I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many journalists and photographers were allowed to witness the recent experiments in boom defence at Portsmouth.

No permits were issued to journalists or photographers to witness the boom defence experiments, but no one could be prevented from seeing generally what took place The whole of the windows of the houses overlooking the harbour, and the beach, were crowded with people.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the practice of the Board of Admiralty with regard to the enforcement of Section 16 of The Naval Discipline Act, 1866, which enacts that every person subject to the Act who shall strike, or with any weapon attempt to strike, or draw, or lift up, any weapon against his superior officer, shall be punished with death, with penal servitude, or with such other punishment as is aftermentioned in the Act; do the Board of Admiralty hold that they have a dispensing power with regard to this section; and, if so, is such power exercised as well with regard to men as to officers.

Such an offence, is a capital offence, and can only be triable and punishable by Court-martial. The Admiralty have discretionary power whether to appoint a Court martial or not, and the question would be decided in each case on its own merits, irrespective of the rank of the offender.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty has the attention of the Board of Admiralty been drawn to the fact that Captain Douglas A. Gamble, M.V.O. who has been superseded and placed on half pay in consequence of a midshipman having shot his superior officer in the gun room; of H.M.S. "Kent" on May 2nd, knew absolutely nothing of these proceedings; is it the fact that the sub-lieutenant, as senior executive officer in the gun room, is, by the King's Regulations, responsible for the prevention of all irregularities therein; and, in reference to the statement of His Majesty's Government that, besides the supersession of the captain, the others concerned were suitably dealt with, will he say how the sub-lieutenant was dealt with.

Every captain is held responsible for all that occurs on board the ship he commands. The reply to the second part of the Question is yes, subject to the captain's orders. The sub-lieutenant concerned was severely censured.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the suspension of two colonels, as a result of the Report of Sir William Butler's inquiry into the waste of public money in the disposal of war stores in South Africa, is to be accompanied by any action or statement as to the responsibility of any superior military officers, or whether no such responsibility in fact exists; and what further action is contemplated by His Majesty's Government.

Certain officers have been named in the Report of Sir William Butler's Committee as being, in the opinion of the Committee, directly connected with the transactions which are impugned. These officers have been relieved of their duty by the Army Council. They include two officers holding the rank of colonel. The Report itself has been referred to the Treasury Solicitor, and is being considered by him. The Report and evidence will also be referred to the Judge Advocate-General, who will advise as to the nature of the offence, if any, of the persons named in it; whether any further inquiry is necessary; and, if so, before what tribunal such an inquiry can appropriately take place; and what charges, if any, can be preferred against the persons named. The evidence on which the Report is based has not yet reached the Army Council, and has, consequently, not yet been communicated to the Treasury Solicitor and the Judge Advocate-General. It is obvious, therefore, that these officials will not be in a position to advise the Army Council until they have received, and have had an opportunity of considering, the evidence. If it should appear that any other officers are concerned in, or are responsible for, any acts or omissions which an examination of the evidence shows to be irregular, those officers will also be relieved of duty pending further inquiry. There is undoubtedly a responsibility attaching to the general officer commanding with respect to all expenditure incurred by officers under his command. In some cases this responsibility is technical only, in others it may be substantial. What was the actual nature of the responsibility in this case will be ascertained by the further inquiry which will be necessary. I must, however, remind the House that the Report of the Departmental Committee is, not, and cannot be regarded as, a judicial finding; that the evidence on which it is based is not yet in the possession of the War Office; and that the evidence has not been taken upon oath. Under these circumstances, I must deprecate any expression of opinion with regard to any; of the persons connected directly or by implication with the transactions which have been condemned by the Committee. An ample opportunity will be given to all persons concerned to state their own case. Meanwhile, until I have received the evidence, and the reports of the Treasury Solicitor and the Judge Advocate-General thereon, I must regard the whole matter as being sub judice, and I am unable to make any statement as to what further steps the Army Council may think it necessary to take. I can assure the right hon. Baronet that everything will be done to secure a full and searching inquiry, and, above all, to afford to all persons directly or indirectly incriminated ample opportunity of clearing their characters from an imputation which the Report of the Committee may seem to suggest.

Who is the Judge Advocate-General?

The Deputy Judge Advocate-General will act in this case.

