To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if the representative of the Historical Manuscripts Commission has reported on the matter of the Manuscripts of the Irish Franciscans; and, if so, what is the nature I of his report; and what steps will now be taken to publish the manuscripts. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The report of the inspector sent to Dublin to examine the manuscripts of the Irish Franciscans has only just been received, and the Historical Manuscripts Commissioners are now considering how they can best carry into effect his recommendations. His report states that there is a good three months work still to be done over and above the rearrangement of the papers which he considers advisable, before a satisfactory report upon the manuscripts could be placed in the printer's hands. Every effort will be made to complete the publication as soon as possible.

; To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the Consuls in foreign countries to be careful that the weights, measures, and values contained in their reports are rendered as nearly as possible in English terms. (Answered by Earl Percy.) His Majesty's Consuls have been recently reminded of their instructions in regard to this matter.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the Consul at Berbera to report as speedily as possible on the adaptability of the district around Tokar for growing cotton, and the method he would suggest for inducing the inhabitants to take up its culture, and also report on the best means for its transit to England. (Answered by Earl Percy.) The question is engaging the attention of Lord Cromer. I shall be happy to confer with the hon. Member on the subject.

To ask the Postmaster-General if the Government are aware of the inadequacy of accommodation provided at Lerwick post office for the employees and for the public; and, if so, when the construction of a new building may be looked for. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) I am aware of the inadequacy of the accommodation provided in the present post office at Lerwick, and am taking steps to obtain a site for a new building as soon as possible.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that ex-postman Patrick J. Cahill, of Dublin, passed the Civil Service examination in September, 1871, secured his appointment to the establishment, as messenger, in London, and continued in that capacity (having in March. 1872, been transferred to Dublin) until March, 1875; that he was then allocated the duty which for about twenty years previously had been performed by an established postman; and, if so, whether, having regard to his claim on the Department, as secured by his Civil Service certificate and appointment to the establishment in September, 1871, and to the fact that he was not required to pass any further examination, he will explain the grounds on which the Department refuses to treat as pensionable his certificated service from September, 1871, to September, 1878. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) Cahill was a boy messenger up till 1875, when he became an auxiliary postman. Service as boy messenger is not pensionable. The auxiliary duty which he performed from 1875 to 1878 was only part time duty and was also not pensionable. This duty had been performed from 1873 to 1875 by another auxiliary postman and not by an established postman. Previous to 1873 it had formed part of an established postman's duty, but a rearrangement was made in that year under which the established duty was split up. Although Cahill had to obtain a Civil Service certificate in 1871 for appointment as boy messenger, a further certificate became necessary and was obtained for him when he was appointed tot he establishment. It was only from the time when he began to perform a full time adult duty that his service could be reckoned for pension.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will explain why it is proposed to curtail the opportunities at present given to telegraphists to obtain appointments in the engineering department by recruiting the office staffs in this section from boy copyists. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The question of the manner in which the staff of the engineer's offices shall be recruited is under consideration. I am not prepared to say at present what proposals will be made.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will give the date and number of the Post Office Circular in which applications were invited for the postmaster ship of Castle Douglas; and if he will state the number of applicants for the position. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The vacancy was not notified in the Post Office Circular, as I filled it by the appointment of the Assistant Secretary to the Natal Post Office. This officer had been transferred to the Colonial service from the Post Office service in London; and, as he had gained much useful experience and rendered excellent service in Natal, I was glad to be able to comply with his application for reappointment to a post in this country.

To ask the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the surcharges made by the Department under the halfpenny postal rate on open order forms where the word "send" has been employed, whilst the words "per Sutton" are permitted to pass under the halfpenny rate; and, if so, will he give directions for remedying the inconvenience caused to traders by the delay of such correspondence as well as by its surcharge. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The surcharges to which the hon. Member refers are in accordance with the published regulations of the halfpenny post. In framing these new regulations, under which the public are allowed to write in orders for goods sent for a halfpenny various particulars, including an indication of the mode of consignment of the goods, such as "per Sutton" it was not found practicable to permit the insertion of manuscript instructions such as send, although this would of course pass if printed. Attention has been recently called to the regulations on these points both in the Post Office Guide and by the exhibition of notices in every post office.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps in pursuance of the Report of the Select Committee on the Aged Pensioners Bill last session either to carry out the general recommendations of the Committee, by initiating a scheme of pensions with the restrictions and machinery suggested in the Report, or else to give effect to the special recommendations of the Committee as to the separation of the aged and infirm poor, now in workhouses, from paupers who are imbecile, and the provision of special treatment in cottage homes, or otherwise. (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I am afraid that I cannot hold out any expectation that the Government will propose legislation, during the present session, for the purpose of giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee. It is competent for the guardians to provide separate accommodation for the indoor poor who are aged and infirm, and I readily give attention to any proposals made to me by a board of guardians for this purpose.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Local Government Board have refused their consent, under Section 60 of The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, to a sale by the London County Council to the Middlesex County Council of land required for the widening of Lordship Lane, Tottenham; whether consent is withheld in spite of the fact that the Middlesex County Council has compulsory powers of purchase, under their Light Railways Order and because the Board require the sale to be made under the provisions of The Lands Clauses Act, 1845; and will he explain why the County Council of Middlesex should be put to the cost attending the payment into and out of Court involved by procedure under this Act. (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I am aware of the case referred to and of the powers of the Middlesex County Council under their Light Railways Order. I am, however, advised that the proposed transaction must be carried out under The Lands Clauses Act, 1845, and that no consent on the part of the Local Government Board, under Section 60 of The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. would obviate the need for complying with the procedure under the Act of 1845.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sentences have been passed on adults under which those sentenced have been directed to receive strokes with the birch during the last twelve months, and on what occasions. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) The Returns for 1903 have not yet all been received, and I cannot therefore answer the Question as regards the last twelve months. In 1902 the number of persons above the age of sixteen sentenced to be birched was four. Three were cases under The Garrotters Act, 1863, and one was a case under The Vagrancy Act, 1824.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many petitions have been presented under Clause 3, Sub-sections 1 and 5, of the Patents Act, 1902: and what has been the result. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) Three petitions have been presented to the Board of Trade under the section in question. One petition has been withdrawn by the petitioner. The other two are still pending. I am considering whether any steps should be taken to call public attention to the provisions of the Act.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the wreck of the schooner "William S. Green," at Downend, near Croyde, on the North Devon coast, and to the inquest held on the 23rd inst. on the bodies of the men drowned by reason of the wreck; and, if so, whether he will order an inquiry by the Board of Trade into the circumstances of the wreck, and will see that such inquiry shall embrace the question of the efficiency of the coastguard service in the vicinity of the disaster. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the case of the "William S. Green" to which the hon. Member refers, and I have ordered a formal investigation to be held into the circumstances which will, of course, embrace the efficiency of the coastguard in so far as it has any bearing on the case.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that Crown lands belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster, in Yorkshire, are being sold as freehold building sites; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to prevent this perpetual alienation of land now in possession of the Crown. (Answered by Sir William Walrond.) The Chancellor and Council of the Duchy have occasionally sanctioned the sale of plots of land for building, in districts in which houses are much required, but in which there is a strong disinclination to take building leases. There seems to be no reason why the Chancellor and Council should not pursue the same course in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has now obtained from the Turkish Government the amounts claimed by British-Indian subjects robbed by brigands on the highway between Jeddah and Mecca in the years 1889 to 1902; and whether His Majesty's Government will confer with the Netherlands Government as to the measures to be taken for the protection of the Mahommedan, Dutch, and British subjects who are this year preparing to visit the shrines at Mecca and Medina on their journey between Jeddah and those places. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) As stated in this House by my predecessor, in reply to a Question on the 18th of March last,† the claims of British-Indian pilgrims for losses by robbery in the Hedjaz, between 1892 and 1898, have been settled. His Majesty's Government have not, since that date, received any further information in regard to such claims. His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople will be requested to inquire into the matter, and to report whether, in his opinion, there is any necessity for the adoption of measures such as those suggested in the last paragraph of the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in conformity with the undertaking given last session, he will direct the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to have the average reduced from sixty to fifty to qualify for an assistant in national schools; will he state the number of teachers in each of the new grades in which they have been recently placed;

