To ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that although 300 children attend Aird School, in the parish of Stornoway, the playground is devoid of shelter; and will he ascertain whether some kind of protection from the weather can be provided. (Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) The Department does not in all cases require that outside shelters should be provided in the playgrounds, nor is opinion unanimous as to the advantage of such shelters for use in severe weather. As at present advised, my Lords hold that it is a matter which may be left to the School Board with such suggestions as His Majesty's inspector may make.

To ask the Lord Advocate if he will state when the inspecting officers of the Local Government Board last visited the Island of Lewis for the purpose of inquiring into questions affecting the public health. (Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) The Board's inspecting officer was last in the Island of Lewis for the purpose referred to in May of the present year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the advisability of prescribing, under Clause 7, Section 2. of the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, a standard of sufficient ventilation in cotton-weaving sheds, other than those in which the humidity of the atmosphere is artificially produced. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) The question is one which I shall have to consider at an early date. The subject of ventilation in factories and workshops has been for some time under inquiry; and a very important Report has been laid before Parliament, which will be published within a few days.

To ask the Secretary of State for India if the price of locomotives recently ordered in Germany by the East India Railway Company included delivery in India, or are they delivered f.o.b. at a German port: in the latter case will he recommend that they be shipped by British liners whose rates are similar to those current in German companies trading to India. (Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) I am afraid that I must refer the hon. Member to the East India Railway Company for the information which he desires on the subject of the locomotives ordered in Germany by that Company. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I may say that the Government Director will undoubtedly use his influence, so far as it may be compatible with a due regard for the interests of the India taxpayer, in favour of the employment of British firms.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether he can state what firms have been entrusted with contracts for the supply of preserves for seamen, and the quantity contracted for by each firm; whether the contracts contain a fair wages clause; whether any part of the supply has yet been sent in; and whether any of the supplies have been rejected as not being up to the standard in weight or quality. (Answered by Mr. Arnold-Farster.) It is not considered to be for the public interest to furnish the names of the successfu tenderers. Contracts for preserves, in common with all other Admiralty contracts, contain a Fair Wages Clause. O the total quantity of preserves sent in, a small portion, representing about 3 per cent, of the whole, has been rejected as not in accordance with the requirements of the contract.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what progress has been made in determining the designs and arrangements for building the Scouts; and whether he can give particulars as to their dimensions, speed, armament, and coal carrying capacity. (Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) Designs have been received from several firms, and orders for four ships of the new Scout Class have been placed with four of them, conditional upon certain modifications being accepted by them. I speed of 25 knots will be obtained. The armament will consist of ten 12-pounder and eight small automatic guns. The coal supplied will be sufficient for 3,000 knots at 10 knots speed. The exact dimensions of the displacements have not been, determined finally.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the death of Seaman Cosham, which occurred during the firing of a Royal salute at Portsmouth in August last; whether there was. a commissioned officer in charge of the men engaged in firing the salute when the accident occurred; and, if so, will he state why he was not required to give evidence at the inquest which was subsequently held; was the position occupied by Cosham at the time of the accident, viz., astride the muzzle of the gun, in accordance with the regulations laid down by the Admiralty for such occasions; whether there were sufficient warrant officers present to keep all the men engaged under observation; if he can state how many accidents have occurred during the last ten years to men engaged in firing salutes; and what steps the Admiralty have taken, or intend to take, to ensure the observance of regulations on such occasions in future. (Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) A Court of Inquiry has investigated the circumstances attending the accident referred to. There was no commissioned officer in charge of the saluting party, which was placed in charge of a gunner, in accordance with the regulations laid down by the Admiralty for firing salutes. As the men composing a saluting party have always had previous training in their duties, it is not considered that the presence of other warrant officers is necessary. The position astride the muzzle of the gun occupied by Able Seaman Cosham was not in accordance with the regulations, which require that the gun shall be run in for sponging, and orders have been given for the strict observance of this rule in future. I am unable without longer notice to state what accidents have occurred during the last ten years to men engaged in firing salutes; but if the hon. Member will repeat this inquiry next week I will endeavour to give him the information.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of appeals from income tax assessments in the Athlone district which have been lodged this year, also the increased amount assessed over the past year; and whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among traders in the Athlone district at the manner in which the surveyor is increasing their assessments. (Answered by Mr. Ritchie.) The number of appeals for 1902–3 has been 184. The amounts of profits assessed has been £211,160, as against £208,682 in 1901–2, an increase of about £2,500. The Board of Inland Revenue are not aware of any dissatisfaction among the traders of Athlone at the way in which the surveyor has increased their assessments.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet approached the railway companies with reference to the carriage of petroleum spirit and other inflammable liquids; and, if so, with what result. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I have been in communication with the Railway Companies' Association in this matter, and am informed that a meeting to discuss the questions involved has been arranged for tomorrow between the general managers of the several railways and a deputation, representing those interested in this traffic.

