I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what portion of the £28,380 paid to the German Government in respect of the detention of German vessels detained on suspicion of carrying contraband of war was paid in respect of the "Herzog." Was the "Herzog," on her visit and detention by H.M.S. "Thetis," shown by the papers examined by the boarding officers to have on board quantities of provisions, clothing, and chemicals suited to the purposes of manufacturing explosives, all consigned to Mr. Potts, then Vice Consul of the Transvaal Republic at Delagoa Bay, as well as cases shipped at Naples and marked as containing macaroni, but alleged by the captors to contain 1,700 rifles packed at Lausanne and Zurich and thence transmitted to Naples. And, having regard to the fact that the "Herzog" was taken by H.M.S. "Thetis" to Durban, after visit and detention, and tendered there to the Prize Court without bulk being broken or the cargo examined, that the Prize Court on 6th January, 1900, exercised its authority over the "Herzog" by ordering the release of certain of the passengers on board, and that the "Herzog" was released by order of His Majesty's Government of 8th January, 1900, without any examination of the ship, the officers, the crew, or the cargo being allowed to be made by the Prize Court at Durban, do His Majesty's Government propose to make any compensation to the officers and crew of H.M.S. "Thetis" for thus depriving them of the prize money they would have been entitled to in case the "Herzog" had, after examination, been condemned by the Prize Court?

The German claims were satisfied by the payment of the lump sum named, and no specific portion of it was allotted to the "Herzog." The ship's manifest showed large quantities of provisions, iron ware, tools, drugs, bandages, acids, etc., consigned to Mr. Pott, and other suspected Transvaal agents; also cases of macaroni consigned to Mr. Pott, of which warning had been received that they really contained rifles. After the release of the "Herzog," however, H.M. Consul at LourenÇo Marques reported that she had not landed any contraband of war at that place, though subsequently he reported that the greater portion of the flour on the "Herzog" had gone to the Transvaal. As the "Herzog" was never placed in the Prize Court, that Court could not, and did not, exercise any jurisdiction over the vessel. The release of the "Herzog" wag due to orders emanating directly from H.M. Government.

Do I under stand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the passengers were not released by the peremptory order of the High Court?

As the "Herzog" never appeared before the Prize Court, I assume that it did not carry out the operation to which the hon. Member refers.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, seeing that the last visit by His Majesty's cruisers of a ship on the high seas, in order to ascertain whether contraband of war was being carried on, took place on 27th June, 1900, His Majesty's Government has rescinded or varied the orders in force previous to that date directing His Majesty's cruisers to visit and detain and bring in for trial vessels suspected of such traffic; What other means His Majesty's Government have adopted of stopping that introduction of foreign recruits and intercourse with Europe of which Lord Kitchener complained in his despatch of 8th November, 1901; and whether, in view of the fact of Lord Kitchener's statement that the measures taken have been ineffectual for their purpose, His Majesty's Government will now consider and adopt other and more effective measures.

The Foreign Office, on October 6th, 1900, gave orders to Her Majesty's Consuls at European ports to discontinue watching for the shipment and transhipment of arms and ammunition to the Transvaal. In consequence of that order the Department was asked, on October 13th, whether the searching of vessels for contraband of war in South African waters by Her Majesty's ships should be discontinued. The Foreign Office replied, after consultation with the War Office and the Colonial Office, that it was considered that searching might be stopped. Telegraphic orders to discontinue searching were sent to the naval commanders, but the patrol of the coasts was continued, as well as searching in the case of any suspicious landing. The difficulties of searching vessels at sea under the present conditions of shipping cargo are very great.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when His Majesty's Government propose to continue the inquiry into the administration of the British South Africa Company and the alterations desirable in the Government of the territories under the control of the Company, which was remitted to a Select Committee of this House in 1896, but as to which the Committee through want of time failed to report.

We do not propose to continue the inquiry the hon. Gentleman refers to. As he well knows, there have been changes made in the administration of the Jritish South Africa Company consequent upon the inquiry which has been already held.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of imposing a tax for war purposes on the Steamship Companies in respect of all passengers entering Great Britain and Ireland from places Abroad who are not residents in Great Britain and Ireland, which system has been adopted by the United States.

No, Sir.

In reference to Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer's alleged difficulty of carrying out such a system of taxation, it could be carried out in a simple manner—

Order, order!

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, having regard to the reduction by Lord Kitchener of the total expenses of the Field Force in South Africa to about £2,500,000 per month for pay, food, and transport, he can generally state the amount of the Home charges per month for the force in South Africa and under what main heads they are incurred, and to what extent Lord Kitchener is consulted upon the subject.

The main Home charges are as follows:—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that accusations were brought in the United States against an officer connected with our Remount Department, that the War Office took action as regards the case, and that the officer in question did not clear his character, the Government will immediately institute an inquiry into all the circumstances connected with the purchase of remounts in the United States.

An accusation of having received commission on horses bought was made in New Orleans against a veterinary officer connected with the Remount Department. He was ordered to take steps to clear his character by bringing an action against his accuser, or to resign his commission. He resigned his commission, forfeiting his gratuity of £800. The work of the Remount Department in New Orleans is being most carefully watched, and the Administration of the service there is one among the questions which will come before the Military Court of Enquiry which will shortly assemble.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that out of 240,000 horses embarked for South Africa in the two years ending December 1901, only 50,000 were purchased in the United Kingdom; and if he can state whether the instructions to Government buyers and veterinaries were the same at home and abroad; and whether any reports have been received showing the duration of life and military value of horses from the United Kingdom and horses from other countries.

