I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he can state the total cost of the South African War up to 31st December, 1901; how much of the amount has been contributed by each of the following Colonies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Cape Colony; and what has been the amount of Ireland's contribution to the war expenditure up to the same date.

No, Sir, these figures cannot be given, even if it were desirable to give them.

Is the reason that in money the Colonies contributed practically nothing?

No, it is not.

They would not do it.

On this question, may I ask the Secretary for War whether he did not promise last session that these figures should be given?

Perhaps the hon. Member will refer me to the promise. I have no recollection of promising that the figures asked for in this particular Question should be given.

I beg to ask the first Lord of the Treasury, whether, in the month of July of last year, or at any other time since the negotiations between Lord Kitchener and General L. Botha took place, any proposals with a view to a settlement of the war in South Africa have been conveyed, directly or indirectly, to any member of the Cabinet on behalf of the leaders of the Boers.

No, Sir, no proposal of the kind has reached us on the part of any one who is able to speak for the leaders of the Boer forces.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can explain why Mr. Newton, who was Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate at the time of the Jameson Raid, has been appointed to the position of Colonial Secretary for Barbados, with a seat on the Legislative Council of that island, seeing that his conduct in allowing himself to be persuaded by Mr. Rhodes to withhold from the High Commissioner, the late Lord Rosmead, information of the existence of the plot against the Transvaal of which he had knowledge, was condemned in the Report of the South African Committee, and, will he, having regard to Mr. Newton's conduct in the Jameson Raid transaction, give an assurance that Boer prisoners of war shall not be deported to Barbados while this gentleman is entrusted with a share of the administration of that island.

Mr. Newton is an excellent Colonial officer, but he was removed from South Africa in consequence of the condemnation of his conduct and has served as Colonial Secretary of British Honduras, which post carried less salary than his previous appointment, since 1898, and has now been promoted on account of his services in that capacity and of his fitness. I am not prepared to give such an assurance.

Did Mr. Rhodes approve of the appointment?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if Commandant Scheepers was a prisoner of war; and, if so, can he explain why was he executed.

Commandant Scheepers was executed on conviction of various gross offences against the usages of war, including seven cold-blooded murders of natives and the flogging of a white man. The status of prisoner of war carries no exemption from trial for murder or any such violation of the laws of war.

As this case has excited great interest both in this country and abroad, will the right hon. Gentleman consent to put on the Table of the House a full report of the trial?

I do not think that it would be desirable to make any distinction between this trial and others. We have undertaken to lay the records.

As capital cases are cases of great gravity, would there be any difficulty in postponing them until some time after the war is over?

May I ask whether Scheepers was not suffering from appendicitis at the time?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any response has yet been made to the petition of the Boer prisoners of war at Bermuda, or what steps it is proposed to take.

Yes, Sir. They have been informed that the application cannot be entertained.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the disbursement from the Treasury of £46,300,000 to 31st December last, on account of war expenditure in South Africa for the current financial year, and to the fact that the actual expenditure incurred is likely to exceed that amount, he can inform the House when an opportunity will be given for considering the further supply necessary for the present financial year for the prosecution of the war.

I hope very shortly to be able to introduce the Supplementary Estimates.

Will it be before or after the new Rules of Procedure are brought forward?

That I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that several surrenders of town guards and other South African forces have taken place since the last session of Parliament, involving the loss of horses, rifles, and ammunition, such incidents have been reported to the War Office, or by the Colonial Ministry to the Colonial Office; and, whether such incidents, not being reported in Lord Kitchener's published diaries, will be separately communicated to Parliament.

A few incidents of this nature have occurred. They have been fully investigated by Lord Kitchener, who has dealt with them. It is not, however, the practice to lay before Parliament the proceedings of the Courts of Inquiry held in such cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether the residents of Boshop, which had been evacuated by the British, have arrived in Kimberley; and whether Kuruman has been looted and occupied by 2,000 Boers. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can state what, according to the latest intelligence in the possession of the War Office, is the position of the garrison at Kuruman; when supplies last reached that station; when news was last heard from it; and whether the garrison occupied a camp outside the village which was in the occupation of the Boers.

In reply to both Questions, I have nothing to add to the information I have already given the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Standard on December 31st it was stated that Boshop was evacuated, and further—

Order, order. This is a kind of cross examination which cannot be allowed.

Yes, Sir, and it is a bad subject for cross examination. May I point out the right hon. Gentleman says he has nothing to add to an answer to a Question—the one about Kuruman—which I have never before put.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, under the operation of martial law in Cape Colony, it is necessary for all persons desiring to leave the Colony in order to come to this country to obtain permission from the military authorities; and whether such permission has, as a matter of fact, been refused to persons against whom no offence whatever has been charged.

No person is allowed to embark at any Cape port without a permit from the Commandant or any officer duly authorised by him at that port. I have no information as to cases in which such permission has been refused.

Does that include Natal?

I think so. Natal was under martial law for two years before Cape Colony.

Has Mr. Rhodes got a permit?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it was by his direction, and, if not, by whose direction, that on Sunday 25th August last Mr. Merriman, the Treasurer General in the late Cape Government and an Executive Councillor of 25 years standing in the Colony, was ordered by two armed and mounted men, purporting to be sent by Major L. C. Potts, to confine himself to his farm at Stellenbosch, and was there kept a prisoner until 3rd September, armed men being stationed in the vitciniy of his farm; whether he is aware that no charge has ever been made against Mr. Merriman nor any reason assigned for this invasion of his personal liberty; whether he can now name the offence of which Mr. Merriman was guilty, or say upon what grounds he was so confined for ten days; and, whether Mr. Merriman is now at full liberty and allowed to hear from and communicate freely with his friends, and especially his legal advisers in this country.

