I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make inquiry into the alleged discharge by Messrs. Lysaght, of Bristol, Government contractors, of workmen on account of their membership of a trade union, during the continuance of a running contract; and whether, if this be so, it is not a violation of the pledge given by Sir John Hibbert and the hon. Member for Poplar, on behalf of the Government, on 3rd August, 1893, in interpretation of the Fair Wages Resolution.

Inquiry has been made and Messrs. Lysaght state that the discharges referred to were due to shortness of orders, but that a preference was shown to non-union men. It is difficult to say whether this constitutes any breach of the undertaking referred to in the second part of the Question, but the Admiralty are prepared to do what they can to prevent any preference being shown by contractors as between unionists and non-unionists.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether on behalf of his Department he will make inquiry, or rather cause inquiry to be made, into the facts which are alleged in the Question, viz., that unionists were discharged on account of their membership of a trades union. I am prepared to bring evidence in support of that.

Any evidence the hon. Member desires to put before the Admiralty will have most careful consideration, and inquiry will of course be made.

What has been the form of the inquiry? Has it been personal or by correspondence?

AS I indicated in my Answer, Messrs. Lysaght have been asked for an explanation, and the one they supplied I have communicated to the House.

If my hon. friend brings evidence, as he says he is prepared to do, will the hon. Gentleman make personal inquiry?

And will he make inquiry from the officials of the unions to which the men discharged belong?

Order, order! The hon. Member has said he will make inquiry.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will make inquiry into the alleged discharge by Messrs. Lysaght, of Bristol, Government contractors, of workmen, on account of their membership of a trade union, during the continuance of a running contract; whether, if this be so, it is a violation of the pledge given by Sir John Hibbert and the hon. Member for Poplar, on behalf of the Government, on 3rd August, 1893, in interpretation of the Fair Wages Resolution.

Inasmuch as no instructions were issued to the War Office consequent upon the debate referred to, it would appear that the promise then given was not intended to apply to the War Department. The Department, however, does not recognise nor approve of any preference for or against trades unionists as such, and I am willing to agree that measures shall be taken to prevent contractors engaged upon War Office work from dismissing men solely for the reason that they are or are not members of a trade union.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether horses belonging to the Woolwich Garrison are suffering or have recently suffered from epizootic lymphangitis; and whether it is proposed to employ any of the horses from this garrison on manœuvres.

There are at present forty-four horses Suffering from epizootic lymphangitis in the Woolwich Garrison, of which twenty-seven are convalescent and seventeen still under treatment. No horses will be taken to the manœuvres from units which have had a case of lymphangitis within two months of the date of the commencement of the manœuvres.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese coolies have deserted from the Transvaal mines on which they were employed; whether all who escaped have been arrested; whether any have been charged before a magistrate, and whether any punishments have been inflicted; whether any persons have been charged, under the provisions of the Labour Importation Ordinance, with the offence of harbouring or concealing an escaped labourer; and, if he has no information on these points, whether he will ask Lord Milner for particulars. The following Question also appeared on the Paper—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any statement relative to the desertion of two Chinese coolies from the New Comet Mine at Johannesburg, and the desertion of fifteen coolies on the way to Pretoria; and, if not, whether he will ask for particulars from Lord Milner.

I have not received information on these points, but I have already stated that I will ask Lord Milner for particulars.

When will the right hon. Gentleman ask Lord Milner for particulars? I have been asking that for the last ten days.

The letter was written yesterday.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has yet received the despatch from Lord Milner, asked for by cable on 23rd June, relative to the arrival and landing at Durban of coolies from the steamship "Tweeddale" and their transmission to Johannesburg; and, if so, whether he will state the terms of Lord Milner's report.

I have not yet received the despatch in question.

When may we expect it?

In about a month from the 25th June.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Department of Native Affairs in the Transvaal is now being reduced; whether the services of three out of six Native Commissioners have been dispensed with; and whether the functions of the Native Commissioners are being entrusted to the resident magistrates; and, if so, will he state what steps His Majesty's Government took before sanctioning these arrangements to satisfy itself that they are not prejudical to the interests of the native population in the Transvaal.

Owing to the necessity of dealing with a large native population scattered and unsettled by war, a larger establishment was created at first than will be required in normal conditions, and, to avoid overlapping, some reductions are taking place. The necessity of sympathetic administration by magistrates fully qualified by experience is. I am aware, fully appreciated by Lord Milner.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the schemes of tithe reform, stated to have been adopted by the Porte for application to certain villages in Macedonia, embrace control by the Civil Assessors or European officers.

