To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether, under the Land Transfer Rules, 1903, the registrar is not given practically unlimited discretion to issue certificates of absolute title conferring an immediate Government guarantee of validity in cases where a purchaser has been registered with a possessory title for a period of six years, and whether any fund has been set aside from the receipts of the Land Registry for providing an indemnity; and, if not, or if the same is insufficient, whether the whole indemnity or the deficiency, as the case may be, is payable out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom; and whether such rules have been made with the advice and assistance of the Rule Committee. (Answered by Sir Robert Finlay.) The thirty-sixth of the general rules, under the Land Transfer Act, made on the 18th December last, provides that on application for registration with an absolute title the examination of the title may be modified in such manner as the registrar may think fit, in cases in which the land has been registered with a possessory or qualified title for six years prior to the date of application. I am informed that since the Act came into force about £10,000 a year has been set aside from

To ask the Postmaster-General, with reference to the position of the Post Office Savings Bank when the yearly accounts were made up on 31st December, 1903, if he will state what was the total amount due to depositors; what was the amount of Consols held; at what price were the Consols valued; did the balance sheet show an excess of liabilities over assets; and, if so, what was the amount of that excess. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The amount due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, 1903, was approximately £146,133,500, but the precise figure cannot be given until the end of May. The amount of Consols held on that date was £61,062,221, and the average price of that day at which they were valued was 87⅞ x. d. Or. this basis the excess of liabilities over assets were somewhat over £10,000,000; but, as pointed out by the Select Committee on Savings Banks, a valuation on this basis is misleading, and does not give a correct view of the real position. I need hardly remind the hon. Member that the payment of the lawful claims of depositors is absolutely guaranteed by Parliament, and that they have as security the whole credit of the nation.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state how many out of the 600 writers promoted to the abstractor class were gazetted to the War Office, and the number of these who actually forfeited £100 gratuity on such promotion; and how many of these established clerks in the War Office have been called upon to accept retirement at the age of 60 years while efficient and with less than forty years of service. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) Twenty-seven abstractors have been posted to the War Office. A writer on appointment to an abstractorship became eligible for a pension in lieu of the gratuity for which he was eligible as a writer. Eight of these men would have been eligible for a gratuity of £100 as writers. In reply to the last part of the Question one clerk was so called upon to retire.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what has been the cost of printing answers to Questions under Standing Order No. 9 during last session, and during the present session, up to the day on which the present form of printing began; and what is the saving anticipated from the present form of printing such answers. (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) (1) £2,500; (2) £725; (3) From £1,800 to £1,900 for an ordinary full session.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state what differences in the legal procedure of Scotland and England necessitate differences in the form of the notices for the collection of Income-Tax. (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The main points of difference in the law in England and Scotland respectively which affect this question relate—(a) to the appointment of collectors who in England are, as a rule, appointed by and are the servants of the District Commissioners, but in Scotland are appointed by and are the servants of the Board of Inland Revenue; (b) to the power of enforcing payment: — In England the collectors themselves are empowered to distrain; in Scotland the Sheriff's Officer must be employed to levy distraint.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether His Majesty's Ships, "Seamew," "Speedwell," or "Cockchafer," have been engaged on sea police duty during the present year; and, if so, will he say what areas have come within their respective patrol, and the number of days each vessel was engaged at sea. (Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray) None of the vessels mentioned have been engaged in sea police duty for the Fishery Board off the coasts of Scotland during the present year.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that large quantities of candles, soap, and other articles are sent almost daily to Haulbowline from England; and whether facilities will be afforded to Irish manufacturers to tender for all such supplies. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) Tenders for the articles referred to are invited by public advertisement, and it is open to any manufacturer in the United Kingdom to tender. In order, however, that Irish manufacturers may have full opportunity of doing so, I have arranged for the invitations to tender to be advertised in future in some of the principal Irish newspapers.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that grocery contractors to the Navy in the Cork Harbour district now include drapery goods in their supplies; and whether steps will be taken to put a stop to this practice. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) As no contracts for groceries for His Majesty's ships at Queenstown are made at the Admiralty, the Question probably has reference to contracts for supplies to the canteens, the responsibility with regard to which rests with the Canteen Committees.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state what steps are being taken by the Admiralty to give effect to the promised revision of the scales of pension and retirement in the case of engineer officers; whether acceleration in promotion to the rank of engineer lieutenant is provided for; and whether the pay of engineer commander on promotion will be 24s. a day, as laid down in the First Lord's Memorandum of December, 1902. (Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) I am not aware of any promise having been made that the scales of pension and retirement in the case of engineer officers would be revised. The question, however, has naturally arisen in connection with recent changes; and, after full consideration, it has been decided to make no alterations. Arrangements are already in progress for the acceleration of advancement to the rank of engineer lieutenant. The pay of engineer commanders on promotion is fixed at 24s. a day, and this will apply in all cases as soon as the new arrangements become fully operative. During the period of transition, however, and to meet the difficulty arising from the ages of existing engineer lieutenants, it has been decided to grant the rank of engineer commander before the expiration of the full period qualifying them for the higher pay. Officers who thus obtain earlier promotion in rank will not receive the 24s. a day until they have completed the requisite service.

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether King's premiums are confined to thoroughbred horses only; and whether, for the purpose of improving the breed of shire horses, and for assisting the smaller farmers, he will consider whether the funds appropriated to the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding can be sore-arranged as to extend King's premiums to horses of greater utility to farmers than thoroughbreds; and, seeing that South Wales is grouped with seven of the western counties of England, and that only four King's premium horses are relegated to this district, he will consider whether the time has not arrived when some re-arrangement of the districts is desirable. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) The King's premiums are confined to thoroughbred stallions, suitable for getting "half-bred horses" of general utility, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding in 1887. It is not considered necessary to alter, at present, the scheme of arrangements.

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state why the portion of Kew Gardens between the Queen's Cottage and the Old Deer Park, after being thrown open last year, has now again been closed to the public; and whether he will give directions to have the gate thrown open, in accordance with the intention of the Royal gift to the nation. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) The grass path through the Queen's Cottage grounds has recently keen drained and levelled and the turf has been relaid. The fences are new being repainted. The grounds will be re-opened to the public as soon as possible, probably about the middle of April, if the weather continues favourable.

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will ascertain the cost of supplying owners of dogs with collars free of charge, and whether the increased revenue which will be obtained from an efficient system of registration would meet such cost. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) I do not think it is probable that any such increase of revenue is likely to accrue by reason of the better enforcement of the dog licence duty as would be sufficient to cover the cost of collars, and of any system of registration which might be adopted. As the hon. Member is aware, the proceeds of the dog licence duties are paid over to the various local authorities.

