To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state approximately the number of efficient Marines and the number of efficient seamen obtained from each hundred entries at ordinary enrolling age; and whether he can give any comparison of cost in respect of the two classes.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total number of His Majesty's ships stationed in Australasian waters, including the ships belonging to the Special Australasian Squadron; what are the names of these ships; what is their total complement of men; what is their total annual cost, including interest at 3 per cent. and depreciation at 5 per cent. on cost of construction and armament; what is their annual expenditure in Australasian harbours; and what is the total sum contributed towards their maintenance by the Australasian Colonies.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The total number of His Majesty's ships stationed in Australasian waters is nine, namely: "Powerful" (Flag),"En-

The entry of engine-room artificers has not been stopped, but all entries depend upon the requirements of the service; and their promotion to warrant rank counter," "Cambrian," "Challenger," "Pegasus," "Pioneer," "Prometheus," "Pyramus," and "Psyche." Their total complement is 3,424, including a certain number of men belonging to the Australian permanent force. The total annual cost, including interest at 3 per cent. and depreciation at 5 per cent. on cost of construction and armament, is approximately £670,000. It is not possible to state the expenditure in Australasian harbours. The total contribution received from the Australasian Colonies represents one-half of the total annual cost of maintenance, including 5 per cent. on the prime cost of the ships, up to a maximum contribution of £240,000 per annum.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many engine-room artificers have been entered into the Navy; how many promoted to chief engine-room artificers, artificer engineers, and chief artificer engineers, respectively, in each year 1901–5 inclusive; and whether the entries of artificers and promotions to warrant rank are being continued on the same scale as hitherto, or have they been stopped altogether.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The numbers of engine-room artificers entered and promoted are as follows:—

is governed by the fleet requirements. An exceptional number of promotions to warrant rank have been made in the last few years for the purpose of building up the list, the rank being of recent institution; and, in future, advancement will be governed mainly by the necessity of filling vacancies.

:To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the cost of coal for the British Fleet during each of the last ten years, and also the cost of coal for the French and German Fleets during the same period.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The information asked for is as follows:—

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the practice that exists in Dublin of fining postmen for late attendance on duty; that, in addition, the time so lost has to be worked up and is recorded against them; that in the case of Sunday, in addition to being fined, payment for the time lost is stopped; and whether he will state what is the rule bearing on late attendance, and what is done with the fines so collected.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) Late attendance on the part of postmen is dealt with by fine or by extra duty. The system in force at Dublin is that of fines. In the case of a late attendance on Sunday, a postman would only be paid for the time he actually worked in accordance with the general Post Office practice. It is not the case at Dublin that time lost by late attendance, whether on Sunday or on a week-day, has to be worked upon in addition to a fine. The fines collected for late attendance are devoted to institutions for the benefit of Post Office servants, or to the relief of individual cases of distress among Post Office servants or their widows and children.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will include the established sub-postmasters (head office scale) in the inquiry as to pay and promotion.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) Since the formation of the class of salaried sub-postmasters there have been six appointments from that class to the class of head postmasters. Appointments to head postmasterships are filled by the selection of the most suitable candidates, and I do not think it would be expedient to reserve any proportion of such appointments for any particular section of offices.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent foreign Governments have, under Section 734 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, made request for the British load-line to be applied to foreign vessels.

( Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George. ) No foreign Government has yet made request for the British load-line to be applied to their vessels by Order in Council under Section 734 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, but the British load-line has been voluntarily adopted in numerous individual cases, and negotiations are proceeding with Germany with a view to an arrangement being arrived at under which each country will accept load-lines assigned by the other.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received complaints from householders in residential parts of London, as to disturbance caused by noise, vibration, and dust, owing to the rapid development of motor traffic; whether the police have power to regulate the times and amount of motor omnibus traffic; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone. ) I have received several complaints, but I am advised that, as the law stands, the police have no power to control either the times or the amount of motor omnibus traffic. Some opportunity of dealing with this matter may be found in connection with future Bills relating to London traffic and to motor cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an accident recently caused by a motor car in Regent Street, when a horse was allowed to lie dying in torture for an hour and a half in the public roadway; and whether some arrangement can be made to prevent in future such suffering by putting wounded horses out of their agony promptly.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone. ) The accident in question occurred at 11.20 p.m. The police immediately summoned a horse slaughterer and a veterinary surgeon. Owing to the lateness of the hour there was unfortunately some delay in finding the horse slaughterer, but the veterinary surgeon came at once, and did all that he could till the slaughterer arrived. The police have the most stringent instructions to act promptly in such cases, and are in telephonic communication with the slaughterers, with whom they have standing arrangements for immediate attendance, and I believe that in this case they did everything that was possible in the circumstances.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will obtain a Return, and submit it to the House, of the number of pensioners on the funds of the local authorities throughout the United Kingdom.