Two schemes of tithe reform have been under consideration, but we are not aware that a final decision has yet been arrived at.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Nice Consular Report that lace made in Switzerland is sold at Nice as Irish-made lace; and whether he proposes to take any, and, if so, what steps to safeguard the interests of this Irish industry.

I have seen a statement in the Report of His Majesty's Consul at Nice that Irish lace appears to be counterfeited at St. Gall in Switzerland. Inquiries will be made on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade why the Statistical Abstract of the United Kingdom for the year ending December, 1902, was only issued on 9th September, 1903; why the Abstract for the year 1903 has not yet been issued; and whether there is any prospect of its being available on an early day.

The date of issue of the Statistical Abstract depends on the date of receipt by the Board of Trade of the particulars supplied to them for the purpose by other Departments, including the financial statements for the year ending 31st March. It is hoped that the Abstract may be published in August this year, and every effort will be made to expedite its issue.

I beg to ask Home the Secretary of State for the Department whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the sentencing of a convict last Wednesday at Maidstone to twelve months further imprisonment with hard labour for an attack on a warder at Borstal Prison; whether he has noted the fact that the prisoner stated that the warder in question habitually kicked the food into the prisoner's cell; and that on resenting this, he, the prisoner, was beaten with staves by warders to an extent which necessitated the bandaging of his arm by the doctor; and whether, in view of this particular case, and of the frequent attacks on warders at, and attempted escapes from, Borstal during the last few years, he will order an inquiry into the whole question of the conduct of Borstal Prison.

With regard to the first allegation to which the hon. Member refers, inquiry was made at the time and no reason was found for believing what the convict said as to the manner in which his food was served to him. As a matter of fact, the warder he assaulted was not in charge of his cell and did not serve his dinner. The convict's second allegation is incorrect. When brought into the prison after arrest he complained of pain in his arm, and a cold-water bandage was applied by the medical officer; but the injury, if any, was caused in the struggle to stop the assault and effect the arrest, and had nothing to do with the service of his food. Assaults on prison warders are unfortunately inevitable incidents of any large convict establishment where large bodies of criminals—many of them violent and desperate men—have to be kept in association under the control of a small body of warders. The assault to which the hon. Member refers was a murderous one, and could only be properly dealt with by being brought before a Judge of Assize. Though the situation of Borstal makes the number of attempts by convicts to escape somewhat larger than at other prisons, the reports of violence by convicts during the last ten years have been fewer there than at other convict prisons, and in my opinion no inquiry into the discipline is called for. I am satisfied that the administration of the prison is well-conducted.

Was this convict at Borstal one of the special starred class?

I cannot say, but I will get the information.

I beg to ask the Secretary of the Treasury what amount of silver coinage for the Crown Colonies has recently been struck at the Mint, Birmingham, and for what Colonies; and whether any commission has been paid on the above coinage to the Crown Agents for the Colonies.

No silver coinage for the Crown Colonies has been struck at the Mint, Birmingham, for upwards of four years.

Has any commission been paid to the Crown Agents?

No, Sir. No coinage has been struck.

Not copper coinage?

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of in future separating in the annual Revenue Returns the quantities of pot-still whisky distilled in Ireland and Scotland as distinguished from patent spirits distilled in Ireland, Scotland, and England, with a view to facilitating the work of inspectors in prosecuting under the Food and Drugs Act the owners of tied houses who fraudulently compel their tenants to sell English patent spirit as genuine Irish and Scotch whisky.

The Returns of the Inland Revenue Department do not distinguish between pot-still and patent-still spirit, the difference being one that has no bearing upon the levying of duty; nor do I think that such information, even if obtainable in future, would facilitate identification of spirits after they have left the control of the Inland Revenue and when they are on sale by retailers.

Am I to understand that the Government actually do nothing to prevent the sale of English patent spirit as Scotch or Irish whisky?

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if all home made spirits, whether Irish whisky, Scotch whisky, blended whisky, patent spirits made in Scotland, Ireland, or England, are permitted as plain British spirit; if the nature of the contents of all casks in bonded warehouses are known to the Revenue officials; and, if so, will he consider the desirability of stating on the permits which are attached by the officials to all casks leaving bond what the contents actually are.

The Answer to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. Accordingly, the third point mentioned by him does not arise.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the West Ham Board of Guardians propose to purchase from the Poplar Guardians for the accommodation of the children at present housed in the West Ham Workhouse Schools, the already condemned barrack school at Forest Gate; and if he can give an assurance that such a step will not receive the sanction of the Local Government Board.