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state how it is proposed to enable crofters, farmers, and shepherds resident far distant from any Petty Sessions or Sheriff's Court to obtain the usual exemption from the Dog Tax. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) It is proposed that the rules to be made under Section 4 of the Dogs Bill should be so framed as to render personal attendance on the part of applicants for certificates of exemption unnecessary, except in those cases in which the circumstances appear either to the Inland Revenue or to the Court to call for special investigation. In the great majority of cases the necessary information would be obtained without requiring the presence of the applicant.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board how many certificates of exemption from vaccination have been granted since the Act of 1898 came into force up to the present time (or up to the date of the latest Return), and whether any of the children so exempted, and, if so, how many, have been attacked by smallpox; and whether any, and, if so, how many, have died from that disease. (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The Returns as to the number of certificates of conscientious objection to vaccination received by the vaccination officers in the year 1903 are not quite complete, but the total number received since the passing of The Vaccination Act, 1898, may be taken as approximately 387,000. By far the largest number were given between the passing of the Act and the end of the year 1898, viz., 203,413. This was due to the fact that certificates could be obtained during the four months after the passing of the Act in respect of all children born prior to that date, whilst in respect of children born after that date the certificate must be obtained within four months from the birth of the child. I have no means of ascertaining how many of the exempted children have been attacked by smallpox, but several such cases have been reported to me.

To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education if he will explain why Clause VII. has been omitted from the Regulations for Secondary Schools; and whether he will consider the advisability of restoring the procedure under this clause, so that all forms and claims from the schools may pass through the office of the local education authority on their way to the Board of Education, and all grants from the Board may be paid through the local education authority for higher education. (Answered by Sir William Anson.) The old Clause VII. of the Regulations is still retained, though in a somewhat modified form, in Clauses IV. and V. of the Regulations for Secondary Schools. The procedure referred to in the Question does not appear to be in all respects suited to present circumstances, but the matter is receiving the consideration of the Board.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of handing over the rifles that are being discarded by the police in Ireland to those tenants who may become peasant proprietors under the Land Act of 1903, with a view to the revival of the Irish Volunteers; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to have the adult population thoroughly trained in the use of arms. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The rifles will be returned to the War Department.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he has been made aware of the state of the south pier of Donoghadee Harbour, county Down, during the past two years; and whether he is aware that it is during the March spring tides that repairs can best be proceeded with; and, if so, will steps immediately be taken to restore the pier. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The repairs to the north pier being of a more urgent character were first taken in hand. These have been completed. The execution of repairs to such works is dependent on weather, not tides, and summer is the best time for working. The repairs to the south pier will, if possible, be completed this year.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the coroner for the Limavady district held an inquest on the l5th instant into the death of a farmer who, according to the evidence, had been drinking excessively during the day in Limavady, and on returning home was given another supply at a roadside public house; can he state what steps have been taken to prosecute those responsible for giving the drink; and will he cause intructions to be issued that, in cases where it is shown the deceased was under the influence of drink when he came by his death, full inquiries should be made and the offenders prosecuted. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) An inquest was held into the circumstances attending the death of the man in question. There was no evidence whatever adduced at the inquest that the deceased had been drinking to excess. The only evidence given in this connection was to the effect that he had had two drinks on the date mentioned. His death was caused by the upsetting of his cart, under which the body was found. The horse was in the habit of shying. The local police report that the deceased was a sober, steady man.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, seeing that the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks in Great Victoria Street, Belfast, were taken over by the Great Northern Railway Company in February, 1903, and that the place now used for barracks is three private houses in bad repair and insanitary and without the necessary accommodation, if he can state how long it is proposed to retain these premises in their present condition, and when new barracks will be built. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) It is not correct to say that the barracks are insanitary and in bad repair. The question of accommodation for the police is under consideration, and until a permanent barrack is secured the premises in question, or other temporary accommodation, must be retained.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that while in the financial year 1903–4 sums of £34,265 and £3,265 were voted out of Imperial funds in aid of the education and maintenance of deaf and dumb children in England and Scotland respectively, there has been no grant made for a similar purpose in Ireland; and, if so, whether he proposes to rectify the omission in the case of Ireland, and, if necessary for that purpose, to extend to Ireland the provisions of the English and Scotch enactments under which the grants referred to are annually made. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) I am aware of the provision referred to in the first part of the Question. I hope to deal with the matter by legislation at an early date.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland under what statutory authority was the extra force of police from adjoining counties employed in the county of Armagh, the cost of which is now in dispute; under what authority was the corresponding force, whose cost has been remitted, employed in the county of Sligo; was no claim made upon the county of Sligo for the cost of the police from adjoining counties as distinguished from the Reserve; and, if not, can he explain why this was not done. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The detachments drafted into Armagh are charged for under the 27th Section of the 6 Will. 4, c. 13, and the 6th Section of the 11 and 12 Vic. c. 72. In the case of Sligo, the force in respect in which the claim was made was a force originally ordered from the Reserve, which is constituted under the authority of the 2 and 3 Vic, c. 75, and the 9 and 10 Vic, c. 97. For the reasons, however, explained by me on Thursday last†, the claim in the Sligo case was not legally admissible, and was withdrawn. There was no power so to transform the latter claim as to recover the expenses in the manner applicable in the Armagh case.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what were

See page 610.

the numbers of the Royal Irish Constabulary officers and men in 1880, and the annual expenditure for the maintenance of the force, the numbers and annual expenditure in 1890, in 1900, and in 1903. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The following table gives the desired information:—

Year.	Officers and Men.	Cost.
		£
1880–1881	11,508	1,169,002
1890–1891	12,773	1,424,530
1900–1901	11,191	1,345,511
1902–1903	11,192	1,361,419

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what were the numbers of the Dublin Metropolitan Police in 1890 and in 1893, and the expenditure in both these years for the maintenance of this force, and from what sources and under what statutory provisions is the money obtained. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The number of police in 1890–1 was 1,220 and the total expenditure was £143,469. In 1893–4 the number was 1,221, and the total expenditure £144,458. The expenditure was defrayed partly from voted moneys and partly from local sources. Receipts from the latter sources were derivable from police tax, pawnbrokers' duty, carriage revenue, fines and fees, police and incidental revenue under the various Acts of Parliament instituting them.

