve in non-tropical climates, whereas the disbanded battalions of the Liverpool Regiment had been the subjects of favourable reports, and were as regulars liable to be ordered to stations without regard to the country or climate, whether he will undertake to reconsider the disbandment of these battalions.

If the hon. Member will kindly refer to my reply to a question put by my hon. friend the Member for the Devizes Division of Wiltshire on the 25th instant, † he will find the reasons stated.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the latter part of my question?

I have said that careful consideration will be given to all these matters.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the original estimate for reconstructing the drainage of Hounslow Barracks was £6,500, and rose by successive stages to £11,092, will he state who is responsible for the original estimate, who was the contractor, and whether the work was carried out by contract and to specification.

The attention of the Department has been drawn to this matter. The excess on the estimate was unquestionably large, but it must be remembered that there are considerable difficulties in accurately estimating the cost of drainage work before operations are to some extent advanced, and especially so in the case of old barrack buildings, as in the present instance. Steps will be taken to avoid a similar occurrence in future.

Will the noble Lord give me the information asked for in the last part of my question?

I am not prepared to do that.

Then I will put another question down.

^* : I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the steering gear of H.M.S. "Cressy" and "Aboukir" is interchangeable.

The steering gear of the "Cressy" and "Aboukir" is not made interchangeable in all its parts, although the general design is the same.

^* : Is the question of interchangeability being considered, with reference to the "Canopus" class, for instance?

Yes, Sir; the delay in this case has arisen from the difficulty of placing another steering gear under the steel deck of the "Cressy."

^* : Can the hon. Gentleman say when the repairs to the "Cressy" will be completed?

I cannot answer that without notice.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will inform the House how many vessels of the Royal Navy it is proposed shall take part in the forthcoming Autumn Manœuvres, and the total number of Roman Catholic seamen thereon; and whether, in view of the circumstances attending those engagements, and the length of time the Fleet will be at sea, the Admiralty will consider the advisability of giving effect to the Minute of May, 1878, by the appointment of a Roman Catholic chaplain to each squadron going on cruise.

The Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean will be authorised to accommodate the Roman Catholic chaplain, now attached to the Mediterranean squadron, on board one of the ships on the occasion of the ensuing cruise of the combined squadrons in the Atlantic.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether negotiations are being carried on with Germany for the removal of the embargo placed on Canadian products by the German Government; in view of recent agitation in Canada, and resolutions passed by the Montreal Corn Exchange and the Toronto Board of Trade urging retaliatory measures against Germany because of continued tariff discrimination, can the Government give any assurance that efforts will be made to secure for Canada the advantages of a most favoured nation clause in a commercial treaty.

^* : Negotiations are not at present being carried on with the German Government in regard to the treatment of Canadian products by that Government, but the important questions raised by the hon. Member are receiving the serious consideration of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state what steps have been taken to develop and extend technical education and the teaching of trades to native boys in the Soudan; and whether it is intended to make technical education a considerable part of the instruction to be given at Gordon College.

^* : I have no information beyond what is contained in Sir Reginald Wingate's Report on the Soudan, which will be found in the Parliamentary Paper, Egypt, No. 1 (1901). Under the heading of Education, on pages 75 to 77, my hon. friend will find some observations on the subject of the proposed establishment of an industrial school in Khartoum.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, now that the Beer Bill has been withdrawn, what measures the Government propose to adopt to prevent the introduction of deleterious or poisonous substances into beer, more particularly as the Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning in their Report just issued express opinions conflicting with the Majority Report of the Beer Materials Committee, and again emphasise the fact that neither the Inland Revenue Department nor the Public Health authorities appear to possess powers or machinery adequate for the efficient protection of the public.

I cannot accept my hon. friend's premises. The Beer Bill proposed no machinery for preventing the introduction of deleterious or poisonous substances into beer, and, as the presence of arsenic in beer was not suggested as a subject particularly deserving the consideration of the Beer Materials Committee, the Report of the Royal Commission, which was confined to that point, can hardly be said to conflict with the Report of the Committee. But I may say that, so far as the action of the Inland Revenue authorities is concerned, I am disposed to adopt the recommendations of the Royal Commission, assuming that measures can be devised for carrying them into effect. No time will be lost in considering this, but it may possibly be found to require, legislation. Any recommendations as to the action of the Public Health authorities would rest with the Local Government Board.