( Answered by Mr. John Burns. ) Perhaps my hon. friend will be so good as to send me the terms of a Motion showing precisely the particulars he desires. I shall be happy then to consider the question of obtaining a Return so far as England and Wales are concerned. As regards Scotland and Ireland, the matter is one for the Secretary for Scotland and the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of exempting miniature rifle clubs, affiliated to the Rifle Club Association, from the obligation of taking out gun licences now imposed upon them, provided the rifles are strictly confined to practice in connection with the club.

( Answered by Mr. Asquith. ) It is already the practice to exempt all members of a rifle club (or miniature rifle club) affiliated to the National; Rifle Association from gun licence duty; in respect of rifles used only at the rifle ranges.

To ask the Secretary of State for India if, in view of the military policy announced last week by the Viceroy of India in the Budget debate, a policy involving expenditure on a large scale, the Government will afford the House an early opportunity to discuss the situation in India.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley. ) The usual discussion of the Indian Estimates and Accounts will be taken at as early a date as the business of the session permits; and I propose to include the subject to which the hon. Member refers in the general survey of Indian affairs which I hope to make on that occasion.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the regulations governing the candidature for the House of Commons for officers of the British Regular Army apply equally to the Indian Army; and, if not, whether he will take steps to assimilate the two services in this respect.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley. ) There has been, so far as I am aware, no case of the kind referred to in the Question. If such a case should occur, which, from the nature of the circumstances, hardly seems probable, it will no doubt be dealt with as nearly as may be on the lines laid down for officers of the British Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the block to promotion caused by the retention on the strength of regiments of officers of the rank of major who have foregone regimental promotion in order to retain staff appointments, he will consider the advisability of placing these officers upon the special list of officers extra-regimentally employed.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) Careful consideration has been given to the point raised by my hon. friend, but I am afraid that I cannot undertake to adopt his suggestion.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Belturbet Urban District Council asking for an amendment of the rating laws, so as to place the responsibility for rates of houses valued at £4 and under upon the landlords of these premises; and, if so, will he introduce legislation to deal with this state of the law.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) I have received the resolution referred to. I understand that the Local Government Act of 1898 was founded upon the principle that the occupier should be rated, and the agricultural grant was given upon this understanding. In the opinion of the Local Government Board, the fundamental change suggested in the resolution is neither practicable nor desirable. I am not prepared, having regard to the difficulties which surround the question, to undertake to introduce any legislation.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Cavan Rural District Council and Board of Guardians expressing regret at the imprisonment of their chairman, Mr. T. J. Smith, J.P., Mr. Fitzpatrick, a member of the board, and Mr. Mulligan, and asking the Government to introduce legislation with a view to affording every citizen the constitutional right to trial by jury and protection from imprisonment for contempt of Court.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Answer is in the affirmative. I may refer the hon. Member to the Answers which I have given to previous Questions upon this subject.†

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Rathkenny Braid, and Cloughmills Dairy Society, Limited, condemning any attempted interference with the existing restrictions on the importation of Canadian cattle, on the grounds of the consequent reduction in prices of stock and probable introduction of diseases; and will he resist any attempt at legislation tending to relax the restrictions now in force.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The resolution referred to has been received. As to the latter inquiry, I beg to refer to the Answer which I gave to a similar Question put by the hon. Member for East Donegal on March 27th.‡