† See(4) Debates, cxix., 1102.

and whether it is the intention of the Commissioners in future to insist on the same standard of proficiency in all schools in order to qualify for the promotion of a teacher to a higher grade. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Respecting the first part of the Question, I must refer to my reply to the similar inquiry addressed to me on the 17th instant by the hon. Member for North Cork†. The following are the number of teachers as recognised in the different grades at present:—

(A.) Principals.
Grade.	Men.	Women
I. (1)	273	216
I. (2)	429	284
II.	1,435	1,017
III.	2,467	2,135
(B.) Assistants.
I. (1)	17	10
I. (2)	14	18
II.	14	28
III.	1,043	2,635

The inspectors are directed when furnishing reports on schools to take into consideration (a) the locality of the schools; (b) the condition of the school house and premises; (c) the equipment of the schools; (d) the teaching staff; and (e)the social condition, ages, &c, of the pupils, when forming an estimate of the work done in the schools. Subject to these conditions the inspectors are to use the words excellent, very good, good, fair, middling, or bad, to express their opinion on the schools they inspect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonics whether he will state, in view of the operation of the Sugar Convention, whether the exports of sugar from the British West Indies to the United Kingdom have increased; and whether he has any official information showing that the position of the West Indian sugar growers is improved. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The imports into the United Kingdom of sugar from the British West Indies,

† See page 19.

including British Guiana and British Honduras, during the five months (September to January) since the Brussels Convention came into force have been 11,261 tons, as compared with 7,953 tons in the corresponding period a year earlier. As a matter of fact, therefore, there has been an increase in the exports of sugar to this country since the commencement of the Convention. A comparison of this nature can, however, be of no practical value until after the close of the crop season, which commenced at the beginning of this year; and even then it will be misleading unless allowance is made for the difference in the size of the crops of the years compared, for the effect of the treaty between the United States and Cuba, and also for the conditions affecting the Canadian market. As regards the second part of the Question, I have not, and am not likely, for some time to come, to have any official information showing any definite improvement in the position of the West Indian sugar planter resulting from the Convention. The existence of large surplus stocks of sugar in the home market necessarily retards the natural operation of the abolition of bounties, while the Cuban treaty has placed the British West Indian planter at a great disadvantage in the United States market.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the loss to British shareholders in the four British banks in Pretoria by reason of the commandeering of gold by the then South African Government in 1900 to the amount of £255,000, he will reconsider his decision in the: matter. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) My predecessor considered this question on two separate occasions and decided against the claim of the banks. I have again thoroughly gone into the matter, and, while greatly regretting the loss sustained, have been unable to come to. any different conclusion.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he could expedite the repairs to H.M.S. "Buzzard," so as to save members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve the time and trouble of going to the docks to drill. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) Instructions have already been given for the completion of the refit of H.M.S. "Buzzard" by an early date, and I am afraid that no further action is possible in this direction without disorganising other very important work in progress in the dockyard.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will say on what vessels was re-boilering work commenced during the year 1903, and what vessels have the Admiralty decided to re-boiler in the near or immediate future. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The following are the vessels on which re-boilering work was commenced during the year 1903:—Three torpedo gunboats ("Circe," "Leda," and "Halcyon"). One special service vessel ("Wildfire"). Fourteen first class torpedo boats. Boilers for subsidiary or instructional services were also fitted in "Invincible," "Nelson," "Northumberland," "Ariadne" (Old), and "Espiegle" (Old). The re-boilering of the following vessels will be undertaken during the coming financial year:—One special service vessel ("Magnet"). One tug ("Alligator"). Twenty-six first class torpedo boats. Boilers for subsidiary or instructional services will also be fitted in the following ships next financial year:—"Hector," "Warrior," "Triumph."

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will say what ships have been under repair in private dockyards throughout the year 1903. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The following ships were undergoing refit in private dockyards during the year 1903:—Pour battleships ("Colossus," "Howe," "Canopus," "Glory"). Six first class cruisers ("Niobe," "Crescent," "St. George," "Aurora," "Terrible," "Endymion"). Two second class cruisers ("Hermes," "Astraea"). Two third class cruisers ("Pelorus," "Psyche"). Three gunboats ("Jason," "Leda," "Circe"). Six destroyers ("Dove," "Leopard," "Spitfire," "Teazer," "Flirt," "Wizard"). Two gunvessels ("Hecla," "Halcyon"). Bight torpedo boats. In addition to the above, several ships were sent to private firms for small repairs during the year.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment are to be quartered in huts on Crown Hill, and not in Raglan Barracks, on their arrival in Devonport.

