To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any, and, if so, what portion of the cost of the Somali War will be borne by the revenues of India, or will the whole cost be borne by British revenues; do His Majesty's Government propose to submit any estimates and to ask for any grants for the cost of this war; and, if so, when; and, if estimates are to be submitted, will they be submitted as military or as Civil Service Estimates. (Answered by Mr Ritchie.) India has ceased to have any interest in Somaliland, which is a Protectorate under the Foreign Office. The whole cost of the operations against the Mullah will be borne by Somaliland Protectorate funds, supplemented by a grant in aid from Imperial funds. There is already a grant in aid this year of £25,000 under the Protectorates Vote in connection with these military operations; but it is of course probable that before 31st March next an additional grant will be necessary. If so, it would be borne by Civil Estimates like the original grant in aid.

To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can say whether in the Rabinek case the prisoner was taken by the Congolese authorities from a British ship in British waters; and, if so, what course His Majesty's Government propose to adopt. (Answered, by Lord Cranborne.) It is at present uncertain whether Mr. Rabinek was actually on board a British vessel when arrested, or whether the ship was at the time in British waters. Inquiries are, however, being made, and on receipt of definite information His Majesty's Government will be in a position to consider what action should be taken in the matter.

To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the award of the arbitrator in the Waima case has been accepted by the French Government; when the compensation money will be paid; and how will it lie distributed. (Answered by Lord Cranborne.) The French Government have informed His Majesty's Government that the compensation money will be paid as soon as the sanction of the Chamber can be obtained. It is proposed to distribute the amount, £9,000, in the proportion of—.£4,000 to the widow and three children of Lieutenant Listen; £2,000 to the mother of Captain Lendy;£2,000 to the mother of Second Lieutenant Wroughton; £1,000 among the families of the non-commissioned officers and men of the West India Regiment and the Sierra Leone Frontier Police who were killed, and among the non-commissioned officers and men of those forces who have sustained permanent injury in consequence of the wounds which they then received. Of course the sums actually distributed in the several cases where advances of the compensation money have already been made will be less than those I have mentioned by the amounts advanced.

To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the communications which have passed between the Russian and British Governments on the subject of the Russian proposal to establish certain relations with Afghanistan. (Answered by Lord Cranborne.) The matter to which my hon. friend refers is the subject of communications which are still proceeding between the British and Russian Governments. No Papers can be presented at present.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements will be made for the scheme for four lighted buoys and one lighted beacon for marking the channel off Avoch, Ross-shire, to be carried into effect next year. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The scheme for lighting the channel off Avoch, Ross-shire, will be considered with other proposals for new works in connection with the Estimates for the next financial year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will see that the necessary steps are taken in order to provide the money to be expended in connecting Braunton Lighthouse, in North Devon, with the telephone. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I understand that the Post Office authorities have at present no funds available for this purpose, but that the: work will be one of the first to be undertaken in the next financial year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will call the attention of the Irish Lights Commissioners to the fact that a steamer, the "William Bailey," has been wrecked near Rock Angus, at the entrance to the Strangford Lough; and whether he is aware that the light house erected thereon sixty years ago is still unprovided with any light or beacon, and is in a dangerous condition; and will he say whether he proposes to take any steps with regard to the constitution of the Irish Light Commission. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I have communicated with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and am informed; by them that the steamer in question was stranded during hazy weather off Tara, which is two miles north of the entrance to Strangford Lough. It would appear that she was not, in fact, endeavouring to enter the Lough. The Commissioners had already informed me that the beacon tower on Rock Angus had never been lighted because it was found useless to vessels seeking shelter without leading lights to guide past the dangers at the entrance of Strangford Lough and up to Audley and Cross Roads anchorages, but that they were not aware that the tower was in a dangerous condition. The reply to the final part of the Question is in the negative.

To ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the hovel in which a man named Mackay recently died of typhus fever in the district of Ness, Island of Lewis, was unfit for human habitation, will he state why he was allowed by the public health authorities to remain in this insanitary dwelling and thus imperil the public health of this district. (Answered by Mr. Graham Murray.) I am informed that the local medical officer of health is of opinion that the house was unfit for habitation, and should be burnt. In the meantime it is unoccupied, and has been closed. It is for the local authority to consider, in light of all the circumstances as disclosed to them, whether it is better to take steps for a particular patient's removal, or to refrain from doing so.

To ask the Lord Advocate if he can state when the footpath which is being constructed from the township of Sheshader to Aird School for the use of the ninety children attending the school is likely to be completed. (Answered by Mr. Graham Murray.) The footpath in question is expected to be finished by the end of next month.

To ask the Postmaster General if he can state the number of candidates and vacancies for the post of telegraph learner in London in the last open competition at which the prospect of attaining a salary of £190 per annum was held out to the competitors by the Civil Service Commissioners; and also the number of candidates a ad vacancies for the post of male learner in London in the last open competition, held in 1902, as well as the number of marks obtained by the highest successful competitor in each case and the percentage they represent of the aggregate. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The last open competition for the situation of male telegraph learner in London at which the prospect of attaining a salary of £190 per annum was held out to competitors by the Civil Service Commissioners was held on the 21st January, 1890. On that occasion 415 candidates competed for seventy situations. The first successful candidate: obtained 927 marks out of 1,000, or 92·7 per cent. The last open competition for male learner was held on the 1st of August, 1902, when 88 candidates competed for 75 situations. The first: successful candidate obtained 1,604 marks out of 1,900, or 84·42 per cent.

To ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the time which elapses between the arrival of the English mail at the General Post Office, Belfast, and the despatch of the letters therefrom for delivery; and whether any steps can be taken to mitigate the inconvenience caused to the public by such delay, especially on Saturdays. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) This matter was already engaging the, attention of the responsible officers, and proposals are being prepared for a revision of the outdoor staff, with the view of expediting the delivery as much as possible. The delay in commencing the delivery is frequently due to the late arrival of the mails at Belfast.

To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that certain learners at the Beading Post Office have been punished by the infliction of extra duty for incorrectly addressing envelopes; and will he state if the course followed on this occasion by the authorities has his approval. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I am aware that certain learners at the Beading Post Office have been punished, as stated, for careless performance of their duties, leading to serious delay in the delivery of telegrams, and to great inconvenience to the public. I see no reason to interfere in the matter.

To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that, owing to the present postal arrangements, letters delivered in the Kilfree, County Sligo, postal district cannot be replied to the same day, although the post leaves Gurteen, three miles distant, at 5.20 p.m. daily; and whether arrangements can be made by which the rural letter carrier can take the mails in time to meet the evening post leaving Gurteen. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) As I explained, in answer to a similar Question of the hon. Member's in February last, no improvement in the postal service from Kilfree can be effected without additional expense, which, owing to the comparatively high cost of the present service, I should not be justified in incurring.

To ask the Postmaster General whether, considering the amount of accommodation at the present post office at Leek, it is intended to commence the building of the new post office as soon as possible. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain) The plans for the new post office at Leek are under consideration, but it is impossible to state at present when the building will be commenced.

To ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to state when he hopes to be able to withdraw the Muzzling Order which is in force in the County of Carmarthen. (Answered by Mr. Hanbury.) The position of Carmarthenshire in regard to rabies is much more satisfactory than it was, no case of the disease having been reported since the 6th May last. I hope, therefore, that it may be possible for me, if no further outbreak occurs, to withdraw the Order at no very distant date; but as the hon. Member himself pointed out in Committee of Supply, Muzzling Orders have not hitherto been attended with the same success in this county as elsewhere, such Orders having had to be re-imposed on three separate occasions, shortly after their withdrawal. I am very anxious to take every precaution to avoid a similar occurrence on the present occasion, and to be quite satisfied that the Orders have done their work.

To ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture has invited the Belgian or any Governments to a conference on the subject of the adulteration of dairy products, with the view of preventing such adulteration. (Answered by Mr. Hanbury.) No such invitation as that referred to has been issued. A resolution was adopted at a conference held in April last, under the auspices of the National Dairy Society of Belgium, calling on the Belgian Government to submit to the Governments of the various foreign countries interested in the butter industry a proposal to appoint an International Conference with a view to adopt some Common basis of legislation as a means to prevent the exportation of adulterated butter, but, so far as I am aware, no official action has as yet been taken in this direction.

To ask the Secretary of State for India, what hospital accommodation and number of nurses are available at Aden for European officers and native troops engaged in Somaliland. (Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) The hospital accommodation at Aden for native troops consists of seventy-eight beds, of which forty are vacant, and more could probably be arranged for. A native field hospital is about to be sent there immediately. European officers can be accommodated at the Station Hospital, where there are two European nurses.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been directed to the Report of the Indian Universities Commission; whether any educational policy that may be founded upon the will be carried into effect by resolution of the Government of India or by legislation; and whether, before giving his sanction to any such policy, he will give the House of Commons an opportunity of discussing the matter. (Answered by Secretary Lord George, Hamilton.) I have seen the Report of the Indian Universities Commission, which has been referred to the local governments for their opinions. When those opinions have been obtained by the Government of India the Report will be further considered, but at present it is premature to attempt to anticipate the form in which the policy that may he adopted will be announced. Nor can I undertake that before that policy is adopted it will be submitted for discussion in the House of Commons.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that at one time the only law college in Bengal was in connection with the Presidency College; that, on the affiliation of the other law classes, students left the Presidency College for those classes, where the fees were lower; and that the Government thereupon abolished the Presidency College classes in law; and, whether it is now proposed to revive the Presidency College classes in law and to abolish the affiliated classes. (Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) The proposal referred to in the Question is contained in the Report of the Indian Universities Commission (paragraphs 121 and 122). As I have said, in answer to the preceding Question, I understand that the Government of India have not yet arrived at any conclusion on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the recommendations of the Indian Universities Commission, and to the proposed closing of local law classes: and whether he will protect the interests of the poorer students from suffering through increase of fees. (Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) I beg to refer the hon. Member to my answer to the last Question but one. The matter referred to will not be lost sight of by the Government of India, who. I am confident, will take due account of the interests of the poorer students.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that some of the roads in South Wexford have become almost impassable owing to the damage that has been done by traction engines hauling materials for the Rosslare Railway Company; and whether he will endeavour by legislation or otherwise to compel the owners of traction engines in all such cases either to repair the damage or contribute to the upkeep of the roads. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Representations have been made to the effect stated in the first part of the Question. Legislation would be necessary to confer on local authorities in Ireland powers analogous to those conferred on local authorities in England in recovering damages for excessive wear of highways by reason of extraordinary traffic The question of legislating for Ireland in this direction is under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the claims to promotion of re-employed and reserve officers of Regiments and Departments who have been serving at home during the late war in South Africa, and whose services are still being utilised. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) Among the re-employed and reserve officers whose promotions were gazetted on the 17th instant the names of some who are still employed will be found. Should further cases arise of such officers who had not then completed the qualifying service of eighteen months' re-employment at home and who are recommended for promotion, they will be duly considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that hair brushes are distributed free to the Cavalry but not to the Infantry; and will he explain the reason of the distinction. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) If the hon. Member will kindly refer to Army Order 244 of October 1902, he will find that the issue of a hair brush has been sanctioned for each soldier of the Foot Guards, Infantry of the Line, and Royal Army Medical Corps.