May I ask who will be responsible in the interval between now and the time of the intro- duction of legislation for looking after the health of the people in this matter?

The same authorities as are now responsible.

^* : I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the institution known as the Liverpool Reformatory ship "Clarence" is to be broken up and the inmates, who, since the destruction of that vessel, have been housed at St. David's College, Mold, are to be transferred from the charge of Commander Yonge, R.N., to that of a foreign religious brotherhood for instruction in agricultural work; can he state the reasons for discontinuing an institution which has supplied the mercantile marine with some fifty trained British seamen per annum; and what provision is to be made for the boys, over 100 in number, who are at present ready or nearly ready for sea, as well as for other boys from the same source who may in the future prefer to follow the sea as a calling.

^* : The reformatory ship "Clarence" was burnt some time ago, and the boys have since then been housed at St. David's College, Mold. That building has, however, to be vacated next month, and, pending the settlement of future arrangements, the Roman Catholic Reformatory Association, who conduct the reformatory institution, have given notice of their intention to surrender the certificate which they have hitherto held for it. This need not interfere with the boys who are ready or nearly ready for sea, as they can be sent there in precisely the same manner as before, and it will be open to the association to arrange in the future that boys under their care shall, where desirable, be trained for the sea. I think records show that they are fully alive to the importance of doing so. It can be done whether the boys are housed ashore or afloat. As to the future, I understand that Captain Yonge's employment will probably terminate, but other arrangements are still uncertain. One of the difficulties in continuing the work done by the "Clarence" is a financial one, and in order to do my part towards meeting this I have prevailed on the Treasury to increase, for a time, the grant per head for the maintenance of the boys on condition that the Liverpool Corporation increase their contribution from 2s. a week per head to 2s. 6d. The Corporation have not hitherto seen their way to agreeing to do this. I do not despair of some satisfactory settlement being arranged.

^* asked the right hon. Gentleman if he was aware that when the Liverpool Corporation considered the application for an increased grant they were under the impression that nautical instruction was to be discontinued in the school.

^* : I am not aware of that. In that case perhaps the Liverpool Corporation will communicate with me.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that the cases of plumbism in the printing trade for last year were one in every 3,000 persons employed in type-setting, he will take any steps to exempt printers, bookbinders, and kindred trades from the operations of the lead-poisoning clause in the Bill for amending and consolidating the Factory Acts.

^* : Since this matter was under discussion by the Grand Committee on the Factory Bill I have come to the conclusion that some alteration of the clause in question is necessary; and I am now considering the precise words of the Amendment which I will place on the Paper for the purpose.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of so amending the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, as to require the Metropolitan Borough Councils to undertake or contract for the removal of stable manure and refuse in the Metropolis, as this duty, which is necessary in the interests of public health, cannot be efficiently carried out by horse owners themselves.

I have noted this point for consideration, but I cannot promise to propose legislation on the subject.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the resolution unanimously passed at the Tuberculosis Congress asking for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the communicability of bovine tuberculosis to the human species, and whether the Government will consider the advisability of appointing such a Commission, and include in it practical men acquainted with the meat and milk trade, together with agriculturists and scientists.

I am aware of the resolution passed at the congress as to an inquiry on this subject. The matter is receiving the attention of the Government, but they have not at present arrived at a decision with regard to it.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board is he aware that the upper reaches of the Thames are foul and unhealthy owing to surreptitious output and disregard of regulations, and that riverside people and watermen are protesting against present conditions, and whether the Local Government Board will make due inquiry and take action to abate the nuisance and enforce the regulations.

I have not received complaints of the kind referred to, but I will communicate with the] Conservators of the River Thames on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Northern Lighthouse Commissioners will arrange in the Estimates for next year to provide funds for the placing of lights on the five buoys which indicate the channel off Avoch, Ross-shire.

I am informed by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses that the question of lighting the buoys in Avoch Channel will be carefully considered by them when the Estimates for next year are being framed.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland are members of the Northern Lighthouse Board, will he say on how many occasions these gentlemen have respectively attended meetings of the board each year during the last five years.

I am informed that neither the Lord Advocate nor the Solicitor General for Scotland are in the habit of attending the meetings of the board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to fill their places with members who will attend?