In July last my right hon. friend the Postmaster-General expressed a hope that it would be possible to quarter a battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in its own county. An opportunity of giving effect to this intention has now arisen, and the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment will be quartered in Devon-port. The question of what particular barracks shall be assigned to the Battalion is one for the decision of the Field Marshal commanding the 2nd Army Corps.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether soldiers enlisted for three years are now being sent to India in the hope of their re-engaging; and whether, in the event of their not doing so, the cost of their passage home will be made a charge on the British taxpayer; what the cost per head of such men will be to England and India respectively in the event of their not re-engaging; and whether the policy of sending such men to India has received the sanction of the Indian military authorities.

A certain number of men who have not extended are being sent to India. Should they not extend in India the extra cost of passage will fall on the Home Government. The relative extra cost depends on the period during which they serve in India, but the precise adjustment has not yet been settled. The policy of sending such men to India, under present circumstances, has received the assent of the Indian Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the number of these men?

No, Sir, it varies from day to day.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of bringing to the notice of the Army Council the expenditure caused by the creation of a Central Office at the Ordnance Factories, and the increase of the emoluments of the civil staff, resulting in an increased annual charge of £60,000; and whether he will consider the desirability of placing under the control of the Master-General of the Ordnance the entire staff employed in the Ordnance Factories.

The creation of the Central Office at the Ordnance Factories, which took place in 1889, has thrown no increased charge upon the public, but has led to substantial economies. I do not understand the figures quoted by the hon. and gallant Member. The entire staff of the Ordnance Factories has been for the past five years under the control of the Director-General of Ordnance; and the question of their future control is included in the consideration of the War Office Reorganisation Committee, who have not yet reported upon this point.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what number of Imperial Yeomanry, who went out to South Africa during the war, took their discharge there with the intention of settling in the country.

The number was 2,638.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the General Commanding the district that the recruits of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Innis-killing Fusiliers (the Donegals) shall be this year called up for preliminary training at Omagh instead of at Bally-shannon, the headquarters of the battalion; will he state whether the recruits of this regiment have on any occasion hitherto been trained at Omagh; whether separation and other allowances will be made to the members of the permanent staff brought away from their families to Omagh; whether he is aware that the recruits during training will be deprived of the use of the rifle range at Finner, Ballyshannon; and will he say whether he has received any representations from the people] of Ballyshannon on the subject.

The recruits of this battalion are to do their preliminary drill at Omagh. From the records of the last thirty years it does not appear that the recruits have on any previous occasion trained at Omagh. Separation and other usual allowances will be granted. Musketry, both for recruits and trained militiamen, will take place at Finner Camp. A memorial on this subject was received in the War Office two days ago from the Town Commissioners at Ballyshannon, and is being dealt with.

Why has this transfer of the place of training been insisted on?

It is a matter within the discretion of the Field Marshal Commanding in Ireland to be decided on purely military grounds, and I am not prepared to interfere.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the women and children who may accompany Chinese coolies indentured under the Ordinance to work in South Africa, will be under the same proscriptions as to residence in a particular place, and as to leave of absence being granted only for forty-eight hours by special licence, as the coolies themselves; and, if so, whether the women and children will be subject to the same penalties as the coolies themselves for breach of the regulations.

The Ordinance contemplates the application of the same conditions and restrictions to a wife or any member of the family of a labourer as far as practicable. The means for carrying out such conditions is a matter for regulations under the Ordinance.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will become in South Africa of the children male and female of coolies, indentured under the Ordinance for work in the South African mines, when they reach their sixteenth birthday.

This matter is receiving consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say when he will be in a position to lay upon the Table the Chinese Labour Ordinance and Regulations in their first complete and operative form.

I am notable to name a date.

Will there beany long delay?

No.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the regulations will be laid on the Table before any Chinese are recruited?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any communications respecting the Chinese Labour Ordinance were despatched either to Lord Milner or to the Lieutenant-Governor of the Transvaal subsequent to the debate on the Amendment to the Address dealing with the introduction of indentured Chinese labour into the Transvaal; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the communications.

I have been in communication with Lord Milner since the debate and propose shortly to lay further Papers.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before the Third Reading of the Transvaal Ordinance was taken, there were communications between the Home Government and the Transvaal Government as to the retention of Clause 34 that relates to British-Indians; and whether the retention of that clause in the Ordinance was sanctioned by the Home Government and the Indian Government.

The answer is in the affirmative. Lord Milner was informed by me on behalf of His Majesty's Government that the clause should be regarded as a temporary provision, and the India Office has not raised objection to its retention as a temporary measure.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will direct the Governor of Hong-Kong to revise and alter, under the provisions of Section 3 of the Chinese Passengers Act, 1852, Schedule A of that Act, and in particular whether more modern drugs will be substituted for the calomel, jalap, blue pill, and Epsom salts, prescribed for the Chinese under that schedule.

The-Hong-Kong Ordinance 1. of 1889 repeals the drastic and somewhat antiquated schedule, and requires the provision of suitable medicines and medical stores to the satisfaction of the emigration officer, who by the Ordinance is empowered to take the advice of a medical expert.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the regulations to be promulgated under the Transvaal Labour Ordinance will provide for a fixed maximum number of days labour in the year, and for a fixed maximum number of hours of work per day for each indentured labourer; and whether they will set out the rates of wages to be paid.

I am communicating with Lord Milner on the subjects in the hon. Member's Question. The mining regulations already in force strictly limit Sunday labour. In addition to the British officer appointed by Government to supervise the emigration from China the Chinese Government propose to appoint a Chinese Protector of Emigrants whose duty, among other things, will be to safeguard the interests of Chinese subjects in regard to wages and all other incidents of his contract.

May I ask whether there is any Labour Ordinance in force in any other British colony in which the limitation of hours and the question of wages is not specifically stated in the Ordinance itself?

