To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in a case where the occupier of an evicted farm has purchased it under the Ashbourne Act and is now willing to surrender it on receiving moderate compensation, so that the evicted tenant should be reinstated, the Estates Commissioners will be prepared to enter into negotiations for that purpose. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The possibility of carrying out the suggested arrangements will, I think, in most cases depend on a point decided by Mr. Justice Meredith in a recent case as to the proper construction of Section 9, Subsection 4, of the Act of 1891. The learned Judge's decision has been or is about to be appealed against. Pending the result of the appeal a definite reply cannot be given to the Question.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state on what grounds a loan has been refused to the Boyle Town Commissioners for the completion of their scheme for the erection of cottages under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts; and whether, in computing the total borrowing power of the Town Commissioners, regard was had to the incidence of the town rate and of the county council rat e as affecting houses and lands. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) At my hon. friend's request I will reply to this Question. The reasons for refusing this loan were explained by me in answer to the hon. Member's similar Question of the 13th August last.†

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the claim of Mr. W. B. Watson in respect of goods commandeered at the commencement of the South African War has been disallowed solely on the ground that he is non-resident in South Africa; and, if so, what is the authority for restricting compensation in this way. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I would refer the hon. Member to Article 10 of the Terms of Surrender, from which he will observe that the sums voted by Parliament were for the restoration of the people to their homes, and that commandeering notes were only to be accepted as evidence of war losses in connection with such restoration. Persons non-resident in South Africa have therefore not

†See (4)Debates. cxxvii, 1173.

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the representation addressed to his Department by the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture on the subject of swine fever in Midlothian, he now proposes to take steps to remove the grievances of Midlothian farmers and stockowners in this connection. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) The Board could not, at the present moment, advise the counties adjoining Midlothian to alter the local regulations they have recently adopted for the protection of their districts. Should, however, the present favourable position as regards swine fever in the south-eastern counties of Scotland be maintained they would be prepared to consider favourably any representations which might be made to them by the counties concerned to impose the Swine Fever (Regulation of Movement) Order over a group of those counties in place of the different local regulations now existing. By this means the area in which free movement was possible would be enlarged to the extent of the counties absorbed in the combination.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ss. "Dragoman" of the Bedouin Steam Navigation Company, was stopped off Perim, in the Red Sea, on Friday last; and if he proposes to make any protest to the Russian Government for the action of their cruiser. (Answered by Earl Percy.) The question of stoppage of certain British steamers in the Red Sea by armed Russian vessels is one of grave importance and is receiving the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government. Careful inquiries are being made into the circumstances.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether light uniforms for summer use are supplied to all postmen in rural districts in Ireland. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) All established rural postmen in Ireland, and all auxiliary rural postmen doing five hours work or upwards a day, are supplied, in accordance with the general regulations, with light uniforms for summer use.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can now say what arrangements are being made for an improvement of the postal service in the districts of Gweedore and Bunbeg, county Donegal. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The question of improving the postal arrangements at Gweedore and Bunbeg has been under consideration for some time, but difficulties have presented themselves and it has not yet been possible to arrive at a definite result. I will, however, endeavour to expedite a settlement of the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for India, having regard to the fact that on the 3rd February last a petition from Sivasulramania Nadan for the redress of grievances was laid upon the Table of the House, will he state what action has been taken in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) So far as I am concerned no action has been taken in regard to this petition, which was not addressed to me. I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Special Report of the Select Committee on Public Petitions, ordered by this House to be printed on 29th June last.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the works to be carried out under the Marine Works Act at Gortnasate, Portnoo, and Cladnageerah will be commenced during the present summer; and if he can say whether any arrangements have been math with respect to the balance of £1,500 required for the construction (under the revised estimate) for a pier and breakwater at Falcorrib. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The Commissioners of Public Works have accepted a tender for the work at Gortnasate, which will shortly be commenced. The report of the Commissioners in the case of the works proposed at Portnoo and Cladnageerah is about to be submitted to the Treasury. When Treasury approval has been signified tenders will be called for without delay. No decision has been arrived at with respect to the question of the expenditure of money at Falcorrib.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has satisfied himself that all the contractors, both inside and outside the United Kingdom, who have contracts with the Government for the Army boots are complying with the conditions of the Fair Wages Resolution passed by this House; and will he say what proportion of these orders were given inside and outside the United Kingdom for the years 1902 and 1903. (Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) All contracts made by the War Office for boots contain the usual clause stipulating that the wages paid shall be those generally accepted as current for competent workmen in the district where the work is carried out. There is no reason for supposing that this condition is not being complied with. With the exception of some local purchases made by the troops in South Africa and Somaliland, all orders for boots during 1902 and 1903 were placed in the United Kingdom. An arrangement was, however, made in 1901 with the India Office under which the latter Department agreed to supply the Army with 220,000 pairs of ankle boots. The reasons for this arrangement, which will shortly be completed, have already been explained in the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Commission appointed to consider the best means of securing the education of the children of Tamil labourers employed on the various estates in Ceylon have yet made their Report; and, if not, will he state the cause of the delay. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am informed that the Report was forwarded to me by the mail which left Ceylon on the 14th instant.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether cat-o'-nine-tails and birches, approved by the naval authorities in accordance with the King's Regulations, weighing nine ounces, and canes likewise similarly approved, of a half-inch in thickness, three feet in length, and two ounces in weight, are supplied from the dockyards and form part of the equipment of ships of war and naval training ships for the flogging of men and boys.