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board has made any inquiries with regard to the recent election of a relieving officer for the Glenarm division of the Larne Rural District Council, county Antrim; whether the candidate who received a majority of votes was at the time of the election disqualified; and what steps it is intended to take in the matter.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Local Government Board are making inquiries concerning Mr. Robert M'Gowan, who was elected by the board of guardians of Larne union as relieving officer for the Glenarm district. Mr. M'Gowan's appointment will not be sanctioned until the Local Government Board have satisfied themselves that he has parted with his interest in a licensed hotel of which he was the owner.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give particulars of a statute passed by the Legislature of the self-governing Colony of New South Wales in 1896, entitled an Act to apply and extend certain provisions of the Chinese Restriction and Regulation Act of 1888 to other coloured races; and whether this statute was reserved and vetoed by the Crown.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) The New South Wales Reserved Bill (No. 41) of 1896 provided that no vessel should bring to the Colony persons "belonging to any coloured race inhabiting the Continent of Asia or the Continent of Africa, or any island adjacent thereto, or any island in the Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean," in a greater proportion than one such person to every 300 tons of the tonnage of such vessel. It also imposed a poll tax of £100 on every such person landing. The Bill was reserved for the signification of the Royal pleasure, and, upon the advice of the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, then Colonial Secretary, it did not receive the assent of the Crown, and was superseded by subsequent legislation which substituted an educational test for all persons entering the Colony for restrictive measures directed against particular races.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give particulars of a statute passed by the Legislature of the self-governing Colony of South Australia in 1896 (No. 672), entitled an Act for the Restriction of Coloured Immigration; and whether this Act was reserved and vetoed by the Crown.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) The South Australian Reserved Bill (No. 1672 provided that no vessel should bring to the Colony "coloured immigrants" (which phrase included all persons of coloured race, and their descendants, inhabiting the Continent of Asia, or the Continent of Africa, or any island adjacent thereto, or any island in the Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean) in a greater proportion than one such immigrant to every 500 tons of the tonnage of such vessel. The Bill was reserved for the signification of the Royal pleasure, and upon the advice of the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, then Colonial Secretary, it did not receive the assent of the Crown. Legislation by the Commonwealth Parliament superseded the provisions of the Bill, and substituted a language test of general application for specific racial distinctions.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give particulars of a statute passed by the Legislature of the self-governing Colony of Tasmania in 1896 (cap. 55), entitled an Act to apply and extend the provisions of The Chinese Immigration Act, 1887, to certain other coloured races; whether this statute was reserved; and whether the assent of the Crown was finally given.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) The Tasmanian Reserved Bill (No. 55) of 1896 provided in effect, besides certain minor restrictions, that no vessel should bring male persons belonging to any coloured race inhabiting the Continent of Asia or the Continent of Africa, or any island adjacent thereto, or any island in the Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean, in greater numbers than in the proportion of one such person to every hundred tons of the tonnage of the vessels bringing them. It also imposed a poll tax of £10 on every such person landing. The Bill did not apply to British subjects. It was reserved for the signification of the Queen's pleasure and upon the advice of the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, then Colonial Secretary, the assent of the Crown was not finally given to it, as it was superseded by subsequent legislation, which substituted an educational test for all persons entering the Colony for restrictive measures directed against particular races.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give particulars of a statute passed by the Legislature of the self-governing Colony of New Zealand in 1896 (cap. 64), entitled an Act to prevent the influx into New Zealand of persons of alien race who are likely to be hurtful to the public welfare; whether this statute was reserved; and whether the assent of the Crown was finally given.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) The New Zealand Reserved Bill (No. 64) of 1896 provided that no vessel should bring Asiatics to the Colony in a proportion greater than one for every 200 tons of the tonnage of such vessel; and it also provided for the imposition of a poll-tax on the master of the vessel of £100 for every Asiatic landing. The Bill did not apply to British Indians. It was reserved for the signification of the Royal pleasure, upon the advice of the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, then Colonial Secretary. The assent of the Crown was not finally given to the Bill, as it was superseded by subsequent legislation which substituted an educational test for all persons entering the Colony for restrictive measure directed against particular races.

To ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the intention of the Government as to the re-establishment of the charter of the Port of Spain Borough Council, which was abolished by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1899; and whether, seeing that the members of this council discharged their duties honorarily, whereas under the present management the taxpayers' money is used in paying assessors, and that the finances of the Colony of Trinidad show a deficiency of £33,000, he will consider the advisability of rendering the borough council totally elective.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) The question of the municipal government of Port of Spain has been discussed by the Legislative Council of the Colony. The debate had not concluded at the date of the latest advices which have reached the Secretary of State, but the Council had passed a Resolution in favour of the appointment of a nominated Board. The Secretary of State will await the Governor's recommendations. As the municipal revenue and expenditure of Port of Spain is wholly distinct from the general revenue and expenditure of the Colony, the fact that the Colonial expenditure during the financial year 1905–6 was recently estimated to have exceeded the Colonial revenue for the same period by £33,000 has no bearing on the state of the municipal finances or the form of municipal Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay before Parliament any correspondence relating to the territorial limits of the Khedive's authority east of the Suex Canal which may have taken place between the Foreign Office and the British Agency at Cairo, or between the Foreign Office and the Turkish Government in 1892 or at any subsequent date.