I must have notice of that Question. There are more than 150 Ordinances.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence between the High Commissioner of South Africa and the Government of India relative to the importation of Indian coolie labour into the Transvaal.

The correspondence on this subject is not yet complete. It is therefore not proposed to lay it at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the power referred to by his predecessor on the 29th April, 1903, of intercepting and opening letters, documents, and parcels in the Transvaal, has been exercised during the last six months; and, if so, in how many instances; and has the proposed amendment of the Ordinance relating to this power been carried out.

The power in question has not been exercised during the last six months in any instance. The Ordinance has not yet been amended.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs have His Majesty's Government any information that negotiations have recently been begun and are now proceeding between the German and the Russian Governments for an arrangement whereby, in return for certain advantages afforded to Russia by Germany, during the hostilities with Japan, Russia will give support to Germany in respect of the construction of the Bagdad railway and of the general extension of German predominance in Asia Minor.

The answer is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can say why the letter in reference to Chinese labour in South Africa from the Chinese Ambassador, which was written on the 12th February, was only presented to Members in a Parliamentary Paper on the 18th February, the day after the debate on Chinese labour.

The publication of the note of the 12th February from the Chinese Minister was delayed in order that the letter from the Colonial Office, of the 15th, should be laid at the same time. One hundred copies of the Parliamentary Paper were sent to the House of Commons on the 16th, and the remaining copies were delivered at the Vote Office at mid-day on the 17th.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies has he instructed the Colonial authorities at Colombo to detain in Ceylon the 325 Russian sailors rescued from the naval action at Chemulpo; and, if so, will he state by virtue of what authority His Majesty's Government propose to detain these men; will they be treated in the same way as prisoners of war, and how will their detention be enforced.

The sailors in question took refuge on board a British man-of-war at Chemulpo. In these circumstances, should no other arrangement be arrived at by mutual consent between the combatants, His Majesty's Government believe that they would best fulfil the obligations of a neutral Power by interning these men in British territory until the conclusion of the war. The Japanese Government have, however, intimated that they are willing that the men should be allowed to return to Russia on their giving their parole that they will take no further part in the war. His Majesty's Government are in correspondence with the Russian Government as to the possibility of disposing of the matter upon this basis.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs can he explain in what way the Suez Canal Convention of October, 1888, is held by His Majesty's Government capable of being invalidated or hindered in its operation by reserves made by His Majesty's Government in 1885, three years previous to the signature and ratification of that Convention, or by the renewal of those reserves in 1887, one year before its signature and ratification; have the other Powers concerned accepted the claim of His Majesty's Government to override a Convention by reserves previously made, or expressed their views thereon; and, if so, can the Papers embodying those views be laid upon the Table; do His Majesty's Government hold themselves entitled to adopt, or to assent to, the adoption by the Egyptian Government, for the Suez Canal in time of war, rules and regulations inconsistent with the Convention of 1888; and are the regulations issued by the Egyptian Government on the 10th instant consistent therewith.

The Convention was signed and ratified by His Majesty's Government subject to the reservations already made by them. In view of these reservations the other Signatory Powers have abstained from any steps for the purpose of bringing the Convention into active operation. There are no Papers on the subject that can be presented to Parliament. His Majesty's Government have no intention of adopting or assenting to the adoption of rules inconsistent with the general principles laid down in the Convention with regard to the navigation of the Canal in time of war, and the rules recently issued are in entire agreement with those principles.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay upon the Table of the House the conditions under which a concession of land was offered the Zionists last year; if he will state the extent of such concession, and where situate; and if the offer is still open.

I will consider what Papers can be laid. The precise extent and situation of the area offered to the Zionists and the character of the local autonomy to be exercised by them has not yet been finally determined. The answer to the last paragraph of the Question is in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay upon the Table of the House all reports from local officers on the question of land concession and native reserves in East Africa.

The opinions and suggestions of local officers in regard to questions of land concession and native reserves formed the basis of the Crown Lands Ordinance, 1902, and of the various rules and notices which have been issued in connection therewith. These regulations have all been published, and His Majesty's Government do not propose to lay any Papers on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that cotton planting in Central Africa is being retarded by the scarcity of labour; and whether, having regard to the importance of encouraging the growth of cotton within the British Empire, he will reconsider the sanction given by him to the recruiting in the British Central African Protectorate of 5,000 natives for the Transvaal mines.

The reports received from our officials in British Central Africa do not indicate that there is any scarcity of labour. His Majesty's Government therefore see no reason to reconsider the sanction which they have given to additional recruitment for the Transvaal mines.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state the amount expended on the new telephone system; whether that system is now completed; and, if not, will he explain why hundreds of men, many with a record of long service, have been discharged.

The expenditure on the London Telephone Exchange System amounted to £1,495,602 on the 31st December last. The system is not complete. Its extension is dependent on the provision of further funds by Parliament, and I hope shortly to move a Resolution for leave to introduce a Bill to provide additional capital for this purpose. It has been necessary to restrict the expenditure on telephone works in London, and to reduce the number of workmen employed, in order to avoid exceeding the expenditure authorised by Parliament. If, as I hope, further expenditure is authorised at an early date, the works will be pressed forward as rapidly as possible.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that certain women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office, London, have been informed that their services are to be discontinued, and that some of these telegraphists have been employed for a number of years in this department, and have proved themselves efficient during this period, he can take steps to retain their services.

The services of most of the women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office have been retained up to the present, and so far as they can be usefully employed their services will be continued, but, owing to the diminution of telegraph work in that office, it is doubtful whether this course can be justified much longer.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will explain why mechanics and learners have been discharged from the Holloway Instrument Factory during the past two years owing to alleged slackness of work, seeing that the factory and also the old Parkhurst Theatre are at present full of instruments made by a Swedish firm.

The factory at Holloway is primarily a factory for repairs, although some of the more delicate instruments, such as the Wheatstone, are made there. The instruments to which the hon. Member refers would not in any case be made at this factory. The discharge of workmen depends on fluctuations in the work. As a matter of fact, the total number is now about fifty more than it was two years ago.

Cannot the instruments be made in London?