Mr. Merriman was in August residing at Stellenbosch, a district under martial law. It had been found necessary to require all persons residing in this district to remain on their own farms unless exceptionally granted special permits to travel by rail. Mr. Merriman had been originally granted a permit to travel between Stellenbosch and Capetown, but the General Officer Commanding at Capetown considered that Mr. Merriman should not be treated differently to other civilians. The permit was, however, only withdrawn for ten days. No charge was made against him; he was not arrested, nor has he been subjected to any restrictions under martial law other than those imposed on all civilians.

Is the last paragraph accurate?

Yes, I assume that is so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment now in South Africa have been under orders for India for two years, and that the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment have landed in South Africa from India to relieve them, in accordance with his speech on the subject of reliefs in November last; and whether, taking into consideration the fact that in anticipation of the move baggage has been sent on to India by the battalion, he can make some definite statement as to the destination of the 1st Battalion.

I am afraid I cannot at present state when the time may arrive at which Lord Kitchener may be able to dispense with the services of this and other regiments.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many natives have been given arms in South Africa in any of the colonies, either by the Imperial or Colonial Governments; and how many are acting in organised bodies either for defensive or field operations.

May I refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question put by the hon. Member for the Chesterfield Division of Derbyshire on Tuesday, the 21st instant.†

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that the South African Supply and Cold Storage Company realised a profit of £1,066,000 sterling, mainly out of the contracts to supply meat to the British Army in South Africa; whether any competition was invited for this contract; whether he is aware that, as in some cases this company supplied frozen instead of fresh meat as contracted for, a refund of several thousands of pounds sterling was agreed upon; can he state whether this refund has been made, and whether precautions have been taken to insure

†See page 457.

the payment of a reasonable price and delivery of quality according to contract.

The reply to all these Questions is in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed to relieve the West Yorkshire and the other thirteen Militia battalions who have been upwards of two years in South Africa.

The gradual relief of these Militia battalions is progressing; six battalions have been despatched in relief to South Africa, two are starting to-day, and four more will go very shortly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the reason why, according to Army Order 1 of this month, officers of the Imperial Yeomanry will in future rank with those of the Militia, but officers of the Volunteers will rank in a grade lower by themselves, seeing that the latter pass the same examinations as the officers of the Militia.

Under the Act of 1901 the Imperial Yeomanry were brought generally under the enactments relating to the Militia, and the officers were accordingly made to rank with the Militia officers. The officers of Militia and Volunteers do not pass the same examinations.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of the Imperial Yeomanry now training at Aldershot, and how many horses are provided for that training.

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of Yeomanry Recruits in training at Aldershot, and whether they are provided with the full complement of officers; and can he give the number of instructors provided and the number of horses available for their training.

The number of Imperial Yeomanry recruits under training at Aldershot is 4,942. They are at present being chiefly trained in dismounted work and musketry. Three hundred horses have been sent for use in their riding instruction; this number is being increased daily, and will be raised to whatever point is considered adequate by the military authorities. The number of officers already appointed is 102, and, in addition, 13 home Imperial Yeomanry officers are under orders to proceed to help them in instructing.

May I ask my right hon. friend whether the military authorities consider 300 horses to be sufficient to train 4,000 Yeomanry.

I did not say so. These Yeomanry require instruction in dismounted work and also in musketry, and it is not considered advisable to bring too many horses into their charge at first. Many of these men have only arrived at Aldershot during the last few days, but all possible provision will be made for their instruction.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the reinforcements for the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa are being raised through colonels of yeomanry and volunteer regiments so as to give the full advantage of local influence and territorial association, and if preference will be given to efficient members of the militia, volunteer, and yeomanry forces over men not belonging to these bodies; and if time expired cavalry, mounted infantry, infantry, militia, or irregulars in South Africa will be given opportunity of joining for twelve months instead of leaving that country.

Enlistment is proceeding at the headquarters of home Imperial Yeomanry, full advantage thus being taken of local influence and association. The selection has been left with the local authorities, who may be trusted to use their discretion in selecting qualified candidates with previous military knowledge; but it is not pro- posed to denude the Militia for the purpose. Enlistment for Imperial Yeomanry is not open in South Africa, but soldiers discharged there have ample opportunity of joining any of the colonial corps raised in the Colony.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of these time expired men would sooner join the Imperial Yeomanry than the colonial auxiliary forces.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state on what grounds the effects of Private P. Doyle, who died of enteric fever in South Africa, are withheld from Mrs. Casey, his foster mother and nearest relative; and will he direct that the usual order be made to hand over the deceased soldier's effects to his only living relative.

Private Doyle, 2nd Manchester Regiment, died intestate. His father is said to be dead, and his mother, who is reported to have deserted him soon after birth, cannot be traced, though Mrs. Casey, his aunt, offered to endeavour to find her and to acquaint the War Office. No further communication has been received from Mrs. Casey, and the effects are therefore retained on behalf of the mother, and will in due course be advertised, to enable her, if alive, to claim them. If the mother is dead, there are other relatives equally entitled by law to share the effects with Mrs. Casey.

What period will elapse before the advertisement is published?

I cannot answer that off-hand.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is now, or has been for some time, permissible for an officer in the Regular Army to hold at the same time a commission in the Militia, Yeomanry, or Volunteers.