The actual numbers were 59,800. The instructions given to Government buyers and veterinaries were almost the same for home and abroad, but some contracts abroad were made at a fixed price, and in the case of home purchases a top price was set for certain classes of horses. It is very difficult to estimate the duration of life of these horses, as they have been worked under such dissimilar conditions. As regards military value, the reports tend to show that British and American horses have stood work better than those from other countries except South Africa.

Has it not been computed that the average life of the total number of horses is about six weeks?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Cold Storage Company, Limited, have obtained during the war any cattle captured by British troops in South Africa, and from such cattle provided meat for the troops; if so, will he state what price was paid, if any, for such cattle, and how many head of cattle were obtained or purchased, what price was paid by the Government to the Cold Storage Company, Limited, for the meat obtained from the captured cattle, and what was the quantity.

The military authorities in South Africa made a contract with the Cold Storage Company in February last by which live stock which was captured was handed over to the Company, who provided drivers and butchers for dealing with it. In cases in which the Company was required to keep the cattle till demanded, they paid at the rate of 8d. per lb. of dead meat issued, and if slaughtered promptly 9d. The Government paid 10d. per lb. for all meat as required, the difference covering the cost of slaughtering and driving, and keeping when required. Captured cattle have been, and are still being, handed over on these terms. The contract comes to an end on 31st March. I cannot undertake to obtain the quantity as it would involve immense clerical labour. It should be remembered in connection with the profits made by the Cold Storage Company that their operations were not confined to dealings with the Government, and that a large portion of their business was in frozen meat.

Is it not a fact that in many instances the captured cattle were actually butchered by the troops, and that, therefore, the Cold Storage Company did not tender any service at all in connection with the supply?

No, Sir. That is all the information I have.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if any of the cattle captured by His Majesty's troops in South Africa have been sold, either by auction or by private tender; and if any of these cattle have been bought by the Cold Storage Company, and subsequently delivered as fresh meat under the terms of their contract; if so, will he give instructions that captured cattle shall in future not be sold, but be utilised to reduce the quantities required from the contractor.

I am not aware whether any cattle captured in South Africa have been sold by auction or private tender, but in the contract just made, captured cattle are reserved, and will be utilised wherever possible to reduce the quantities required of the contractor.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of an action pending involving grave issues between underwriters of Lloyds and Messrs. Houlder, he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the employment of Messrs. Houlder so long as the action remains undetermined.

There is no present War Office contract with Messrs. Houlder. At the beginning of the war they held contracts for the War Office to carry horses from foreign and colonial ports, but in April, 1901, the War Office terminated these contracts and transferred the business to the Admiralty Transport Department, who have employed various shippers.

Are not Messrs. Houlder in the contract with Mr. Bergl?

They are shippers.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the persons named by him in connection, with the formation of a company to carry out Mr. Bergl's contract undertook to procure the incorporation of such a company and to find the required capital; and whether such a company has yet been, registered; and, if so, what is the amount of its capital.

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The registration has been applied for in Pretoria, but the usual formalities are being gone through, and it has not yet been notified to the War Office. The capital is £650,000.

May I take it that it was part of the arrangement with Mr. Bergl that these gentlemen should form the company?

Yes, Sir.

What was the name of the company?

I forget the exact title. I believe it is the Imperial Cold Meat Storage Company.

Will the noble Lord undertake to provide a special staff at the War Office to carry on the operations of company promoting?

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Government held any communication with Mr. Rhodes, or any person or persons professing to represent Mr. Rhodes, or any persons professing to represent Mr. Bergl, or any of his associates in the Bergl contract, before the tender for the meat contract in South Africa was submitted by Mr. Bergl. And whether, before the contract was granted to Mr. Bergl, any assurance was conveyed, either to him or to anyone associated with him, or to anyone who could convey such information to him or any of his associates in the contract, in regard to distribution and storage of meat in South Africa.

No communication of any sort took place between the Government and Mr. Rhodes, or anyone professing to represent Mr. Rhodes, before Mr. Bergl submitted a tender for the meat contract. A number of firms who might possibly compete for the contract were invited to call at the War Office to obtain any information they required before tendering. Over 30 attended, amongst whom was Mr. Bergl, and the same information was supplied to them all.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of British subjects who have been transported to Bermuda under Martial Law, by what authority are they detained there, and are they subjected to solitary confinement?

These prisoners, who are 219 in number, are isolated from others. They are not in solitary confinement. They are held in Bermuda under the same authority as prisoners of War.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether a clasp or clasps will be issued for the punitive expedition against the Ashantis, which lasted from 15th July, 1900, the date of the relief of Kumasi, until the 31st December, 1900, and involved repeated engagements.

In accordance with Army Order 249 of December, 1901, the clasp "Kumasi" will be granted to those actually concerned in the defence or relief of Kumasi. The other operations subsequent to the relief are not considered of sufficient importance for the grant of a clasp.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Leicester, Sir John Rolleston, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the Army Order as to the new service dress, he will take into consideration the case of officers who have joined their regiments within the last six months, and who have been consequently put to unnecessary expense in their outfits.

I have already explained to the House that the regulations dealing with the introduction of the new service dress are intended to secure officers from expenditure other than that attendant on the usual replacement of worn-out uniform, but that cases of special hardship will be considered on their merits. I understand these cases are likely to be few in number, and intimation that changes would take place was made on the 20th December, before the order, so as to save officers, if possible, from unnecessary expense.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any contract has been entered into at any time since October 1899, for the supply of hay, free on board at a British port, at a price of £9 or more per ton; and, if so, whether he can state the total amount of hay so bought, and the date or dates of the contract or contracts.