All that we require cannot be made in England. We get all we can at home, but have to go abroad for the rest. There are certain instruments we require which are the property of patentees in foreign countries, and which can only be obtained in those countries.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause instructions to be issued by the Joint Boards of Customs and Inland Revenue for permits attached to all blends leaving bond to truthfully describe the composition of such blends, whether in cask or in bottle, with a view to letting the public know what they are consuming.

No, Sir; the Revenue authorities cannot undertake to do more than prohibit the use of any labels implying a Government guarantee of accuracy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the character of the frauds which are perpetrated in bond? Is he satisfied to connive at these frauds?

I must ask for notice of any further Questions.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can state what changes have recently been made in the ventilation and cleaning of the House of Commons, and what further alterations of system are proposed to ensure the better health of Members.

I have to invite the attention of the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. friend the Member for Dumbartonshire on the 5th instant. † I may add that the cleaning arrangements affecting the Chamber have been placed under a single control. Experiments are being continued for testing the atmosphere of the Chamber as regards the presence of bacteria. Besides more frequent cleaning of the matting on the floor, disinfection will be daily applied.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what is the object of the construction of earth and shrubs in Hyde Park, near to the Magazine, which has abstracted half or a whole acre from the amenities enjoyed by the public; is there any intention to cut a road from Buckingham Palace to Piccadilly through the Green Park; and, if so, by whose authority is it to be done, and is it too late to be countermanded.

In regard to the first part of the Question, I have to refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to my hon. friend the Member for Stoke on Monday last.† The reply to the latter part is in the negative.

:I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether, as those managers of a voluntary school who are appointed by the local authorities are personally liable for the repairs of the fabric of the schools equally with the foundation managers, and as there is no way by which they can avoid this liability except by refusing their consent to repairs, he will take steps to amend the Education Act of 1902, by relieving the managers appointed by local authorities from liability.

† See (4) Debates, cxxix., 473.

‡See page 536.

The hon. Member's Question is based on a misapprehension. No manager is personally liable for the cost of repairs to the fabric unless he makes himself so by becoming a party to a contract. Managers appointed by local authorities need have no difficulty in renouncing from the outset any liability for the cost of these repairs: the foundation managers could not then be regarded as their agents to commit them to any such liability. There is no reason why local authority managers should not, under these conditions, agree to the necessity for repairs without incurring personal liability for the expenditure.

Are they held liable unless they gave notice to the effect that they are not liable?

It is easy for them to give notice through the public Press, and to have their renunciation recorded on the minutes of the managers' meetings.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, whether, in view of recent fires in schools, the Education Department is enjoining on school boards the necessity of precautions against fire; and whether they have considered the advisability of fire drill for the children.

The Department is convinced that school boards generally are fully alive to the necessity of precautions against fire. It is one of the points most carefully considered in connection with the approval of school plans. Whether fire drill is possible is a question which school managers must decide; but no school would be considered to be efficiently organised in which the orderly and expeditious clearing of classrooms upon a given signal was not regularly practised.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, as representing the Lord Chancellor, whether, in view of the fact that the system of competitive examination for the position of clerks in the King's Bench and other Divisions of His Majesty's Courts in Ireland is not in practice, and that recently a retired army officer on pension was appointed to a clerkship without passing any competitive examination, he will say on whose recommendation this officer was appointed, and if he will take steps to secure that in all future appointments a public competitive examination for these positions shall take place.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Save where expressly excepted by statute the senior clerkships in the different Divisions of the High Court of Justice in Ireland are filled by competition, and that rule has not been departed from. Recently, however, a clerk in the King's Bench Division was selected for transfer to another Department, and pending his passing the examination for the latter office he was given leave of absence without salary. Thereupon a supernumerary writing clerk, already attached to the King's Bench Division, who appears to be a retired officer of His Majesty's Forces, was, by the President of the Division, acting under one of the Rules of Court, required to discharge temporarily the duties of the absent clerk. This is probably the case referred to. Should the transfer be completed the clerkship thereby rendered vacant in the King's Bench Division will be filled up in the ordinary way by open competition.

Am I to take it, then, that this officer is temporarily employed and will not remain permanently in this position?

He cannot be made permanent until he is qualified by statute.

Who has the power of nomination in this case?

I have answered the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Ennistymon guardians in which it is asked by what authority Sergeants Coyne, Brennan, and Breden of the Royal Irish Constabulary questioned members of the clothing committee as to their reasons for rejecting clothing supplied by a contractor to the workhouse; and whether he will say by what authority the police acted in this matter.

The three sergeants named discussed this matter, which excited local interest, with some members of the clothing committee in the course of casual conversation. No inquiry was made, or directed to be made.

Had the police any power to interfere with the discretion of this committee?

No. Persons occupying official positions should be discreet in any action they take, but you cannot always secure that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that John Shanahan, of Boskill, Cahirconlish, county Limerick, at the inquiry in Limerick No. 1 District Council on the 7th Scheme under the Labourers Acts was unsuccessful in obtaining an additional half acre by reason of the fact that he had left his cottage for some months but with his sister in charge of it; and whether, seeing that he returned after those few months, can he arrange that Shanahan may obtain the additional half acre which is situated on Mrs. Minchin's grass lands amounting to 230 acres.

There is no ower now to authorise the acquisition of an additional allotment in this case, the Provisional Order having been made absolute. It will be open, however, to the district council when formulating a fresh scheme to renew the proposal in this respect.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why the police under charge of the county inspector whilst attending near Doonbeg, county Clare, on the 11th inst., to prevent a breach of the peace between the owners of land and employees of the railway company, whom the former believed to be illegally interfering with their property, identified themselves with one of the parties to the dispute, and with force drove back the people from the assertion by lawful means of what they are advised to be their legal rights.

The farmers on the occasion mentioned assembled with pitchforks, sticks, and stones, and their attitude was violent and threatening. The assertion of a civil right, even if it existed, in such a manner was illegal and could not be permitted with any regard to the preservation of the public peace, No force was used by the police in restraining the crowd.

May I ask whether, suppose I propose to do something illegal, you will send a police force to prevent any one interfering with me.

It depends entirely on the circumstances.

Had not the farmers a perfect right to assemble on their own land to prevent trespass?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the Vice-Chancellor of the Chancery Court in Ireland has recently retired and that his place has been filled by the transfer of Mr. Justice Barton from the King's Bench Division, he will say whether any saving has been thus effected, and, if so, how much; and whether the Government intend to fill up the vacancy.