[No answer was returned.]

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the interest of Great Britain in the North Sea, and of the fact that each of the minor Powers of Europe interested in fisheries have announced their intention of commissioning one ship for scientific research next spring, the British Government will send at least two new vessels for that purpose, it being admitted that the "Garland" is not seaworthy.

This matter is engaging the attention of the Government, but I am not in a position to make any definite statement at present.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to disseminate information respecting the new German tariff proposals which are causing so much uneasiness amongst traders interested in our exports to that country.

Translations of the principal sections of the proposed German tariff will be published in the weekly Board of Trade Journal. Those relating to cotton and woollen yarns and manufactures will appear in this week's issue, published on Thursday. A meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence, to which the hon. Member belongs, has also been summoned to consider the matter, and a comparative statement of the existing and proposed duties chiefly affecting British traders is being prepared by the Board of Trade for the information of this Committee and for presentation to Parliament.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, now that pleuropneumonia has been found not to exist in Canada, there is any reason for maintaining the law excluding Canadian cattle; and, if so, can he state what the reason is.

^* : The hon. Member seems to suppose that Canada is treated differently in this respect from other countries. The law provides that where there is any risk of importing foot-and-mouth disease from any country no cattle from that country can be allowed to land here even for Immediate slaughter at the port of landing. Where there is no such apparent risk cattle are allowed to land for the purpose of immediate slaughter only, and Canada and the United States are practically the only countries satisfying this condition. From no country are they allowed to land for any other purpose.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he will state under what Vote the grants are to be asked for in the case of the night schools which are in the future to be organised as not coming under the Elementary Education Acts; and if under the Education Vote it will be competent for the Board of Education to administer those grants wherever offered in respect of elementary subjects except under the conditions as to the observance of the Conscience Clause and of the 17s 6d. limit as laid down in the Education Acts of 1870 and 1876.

Grants will be asked for under the Vote for the Board of Education. The answer to the second part of the question is yes, unless the school is conducted as a public elementary school under Clause 21 of the Minute.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he will state why it has been decided by his Department that a public elementary night school cannot be held in the same building as an evening school not so organised without the express sanction of the Board of Education.

Because the Board of Education would require to be assured that the expenditure on the two schools was kept entirely distinct.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the burgh of Musselburgh has been in correspondence with the Local Government Board with respect to the Board's refusal to allow the burgh to make certain alterations in the Mussel burgh Infectious Diseases Hospital, which the burgh represent was in 1887 approved by the Board of Supervision after inquiry by the Board's adviser, who reported favourably on the site, plans being thereupon approved by the Board, and a loan granted for twenty-five years; whether he is aware that, when in 1889 refusing permission for the alterations, the Board condemned both the site and buildings of the hospital, and that the Board's same adviser, who reported favourably on the same site in 1887, condemned site and buildings in 1900; can he explain these alternate reports by the same official; and, should the action of the Local Government Board be found to be in order, whether steps will be taken to give compensation to the burgh of Musselburgh.

^* : I learn from the Local Government Board for Scotland that there has been a correspondence with the local authority of the burgh of Mussel burgh regarding the proposed alterations in the Mussel burgh Infectious Diseases Hospital. The site and plans were approved by the Board of Supervision in 1887, at a time when the Board had no powers to insist on the erection of a proper hospital, and when, also, sanitation was much less advanced than it now is as regards isolation of infectious diseases. The building then approved was probably the best that could be made out of premises not erected for hospital purposes; it was better than no hospital at all, and, indeed, greatly superior to the old cholera hospital. The date referred to—namely, 1889—is erroneous. The Board had no correspondence with the local authority in 1889 regarding the matter. It was not until April, 1899, that, in view of certain proposed alterations in the existing buildings, the Board intimated that they had come to the conclusion that the hospital was not proper and adequate, and that no alterations would make it so. It fails in every necessary of a modern hospital for the treatment of infectious disease, is entirely unworthy of a burgh of the importance of Mussel burgh, and, in view of the proposal for alterations, the Board's desire in raising the whole question at present is to save the local authority expenditure which would be thrown away. I am informed that the Board have no information regarding the loan referred to.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of clerks in the Department of Inland Revenue who qualified for promotion at the examination held in August, 1900, and who have not yet received promotion, when they are likely to receive promotion; whether his attention has been called to the statement of grievances submitted on behalf of the clerks to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in December, 1900; and whether he will make a personal inquiry into the grievances alleged in that statement.