To ask the Postmaster General whether he can state when a commencement will be made in the erection of the new Post Office in Lurgan. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain). It is intended to commence the building in the course of next year.

To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that officers of the London Post Office, working on Bank Holiday, 25th instant, have been refused by the Heads of the Department payment in lieu, and are only allowed leave under such restrictions as to lessen considerably the value of the holiday; and whether he will give instructions for carrying out the recommendations of the Tweedmouth Committee, which lays down that an officer that cannot be spared on a Bank Holiday shall have the choice of remuneration or leave in lieu. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I have no reason to think that my directions on this matter are not being properly carried out. If any officer feels aggrieved by them, he should memorialise. me in the usual way, and his case will receive my attention.

To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the Express Companies in the United States have declined to facilitate the arrangements made between the British Post Office and the American Express Company; whether loss will be incurred on many parcels forwarded under the new arrangement; and will he say whether the British Post Office bears any, and. if so, what portion of this loss; and, seeing that the British Post Office undertakes free delivery of parcels to the consignees in the United States, including payment of the United States customs duty, will he say how it protects itself from loss, should the required 10 per cent, deposit prove in-sufficient; and, seeing that the United States customs duty is in nearly all cases far in excess of the amount which would be covered by a 10 per cent, deposit, has the British Post Office arranged for any special facilities to be given for the transit of goods through the United States customs. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I am not aware that the Express Companies in the United States have declined to facilitate the arrangements made with the American Express Company for the exchange of parcels with the United States, nor have I any reason to suppose that the Company will be unable to carry out the obligations into which it has entered. I do not know whether any of these obligations will involve the Company in loss; but they will entail none on the British Post Office. The senders of parcels which are to be delivered free in the United States sign an undertaking which makes them legally responsible for the customs charges. It is this legal responsibility which protects the Post Office in this case, as in others of the same kind. Proper facilities have been secured for the transit of British postal parcels through the United States Customs.