To ask the Secretary of State for War when the evidence and report of the inquiry as to the lack of medical stores and dangerous overcrowding on the "Drayton Grange" will be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The report has not yet reached the War Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the fact that a site for a new post office at Hong Kong has been purchased, will he state when it is proposed to proceed with the construction of the building. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) Designs for the new buildings were to have been invited locally, but the calling for designs was postponed pending the Secretary of State's decision as to the proposals for providing quarters for the Chinese Post Office staff on the existing post office site, which involved an alteration in the conditions on which the purchase of the site for the new post office was sanctioned. The Secretary of State's decision was given in a despatch of 4th September, so the Governor has got it by now, and will no doubt call for designs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the steam launch recently provided for the Sierra Leone Government at a cost of £4,805 has since been sold for less than half its cost. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) There is no foundation for the statement that the launch recently provided for the Sierra Leone Government, at a cost of £4,805 has since been sold for less than half its cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official reports showing that no steamers, but only small lighters at low water, are able to use the pier at Secondee recently completed at the cost of £26,887, and whether a crane at the end of the pier is so built that it cannot lift boilers or other heavy pieces of railway material on to the trucks on the pier; and will he say by whose advice a pier was constructed where it is. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The pier at Secondee was constructed for the use of small steamers and lighters whose draught does not exceed five feet, and such vessels are able to use it. There are four cranes on the pier, three of which can now and always could lift boilers or other heavy articles up to four tons in weight, direct into trucks; and the fourth crane (a ten-ton one), which could originally only lift boilers or other articles of exceptional bulk on to the deck of the pier, has since been raised fire feet, thus enabling it to lift them on to the trucks. The pier was constructed where it is by the advice of Messrs. Coode, Son, and Matthews, the well-known engineers.

To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been directed to the case of some children who, having been attending a Church school and having been taken away from that school, their parents being dissatisfied with it, were refused admission to the Cirencester board schools; and, seeing that after the refusal of the School Board to admit the children the parents were fined for neglecting to send their children to school, can he state the grounds on which admission was refused by the School Board, and whether in such cases regard can be had to the wishes of the parents in respect of the training of their children. (Answered, by Sir William Anson.) Three children, named Godsell, were removed by their parents from the Cirencester, Watermoor Trinity National School, and were refused admission to the Cirencester, Lewis Lane, Board School, in or about May last. An arrangement existed between the School Board and the managers of voluntary schools in the town forbidding capricious migration of children from school to school. Such arrangements are not uncommon, and they are recognised by the Board of Education as an aid to continuity of teaching. Complaints arising under Article 78 of the Code are dealt with by the Board of Education on their merits. In the present case the parents complained of "unkindness" to the children at the Watermoor School, but sent no reply to a request of the Board of Education that they would specify some instances of unkindness. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the School Board interviewed both parents and children, and were satisfied that the complaint was groundless. The Board of Education thereupon supported the School Board in their exclusion of the children as "reasonable" (Article 78).

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what number of those who were prisoners of war at the signing of the terms of peace in South Africa have been sent back to their homes, what number still remain at the places where they were confined, what are the numbers and places respectively, and what arrangements have been made for the return of these.

The number of prisoners of war repatriated or en route is about 13,000. The numbers remaining are—at St. Helena, about 200; at Bermuda, about 400; in Ceylon, 2,800; and in Indian camps. 6,200. Arrangements have been made for bringing back 7,000 of those in Ceylon and India before the end of: the year, and the remainder can be sent back very soon afterwards if they have declared allegiance.

1 beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the fund of.£3,000,000 granted for re-stocking and reinstating Boers on their farms, whether any portion of that sum has been employed in the travelling expenses of the repatriation of the Boer prisoners.

The answer is in the negative. The cost of bringing the Boer prisoners back to the new colonies falls upon Army funds.

To what use is the fund known as the Repatriation Fund put in South Africa?

I do not know to what fund the hon. Member refers. I do not know that any fund is specially called the Repatriation Fund.

The fund on which cheques are drawn for repatriation purposes. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will inquire.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of making arrangements so that Colonel A. B. Williams, now acting as paymaster at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, should not also act as assessor and collector of income duty for the establishment.

Under the present procedure the paymaster supplies the surveyor of taxes with information as to the wages of the men whose earnings render them liable to income duty, and collects from them the amounts that official states to be due. The money is not deducted from the men's wages, but voluntarily paid to the paymaster. There appears to be no reason whatever for altering this procedure, nor does the hon. Member offer any.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if His Majesty's battleship "Montagu" has had a trial trip, and if he will state what have been the results, and the condition of the Belleville water-tube boilers after the run.

The results of the trial trip of the "Montagu" have been unsatisfactory. There was considerable leakage from the joints of sleeves in the boilers, and a number of the lead plugs in the generator tubes blew out, owing to their being incorrectly fitted. The sleeves and plugs are being replaced, and it is anticipated that no further trouble will arise.