Twenty-seven clerks to collectors of Inland Revenue qualified, of whom twenty-one have not yet been promoted. The date of promotion necessarily depends upon vacancies in the higher classes. I have carefully examined the statement of grievances referred to and have also seen the reply made by the Board of Inland Revenue to the memorialists. In this reply the Board stated that they were unable to recommend to the Treasury any of the measures proposed by the memorialists, and they gave their reasons for this refusal. With those reasons I concur.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will state what method or rule is adopted in selecting sorters for the performance of registered letter duties; and, having regard to the value of the correspondence that passes through these officer's hands, whether consideration will be given for an allowance for this particular work, to ensure the better safeguarding of the bankers', jewellers', and stockbrokers' property in course of transit by registered post; and, will he state whether officers in receipt of£58 per annum are employed on these responsible duties.

As vacancies occur on the list of men employed in sorting registered letters they are filled by others who have been trained in the duties as substitutes for those of the regular force during the period of annual leave. No man with a salary of less than £64 a year or of less than two years service is placed permanently on registered letter sorting; but it sometimes happens that a man with £58 a year may as a substitute have to perform elementary duties of this class. It is not proposed to grant any special allowance to men employed on these duties.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can explain why a memorial addressed to the Postmaster General on 27th September, 1900, from a representative meeting of E.G. postmen, in which the memorialists drew attention to various matters affecting them, which they had laid before the Department in successive papers dating as far back as January, 1898, has not, after ten months, been even acknowledged; and, whether the interview on these matters, which the memorialists have often pressed for, and which has several times been deferred by the Postmaster General, may now be granted.

One memorial dated the 25th September, 1900, from the postmen in the Eastern Central District was received and answered in due course by the Postmaster General; but it now appears that another memorial of the same date and from the same body has, through inadvertence, not been acknowledged by the Postmaster General. Nevertheless, the representations contained in it have been fully inquired into, in connection with proposals for a revision of the staff of City postmen, which are about to be submitted to the Postmaster General. They involve many matters of minute detail more or less affecting the postmen's duties, and these will of course be examined; and if the Postmaster General should find it desirable to confer with the men upon them he will not hesitate to afford them an interview.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state why the annual increments to the postmen at the Eastern Central District Office on 1st April were on this year not paid until in some cases three weeks later; and whether, having regard to the fact that in previous years these increments have been paid promptly when due, and in view of the inconvenience caused to the men, he will take the measures necessary to prevent any delay in the future.

It was not found practicable to have all the men's records examined in time to admit of the increments in every case being paid on the Saturday following the 1st of April. Arrangements have been made which the Postmaster General hopes will prevent similar delay in future.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, as the village of Carrog is within a few miles of Glyndwyfrdwy, on the same line of railway, and under the same head district office, it is possible to give Glyndwyfrdwy the same postal facilities as enjoyed by Carrog.

In framing the answer to the hon. Member's question yesterday, the Postmaster General did not lose sight of the fact that the village of Carrog has a despatch by the train which passes through Glyndwyfrdwy at 9·7 p.m., but for the reasons already stated he regrets that it is not practicable to afford similar facilities at Glyndwyfrdwy.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an application has been received by the Congested Districts Board for a grant towards the erection of a hall in Valentia, county Kerry, in which instruction can be given in domestic economy, in net mending, and other purposes, which come under the cognisance of the Board, and whether such application will be favourably considered.

An application of this nature has been received by the Board. It could not entertain the proposal unless a scheme of technical instruction be agreed upon between the County Council, the Board, and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. If such a scheme be submitted by the County Council the matter will be further considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Mary Spillane, Castlegregory, county Kerry, whose judicial rent was raised, on appeal by the landlord, from £7 14s. to £11 5s. in one holding, and from £5 5s. to £6 2s. in a second holding; and, seeing that in the first case the houses, which constitute three-fourths of the value of the holding, were built by the occupying tenant without any help from the landlord, and that both those decisions of the Chief Land Commission are in excess of the valuation arrived at by the court valuer, whether he will take steps to have this matter reconsidered by the Commissioners.