The annual saving effected by the transfer of Mr. Justice Barton will amount to £867. It is not proposed to fill the vacancy in the Judgeship of the King's Bench Division.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is proposed by the Irish Executive to amalgamate the Con-naught and North-West Circuits to enable the number of Judges of the High Court to be still further reduced when vacancies occur.

I would prefer not to go into this matter, and I must refer the hon. Member to the reply already given.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Crown Solicitor for Carlow has been selected as Unionist candidate for the St. Stephen's Green Division of Dublin; if so, will he state whether there is any authority in Ireland whose duty it is to prevent public officials connected with the administration of the Law from taking part in Party politics; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I understand that Mr. Goddard, though invited to stand as candidate, has not accepted the invitation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can ate when the Porter and Cross be Estate, county Tyrone, first went into the Land Judge's Court; whether the tenants were served with notice of sale in 1898, and if he is aware that whilst sale is pending a portion of the tenantry cannot get second-term rents fixed and are paying the old rent, and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

I have no specific information on the matters mentioned in the Question. The sale of the property under the Act of 1896 presented many difficulties owing to complications in the title. But negotiations are now pending with the Estates Commissioners with a view to the sale of the estate under Section 7 of the Act of last year.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what objection there is to publishing the reports of the inspectors who have recently been inquiring into the working of the Labourers Acts in Ireland.

The reports were made for the private information of the Local Government Board to supplement information already in its possession. It would be contrary to established practice to publish such reports, which are regarded as confidential.

In view of the approaching introduction of the Labourers Bill, is there any objection to publishing a summary of these reports?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman had better wait until he has heard what I say in introducing the Bill.

When will it be introduced?

At the earliest possible opportunity.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inquiry into primary and intermediate education in Ireland has yet concluded: and whether he intends to lay the reports of the inspector upon the Table of the House, and when.

The inquiry conducted by Mr. Dale into primary education has concluded, and his report, which was received by the Government on the 21st ultimo, will be laid on the Table in the course of a few day. The inquiry into the subject of intermediate education has not yet been undertaken.

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Wicklow, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the harbour at Arklow was constructed by the Irish Board of Works on a plan condemned and protested against at the time of construction by the people of the locality, and that the plan has now been proved to have been faulty, and the harbour has become useless, with the result that the important industries of the town, namely, the Cordite Factory of Messrs. Kynoch and the Parnell Quarries, are threatened with extinction, the Board of Works will be directed to put the harbour into a safe condition without expense to the locality, which is in no way responsible for the defective plans.

The plans were opposed by some persons in the locality and supported by others. They were approved by two independent engineers of the highest eminence, whose report was presented to Parliament in 1886. The liability for the. maintenance of the harbour is vested in the Harbour Commissioners.

But were not the plans condemned by the local public bodies in the locality?

I am unable to say.

I will put another Question down.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the evidence given by two policemen against a publican named Faby, at the Ballinrobe Petty Sessions, quite recently, who was charged with a breach of the Licensing Acts, when the magistrates, having a doubt about the case, left the bench and proceeded to the spot; that on their return they declared it was impossible for the police to have seen what they swore to, and unanimously dismissed the case; and, if so, whether, in view of these facts, he will order a prosecution for perjury to be instituted forthwith.

I have received this morning reports of the proceedings in the case referred to. These reports are now under consideration, and if the hon. Member will postpone his Question until Monday, I shall then be in a position to announce the decision of the Government in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland the number and status of the clerks at the disposal of the Estates Commissioners; and if it is the intention of the Government to carry on the work of the Department in the seven-roomed house now occupied by the Commission.

The indoor establishment consists of a secretary, an assistant-secretary, and two assistant examiners; two first-class clerks, three second-class clerks, seven second division clerks, nine third-class clerks, and eight temporary clerks. There has been some unavoidable difficulty in providing sufficient accommodation, but arrangements have now been made for placing two houses at the early disposal of the Commissioners, Nos. 25 and 26, Upper Merrion Street.

Have they been merely nominated?

And are they all land agents?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the petition from the United Irish Trades Congress, presented to this House on the 23rd February, 1904, in which housing legislation for the working classes in Ireland is called for, owing to the conditions under which many of these people are compelled to exist; and whether, in his proposed Labourers Bill, he purposes to deal with the suggestions set out in the petition, or whether he proposes to deal in a separate measure with the housing of the working classes in cities and towns in Ireland.

As at present advised it is my intention to deal with the housing of the working classes in towns in a separate measure. The petition will be considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the necessity for labourers' cottages in the electoral division of Ballymagorry, near Strabane, in the county of Tyrone, and to the correspondence with the Local Government Board, Ireland, relating thereto; and whether he will take steps to extend to that district the benefits of the Labourers Acts.

A memorial on the subject was recently received, and the Local Government Board is in correspondence with the District Council. The erection of three cottages in this division was sanctioned by the Board in July last.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if there is any fund under the Department of Agriculture for Ireland or from any other source by which the inland navigation of Lough Erne, situate in the counties of Fermanagh and Cavan, could be subsidised and developed; and, if so, will he state what action the Department proposes to take in the matter.

The aiding or facilitating the carriage and distribution of produce comes within the purposes of the Agricultural and Technical Instruction Act, 1899. The Department will consider any definite representations that may be made to it in this connection in respect of the inland navigation of Lough Erne.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Clare County Council, which asks that a Bill should be introduced in the current session of Parliament which will empower county councils to carry out drainage works and land impovements in their respective counties, and provide means by way of which loans at a rate of interest similar to that provided for in the recent Irish Land Bill can be made to county councils; and whether this matter will be considered by the Government at an early date.

The resolution has been received. The matter is under consideration, but I cannot undertake to introduce legislation in the present session.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will grant the Return standing on to-day's Notice Paper in reference to The Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899.

