To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the esti-

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated expenditure out of loans under all Naval Works Acts in the years 1903–4, 1904–5, respectively; and what are the sums charged upon Navy Votes in those two years, for interest on those

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the engine and hull designs of the fast steamships which are to be constructed under the Cunard agreement have yet been completed; if so, whether the building has yet been started; and when the first instalment in respect of these vessels will appear on the Estimates. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) As the Admiralty are not responsible for the engine and hull designs of these vessels, which have not yet been submitted to them in their final form, I am unable to give authoritative information with respect to their progress, but it is understood that they are well advanced. The building of the vessels has not yet commenced. I am not at present in a position to answer the latter part of the Question.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have yet considered the recommendations contained in the Death Certification Report of 1893; and, if so, will he state whether he contemplates the introduction of legislation on the subject. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) The Report to which my hon. friend refers has been considered by the Government with a view to legislation; but, as my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board has stated on previous occasions, it has not yet been

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the destruction of whales off the Shetland coast is accompanied by circumstances fraught with danger to the fishing and crofting community, he will refuse the further extension of whaling stations until proper provision is made for burying, burning, or utilising the carcases. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The consent of the Board of Trade is only necessary in these cases so far as the proposed works may interfere with navigation; but having regard to the strong representations which have been made to me on the subject I am conferring with the Secretary for Scotland as to whether anything can be done to prevent any danger or annoyance being caused to the fishing and crofting communities by the operations proposed to be carried on at the whaling stations in question.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is proposed to construct a railway from Dunfermline to Kincardine, which will pass along the; foreshore of the Firth of Forth in the vicinity of Culross, and which will seriously injure the amenities of the neighbourhood; and whether, having regard to the facts that, since the construction of such a line was authorised by Parliament, it has been decided to form a naval base at St. Margaret's Hope, which may be expected to increase largely the population of the district, and that a large sum of money has recently been devoted by Mr. Andrew Carnegie to the enhancement of the amenities of Dunfermline and its environs, the Board will exercise the power reserved to the Crown by Section 9 of The North British Railway (General Powers) Act, 1898, and induce the railway company to adopt a slightly different route which would be less harmful to the beauty of the coast. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) My attention was called to this matter last December by the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, but as the works had been authorised by Act of Parliament I was obliged to inform the council that the Department regretted that they were unable to assist them. The Board are advised that the section referred to would not authorise them either to veto the scheme or to require the railway company to adopt a route outside the limits of deviation as fixed by the Act. These limits for the greater part of the distance do not extend on the land side above high water mark. I have drawn the attention of the railway company to the right hon. Gentleman's Question.

To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education, whether any certificated elementary teacher who is employed under the new regulations for training pupil teachers in a secondary school, is permitted to count his service in such capacity as recorded service within the meaning of The Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1898, and of the Education Code. (Answered by Sir William Anson.) Under existing rules the service of a teacher whose whole time is devoted to the instruction of pupil teachers counts as recorded service within the meaning of The Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1898, and of the Code. The point, however, raises very considerable difficulties, which are receiving the consideration of the Board.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the quantity of tobacco which has been seized as contraband during the last five years; and how has it been disposed of. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The quantity of tobacco (including cigars) seized by Customs Officers during the five years ended 31st March, 1903, was 39,331 lbs. During the same period the seized tobacco, etc. was accounted for, as follows: Sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew and Edinburgh), 15,000 lbs.; Sent to the Criminal Lunatic Asylums (Broadmoor, Dundrum, and Perth), 9,800 lbs.; Stalks destroyed, 7,800 lbs.; Natural loss by drying, 3,800 lbs.; Cigars, etc. sold at Customs' sales, 2,500 lbs.; Total 38,900 lbs. The balance was in hand.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, when the class of senior abstractors was formed, the hardship which would result from the Treasury only allowing half of the temporary service of the men concerned to count for pension purposes was considered, and whether he will state what steps the Treasury is prepared to take not to inflict hardships on men promoted to the establishment late in life; and will he explain why those writers employed before 19th August, 1871, and since promoted to better posts than abstractor-ships, were allowed to count all their temporary service for the purposes of pension, in view of the fact that the regulations in force for writers did not recognise that any service could be reckoned towards pension. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) When the class of senior abstractors was formed it was not considered that there was any hardship in allowing only half the temporary service to reckon for pension, seeing that the officers in question were not entitled to reckon any of such service, and I see no reason for taking any other view at the present time. As regards the latter portion of the Question, I fear that I can add nothing to the Answer given by me on the 24th ult.†