May I ask who bears the expense of repairs to this new battleship under these circumstances?

The contractors for the engines.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if any action has been taken between the Imperial and the Indian Governments with regard to the recommendations contained in paragraph 360 of the Report of the Indian Expenditure Commission, urging that His Majesty's Government on the one hand and on the other hand the Secretary of State in Council, after consultation with the Government of India, should draw a Treasury Minute authoritatively settling the extent to which India has a direct and substantial interest in certain clearly-defined areas of the Empire outside the boundaries of British India; has such a Minute been prepared and authorised; and, if so, will it be made public. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for India if India is to be held to have any direct or substantial interest in Somaliland; and, if so, to what extent; and will any portion of the cost of the present expedition against the Mullah be chargeable upon Indian Revenues, and to what extent.

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer these two Questions together. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to pages fourteen to seventeen of the Parliamentary Paper, No. 169, which was ordered by this House to be printed in May last, he will see that an agreement has been arrived at as to the matters to which his Question relates, but that it was decided to ratify it by publishing the correspondence on the subject between the Treasury and the India Office, rather than by the drafting of a Treasury minute. He will also see that, under this agreement, the Government of India are not to be regarded as having any direct or substantial interest in the scene of the present operations in Somaliland. Accordingly, no portion of the cost of those operations will be chargeable to Indian Revenues.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Coronation medals are all, or any of them, dated 26th June, 1902; and, if so, why, when the date of the Coronation was altered, the date on the medals was not also altered before their issue.

It should be remembered that these medals are the personal gift of the King, and that no Government Department is responsible for them. But it is not, I think, difficult to understand the reasons why the date 26th June appears on the medals. They were got ready for that date, and to alter them would have taken a long time counting from the date on which the Coronation actually took place, so that they would not have been ready for distribution. Further, it would have cost a considerable sum of money to re-make them, and in all the circumstances to incur further expense in the matter may well have seemed unjustifiable.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in a recent edition of the "Book of Common Prayer," the King's printers have made certain alterations from the authorised text, and will he state by whose authority they were made.

The alterations referred to by my hon. friend raise questions of very great importance and complexity, and involve a long answer which with the permission of the hon. Member I propose to circulate with the Parliamentary Papers.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes to act upon and carry out the report of the Select Committee on the Term of Repayment of Loans, especially in relation to loans in respect of the better housing of the people; and, if so, when he will introduce legislation for the purpose; or whether the Local Government Board propose to act upon the recommendations in the report as a matter of Departmental administration.

Legislation would be necessary to give effect to some of the recommendations of the Committee, particularly in relation to loans for purposes of the Housing of the Working Classes Acts. It would not be practicable to legislate on the subject during the present Session; but I have the Report of the Committee now under consideration, and I hope shortly to arrive at a decision with regard to the proposals in it so far as administrative action is concerned.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will next session introduce and press forward a Bill to place the law respecting motor cars on a more satisfactory footing, by removing the present hard and fast limit as to speed, by requiring registration, by making the use of public roads by these vehicles subject to respect for the rights, convenience, and safety of all other users thereof, and by enacting a heavy maximum penalty for breaches of these conditions.

In May last, in the debate on the vote for the Local Government Board, I indicated the general lines on which amendment of the law as to motor cars should, as it seemed to me, proceed; but I pointed out that there were considerable difficulties in the way of a settlement of the question, I cannot at the present time give any pledge as to legislative proposals for next session; but it will be a matter of satisfaction to me if I find it practicable to deal with the matter then.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received the Report of the Royal Commission upon Alien Immigration, which was appointed several months ago; and, if not, when he expects to be in possession thereof, or if an instalment of the evidence taken will be laid upon the Table.

The Royal Commission has not yet made a Report, and I cannot say when it is likely to do so, but I have no doubt its proceedings are being conducted with all necessary despatch.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the pressing nature of this matter, seeing that over 60,000 aliens have come into this country this year?

I have no control over the proceedings of the Royal Commission.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he will state how far underground wires have now been extended in the direction of Scotland; and whether, in the event of another breakdown of overhead telegraph wires, he will arrange for communication being maintained by Marconi's wireless system.

Pipes and wires have been laid as far as Warrington, and nearly fifty miles of pipes have been put down between Preston and Shap, beyond which point the work has not yet extended. I am afraid that at present the Department could not obtain useful assistance from the Marconi wireless system in such an emergency as that to which the hon. Member refers.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he can state the number of candidates and vacancies for the post of telegraph learner in London in the last open competition, at which the prospect of attaining a salary of £190 per annum was held out to the competitors by the Civil Service Commissioners; and also the number of candidates and vacancies for the post of male learner in London in. the last open competition held in 1902, as well as the number of marks obtained by the highest successful competitor in. each case and the percentage they represent of the aggregate.

The last open competition for the situation of male telegraph learner in London at which the prospect of attaining a salary of £190 per annum was held out to competitors by the Civil Service Commissioners was held on the 21st January, 1890. On that occasion 415 candidates competed for 70 situations. The first successful candidate obtained 927 marks out of 1,000, or 92·7 per cent. The last open competition for male learners was held on the 1st August. 1902, when 88 candidates competed for 75 situations. The first successful candidate obtained 1,604 marks out of 1,900, or 84·42 per cent.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he will cause to have laid upon the Table of the House copies of the shorthand writer's report of the trial of Police Constable Rolls in the Central Criminal Court, London.

There is no intention of doing that. The hon. Member will find the evidence in the records of the Central Criminal Court published this month.