It is contrary to regulations for officers on full pay to hold Dual Commissions, but occasionally the Secretary of State for War for the time being has exercised his power on certain occasions, and has relaxed this rule in the interests of particular corps which would otherwise have been seriously inconvenienced.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that Royal Engineers on service in South Africa lose their working pay when in hospital from wounds or sickness; and if he will consider whether they may be treated as yeomen and colonial troops are treated, by giving them full pay when on active service whether in hospital or not.

The hon. Member evidently refers to engineer pay, which is granted to a Royal Engineer in addition to his regimental pay under certain conditions as to work and availability for duty. These he cannot perform while in hospital. The yeoman and colonial trooper are not entitled to engineer pay or its equivalent. While in hospital on service the Royal Engineer draws his regimental pay just as much as the yeoman or colonial soldier.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if any, and, if so, what progress has been made in the work of giving effect to the recommendations of Mr. Dawkins's War Office Reform Committee contained in paragraph 131 of their Report, and whether he is able to communicate to the House the steps which have been taken by him to carry out the reorganisation of the military and civil departments of the War Office.

I am afraid that it is not possible to give a reply to the points referred to by the medium of question and answer in this House, but I propose, when I introduce the Estimates, to make a statement on the subject.

Surely it is possible to state whether anything has been done or not?

No, Sir, I must decline to touch one small part of a large subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the principal firms in Bermondsey holding contracts for Army accoutrements, four-fifths of the adult males are foreigners, and that, as a result of the employment of this imported foreign labour, out of 1,300 valises delivered at Woolwich at the end of the year before last, no fewer than 900 valises were rejected; and that women are employed by these firms to do men's work while their husbands are idle; and, whether he will take immediate steps to provide that the Resolution of the House of Commons on 13th February, 1891, is adhered to, in respect of these and all other army contracts.

There is no information to hand to show the proportion of foreign labourers or women in the firms mentioned, or the results of such inclusion. Steps are taken to secure that the House of Commons' Resolution is carried out, but I must point out that the Resolution deals with current wages for competent workmen, and does not deal with the nationality or sex of the workpeople.

Have any steps been taken during the past year to see that the current rate of wages is paid to workpeople engaged on Government contracts?

Yes, most certainly, and if the hon. Member can bring forward any specific instances of breach of the regulations, I will take care to inquire into them.

I certainly will do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Garsia, C.B., Inspector of Military Prisons for 1900, stating that the waste of nearly 2,000 soldiers discharged from the Army for bad conduct every year, is not the result of disgraceful or even very serious military crime, has been considered along with the special reports from the Governors of Kendal, Colchester, and Gosport Military Prisons; whether his official information shows that, in the words of the Governor of Gosport Prison, the extreme measure of discharging men from the Army for bad conduct is too frequently resorted to; and if he will consider whether steps could, with advantage to the State, be taken to retain in the service the majority of these men who are capable of being made into good soldiers.

Colonel Garsia's report has been considered along with the special reports mentioned:, but it should be remembered that the duty of the Inspector of Military Prisons is rather to satisfy himself as to the condition of the prisons, and the treatment of the prisoners, than to criticise sentences, the whole facts of which are not before him. The extreme measure of discharging men from the Army for bad conduct is not, in the opinion of the military authorities, too frequently resorted to. It is the earnest desire of the Commander-in-Chief to raise the class of men entering the Army, and it would be a great drawback to the marked improvement which has been shown in the quality of recruits in recent years, if men who had been guilty of dishonesty, or other serious bad conduct, were retained in the Army.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have under consideration, and have arrived at any decision on, the question of awards to those warrant officers who took part in the recent operations in China.

Five warrant officers were gazetted for service in China. One of these, who had also previously distinguished himself in South Africa, has been decorated with the Conspicuous Service Cross. Another has been promoted to chief carpenter. The services of the remaining three have been favourably noted.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the winter training of Newfoundland fishermen as Naval Reservists, which was successfully conducted last year, is to be repeated this year; and, if not, whether he can state the ground for this decision.

The winter training of Newfoundland fishermen as Naval Reservists successfully inaugurated last year has been continued, and a second batch of 50 men are at present undergoing training on board H.M.S "Charybdis." Legislation has been found necessary, and will be shortly introduced to enable the Admiralty to place the arrangements for establishment of a branch of the Royal Naval Reserve in Newfoundland on a permanent basis.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state what type of boiler was fitted in H.M.S. "Condor," reported as missing on a run from Vancouver to Honolulu.

H.M.S. "Condor" is fitted with Belleville boilers.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether H.M.S. "Glory" took 57 days to steam to Hong Kong from Portsmouth; whether five of her water-tube boilers were disabled; and whether her chief engineer has been invalided home; and can he say how long H.M.S. "Centurion," with ordinary cylindrical boilers, took to steam home.

H.M.S. "Glory" took 56 days on her passage from Portsmouth to Hong Kong. She proceeded at the prescribed rate, and on her arrival at Hong Kong her boilers were in good condition. The chief engineer of the ship is returning home, but has not been invalided. The passage of H.M.S. "Centurion" occupied 48 days. The rate of steaming was prescribed by the Admiral recently Commanding in Chief on the China Station, who was returning home on the vessel.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Adimralty whether he can state what has been the nature of the practical experiments, and their results, of the Babcock and Wilcox water-tube boilers to justify their adoption in the new battleships; and is he aware that this type of boiler has been taken out of several vessels in the mercantile marine.