To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that grocery contractors to the troops in the Cork district now include drapery goods in their supplies; and whether steps will betaken to put a stop to this practice. (Answered by Mr. Bromley Davenport.) A very small trade is done in towels, handkerchiefs, braces, web belts, needles, pins, and a few other small articles. It is not proposed to put a stop to the practice, as by it, the troops are supplied with good articles at the lowest possible price.

To ask the; Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the number of men employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield who have not earned 22s. a week at piece work during the last six weeks; and whether the orders for the machine gun department are likely to be such as will keep the hands employed during the present year. (Answered by Mr. Bromley Davenport.) The number of men generally employed on piece work who have not earned 22s. a week on piece work at Enfield during the past six weeks is 152. The orders for machine guns are very much reduced, and will involve the discharge of about seventy men.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what are the numbers of men in the British, German, Austrian, French, and Italian Regular Armies, in peace and in war, respectively; and the peace Budget of each country. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) (1) Strength (all ranks) of the British. German, Austrian, French, and Italian Regular Armies:—

	Peace.	War.
British (1904–5)	217,000	300,000 about.
†German	600,000‡	3,224,000† about.
†Austrian	325,245	2,000,000 about.
†French	602,120‡	3,200,000† about.
†Italian	220,637	1,900,000
† The numbers shown under "War" include all men who have served in the Regular Army, and who could be called upon to rejoin that Army in time of War.
‡ Exclusive of Colonial troops serving abroad.

(2) The peace Budget of each of the above-mentioned countries: — British, 1904–5, £28,830,000; German, 1903–4, £31,880,455§; Austrian. 1903, £17,493,633; French, 1904, £27,053,196; Italian, 1903–4, £11,277,556.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that a private of the 2nd Buffs has been tried by Court-martial at Dover for striking a corporal of the Military Police, in the course of an altercation arising out of the private having worn his curls outside his cap, and whether he will consider the propriety of altering a regulation which tends to make the service unpopular with the rank, and file. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The rules of the service, as regards hair, are the same for officers and men, i.e., the hair is to be kept short, and no-alteration in this rule appears advisable. The incident has not been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State; it is one within the purviews of the General Commanding, but if the facts are as stated in the Question, the private has been guilty of insubordination.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what number of the 227,000 men and officers, now being voted as the established strength of the British Army for the year 1904–5, will be usually stationed in the Indian Empire; what is the estimated proportion that the Indian revenues will thus have to sustain of the whole cost of the British Army; whether the consent of the Government of India has been formally obtained to the maintenance in that country of such troops and to the charge on the Indian revenues consequent thereon during the coming financial year; and whether the despatch

§The German Estimates make no provision for pensions, which are included in a separate Budget and amount to about £5,000,000 a year.

Exclusive of cost of Colonial troops serving abroad.

recording that consent by the Governor-General in Council, together with any dissents, will be placed before Parliament. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The numbers quoted do not include troops who would usually be stationed in the Indian Empire, and whose cost falls upon Indian revenues, with the exception of those Native regiments now serving in Somaliland and North China, whose cost is borne by Imperial funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special conditions exist in the gold-mining industry on the Rand making it right to omit from the Chinese Ordinance the provisions which have been inserted in other Colonial Immigration Ordinances ensuring to its imported labourers direct access to the magistrates' Courts to complain of their wrongs, and giving them special protection against assaults or ill-treatment by their employers. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) In my opinion it is better for the interest of the labourer that he should be represented in the magistrates' Court by his superintendent. If the Chinese desire personal access to the Courts their object may be secured by regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the burden cast upon the importers of returning the Chinese immigrants to their country at the termination of their contracts will diminish as the rate of mortality increases among the Chinese, and that in other Colonial Immigration Ordinances there are provisions prohibiting the further employment of imported labourers by those employers in whose service the rate of mortality amongst their labourers is high, a similar provision can be made in the Transvaal Ordinance. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The hon. Member's suggestion shall be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Milner has advised that the provisions of the Transvaal Labour Importation Ordinance should be extended so as to apply to Asiatics now resident in the Transvaal; if so, whether Lord Milner has advised that the whole or that certain portions of the Ordinance should be so extended; and whether he will present to the House at an early date any correspondence that has passed on this subject.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) No, Sir, my statement in the House on Thursday was due to a misapprehension of the terms of a telegram which, as I said, was somewhat obscure in its terms. I only had the opportunity of examining it cursorily just before I spoke.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state approximately the number of Asiatics now resident in Johannesburg, and the number resident in the Transvaal as a whole, and how many of these are Chinese.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) Lord Milner informs me that the total number of male Asiatics above the age of sixteen resident in the Transvaal is 9,861, of which 981 are Chinese, the number resident in Johannesburg and district is 6,453, of which 952 are Chinese.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Lord Milner's estimate, in his telegram of 1st February 1904, of the net receipts of the Transvaal railways for the current year as £1,400,000 relates to the same railways the net receipts of which he estimated in May, 1903, at £2,500,000.(Answered by Mr Secretary Lyttelton.) Yes, Sir, they are the same railways.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can explain why the Transvaal Treasury Receipts for the year ending 30th June, 1903, show only '£116,316 to have been received on account of the Ten per cent. Profit Tax, while the dividends paid by the gold mines for the same period appear to have exceeded £2,500,000.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyitelton.) The yield of the tax is affected by the reduction of profits resulting from the mines not running at full strength, and to the amount which falls to be deducted from the profits in raspect of the amortisation allowance. I propose to include in financial Papers shortly to be laid a despatch from Lord Milner explaining this.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say what is the distinction, having regard to the official announcement that the King does not disallow the Chinese Labour Importation Ordinance, between the expressions "does not disallow" and the usual expressions "allows" or "sanctions"; whether, having regard to the negative expression indicating that the King does not allow the Ordinance, the Crown still retains the power within a limited time of disallowing the Ordinance; and whether, if such power be exercised, the Ordinance in accordance with the Rules and Regulations printed by the Colonial Office ceases to become operative from the date at which such disallowance is published in the colony.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The expression that His Majesty will not be advised to disallow an Ordinance, follows the terms of the section in the Ordinance, is in the usual form, and has the same meaning as the expressions allowance or sanction. The hon. Member has already been informed by the First Lord of the Treasury, in reply to a Question on the 16th instant†, that there is no precedent for the Crown, having announced that it does not raise any objection to an Ordinance, reversing that decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any instructions were issued under the Royal Sign Manual restricting

† See (4) Debates, cxxxi., 1265.