To ask the Postmaster General if he has received a petition from the sorting clerks and telegraphists at Enniskillen, dated 11th September, praying for a revision of their attendances on the ground of the number of early morning duties consequent upon the number of female appointments at that office; and seeing that such duties have since been made divided, and the necessity for the meal relief so avoided, will he seek to provide a remedy by placing Enniskillen on the same basis as other similar towns by reducing the number of female appointments. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The memorial has been received and duly considered. It is not found practicable to make any further improvement in the attendances required of the staff at Enniskillen. The men rotate monthly on the early morning duty, and there is nothing unusual in the arrangements at present in force. The circumstances do not call for a reduction of the number of appointments for women.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction has been called to the fact that the directors of the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland have reduced their rates for freight of coal between Dublin and Mullingar by rail to a rate per ton less than the tolls paid by boat owners to the same Company for each ton of coal carried on the canal; and whether the Department will; exercise its power of appearing before the Railway and Canal Commissioners to have the Canal tolls revised with a view to preserving for the public competition between the two lines of traffic. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Representations have been made to the Department in this matter and are at present under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he has received any telegraphic summary or information from the Colonial authorities representative of the Army as to the overcrowding of the "Drayton Grange;" if so, will he lay it upon the Table; and whether he will undertake to do the same with the Report whenever it may be received by him from Australia. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) No official Report has yet been received from the Colonial authorities as to the inquiry into the case of the "Drayton Grange." I cannot undertake to make any pledges in respect of such Report until I have seen it.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what steps are being taken to put the heavy batteries of the Volunteer force on a footing of efficiency; what progress has been made towards re-arming these batteries; how many 40-pounder guns have been replaced by 4 7 guns, and how many 16-pounder guns by 15-pounder B. L. guns; and whether any 15-pounder guns have either been issued or promised to any corps of Volunteer artillery.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the new 15-pounder B. L. guns, when issued, will be horsed as R.F.A. guns; and whether he can state whether Volunteer batteries, at present horsed as mobile position batteries, but not attached to any Army corps, will have to give up their present method of horsing their guns, and revert to the employment of heavy horses led by drivers on foot. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) Twenty-two batteries of 4 7-inch guns have been issued to Volunteers, and a considerable number are on order. The guns of eleven 40-pounder R. B.L. batteries have been replaced by 4'7-inch guns. No 16-pounder guns have been replaced by 15-pounder guns. Two batteries of 15-pounder B. L. guns have been issued to the Honourable Artillery Company. As regards field guns, the whole question of their issue to the Volunteers and the method of draught is under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any arrangements have yet been made to meet the increase in building in Hong Kong by the appointment of additional inspectors; and, if so, will he say how many inspectors are now appointed. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The Colonial Government have asked that two additional overseers may be sent out from this country to assist in performing the duties imposed upon the Public Works Department by the building ordinances. Candidates for these posts are under consideration, and it is hoped to send out two overseers at an early date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that over-proof spirits, containing from l-26 to 4.31 per cent, of fusil oil, while -5 per cent, of that oil is injurious, are being imported into West Africa; and will he say what steps are being taken to prevent this importation. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The figures quoted by the hon. Member are based on a statement made by the Governor of Lagos, Sir William MacGregor, in his message to the Legislative Council in March last. The over-proof spirits in which a deleteriously high proportion of fusil oil was found were not gin, rum, brandy, or whisky (which the Government chemist, after a long series of analyses, has found to be free from injurious ingredients) but alcohol The Governor is of opinion that alcohol containing a noxious substance like fusil oil in deleterious quantity should be seized and dealt with in such a way that it should not reach the public; but fresh legislation is required to give the Government the necessary powers, and the Governor has informed his Council that a Bill for this purpose will be introduced for their consideration. Inquiry will be made of the Governor as to the progress of the measure referred to.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that two years ago Sir F. Luard publicly stated that steps would be taken to prevent by prohibition rates the importation of liquors into the African Interior via the Lagos Railway; and whether he can say if these rates have been imposed, and with what result. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The importation into Northern Nigeria of spirituous liquors for sale to natives is absolutely prohibited. The present terminus of the Lagos Railway is some seventy miles from the boundary of Lagos and Northern Nigeria, so that, even apart from the general prohibition, the question of direct importation by railway does not arise. The rates at present charged for the conveyance of spirits on the railway are high; higher in fact than the charges for conveyance by other means (carriers and canoes). For instance, the railway rate for spirits from Lagos to Ibadan (the terminus) is 47s. a ton, and the charge for conveyance by carriers, etc., is 40s. 4½d.

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury if ho can say when the Return (Personal Property Contribution to Local Taxation Abroad), ordered by the House, August, 1901, will be presented. (Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) The Return referred to is one setting out the system under which personal property is made to contribute towards local taxation by means of a local income tax or local death duty in the following countries: France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Holland, United States of America, and in all British self-governing Colonies and the Channel Islands. The particulars required for the Return have been asked for by the Foreign and Colonial Offices. Reports have been received by the Foreign Office from France, Prussia, Austria, Belgium, Holland, and United States. These were sent by the Foreign Office to the Local Government Board, who, in returning them, suggested the desirability of further information being obtained on certain points from His Majesty's representatives abroad. The Foreign Office have taken steps for this purpose. The Colonial Office have sent to the Board Reports from all the self-governing Colonies except Cape Colony, Victoria, Tasmania, and New Zealand. These Reports are in course of examination, and will be sent on to the Foreign Office at an early date. A Report as to Jersey has also been forwarded to the Foreign Office. The Return will be made as soon as the information is complete.