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of expenditure sanctioned for naval and military officers respectively employed specially to observe and report upon operations of War now proceeding in the Far East. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The expenditure sanctioned for this purpose amounts to £7,424 per annum. This is in addition to the cost (about £1,600 per annum) of four officers previously attached to the Japanese Army under existing regulations.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland, seeing that in the Report on Primary Education in Ireland by Mr. F. H. Dale, His Majesty's Inspector of Schools, attention is directed in Paragraph 44 to the fact that in some cases the only provision made for seating infants consists of a form without desk or back, while in English schools special desks for infants are practically universal: and, seeing that the seating accommodation made for infants in schools in the Highland Crofting Counties invariably consists of a form without a back, will the Board of Education for Scotland consider the advisability of recommending a better system of seating for young children. (Answered by Air. A. Graham Murray.) The Department is fully alive to the importance of having proper desks for infants as well as other scholars, and has laid down the rule that the benches should be fitted with backs. The chief inspector in those districts states that he invariably urges the observance of this rule and that the cases are few where the fault is now found.

†See (4) Debates, cxxx, 837.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will explain the reason for the delay in filling up the vacancy that exists in the clerks' class in the Birmingham Telegraph Department, caused through the retirement of an official. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) Inquiry is being made on the subject, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain, under the new system of payment adopted by the Commissioners of National Education in April, 1900 why first class salary is denied to teachers who obtained by examination the second division of second class in July, 1897, and the first division of second class, with special distinction, at the end of their training course in July, 1899, and who have given four years efficient service as principal teachers without receiving first class salary, while under the rule then prevailing it was only necessary to serve two years to entitle them to this benefit. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Class salary has been abolished since the new system of payments came into operation after the 1st April, 1900. The system of promotion of teachers by examination and service in force up to April, 1900, has been also abolished from same time (Rule 195A). The teachers referred to were only in the second class when the new rules came into operation, and were not entitled to first class salary. In every case where the Commissioners considered the new rules operated inequitably they gave special consideration to such cases, and if any particular case is brought under notice it will be considered.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the efforts of some landlords to create new tenancies for the purposes of sale in persons having hitherto no connection with their estates, including pensioners; whether such sales at the present price of Consols will cause considerable loss to the Irish ratepayers by the depletion of the Development Grant; and if the Government will therefore instruct the Estates Commissioners to reject applications for advances made by outsiders so long as Consols are below par. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) In all cases of tenancies created since January, 1901, the Estates Commissioners require a special report from their inspectors, and no advances exceeding the limit of £500 mentioned in Section 53 are made without due regard to the wants and circumstances of other persons residing in the neighbourhood.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will cause to be issued as a Parliamentary Paper the Special Report recently made by Lord Ikerrin to the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland as to Agricultural Legislation and Administration in Denmark. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The Report has been published by the Department, and a considerable number of copies have been distributed. Further copies may be had on application to the Department. It is not considered necessary to lay the Report on the Table of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that under Rule 1822 of the King's Regulations helpless discharged soldiers, when sent to their homes, should be accompanied by an unarmed conducting party, transmitting at the same time a medical certificate stating the necessity for its employment, will he state why the non-commissioned officer who in October, 1903, escorted to his home in the Island of Lewis a private soldier in the Scots Guards, certificate of discharge No. 4731, was not in possession of the usual medical certificate. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The hon. Member has evidently misread paragraph 1822, King's Regulations, which provides that a medical certificate shall be forwarded to the general officer who authorises the despatch of the escorting party; but it is not usual or necessary that the party shall be furnished with a medical certificate.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Report of Lord Esher's Departmental Committee on the Royal Engineers has been adopted; and, if so, could particulars of the sub-division of work be given. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The more important recommendations have been approved and in part already adopted; but as the subdivision of work is at present being considered in connection with the general redistribution of duties in the War Office, it is not possible to give any further particulars.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state when the Report of the Chief Justice of British Guiana relative to the disturbances at Port of Spain, Trinidad, will be laid upon the Table of the House. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am not at present able to give this information, but if the hon. Member will repeat this Question a week hence, I hope to be able to give him an answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any further particulars or information in regard to the finances of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony since the telegraphic despatch of Lord Milner of 1st February; and, if so, will he now lay the despatches upon the Table. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) It will be necessary for me to elucidate certain matters by further communication with Lord Milner before laying Papers, which I hope to do at an early date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table a Return containing the particulars of Lord Milner's original Budget estimate of the revenue and expenditure of the Transvaal and Orange Free State for 1903–4, and of the Inter-Colonial Budget (as mentioned in his despatch of 1st February), together with his latest revised estimate of the same Budgets. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The particulars as to the Budgets of the Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and of the Inter-Colonial Budget will be found at pp. 354 sqq. of Cd. 1895. I will lay the desired Return upon the Table at an early date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will lay upon the Table a Return of all sums paid by this country since the end of the war in respect of the Transvaal or Orange River Colony beyond the actual cost of the war, with a statement of the application of such sums and of any moneys repaid on account thereof. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The sums referred to and the purposes of the expenditure are given in the Civil Services Additional Estimates, 1902–3, dated 3 rd November 1902, and Civil Services Supplementary Estimates, 1902–3, dated 24th February, 1903. They amount to £8,000,000 and £1,000,000 respectively, of which £3,000,000 have, as was intended, been repaid.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proclamation by the Governor rendering the Transvaal Labour Ordinance operative, has been issued; and, if so, what date is named in the proclamation for the taking effect of the Ordinance. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The proclamation has not yet been issued.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the expenditure of £15,000 of public money in equipping the Mounted Infantry Volunteers, and of a like sum in training them during the past four years, and to the efficient state in which the several companies are reported to be and to the necessity for more mounted men, he has come to a decision as to the maintenance of the extra capitation grant of 80s. for provision of horses and of the camp allowances.