The Babcock and Wilcox boilers were selected by the Admiralty for the new battleships on their own responsibility, according to all the information their disposal and acting in consultation with the Boiler Committee. The record of the experiments made by the Boiler Committee and which led them to recommend the Babcock and Wilcox Boilers as suitable for use in the Navy, will be found in the Report which will shortly be presented to the House. In reply to the second part of the hon. Member's Question I am informed that Babcock and Wilcox boilers are known to have been remove from a vessel called the "Northern Isles," and that the boilers so removed were subsequently put into another ship where they worked successfully. Similar boilers were removed from the "Scottish Hero" after three years service. The Babcock and Wilcox boilers were taken out of the "Cameo" and replaced by larger boilers of the same type, which it is understood are giving satisfaction to the owners of the vessel.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of the Admiralty consulting the Board of Trade engineers so as to get their opinion as to the desirability of putting the Babcock and Wilcox boilers into the new battleships? You might get their experience of the boilers.

No, I think the Admiralty must take the responsibility; but the Admiralty has had the advantage of the opinion of the Boiler Committee, who are well acquainted with the whole of the regulations of the Board of Trade and of their views with regard to these and other boilers.

It must be apparent to the hon. Gentleman—

Order, order.

I beg to ask the Secretary of the Admiralty, whether he can state how long H.M.S. "Terrible" has been laid up in Wei-Hai-Wei Harbour; how long she has been under full power steaming since August last; and how many of her boilers are now unfit for steaming at full power.

H.M.S. "Terrible" was at Wei-Hai-Wei as Senior Naval Officers' Ship from August to December of last year. There is, however, no information to the effect that she was laid up or in any way disabled. As the ship is in China, I cannot at present give full particulars of her steaming since August. She sucessfully carried out her steam trials for the quarter ending 30th September. No information has been received to the effect that any of her boilers are unfit for steaming at full power.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to the fact that different scales of rations were officially prescribed for the Regulars and Yeomanry respectively during the voyage of the s.s "Manchester Merchant," conveying reinforcements to the Cape, and that the Yeomanry scale was the more liberal. Will he state whether this is usual; and if so, whether he will take steps to put an end to the making of such distinction between soldiers of equal rank serving side by side under similar circumstances.

At the commencement of the war all regular troops carried on transports, were victualled according to the prescribed official scale; when large bodies of irregular troops, raised under special conditions, were sent out, a special scale of victualling was drawn up for them. I believe that in a very few instances in the earlier stages of the war, men on the same ship were victualled on different scales. The practice was greatly to be deprecated, and has been discontinued. All soldiers of equal rank travelling on the same vessel are now treated on the same scale. All soldiers of the same rank on the "Manchester Merchant" on her later voyages were victualled on the same scale.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, seeing that the Indian Government have decided to offer to the Presbyterian and Wesleyan bodies in India, grants-in-aid towards the erection of churches for their use, will he state whether those churches are intended to be used by those bodies instead of existing buildings, hitherto used by both Episcopalians and Nonconformists, and which have been erected at the public cost; and, whether Papers containing the reasons for, and the terms of, the Government proposal will be produced.

I understand that proposals of the kind suggested in the Question emanated in India from the religious bodies named, but I have not yet received them from the Government of India. If I do receive any such suggestions there will be no objection to making public my decision upon them by publishing the correspondence.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether any attempt is now being made, or has recently been made, to arrive at a Settlement with the French Government, as to the French rights on the Newfoundland shore; and can he state what is the present position of the negotiations.

His Majesty's Government has been in communication with the Government of France on this question, but I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Can the the right hon. Gentleman say how long these negotiations have been proceeding?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if steps are or can be taken to secure that every British consul is reasonably familiar with the language of the country in which he is employed; and will he make, so far as practicable, inability to correspond in the language of such country a disqualification for retaining an appointment as consul.

Persons selected for the Consular Service are required to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners (1) that they write and speak French correctly and fluently;(2) that they have a sufficient knowledge of the current language, of the port at which they are appointed to reside to enable them to communicate with the Authorities and natives of the place. Knowledge of languages is always carefully considered in each case of transfer or promotion. Members of the China, Japan, Siam, and Levant Consular Services are required to undergo a special course of study in the language of the country in which they are appointed to reside.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Bagdad Railway Concession has been finally granted by the Turkish Government; and whether any exchange of views has taken place between His Majesty's Government and the German Government as to the selection of a terminus on the Persian Gulf.

As I stated on Tuesday, His Majesty's Government have no reason to doubt the correctness of the announcement in the Press that the Sultan has sanctioned the grant of the Concession. His Majesty's Government have intimated to that of Germany that they are in no way opposed to the scheme in which it is probable that British capitalists will wish to take a considerable share. There has already been some discussion of the point referred to in the second part of the question between the two Governments, and no decision with regards to it will be come to without a further exchange of views.

Will the intimation to which the noble Lord has referred be laid on the Table of the House?

I will consider it.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he can state what amount of revenue would have been produced during the past year if the old registration duty of 1s. a quarter upon imported corn had been imposed.

Had the Registration Duty of 1s. per quarter on grain been in force during 1901, the revenue derived there from would have been £2,183,000 for the year; and from meal and flour, at 4½d. per cwt., £475,000, making in all £2,658,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of this would have come out of the pockets of the wage-earning classes?