Is there any Judge Advocate-General?

There is no Judge Advocate-General at present. The appointment is pending, and I hope it will be made very shortly.

When will this Report be in the possession of the House? It was promised a week ago.

I said every effort should be made to issue it. It is entirely a matter of printing. And may I add I can find no foundation for the suggestion of the hon. Member for South Longford that there was any delay on the part of the War Office in regard to the printing of the evidence. It will be presented the moment it is received from the printers. I can give no other pledge.

I merely said that representations were made to the War Office that the evidence should be printed from day to day, and added that if that had been done there was no reason why it should not be ready.

Will the evidence be given to The Times before the Members get it?

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any representations regarding this extraordinary delay to Mr. Speaker, who has control of the printing for the House?

I do not admit there has been extraordinary delay. I cannot trace the correspondence with the, War Office to which the hon. Member for South Longford alludes.

The right hon. Gentleman again misunderstands me. I never said there had been any correspondence. I said representations were made to the representative of the War Office.

With regard to the two colonels relieved from duty—are they dismissed or suspended?

Neither.

May we hope to have the Report and evidence before the Motion is made for the adjournment for the holidays?

I will make further inquiries this afternoon.

What is the meaning of "relieved from duty"—does it not mean suspended?

No; there is a material difference.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the establishment in South Africa of the Military Sales Department alluded to at page 236 of the Report on the Army Appropriation Account of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and when was it established; who was responsible for the conduct of this department; does the responsibility for this department extend beyond the officers of the department itself up to the general officer commanding, and who were the general officers commanding in South Africa when the department was established and during its proceedings up to October, 1902; and is the general officer commanding responsible for the department, of the Director of Supplies, who conducted the sales of surplus stores after October, 1902, and in 1903.

The Military Sales Department was established in June, 1902, by General Lord Kitchener, who placed the organisation under the charge of Colonel Morgan, of the Army Service Corps. The general officer commanding is responsible for the conduct of this department, as of all others in his command. The general officer commanding is generally responsible, as stated, for the conduct of the department of the Director of Supplies. The general officer commanding in South Africa when the department was established on June 18th, 1902, was General Lord Kitchener. He was succeeded on June 23rd, 1902, by Lieutenant-General Sir Neville Lyttelton.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can now state when he proposes to commence enlistment of the foreign and home-service armies respectively.

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to merge the Militia into the short-service Army; and how are the wishes of the Militia officers and men to be ascertained.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member any further information in reference to the points raised in these Questions.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to give information?

Very shortly, I hope.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can explain why the only Government building in Pall Mall not flying the Union Jack on Empire Day was the War Office.

The day mentioned is not one on which the flag is authorised to be flown at the War Office. That is the only public office in Pall Mall.

Has the right hon. Gentleman become a Little Englander?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of Paragraph 15, Part II., of Lord Esher's Report and of the statement of Lord Lansdowne, on July 21st, that the linked-battalion system was doomed, he can now state how long he proposes to continue this organisation; and what measures will be substituted to provide the drafts for the battalions on foreign service.

As I have explained to the House on previous occasions, until a sufficient number of nine-years men have been recruited to meet the requirements of the drafts for the battalions on service abroad, the present system must remain in force. As soon as the time arrives for establishing large depots the system of supplying drafts by the linked battalion will be gradually discontinued.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any proposals from the Government of India for partitioning the province of Bengal; and, if so, whether he will state what decision has been arrived at upon the subject.

The proposals of the Government of India for the reconstruction of the provinces of Bengal and Assam have been received and are under consideration. A decision will be communicated to India very shortly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what is the amount of the new Indian Loan, and for what purpose is it being raised.

I understand that the Question refers to the Bill of which notice was recently given. The object of the Bill is to enable money to be borrowed, and stock to be created, for railway purposes. There is no intention of borrowing money in the present year under the authority proposed to be given by the Bill, although it is necessary to secure the early passage of the Bill in order to complete certain arrangements. In accordance with past practice, the amount of borrowing power named in the Bill is sufficient to meet the requirements of the Government of India for some considerable period; and the power will be used only as it is required. The sum named is £20,000,000.

When will the Bill be introduced?

At once.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any British troops have been landed in Crete; if so, what is the reason for this action.