Yes, Sir. It has been decided, pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Militia and Volunteers, to postpone for one year the withdrawal of the special grants to existing members of the Mounted Infantry Volunteer Companies.

And will recruiting still go on?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total amount spent or proposed to be spent out of funds raised by loan or otherwise for the hutting of troops in South Africa, and whether this sum represents accommodation sufficient for 25,000 men for thirty years.

The total actual and estimated expenditure for permanent accommodation of the troops in South Africa amounts to £3,333,000. Accommodation is being provided for about 21,500 men; the accommodation for the most part is in the form of huts.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the exact scope of the inquiry to be conducted by the Committee appointed at his request by the Adjutant-General; and whether their inquiry into the redistribution of districts will be preceded by a decision as to the number of battalions and of men to be maintained at home.

The Committee is inquiring how far the principle of decentralisation, as recommended by the War Office (Reconstitution) Committee, can be applied to the existing organisation and distribution of the troops at home. No steps will be taken which will be incompatible with any alteration which may be made in the number and distribution of the troops to be maintained at home.

; I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state why the flag on the War Office was mast high on Friday last when the Union Jack on all other public buildings in London was half-mast, on account of the death of the Duke of Cambridge.

The flag was correctly and by order hoisted mast high on Friday, the 18th instant, that being the anniversary of the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Louise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty flag was hoisted half-mast, and can he say whether the hoisting of the flag at full mast on the War Office was conducted by the same official who hoisted it at half-mast on the relief of Lady-smith?

I am not responsible for the errors of the Admiralty.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated amount that will have been expended on new construction for the period of nine years ending on the 31st March next; and whether he can give any estimate of the corresponding expenditure by France, Russia, and Germany for the same period.

The figures for the nine years, 1895–1904, are as follows:—Great Britain, £69,981,078; France, £32,499,491; Russia, £28,667,102; Germany, £22,153,247. The figures given for this country represent actual expenditure on new construction, except for the year ending the 31st instant, but those for France, Russia, and Germany, are taken from the Estimates of the respective countries, information as to actual expenditure not being available. The figures for Great Britain also include the cost of gun-mountings, which are not included in the New Construction Estimates of foreign countries, and which in the case of this country have amounted during the last nine years to nearly £5,000,000.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements will be made for the religious instruction of the Chinese indentured labourers in the compounds; and whether Christian ministers of all denominations will be allowed into the compounds to give such religious instruction.

I am not able to make a definite statement on the subject as to which I am in communication with Lord Milner. If Christian ministers desire to go into the compounds, and the Chinese consent to receive them, the same facilities will be afforded to all denominations by the Government.

Has it not been arranged that these Chinese labourers shad be provided by the Government with idols of brass made in Birmingham?

The hon. Member had better put the Question down.

Very well, Sir; I will.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether at the Brussels International Conference of 1903 His Majesty's Government signified its adhesion, on behalf of the Crown Colonies, to the Convention then arranged; and whether it is consistent with the provisions of Article 11 (A) of the said Convention that bounty-fed sugar from the United States should be admitted into Bermuda on terms of fiscal equality with British and German sugars which are free of bounty.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the declaration in Protocol A 3 of the Brussels Sugar Convention that His Majesty's Government had power to adhere to the Convention on behalf of the Crown Colonies and that it did so adhere, will he explain on what grounds His Majesty's Government have arrived at the conclusion that they are not bound by the Convention to require the Crown Colony of Bermuda to impose countervailing duties on or to prohibit the importation of bounty-fed sugars from the United States; have His Majesty's Government communicated to the Brussels Permanent Commission as required by the Convention the laws, orders, and regulations on the taxation of sugar in force in Bermuda, and has the Commission pronounced thereon; and in what way do His Majesty's Government now propose to carry out their engagements under the Convention with respect to Bermuda.