No such contract has been made by the War Office, and no payments for hay have been made at such a high price or near it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if members of the Volunteer, Militia, and Yeomanry forces who have served for not less than 12 months with the Field Force in South Africa will be admitted as candidates for War Office military clerkships.

Yes, Sir.

Will the places be open to officers?

was understood to reply that that point was not definitely decided.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why no definite provision is made for the inspection of veterinary and medical stores in the (War Office) Order in Council of 4th November, 1901, while the inspection of ordnance and engineer stores is specifically provided for therein.

The inspection of veterinary and medical stores is carried out by the officers of the Army Veterinary Department and the Army Medical Corps, under the orders of the Quartermaster General and the Director General, Army Medical Service, who are charged with the duty of their inspection. In the case of the Director General of Ordnance, who is charged with the provision of warlike stores, it was necessary to draw a specific distinction between the inspection of those which are purely engineer stores, the responsibility for the quality of which rests with the Inspector General of Fortifications, and that of the warlike stores belonging to other branches of the Army, for which the Director General of Ordnance is responsible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what number of men, specifying Regulars and Militia, now compose the first, second, and third Army Corps respectively, and what has been done to constitute the fourth, fifth, and sixth Army Corps.

No useful purpose would be served by giving these Returns while we have 200,000 men serving in South Africa. The fourth, fifth, and sixth Army Corps will not be constituted until the termination of the South African campaign.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the defence of coaling stations will be under the charge of the Naval or Military authorities for the future.

No change has been made in the existing arrangements for the defence of coaling stations.

On behalf of the hon. and gallant Member for Kilmarnock Burghs, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state what is the horse power of the largest vessel in the Fleet on which artificer engineers have full charge of the machinery, and what is the rate daily of pay and pension on retiring of such artificers.

The largest vessels in which artificer engineers have full charge of machinery are sloops of 1,400 I.H.P. The pay of an artificer engineer on promotion is 8s. 6d. a day, rising to 9s. 6d. after five years service in the rank, and 10s. 6d. after 10 years service. Artificer engineers in charge of engines are eligible for additional allowances, of which the average amount is 9d. per day. They are eligible on retirement at the age of 55 to pensions ranging from £50 to £120, according to length of service.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the value of the import and export trade between Persia and India by the Nushki route for the years 1896–1901.

The following are the figures since April 1897, when the Nushki trade was first separately recorded:—

Can the Secretary of State for India confirm the statement that the telegraph rates to India are to be reduced to 2s. 6d. per word.

The difficulties which had been experienced in arranging for a reduction of the telegraph rates to and from India have now been removed, and a notification has been sent by the Post Office to the International Bureau at Berne that the rate will be reduced from 4s. to 2s. 6d. It is hoped that this reduction will be introduced very shortly, but the necessity of complying with the forms of the Telegraph Convention makes it difficult to state the exact date at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that proposed legislation is under the consideration of the Parliament of the Australian Commonwealth under which no postal contracts will be given to mail steamers any portion of whose crew may be Indian native subjects of His Majesty; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to protect natives of India from the effects of such legislation.

I am aware of the legislation to which the hon. Member refers, and I am in communication with the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Agreement between Great Britain and Japan, signed on 30th January, was communicated to the United States Government before publication; and, if so, whether the United States Government has expressed any opinion upon it. In putting the Question the hon. Member said: May I invite the noble Lord to say that my original Question on this subject was not put, as has been widely stated, by any arrangement with the Foreign Office or with himself. It is, of course, well known to Members of the House that under our Party arrangements that would not be the case. Still, it has been influentially stated outside to be the case.

To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the terms or substance of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 30th January, 1902, have been communicated to the Government of the United States, and whether this Government has declared its adhesion thereto.

The hon. Member is probably referring to Questions which passed between us with regard to the relations between this country and America at the time of the Cuban war. No doubt what he says is quite correct. There was no such arrangement between us as to the putting of Questions. In reply to the Question on the Paper, I have to say that the substance of the Agreement was communicated to the United States Government before publication. That Government have not yet expressed any opinion on it.

I will take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to this matter.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 30th January, 1902, applies to Manchuria and the occupation of that province by Russia; whether the terms or substance of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty were communicated to the German Government; and, if so, has it received the adhesion of the German Government; whether the Anglo-German Agreement, called by Count von Bülow the Yang-tsze Agreement, is still in force; and whether the German Government admits that it applies to Manchuria.

To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in the Anglo-Japanese Agreement, the words "Empire of China" include without reservation the province of Manchuria.

Manchuria is no more excluded from the scope of the Agreement than any other province of the Chinese Empire. The substance of the Agreement was communicated to the German Government. The Anglo-German Agreement is still in force. The hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware of the interpretation placed by the German Government on the application of the Agreement to Manchuria.

Am I to understand that Manchuria is included in this Agreement?

Yes.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will give the House an early opportunity for a complete and full discussion of the new Anglo-Japanese Agreement.

In answer to my hon. friend, I have to say that of course there is more than one course open to the House. If the Opposition were to suggest that they were prepared to put down a substantive Motion objecting to the course which the Government have pursued, I need hardly say that, in accordance with universal practice, we should find a day in the immediate future for its discussion. Supposing, however, that the Opposition were not prepared to move what, no doubt, would be equivalent to a vote of censure, then the only ordinary method of discussing this or that interesting question connected with Foreign Affairs is on a Vote. I should be prepared as soon as I can to put down the Vote on Account, with the Foreign Office Vote first, on which it might be discussed, or at some subsequent date the Vote for the Foreign Minister, on which it might be discussed. Those are the methods which suggest themselves to my mind as being the most convenient.