The Answer is "Yes," but the use of the cat has been suspended by regulation since 1881.

But are these instruments kept as a matter of precaution on every ship of war.

I have already answered that Question.

What was the Answer?

"Yes, but their use is suspended."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet able to state what is the decision of His Majesty's Government upon the case of the convict Witton.

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to give a reply to this Question. I have been for some time past in communication with the Colonial Office and hope to be able to announce a decision shortly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to recommend to the House a scale of payment for junior officers in the Army under which such junior officers would receive an increase of pay, and a slight decrease of pay when they reach higher ranks, and thus enable the sons of poor persons an opportunity of entering the Army.

I am not prepared at the present time to recommend any increase in the pay of junior officers. The matter is one which affects both the Navy and the Army, but I consider it to he of great importance that both the rate of pay and the scale of living should be such as to enable officers of small means to continue in the service. I cannot admit that the pay of officers in the higher ranks is excessive.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will lay before the House a Statement of the estimated financial results of his Army Reorganisation Scheme when in full operation, noting both increases and decreases of charge.

; Yes, Sir. I will shortly lay such a Statement before the House, but the figures will depend on the extent to which Parliament approves of the scheme in part or as a whole.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Halifax, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will lay the Papers relating to the resignation of Sir Percy Girouard before the Colonial Vote is taken.

Pending the receipt of a despatch which Lord Milner has promised I am not in a position to lay any Papers on this subject.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Halifax I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he can state on whose advice the life of the gold mines is taken as fourteen and a half years for the purpose of the profit tax; and how it is that the profits on which the tax is paid are less than half the profits declared to the shareholders.

The hon. Member will see on referring to Section 5, Subsection 2, of the Profits Tax Proclamation 1902, published at page 165 of Cd. 1163 that the period of the life of the mines is determined by the Commissioner of Mines. The profits on which the tax is paid do not include the allowance for exhaustion of capital.

Is it not the fact that the life of the mines is based solely on one reef of the mines—the south reef, and that no account is taken of any ore n any other reef.

I' must communicate with the Commissioner before I can arrive at what was in his mind.

; I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been lately called to the cases of the five soldiers of the Leinster Regiment—John Roche, J, Maher, J. Barrett, A. Dunn, and Edward Roche, now in penal servitude in Pretoria for being concerned in a not in which a soldier named Casey lost his life; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case and the character of the evidence given against these men, he will have an inquiry made with a view to their sentence being mitigated.

No, Sir. No grounds have been submitted to me on which I should be justified in intervening in the administration of justice in this case.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the time has not arrived when the sentences passed on all young soldiers in South Africa should be gone into?

Well wait until after the general election. They will be reversed then.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he has observed a Special Report of the Select Committee on Petitions in reference to Petitions presented to this House from India; and if he will call the attention of the Government of India to the Report, in order that the Petitioners may be put upon their guard and may better understand the limited effect of Petitions.