Was a special note-taker employed in this case?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the serious rioting and disturbances in connection with the rectorial election campaign in Glasgow, and to the fact that an attack was made on the Liberal Committee by the supporters of the opposing candidate, and that police constables were injured; will he say whether any arrests were made in connection with these disturbances; and whether adequate precautions for the protection of life and property during the progress of these rectorial contests in Scotland will be taken by the authorities.

Inquiry has been made into the occurrences at Glasgow referred to by the hon. Member, and I am informed that they cannot be described as serious, that both political parties among the students have taken part in them, that one policeman was slightly injured but not, it is believed, by the act of a student, that no arrests have been made, that no damage has been done to property other than that belonging to the students, and that the assaults on party head-quarters have been carried out in perfect good-humour, and have usually been the prelude to a united smoking concert. The Chief Constable has taken adequate precautions for the protection of life and property, and, in these circumstances, 1 am not prepared to recommend any exceptional measures for the suppression of disorder.

Is it because the students are supporters of the Chief Secretary that no action will be taken?

I beg to ask the Secretary of the Board of Education whether, with a view of making plain the position of women in the work of public education in the future, he will state in what capacities under the provisions of the Education Bill they will be enabled to act.

Under the Education Bill, women will be eligible for the Boards of Managers of public elementary schools. They will also be eligible for places on the Education Committee of the Local Education Authority. This is plain from the terms of the Bill. It has always been the declared intention of the Government. I may refer the hon. Member to an answer given by the First Lord of the Treasury to a Question in this House on the 10th of April of this year.†

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will take steps to prohibit the collection of money at the political meetings held every Sunday on Government property in Belfast; and whether he will consult the First Commissioner of Works as to the regulations at present in force in that respect in Hyde Park, London.

† See (4) Debates, cv., 1456.

The collection of money in Hyde Park is prohibited by Statute. I have no power to act as suggested, and do not propose to introduce legislation.

Is it not the fact that the First Commissioner of Works of the last ten years has made regulations prohibiting the collection of money in Hyde Park, and has not the right hon. Gentleman similar power with regard to Government property in Ireland?

I have said not. The collection in Hyde Park is prohibited under the Parks Regulation Act,1872.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as President of the Local Government Hoard of Ireland, whether he has called upon Mr. W. P. Nolan, as one of the clerks of that Board, and as the handwriting expert of the Government in Ireland, for a statement as to the authorship of the forged letter attributed to Sergeant Sullivan; and, if; so, whether Mr. Nolan's Report will be ‡ communicated to the House.

The reply to the first part of this Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how often and for how many days Mr. T. P. Nolan has been absent from his duties in the Local Government Board Office, Dublin, for the purpose of working or giving evidence as a handwriting expert; whether he can state what official permitted him to absent himself to give evidence on behalf of Sergeant Sullivan or in other cases in which the Irish Government were interested: what remuneration he received from all sources in each case; and whether any deduction was made from his salary as a Government official by reason of his absence from duty.

No special leave was given to Mr. Nolan for the purpose of engaging in this work or of attending to give evidence. He applied for and obtained leave of absence from the Vice-President of the Board in the ordinary way, from time to time. No deduction from his salary was made when he was. on leave of absence. The payments made to him in respect of his employment as a handwriting expert were as follows:—£21 16s.7d., £19 12s. 4d., £19 17s.3d., £10 12s., £5 5S., £28 8s. 2d.; total, £105 11s. 4d.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the number of prosecutions and convictions in Ireland under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, it is intended to re-open the five prisons in Ireland which were closed as unnecessary last December on the order of the General Prisons Board.

It is not proposed to re-open any of the prisons referred to.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the hon. Member for South Belfast and Mr. Samuel Boal of Belfast have been summoned to appear before a court of the Orange Institution, with the object of compelling them to adopt a certain course of action; whether he intends to proceed against the persons concerned, under the provisions of The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887; and whether he intends to proclaim the local Orange body as an illegal association.

The reply to this Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why the city of Dublin was proclaimed under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act.

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question—["Order, order‡" from the NATION ALIST Benches]. You are not going to bully me‡

Order, order‡ The hon. Member has risen to put another Question. That is sometimes done, and it may be in order, but I must first hear the Question.

The Question I wish to ask is whether without this proclamation the right hon. Gentleman could deal with the real offenders as a case of trading under false pretences?

Order, order‡

The City of Dublin was proclaimed because the Government was advised that a newspaper published there, called the Irish People, had for some weeks contained illegal and criminal matter.

Now will the right hon. Gentleman answer my Question, Does not this paper falsely purport to be edited by Mr. William O'Brien, and has not the hon. Member publicly repudiated it? That's false pretences.

Order, order‡

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in uniform, have continually followed Pat Meany, of Quinn, since August last to fairs in Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, to the fair of Croom on the 1st of September, Bally-sanders, and Newcastle West 1st October, Tipperary Town 10th October, to Ennis 14th October, and that they are constantly following him; and will he state the reason for this action by the police.

The facts are correctly stated in the Question. The movements of this man are under police supervision because ho is suspected of illegal practice.

Is a formal charge to be made against this man?