A battalion of British troops has been landed in Crete to reinforce the detachment stationed in the island. This action has been taken at the request of the High Commissioner, in concert with the other protecting Powers and in accordance with the advice of the Consuls, for the purpose of restoring order and affording protection to the Mussulman inhabitants in the districts disturbed by the recent insurrectionary movement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the total number of complaints made to the police in Bristol last year as to offences against the person, offences against property, malicious injuries, forgery, and all other offences; how many prosecutions took place in Courts of summary jurisdiction and in Higher Courts; and how many convictions were obtained.

These figures will appear in the Annual Criminal Statistics for England and Wales, which are at present in course of preparation.

I do not think the figures are given for Bristol. Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire specially as to the crime in the Chief Secretary's constituency?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the great increase of widows who have been compensated under the Workmen's Compensation Act becoming chargeable to the rates, he is prepared to consider the advisability of introducing at an early date a Bill so that further payments be made monthly instead of in a lump sum.

This matter is dealt with in the Workmen's Compensation Bill which has come down from the House of Lords, and now awaits Second Reading in this House. If the hon. Member will refer to Clause 11 of the Bill be will find that, in accordance with the recommendation of the Departmental Committee which. I appointed to inquire into the subject, power is given to the County Court to direct in what manner the compensation due to widows or other dependants is to be paid.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an automobilist, when travelling between twelve and fourteen miles an hour, was stopped recently by the police, who swore he was going forty-three miles an hour; and whether he will ascertain how such a discrepancy arose.

I have no information about this case, and without further details I do not see how I could make any inquiry.

It was the case cited by the chairman of the Automobile Club in the debate the other night.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to use the powers given to him under the Inland Revenue Act of 1888 to forbid the use of those substances in the manufacture of beer which the Department states to be dangerous or injurious to the public health; and is he prepared to give assistance to the introduction of a Bill to compel brewers to state on their casks, bottles, etc., the ingredients used by them in the manufacture of beer.

The powers in question will no doubt be exercised in the future, as they have been in the past, in any case in which the circumstances may seem to require it. The suggestion in the second part of the hon. I Member's Question was fully examined by Lord Pembroke's Committee on Beer Materials, and was declared by the Majority Report, signed by five out of six members, to be unadvisable. I am not prepared, therefore, to give assistance to the introduction of such a Bill.

I beg ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Customs and Inland Revenue have received two applications from a firm asking the Inland Revenue Department to guarantee the age of their whisky on the Canadian system; and whether, as this firm deals exclusively in unblended spirits of uniform quality, he will give instructions that their application shall be acceded to.

I am aware such applications have been received. It would, however, be quite out of the question to accord to particular firms a system not applicable to the trade as a whole, since it would give such firms an unfair advantage. Unless, therefore, a Government guarantee is to be given to all who apply for it (and that is not possible), it ought not to be given to any.

Last week the right hon. Gentleman said this could not be done because most of the whisky was sold blended in this country. Why cannot it be done in Ireland?

Because the trade there is also mainly in blended spirits of various ages.

Not in Ireland.

I think so.

No, it is not.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the increase in the pauperism of London, as given in the statement for April last; and whether, seeing that the number of paupers is greater per thousand inhabitants than for any year since 1875, and that the increase is especially among the outdoor paupers, he can state if there is any Return showing how many have recently come to London in expectation of work being found for them.

I am aware of the figures as to pauperism in London as given in the statement for April last, which are undoubtedly very unsatisfactory. There, is no Return giving the information referred to in the last part of the Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what is the reason that a considerable number of applications from local authorities for fixing a speed limit under the Motor-Car Act have remained in abeyance.

The circumstances vary in the several cases which the Local Government Board regard as being in abeyance, but, speaking generally, they are eases in which, although the application has not been withdrawn, the local authority, after having been asked for further information in connection with their application or for their observations in reply to objections received, have let the matter rest. I am not in possession of their reasons for adopting this course.

Is it due to the Local Government Board that the matter remains in abeyance?

No, Sir. I say it is wholly due to the local authority.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can give any information as to the proposed annexation of ten Essex parishes by Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire County Council made a representation to the Local Government Board to the effect that an alteration of the administrative county was desirable so as to include in it the parishes referred to. After a local inquiry had been held, at which the various parties were heard, the Board decided to give effect to the representation, and a Provisional Order was issued accordingly. The Essex County Council have petitioned against the Bill to confirm the Order and the matter will now come before a Select Committee.