Order, order.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware of the trouble and risk to holders of the Turkish Four Per Cent. 1855 Loan by the non-issue of the new coupon sheets; and whether, as the loan is guaranteed by the Imperial Government, he will use his influence to secure the issue of those new coupon sheets without further delay.

His Majesty's Government is only concerned in this Loan as a guarantor of the interest: and the issue of new coupon sheets would be a matter to be settled by arrangements made by the Turkish Government, which borrowed the money, with the Bank of England as agents for the loan. I am informed that the Turkish Ambassador has been more than once communicated with on the subject, but no instructions have been received from him by the Bank. Meanwhile, interest is paid on the Bonds, if duly lodged at the Bank of England, and a record of such payment is stamped on the bonds.

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to expedite it, as it is very inconvenient to country people.

No, Sir, I cannot do anything.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that, on the 19th December, a coroner's jury found that Alfred Jagger, of No. 4 Back Williamson Buildings, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, a painter's labourer, died from the effects of lead poisoning; and, whether, in view of the cases of lead poisoning occurring amongst house painters, he proposes this session to introduce any special legislation for their prevention.

The facts are as stated in the first paragraph of the Question; but the man was not a house painter as my hon. friend would seem to imply. He was one of the workmen employed by a firm of manufacturers who are now, at the suggestion of the Factory Inspector, introducing improvements in their works. As regards the second paragraph, I am of the same opinion as on the 5th of March last, when, in answer to a similar question by my hon. friend I said that I did not see my way to introducing the legislation suggested.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that the manufacturers of china and earthenware, at the recent arbitration at Stoke-on-Trent, incurred heavy costs in meeting the case brought against them by the Home Office; and whether, in view of the breakdown of the Home Office case, he will consider the propriety of refunding to the manufacturers, the costs to which they have been put.

The Statute under which the arbitration took place, enacts that the costs shall be paid by the parties, or one of them, according as the award may direct. The award in this case, directs that the manufacturers shall bear their own costs, and I am bound by that. Whether it is correct to speak of "the breakdown of the Home Office case" is a matter of opinion, upon which my hon. friend and myself must, I suppose, agree to differ.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has taken any measures to secure the re-housing of the persons of the labouring class already displaced, or likely to be displaced, by the London and North Western Railway Company in connection with the acquistion by that company of Broad Street Dwellings, White cross Place, Wilson Street, Finsbury, occupied by several hundred of the poorer labouring class; and whether he is aware that the purchase of these lands by that Railway Company through a secret agent enables the Company to evade their statutory obligations in contravention of Standing Order 183A; and what measures he proposes in order to mitigate the hardships which eviction inflicts on the working class tenants concerned, and to prevent further overcrowding in an already congested district.

When my hon. friend brought this case forward last session I expressed my opinion plainly as to the action of the London and North-Western Railway Company, and I adhere to it; but I have no power to take any steps in this particular case. My hon. friend will recollect that my powers are confined to cases within definite Acts of Parliament, and that in this case the dishousing does not appear to have been done under statutory powers which give me any jurisdiction. It will be remembered that a Joint Committee was appointed last session to inquire into the whole question of the rehousing requirements under which persons or companies with powers of displacing persons of the labour class should be brought, but that there was not sufficient time for the Committee to get to work. I hope there will be better opportunity this session.

Are we to understand that my right hon. friend lends his authority to the statements in the Question that the London and North-Western Railway Company purchased this property through a secret agent to evade their statutory obligations?

No, Sir. I do not pledge myself to the correctness of all the particular statements in the Question, but I remember perfectly well that when this case came before the House last session it was shown clearly that the railway company had acquired property (which was to be utilized for their purposes) in such a manner as to leave them free from the usual requirements of their Acts as to rehousing.

I must ask my right hon. friend whether it was not the case that the Speaker ruled out the whole matter from discussion.

My recollection is that it was discussed.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for

†Refer to debate on Second Reading of the London and North-Western Railway Bill (4) Debates, xciii., 181. There is a Question on the same matter in volume xc., page 807.

the Home Department, whether it is proposed to re-appoint the Select Committee on Police and Sanitary Regulation Bills in the present Session of Parliament.

The matter is under consideration, but no decision has yet been arrived at.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if, having regard to the stranding of the "Braemar Castle," and the development of Southampton as an international shipping centre, and the prevalence of fog, he will consider the advisability of the entrance to Southampton Water from the Channel being marked by lighted buoys to show the deep water passage from Hurst Castle to the Leap, and of the unlighted buoys now in the centre of the sea way, and constituting obstacles to be avoided by pilots, being replaced by gas buoys.

I have been in communication with the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House on the subject of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, and I shall be happy to let him have a copy of the letter I have received from them.

Does the reply suggest that the Solent and Southampton Waters are inadequately lighted in any way? Are they not the best lighted places in the kingdom?

was understood to say: Yes, Sir, they are not adequately lighted.

I beg to sk the President of the Board of Trade, whether the Archbishop of Canterbury is still a member of the Board of Trade, if he can state what is the full official title and designation of the Board, and the most recent occasion upon which the Department has concerned itself with foreign plantations.

By an Order in Council dated August, 1786, the Archbishop of Canterbury, together with certain distinguished Officers of State, was nominated an ex officio member of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed to consider all matters relating to trade and foreign plantations, and I am not aware that the Orderin Council has ever been abrogated. The hon. Member will find the official definition of the term Board of Trade in section 12 sub-section 8 of the Interpretation Act 1889. The jurisdiction as to what were described as foreign plantations has, of course, gradually passed into the hands of the Colonial Office. No precise date can be given, but the Board of Trade when desired still advise the Colonial Office upon matters relating to Colonial trade and legislation

Why is this preference in the matter of trade given to the Archbishop of Canterbury over his brother of York?