A copy of the Report will be forwarded to the Government of India with instructions that, so far as is possible, steps may be taken for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee.

Are we to understand, then, that the Petitions addressed to this House by the people of India do no good?

Not a bit.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the purchase by the Imperial Government in 1899 of a dividend-paying concern (viz., the Royal Niger Company) for £865,000; what is the amount that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received from the purchase of those shares up to the present time for the relief of Imperial taxation; and, if no amount has been received, what has become of the income from steamers, land, and mineral rights promised at the time of purchase by the Government.

The considerations, for which the payment referred to by the hon. Member was made, are set out in the preamble of the Act 62 and 63 Vict., Cap. 43. They covered the transfer to the Imperial Government by the Royal Niger Company of the administrative powers possessed under its Charter, which was then revoked. No shares passed. The Imperial Government did not look to be recouped the £865,000, until such time as the Northern Nigeria Protectorate's revenue exceeded the administrative expense, and this is not yet the case. Such receipts as are derived from the mining and land rights, etc., taken over from the Royal Niger Company, forms part of the current revenue of the Protectorate, but the amount is not large at the present time.

Is there any objection to a Report being issued on the exact financial result of this transaction. The House has never heard anything of it before.

I should say the exact financial results are fairly obvious.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state how many aliens are now undergoing penal servitude or imprisonment, or are awaiting trial in His Majesty's prisons.

As I stated a few days ago in answer to my hon. friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds† the number of aliens in convict prisons on the 23rd April last was 182, and I had previously stated that the total number of alien prisoners on that date was reported to be 635. It is not possible to give further or later information without calling for a special Report, which it would, I think, be an unreasonable burden upon the prison authorities to demand after such a short interval.

†See (4) Debates, cxxxvii., 1207.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the authorities are aware that the Portland cement being used for the General Post Office, Sunderland, and the General Post Office, Darlington, and supplied by an English firm, is manufactured in Belgium; and whether, in future, orders will be given for the use of the best English cement on Government works.

The cement was supplied by an English firm, and was of Belgian manufacture; it was of very good quality, meeting the tests applied to it. The Board have under consideration the expediency of prescribing that cement made in the British Isles only shall be used in future, except in special cases.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the initial salary at present paid to teachers in Irish national schools; and also the salary, together with all allowances for lodging, clothing, etc., paid to constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The initial salaries tries of teachers vary from £61 to £71, for four hours' secular instruction daily. Where the teachers give instruction in extra branches, or conduct evening schools, the emoluments are much higher. The initial pay of a constable is £39, and his allowances are at rates shown in the Estimates. His uniform is supplied at the public expense.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that tine principal teacher of a school in District 17 (Roll No. 1215) left the Board's service on the 1st January, 1904, owing to the inadequacy of his salary, after being trained at a cost to the Treasury of about £100. whether he can state the number of teachers paid at the rata of £56 per annum who have resigned since 1900, and whether he will recommend that the initial salary for all teachers shall be raised.

No cause was assigned for this teacher's resignation. 104 male teachers, whose grade salary was £56, have left the service since 1st April, 1900. Of these fifty-nine had been trained. The abolition of the old system of payments has resulted in an increase of the actual payments to teachers generally of more than £40,000 per annum. I cannot hold out any hope that further burdens will be imposed on the Vote for Public Education.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that there is a Treasury rule prohibiting trained teachers from entering the Civil Service unless they refund to the State the sum expended on their training, and that a number of teachers, who had previously served five years as monitors under the National Board, so signed an agreement under that rule in the years 1898 and 1899, while the old rules obtained, are now paid lower salaries than they would have been entitled to under the old rules; and, if so, whether he will urge the Commissioners of National Education to consider favourably the claims of these teachers to be paid salaries according to the rule in force when they signed such agreements.