If the evidence justifies it a criminal prosecution will be instituted, and prior to doing that, enquiries must be made.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether ho has observed that Mr. Samuel P. Harris, who was sentenced by Messrs. Horne and Kelly, resident magistrates, to three months imprisonment with hard labour and an additional term of three months in default of giving bail, for a speech at a public meeting, was described by counsel for the Crown as a Protestant gentleman of the highest respectability; and, seeing that if this sentence had been confirmed it would have disqualified Mr. Harris for membership of the District Council of which he is a member, and that County Court Judge Adams declared that he did not want to add to the sentence any unnecessary degradation, and ordered Mr. Harris to be treated as a first class misdemeanant, whether a copy of Judge Adams's judgment will be furnished to the resident magistrates of Ireland.

It has been the rule to furnish resident magistrates with the authorised judgments of the Superior Courts on questions of law arising upon the administration of the Crimes Act. In this case County Court Judge Adams gave his reasons for altering the punishment awarded by the magistrates. It is obvious that his observations on this subject, which have been published in the Metropolitan and local Press, do not fall within the rule, and it is not proposed to circulate them in the manner suggested.

May I ask whether Removable Kelly, who gave this harsh sentence, was one of the noble band of patriots of the Freeman's Journal.

Order, order‡ I shall have to take strong measures if the hon. Member persists.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to draw any more removables from the staff of the Freeman's Journal?)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the freight rate charged on goods from Listowel via Waterford to Liverpool is 30s. per ton, while from Newcastle West by the same route, twenty-four miles less land carriage, it is 32s. 6d. per ton; and that the freight from Newcastle West to Limerick is 6s. 3d. per ton, and from: Limerick to Liverpool 25s. per ton, so that the railway company charges 1s. 3d. per ton less for taking in and delivering out goods twice than they do for doing so only once; and will the attention of the Department of Agriculture be called to the matter with the view of facilitating the transit of Irish produce to the English market.

The Department has been in correspondence with the Railway Company in this matter, and has been informed that an exceptional rate of 30s. per ton for butter in casks, boxes, etc., from Newcastle West to Liverpool, via Waterford, has been issued.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will grant a Return dealing with the expenditure of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland during the eleven years of its existence as distributed over counties scheduled.

I am prepared to give a Return, but it may not be possible to give it in the precise form desired by the hon. Member.† Perhaps he will be good enough to repeat the Question on Thursday next.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board for Ireland asked the County Council of Kerry to get their surveyor an estimate of the cost of a slip at Coomenaum, Cahirciveen; whether they objected to his first estimate as too large; whether, when he again sent in an estimate, they objected as being too small; and what steps do they now propose taking with regard to this matter.

Two schemes were submitted. The first was considered impracticable, the second unsuitable. I informed the hon Member on Thursday last that questions dealing with the further expenditure of moneys on works of this character can only be decided after a careful consideration of the whole matter.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Under Secretary, Sir David Harrel, has given instructions to resident magistrates on the subject of the sentences, or form of sentences, imposed by them in cases brought before them under the provisions of The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887.

Neither directly nor indirectly, verbally or in writing, has the Under Secretary, or any other person connected with the Government, or, so far as 1 am aware, any person unconnected with the Government, ever suggested to any resident magistrate or magistrates what sentence or form of sentence they should impose in cases brought before them under the Grimes Act before, during, or after the hearing of such cases, I desire in the strongest way to resent the suggestion that the resident magistrates in Ireland, in the discharge of their oath-bound duties would be influenced by any consideration, save what they, to the best of their ability, conceive to be the merits and justice of the case before them.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can explain the remarkable unanimity with which the magistrates on a particular day began to give hard labour sentences to those whom they tried for political offences.

The explanation for which the hon. Gentleman asks is, I think, contained in the answer I have already given—namely, that those magistrates passed sentences in accordance with their views of the justice and merits of the cases brought before them.

What instructions did the right hon. Gentleman give in my case when they sent me to gaol?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, under the new rules for regulating the executions of capital sentences in Ireland, the executioner is bound to be detained in the prison, or its neighbourhood, until the coroner has decided whether he requires him to give evidence at the inquest; and, if so, who has the power to detain him pending the decision of, the coroner.

The new rules require that the executioner shall remain in the prison until he has completed the execution and until permission is given to him to leave. His detention after the execution would be a matter for arrangement between the sheriff, or his representative, and the governor of the prison.

But will the coroner's request be recognised by the Governor or sheriff?

It is a matter, I think, for the governor of the prison. The questions the coroner has to decide are as to the identity of the body and whether the judgment of death was duly executed. It may be that in the opinion of the governor there is ample evidence available from persons other than the excutioner, whose attendance at the execution is a statutory obligation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of Dr. Cross, alleged to have been executed in Cork gaol——

Order, order. The hon. Member must put that Question down on the Paper.

I have put it down several times.

That is a good reason why it should not he put again.

When I put the Question before I was told that under the prison rule there was no power to detain the executioner. Now the rules are being altered.

The hon. Member is asking as to a specific case, and he must put his Question down.

I submit, Sir, it is in order to ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in the case of Dr. Cross, alleged to have been executed——

If a Question relates to a particular case, notice must be given.

I will try to put the Question down. I want a satisfactory answer.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether Sergeant Sullivan, who was tried for perjury in the West of Ireland, and who is now stationed in Dunshaughlin, county Meath, got any step in promotion in the rank of sergeants since he was tried for perjury; and whether his removal to a station of the class of Dunshaughlin, which is the headquarters of a district inspector, constitutes promotion in the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The charge on which Sergeant Sullivan was prosecuted at the Sligo Winter Assizes of 1898, and on which he was acquitted, was, in popular language, for having written a letter inciting to crime. The answer to the remainder of the Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he will be prepared to extend the scope of the proposed inquiry into the prison system in Ireland so as to include the number of hours of duty of the prison warders in the local prisons as compared with the system prevailing in English gaols.