Order, order.

Then may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is prepared to take a short step in the direction of the abolition of the Board and towards its disestablishment, by suggesting the retirement of the Archbishop from the Board.

Order, order.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been called to the number of new Bills that have been deposited for the construction of underground tube railways affecting various districts of the Metropolis; and whether, having regard to the desirability of establishing some system of public convenience in the selection of routes, he will cause these Bills to be referred to the Committee which considered the Bills of last session and whether that Committee will be re-appointed.

My attention has been directed to this matter, and it is receiving my best consideration, but I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject at present.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the losses suffered by farmers, especially in Scotland, by sheep worrying; and whether he intends dealing with this subject during the present session.

Yes, sir.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether private medical practitioners are now able to purchase Government lymph for those who are prepared for vaccination, or whether they have to obtain it as they can, chiefly from abroad.

The statutory duty of the Local Government Board as regards the supply of glycerinated calf lymph is limited to supplying it to Public Vaccinators for purposes of primary vaccination only, and their lymph establishment was formed with this object. Arrangements were, however, made to extend the supply, so as to enable lymph to be provided for use by these officers in re-vaccinations, and a very large amount has been supplied for this purpose. The organisation of the establishment is not such as would enable me to furnish lymph to private medical practitioners.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will take into consideration, having regard to the present state of affairs, whether lymph cannot be supplied to private practitioners, with a guarantee that it is really effective?

In the first place, it would be a very serious thing to suggest or decide that medicine should be supplied gratis to private practitioners—

I did not suggest a supply gratis.

There is no necessity for it, for I have satisfied myself that, without doubt, there is an ample supply to be obtained outside that supplied from the Government Department.

Is it not the fact that nearly all of it comes from abroad?

Some, no doubt, comes from Paris, but there are other sources of supply. Beyond doubt there is an abundant supply of glycerinated calf lymph to be had at the present time.

Is not a great deal of the lymph obtained outside inefficient?

No; on the contrary, I believe the greater part is most efficient. It may be that the Government lymph is much stronger, but I do not think that the outside lymph is inefficient. No communication to that effect has reached me.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say the Government lymph is much stronger than that obtained outside by private practitioners?

Yes; I have reason to know that is so, judging from the communications made to me by hon. friends.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether he can state what progress has been made, especially in London, in vaccination and re-vaccination during the present epidemic of small pox.

I am not at present in a position to give any estimate of the extra number of vaccinations and re-vaccinations performed during the present epidemic. The returns as to the vaccination of infants born in 1901 and as to re-vaccinations by Public Vaccinators will be received in due course, but there is no record of re-vaccinations performed by private medical practitioners. I have, however, reason to believe that there has been a very large number of vaccinations in the last few months in London and the neighbourhood. Since the beginning of September I have caused lymph to be issued to Public Vaccinators for 480,000 vaccinations, that is about 300,000 in excess of the normal supply for this period. A very considerable portion of the excess has been issued to the Metropolis.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in printing the Vote on Account, he could put first the Home Office Vote, to allow of opportunity for a discussion on the recent arbitration on the use of lead in the pottery trade.

It is too soon to assign priority to any topic on the Vote on Account but the right hon. Baronet's interest in the Home Office Vote shall be borne in mind.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, having regard to the statement he made on the 25th April, 1901,†referring to pensions to postal servants, he will now describe the class of overtime payments which are included in the calculation for pensions, and also the class of overtime that is not taken into consideration.

Overtime is only counted in the calculation of pension if it has been regular, continuous and considerable in amount.

What about the last paragraph?

†See (4) Debates, xcii, 1322.

It is not counted when it has not been regular, continuous, and considerable in amount.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether prominent telegraph officials have reported adversely upon the amalgamated system, whereby entrants into the postal service are compelled to learn sorting duties as well as telegraphy, on the grounds that such a practice does not provide opportunities for the learners becoming skilled telegraphists; whether errors due to faulty transmission of public telegrams have increased during the past three years; and whether, in view of the need for rapid and accurate despatch of telegraph messages, the Postmaster General will consider the advisability of taking steps to give more efficient training to the incoming telegraph staff.

Various reports have been received on the dual training of the staff at Provincial Offices, and the working of the system is being kept under close observation. The Postmaster General is considering the advisability of appointing a Committee to report upon the subject. There is, however, no evidence that during the past three years errors in telegrams have increased. Proper facilities are provided for learners, and everything possible is being done to make their training efficient.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state the number of sorting clerks and telegraphists, with not more than six years service, who have resigned the postal and telegraph services during the years 1900 and 1901; whether he is aware that the resignations have in many cases been due to the amalgamated system introduced at the instance of the Tweedmouth Committee; and, whether, in view of the decrease in the number of male candidates for the positions of sorting clerks and telegraphists, the Postmaster General will consider the advisability of abandoning the scheme.

The number of resignations of Male Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists with not more than six years service was 114 in 1900 and 146 in 1901, or a percentage of ·96 and 1·15 respectively to the total force employed. There is no reason to suppose that in many cases the resignations have been due to the system of dual training. It is true that there has been a dearth at some centres of male candidates for appointment as Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists, but at other centres there has been an abundant supply. In no case, however, is it believed, that the dual training has had any influence on the recruiting of the service, and the Postmaster General is not prepared to abandon the system.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether his tatention has been called to the fact that the salary at which a woman clerk enters the Post Office service has been reduced from £65 to £55 per annum, with no corresponding change in the nature of her duties or in the requirements as to education, health, or character; can he state whether the scale of annual increment has also been reduced, and whether any similar reduction has been made in the case of men; and whether the change has been made on grounds of economy; and, if so, what is the annual saving to the country.