I have no cognisance of the matters referred to in the second paragraph, and no control over the Land Commissioners in the exercise of their judicial functions. The reply to the concluding inquiry is, therefore, in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state when the Rae Estate, Keel, county Kerry, was put into court, when it was taken out, what steps were taken while this estate was in court to effect a sale, what was the cause of taking the estate out of court without effecting a sale, what is the valuation of this estate, and what is the rental at present paid for it.

The petition for the sale of this estate was presented in April, 1882, and dismissed, by consent, in May, 1900. No effective steps had been taken to bring the estate to a sale. The Land Judge has no information as to the reasons which induced the parties interested to apply for the dismissal of the petition. They were all agreed in this course, and the law entitled them to obtain the order. I have no information on the last two queries.

What was the opinion of Judge Ross on this case?

[No answer was returned.]

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many appeals against the decisions of the Commissioner of Valuations have been brought before the county and superior courts within the past twelve months; whether he can state in how many of these cases have his valuations been upheld, and in how many they have been quashed.

Out of 26,000 cases dealt with by the Commissioner of Valuations during the past year appeals were lodged to quarter sessions in twelve cases only. In one of these cases his decision was varied, and in another case which was taken to the Superior Court his ruling was reversed.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of appeals lodged against the new valuations made in Belfast; whether any such number of appeals have been made in England where the local authorities are the rating authorities; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of extending the English system to Ireland.

The number of appeals in respect of the revaluation of Belfast is 7,023, representing about 14 per cent, of the entire valuations made. All these appeals are to the Commissioner of Valuation, and it is not anticipated that one-tenth of them will be taken to quarter sessions. I may observe that in a very large number of cases the increase in valuation is under 10 per cent., in hundreds there is no increase at all, and in some a reduction. I have no information as to the second question, and in reply to the third inquiry I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member's previous questions on the same subject. †

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the bye-law passed by the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, prohibiting the taking of mussels from Belfast Lough between 15th May and 30th September, is having the effect of destroying the mussel fishing trade in Belfast Lough, as the mussels are supplied to fishermen in the north and north-east of Scotland as bait for haddock and other white fishing which commences on the 1st day of September in each year; and whether, seeing that no such restriction applies to fishermen in Scotland, Holland, and Canada, he will consider whether the close season in Belfast Lough can be restricted to the period between 15th May and the end of August.

Representations have been made to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in favour of an alteration of the close season, and an inquiry will be held in the matter.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a number of applications made in Dublin to obtain grants for the purchase of houses under the Small Houses Acquisition Act of 1899 have not been granted; whether he can ascertain the cause of such delay in advancing the money; and whether he can take steps for the quicker advances in Ireland of moneys under the Act.

The question of making advances to applicants who desire to take advantage of this Act is one for the consideration of the local authority. The Local Government Board has sanctioned one loan amounting to £1,460 jor the purchase of five dwellings in Dublin. There has been no delay in advancing this loan. Any representations that may be made in favour of an Amendment of the provisions of the Act will, as I have already stated, be considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Board of Works has communicated with the Brosna-Firbane Drainage Board relative to the condition of the works in charge of the latter body, and whether the Board of Works will consider the advisability of sending down an engineer to inspect and report upon progress, of the maintenance works in charge of this drainage board.

The Board of Works will communicate with the local drainage board, and, if the necessity should be found to exist, will order an inspection of the district at an early date

I beg to ask the Chief Secreatry to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what progress has been made since 1st January last to bring to a sale under the fortieth section of the Act of 1896 the property of the late Michael Marshall Lloyd Apjohn, on the townlands of Garrison, Nicker, Drominbuoy, Ballyvoneen, and Garrane, all in the parish of Grean, county Limerick; and is he aware that within the pastten days an eviction has taken place whilst the tenants are in negotiation or at least preparing for a purchase of their holdings; and is he prepared to expedite the purchase proceedings so as to prevent further evictions.

The land judge has not yet issued a request for an inspection of these lands under the fortieth section of the Act of 1896. The proceedings were not sufficiently advanced to enable him to come to a decision when the case was recently before him, and the further consideration of the matter has been adjourned till the next sitting. I cannot take any action such as suggested at the conclusion of the question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the small number of Roman Catholic men as compared with Protestants at the station of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Ballyshannon, county Donegal, his attention has been called to the transfer of District Inspector Milling from Ballyshannon; and whether he will consider the propriety of having Mr. Milling replaced by a Roman Catholic district inspector with the object to bringing about a greater equalify between the different religions.