Yes, Sir; the Return will be granted. The following is the Return referred to—Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899, (Ireland). Return giving the names of the local authorities in Ireland that have put into operation The Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899; the number of applicants to whom money has been advanced by each such authority for the purpose of acquiring ownership of their houses under the Act; the amounts of the advance in each case; and the rate of interest charged to applicants on the loan.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state under what Statutes and on what statement of facts, as to age and length of service and otherwise, was the sanction of the Lord-Lieutenant given to a retiring allowance to the present town clerk of the county borough of Londonderry on his proposed retirement in April next, and by whom the statement was submitted; whether the Lord-Lieutenant will receive from the ratepayers of the borough a memorial on the law and facts of the case, and if satisfied that the town clerk is not entitled to a retiring allowance, would he reconsider his consent so given; and, will he explain why was this information denied to a member of the corporation by the Local Government Board.

The proposal to grant a retiring allowance to the town clerk of Londonderry was made by the Corporation of that city at meetings held in May and August last. The Lord-Lieutenant's sanction to the allowance was given in pursuance of the Local Officers Superannuation Act, 1869, on the understanding that the town clerk's retirement would not take effect before next April, when he will have attained the age of sixty years. The Lord-Lieutenant acted upon a statement signed by the Mayor of Derry. The Local Government Board is not aware that there is any foundation for the suggestion at the end of the Question. I cannot undertake that the Lord-Lieutenant will re-open the case, but any representations that may be made to him in the matter will be considered.

Is it not the fact that according to law any officer filling a position such as that of town clerk, who performs other duties, is not entitled to superannuation. Has not the town clerk of Derry notoriously filled other offices, and has he not obtained superannuation simply because a member of the Government represents Derry City in this House.

Order, order!

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will reconsider the decision to withdraw the Government subsidy in connection with the tourist traffic between Kilrush and Tarbert, and also the coach services in Clare and Kerry; and if he can state what the amount of this subsidy is.

The receipts in the case of the Tarbert to Kilrush steamer service to the 31st of December last amounted to £535, and the expenditure to £4,253. In the case of the two coach services the receipts were £1,480, and the expenditure £7,338. The subsidy allocated to the two coach services amounted to £8,848, and to the steamer service £5,208. I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope that the Government will reconsider the decision already come to.

Will the right hon. Gentleman postpone altering these subsidies until the new transit scheme has developed?

I am afraid that my answer to that must be in the negative. The Act of 1896 was an experimental Act to try certain routes, and, where it has been proved that the losses are so great, it seems better not to exhaust the surplus on a service which is doomed to failure, and surely it would be preferable to allot it to more favourable schemes.

But could not something be done by altering the route?

Order, order! The hon. Member must give notice of that.

But in view of the fact that these routes——

Order, order! The Question on the Paper has been fully answered.

May I ask——

Order, order!

I shall call attention to this matter later on.

I am a representative of the district through which this service runs. Am I not entitled to ask a Question?

The Question on the Paper has been answered fully.

Then I give notice that I will put down a Question for Monday.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Millstreet Rural District Council urging that a clause should be inserted in the Labourers Bill entitling the occupiers of labourers' cottages erected under the Land Commission Acts to an additional half acre of land; and, if so, whether, in view of the benefits that would be conferred by such an extension of existing legislation, he will insert a provision such as indicated.

The resolution referred to will be considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received from the Millstreet Union a resolution calling upon the Government to repeal Section 83 (7) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, so as to transfer to clerks of unions the duties of preparing the jurors' and voters' lists, with a view to curtail the higher fees involved by their preparation by the secretaries of county councils, and, in view of the fact that clerks of unions possess the local knowledge which is requisite in making out correct lists, will he state what steps he proposes to take in connection with this resolution.

The resolution has been received. It is not proposed to repeal the enactment in question, under which the duty of preparing these lists was transferred to the secretaries of county councils.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the estate of the representatives of the late Captain Annesly, situated at and near Island, Ballyhaunis, county Mayo, has been offered to the Congested Districts Board for sale, and that an offer has been made by that Board; and whether, if there is any material difference between the demand and offer, he will advise the Congested Districts Board to make a further offer with a view to purchasing the estate for the purpose of enlarging holdings in that district.

I have not yet completed my inquiries in respect of this estate, and will ask the hon. Member to repeat the Question on Monday next.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that last November the Congested Districts Board made an offer for the Taafe Estate, near Ballyhaunis, in the county of Mayo, which offer has not yet been brought definitely before the Land Judge's Court in which that estate now is; and that the tenants have repeatedly offered to purchase it during the last thirty years and take it out of that Court; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to have this sale completed.

Negotiations for the sale of this estate are pending between the solicitors having carriage of the proceedings and the Congested Districts Board. When these have been satisfactorily settled an offer will be made by the Board in the Land Judge's Court.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board made an offer some time ago for the O'Grady estate, on which stands a portion of the town of Ballyhaunis, county Mayo, and that the Receiver on the estate refused that offer on the ground that it would deprive the graziers, who held portions of it on the eleven months' system, of their privileges in keeping large areas under; grass; and whether, seeing that this Receiver has stated that he will not sell to the Board so as to prevent the enlargement of holdings, he will have full inquiries made into this case.

No offer has been made by the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the O'Grady estate. In 1902 the question was considered by the Board, but no action was taken, as it was understood that the owner and the tenants contemplated a sale through the Land Commission. I am unable to say whether the Receiver acted in the manner alleged, but in any case it would be outside his province either to accept or reject such an offer, if made.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, can he now say what decision His Majesty's Government have arrived at with reference to the recommendations of the Select Committee on National Expenditure that an Estimates Committee should be appointed, at the beginning of each session, for examination of and report on one class of the Estimates precedent to their discussion in Committee of Supply, and that a day should be provided for the consideration by this House of the Reports of the Public Accounts Committee, and an opportunity be given of taking a decision upon the recommendations embodied therein.

The matter to which my hon. friend refers has been under the consideration of the Government, and a good many Questions upon it have been postponed till Monday. If my hon. friend will postpone his Question till next Tuesday, and if the other Questions are postponed till the same day, I shall hope to make a statement in answer to them all.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he can explain why from one hundred and thirteen to one hundred and seventy-nine men were passed over in the recent promotions to the clerks' class in the Dublin Post Office; can he say what were the special qualifications of the selected men; and why the claims of officers, who had been acting as clerks for a considerable length of time and who had long service and excellent records, were overlooked.