In answer to the hon. Member's Question, I may state in the first place that His Majesty's Government have not adhered to the Brussels Convention on behalf of the Crown Colonies, including Bermuda, and that those colonies are therefore under no obligation to penalise bounty-fed sugar; and secondly, that full information as to the legislation of Bermuda regarding sugar has been duly laid before the Permanent Commission, and that the engagements entered into under the Con- vention on behalf of the colony are being scrupulously observed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the fact that the mine-owners of Johannesburg could, with the approval of the Transvaal Government, import as many Chinamen as they wished into the country, he will delay giving effect to the importation of indentured labour until further information is available as to why this arrangement would not meet the necessity of the case.

I have to refer the hon. Member to the published Papers which show that the public opinion of the Transvaal is opposed to the introduction of Chinese labourers except under indenture for work in the mines.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will state in what British Colonies indentured Indian immigrants are prohibited from buying land.

I am not aware that indentured Indian immigrants are expressly prohibited by law from buying land in the Colonies to which such immigration is directed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state in what British Colony indentured Indian labourers are compelled to return to their country of origin at the end of their indentures.

In Natal there is modified compulsion to return.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies has Lord Milner power to prohibit any British subject from entering the Transvaal; if so, is his power limited by any conditions, or is it exercised at his own uncontrolled discretion without appeal; and does it extend to Orange River Colony; whence is this power derived, and in how many cases has it been exercised since the conclusion of the South African War; and will His Majesty's Government consider the propriety of making such arrangements as will enable British subjects to have the same rights of access to all South African Colonies as they have to the rest of His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas.

The power in question is regulated in the Transvaal by the Peace Preservation Ordinances printed as an appendix to Cd. 1896 which is published to-day. Similar legislation exists in the Orange River Colony. I cannot say in how many cases permits have been refused to British subjects since the end of the war. Having regard to recent experience I am not satisfied that the time has yet arrived for the amendment of the present law; but it is proposed later on to enact in substitution for the present system legislation on the lines of the Natal and Cape Immigration Restriction Acts.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether there will be any provision in the regulations to be made under the authority of the Transvaal Draft Ordinance fixing a minimum wage for imported Chinese labourers on similar conditions to the minimum wage fixed by the Trinidad Ordinance relating to imported Indian labourers; and whether there will be any similar limitation of the hours of labour for time work and task work respectively.

It is not proposed to fix a minimum wage under the Ordinance, and after taking advice of very experienced persons I do not consider that it is necessary to do so. The hon. Member will see from the draft contract in the Papers published this morning that the period of labour will be ten hours.

But is it not the practice to fix the minimum wage?

Different circumstances apply to different people.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what is the present annual rate of gold production in the Transvaal, based on the most recent monthly return; and what was the value of gold actually produced in the year of maximum yield.

The value of the gold output for the Transvaal for February, 1904, is given as £1,229,726. This would give an output for twelve months at the rate of £14,756,712. The value of gold actually produced in the nine months of 1899 was £14,093,363, or at the rate of £18,791,150 a year for 1899, or taking the month of greatest production-August-at the rate of over £20,000,000 a year.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to increase the Consular representation of Great Britain at St. Louis before and during the forthcoming exhibition, with a view to assisting British trade.

A Royal Commission has been appointed with an office and staff at St. Louis for the purpose of assisting British trade at the exhibition, and in view of this fact there does not appear any ground for temporarily increasing the staff of the Vice-Consulate.

I hope my noble friend will be able to assure the House and the country that Great Britain will be as well represented in its Consular service as any other country.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table the demands formulated by General di Georgis, and presented to the Porte by the Austrian and Russian Ambassadors on 1st March, with reference to the Macedonian gendarmerie; and whether he can state the present position of the negotiations.

Negotiations are progressing with an improved prospect of speedy settlement, but it would be contrary to precedent and inconvenient to lay before Parliament portions of a diplomatic correspondence while the question is still under discussion.

Is it intended to press for an immediate settlement?

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a Resolution issued by the Government of India announcing; that competitive examinations in India for the public services will be replaced by the selection of candidates; and whether he will lay Papers showing the grounds upon which this change has been affected; and whether he will state whether the change has the approval of His Majesty's Government.