the powers of the Lord High Commissioner or of the Governor of the Transvaal as regards the Ordinances to which he may give his assent; if so, can he state what are the terms of these instructions as regards subjecting persons not of European birth, who are not British subjects, to disabilities or restrictions.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.)I have to refer the hon. Member to Clause XXII. of the Instructions to the Governor of the Transvaal, printed at page 14 of [Cd. 1463], and more particularly to the last paragraph of the clause, which states that the Governor may assent to such Ordinances if they contain a clause suspending their operation until the signification of His Majesty's pleasure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the estimated cost of transporting a man, his wife, and four children under ten years of age from Hong-Kong to Durban, and returning them at the end of the period of service; whether the whole of this cost falls on the importer; and, if so, whether he has considered what prospect there is of an importer engaging men who demand the transport of their wives and families as compared with men who make no such demand.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am not prepared to give an estimate of the cost, but it will fall upon the importer. I have caused provision to be made by regulation for facilities for the introduction of the wives and families of labourers, but it must naturally be determined by experience to what extent married labourers are engaged or are accompanied by their wives and families.

To ask the Secretary; of State for the Colonies whether the I agents or recruiters employed to secure: labourers in China will require licence as well as the importers themselves; what steps, if any, will be taken to ensure that these recruiters are men of British nationality and of good character; and whether they will be adequately penalised if it be found that they are inducing labourers to come from the interior to the port of debarkation through concealment of the nature of the contract, or through misrepresentation or pressure of any kind. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The official representing the Transvaal Government at the port of embarkation will grant the licence, to recruit, and will have to be satisfied that the re cruiters are fit and proper persons. He will have the power to cancel the licence, if necessary. Due precautions will be taken to prevent fraud, misrepresentation, and pressure.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War in what places the £3,300,000 for cantonments in South Africa is being spent; and whether, seeing that such expenditure is largely of a permanent character, it is intended to maintain a permanent military force in South Africa.

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any of the troops in South Africa still live in bell tents, single ply, with five to eight men in a tent; if so, does he propose to remedy this condition of things shortly; have huts been yet erected in any one of the military districts in South Africa; and, if so, will he give the number of military districts with huts; and the number without.

I will reply at the same time to the Question put by the hon. Member for Merionethshire. The sum mentioned is being spent at Pretoria, Middleburg, (Transvaal), Potchefstroom, Standerton, Barberton, Bloemfontein, Harrismith, Middleburg (Cape Colony), and Somerset West. The hutments in most cases are already completed or will be completed by the end of July, but I cannot give exact details. Some of the troops are in circular tents, but these are being steadily replaced by the Indian pattern tents as the latter become available. The accommodation is required for the force now required in South Africa. I am not able to say how long it will be necessary to maintain that force at its present strength.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why Lord Kitchener's supplemental list of honours for services in South Africa has not been acted upon; and whether he will take steps to give effect to those recommendations.

The hon. Member is apparently under some misapprehension. I am not aware that Lord Kitchener has submitted a supplemental list of honours.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what has been the military experience of the three members of the War Office Reconstitution Committee.

The services rendered to the State by the members of the War Office Reconstitution Committee will be found in any ordinary book of reference. They are too numerous to be recited in answer to a Question. Only one member of the Committee has served in the Army.

What has been their military experience?

That is, of course, confined to the military member.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Mullah has been informed by General Egerton that only his death or capture will put an end to the operations against him; and, if so, whether this declaration of the General's was authorised and is held to commit His Majesty's Government to an indefinite continuance of the war in Somaliland.

I have no knowledge of any such proclamation having been issued by General Egerton. No such instructions have been sent to him.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as it was some time since this matter was raised, he will have inquiry made into the truth of the statement.

I am very loth to trouble a general in the field. General Egerton asked for instructions. He has received them, and he is now acting upon them.

As there is a strong feeling as to the terms of the alleged proclamation, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire whether it is true or not?

I really do not think it is necessary. I will do it if the hon. Member really thinks it necessary.

I do consider it necessary, and I shall refer to the matter on the Army Estimates.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the requirements of the War Office as to height and chest measurement for infantry recruits of the Line; and whether such requirements were obtained in the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment, which kept the streets on Tuesday last.

The minimum height standard for infantry recruits is five feet three inches; the chest measurements are shown in detail in Appendix II. of the Recruiting Regulations. These standards have not been departed from in the case of the Cheshire Regiment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if instructions were given to Lord Northcote, as Governor of the Australian Commonwealth, to advocate preferential tariffs; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action, in view of Lord Northcote's recent speech on the subject.

No such instructions were given to Lord Northcote. As I stated on 7th instant†, in reply to the hon. Member for North Cork, I see no reason for taking any action in the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements have been made to provide for the Chinese indentured labourers during their stay in the Transvaal the ministrations of the priests of their religion and the due celebration of the ceremonial rites of that religion; and, if so, what is the nature of these arrangements and on whom will the expense necessary thereto fall; whether arrangements have been made for the proper observance in Chinese temples of the Chinese festivals of the New Year, the Dragon Boat, the Full Moon, or the Winter Solstice which, under the provisions of the Ordinance, are declared to be holidays, and will suitable Chinese temples be erected in the compounds; and whether any, and, if so, what, provision has been made to secure that on the voyage between China and South Africa the Chinese indentured labourers shall have the means of celebrating their religious rites, and at whose expense will their idols be provided.

If the hon. Member takes an interest in Chinese ritual— [Mr. SWIFT MACNEILL: I no, great.]—I will endeavour to obtain information for him as to it. In my opinion he may,; without anxiety, leave the religious rites

† See (4) Debates, cxxxi., 302.

of the Chinese to their own administration and their worship to be solemnised after their own fashion.

Is this religion to be established and endowed? I want to know who is to pay for this ritual?

No arrangement has been made for the payment.

Will other denominations be allowed these privileges?

I have answered the Question several times.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not given an undertaking to this House.

Order, order! The hon. Member knows from experience that his Question is irregular. He must give notice of any further Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, if fighting takes place as a consequence of the advance of the Political Mission into Tibet, the Government will recognise the expedition as a military one, and take the necessary steps to secure the consent of both Houses of Parliament, as required by law.

His Majesty's Government will undoubtedly comply with the law as expressed in Sections 54 and 55 of the Act for the better government of India.

Has the consent of the Suzerain Power been obtained?

And when shall we have the promised opportunity of debating the matter in this House?

I do not know that any such promise has been given.

repeated his Question.

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

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any further Papers are about to be printed in reference to the Political Mission to Tibet.