Under Rule 162 of the Code candidates for training must sign a declaration that they intend bonâ fide to adopt the profession of teacher, and under Rule 169 they mast repay the cost of their training before they are allowed to enter the Civil Service, in accordance with Treasury requirement. But no right is conferred on such teachers to any special rate of salary on appointment to national schools. The regulations are intended to prevent waste of public money by persons who might make the training colleges mere stepping-stones to the Civil Service Teachers, as a rule, receive higher incomes now on being appointed to national schools than they received under the old regulations.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that within the past few months some sixty labourers and farmers in the parish of Fedamore, county Limerick, petitioned the Estates Commissioners, requesting them to purchase the Carnane Estate in that parish from the owners, the representatives of the late E. J. Synan, with the view of re-selling it in small lots to the labourers and the small farmers around; and whether, since the districts adjacent, Shale and Cloghadooloorta, are for the most part cut-out hog and are highly congested, he can hold forth any hope to the parties interested that the Estates Commissioners will endeavour to buy this estate in their favour.

This estate is administered in the Court of the Master of the Rolls. There is a perpetual annuity of £700 charged on the lands, and the owners, I understand, receive nothing from the estate. It is questionable, under the circumstances, if the provisions of Section 7 of the Act of 1903 apply. No originating request has been received by the Commissioners under Section 6, but they will make inquiry as to the expediency of moving in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if it is always an instruction of the Local Government Board to unions and other bodies under their supervision that the lowest_ tender must be accepted, even when the union finds that the quality of the article offered by the lowest tenderer is inferior.

No sir; there is no such instruction or rule. Where rural district councils or proposals committeees do not accept the lowest tender they are obliged to adopt the procedure laid down in Section 18 of the Local Government Act, 1902. Where boards of guardians do not accept the lowest tender they must be prepared to satisfy the auditor that they acted in the best interests of the ratepayers.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why one of the Privy Council rules for the regulation of lunatic asylums in Ireland prescribes as one of the qualifications for the office of assistant resident medical officer that he shall be unmarried, in view of the fact that no such condition is prescribed in the case of the resident medical superintendent; and whether, if such a condition is not prescribed by any asylum committee of management which may make new rules, the Lord-Lieutenant will insist upon its inclusion amongst such rules.

The rule prohibiting a married man from being appointed to the position of assistant medical officer of a district lunatic asylum is of universal application throughout the United Kingdom. It is embodied in an Order of the Lord-Lieutenant in Council dated 28th April, 1898. The object of the rule is to secure for the position the services of men who are more likely to devote their whole attention to learning the special duties of their office. A resident medical superintendent must be a man of experience and must have served as assistant medical officer for at least five years. The rule has been adopted by every asylum committee in Ireland which has drawn up regulations, save the Ballinasloe Asylum Committee. A departure from the rule will not be sanctioned in the case of that asylum.

How many asylum committees have drawn up rules? Is it not a fact that only one has?

I do not think so, but I should like notice of the Question.

Is there anything to prevent an officer who is unmarried, when appointed, from getting married the day after his appointment?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that. My view is that in Ireland, and throughout the United Kingdom as well as throughout Europe, the assistant resident medical officer is expected to be an unmarried man.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in cases in which the salaries of Poor Law medical officers in Ireland have been increased since the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, or may be increased in the future, the whole of the increase is to be borne out the local rates, or whether, as used to be the case, half is to be borne out of the rates and half out of the Parliamentary grant-in-aid.

Under Section 6 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902, the total amount to he recouped to the guardians of any union in pursuance of Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, cannot exceed the amount recouped in the year ended 31st March, 1902. The necessity for the provision was explained by me in the Committee stage of the measure.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland if, after the selection by the Ballinasloe District Lunatic Asylum Committee of Dr. Kirwan over the herd of the Protestant assistant medical superintendent, Dr. Mills, and before His Excellency approved of such selection, communications passed between the Under-Secretary and the Roman Catholic Archbishop or Bishop, or either of them, who were members of the committee, with reference to the supersession of Dr. Mills; if so, by whom was the Under-Secretary authorised to enter into such communications; and did such communications affect the decision of the Irish Government in sanctioning the appointment; and, if not, for what purpose were they invited; was any expression of opinion invitad from any Protestant resident in the neighbourhood; and will copies of such communications, if in writing, be laid upon the Table.