My right hon. friend the Secretary of State for India has requested me to say that he is aware of the Resolution to which the hon. Member's Question refers. He expects to receive before long the Papers giving in full the grounds on which the Government of India decided to make a change in the method of recruitment for the public service, affecting at present, as he is informed, some ten or twelve appointments, and he will then consider whether they can be laid on the Table. The principle of the proposed change was considered by him in Council, and was adopted with his consent.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has given his approval to the Bill recently passed by the Burma Legislative Council prohibiting the employment of women as barmaids in Burma; and whether it is now proposed to enact similar legislation in Bombay and other parts of India.

My right hon. friend the Secretary of State for India has requested me to say that he has not heard that the Bill referred to has yet been passed by the Burma Legislative Council. It follows, however, the principle of an Act passed last year by the Bengal Legislature, which is in operation. The hon. Member was informed by his predecessor, the Secretary of State for India, on the 6th of July last year, that, in the opinion of the Government of Bombay, legislation was not required in that Presidency, as the necessary control could be exercised by refusing licenses, and that the Government of India did not propose to press them to make any change in the law. No proposals to legislate in other provinces have been made.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet appointed a Committee to inquire into the Income-Tax, as promised by his predecessor; and, if so, of whom the Committee is composed, and what are the branches of the subject into which they are to inquire.

The subject has been engaging my attention, and I hope to be able to announce the terms of the reference and the composition of the Committee (which I have already expressed my intention of appointing) shortly after Easter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state how many public houses and other properties licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors are owned by the Church of England or the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; how many are leased to brewery companies; and how many to individual tenants, and the annual amount of rent.

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available, and I have no means of making an inquiry respecting the property of benefices and other ecclesiastical corporations. But I may refer the hon. Member to Returns on the subject made to the House of Lords in 1883 and the House of Commons in 1901, showing that as regards their own estates it is the policy of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to reduce the number of licensed houses thereon as far as practicable.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the date upon which the extension of the rent-aid allowance to all the married constables and sergeants of the Metropolitan Police Force will come into operation.

It is proposed to put the new scheme of rent aid for the Metropolitan Police into force from the 4th April.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of London County Council v. Rorke, heard before Mr. Bros, on 9th September last, in which the magistrate imposed a fine of 1s. upon a coffee house keeper for employing a boy ninety-four hours a week; and whether lie will initiate legislation to increase the minimum penalty which may be exacted in such cases.

My attention had not previously been called to this case; and the magistrate, on being consulted, states that he cannot at this distance of time recall the circumstances in which the fine was inflicted. I have no evidence that inadequate fines are inflicted in the Metropolitan Police Courts for offences under the Shop Hours Acts, and I am not prepared to introduce the legislation suggested by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the amount of steam coal exported from Great Britain to Russia and Japan, respectively, during last year and in each of the months of this year.

The quantity of steam coal exported to Russia during 1903 was 2,045,480 tons, and to Japan 118,921 tons. During the month of January, 1904, 30,848 tons were exported to Russia, and 21,532 tons to Japan, and during February, 1904, 14,032 tons to Russia, and 39,027 tons to Japan.

Is there any I differentiation between smokeless and other coal?

I think not.

I beg to ask the President to the Board of Trade under what head in the monthly trade: statistics are the imports of sugar from Cuba shown; and whether he can arrange to have them separately indicated.

The imports of sugar from Cuba are included in the monthly trade statistics under the head of "Other Countries." Arrangements have been made to distinguish them separately for the future.

I beg to ask the President to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inaccuracy in the Emigration Returns, due to the fact that all passengers carried to an Atlantic port in the United States are shown as emigrants to that country, although a large number are known to be destined for Western Canada; and whether he can arrange that more accurate information shall be furnished; or, if the present record is in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, whether he can take steps to obtain an amendment of the Act in this particular.

The point raised has frequently come under my notice. The Returns published by the Board of Trade are not inaccurate, as they give what they profess to give, viz., the countries in which passengers contract to land. There is no power under the Merchant Shipping Act to require the shipping companies to supply information as to the ultimate destination of passengers, and the practical difficulties of securing accurate information on this point, even if fresh legislation were enacted for the purpose, would be very great. The matter, however, will not be lost sight of.

Would it not be possible to obtain fuller information from the companies as to the ultimate destination of passengers who hold through tickets?

I am afraid I have no power to require it, and I do not know that it would be very useful.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether it has been brought to his notice that the number of people dying from glanders contracted from horses has increased, thus causing additional risk to veterinary surgeons and others; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to make it illegal for anyone to manufacture or import malline unless licensed by the Government.