No further Papers are about to be printed at present. I may add that all the facts up to the beginning of last month have been given and nothing new or important has occurred since.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he will state the present strength of the armed force accompanying the Mission in Tibet, the number of coolies and other persons engaged, the cost per week of the Mission, and the number of animals lost by death or otherwise.

I can add nothing to my reply to the Question of the hon. Member for King's Lynn on the 4th February last† as to the strength of the force accompanying the Mission. I have no further information at present regarding the number of coolies employed, the weekly cost of the Mission, or the losses of animals.

What about the Yaks?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he will state how many weeks the British armed force in Tibet halted at Tuna, and the cause of the delay; and has the Chinese Government been consulted in regard to the proposed movement north of Tuna, and is it intended to resort to force in the event of the Tibetans offering resistance to the advance of the mission.

† See (4) Debates, cxxix., 338.

Colonel Young-husband arrived at Tuna on the 8th January, and has there awaited the collection of adequate supplies for a further advance. The Chinese Minister was informed on the 23rd November that it was impossible that His Majesty's Government should consent to postpone the measures which the conduct of the Tibetans had constrained them to adopt. The British Commissioner will resort to force only in the event of his advance being forcibly resisted, or of his communications being endangered.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any information has yet been received of the whereabouts of the new Amban, Imperial Chinese Resident to Lhasa; if so, will he state when he is expected to reach that city; and has any communication been received by Colonel Younghusband from the present Amban or the Tibetan officials accompanying him.

The new Amban is reported to have arrived at Lhasa on the 11th February last. I have not heard that Colonel Younghusband has received any communication from him or from any Tibetan officials who may be accompanying him.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the armed expedition into Tibet is now about to advance from Tuna to Kalatso; will he state how far the latter place is from the Indian frontier and from Lhasa; and whether, in view of the seriousness of this step, the Government can give facilities for discussing this enterprise in accordance with Section 55 of 21 and 22 Vic. c. 106, which provides that no military expedition shall be undertaken outside the frontier of India without the consent of Parliament.

(1) The Political Mission to Tibet is now about to advance to Kalatso. (2) Kalatso is about 100 miles from the Indian frontier at Rhenok and about 200 miles from Lhasa. (3) As I have already stated in this House, His Majesty's Government do not regard the fact that an escort accompanies the Mission as necessitating any action under Section 55 of the Government of India Act, 21 and 22 Vic. cap. 106.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state in what terms, and by what document, the concurrence of the Chinese Government was expressed with reference to the British advance into Tibetan I territory; whether orders have been given to Colonel Younghusband for a I further advance; and what are the instructions in case such advance is I resisted by the Tibetans.

In their letter to Mr. Townley, of the 13th July last, the Chinese Government accepted Khambajong in Tibet as the meeting place of the | Commission. Further, in his note of the 22nd December, the Chinese Minister suggested Yatung, also in Tibet, as the meeting place. For the reasons stated in Lord Lansdowne's Note to the Chinese Minister, of the 23rd November, His Majesty's Government have been unable to consent to stop the further advance of the Mission into Tibet. Orders have been given for the Mission to advance to Gyangtse. Colonel Younghusband has been instructed to resort to force only in the event of his advance being forcibly resisted, or his communications endangered.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the sum total of: British trade with Morocco; what I foreign Power enjoys the maximum I financial control in the Sultanate; and what steps will be taken by His Majesty's Government to safeguard British commercial interests in that country.

The total value of the trade between this country and Morocco in 1903 was £1,448,509, distributed as follows: —Imports, £559,509; exports of British and Irish produce, £691,336; and exports of foreign and colonial produce, £197,664. No foreign Power exercises financial control in the Sultanate, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware. It would obviously be impossible for me to make any announcement in reply to the latter part of the Question, but in any arrangement which may be come to with regard to Morocco, care will be taken to safeguard British commercial interests in that country.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having regard to the fact that, under the terms, of the agreement signed by the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited, and the Chinese Government on the 9th July last, the Corporation undertook to provide a capital of £3,250,000 for the construction of the Shanghai and Nanking Railway by the 9th instant, and that the requisite loan has not yet been arranged, will he ascertain whether the Chinese Government have assented to an extension of the period during which the money may be found, and the nature of any such extension.

We understand that it has been mutually agreed between the Chinese Government and the Corporation to postpone for the time being the issue of the loan in accordance with the terms of the contract which provides for the contingency of an unfavourable condition of the money market in the event of an outbreak of war.

Can the noble Earl give the period of the postponement?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the amounts of the claims of Great Britain, Germany, and Italy, respectively, against Venezuela, recognised as preferential by the tribunal of arbitration; also the total amounts of the claims of the three countries, respectively, against Venezuela.

The claims in respect of which the three Powers are entitled to preferential treatment under the award of the tribunal of arbitration are as follows: German claims, recognised by the Mixed Commission, amount to 1,673,527 Marks (about £82,848). The British claims already admitted amount to £363,381, while others amounting to £27,168 are still before the umpire. In the case of Italy, claims to the amount of 2,810,255 Bolivares (about £110,205) were admitted by Venezuela. Awards to the amount of £66,238 have been made by the Mixed Commission: and claims to the amount of £1,296,419 are still under its consideration. All the claims of this country outstanding at the date of the Agreement of 13th February, 1903, other than those already settled by Venezuela, were submitted to I the Mixed Commission. His Majesty's Government are not aware that either Italy or Germany have any other outstanding claims.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to withdraw H. M. S. "Espiégle" from Niu-chwang; whether the British Consul has protested against such withdrawal; and whether, considering the position of the British residents in that place, he will give orders that the gunboat shall remain there for their protection.

Last month His Majesty's Consul urged the retention of a British man-of-war at Niu-chwang during the war, but, for the reasons I stated in my answer of the 16th instant, it was decided after consultation with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and on the advice of the Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, that it would not be desirable to retain His Majesty's Ship "Espiégl" at the port. The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief has since been also consulted and has advised that the former decision be adhered to.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say whether the British Ambassador has recently had a prolonged interview with the Grand Vizier in which he urged the immediate acceptance of the scheme for the reform of the Macedonian gendarmerie; if so, what was the date of that interview; and, what reply, if any, has been received from the Government of the Porte.

His Majesty's Ambassador had a prolonged interview with the Grand Vizier on the 21st instant, when he urged the immediate acceptance of the scheme without modification. The reply of the Porte to the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Ambassadors' note was received on the 25th, and its general tenor is understood to be of a satisfactory character.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether inquiries have been made of the American Consul regarding the estate of the late Thomas Flynne, a British subject, who died in Warwick, Rhode Island, in February, 1902; and, if so, will he state whether a reply has been received.