Can the Vote on Account be moved before the Estimates for the year are laid on the Table?

I believe the Vote on Account can be moved before the general Estimates are on the Table, but I hope the general Estimates will be in the hands of Members at no very late date.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay the Report of Mr. C. Scott, of His Majesty's Legation at Buenos Ayres, into the case of the Welsh colonists in Patagonia upon the Table of the House; and, whether, seeing that the Canadian Government is prepared to give land in Canada free to Welshmen in Patagonia who desire to settle in Canada, he will advise the Government to give every facility in the way of transport to the 500 Welsh colonists who have expressed their wish to proceed to Canada.

Mr. C. Scott's Report will be laid shortly. I am not aware that the Canadian Government are prepared to give land free to the immigrants from Chubut, or to give facilities in the way of transport. They have, as I stated on the 8th of February, sent delegates to investigate the question, but I have not yet learned what are the contents of their Report, or whether any decision has been taken upon it.

Will the Government give facilities for transport if the land is provided free?

Any further Question must be addressed to the Colonial Secretary.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the lack of a provision requiring Returns in the Workmen's Compensation Act pointed out in the statistics of proceedings for workmen's compensation during 1900, compiled by the Home Office; and whether he will consider the possibility of inserting a clause providing for such Return in any amending Bill.

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the point to which the right hon. Baronet draws attention, and I will see that it is considered in connection with any Bill amending the Workmen's Compensation Act.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state how much of the Supplementary Estimate for Prisons is caused by the increased number of military prisoners in civil prisons; and whether he can give the number of military prisoners detained in civil prisons on the 1st of January, 1899, 1900, 1901, and 1902, respectively.

It is not possible to say precisely what was the extra charge accruing for the maintenance of military prisoners detained in civil prisons during the year. Like other prisoners they are a charge on the ordinary Civil Vote, and no separate account is kept of their cost of maintenance. The number of military prisoners in civil custody in January of the four years mentioned was, respectively, 354, 376, 792, and 774.

Is there any charge for this on the Supplementary Estimate?

Certainly.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now say if the inquiry into the question of Alien Immigration will be entrusted to a Royal Commission or a Committee of this House.

It is proposed to entrust this inquiry to a Royal Commission.

When will the Royal Commission be appointed?

It is impossible to fix the date. It always takes time.

I will ask again ten days hence.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the accident which resulted in the death of James Lumsden, goods guard on the North British Railway, at Portobello, on the 31st January; and whether he has received any official report showing that the wagons were labelled on one side only, thus necessitating the man going underneath the wagons to see such labels; and whether he can now state the cause of the accident.

The Board of Trade have received the statutory notice of the accident referred to. The unfortunate man was found lying in a siding suffering from injuries which shortly proved fatal. No one appears to have seen the accident happen. I have ordered an inquiry into the circumstances to be held by an Assistant-Inspecting Officer of Railways.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a number of cases which have recently occurred in which goods trains have become divided when running between Fawkham and Farningham on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway resulting in damage; whether he has yet consulted the inspecting officers of the Board of Trade with reference to the general question of breakaways; and whether he proposes to publish Reports from the inspecting officers with regard to the matter.

Since the beginning of 1901 only two such accidents as are referred to by the hon. Member have occurred, so far as the Board of Trade are aware, viz., on the 5th December and the 9th of last month. The general question of breakaways is now under the consideration of the Board's Inspecting Officers of Railways, and when I obtain their Report I will consider the question of publication.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, having regard to the fact that any individual may, whether he has had any especial experience on the subject or not, set up the production and sale, without license or inspection, of vaccine lymph, and, seeing that vaccination is obligatory, whether the Government intends to enlarge its establishment so as to be in a position to supply its own lymph to the profession generally, or to exercise some control over those outside sources from which private practitioners under existing conditions are compelled to derive their supply.

As regards the first part of the Question, I dealt somewhat fully with the subject in my reply on Monday last to my hon. friend the Member for North Islington.†I shall be happy to give a copy of that answer to my hon. friend. I also stated recently in reply to the hon. Member for the Rugby Division that as at present advised I did not propose to ask for power to control the lymph supplied from outside sources.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the use of smallpox virus passed through pustules on monkeys as a source of vaccine by Dr. S. Monckton Copeman, Medical Inspector Local Government Board, who states that a considerable number of children have been vaccinated with vaccine thus obtained; and whether the Local Government Board has given its medical inspector leave to vaccinate children with vaccine of such a nature.

Dr. Copeman informs me that he has made experiments of the kind referred to in the Question. The Local Government Board have not given him permission to vaccinate children with lymph yielded by the monkey, and I understand that he has not in fact done so. In all cases the vaccinations have been performed with lymph derived directly from the calf.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the localities in which the farms are situated at which the experiments of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis will be carried out, and the conditions on which these farms have been obtained and the necessary laboratories and buildings erected.

The two farms referred to are situated in Stansted, in Essex. They belong to Sir James Blyth, who has most generously placed them at the disposal of the Royal Commission for experimental work free of charge. The Government have expressed to Sir James Blyth their warm appreciation of

†See page 855.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain to the House his reason for classing as "capital" royalties derived from minerals.