A sworn inquiry will be held into the special circumstances of Limerick prison and the treatment of Mr. Flanagan. But it is not proposed to hold a general inquiry into the Irish prison system.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the grounds on which the Local Government Board refuses to sanction the present scheme of cottages promoted by the Cork Rural District Council, and the matters which require arrangement between the Local Government Board and the District Council.

It was proved that occupants of sixteen cottages were not agricultural labourers. The issue of the Provisional Order is deferred until the District Council has considered these cases, and to what extent the scheme should be modified accordingly.

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that Sir David Harrel, the Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who advises the Government in the institution of proceedings under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, selects the resident magistrates for the constitution from time to time of the Courts under this Act, will he state how many times and in what cases has Mr. Harrel, resident magistrate, been instructed by Sir David Harrel to attend, as one of its members, a Crimes Court.

The Under Secretary, Sir David Harrel, does not advise the Government in the institution of proceedings under the Crimes Act. Such proceedings are instituted upon the advice of the law officers of the Crown. The orders for the constitution of Courts are given by the Under Secretary in the discharge of the duty of his office. Resident magistrates are detailed for duty at these Courts in accordance with the ordinary necessities of the public service. Particulars of the several Courts attended by Mr. Harrel were given in my reply to the hon. Member's Question of the 7th July.† He has not since acted in any fresh case. On each occasion he adjudicated within his proper jurisdiction, in a district to which he had been appointed long before the institution of proceedings under the Crimes Act.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the precise character of the duties at present discharged by Constable Anderson at the depot of the Royal Irish Constabulary in the Phoenix Park; and what measures, if any, have been taken to secure that Constable Anderson will be protected in the performance of his duties.

† See (4) Debates, cx., 918.

The constable performs the usual routine duties at the depot, such as guard, fatigue duty, and drill. He does not require protection in the performance of his duties.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether an action: now pending in the King's Bench Division, Dublin, at the suit of Thomas McCloskey against District Inspector Holmes, R.I.C., for arrest and false imprisonment is being defended at the public expense; and, if so, upon what grounds; having regard to the fact that the charge in respect of which the arrest and false imprisonment took place was dismissed by a full bench of magistrates at the Strabane Petty Sessions, on Monday 29th September, the Chairman in dismissing the charge added that the Bench were of opinion the case was one which should not have been brought into Court.

The reply to the first inquiry is in the negative. I may add that when such proceedings are taken, if the public officer is successful in vindicating his character, the question of defraying his expenses arises, but not before that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, seeing that the last quarterly Return of agrarian outrages in Ireland shows that no offence was committed in Queen's County during the three months preceding the 30th June last, that the Return for the quarter ending 31st March, 1902, shows a similar blank, and that the Chairman of the County Council, and seventeen other local magistrates have protested against the proclamation of the county, he will state upon whose recommendation the county was proclaimed, and when he proposes to withdraw it.

The proclamation was issued by the Executive Government after consultation with the officers locally responsible to Government for the maintenance of the public peace. I stated on Monday last that five agrarian outrages had been committed in the county since 30th June, and that it was not at present proposed to withdraw the proclamation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the lion. Member for Birr Division of King's County was arrested under a warrant signed by Major Dease, R.M., and Mr. Newel, R.M., and detained in prison awaiting trial from the 14th to the 23rd September last; and will he say whether any intimation of his arrest was made to the Irish Government, and if any instructions on this subject have been issued by the Irish Executive to the resident magistrates in Ireland.

I stated on Monday last that this hon. Member, having failed to appear in answer to the summons served upon him, was arrested on the warrant of a resident magistrate. He refused to give bail for his appearance at the hearing of the case, and was remanded in custody from the 13th to the 23rd September. These facts were duly notified to Government. I also stated on Thursday last that I had directed general instructions to be sent to resident magistrates requesting them to notify to Mr. Speaker the committal to prison of a Member of this House, or his arrest and remand, whether on bail, or in custody.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sir William Paul, Baronet, recently convened, at the suggestion of the Lord Lieutenant of the county, a meeting of magistrates at the Courthouse, Waterford, to consider the licensing question; and that the High Sheriff of the County Mayo recently expelled from the Court-house, Castlebar, the county councillors of that county who had assembled for the transaction of county business, and who, on its conclusion, proposed presenting an address of thanks to the hon. Member for Cork City for his efforts in connection with the redistribution of land among the small farmers of the county; has the; High Sheriff' of a county in Ireland the right of attending meetings of County Councils, and the power to decide what matters may be considered by the County Council; and, seeing that the Court-houses are maintained by the rates levied by the County Council, will he take steps to secure to the elected representatives of the ratepayers the same right as non elected bodies to the use of Court-houses.

I have no knowledge of the meeting referred to in the first part of the Question. The High Sheriff of Mayo did not recently expel the county councillors of Mayo from the Court-house at Castlebar. He informed them that they should be allowed to use the Court-house for the transaction of their duties, but that he would not permit it to be used for the purpose of a political demonstration. The councillors thereupon quietly withdrew. The intention to hold a demonstration of this character in the Courthouse was announced in the Mitropolitan and local Nationalist press. The custody and control of the Court-house is vested in the High Sheriff by virtue of his office.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he will be willing to lay upon the Table of the House copies of the shorthand-writers report of the civil action in the case of M'Hale v. Sullivan, tried in the Fours Courts, Dublin.