Mr. Milling has not been transferred from Ballyshannon, but should he be transferred the suggestion in the question will be considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board intend sending a copy of their recent circular to the rural district councils to ascertain their views as to the proposed change in areas of charges for sanitary works in small towns and market places.

This has already been done.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that 600 shipyard workers of Belfast made a sudden descent on a small body of Roman Catholic workmen on Friday last, attacking them with bolts and nuts; that these men only saved themselves by taking to the Commissioners' boats and retreating down the Lough; and that an English commercial traveller, being mistaken for a Roman Catholic reporter, was assaulted the same night; and, as the police seem to be powerless, will he say what further steps he proposes to take for the protection of life and property in Belfast.

The facts are stated with substantial accuracy, although the numbers are exaggerated. The disorderly mob consisted of some 300 young men and boys. Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to reply to the second part of his question when I reach that of the hon. Member for Waterford.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 26th instant an English commercial traveller, on visiting the shipbuilding yards of Messrs. Harland and Wolff on Queen's Island, Belfast, who was mistaken for a Nationalist journalist, was attacked and assaulted with stones by a crowd of workmen employed in the yard, and seriously injured; and, seeing that this incident occurred at mid-day, and in the absence of the police, whether steps will be taken to have this yard patrolled by the police.

Yes, Sir; this commercial traveller was mobbed by a crowd of boys and struck by a piece of wood. His injuries, I am glad to say, were not serious. There have been several outbreaks of disorder and violence during the last few days, in consequence of which three men, in addition to this commercial traveller, have been injured and a number of workmen have been deterred from continuing their labours. I have hopes of identifying some of these roughs and bringing them to justice. Upon the steps taken for detecting the culprits it would be inexpedient to say more. In respect of steps for suppressing violence I have to say this—the engineer of the harbour board, the commissioner of police, and the general in command of the troops are co-operating energetically with the lord mayor. The Musgrave works were closed at 5·40 yesterday, but the Government cannot suffer this enforced cessation of labour on the part of certain sections of the community in consequence of the violence and dastardly conduct of men and boys employed elsewhere. I am informed this afternoon that it has been decided to reopen the Musgrave works to-morrow, under the protection of the police and the military. The lord mayor conferred this morning with the managers of the shipyards and harbour board to consider suggestions made by the Government. I trust that these suggestions will be acted on, and prove adequate to the end in view. Should that expectation not be fulfilled, the Government will forthwith assert the supremacy of the law.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how long the present commandant of the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot has been in charge of the recruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary; has he changed the system that was in practice1 previous to his appointment by issuing an order or regulation giving a preference to Protestant recruits over Roman Catholics, and will the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary be directed to have the present system of recruiting changed to that laid down by the Constabulary Code and the Act of Parliament.

The present commandant was appointed in June, 1896. The reply to the second inquiry is in the negative. The system of recruiting has not been changed. The arrangement under which a certain proportion of recruits of each denomination is called up from time to time has already been explained to the hon. Member, † There is nothing in this arrangement inconsistent with the Constabulary Code or the Act of Parliament.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland can he state when the Provisional Order for the erection of additional cottages under the Labourers' Acts for the Granard Union will be issued in the case of unopposed applications; will this Order be confirmed during the present session, and how soon will it be possible to take tenders to erect these houses.

It is expected that the Provisional Order in this case will be issued within a week from this date. Contracts for the erection of cottages cannot, however, be entered into until the Order becomes absolute, which will not be sooner than a month after the publication thereof.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state upon what authority and at whose direction the Commissioner of Valuation valued publicans' licences in Belfast, and whether the Government intend having two separate methods of valuing public-houses in Dublin.

The Commissioner of Valuation, acting upon the advice of counsel, decided that public-house licences were liable to be rated as in

† See Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. xcvi., page 604.