The question of Royalties is a matter of argument, which I must decline to discuss by way of Question and answer across the floor of the House.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will re-consider the case of Postman Walter Coulson, of Malton, who in January 1899, was fined a day's pay for having solicited a Christmas box, and who is now being further penalised in the sum of £7 16s. for the same offence by having a good conduct stripe, which became due in March, 1901, deferred until January, 1904,

The Postmaster General regrets that in view of the offence committed by Coulson in 1899, it was not possible to award him a good conduct stripe in March last. But if his conduct continues good, his case will be re-considered before 1904.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Canadian Pacific Railway and Ocean Steamship Company advertise 15 services in the year in either direction between Vancouver and Hong Kong; whether the mails will be carried by each of these ser- vices; and, if so, whether, under the Post Office contract with the Company, the yearly subsidy of £60,000 for a monthly service will be correspondingly increased.

It is the fact that the Canadian Pacific Railway Company advertises and performs 15 services in the year in each direction between Vancouver and Hong Kong, and that the mails are carried by each of these services. This arises from the circumstance that the Company, for its own purposes, sought permission of the Postmaster General in 1891 to make the service three-weekly instead of monthly in the summer season; and the three-weekly summer service instituted in 1892 has been continued ever since. No payment was, of course, asked by the Company for a change which was sought as a concession to its own interests, and no extra payment has been made by the Post Office; nor is the Postmaster General aware of any intention on the part of the Government to make any extra payment on account of the extra service in the future.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, seeing that, in their Report on the Police Superannuation (Scotland) Bill, introduced last session, the Select Committee concur in the view that there should not be a great difference in the attractions provided by the English as against the Scottish service, and that, as stated in the Report, the Scottish police would be willing to accept as satisfactory less than the increased scale suggested in said Bill, whether the Secretary for Scotland can hold out some hope of bringing in a Bill to deal with the question on the lines suggested by the report.

The points referred to in the hon. Member's Question were fully considered before I replied to his previous Question.†I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply I then gave.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Brompton and

†See page 532.

Yes, Sir; my attention has been given to this matter, and I have already notified to the promoters of the Bill that I cannot assent to the proposal to take a part of the Green Park. The widening of the roadway opposite Hamilton Place has nothing to do with this scheme.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now prepared, in reference to a Local Government Board Circular, dated 30th January, 1892, to recommend that West Clare be made a congested district.

The Circular of 30th January, 1902 (not 1892), had reference to the transfer to Clare of a congested electoral division formerly in County Galway. Legislation would still be necessary to constitute the remainder of Clare a congested area. The Census Book for Clare has not yet been published, and in the absence of such information it is not possible even to consider whether a case can be made for amending the Schedule of congested districts under the Land Act of 1891.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to bring in a Bill dealing with this question?

The next Census Book may show a different state of affairs from that prevailing in 1891, and we must wait until we see that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sergeant Callan, Royal Irish Constabulary, of Kilmihil, County Clare, stopped and arrested a young man of that village, took him to the police station, stripped and searched him, and that the young man was at once released on the return of the senior sergeant of police; and will he have the matter investigated and Sergeant Callan removed from Kilmihil.

The man was suspected of having unlicensed firearms late at night. He refused to allow Sergeant Callan to examine him, or to give his name. At the barracks, however, he allowed the sergeant to satisfy himself that he had no arms concealed, and was at once discharged. It is not the fact that the man was stripped. The matter has been fully investigated, and it is not proposed to remove the sergeant.

Is it according to the law of the land for the police to treat a man in this way?

Is it the law in Ireland that a man may be thus stopped and searched?

Order, order! That is a general question which does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.

"Sheridan."

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the 40th section, of the Land Act of 1896 has been applied to the Stewart Estate in County Tyrone; and why the offer of the tenants has not been accepted; whether he can state what is the present position of the estate.

The petition for sale of this estate was dismissed in March, 1897, by order of the Land Judge, who has, therefore, no further jurisdiction in the matter.

On behalf of the hon. Member for S. Antrim, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the evidence of Bernard Harte and John M'Dermottroe, at French Park, on 8th January, in which they stated that John Fitzgibbon, shopkeeper, Castlerea, had been handed some £21 as trustee of the Plan of Campaign on the De Freyne Estate; and whether it is proposed to take any action thereon.

My attention has been called to this evidence, but I am not prepared to discuss the hypothetical admissibility and value of evidence in cases which are not before any Court.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the Return of the number of agrarian outrages in Ireland during the quarter ending 31st December, 1901, whether inquiry has been made by constabulary authorities into the 11 cases of alleged incendiary fires; whether he can say if any of them, and, if so, how many, were, in the opinion of the police, entitled to be classified as committed by the parties seeking compensation. And will he state what inquiry, if any, was made by the constabulary authorities into the five alleged cases of maiming cattle last quarter.

The 11 cases of incendiary fire and the five cases of injuries to cattle were closely investigated by the police before they were recorded as outrages, and there is no reason to believe that any of them were committed by the parties seeking compensation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of agrarian offences returned for Ireland during the quarter ending the 31st December, 1901; how many of these were offences against the person; and whether the figures mark a diminution or otherwise in the number of such offences.

The replies to the first two queries are, 47 and none. These figures show a marked decrease.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the summonses in the Crimes Act cases, which were the subject of the arguments in the cases stated in the King's Bench Division last week, were condemned by all the judges; whether these summonses were drafted by the junior Crown prosecutor; and whether he will take any steps to introduce more efficiency into this department in Ireland in the future.