To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Spalding Grammar School, No 8050, is recognised under the Board of Education as a secondary day school, Division B, for grants from 16th September last. (Answered by Sir William Anson.) The managers are being informed that the scheme of work has been approved; but that the formal recognition of the school for grants cannot be given until a satisfactory report has been received from the inspector.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any limit of time is fixed within which applications for compensation must be lodged by the Boers who suffered through the military operations in the Transvaal or Orange River Colony; and will he state the nature of the regulations on the subject, and in what manner they have been made known.

A limit of time was fixed by successive notices in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony Gazettes in regard to claims lodged with the military authorities. It has been agreed to waive the time limit where the claimant can show that his failure to comply with the provisions of the notices was due to no negligence of his own. Relief in respect of the war losses, other than those arising from requisitions, suffered by the Boers through the military operations, is being given under Article 10 of the Terms of Surrender, and no time has so far been fixed within which claims in respect of such war losses should be submitted.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the position of the officers of Militia and Yeomanry who were given commissions in the Army for services in the field, and who, on account of age, are placed at a disadvantage as regards their future career in the Army; and, if so, will he state what steps he proposes to take to place them on an equal footing with officers gazetted to the Army from Sandhurst.

Those officers who, on first appointment to commissions granted as rewards for active service, were placed at a disadvantage in respect of age will be considered, after they have served at least three or four years, for promotion to the rank of captain in vacancies which would not be filled by regimental promotion in the ordinary course. Regard will be given to age as well as to efficiency. Four officers have been given captaincies in the garrison regiment, and seven have been appointed lieutenants.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the designs for the two twenty-five-knot vessels to be built by the Cunard Company, for which the Government is to find the money, and also to subsidise, are to be subject to the approval of the Admiralty.

Yes, Sir. So far as naval requirements are concerned, the answer is in the affirmative.

Is it the intention to fit these ships with water-tube boilers, of which the Admiralty so much approve?

I am not aware that that arises out of the Question.

Certainly it does.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether the Madras Railway Company is a Company guaranteed by the Indian Government; whether it has on its board an official of the India Office acting as Government director; whether all tenders for materials and goods consigned to India and for freight are submitted to the approval of the India Office through him; whether payments by the Company for the same are sanctioned by the India Office before payment; whether the India Office takes one-half of the surplus profits of the railway; and whether the Government has the right to take over the railway on 1st April, 1907; and is he aware that about 660 tons of railway material for the Madras railways were shipped from Middles-borough by the German steamship "Rudesheimer" on 4th July, and about 1,280 tons by the German steamship "Goldenfels" on 25th June; can he state whether all the locomotives shipped from Middlesborough for the Madras railways since 1886 have been carried by German steamships, and whether tenders for this freight have been asked from British shipowners, as in the case of other guaranteed Indian railways; if not, can he state why this preference has been given by an Indian Government railway to German firms; and will he take steps to give British steamship owners the opportunity of tendering for such freight in future.

I am afraid that in my recent answer to the hon. Member on this subject, I failed to convey to him the difference between a Government railway on the one hand, and a Company's railway on the other. Both classes of railways exist in India, and the Madras Railway belongs to the latter class. It is therefore managed by a Board of Directors, and all tenders for stores and freight are dealt with by them, and are not submitted for the approval of the India Office. It is true that the payment of interest is guaranteed by the Government of India, and that the Government Director of Railways has a seat at the Board; and his influence has been, and will be, used in favour of British industries, so far as may be consistent with a due regard for the interests of the Indian taxpayer. Beyond this, and except for the purpose of safeguarding Indian interests, I cannot undertake to interfere in the management of the Company in these matters unless I have specific evidence to show that partiality or undue preference has been shown either to those tendering, or in the manner of inviting tenders. In the present case, I am informed that tenders were invited in the usual way.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any negotiations have recently been or are now in progress with a view to securing British management for the harbour of and railway from Delagoa Bay.

No such negotiations have recently been or are now in progress.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what authority expenditure is being incurred and issues are made1 from the Treasury for Terminal charges for South Africa, including transport for returning troops and gratuities to the soldiers; and, seeing that no sums were included in the Estimates for the current year for these purposes, will he say what opportunity will be given for consideration of the necessary Votes in Supply.