When will the transfer take place?

I cannot say.

Why do you wish to deprive Essex of these parishes?

That Question could hardly be adequately answered across the floor of the House.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has the attention of His Majesty's Government been given to the statement in Mr. Vice-Consul Gosling's Report on the Republic of Santo Domingo, Hayti, that a great blow to the sugar industry was the closing of British ports to Dominican sugars in June, 1904; that this places Dominican sugars at the mercy of the American Sugar Trust, and closed a market to them where the price was higher than the American market; and has their attention been given to the further statement by Mr. Gosling that the introduction of Dominican sugars into the United Kingdom is now permitted; can he state when the permission here alluded to was given, on what ground the decision to prohibit the importation into the United Kingdom of Dominican sugars was reversed; whether it was in consequence of any decision of the Brussels Permanent Commission, which His Majesty's Government were bound to enforce; or whether the decision was taken independently of that Commission.

I am aware of the statement referred to. The circumstances in which the Older in Council repealing the prohibition of Dominican sugar was issued were fully stated in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for West Islington on February 16th.^†

What was the date of the Order in Council?

I have not got it here.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether it is intended that the Departmental Committee, recently appointed by the President to inquire as to the various forms of insurance in relation to the industrial classes, shall also deal with the work carried on by dividing societies and slate clubs.

The reference to the Departmental Committee recently appointed by the President of the Board of Trade is limited to an inquiry into the operations of companies carrying on certain classes of business in relation to the industrial classes and was not intended

^†See (4) Debates, cxli., 312.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state what, if any, concessions he is prepared to make in answer to the petition of the Customs watchers.

I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now give an answer to the petition of the upper section non-pensioner watchers which was presented in November last.

The Treasury is now considering certain proposals which have been submitted by the Board of Customs relating to the Customs watchers, and I expect to be in a position to make a statement thereon soon after the recess.

I will repeat the Question after the Whitsun recess.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can state how many persons have visited Osborne House and grounds since they were thrown open to the public.

Eighty-three thousand nine hundred and eighteen.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when the alterations and additions to the old Admiralty buildings were begun, and when it is expected they will be finished, and what sum has already been expended on these alterations and additions; who are the contractors, and when are the contracts to be completed; and whether they are subject to penalties in case of delay.

The first contract for these works commenced in December, 1889. The contract for the third extension building now in progress is to be completed on May 1st, 1906. The expenditure on the buildings (including architects' commission) has been£413,647. There have been several successive contracts; that now running for the superstructure of Block III. and alteration of the old Admiralty is held by Messrs. Holloway Brothers. The penalty for delay is £100 per week.

asked whether the opening of the communication from the Mall to Charing Cross was to stand over until after the extensions were made.

It is impossible to op in the Mall into Charing Cross until the superstructure over the road is completed. I may explain that the cost of this alternation is not included in the figures I have given.

I wanted the entire expenditure?

I did not know the Question was intended to cover this part. But I will get the figures if the right hon. Gentleman will put another Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the rate on returned empties from Sneem to Cork has been increased from 10d. to Is. per cwt., and has been further increased recently to 1s. 3d., rendering the cost double what was charged by the Clyde Shipping Company; whether the Congested Districts Board got any undertaking from the railway company regarding the rate on empties; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Perhaps, in the unavoidable absence of my right hon. friend, I may be allowed to reply for him to-day. The Board are in communication with the railway company in reference to this matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the oyster-bed pier at Sneem, on which a sum of £1,000 was expended by the Congested Districts Board about ten years ago, has been rendered practically useless in consequence of the withdrawal of the Clyde Shipping Company's steamer; and whether the Board will now start a herring-curing station thereon.

The Board have no reason to believe that the fact is as alleged in the first inquiry. They have arranged to experiment daring the coming autumn on the development of a herring fishery in the locality, but cannot yet decide whether Sneem pier will be the most suitable place for a curing station.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, instead of finishing the toe of the slip at Boat Cove, Glen, county Kerry, last year, the Congested Districts Board went to the expense of carting a number of bags of cement from Glen into Cahirciveen, where each bag is now a solid mass and unfit for further use; whether the official responsible for this waste of public money will be asked for an explanation; and whether good cement will now be sent to replace what has bee a rendered useless, with a view to completing this piece of work.