The hon. Member is quite in error in supposing that the summonses in the cases mentioned were condemned by the Court. On the contrary, they were considered adequate and sufficient without amendment. They were drafted by Mr. Edward Morphy, the Counsel who subsequently conducted all but one of the cases. No steps such as suggested are necessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that when Dr. Jameson and his associates were sentenced to terms of imprisonment a petition to the Home Secretary was extensively signed in the House of Commons, asking him to arrange that Dr. Jameson and his friends should be treated as first-class misdemeanants; whether, seeing that the Home Secretary, immediately on receipt of the petition, ordered Major Jameson and the other prisoners to be treated as first-class misdemeanants, the Irish Government will now take similar action in reference to Irish Members of Parliament and other Irish citizens convicted under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act.

Dr. Jameson and his associates were granted conditional pardons, the condition being that they should undergo their sentences, but as first-class misdemeanants. This was effected by Royal Warrant. The reply to the latter part of the Question is in the negative.

Is it not the fact that immediately after the sentences were pronounced a petition was extensively hawked round this House and signed by Members to the Home Secretary, and, as a consequence, Dr. Jameson and his friends were at once made first-class misdemeanants?

I have no official knowledge of that, but no doubt a petition was signed and presented, and it may have had great influence. But what was done then was done by exceptional procedure by Royal Warrant. There is no power enabling the Lord Lieutenant to act in the manner suggested.

Is it not in the power of the Lord Lieutenant to order that the prisoners shall be treated as first-class misdemeanants?

No, Sir, not as far as I know.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the cause of the delay in the holding of the inquiry by a Local Government Board inspector in connection with representations lodged with the Strabane No. 2 Rural District Council, over 12 months ago, for the erection of labourers' cottages under two schemes formulated by the Council.

The Local Government Board has no scheme before it from this council awaiting inquiry.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a copy of a Resolution passed at a meeting of the labourers of the Strabane No. 2 Rural District, County Donegal, held at Murlog on the 19th January last, protesting against the action of the Local Government Board in delaying schemes for the erection of labourers' cottages in the district: Is he aware that there are now pending four schemes for the erection of 120 cottages in the district; that the scheme known as Scheme D, for the erection of 20 cottages, was adopted five years ago, and, although a contract for carrying out this scheme has been entered into, no work in connection with it has yet been undertaken by the contractor; and that Scheme F was adopted by the District Council about three years ago, and the contract for carrying it out has not yet been entered into: And if, considering that the labourers on whose behalf representations were lodged in these schemes have been compelled to live during the periods named in houses condemned by the sanitary authority as unfit for human habitation, steps will be taken by the Board to have the schemes completed without further delay.

The only schemes in which the usual preliminaries have not yet been completed, are those included in the Provisional Order of December last, and in an Order about to be issued—for 55 cottages in all. The duty of pressing forward the contracts in the cases of the remaining 65 cottages authorised by Orders previously issued, rests solely with the District Council, and the Local Government Board is in no way responsible.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the passing of Act 1, Edward VII., ch. 17, in regard to the maintenance of criminal lunatics confined in Irish district lunatic asylums, he will recommend the Government to make a refund from the Treasury of the expenditure incurred since the passing of the English Act, 47 and 48 Vic, ch. 64, which provides for payment for this class of inmates in English asylums from Imperial sources; or whether he will recommend any Amendment to the Act of last year which will tend in that direction.

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Steeven's Hospital, one of the charitable institutions in Dublin to which Government grants are made, has a governing body and the principal members of its staff who are mostly Protestant, though the population of Dublin and the majority of the patients at this hospital are mostly Roman Catholic; and whether, in view of the present circumstances of the hospital management, the Treasury will take steps before again renewing the grant to this hospital to ensure that the institution is conducted on purely non-sectarian lines, and otherwise in accordance with the conditions governing such grants.—The hon. Member complained that the alterations made in the Question were such that it did not fully convey his meaning.

At the request of my hon. friend I will reply to this Question. Three of the members of the governing body of the institution are Roman Catholics, and many of the staff are also of the same denomination. I have no evidence whatever before me that the hospital is conducted on sectarian lines, or that the conditions upon which grants from public funds are made to it are not observed and complied with.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the fact that at the statutory meeting for the election of mayor, held on the 23rd January last in Kilkenny, the 20 members present voting ten for each candidate, and the alderman entitled under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1840, to give a casting vote, being absent, no election could be made; and, seeing that no election can be made now except by order of the King's Bench, and that at a meeting of the Corporation, on 12th January, 1900, to elect a Mayor to fill a vacancy caused by the disqualification of the previous mayor, the members present were like wise equally divided, and there being no outgoing mayor to act as chairman, the meeting was unable to decide this preliminary question, and divided into two equal parts, each electing its own candidate as mayor, whether he will bring in a Bill to insure that at such elections in Ireland some person present shall have a casting vote, and make provision for the selection of a chairman when there is no outgoing mayor to preside and the meeting is equally divided on this question.

The circumstances of this case are met by the provisions of Sections 52 and 53 of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1840, and further legislation in the matter is not considered necessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board have refused to assist the fishermen of Dingle, County Kerry, in procuring ice for the safe transport of their fish; and whether, with the view of promoting the fishing of this district, they will accede to the request made by all the fishermen of the district.

It is not the practice of the Board to provide ice for sale to fishermen at stations where fisheries have been established. An application, however, has been made by a resident at Dingle for a loan of £200 for the construction of an icehouse. This the Board will sanction if satisfactory security be given.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioner of Valuation was asked to revalue the line of railway known as the Limerick and Kerry Railway before its amalgamation with the Great Southern and Western, and can he state on what grounds the Commissioner then refused; and whether, considering the rates for railway guarantees in County Kerry, and that the Kerry County Council request the revaluation of this portion of the now Great Southern and Western Railway on the grounds that, before amalgamation, the request was made, the Government will take steps to see that the Commissioner complies with the request of the Kerry County Council.