I understand that the West Ham Guardians have been in communication with the Poplar Guardians on this subject, but I have not at present had to determine whether the proposed purchase should be sanctioned. If an application for sanction should be made to me I will give the matter careful consideration before arriving at a decision with regard to it.

Can the purchase be made without the sanction of the Local Government Board?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the Bradford Wages Commission Report will be laid upon the Table of the House before the 15th July.

I propose to lay the Report of the Bradford Committee on the Table of the House on Friday.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the total number of candidates from the Queen's Colleges of Belfast, Cork, and Galway, and Magee College, Derry, who have j taken the degree of B.A. at the Royal University during the past five years; and the total number from Kelvin House, Belfast, who have done so during the same period.

I have communicated this information to the hon. Member. It will also be printed with to-day's Votes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the cost of the mosaics in the entrance hall of Queen's College, Belfast, and in the library, and of the organ placed in the examination hall; and whether, in view of the demand for further funds for science teaching and original research, he can state from what fund the cost of the mosaics and organ was defrayed.

The pavement (not mosaic) of the entrance hall and library cost £29, charged to the Vote for the maintenance of the College. The organ was presented to the College by a Belfast family.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant o? Ireland whether he can state if any scholarships have lapsed in Queen's College, Belfast, during the past tan years; and, if so, whether he can state their value and to what purpose the money thus accruing has been applied.

Occasionally scholarships are not awarded at Belfast College, as in the case of all Colleges and Universities. There is no available information of the number and value of such scholarships. The disposal of monies accruing through their non-award is strictly regulated by the College statutes.

Is the reason because there are not sufficient capable students?

That is one of the reasons.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of inspectors employed under the Estates Commissioners, the provinces from which they have been taken; and whether, without exception, they are Protestants.

There are twenty-two inspectors on the staff of the Estates Commissioners, all of whom had previously been employed as assistant land commissioners. Eleven resided in Ulster at the time of their appointment as inspectors; seven in Leinster, and four in Munster. The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of their religious denominations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Parliamentary Return has been issued, giving a list of the Commissioners, and that in each case the religion is stated?

I am not aware of that.

If the religion is stated in the Return how is it the information has not been supplied to the right hon. Gentleman?

I am not aware that it is so stated.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in consequence of delay in producing the new plans for school building and of the poverty of the district, the work of erecting a school in Lettir, county Kerry, has been in abeyance for a number of years; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the National Board will contribute something more than the usual two-thirds of the cost, and thereby enable the manager to build a school under the old plans in accordance with the claims of the parents.

In this case the manager elected to postpone the erection of a school-house pending a decision on the question of the revision of the plans and estimates. The Commissioners offered to make a grant under the old regulations in March, 1902. They have no power to make a grant exceeding two-thirds of the estimated cost.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the manager of the Keelnabrach School at Glenbeigh, county Kerry, reported to the National Board that the loft was in a dangerous condition, and applied for a,grant to build a new school in December, 1902; can he state why the grant was not given; and on whom the responsibility will rest in case an accident occurs, consequent on the condition of the present school building.

The manager applied for a grant for a new school-house. The Commissioners were prepared to make a grant under the old regulations, but he elected to await the issue of the expected new regulations. It is for the manager and other persons interested to adopt such precautions as may be needful for the Safety of the children in attendance at the school. No responsibility in this respect attaches to the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the teaching of Irish has been admitted into the ordinary programme in Irish national schools, the special payments which were made when it was taught as a special subject will still be given.

Special fees are paid for instruction in Irish as an extra subject outside school hours. The teaching of Irish during school hours in accordance with the programme issued in April last is no bar to the payment of such special fees.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will furnish the hon. Member for East Mayo with a certified copy of the evidence taken during the Court of inquiry into the charges against Constable Anderson, at Kiltimagh, in December last. The following Question on the same subject also appeared on the Paper—

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of all Correspondence which has passed between the Government authorities in Dublin and Mr. Maurice, the solicitor for Constable Anderson, since the holding of the Court of inquiry in December last.

There is no precedent, so far as I can discover, for laying the proceedings of a Court of inquiry, or an appeal made to the Inspector-General by a solicitor on behalf of his client. I see grave objections to creating such a precedent and am not prepared to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no precedent also for the condition ot things that exists in connection with this case?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of prosecutions, with the result, which have been instituted in Ireland for excessive moisture in salt firkin butter, where the analysis showed it did not exceed 20 per cent., since the Committee of last session, to whom the Butter Bill was referred, agreed to allow a maximum of 20 per cent, in salt firkin butter; and whether, seeing that the Butter Bill introduced this session contains the same provision, he will call the attention of the Irish Board of Agriculture and the police, acting as food inspectors, to the matter.