( Answered by Sir Edward Grey. ) It would be undesirable to publish any further Papers on the subject at the present juncture. If the hon. Baronet desires it, I will send him copies of the documents published in the year referred to.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he could state what the average cost per annum was for paying compensation for animals slaughtered when suffering from, or being in contact with animals suffering from, pleuro-pneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, and cattle plague; and what was the total amount paid in such compensation between the years 1860 and 1900.

( Answered by Sir Edward Strachey. ) We are not in a position to supply the information desired by the hon. Member prior to 1890, but since that year the total compensation paid in respect of pleuro-pneumonia and foot-and-mouth disease has amounted to £387,514. No expenditure was incurred on account of cattle plague during that period. The amounts paid vary so much from year to year that it would be misleading to give an average, but I may state that the amount paid in 1891–2 was as much as £151,491, whereas during the last four years the amount has been only £8.

:.To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he would state what has been the average price of meat and the average price of store cattle in Great Britain for each year for the last fifteen years.

( Answered by Sir Edward Strachey. ) The Board have no official records of the prices of meat or of store cattle for so long a period as fifteen years, but the following table, compiled from the best available unofficial records, and, in the case of imported meat, from the Customs Returns will, I think, afford my hon. friend the information he desires.

I shall be glad to supply him personally with statements as to the actual course of prices during the years in question. They are somewhat too elaborate to be printed in reply to a Question. I would also refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Merthyr on February 27th last,† as to the prices of British cattle and sheep for 1890–2 and 1893–1905, and of beef and mutton in the period from 1872–1905.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state what diseases of cattle are known now to exist in Canada.

( Answered by Sir Edward Strachey. ) The most recently-published Report of the Veterinary Director - General for the Dominion indicates that the following diseases of cattle were known to exist in Canada during the year ending October 31st, 1904, viz.: tuberculosis, pictou cattle disease, mange, anthrax, black-quarter, actinomycosis, and actinobacillosis. Of these anthrax is the only disease which is at present included in the definition of disease for the purpose of our own Diseases of Animals Acts.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether any arrangements can be made with respect to the carrying of heavy parcel post by postmen which will prevent the postmen from being overloaded beyond a certain weight.

( Answered by Sydney Buxton. ) Instructions have long been in force that postmen must not be overburdened with heavy parcels. If the hon. Member will be good enough to inform me of any case within his knowledge in which the men are overburdened, I shall be very pleased to have inquiry made.

To ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the accommodation at the present Post Office at Kilmarnock; and whether, seeing that a new site has been acquired some two years ago, that the lease of the present buildings runs out next year, and that, unless the new buildings for which the plans and estimates are prepared are put in hand shortly, they will not be available till after the lease has run out, he will, to avoid expense that would be incurred in transferring wires to another temporary building, consider the urgency of putting the new buildings in hand without delay.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) The need for better accommodation for the business of the Post Office at Kilmarnock has not been overlooked, and I am making arrangements which will, I hope, render it possible to begin the new building in time to ensure its completion before the lease of the present office runs out.

To ask the Postmaster-General, whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience of the site proposed for a new Post Office at Dumbarton; whether he is aware that the burgh is spreading rapidly towards the east, and therefore in the direction remote from the proposed site; that for the western district of the burgh inconvenience is caused by the river cutting off direct access; and will he say whether, in estimating the expense involved in securing a proper site, due consideration has been given to the fact that the burgh is commercial and industrial, and is in a condition of rapid expansion.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) The question of a site for a new Post Office at Dumbarton has received very careful consideration, and I am now in communication with the local authorities in the hope of securing a site which will meet with the approval of the inhabitants, and at the same time will not be unduly costly.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the character of the work discharged by the temporary civil assistants of the Ordnance Survey, the Treasury will agree to the proposal that any temporary civil assistant who has not less than fifteen years service in the Ordnance Survey shall, in consideration of that length of service, be placed upon the pensionable list, and become entitled, with the other permanent employees, to the rights of superannuation.