A reply has just been received from His Majesty's Consul-General at New York. The substance of it will be communicated to the hon. Member in an official letter.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what is the present arrangement for carrying on the postal service between Aden and the Somali coast, and the expenditure on that service; whether it is in contemplation to make any alteration in that arrangement; and, if so, what would be the estimated cost thereof.

I have no information of recent date as to the arrangements in force for the conveyance of mails between Aden and the Somali coast. To the best of my belief, a local steamship company is employed for the purpose; but the service is not provided by the Imperial Post Office; and I am not in a position to furnish the particulars asked for.

Cannot the noble Lord give some idea of the estimated cost?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of including in his financial statement for the coming year all expenditure to be incurred, whether provided from revenue or borrowed.

It has been the practice of late years to make the inclusion, and I will remember to bear the hon. Member's wish in mind in connection with the next Budget statement.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to re-impose the corn tax of last year.

I must refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Banffshire on 18th February†.

Do I under-stand that that still expresses the mind of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject?

I should not have referred the hon. Gentleman to the answer if it did not hold good.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state approximately the amount of foreign

† See. (4) Debates, cxxx., 247.

money at present employed in the London money market, in sterling bills of exchange, Treasury bills, and the short money market.

No, Sir. I have no available data.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government, in consenting to pay the costs attendant upon the prosecution of Mr. Whitaker Wright, have considered the outlay incurred by those private gentlemen who compelled the prosecution; and if they will be held free from loss.

Perhaps the bon. Member will allow me to answer this Question. The Treasury will pay the costs of the application to the Court for a direction to the Official Receiver to prosecute. They will also pay the net costs incurred by the Official Receiver in respect of the prosecution. As regards the other costs referred to, the Treasury will be prepared to pay them on being satisfied as to the necessity for incurring them and the amount actually expended.

Do the Treasury propose to pay only the taxed costs or also those between solictor and client?

I can add nothing to my reply.

But certain costs were incurred by these gentlemen who forced the prosecution. Are they to bear the loss, or will the Government recoup them?

I think that is covered by the last paragraph of my answer.

Is the noble Lord aware that the costs incurred by these gentlemen only amounted to half of the estimate?

I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the samples of low-grade hops now being imported from the Continent, sent to the Board by the Hop Growers' Association, have been analysed by their experts, with a view to ascertaining their fitness for the manufacture of beer or porter; and, if so, will he state with what results.

It is not possible for the Board to express any opinion as to whether the hops to which the hon. Member refers are fit for use in the manufacture of beer or porter, and in any case we have no power to prevent their use for the purpose. It did not appear, therefore, that any advantage would be gained by the analysis of the samples sent to us. If, however, the hon. Member considers the Where is any reason to believe that the use of the hops in question is detrimental to the public health, perhaps he would communicate with my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board on the subject.

These hops were brought under the notice of the Board five weeks ago. Was it not the business of the Department to see that they were not sold to the public if they were deleterious to health?

Questions of the public health are within the province of the Local Government Board.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation this session dealing with the prevalence of glanders, having regard to the fact that more horses have been attacked by this disease in the Uinted Kingdom in 1904 than in any one of the preceding twenty years.

It is the case that there has recently been a considerable increase in the prevalence of glanders, and my noble friend, the President of the Board, has for some time past been in communication with the Treasury and the local authorities in London, Glasgow, and elsewhere, as to the steps to be taken to bring about a better condition of things. The difficulty of more effective administration is more one of finance than of further statutory powers.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education what was the total amount of aid grant given to schools in the administrative county of Devon for the latest financial year, and what is the amount of the grant substituted for it in the same area by the Education Act, 1902.

The aid grant given to voluntary schools in the administrative county of Devon for the year ending 31st March, 1903, amounted to £6,637 3s. 11d. The aid grant to necessitous School Boards in this area for the School Board financial year ending September 29th, 1902, amounted to £1,028 1s. 1d.; or a total aid grant of £7,665 5s. The new aid grant, which I may remind the hon. Member is not paid on behalf of the individual schools but in aid of the total expenditure of the council on elementary education, will Amount to about £25,700 for this area.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the advisability of installing an annunciator in the Ladies' Gallery, in order that the occupants thereof may the better be enabled to follow the debates.

This matter will be considered in connection with the preparation of the Estimates for next year.

How much would it cost?

I believe the capital outlay is £60, and the annual maintenance charge £40.

Will the noble Lord consider the desirability of putting annunciators in the public dining and tea rooms?

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the fishing industry is hampered owing to the through rates charged for the carriage of fish from the North of Scotland to the southern markets, will he consider the expediency of addressing a circular letter to the various railway companies concerned with a view to secure a reduction in their charges.

I may refer the hon. Member to a similar Question addressed to the Board of Agriculture on 16th March.† I am in communication with the President of the Board on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the magistrates of Dundee on the 10th March, when they agreed to recommend the licence holders to close their premises on Monday, 11th April next, and also recommended certain rules to be followed with reference to plan^* of licensed premises lodged with the clerk; whether, in view of the restrictions contained in the recent Scottish Licensing Act, he will, by communication with the magistrates or otherwise, take steps to have such recommendations withdrawn and to prevent similar recommendations being issued in future.

My attention has not been called except by the hon.

† See. (4) Debates, Cxxxi, 1256.

Member's Question to the proceedings referred to. There is no local authority in Dundee different from that in other places. But as the operation of the Act transferring powers to the new authorities comes into force in Dundee on the second Tuesday of next month, I do not think it advisable in the meantime to take any action in the matter.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether, at the sale of a congested estate (under the Land Purchase Act of 1903), an inspection may be dispensed with if the price be within the zones and the estate purchased by the tenants directly from the landlord; and whether the term congested estate includes any estate within a scheduled area.

The Questions put to me by the hon. Member are mere abstract questions of law on the construction of a particular section of a particular Statute. They may incidentally come up for decision any day before the proper tribunals and I must respectfully decline to answer them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how much money, including cost of superintendence, has been spent during the past twelve months on the slips at Roads and Coonana, county Kerry, respectively; and can he say whether the works have been completed.