The Crown have no report of the nature mentioned. It is, I believe, contrary to precedent to lay such a Report upon the Table of the House.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a farmer named Patrick Henry, of Cloonacool, county Sligo, was prosecuted at the Petty Sessions Court of Tubbercurry on the 6th February, 1902, for carrying a shot-gun without an Excise licence; that the case against Henry was unanimously dismissed by the magistrates; and that on appeal the finding of the Court below was unanimously upheld by Judge O'Connor Morris and his colleagues on the Bench; and whether, seeing that this poor man has been put to expense in having to defend these actions, steps will be taken to have his expenses refunded.

A similar Question on the same subject was answered by my predecessor on the 2nd of July last,† and I see nothing to alter in or add to that answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Board of Revenue have already refunded 10s. of this man's expenses, and will he reconsider the matter, seeing that this man was the victim of a bogus prosecution, and compassionate allowances are given to the criminals of the Sergeant Sheridan type?

I beg to ask the President of the Hoard of Trade whether he is aware that the farmers residing near Inch Strand, county Kerry, have recently been prevented from taking sand and seaweed there, though during the last 100 years there was no prevention; and seeing that this will prevent many farmers from manuring their land and cause them serious loss, will he have a local public inquiry with the object of deciding the high-water mark.

The Board of Trade have received complaints that the owner of the adjoining land has erected posts upon the beach which are said to interfere with the use of the foreshore at Inch Strand. Inquiry is now being made as to whether these posts are above or below the line of high-water mark of ordinary tides. When this has been ascertained the

† See (4) Debates, cx., 533.

Will the inquiry be a public one

I do not know that there is any necessity for a public inquiry.

There is every necessity.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in view of the result of the recent inquiry into the administration of the Limerick Post Office, he will consider the advisability of reviewing the circumstances attending the punishment meted out to the staff at that office; and whether, when the punishments were being imposed, the conditions under which the staff performed their duties were taken into account; and whether ho will explain why the official safe is placed in its present custody.

When any punishment is inflicted all the circumstances are taken into consideration, and it does not appear from the enquiry into the Limerick office that there has been any punishment inflicted there which needs reviewing. The official safe is placed in its present custody because the officer who usually takes charge of it is absent on leave.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether in view of the letter addressed to the public Press by County Court Judges Curran and O'Connor Morris, on controversial subjects concerning their part in the administration of the exceptional legislation now in force in Ireland, he will take steps to submit the salaries of County Court Judges in Ireland to criticism in this House.

No, Sir. As at present advised I am not prepared to make the change the hon. Member proposes.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the Amendments to the Local Government (Ireland) Act (Amendment) Bill standing on the Paper, it is intended to proceed with that measure during the present session; and, if so, whether he can say when he proposes to provide time for its discussion.

I do not yet despair of being able to find time for this Bill, but I am not at present in a position to make a definite statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will state why the Marine Insurance Bill [H.L.] has been withdrawn; and whether, in view of the representations in its favour by mercan tile, shipping, and underwriting bodies, it will be reintroduced by the Government early next session.

I understand from those who are fully acquainted with the proposals of this Bill that there was no reasonable prospect of sufficient time being available for its discussion during this part of the session. I can give no pledge as regards next session, but I should hope that in that session the Bill may be reintroduced.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, under the provisions contained in the Educa-Bill, in those cases in which a School Board has been set up, and a denominational chool has been hired by the Board from the denominational managers at a nominal rent, subject to a clause in the hiring agreement permitting the managers to terminate the agreement on giving twelve months notice, it will be possible for the managers to give such notice, and at the expiration thereof to turn the Board school into a school of a denominational character.

At the end of such a lease as that contemplated by the hon. Gentleman in his Question, the buildings would revert absolutely to the lessors—that is to say, to the trustees or the managers of the voluntary school. But if it is desired to use these buildings as a denominational school, this would be a new school, and would come under the provisions of Clauses 9 and 10 of the Bill.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can arrange that ample time shall be given for the discussion of the Resolution on the Brussels Sugar Convention, and that it shall be taken at such a period of the session as will give the interests throughout the country which are affected by the Convention as full opportunities as possible of expressing their opinion for the guidance of Parliament; and whether, if the Resolution which the Government will submit to the House should be carried, the Treaty will come into operation even though Parliament should decline to sanction the legislation which he has stated will be necessary to bring its provisions into operation in this country.

Yes, Sir; it is my hope that adequate time will be found for the discussion of the Resolution. That Resolution will bind Parliament to give legislative sanction to the Treaty. I cannot anticipate that Parliament will decline the obligation.

When is it likely to be taken?

I cannot give any pledge as to the date, but it cannot be very long delayed.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed, at an early stage of the next session of Parliament, with the Bill for the regulation of the out-of-school labour of school children, introduced last July by the late Home Secretary, and withdrawn last week by the present Home Secretary.

The hon. Member will hardly expect me to foreshadow now the legislative programme for next session, but this reply must not be taken as indicative of a non possumus attitude on my part towards the particular measure to which the hon. Member refers.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether a complete Return has been published of the endowments of voluntary (public elementary) schools; and, if not, whether he will cause such a Return, showing the capital and income of each endowment, to be prepared and published as speedily as possible.

I am informed that the preparation of such a Return would involve much hard labour and expense, and I am not prepared to grant it, but I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Return of the income and expenditure of public elementary schools, published last year.