The officers referred to were not promoted because they could not be certified to be the best qualified for the duties of supervision and control devolving on the class of clerks. The claims of all eligible officers were considered, whether they had temporarily acted as clerks or not, and I am satisfied that the officers selected were those best fitted for promotion.

Do they have to pass a competitive examination before getting promotion?

Each case is decided by myself after seeing the officer's record.

Have you done away with the examination altogether?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will explain why a junior clerk was recently promoted to the rank of first class assistant superintendent in Dublin over the heads of those senior to him on the clerks' class and over the second class assistant superintendents, seeing that the promoted officer has practically no experience of the Dublin Office and has seldom performed supervising duties there.

None of the officers on the second class of assistant superintendents in the Dublin sorting office could be certified to possess the qualifications necessary for promotion to the more important post of first class assistant superintendent. I selected an officer who was not only exceptionally well fitted for promotion, but better qualified then any of those who stood above him. This officer had long experience, although a comparatively short part of his service was in the Dublin Office; and I am satisfied that his promotion was fully justified in the interest of the public service.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in the Dublin sorting office with reference to the annual leave arrangements for the coming year by which large batches are listed for leave in March, April, and October, and comparatively few in the summer months; and whether, in view of the practice of the Department to allow an equal number out in each term of leave as is the case in the telegraph branch in Dublin, and of the fact that although a memorial from the staff was presented to the Controller, the leave is being rearranged on practically the same plan as the original one which has been withdrawn, he will take steps to provide a system of annual leave distributed equally over the summer months.

The circumstances to which the hon. Member refers have not been brought before me; but I will make inquiry.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the male staff at Armagh Post Office has been reduced, and in consequence the working of both counter and postal duties has fallen upon a few men; and will he state whether the practice of withdrawing an officer for temporary duty without inviting applicants is to be repeated this season, and whether, in view of the depletion of the male staff, he will cause inquiry to be made.

I am aware that the number of male sorting clerks and telegraphists at Armagh has been reduced by one, by the substitution of a female for a male officer. At the same time, however, the staff has been strengthened by the employment of two additional female officers. I will have inquiry made as regards the selection of an officer for temporary duty.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a learner, who has been employed at the Armagh Post Office, has received no salary for the first twelve months, and is now in receipt of only six shillings a week, whether the official reports show that he has discharged his duties in a competent manner; and whether he will consider the advisability of granting him some increase of pay.

I am not aware of the facts, but I will inquire into them.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has received resolutions from local authorities in Ireland objecting to the cash-on-delivery post as being calculated to inflict injury on traders and shopkeepers in country towns and villages in Ireland; and, if so, will he state what are the intentions of his Department towards this post.

Memorials from certain associations in Ireland, objecting to the institution of a postal system of cash-on-delivery, have been received. As regards the rest of the Question I must refer the hon. Member to an Answer which I gave to a similar Question asked by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Tyrone on the 22nd instant.†

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will

† See page 564.

say on whose authority the special rate of pay for the working of American mails in the Cork Post Office was abolished; and whether, seeing that this rate which was in vogue for twenty years had the sanction of Parliament as an encouragement to the staff to expedite their work, steps will be taken to restore it.

The change to which the hon. Member refers was sanctioned in the ordinary course. I am informed that only one man suffered temporarily from the change, and that to the extent of one penny per hour. In his case I have sanctioned the payment of the former rate.

Is there any authority to override the sanction of Parliament?

I think we have perfect power to alter the scale of pay according to the duty which may be imposed. I am going more fully into the question of this mail at the present time.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state under what Vote the salary of the Secretary of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet and his Staff will be provided, and if it is intended to give the House any opportunity of discussing the exact functions of his post. In putting the Question may I offer the congratulations of the Opposition side of the House to the right hon. Gentleman on his return to his seat.

I am grateful to the right hon. Baronet and his friends for their congratulations. I think it would be extremely desirable that there should be an opportunity for discussing the Committee of Defence upon the Estimates because it is only in that way that any general debate can take place on matters in which both the Army and the Navy are concerned. The ruling of the Chair has hitherto been that in discussing the Navy Estimates nothing connected with the Army can be debated, and in discussing the Army Estimates nothing connected with the Navy can be introduced. There should, no doubt, be an opportunity of discussing the combination of the two defensive forces of the Empire; and probably, if and when the change foreshadowed in the Question takes effect, the debate can most properly take place on the Vote for the Secretary or Staff of the Defence Committee. I shall endeavour to put it down in such a form that the First Lord of the Treasury shall be the person to deal with such a Vote. The Chairman of the Defence Committee is the Prime Minister, and I think he ought to reply. If the Prime Minister should be in the other House, there might be some difficulty in arranging who should answer for the Defence Committee, but at the present time, at all events, I shall put it down in such a form that I shall be the person to reply.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury have His Majesty's Government now received any further information as to the probability of an outbreak of war in the Balkan Peninsula which they can communicate to the House; do they propose to take any, and if so, what steps to prevent the outbreak of such a war; and can they lay upon the Table any recent correspondence on the subject.

I do not think it would be to the public interest for me to make a statement at the present time or to lay additional Papers on the Table of the House.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury are His Majesty's Government aware that the Spanish Government is mobilising its forces and has ordered reinforcements of troops to the Balearic Isles, to Ceuta, to Tarifa, and to Algeciras; are His Majesty's Government in posession of any information which enables them to explain this action of the Spanish Government; and can they give this House an assurance that the relations between this country and Spain continue to be of a cordial and friendly character.

There appears to be no truth in the rumour that the Spanish Government are mobilising their forces, though I believe they are adding to the strength of some of their garrisons. I am glad to say that the relations between this country and Spain are, and are likely to remain, of the most friendly character.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury has any reference been made in the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government concerning the introduction of Chinese labour into South Africa, to the possibility of Chinese labour being imported into the United Kingdom; and will His Majesty's Government undertake not to entertain any such measure without previously consulting Parliament and taking its views on the effect such a measure would have in introducing competition with British labour.

The hon. Gentleman seems to be under the impression that there is some legislative restriction in this country upon the importation of Chinese labour. That is not the case, and when it is necessary to impose such a restriction, I need hardly say that this House, which is an essential part of the Legislature, will have to be consulted before such a law is passed.