All communications issued from my office to the Asylum Committee or any of its members on this subject have passed before me, and were, in my opinion, of a suitable nature. I am not prepared to discuss the existence or non-existence of unofficial communications. The decision of the Government was based exclusively on the terms and intention of Section 81 of the Local Government Act of 1898, after a careful consideration of its provisions, for reasons which I explained in the Committee of the House on 7th July. I have nothing to add to the explanation which I then gave.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of laying on the Table the letter addressed to him by the right hon. and gallant Member for North Armagh?

Certainly not, unless the right hon. Gentleman informs the House that he desires it to be published.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the communication from the Under-Secretary to be unofficial?

I do not follow the Question.

Were the communications which passed between the two gentlemen named in the Question and the Under-Secretary official or unofficial?

All official communication pass before me, and I am not prepared to discuss the existence or non-existence of any unofficial communications.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that at a meeting of the Mayo County Council, held at Castlebar on 27th January, 1904, a resolution was passed that after the 1st January, 1905, no position or post in the gift of the Mayo County Council should be given to anyone who does not possess a knowledge of the Irish language; and, if so, will he state what action, if any, they have taken or will take in the matter.

A resolution of the character indicated has been received by the Local Government Board. I assume that the last query applies to the Local Government Board and to the county council? If so, my reply is that the Local Government Board must be satisfied that candidates for the offices of secretary, surveyor, assistant surveyor, and poor rate collector, must be fully qualified for those posts.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary that these officials should have a knowledge of the Irish language?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, with reference to the communication, dated the 13th December, 1900, made to the Catholic clerks in the Veterinary Branch of the Agricultural Department, intimating that they had no right to expect any acknowledgment of their applications for advancement, and that the repetition of such applications would raise the question of removing them from the service altogether, he will state if this communication was made with the knowledge and concurrence of the Secretary of the Department.

A semi-official note was sent, with the knowledge and concurrence of the Department, to one of the temporary clerks on the date mentioned. It was made in the interests of the several temporary clerks in the Veterinary Branch, all of whom expressed their thanks for the advice given to them and their deep gratitude for the personal interest shown in their cases. They were subsequently made permanent members of the Civil Service.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board have received a resolution passed unanimously by the Roscommon County Council asking their sanction to the payment of the arrears of poundage to Rate Collector Hanson, Castlerea, on the ground that his status as poor rate collector was altered when he was transferred to the county council; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board have granted their sanction to this payment.

The Board is not prepared to grant any further extension of time to this collector in respect of the years 1902 and 1903. The Board has granted an extension of time for the year ended 31st March last.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Commissioners of National Education has been directed to the eviction of the Roman Catholic teacher, Mr. Callogy, from the Roman Catholic School of Keadew, Carrick-on-Shannon, by the Protestant patron; what were the grounds for this eviction; and whether be can state what rights, if any, Mr. Callogy has to pension or compensation, in view of his period of service as a teacher.

The Commissioners have no knowledge of the alleged dismissal of this teacher, but are making inquiry in the matter. He has not reached the age for voluntary retirement, and unless it can be shown to be due to bodily or mental infirmity he would have no right to pension, beyond the refund to him of the premiums paid to the pension fund.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, for some years past, the students of Queen's Colleges, who hold exhibitions, scholarships, and prizes in those institutions which are not open to competition to any other students, have been permitted also to compete for and to hold, without any deduction, the exhibitions, scholarships, and prizes of the Royal University; and, if so, whether, in view of Section 9 of the Act of Parliament founding the Royal University, he proposes to take any action in the matter.

When a student of the Royal University gains an exhibition, scholarship, or prize in the University, a deduction is made in respect of any exhibition, scholarship, or prize of which he is at the time the holder in any of the Queen's Colleges. The Senate are advised that this practice is in accordance with the provisions of the Statute. A special committee of the Senate has been appointed to consider the question of making more stringent the regulations in this respect.

Is any deduction made in the scholarship where the student fails to pass the ordinary examination for the University in the very subject for which he was elected to the scholarship.

I must ask for notice of that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain why the Board of Works refused to sanction the acceptance by the Galway Harbour Board of a tender by the Galway Gas Company for the lighting of the Harbour, seeing that this tender was accepted because the electric light in use had proved a failure; and will he say if the inspector of the Board of Works reported that the electric lighting had been a failure.