( Answered by Mr. McKenna. ) I have already stated that the position of the civil assistants in the Ordnance Survey is under consideration.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the first arbitration in the case of the Castleblayney, Keady, and Armagh Railway Company took place in or about May last, and the second arbitration in September last; and if he will bring pressure to bear on the railway company or the arbitrators to have the awards published, as the tenants affected are in state of suspense as to the result, and in the meantime are deprived of the use of their land.

( Answered by McKenna. ) I have no knowledge as to the meetings referred to. Neither the arbitrator nor the promoters are under the authority of the Board of Works, but the former has stated that he is anxious to expedite matters, and it will be suggested to him that he should publish his award as regards the cases which secondary school for girls must be under a mistress.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether, in the event of an educational authority deciding to convert a mixed pupil teachers' school under a master into a secondary school for girls, the Board of Education would continue to pay the grant if the services of the master be retained.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) The practice of the Board is to require that a he has decided, leaving the others to be published in a supplementary award.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board what amount was paid to public vaccinators in each of the three years 1895, 1896, and 1897, and for the last three years respectively.

( Answered by Mr. John Burns. ) The only available information as to the amount of the fees paid to public vaccinators in England and Wales during the past ten years is that contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee on vaccination expenses, which shows the amounts paid during two periods of four years, viz:—

In addition, public vaccinators received by way of grant from councils of counties and county boroughs £52,525, and £49,123 during the two periods above-mentioned.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he can state the number of certificated teachers in English elementary schools, male and female respectively, distinguishing those who have been educated in board schools from those who have been educated in voluntary schools.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) I have no information on the subject.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state the number of teachers in English elementary schools, distinguishing male and female, who have been trained in denominational colleges, have teen trained in other training colleges, or are untrained respectively.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) The number of certificated teachers in employment at the end of the statistical year 1903–4 was, trained men, 19,437; trained women, 21,973; untrained men, 7,823; untrained women, 25,487. The Board have no information as to what proportion of the trained teachers were trained at denominational and undenominational colleges respectively.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works if he will state what has been the average expenditure per mile during the last five years on the roads in Hyde Park, and the total expenditure during the same period; and whether he will give some account of the way in which the roads in Hyde Park are repaired and of the materials used for this purpose.

( Answered by Mr. Harcourt. ) The total expenditure on the maintenance of the roads in Hyde Park during the last five years cannot be accurately dissociated from other expenditure on roads generally in the central parks, but it has been approximately £22,000, and the average expenditure per mile per annum £1,100. The roads are first scarified, then remetalled with Guernsey granite, machine-broken to a two-inch gauge, rolled with fifteen-ton rollers, and finally dressed with gravel.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works if there are any Government buildings in Whitehall for which towers were originally designed but which have been abandoned by his predecessors.

( Answered by Mr. Harcourt. ) Yes, towers formed part of the design for the buildings now occupied by the Home Office and Local Government Board, but they have never been completed.

To ask the; Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the average cost of manœuvres during the last ten years; and what is the estimated costs for this year.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) It is not possible to state with any degree of accuracy the average cost of manœuvres, but so far as can be ascertained, the average net annual cost during the last ten years, 1896–7 to 1905–6, would appear to be £78,000.The estimated cost for this year is £150,000.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what mechanical apprenticeship an engine-room artificer is required to serve before entry into the Navy; whether the examination on entry corresponds very closely to that of second engineer in the mercantile marine; and whether the Admiralty have any reason to believe that the system of conceding watch-keeping duties to this class has worked, unsatisfactorily, either in the Navy or in the mercantile marine, from which the Navy draws its reserve of engineer officers.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The Regulations do not require an engine-room artificer to serve any mechanical apprenticeship before entry. The examination on entry provides for candidates possessing an adequate knowledge of certain mechanical trades, and, as far as possible, of the working of steam engines and boilers. Those who hold Board of Trade certificates as first or second engineers may, under certain conditions, be entered without any professional examination. As regards the last part of the Question, the Admiralty have no means of knowing what the experience in the mercantile marine may be, but so far as the Navy is concerned the Answer is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty at what age a stoker-mechanician enters the Navy as stoker; whether there is any educational test or requirement as to mechanical training on entry; and whether, in view of the duties of watchkeepers which it is proposed to transfer from the engine-room artificers to the stoker-mechanicians promoted from the continuous service stokers who are less than twenty-eight years of age, any changes are to be made in regard to examinations on entry.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The average age of entry is twenty. There is no mechanical or educational test, but the candidate must be able to read and write fairly. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