The reduction in the minimum salary for women clerks from £65 to £55 a year dates from 1897. Prior to that time the annual increment was £3 up to £100 the maximum salary of the lowest class, now the increment is £2 10s. a year up to £70, and then £5 a year from £70 to £100. Thus a young woman entering the Post Office service at 19 receives at once a guinea a week, which is believed to be more than she would generally get in outside employment. At the age of 25 she earns £70 a year, and at 31. if not previously promoted, £100 a year. The candidates for admission to the service on these terms are numerous and satisfactory. A similar change was made as regards men clerks of the Second Division in 1889, when the minimum salary was reduced from £80 to £70. The reason for the change in the case of women clerks was not so much economy as the necessity for bringing their scale of wages into harmony with those for other classes of clerical labour. The result is, however, a small saving.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that during the year 1901 the English Post Office laid a telephone cable between England and Belgium; that the cable was tested by the departmental engineers before being put down, but that when the wires were tested for the transmission of messages the whole cable was discovered to be defective and has been condemned; and whether the Postmaster General can state the amount of money expended in these operations.

The facts are well known to the Postmaster General. The cable in question was not laid, for when a portion of it was put under strain on the cable ship, the faults in its construction were revealed. These faults could not have been discovered previously by the usual electrical tests. The cable was at once returned to the contractors who undertook to make an entirely new one without further charge.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether any modifications have been agreed to in the arrangements lately entered into between the United Telephone Company and the Government; and, if so, what is the effect of such changes.

No, Sir, there has been no modification.

But we are told that some assurances have been given. Cannot the hon. Member say what they are?

I do not think any assurances have been given. I cannot undertake to explain statements that appear in the Press, but it will probably be sufficient for the hon. Member to know that the agreement stands, and no modification has been made.

On this question, the hon. Gentleman speaks of statements that have appeared in the Press. But there is one definite statement made by the Prime Minister, who declined to answer some memorial which was presented to him on the subject, because, he said, he did not want to do so until the matter had been considered in Parliament. Therefore, I will ask the hon. Gentleman if care will be taken that an opportunity is given before the debate on the Address finishes.

I understand that the Amendment on the Paper will be moved. The House will, therefore, have an opportunity of discussing it, and I think it is most desirable that the subject should be discussed.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the Article of the new Education Code which prevents girls under 12 years of age earning a grant for attendance at Cookery Classes; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the grant in respect of the elder children.

At the same time may I ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether, in view of the effect of the new Education Code withdrawing grants to Schools for attendance of girls under 12 years of age in Cookery Classes on the continuation of such Classes, he will consider the advisability of giving such increased grant in respect of the elder children, as may be necessary to maintain those Classes in existence.

The Board of Education do not intend to alter the Grants for Cookery in the Code of the ensuing year.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Tonbridge Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners whether his attention had been called to the fact that there is only one Trustee of the Valentine Poole Charity now surviving, and whether the Commissioners, have been urged to sanction the appointment of additional trustees to fill the vacancies which have arisen; can he explain why the said Commissioners are not disposed to make the necessary Order otherwise than in connection with a scheme; and can he say when the Commissioners propose to give their sanction hitherto withheld.

The Commissioners are aware that there is only one trustee of the above-mentioned Charity, but no application for an appointment of additional trustees has been made to them since April 1900. The reasons for desiring to make such an appointment in connection with a scheme are two—(1) that a comprehensive scheme for the administration of all the eleemosynary charities of Barnet by a single governing body has been for some time past in contemplation, and (2) that the question whether the Poole Charity might not be applied more directly for the benefit of the poor than at present might be considered and determined. In view, however, of the failure to obtain the necessary application from the trustee, the Commissioners are prepared in the circumstances upon a sufficient application to proceed with the appointment of two additional trustees for the Charity.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been called to the public complaint made by the Very Rev. Canon Phelan of delay of over three months, without tenable cause assigned, of the payment of the salary of the monitor of the Slieverue National School Will he say what official is responsible for originally withholding this salary until public complaint was made, and has he been censured or dismissed; have the National Board made any, and, if so, what effort to reduce expense in regard to monitors in model schools; is there any difference between the average attendance required to entitle model schools to employ monitors at Government expense and that of ordinary schools; and can he give the percentage of model school pupils who are Protestants.

The official who dealt with the case refused payment for the quarter ended 30th September, 1901, on the ground that the average attendance was insufficient for the yearly period then ended, as it had been insufficient for four previous yearly periods. This action was in strict accordance with the rules laid down for the guidance of the office. The manager having appealed, was informed on 19th November, 1901, that the case must await the receipt of the December quarterly returns. Salary was paid to the monitor on 15th January, 1902, as an exceptional case, the returns showing an increase of attendance which, it is expected, will be maintained. No unnecessary expense is incurred for monitors in model schools. Monitors are appointed to model schools on the same average attendance, and are paid at the same rates, as in ordinary National Schools. According to the most recent returns Protestants of all denominations constitute 75 per cent. of the pupils in attendance at the model schools.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he will state the number of extra police at present stationed in Ballymote, county Sligo, and explain the precise nature, of the duties which these men are required to perform in this town.