The regulation of the manufacture and importation of malline as suggested would be attended with considerable practical difficulties, and legislation would be requisite. My noble friend would, however, be glad to receive and to consider any information on the subject which may be laid before him. The deaths from glanders have happily been only two, four, and five, respectively, during the last three years, and we are informed by the Registrar-General that there has been no increase in the number of deaths from that disease during the past twenty years.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Commissioners of Wood and Forests, whether, in view of the fact that the lease of certain fishings in Orkney was only for a term of two years, and that within that period the lessee could purchase, subject to regulations to be approved by the Secretary for Scotland, for the due protection of the public; rights to free fair rod fishing in the sea, and, seeing that the lease has been extended for a further period of twelve months, the lessee taking advantage of such extension to advertise that the sea-fishing is strictly preserved, he will arrange that no further extension will be granted without public inquiry.

A question as to the legal rights of the Crown as regards fishing for sea trout, etc., in the Orkney Islands, has been raised by a landowner; and, if this question is definitely disposed of before Martinmas next, no extension of the lease will be granted. In any case no further extension of the lease will be granted without due notice, and any representations made by persons interested will be fully considered.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Kerry, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the cost of the coach service between Listowel and Tarbert is between £700 and £800 per year, and that a satisfactory service can be arranged locally for £300 per annum; and, if so, whether he will reconsider the question of continuing the present service under new arrangements, thereby saving a considerable sum of money each year, as well as giving facilities to the local people to attend the markets.

The expenditure on this service has averaged £724 a year; the receipts have averaged£151. The nett loss in working the service to the end of 1903 has amounted to £4,022. It has not been used to any considerable extent by the people of the locality, notwithstanding the special inducements held out by the offer of cheap tickets during the winter months on market and fair days. The Government cannot reconsider the decision already arrived at.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the application of Mr. Thomas Brady, of Lisserdrea, Boyle, county Roscommon, to have a fair rent fixed has been pending for the last four years; and, if so, whether he will ask the Land Commission to expedite the hearing of fair rent applications in the Boyle District.

A fair rent has been fixed in this case, but an appeal was lodged. The appeal will be heard at the next sitting of the Commissioners at Castlerea.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what the Department of Agriculture propose to do with Avondale House, now that they have purchased the property to form a forestry school; and whether, in view of the fact that Avondale House was the birthplace of the late Mr. Parnell, the house will be preserved as a national relic.

The Departments in any use it may make of Avondale House, I will have due regard for it, historic associations.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the grazing farm of Knocalassa, situate near Riverstown, county Sligo, which forms portion2of an estate administered in the Land Judge's Court, will, under the operation of the Act of 1903, be available for the enlargement of the small holdings surrounding it.

The farm in question is no longer under the administration or control of the Land Judge. It was sold, I am informed, before the passing of the Act of 1903.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will grant the Return standing on today's Notice Paper dealing with Labourers' Cottages (Ireland).

I shall be happy to give the Return provided the hon. Member will alter the dates in Columns (10) and (14) to 31st March, 1904. It would be most troublesome to obtain the information in respect of the period to 21st March. The Return is as follows:—Return in respect of Labourers'Cottages in Ireland, showing:—(1) County; (2) Rural District; (3) Valuation of Rural District; (4) Number of Labourers' Cottages (a) built, (b) in course of construction; (5) Amount of Loans (a) sanctioned, (b) received; (6) Amount required to be raised annually in repayment of Loans sanctioned; (7) Amount which would be raised by the maximum rate of one shilling in the pound allowed for purposes of Acts; (8) Rate per pound required to raise amount specified in Column 6; (9) Present poundage rate levied on Rural District for Labourers Acts purposes; (10) Amount of Exchequer Contribution for the year ended 21st day of March, 1904; (11) Amount of rent received from tenants of cottages and plots during year; (12) Unissued balance, if any, of County's share of Exchequer Contribution; (13) Totals per County and Province, and for all Ireland; (14) the Return to be made up to the 21st day of March, 1904 (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 198, of Session 1903).

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the farm at Knockaroo, Queen's County, from which the late Malachi Kelly was evicted in 1880 for non-payment of one year's rent, and which remained untenanted up to the introduction of the Land Bill last session, has been let to a tenant within the past year; and whether, in view of the fact that the evicted tenant's widow, Mrs. Kelly, claims reinstatement under the Land Act, 1903, the Estates Commissioners will sanction an advance for purchase to the present occupier.

There is no application before the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the estate containing the farm referred to. But in such event the question of sanctioning an advance in respect of a newly created tenancy, as well as the claims of evicted tenants, will be carefully considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the terms of reference to the Commission of Inquiry into the subject of Trinity College leases in relation to land purchase; and whether he has any communication to make to the House as to the form and composition of such Commission.