England, and he consequently valued them. This decision is subject to appeal to the higher courts. In the last valuation of Ireland, made over forty years ago, and since then only partially revised, these licences were not valued for rating, but, doubtless, when the revaluation of the rest of the country is made they will be treated in the same manner as in Belfast.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is yet able to state if it is proposed to extend the mid-day delivery of letters from Ballinalee to Aughnacliffe, and to arrange for the putting up of a number of additional pillar-boxes in the latter place.

As the hon. Member was informed on the 13th May last, instructions have been given for the erection of a letter-box at Smear, but the provision of letter-boxes at the other places mentioned is not warranted, and the Postmaster General regrets that the circumstances would not justify the cost of extending the midday delivery of letters to Aughnacliffe.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to increase the number of factory inspectors and lady inspectors in Ireland in consequence of the increased duties proposed to be thrown upon the Department under the Bill now passing through the House, and, if so, can he say what will be the qualification test applied and by whom.

If the Bill referred to becomes law, I shall be prepared to consider whether any addition to the factory staff will be necessary in Ireland or elsewhere. The qualifications for the post of factory inspector are determined by the Civil Service Commissioners in consultation with the Home Office, and candidates are tested by the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to a notice of motion standing on the Paper impugning the conduct of the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland in the trial of the recent conspiracy case at the Cork Assizes, and whether he can afford facilities for its discussion.

No, Sir. I do not think it would be proper to give the facilities asked for.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that in every instance since the Act of Union, not to go further back, in which a motion impugning the conduct of a judge has been put on the Paper, early facilities were afforded by the Government of the day for a discussion of the motion?

I am not aware whether that is so or not; I have not looked into the matter. But, in addition to any other reason for objecting to the course suggested by the hon. and learned Gentleman, I must remind him that some of the questions which must be discussed are still sub judice , and that fact should make it most inadvisable to have the matter discussed in this House. But there are graver general reasons, apart from that, why I should hesitate to comply with the request.

I think in this case I may fairly ask what those graver reasons are. The mode of impugning the action of a judge is well recognised by this House, and in every instance in the past century facilities were given for the discussion of a similar motion. Surely the graver reason is not that the right hon. Gentleman desires to prevent the discussion by a responsible Member of a motion of this kind impugning the conduct of a judge?

I must look into the precedents before I can give an opinion. But I confess my first impression on listening to the question of the hon. Gentleman is to say that this House

would not be well advised if, whenever an hon. Gentleman thinks fit to put down a motion impugning the conduct of a judge, the time of the House of Commons should be taken up in discussing the judicial bench.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conspiracy to secure a conviction in this case ignominiously failed?

^* : Order, order!

As one who was present at the trial of the case, may I ask how long this judicial blackguardism is to go on?

^* : Order, order! That is language which, as the hon. Member is well aware, cannot be tolerated in this House.

It is not half strong enough.

^* : I must ask the hon. Member to withdraw the expression. Does the hon. Member decline to withdraw 1 He has used an expression about a learned judge of a kind which the House has always condemned, and I must ask the hon. Member to withdraw it.

I decline to withdraw.

^* : Then I name you, Mr. O'Shee, for disregarding the authority of the Chair.

I move, Sir, that Mr. O'Shee be suspended from the service of the House.

Question put, "That Mr. O'Shee be suspended from the service of the House." —( Mr. A. J. Balfour .)

The House divided:—Ayes, 258; Noes, 50. (Division List No. 373.)

^* : I must ask the hon. Member to withdraw from the House.

Certainly, Sir; but I wish to say I feel that I was justified in the remarks I made.

The hon. Member then withdrew.

Shall I be in order, Sir, in moving that the Members who voted against the suspension of the hon. Member, and thereby approved his action, should themselves be suspended?

[No answer was returned.]

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return containing the various Addresses and Messages delivered and sent to the Irish Parliament by His late Majesty King George III. and his various Viceroys in Ireland between 1782 and 1800, both years inclusive.

There is no objection in the abstract to these documents being made public, but I should not feel disposed to grant the Return unless the hon. Member could show that it was of some public interest.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state how the case stands in the matter of the Irish gold ornaments, and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter.

The law officers have advised that the right to treasure trove still remains to the Crown. A copy of this opinion will be furnished to the authorities of the British Museum, and a request made that they should surrender the ornaments in question.

Am I to understand that all these ornaments are to be sent to Dublin, and that no specimens are to be left in London?

I should like to have notice of that.