Ten men of the reserve force have been sent to Ballymote. They are employed in affording protection to certain individuals who have been exposed to risk or embarrassment in the pursuit of lawful avocations.

How many evicted farms are there in this district?

Order, Order!

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state why the Chair of Zoology, vacant by the resignation of Professor Haddan, F.R.S., has not been filled; whether it is intended to continue the teaching of this branch of science, and whether he can state in whose hands the appointment is invested; whether the power of appointment stillvests with the President of the Council of Education, or whether it has been transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education, Ireland, and whether in the latter event the College of Science retains the title and privileges of a Royal College.

The vacancy has not yet been filled, because the Department has not, so far, succeeded in procuring the services of a Professor with a special knowledge of Agricultural Zoology in addition to that of pure Zoology. The teaching of the latter will be continued, and, pending a permanent appointment, a provisional arrangement has been made for instruction in Zoology. The appointment is vested in the Department. There has been no change in the title and privileges of the College consequent on the transfer to the Department of the powers and duties of the Board of Education, South Kensington.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Watson have been obliged to close their quarries at Liscanor, county Clare, in consequence of being unable to ship the stone because of the state of the harbour; and whether, in view of the fact that the closing of these quarries will will mean the loss of close upon £5,000 a year as wages at Liscanor, the Govern- ment will take some steps to put the harbour in a proper state, and so save the only industry in the locality.

I fully recognise the importance of Liscanor Harbour to the fishing, and in a greater degree to the quarry industry of County Clare. Its condition is now under consideration in connection with other questions of a similar character. But I am not at present, in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to bear in mind that these quarries are actually closed, and that there is consequently great necessity for a speedy decision.

Yes, I will bear that and many other matters in mind.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can state the number of persons detained in the Ennis Inebriate Reformatory since its opening; and whether any steps have been taken to call the attention of the judicial authorities in Ireland to their powers of sentencing persons to this institution in Ennis.

Twelve males and twenty-two females. The numbers under detention at present are nine males and eighteen females. Magistrates in Petty Sessions are not authorised to commit offenders to this institution; their power is confined to taking depositions. The Higher Courts are fully aware of the powers confrered upon them by Statute.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state how many police attended the public meeting under the auspices of the United Irish League, held at Ferry point, county Waterford, on the 29th ultimo; is he aware that the district is free from crime; will he say on whose recommendation the force of police was collected on the occasion; whether he has received a copy of a resolution of the Youghal (No. 2) Rural Council protesting against the introduction of the police; and what is the expense, if any, chargeable to the district.

A force of forty police was assembled on the occasion mentioned, by order of the Inspector General. The district is free from crime. I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. There will be no charge to the district consequent on the attendance of the police.

Were any communications received from the landlord or the land agent with reference to this meeting?

I am not aware of any, but I cannot be certain.

What was the object of sending the police to the meeting?

I do not think that arises, as there is no financial charge on the district. If it arises in debate I shall be happy to discuss it.

Have you nothing else to do but to move the police about?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that in the case of the applications at the recent inquiry under the Labourers' Acts for Thurles Rural District only 35 out of 93 put forward were recommended by the Local Government Board inspector; that three more of the 35 were subsequently rejected by the Privy Council; and, seeing that out of these three cases the reason for which the Privy Council was asked to reject the applications in two, namely, the cases in which John Kennedy and George Cooke were the occupiers, was that there was no tillage carried on in the farms, whether steps will be taken to amend the Labourers' Acts to meet such cases as these.

Thirty-eight cottages were recommended by the Inspector. So far as the Local Government Board are aware nothing transpired at the hearing of the Appeals by the Privy Council which could be regarded as conveying an impression that grass farms were exempt from the operation of the Labourers' Acts. It does not appear therefore, that there is any necessity for an amendment of the law as suggested.

Of the fifty-five cases rejected by the Inspector eight were cases of unsuitable sites, in twelve the alleged insufficiency of accommodation was not known to exist, and in twenty-seven others the applicants did not attend to support their claims, and there was no satisfactory evidence otherwise.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware of the extent to which local rates in Ireland have increased, in some counties as high as 35 per cent., since the standard year; and, seeing that all the increase is chargeable to the occupier, can he state whether it is the intention of the Government to propose an ameliorative change in the Law of Local Taxation in Ireland in order to give relief to the ratepayer; and will a Bill on the subject be introduced during the present sesssion.

The first poor rate made by the new Councils, although it included many exceptional charges, was nevertheless 7·9 per cent. below the rate of the standard year. The second rate, which also included some exceptional charges, was 20·7 per cent. below that of the standard year. The returns relating to the third rate, which are now being received, indicate that it is much below the second rate. There is no ground, therefore, for the assumption that local rates have increased since the standard year. As already stated, I am debarred from expressing an opinion on the larger question of Local Taxation, generally, until the report of the Royal Commission in respect of Ireland is published.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the recent trial of Henry Kahn, a Jew, accused of breaking a window and some glass, before the Recorder of Dublin and a jury, and to the terms of reproach in which the Recorder addressed the prisoner before the jury had rendered its verdict; and will he state what notice, if any, the Government have taken of such language.

I have seen what purports to be a report of the Recorder's observations in the case referred to, but how far it actually describes his language I am unable to say. In any case, the matter is not one in which the Executive can properly take any action.

In view of the constant outrages on shop keepers in Dublin by this class of maniacs, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to do anything to repress this conduct?