The terms of reference are still under consideration. Until they have been settled, I have no statement to make in respect of the proposed Commission.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland on how many occasions since his occupation of the house and lands at Carnakelly, from which Michael Haniffy was evicted, has ex-sergeant Timothy Hansbery reported to the police that he had received threatening letters or notices; what were the nature of the inquiries instituted by the police to trace the writer of these letters or notices, and with what result.

Two such notices were posted up. Neither of them was reported to the police, who found them. The police made every effort to trace the writers of the notices, but without success.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the National Education Board, Ireland, have withdrawn the circular dealing with the teaching of Irish as an extra in Irish schools.

The circular had reference to the teaching of extra subjects, of which Irish was one, outside the ordinary school hours, for which a special fee is payable. Instruction in these subjects in all national schools and in all standards during ordinary school hours, which had already been sanctioned by the Commissioners, is not in any way affected by the circular. On the 8th instant †, I explained at some length the effect of this circular as well as the intentions of the Commissioners in respect of certain matters upon which I had sought their observations. A further explanatory circular, which will remove the doubts created by that of January, is about to be issued by the Commissioners. The arrangement under which special fees will be payable hereafter for Irish appears to me to be more liberal than formerly.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the salary and allowances of the two inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary, two head constables in Shinrone and Birr, King's county; how many stations they have to inspect, and the total distance they should travel to inspect them all; how often they have visited each station, and how long they stayed in each station at each visit during the past twelve months.

The total pay and allowances is £878 per annum. There are five stations in the Birr District, covering a distance of forty miles; and

† See (1) Debates, cxxxi., 460.

Is it not the fact that these two inspectors are able to perform their monthly duty in one day and spend the rest of the month in hunting?

Order, order!

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many constables, head constables, district inspectors, and county inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been retired; and whether, though the number of constables is to be reduced considerably, the number of highly paid inspectors with little or no duty is not to be changed.

The published Estimate for the Royal Irish Constabulary shows the numbers in each of the ranks mentioned for which provision is proposed in the next, as compared with the current, financial year. Owing to the statutory rights of county and district inspectors the scheme of reduction cannot have a proportionately large effect on them as on the rank and file. But recruiting has been suspended for the present in the case of officers as well as men. In reply to a further Question, MR. WYMDHAM said that ultimately the proportions would be adjusted.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any limit has been put by Mr. Justice Ross to the time within which Mrs. Butson was to purchase the grazing land on the Butson Estate, county Galway; and whether he will state the size of the substantial holdings which the grazing lands, for the distribution of which the Receiver has been directed to prepare a scheme, will give to each o£ the fifty-seven tenants on this estate.

I am not aware that there is a time limit, as suggested, but I am making inquiry. The information desired in the second part of the Question cannot obviously be given until the scheme shall have been prepared by the Receiver and submitted to the Land Judge.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any appointments have been made to the staff of the Meath Hospital (the county Dublin infirmary) since the passing of the Local Government Act, 1898; and, if so, what appointments have been made and by whom.

Two appointments have been made since the date mentioned to the position of Visiting Surgeon to this Hospital. Both appointments were made, I understand, by the Joint Committee constituted under Section 15 of the Act of 1898.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary a Question of which I have given him private notice— whether he has yet satisfied himself that the Wexford Harbour Board require the use of a powerful dredger to improve the harbour, so as to meet the requirements of the port, and what steps he proposes to take to facilitate the object the board have in view?

I understand that the Wexford Harbour requires the use of a powerful dredger, and if hon. Members for Ireland agree to the application of a sum of money from the Development Grant for the employment of a dredger which can be utilised in dredging harbours on the Irish coast I will give favourable consideration to the matter. But I cannot treat with the Wexford Harbour Board separately in this matter.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the house in the Square, Roscrea, county Tipperary, owned by Mr. W. J. Menton, and from which Mr. T. M. Ryan was evicted in July, 1902, has been taken over by the postal authorities; and, if so, for what term and on what conditions; how much does the Department intend expending on the premises; is it proposed to transfer the Post Office from its present situation; what are the reasons for so doing; have the wishes of the townspeople been consulted; and for what length of time have the existing postal premises been used for such a purpose.

It is a fact that I have taken a lease from Mr. W. J. Menton of a house in Roscrea formerly occupied by a Mr. T. M. Ryan; but I do not know under what circumstances Mr. Ryan's tenancy was terminated. The term is for thirty, forty, or fifty years, and the rent is £50 a year. A sum of about £490 will be expended in repairing and adapting the premises. The business will be transferred to the new office as soon as it is ready for occupation. The present office, which has been in use since 1893, is not well adapted for Post Office requirements, and could not be made suitable except at disproportionate expense. There has not been any reason to suppose that there would be objection on the part of the townspeople to a step taken for the improvement of their postal accommodation.