The expenditure on terminal services is being incurred with the full cognisance of the Treasury out of the aggregate of existing Army Votes, in accordance with the power conferred by the 5th Section of the annual Appropriation Act. I understand that a Paper will be laid before the House at once purporting to show the anticipated redistribution of funds.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the practice of transferring Votes from one head to another applies in this case, where the amount so transferred is about ten millions; and does he think that that is a proper system of controlling the national expenditure?

It is the usual practice, and is authorised by Act of Parliament.

Is it not a fact that the practice authorised by Parliament is that the Treasury may only transfer what is saved on one Vote to another Vote in the same class?

If the hon. Member desires any further information he should put down a Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department, how many silver medals have been issued since His Majesty's Coronation to the heads of municipalities in the United Kingdom; and what was the cost of each medal.

These Medals are the personal gift of the King, and have been bestowed on such municipal officers as it has pleased His Majesty to direct. My knowledge in the matter does not go beyond the fact that I have, by His Majesty's commands, been the medium of distributing the medals to all the Mayors of the Boroughs of England and Wales.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that Dr. Frederick Morrison, the Medical Referee for the Hartlepool County Court Circuit, appointed by the Home Office under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1897, appeared as a medical witness for the respondent employers in a case under the Act entitled Peart v. Furness, Withy & Co., and in two similar cases tried at the West Hartlepool County Court, on 17th October; that, in consequence of Dr. Morrison so appearing, the Judge sitting as Arbitrator had to call in another medical practitioner as medical referee; and will he say whether it is in accordance with the rules under the Act for a medical referee so to act; and, if so, will he take steps to amend such rules so as to avoid a repetition of such a state of things, and, if it is not in accordance with the rules, will he take steps to remove the name of Dr. Morrison from the list of medical referees.

The conditions on which a Medical Referee holds his appointment under the Workmen's Compensation Act preclude his holding any appointment from an employer or body of employers or workmen which would involve attendance on workmen who come within the provisions of the Act. But it must occasionally happen that a referee, in the course of his ordinary practice, attends a case in which a claim under the Act afterwards arises; and when that happens the rule is that he must not act as referee in that case, but that another referee must be called in. I understand that this is what occurred in the cases mentioned in the hon. Member's Question, and I am assured by the Judge that Dr, Morrison acted with perfect independence and integrity.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the gallantry of four men, who, in order to save life after the colliery explosion at Abertysswg, at once descended the pit, notwithstanding the risk from afterdamp, and to the fact that by their efforts nearly twenty lives were ultimately saved; and will he say whether the Albert Medal is given in such cases; and, if not, whether he will consider whether it may be awarded to miners who voluntarily risk their lives in rescuing others.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the successful efforts to save life after the recent explosion at the Abertysswg Colliery in South Wales, resulting from the action of certain miners, who at once descended the pit, and at the risk of their lives began the work of rescuing the men still living from the firedamp, to the injury of their health; will he say whether such cases are within his power to recognise by the award of the Albert Medal; and, if so, whether he will give it to those first down the pit, if the facts are laid before him.

The suggestion made by hon. Members has already been before me, and I have looked very carefully into the facts of; the case. I fully appreciate the praiseworthy and courageous conduct of each one of the men referred to; but I do ‡ not find—and I say it with regret—that the case is one which I should feel justified in submitting to the King for an award of the Albert Medal.

I beg to ask the ‡ President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a statement made by Mr. Colmer, Secretary to the High Commissioner for Canada, that during the last ten years not a single case of pleuro-pneumonia has been discovered among cattle in the Dominion, and that about 1,000,000 Canadian cattle have been imported into this country in that period, and that Mr. Sewell Bead has pronounced Canadian cattle the healthiest in the world; whether, in view of the diminution in the supply of British stores he will take steps to abrogate the embargo on the sale of Canadian live stores in English and Scottish markets.

The answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Not only Canadian stores, but those of all countries alike are prohibited from entering this country by the provisions of the Act of 1896, and I have no intention of proposing to repeal them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the estimated amount of loss suffered by the farmers of this country through the last attack of foot and mouth disease caused by the importation of cattle from abroad?