The Commissioner did not see his way to revalue this line at a time when the question of its amalgamation with the Great Southern and Western was under consideration by Parliament. His decision was subject to appeal, but no appeal was taken. I have already stated there is no power now to revalue the line except as part of, and in connection with, the entire system, and that such a revaluation will be carried out if application be made by the various rating bodies interested.

Seeing that County Kerry pays such very high rates for this railway, and is only interested in this particular branch, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Commissioner to reconsider his decision?

I understand that there is no opening for reconsideration. The line can only be revalued as a whole.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state by what authority County Councils are empowered to provide for contribution to the maintenance of roads inside Urban Districts without reference to the Rural District Council from which such contribution is to be levied; and, seeing that such rule is not provided for in the Local Government Act, will he direct its withdrawal or amendment so as to include the Rural District affected?

Where main roads run through Urban Districts, and the Urban District Councils have not undertaken the entire charge of these roads, their maintenance devolves on the County Council, one-half the cost being chargeable to the County at large, and half to the Urban District. County Councils do not, so far as the Local Government Board are aware, contribute to the cost of roads other than main roads, within Urban Districts.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Frederick Boyle has applied to the Land Commission for an advance to enable him to purchase a farm at Robertstown, in County Waterford: Can he state how long Boyle has been in possession of this farm, the amount of the advance applied for, and the date of the application; has the advance yet been sanctioned; if not, has the inspector of the Land Commission yet visited the farm and sent in his report on the case; and can a copy of this report, when made, be obtained by making application; and can he explain why the old tenant of this farm was not given the option of purchasing it at the terms on which it has been offered to Mr. Boyle.

Mr. Boyle, who has been in occupation of this holding since 1899, applied in September last for an advance of £1,071, which has been sanctioned. A certified copy of the Inspector's report may be obtained upon payment of the prescribed fee of one shilling by either of the parties to the agreement. I have no information on the last paragraph.

Is it not the fact that the old tenant offered a considerably higher secured rent than this man?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state on what date the inquiry under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act will be held at Longford into the request of the Longford Rural District Council for a loan to enable tenants in the villages of Drumlish and Newtownforbes to purchase their holdings.

No application has yet been received for a loan in this case. When full particulars of the scheme have been furnished, together with a statement of the amount required to carry it out, arrangements will be made for holding an inquiry.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that, in the case of the Maconochy, County Longford, tenants, in which case the appeals by the landlord were lodged late and which are now to be heard at Longford on 27th March, the landlord's solicitor offered a half-year's rent to the tenants to waive their objections to the landlords' appeals going in; and whether he will direct the attention of the Court to this attempt to induce the tenants into foregoing their rights.

I have no information as to the alleged offer, but even assuming that it was made the Executive have no power to interfere in a civil litigation between private parties.

If I supply a copy of the original letter to the right hon. Gentleman, will he take action?

The hon. Member asks me to "ear-wig" the court before the litigation comes on. That I cannot do.

Have you never done it in the case of a Nationalist?

Never.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the annual sum demanded from the County Wicklow towards the maintenance of the Richmond Lunatic Asylum has risen from £1,575 11s. 8d. in 1891 to £5,884 16s. 4d. in the present year, although the number of patients sent annually from the County Wicklow to Richmond Asylum has decreased from 43 in 1891 to 26 in 1900 and 1901; and whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the cause of the annually increasing demands of the Richmond Asylum authorities upon the ratepayers of the County of Wicklow.

The apportionment of the expenses of the Asylum is not regulated by the number of yearly admissions, but by the actual number of residentpatients belonging to each contributory area. The increase in the demands of the Asylum upon Wicklow arises from the increase in the number of resident patients from Wicklow; the increased amount required for repayment of loans due to the consequent extension of the Asylum; and the increase in the cost of maintenance. The reply to the second paragraph is in the negative; the matter is entirely in the hands of the Committee of Management with whom the Government cannot interfere.

Is it not the fact that within ten years the change has increased from £1,575 to £5,800, although the patients have decreased in number?

No, Sir. In 1891 there were 121 patients and now there are 174.

That is not according to the reply I received from the right hon. Gentleman.

The hon. Member has been under a misapprehension; the question of apportionment is governed not by the number of yearly admissions but by the number of resident patients from each contributory district.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, in the month of October of last year, upwards of 25,000 bags of flour imported into Belfast from the United States of America were found to contain looking-glasses, wooden match-boxes, spoons, tin cups, and cheques; and whether, if this is in contravention of the Consolidated and Lottery Act, any fine was inflicted; and, if so, what was the amount.

Several thousand bags of flour were, in the month of October of last year, imported at Belfast, which upon examination by the officers of the Customs Department were found each to contain a small article, not liable to duty, bearing an advertisement of the flour in the bags. The advertisements were of small intrinsic value and consisted of the articles named. These small articles not having been included in the Customs Entry, the bags of flour con- taining them were submitted to special examination, and a nominal fine of £1, to mark the irregularity of the Entry, was imposed under the provisions of the Customs Consolidation Act of 1876, as a condition upon which the importers were allowed to amend the particulars on that document. The Board of Customs were advised that the sale of the bags would be a technical contravention of the Lotteries Acts, but as the offence could not possibly be committed until after the goods had passed out of Customs control, no action was taken by that Department under the Lotteries Acts.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, seeing the inconvenience caused to the public attending the Law Courts and City Hall at Limerick owing to the want of convenient telegraphic communication, he will establish a branch telegraph office in connection with the branch post office which has been established there for years, having regard also to the population of the district.