The number and results of such prosecutions are not officially recorded, and to obtain the information it would be necessary to communicate with the police throughout Ireland. Under existing statutory regulations where the proportion of water in butter exceeds 16 per cent., it is presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the butter is not genuine. The Department of Agriculture is aware of the proposal in the Bill referred to, to exempt Irish salt firkin butter from the 16 per cent, limit. But the hon. Member is doubtless aware that the Council of Agriculture by a majority of forty-seven votes to seven recently adopted a resolution to the effect that any such exemption, if made, would most injuriously affect the reputation of Irish butter generally. The Kerry County Council has also passed a somewhat similar resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the 21st of last month a prosecution was instituted against a man at Pallas Grean for having 18 per cent. of moisture in his butter, and that the magistrates on the bench unanimously dismissed it?

I am aware that the case was dismissed on a technical point. I am also aware that a certain number of hon. Members representing certain districts in Ireland hold an opinion contrary to that held by a large number of hon. Members representing other parts of Ireland in regard to the question of moisture in butter—a question which I think can only be settled by legislation.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Consultative Board of the Agricultural Association—Sir H. Plunkett's Department—are trying to override the decision?

Order, order! The hon. Member is now arguing the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Limerick County Council and certain district councils have passed resolutions in favour of exempting salt butter from—?

Order, order!

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the object of the circular of the Board of Agriculture is to deliberately kill the salt firkin butter trade?

That is not in order.

Nothing but creameries will do for Sir Horace Plunkett. I promise the right hon. Gentleman he will hear more of this.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the sale both in this country and abroad of machine-made cloths of inferior quality as Donegal homespuns; and whether any steps are being taken to put a stop to this practtice.

Such sales would seem to constitute an offence, against the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, and if any specific cases of the kind are brought under the notice of the Department, it will be prepared to take such action as it may be advised.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in 1899 the Salters' Company of London conveyed to certain trustees in Magherafelt, county Derry, the old Court-house and bridewell, the markets, and certain other property to hold in trust for the town of Magherafelt upon certain conditions; and that apart from an annual payment of £120 to two local schools and the handing over £100 to the Magherafelt Gas Company, no other disbursements have been made by the trustees; and whether, in view of the desire of the inhabitants that the money in the hands of the trustees should be spent for the benefit and improvement of the town, a local inquiry will be ordered in order to ascertain the conditions under whieh the trust was made over, its present value, and the best means of securing that it shall be administered for the benefit, and according to the wish, of the people of Magherafelt.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the Salters' Company assigned certain property to trustees to be used for certain purposes. This trust has been faithfully carried out. I have no power whatever to institute such an inquiry as suggested, or to compel owners of property to dedicate it to purposes other than those to which they desire to devote it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an evicted tenant, Frederick Morres, applied to the Estates Commissioners to be reinstated in his holding in Collierstown, county Meath; whether the farm is untenanted; and what steps, if any, have the Commissioners taken to meet his application.

An application has been received from this evicted tenant, and will be considered by the Estates Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that discontent exists amongst the inhabitants of Bangor, county Down, with the post office accommodation there; and that representations have already been made to the postal authorities complaining of the inconvenience caused to the residents owing to the limited proportions of the present post office; and whether, in view of the needs of this growing community in the matter of post office accommodation, immediate steps will be taken to have a new building erected.

A representation was made early this year upon this subject by the Urban District Council of Bangor (county Down), when I pointed out to them that the office was provided as recently as 1901, and that the accommodation was still ample to meet the requirements of the public at normal times. I do not consider that a new office is necessary at present.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state when and how His Majesty's Government propose to give practical effect to the reply of the Colonial Secretary, on 20th May, to the Resolutions against Chinese labour of both branches of the Federal Legislature of the Commonwealth of Australia, namely, that His Majesty's Government adhere to the policy of treating the Transvaal as a self-governing colony so far as its internal affairs are concerned where Imperial interests are not involved.

The policy to which the hon. Gentleman refers has been adhered to in the past and is being adhered to at the present.

Do I understand that the Transvaal is at the present time a self-governing colony?

No, Sir; that has never been asserted by the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the despatch of 20th May, where the Colonial Secretary specifically makes that statement?