The gas company's tender was much higher than the tender of the electric company. Gas was abandoned in favour of electricity five years ago. There have been occasional failures in the electric lighting, but the inspector reports that the electric com- pany are in a position to remedy the defects in the lighting and to guarantee satisfactory working in the future.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the inspector who recently visited Galway Docks for the purpose of examining the lighting of the harbour made his examination during the day, or whether he examined the lights at night; and had he before him the complaints of captains and pilots. I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the attention of the Board of Works was called by Mr. Burbidge to the defects of the wires used in connection with the lighting of Galway Docks; whether complaints have been made by captains and pilots of the defective lighting; and whether it was for these reasons that the tender of the gas company was accepted.

The inspector did not examine the lights in the harbour at night, as his purpose was to ascertain why the light occasionally failed, and whether the condition of the electric light works, the distribution of the current, and the guarantees of the company, gave reason to believe that the contract would be properly carried out. He inspected the works of the electric company at night The inspector had before him the complaints of Mr. Burbidge and the pilots. He had also before him a letter from a firm of shipowners trading to Galway stating that in the opinion of their agent at Galway the docks had never been better lighted. The only defect appears to be the occurrence of failures from time to time, and arrangements are being made which will, I am assured, prevent these in future.

Did the inspector examine the lights at night?

He examined the works at night.

Did he see the lights working?

Yes.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what arrangements he intends to make in the time of the House for facilitating the passing into law of the Dogs Bill during the present session.

I wish well to this Bill, but I am not in a position to make any statement about it.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he intends to ask the House of Commons to rescind the Resolution of 13th May, 1901, pledging the House to maintain six Army Corps.

The Answer is in the negative.

Does the Prime Minister mean us to infer that the Army Corps scheme still holds the field.

No, Sir.

May I ask whether the Prime Minister intends that the scheme which was sanctioned three years ago is still to remain in existence?

No, Sir. The hon. Member must not interpret my Answer in that way.

Then what does it mean?

Why does the right hon. Gentleman depart from the precedent he set on the last occasion?

Order, order! The Question has been answered.

Does the Prime Minister desire to let down the Secretary for India lightly?

I wish to ask the Prime Minister when the vote of censure will be taken.

I understand it has been arranged through the usual channels that it shall be taken on 1st August. The first order on that day will be the suspension of the twelve o'clock rule for the rest of the session, and the second order the vote of censure.

Is it intended to take both those matters on the same day?

The alternative I suggested would have enabled the censure Motion to be taken on Thursday, but it did not seem to meet with favour.

Is it not usual to have a discussion on the state of business on the Motion for the suspension of the twelve o'clock rule, and does the Prime Minister think it fair that we should be precluded from discussing the state of business.

I should have much preferred the other arrangement. I did not desire this.

Is there any precedent for putting a vote of censure in any position but that of first order of the day?

I doubt if there is any precedent for refusing to make such arrangements as would permit of a vote of censure being taken within three days of the time it was suggested.

As a somewhat interested party, I would like to point out that that was a perfectly futile offer, owing not only to the nature of the business, but also to the fact that a private Bill occupied a long time at the evening sitting.

I have to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the conduct of Major-General Lord Dundonald, late Commander of the Militia in Canada, in taking part, whilst still an officer in the British Army, in a political agitation against His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of Canada.

On a point of order, asked if this was not covered by a Motion on the Paper (standing in the name of Colonel Wyndham Murray)—as follows:—"To call attention to the dismissal of Lord Dundonald from the command of the Militia in Canada, and to move that in the opinion of this House a Court of inquiry should be convened to investigate the allegations against Lord Dundonald."

That notice of Motion has not escaped my attention, but it is clear that the present Motion does not raise the same point. It must be understood, however, that the hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs will not be at liberty to go into the dismissal, but must confine himself to the subsequent action of Lord Dundonald.

called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and not less than forty Members having accordingly arisen:

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. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Cremer, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Wolff; and had appointed in substitution: Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Condon, Mr. Farrell, and Sir James Haslett.