The Post Office to which the hon. Member refers is understood to be that in Rutland Street, Limerick. The establishment of a telegraph office there was not found to be justified when the question was last considered, but the Postmaster General will have the matter gone into afresh and will communicate with the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any complaint has been made to the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the new Howth Bailey Flashing Light, which has been stated to show only one flash every 30 seconds, really shows two flashes in that interval.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights telegraph to me that their attention has been called to a second very faint flash in the Howth Bailey Light, due to reflection from the lantern glass. They state that it is due to the apparatus not being complete, and that it will eventually disappear, in all probability.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state how many vessels have been stranded on the Arklow Bank during the past six months; is he aware that the floating lights and marks, placed to guard this bank, have been out of their chartered positions; can he say on what date the Arklow buoys were last replaced and their positions ascertained, and by whom; and how many times a year the buoyage under the care of Trinity House is thus treated; and whether he will give directions to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to have the markings of the ArklowBank checked and corrected without further delay.

Two vessels have been stranded on the Arklow Bank during the past six months. I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that in heavy gales the Arklow Bank Light Vessels alter their position, but are replaced at the earliest opportunity. The buoys there were replaced 12 months ago, and will be again examined very shortly. I am informed that the Trinity House buoys are examined on every opportunity when any of their vessels are passing the locality. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to give directions to the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what is the cause of the delay of the Board of Trade in giving its sanction to the bye-law promulgated by the Limerick Harbour Commissioners in June, 1900, respecting the charging of percentage on steamers whose masters or mates hold pilot licenses on the Shannon; and whether, seeing that the Limerick Harbour Commissioners have complied with all the requirements of the Board of Trade, he will see his way to give the required consent to the bye-law, and thus place Limerick on the same footing as the other ports who have such bye-laws.

The Board of Trade are waiting for a reply from the Limerick Harbour Commissioners to the Board's letter of the 12th November, 1901; in which the Board asked for the observations of the Commissioners as to certain Amendments which the Board proposed to make in the bye-laws as submitted to them for approval.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what precedents are there for the refusal of the Government to give facilities for the discussion of the judicial conduct of a judge, which forms the subject of a special Motion placed on the Paper of the House of Commons.†And whether, having regard to the fact that criticism of the conduct of a judge is forbidden by the Orders of the House, except in discussion of a specific Motion for that purpose, and that the Motion now on the Paper of the House embodies a distinct censure of a learned judge, he will consider the propriety of giving facilities for the discussion of the Motion, or of instituting a Motion for the removal of the Motion relating to the conduct of the learned judge from the Notice Paper, when the reasons on which that Motion is grounded could be shown.

I do not think it would be desirable to give, an opportunity for the discussion which the hon. Member has asked for, nor do I think it would be in accordance with precedent.

Are there any precedents for the refusal of a discussion?

I think there are.

I can state that there are not.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if the Government

†See page 372.

I am afraid it is impossible for me to give any pledge on this subject in the present condition of public business.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the consent of the Crown has been found necessary and has been obtained for the creation of the new office of Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, empowered to act, on occasion, as Deputy Speaker; and when, and by what form, the new appointment will be made.

Yes; the consent of the Crown has been obtained. The appointment will be made in the same form as that of the Chairman of Committees.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to communicate the assent of the Crown to the House?

I have just communicated it.

That is not a proper way of doing it.

The appointment, I understand, will be by Motion. That is the practice usually followed in regard to the Chairman himself.

Yes, Sir.

When will the appointment be made?

It will be made, as is usual, the first time we go into Committee of Supply, which is tomorrow.

Will there be a salary attached to the office?

In the course of the debate which we had the other night on this subject, I pointed out that the establishment of a new paid office, although it might be extremely desirable, is a step to be taken with caution, and we ought to have the Report of a Committee of this House on the subject before we take that step.

Whom does the Government contemplate moving into the chair?

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can indicate the day when the Motion for the approval of the Post Office (Halifax (or Quebec) and Hong Kong Mail Contract) will be taken; whether he intends to take it before or after midnight; and whether notice will be given.

I am unable at this moment to fix a date.

I desire to ask for your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on a matter relating to the mode of balloting for notices of Motion on Tuesdays—namely, whether it is competent for an hon. Member to write the name of any other hon. Member or Members, instead of or in addition to his own; and whether some more fitting method of taking the ballot can be arranged.

My attention was called to this matter last Tuesday, and I stated then that I thought the practice of writing the names of a number of other Members besides that of the Member who writes down his own name was a very objectionable practice. It has been carried so far that one hon. Member has written his own name followed by the names of 24 other Members. That is, I think, an abuse of the rules. I also think hon. Members will observe that there is some inconvenience now, when so many Members desire give nototices of Motion on Tuesdays, in the crowd which comes up to the Table at a time when business is or might be proceeding. Something more convenient to the House might be thought of, and, if it met with the general consent of the House, I would suggest that on Tuesdays before I call on the Notices of Motion the names should be written down at the Desk in "No" Lobby where the pairs are written down, and that a clerk of the House—I do not mean one from the Table—should be in charge and there should be an instruction to him from the House that no hon. Member should write down more than one name.

Would it be competent for an hon. Member to give notice on behalf of another hon. Member in the event of the absence of the latter?

Yes; I said that no one should write down more than one name.

If an hon. Member wrote to another asking him to enter his name, could he do so?

I think an hon. Member might write down the name of another hon. Member, but he must not write his own name in that case.