Order, order: That does not arise out of the Question.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate, in view of the difficulty experienced by cottars in the Sandwick district of Shetland, and throughout the Highland crofting counties, in obtaining land for house sites, will the Government consider the desirability of introducing legislation such as will give the local authority compulsory powers to obtain land at fair rentals for the requirements of the people.

No representation has been received from the cottars of the Sandwick district of Shetland. The Government do not consider it desirable to introduce legislation in the sense contemplated by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Shetland fishermen have to pay at the rate of£8 per acre for house sites? I hope he will bring it under the notice of the Secretary for Scotland.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state the amount expended by the Congested Districts Board, since its formation, in the acquisition of land in each of the six crofting counties for the purpose of creating new holdings.

The hon. Member's question does not admit of any categorical answer which would not be in a sense misleading. I may, however, state that the amount expended in actual purchase of land has been for Syre (Sutherland), £10,546, and for Barra (Inverness), £7,500; and, further, that all the operations in the direction of extending small holdings, including purchase, have cost up to date nearly £39,000. This includes loans and other repayable sums, but is exclusive of liabilities of considerable amount which have not yet matured.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the feeling amongst fishermen in the north of Scotland that the three-mile limit should be extended, he will state on what ground he declines to recommend that the signatories to the North Sea Convention be approached on the subject.

The hon. Member raises a point of policy in regard to negotiations with Foreign Powers into which I must decline to enter in reply to a Question.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if the Secretary for Scotland will consider the expediency of deputing an inspector of the Local Government Board to visit the Island of Lewis, for the purpose of inspecting congested districts and conferring with the local authority, the medical officers of health, and the sanitary inspector, with a view to the removal of hovels such as that in which a man named Mackay recently died of typhus fever, in the district of Ness, Island of Lewis.

The general question of the sanitary condition of the Lewis is receiving the consideration of the Local Government Board. Certain aspects of the question are dealt with in the special Report on the Lewis by the Crofter's Commission which has just been presented to Parliament, and if the Secretary for Scotland thinks further information is required, he will consider what course it is expedient to pursue. I understand the local authority have already taken action, with a view to the destruction of the house in which Mackay dwelt.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board have not taken the trouble to send a single inspector of that Board to the Island of Lewis — the most congested district in the Highlands of Scotland.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Congested Districts Board have yet been able to obtain from Sir John Wolfe Barry, C.E., a report on the condition of Portness Harbour, Island of Lewis; and, if not, will he say when the question is likely to receive that gentleman's attention.

Sir John Wolfe Barry intimated, on 17th October, his regret that his engagements will not permit of his visiting Port Ness Harbour. The Congested Districts Board are considering as to another engineer.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that quantities of small arms and ammunition are being despatched from Birmingham to Ireland, and that a circular on the subject has been issued to Birmingham manufacturers by the chief constable of that city; and will he state what steps are being taken, under the Peace Preservation Act of 1881, to prevent such arms and ammunition from falling into the hands of unauthorised persons.

Small arms and ammunition are consigned from Birmingham in the ordinary course of trade. The Act of 1881 and Orders in Council issued thereunder, prescribe the conditions upon which arms and ammunition shall be admitted into Ireland. A few firms in Birmingham had omitted, from ignorance of the law, to comply with these conditions, and the Circular in question was issued to direct their attention to these statutory requirements. The police are aware of the names and addresses of persons in Ireland to whom arms are consigned by manufacturers and dealers, and all necessary precautions are taken to ensure that only authorised persons shall keep arms. The provisions of the Act of 1881 and of the regulations issued thereunder are clear and stringent, and there is no reason whatever to suppose that they are ineffectual for the purposes for which they were designed.

Is it not a fact that the great bulk of these arms have been sent to Belfast for the Orange rioters?

Order, order‡ That is not a proper Question to put.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many acres of land have been purchased by the Congested Districts Board from January, 1900, to the present date; how many acres have been divided amongst tenant purchasers, and how many acres remain undivided in the hands of the Board.