Arising out of that, may I ask will the noble Lord reconsider the intention of his Department to acquire these premises in view of the local feeling caused by the eviction, and that nearly a dozen persons have been sent to jail in connection with it?

The house has already been taken for a term of years, and nothing else can be done.

Is the noble Lord going to recommend a public Department to encourage house grabbing in Ireland?

Order, order!

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is now in the position to give further information as to the; action to be taken by the Government I with reference to an inquiry or Royal Commission to consider the case of imbeciles and other feeble-minded persons.

I understand that the Home Secretary and the President of the Local Government Board are carefully considering what course shall be taken and I hope to announce their decision in a short space of time?

Shall I put the Question down again in a week's; time.

If it is so put down I will do my best to answer it.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government has determined at the ensuing general election to ask the electorate to empower a Minister of the Crown to impose or to threaten, or undertake to impose, import duties of a retaliatory character without obtaining the previous assent of this House to each individual duty; and, if so, whether it is contemplated that such powers may be granted to a Minister sitting in the House of Lords, and so exempt from direct control of this House.

If the hon. Gentleman will be kind enough to refer to the answer to a practically identical I Question on the 10th March f I hope he will find satisfaction.

suggested that the Questions were not identical, as one applied to the past and the other to the future.

The answer, at any rate, applies to both.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now say

See(4)Debates, cxxxi.,7657

I am afraid that in the present uncertain condition of public business I cannot make any announcement before Thursday next.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he has any official information showing that an armed Russian cruiser and torpedo destroyers are stationed in the Red Sea off Suez; and, if so, can he say if any Peninsular and Oriental steamers carrying the Union Jack, Peninsular and Oriental, and mail flags have been stopped; if any remonstrance has been made to the Russian Government; and, if so, has any apology been tendered; and if any of His Majesty's cruisers are in the Red Sea.

His Majesty's Government have no information that an armed Russian cruiser and torpedo destroyers are now stationed in the Red Sea oft Suez. They are informed that a Peninsular and Oriental steamer was visited and had her papers examined last month by a Russian warship in the Red Sea. The facts as at present known are insufficient to warrant a remonstrance to the Russian Government. None of His Majesty's cruisers are at present in the Red Sea.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is intended to proceed with the Sale of Butter Bill this session; and, if so, when it is proposed to take the Second Reading.

At the same time may I also ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state when the Second Reading of the Sale of Butter Bill will be taken.

My noble friend the President of the Board of Agriculture proposes to reintroduce this Bill; but I cannot fix the date for the Second Reading, and am afraid it is extremely doubtful whether it can be taken before Easter.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that the Bill has been read a first time already.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now give a date for the introduction of the promised Government Licensing Bill.

I cannot as yet fix a date for the introduction of the Licensing Bill.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Bill will be introduced before or after Easter?

I am unable to pledge myself on that point until I see how business goes.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information with reference to the melancholy disaster to Submarine Al, in addition to that which has already been published.

There is no further information. All the information available has been at once sent to the Press. There is no doubt whatever that the accident occurred through the collision of the "Berwick Castle" with the submarine. This is the latest telegram from the Commander-in-Chief: —"As the exposed position of the wreck of the submarine prevents the usual lifting operations being carried out, it has been decided to adopt the course of first repairing and then floating her by forcing out the water by the agency of compressed air, and a contract has been accordingly made with the Neptune Salvage Company to do this work, which it is hoped will be successfully accomplished in the course of a few days, and the work was begun this afternoon. The wrecked submarine is now lying nearly upright with a list of about 10deg. to port, the "Berwick Castle" having struck her on her starboard beam, and apparently the chief damage is at the conning tower, which was struck by the "Berwick Castle," as the marks of the collision with that vessel are plainly marked at this part of the hull, and the paint has all been scraped off the starboard side of the conning tower of the submarine." No additional information can be obtained until the salvage operations have been completed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is true that the plague has broken out at Johannesburg and in a few hours there have been thirty deaths, and whether, if that is so, the Government will not put into operation the Chinese Labour Ordinance until the plague has been stamped out.

I have received a telegram from Lord Milner, just before I came into the House, which shows that the hon. Member's information is correct. The fact that cases of plague have occurred will not be lost sight of by Lord Milner in dealing with the question of putting the Ordinance into operation.

I beg to ask, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Asiatics are peculiarly subject to the plague?

Professor Simpson, who has had great experience of the plague, has kindly offered his services, and will at once proceed to the Transvaal to take any steps that may be necessary.