£359 and £811, respectively. The cost of superintendence, which is not included, is approximately £150. The completion of the works has been delayed by the severity of the weather.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what arrangements have been made for the collection from purchasing tenants of the annuities payable under the Land Purchase Act, 1903; whether representations have been made to him from all the Irish banks, calling attention to the unfairness involved if such collection were to be placed in the hands of the Bank of Ireland alone, as leading up to the withdrawal of the business of a section of their customers; whether he has considered the suggestions made by the banks which, if adopted, would obviate the alleged hardship; whether the Government have come to any decision in the matter; and, if so, what is the nature of that decision.

This matter has not yet been finally settled.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Wexford, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he proposes this session to deal with the question of construction and maintenance of fishery piers in non-congested districts in Ireland.

The matter is receiving my careful consideration, but I am not in a position at present to make any definite statement.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the need of dredgers in many ports of the west coast of Ireland, he will undertake that a suitable one will be provided from the funds available under the Marine Works Act.

A dredger, as I pointed out in reply to the hon. Member for South Wexford†, would be of great use for harbours generally. There is no statutory authority for providing a dredger under the Marine Works Act, But this small capital charge for the benefit of the seafaring population who have derived but little advantage from recent legislation might, I suggest, be

† See page 246.

properly placed on the Development Grant.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think one dredger sufficient for the whole country?

Yes, if used continuously.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the matter in some cases is very urgent in consequence of the silting up that is going on and of the commencement of a new fishing season? Would it not be possible to hire a dredger from some of the harbour authorities pending final arrangements as to purchase?

I will consider that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Board of National Education has recently stated that where instruction in Irish, as an extra subject, is given in lessons of half an hour's duration on five days per week, not more than two of the attendances made in any week can count in the calculation of the attendance necessary to qualify a pupil for special fees; is he aware that, under this system of calculation, although only 100 attendances at school are required, payment can be refused for a pupil who has made 130 attendances; and whether he will represent to the Board that payment should be made in respect of a pupil who has made the requisite number of attendances at the extra class in which Irish is taught, in cases where Irish is taught on every day, and not merely on two days in the week.

Payment of fees can only be made for pupils who have been in bowl fide attendance throughout the extra course, and bonâ fide is defined by the rule as attendance at a day school for 100 days during the school year, and at 75 per cent, of the minimum number of meetings required to constitute a course. The minimum number of meetings in the normal school year of forty-six weeks is forty-six of one hour, or ninety-two of half an hour. The object of the rule is to spread the instruction over the entire school year. It does not disqualify a pupil for special fees whose attendances are more frequent than the prescribed minimum, provided the essential condition of bonâ fide attendance is observed. If no such condition were attached to the rule, it would be possible to crowd the attendances into a few months in each year.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Wexford, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the circular and memorandum recently issued to the principals of technical schools in Ireland by the Department of Agriculture with reference to the Science and Art Grant.

The memorandum is marked "Confidential" and was issued with the object of eliciting the views of persons of experience, I cannot, therefore, consent to lay it on the Table, but I shall be happy to supply the hon. Baronet with a copy, if he has not already seen the document.

Does the phrase "persons of experience" exclude Members of Parliament? Will they not be able to obtain the circular? Ts it not somewhat offensive to say the circular is only intended for persons of experience and that therefore it cannot be laid on the Table?

Apparently the object was to take counsel with persons specially interested in the matter. I will see what can be done to meet the views of the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has yet received the report of the engineer recently sent to inspect the Owenmore River district, in the county of Sligo; and, if so, will he state the nature of the report and say whether it recommends any scheme for the drainage of that river.

I referred this Question to the Department of Agriculture for report, but have not yet received it. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to repeat the Question tomorrow.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that the Great Southern and Western Railway Company have not fulfilled their obligation to construct the direct railway between Cork and Fermoy, whether he would urge the promoters of the Iveagh-Pirrie motor car system to establish a service between Cork and Fermoy, via White's Cross, Glenville, and Rathcormac, as the interests of the agriculturists in these districts are injuriously affected by the abandonment of the railway project.

The matter is entirely one for the promoters of this scheme of motor traction, but I will communicate the hon. Member's suggestion to them. As I have previously stated, the schemes already taken up are experimental and no fresh schemes will be established until the former have been tested by experience and practical working.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if the Press was admitted to the special Court inquiry held at Athenry on the 22nd March and following days; under what statute the Court was held; and if there is any precedent for the action of the police in excluding the friends of the prisoners and the public from the magisterial investigation.

The magisterial inquiry in this case was held on one day only, the 22nd March. Under Section 9, Sub-section 2, of the Petty Sessions Act, 1851, the presiding magistrate in all cases of proceedings for indictable offences is empowered to exclude the public if he considers that the ends of justice will thereby be best answered. The charge against the accused in the present case was an indictable one and the pr siding magistrate was of opinion that in the interests of justice the public should not be admitted. This course is not infrequently adopted in the initial stages of proceedings in indictable offences of a serious nature.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Linnane, Honan, and Clancy of the Ennis Urban Council have been surcharged by the Local Government Board in the sum of £20 in respect of money paid as compensation for the site of artisans' dwellings; and whether, in view of the fact that this money was spent in a useful public work in the interest of the labouring classes, he will, under all the circumstances, see that the sealed Order for the surcharge is re-considered.

The surcharge was made on the ground that the person to whom the money was paid had no legal interest in the land acquired and was not entitled to compensation. The decision conveyed by the Board in the sealed Order is final under Section 63 of the Local Government Act, 1898, and there is no power to re-open the case.

Seeing that these gentlemen had no knowledge that they were acting illegally, cannot the right hon. Gentleman further inquire into the matter with a view to remitting the surcharge.

I am afraid further inquiry would not alter the fact that the decision is final and the case cannot be re-opened.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inquiry into the question of vagrancy, foreshadowed by the President of the Local Government Board, in reply to the deputation of the Poor Law Conference on 23rd February, will be extended to Ireland in respect, of those points not covered by the terms of reference to the Vice-regal Commission upon Poor Law Reform.

I see no objection in principle, and will communicate with my right hon. friend the President of the English Department on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether the entire sum of £5,000, set aside for Trinity College from the Development Grant under the Land Act of 1903, has been placed in official hands for the account of the present financial year; if not, what portion has been so allocated; and whether, in the event of immediate owners holding under the college not taking advantage of the Act, will the amount revert to the benefit of the Irish Development Grant.

No, Sir; the money has not yet been lodged to the account of the public trustee. Section 39 (3) of the Act provides that the unexpended balances of the yearly grant of £5,000 shall be invested by the public trustee and be available in subsequent years for the purposes indicated by the section, but for no others.

If there are no sales will the money be returned?