I hope to have this information by Thursday next, when I will communicate it to the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been called to the statement of Mr. Thomas Mahon, at the last quarterly meeting of the Mahon, District Council, that an unexpended balance of £3,000 to the credit of the Mohill Rural District has been appropriate‡ I by the county at large; anil whether, in view of the unanimous resolution of the District Council on this subject, the Local Government Board will direct a sworn inquiry into the matter.

The statement in question has been referred by the Board to the auditor of the county accounts with a view to his investigating the matter, and, if necessary, taking such steps as will safeguard the interests of the Rural Distiict Council.

Why not have a sworn inquiry at which evidence can be taken?

I am investigating the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether any disturbance took place in the City of Cork on the occasion of his visit to the Exhibition; and whether, in view of the present state of that city and the recommendation of the Lord Mayor, he is prepared to name the date when the proclamation of Cork under the Crimes Act will be withdrawn.

The reply to this Question is in the negative.

I think there must be some misapprehension. Was not Mr. William O'Brien there at the head of 10,000 men?

Order, order‡ The Question has been answered, and the hon. Member must not proceed to argue.

But we were told that Mr. O'Brien was there at the head of 10,000 men.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received from the Westport Rural District Council a report setting forth a solution of the Land Question on the lines of compulsory purchase, and an equitable division of the waste grazing lands, and whether he can state if he is prepared to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

I have nothing to add to my repeated repudiations of compulsory purchase and impracticable projects for taking away the property of large farmers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to introduce into his Land Bill a Clause dealing with waste grazing lands?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the loss occasioned to the city of Waterford by the system of charging tolls on passengers and goods crossing the bridge over the Suir; and whether he intends to promote legislation in this session to remedy this state of matters.

The matter is engaging attention. On the representation of the Corporation of Waterford, inquiry has been directed under 4 and 5 Will. IV., c. 61.

Will the Government grant any relief in this case?

I do not imagine that that question arises at all. It is a question of two counties combining to have a bridge across the river.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the presentation of white gloves to the County Court Judge in Cavan and Leitrim, he is prepared to withdraw the Crimes Act proclamations in these counties.

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Poor Law Association of Ireland have sent resolutions to the Local Government Board asking to have inspectors and auditors appointed in future from members of the Poor Law Service; and whether the request contained in these resolutions has been complied with.

Such resolutions have been passed. In filling vacancies on its staff, the Board proceeds on the principle of selecting the persons whom it considers best qualified for these positions.

Is the Poor Law Service to be the only service in which promotions are not given to the officials?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if he will proceed forthwith with the Local Government (Ireland) Bill, having regard to the wishes of Irish ratepayers on the subject.

I must refer the hon. Member to a recent reply of the Prime Minister.†

The hon. Gentleman can get the Bill through now in ten minutes. It means a saving of £25,000 a year to the taxpayers.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many prosecutions for unlawful assembly have taken place during the last two years under The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887, in the city of Belfast.

It has not been found necessary to institute proceedings under this provision of the Act in Belfast. Persons who break the law I there are made amenable under the ordinary law, and receive exemplary punishment.

Are not the assemblies in Belfast, every Sunday, just as un-lawful as the one for which I was sent to gaol?

I beg to ask the I Secretary of State for War whether he can state how much was realised by the sale of the martello tower at Brighton Vale, in the Blackrock district; and how much of the proceeds has been refunded to the Urban Council.

The reply to the first part of the Question is £300; the reply to the second part is, None.

Is the noble Lord prepared to sell as a job lot the rest of the fortifications?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, as Article XII. of the Brussels Convention provides that the fulfillment

† See page 828.

As the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, the sanction of Parliament is not required for the ratification of this Treaty. I should have preferred to bring in legislation to give effect to it in the course of the present session, but that is quite out of the question, and, therefore, legislation must be deferred to a more convenient season.

Am I right in understanding that the right hon. Gentleman does not intend either to introduce any legislation or to submit any resolution which would give the House an opportunity of expressing its opinion on this matter?

I think I have clearly said that we do propose to introduce a resolution.

Will it be a financial resolution?

It will not be a financial resolution in the sense of being required to be brought in in Committee of the House.