The fast is as stated in the first inquiry, save that the Board have no reason to suppose that the cement is useless. As my right hon. friend recently informed the hon. Member, the Board intend to have a further inspection made in order to ascertain whether additional work is advisable.

Will the inspection be made before the end of the summer?

I hope so.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the "Helga" was in Valentia on 25th May and went south that evening; that on the following day two steam trawlers were trawling well within the prohibited limits in Dingle Bay; whether he is aware that these trawlers appear to be well acquainted with the arrival and departure of the "Helga," and resume operations as soon as she leaves the district; whether he is aware that the local fishing boats are unable to fish while these trawlers are at work, fearing that their nets would be cut; and whether steps will be taken immediately so as to protect local fishing interests, and make these breakers of the law amenable to the law.

The "Helga" was not on the Kerry coast on 25th May. The Department have not received any reports that steam trawlers illegally fished in Dingle Bay on 26th May or subsequently.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why, in the case of mixed schools of boys and girls under a master only, in which the average attendance is not sufficient to authorise the appointment of an assistant teacher, there is not any provision in the rules of the Commissioners of National Education to secure that the girls of all ages and the infant boys should be taught by a female, in view of the grounds on which they justify and enforce Rule 127 (b).

The rules specially provide that a manual instructress may be employed in a school of the kind referred to. About 700 of these instructresses are already employed in such schools.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whit steps, if any, have been taken by the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland and the Government to give effect to the recommendations of Mr. Dale with regard to the model schools; if it is proposed to discontinue in these schools the class of teachers called pupil teachers, who cost about £5,000 per annum, of whom Mr. Dale reports that there does not seem to be any reason of sufficient weight to justify their existence; and, if so, will he explain why have the Commissioners in their new rules just published made provision for the maintenance on their old footing of this class of assistant teachers.

The Commissioners have made proposals on the subject, and these are at present under the consideration of the Irish Government and the Treasury. Pending a decision in the matter, it would, of course, be premature to change the existing rules.

On behalf of the hon. Member for East Limerick I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Fitzmaurice property in Queen's County has as yet been sold to the tenants; and, if so, how do matters stand as regards sale to tenants of the remainder of the property in the townlands of Coolnadhown and Cloghereedy County, or has the attempt at sale been abandoned altogether.

The Queen's County portion of this estate has recently been sold to the tenants through the Land Judge's Court. As a result, the charges on the entire estate will now be satisfied, and it is, therefore, not intended to proceed in that Court with the sale of the county Limerick part of the property.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction made grants from the Endowment Fund or any other fund to any persons in the county of Kerry in the year 1901–5, other than to the county council of Kerry; and, if so, what were the amounts of such grants and to whom were they given.

Certain payments were made for fishery purposes, and grants for science and art instruction were made to such schools as had earned them. I will forward to the hon. Member the details of these payments. It should have been stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question of Wednesday^† last that, in addition to the grants to the county committee, a sum of £400 was paid in 1904–5 out of the Endowment Fund to the Tralee Urban District Technical Instruction Committee in respect of a grant of £500 payable to them for that year; and a further sum of £301 1s. 6d. was paid to them in the same year in respect of the grant for the previous year.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say when the Report of the Ireland Development Grant Fund will be available; and if he can explain how it is that particulars of this Report appeared in the London Times of 26th ult., but have not been issued to Irish Members or other Members of this House up to the present date.

This Report was laid on the Table on May 26th, and a summary of it appeared in The Times of the 27th, as it might have appeared in any other paper. I understand that copies of the Return are now available to Members of the House.

There is a growing practice of ignoring Members of this House and supplying documents to the London Press at the earliest possible moment.

As a matter of practice of some importance, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when a Paper is laid on the Table of the House, it is available for the Press. It is not circulated amongst Members, and if it gets to the Press it must do so in some illegitimate way. I want to ask how this occurred, namely, that a summary of a Paper laid in dummy on the Table appears in the newspapers before hon. Members receive it?

^† See page 344.