A self-governing colony? I think the hon. Gentleman is mistaken.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the despatch of 20th May, in which the Colonial Secretary says, "His Majesty's Government adhere to the policy of treating the Transvaal as; a self-governing colony."

From that sentence it is clear that it is not a self-governing colony.

Will the Prime Minister wire to the Government of Australia to send to this House—

Order, order! That does not arise on this Question.

I think, Sir, you will see that it does, if you allow me to finish the Question.

I am quite sure that it does not.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now state definitely when the Colonial Office Vote will be taken.

said he could not fix a date for the Colonial Vote, but he would give as long notice of any arrangement as he could.

reminded the right hon. Gentleman that that Bench had asked that the Colonial Vote might be taken on Thursday, the 21st inst.

I think the right hon. Gentleman has put his supplementary Question under a misapprehension. Neither I nor the Bench opposite can foresee with certainty the course of business in the next few days. If the request is repeated when it can be foreseen, it will be treated, as I have always treated requests from that quarter, with the utmost consideration.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, instead of proceeding with the Education (Defaulting Authorities) Bill, he will consider the advisability of introducing a short measure giving to England and Wales the same conditions of popular control as are provided in the Scotch Education Bill.

The popular control given in Scotland to the local authorities carried with it, as one of its essential elements, the right to give out of the rates denominational education in school hours in what in England are provided schools. As I understand, the Opposition have scouted the idea of denominational religion being taught within school hours even at the cost of the denomination, and as I further understand the sole ground, if there be a ground, for passive resistance, is that it is alleged that under the existing Act denominational education is given at the cost of the rates. Therefore, if the Scotch system were introduced into England, it is manifest it would offend the Opposition as an organised body of public opinion, and it would do nothing to conciliate passive reisters.

May I ask the Prime Minister why Scotland is always to be treated as an educationally favoured nation?

If it be an educational favour to a nation to have denominational religion taught out of the rates, that is a privilege I shall be glad to extend to this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the educational privilege that every community shall have a popularly-governed school in its area?

It depends on what conditions. The full popular control given in Scotland is, I understand, repulsive to the right hon. Gentleman's conscientious convictions.

again rose, but—

said he really thought this debate, for such it was becoming, must be continued on some other occasion.

said he merely desired to make an explanation—namely, that he disclaimed the interpretation of the right hon. Gentleman.

asked on what Vote the Secretary for War would make his statement on Army Reform?

said the statement of the Secretary of State for War to-morrow would be made on the War Office Vote, that being the desire, he understood, of hon. Members opposite. He hoped it would be possible to take Vote 8 afterwards, but he expected the discussion on the statement would occupy a considerable time.

There are one or two points on that which I desire to put to the First Lord of the Treasury. Will the statement of the Secretary of State for War affect the question of the organisation of the War Office as well as the question of the organisation of the Army, which are two quite distinct matters? I have on many occasions, with the assent of the right hon. Gentleman opposite, requested that a delay should take place before the House is called upon either to pronounce its opinion or even to discuss the statement of the Secretary of State for War. The subject-matter of the statement must occupy a good deal of time, and I think it is only reasonable that there should be an opportunity for a full and well-informed discussion on the matter.

As the Militia may be affected, could not that Vote be put down to enable a discussion on a later day.

I quite agree with the right hon. Gentleman that it would be unreasonable to ask the House to confine the discussion of the statement of my right hon. friend to to-morrow alone. A second opportunity must clearly be granted. I do not think it would be desirable that that second discussion should be taken under conditions which might restrict its area and limit the field with which the Secretary of State might have to deal tomorrow. I cannot answer the right hon. Gentleman's Question as to the exact ambit of my right hon. friend's statement. I do not know whether he will refer in detail to War Office re-organisation, though I think it is exceedingly probable that he will refer to it. I think, however, I ought not to make any statement on that matter in the absence of my right hon. friend.

asked whether there would be another opportunity this session?

Oh, of course.

An early opportunity?

Now observe. I am told that, under pains and penalties of all sorts, I must give an early opportunity for the discussion of the Colonial Vote, and now I am asked to give an early opportunity for the discussion of this matter. I will do my best, but I cannot do more.

reported from the Committee of Selection: That they had discharged the following Members from the Standing Committee on Trade (including Agriculture and Fishing), Shipping, and Manufactures:—Mr. Baird and Mr. Hunter Craig, and had appointed in substitution, Mr. Seymour Ormsby-Gore and Mr. Edward Mitchell.