The money is only available for certain purposes, but if those purposes do not arise then some other step will have to be taken.

Has there been any sale of Trinity College property up to the present?

I have no knowledge.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of the Agricultural Department in selecting a stallion, the property of Andrew G. Elliott, for the benefit of the small farmers in the Portumna and Loughrea district; and, in view of the fact that the farmers interested object to the selection, will he bring the matter under the notice of the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture, in order that the intention of the Act may not be frustrated.

The Department is satisfied that the stallion is suitable for the requirements of the scheme. This thorough-bred horse is not the property of Mr. Elliott, but has been leased to him by the owner, the hon. Member for North Fermanagh.

Have the farmers not refused to take advantage of the selection?

I believe some have.

And by my advice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Poor Law Superannuation (Ireland) Bill has been referred to the actuary to whom the former Bill was referred, and who reported the total inadequacy, even on very favourable assumptions, of the proposed local rate to meet the proposed liabilities; whether the actuary has expressed any, and what, opinion as to the adequacy of the finance of the present Bill; whether, if not, he will obtain such opinion; whether he has had any correspondence with the promoters of the Bill, or expressed to them any, and what, opinion on itsfinance, and as to his attitude towards the Bill: and whether he will consent to a Return of such correspondence.

On the 21st of January I informed the promoters that I was unable to suggest any alterations in the draft of the Bill proposed to be introduced this session, which would overcome the objections detailed in the report of the actuary on the Bill of 1901. That Bill differed in no material respect from the draft submitted to me. I also pointed out that the promoters would be well advised to consider the desirability of employing a competent actuary to report to them whether the further measure proposed could not be reconstructed upon a basis which would stand the test of actuarial criticism, and that if this were done they would be in a better position to secure the support of local authorities to their proposals. I am still of opinion that this course should be adopted. I shall be happy to supply the hon. Gentleman with a copy of the correspondence between myself I and the promoters. I do not propose at present to lay it on the Table.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if any action has been taken by the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary in the case of a constable belonging to that force, who admitted at Dunleer Petty Sessions on 8th December last that he sent his own child (under age) to a public house for half a gallon of porter in an open vessel; and whether the constable in question is still doing duty in the district.

The occurrence took place twelve months ago and the fact was elicited in the cross-examination of the constable, who had overlooked the requirements of a statute which at that time had but recently come into operation. He was cautioned and remains on duty in the district.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the promised reduction of the average attendance required in Irish national schools for the first assistant from sixty to fifty will apply to teachers at present in the service but under notice of dismissal or withdrawal of salary, because the yearly average of their schools has not reached sixty, but is not below fifty; and, in the case of new appointments, whether the rule begins with 1st April, 1904.

I am in communication with the Commissioners on this subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what is the cause of the delay in the sale of the estate of Wren and Stokes (Record No. 25), in Chancery since 1882: whether the Receiver receives a fixed salary of £200 a year for the management of this estate; whether inquiries will be made as to the management and steps taken to have the estate sold.

In March, 1899, the Master of the Rolls made an Order that the estate should be sold in the Land Judge's Court, subject, however, to the further Order of the Court of Chancery in the event of proceedings for sale. Liberty was given to the parties to make such application to the Court as they might be advised, but no such application has since been made.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Wexford. I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what happened to the £58,629 balance unexpended of the £108,174 voted for Ireland in connection with the Science and Art Department from 1890 to 1897, and what the Government propose to do in the matter.

I cannot answer the hon. Baronet's Question as I am unable to trace the figures which he quotes.

But the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the fact that while certain sums have been voted for education in Ireland in past years very much less has actually been spent. If the figures are incorrect will the right hon. Gentleman inquire and explain what has become of the unexpended balance.

said he had hoped that the hon. Baronet who put down the Question but was not in his place to put it would have been able to give him some data. He was quite unable to see how he arrived at the figures given.

I have no doubt the hon. Baronet will supply the information to the right hon. Gentleman.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a consignment of patent German spirit was some time ago received at an Excise bonded warehouse in Ballina; and, if so, will he state whether the consignees are selling it to the public as Irish whisky.

The Board of Inland Revenue have no information on this subject.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he received a renewed application on behalf of the inhabitants of Raheen, Queen's county, asking, as an instalment of a former request, that at least a post office with one daily delivery should be granted to the locality; and whether, in view of the fact that the district includes the residences of local clergymen, a Roman Catholic church, two schools, and about 300 inhabitants, who are at present deprived of facilities for procuring stamps or posting letters, he will favourably consider the application.

As I have informed the hon. Member in my letter of the 25th instant the cost of the existing postal service to Raheen is very high in proportion to the amount of correspondence, and I regret, therefore, that further facilities would not be warranted.

I beg also to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will give a second daily delivery of letters to the inhabitants of Graigue, Camira, Upper and Lower Forest, Drina, New Mills, and Cloncannon, Mountmellick, Queen's county, as a second delivery has been sanctioned to certain houses in the locality.

I have made inquiry on the question of affording a second daily delivery of letters in the district to which the hon. Member refers, but I regret to find that owing to the small number of letters for the residents, the additional expense which would necessarily be incurred in meeting their wishes would not be justified.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the loss of life and property caused by the Dublin and Blessington steam tram line since it was started some fifteen years ago, he will order an inquiry to be made into the working and management of the system, including the stability of the permanent way and the condition of the rolling stock.

My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The Board of Trade have power, under the authorising Order in Council, to cause inquiry to be made by one of their officers into the working and maintenance of this line, upon a representation made to them by either of the county councils interested, or by twenty ratepayers of a guaranteeing area, or by either of the county surveyors. If such a representation is received, I will consider the question of ordering an inquiry.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the verdict of the jury at the co oner's inquest held at Rathcourseg, county Cork, on Monday last, in connection with the death of naval pensioner Daniel Driscoll by the explosion of alive shrapnel shell; whether he is aware that such shells are frequently strewn about the strand at Rathcourseg, and that they are also liable to be hauled up by fishing nets; whether steps will be taken to give effect to the recommendation of the jury with a view to prevent similar accidents in future; and whether compensation will be given to the widow and family of this man.

Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to this incident, but as there is no suggestion that the Navy have anything to do with the firing of these shells that are found at Rathcourseg in the neighbourhood of two land forts, the matter does not appear to be one for the Admiralty. Practice with naval guns using live shell is only carried out by His Majesty's ships at sea and under conditions which render occurrences of this kind quite impossible.

Will the hon. Gentleman recommend the War Office to consider the question of compensation?