TO ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, under the proviso dealing with dependents in Clause 13 of the Workmen's Compensation Bill, it is intended that the mother of an illegitimate son should be entitled to sue for compensation for his death by accident.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone. ) The Answer is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that flogging as a punishment is inflicted by magistrates on the natives; and whether he will introduce Regulations to prevent flogging in future.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley. ) I am aware that flogging is a punishment authorised by the Criminal Law of India in certain cases. My predecessor, rather more than a year ago, had occasion to call the attention of the Government of India to the subject, and I am now inviting their early consideration of it.

To ask the Secretary of State for India the name and official designation and status of the Tibetan Shape who has been deputed to Calcutta to arrange for the payment of the first instalment of the Tibetan indemnity.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley. ) The official deputed to Calcutta by the Tibetan Government is the Sechung Shape, who is understood to be the senior of the four Shapes, or members of the Lhasa Executive Council. I am not aware of his name.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what alterations in the permanent garrisons at South African stations have taken place since the reply, showing the permanent garrisons in full, given to an unstarred Question on the 15th April, 1904†.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) Distribution of troops in South Africa—

Practically the only alterations in the South African garrison since April, 1904, are: the temporary removal of one Fortress company, Royal Engineers from Cape Town to Middelburg, Cape Colony, and the removal of one infantry battalion from Cape Colony to Natal.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of troops of all descriptions, including Militia, at Gibraltar and Malta, and to what extent does this number represent an increase in the last ten years; whether Gibraltar and Malta are each provisioned for a siege of long duration; and, if so, whether the present War Office consider such preparations to be necessary, in view of the strength of the Royal Navy.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) In the interests of imperial defence it is not considered expedient to give any information regarding the garrison or means of defence of fortresses. I am not therefore able to give a reply to this Question.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any figures as to the normal occupations of the great bulk of the men belonging to the Militia and the Volunteers; or, failing that, whether he can give the information for typical regiments; and whether, in recruiting for the Militia and Volunteers, endeavours are made to avoid taking men from collieries, railways, docks, and shipbuilding establishments and industries.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) There are no detailed statistics available at the War Office to enable me to give the information required in regard to the Militia and Volunteers. As regards the last part of the Question, recruiting for these forces is carried on in the open market, and men can come from any trade.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what were the irregularities upon which the Government relied in postponing the sentence under martial law inflicted upon natives convicted of murdering British officials.

^* : The ground on which the action of the Secretary of State was based has been fully explained to Parliament and can easily be ascertained by my hon. friend upon reference to Hansard.

Do the Government propose to lay Papers relating to this subject on the Table, and if so, when?

^* : The Secretary of State proposes to lay on the Table Papers in regard to the whole of the recent events in Natal, but it is hoped to include a despatch, now in the course of preparation, which would fittingly terminate the correspondence on this subject. That will probably make it impossible for the Papers to be laid until the House meets after Easter.

Will the Papers include the evidence given before the court-martial?

^* : I cannot say at present, but inquiries are being made, and the Government have requested that the evidence shall be forwarded. If it should arrive in time I will see whether it can be included in the Papers.

Can martial law be proclaimed in a country where there is no state of war?

^* : The hon. Member must give notice of such a Question.

^* : I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the working expenses of the Uganda Railway, during the financial year ended the 31st ultimo, show a profit; and, if so, to what it amounts.

The actual results of the working of the Uganda Railway for the past financial year have not yet been reported, but on February 21st the manager estimated that the receipts would exceed the working expenses by £50,000.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a punitive expedition despatched by the High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria against the Munshis, who in January last sacked the Niger Company's station at Abinsi, was stopped by orders of the Imperial Government, and, after remaining inactive in the enemy's country for some time, was withdrawn without accomplishing its purpose; and whether, in view of the attitude of the Munshis, it will now be necessary to despatch a larger expedition to deal with them.

^* : The expedition despatched to punish the outrage committed by certain of the Munshis at Abinsi was not stopped by orders of the Imperial Government, but carried out its instructions, and is reported by Sir F. Lugard to have returned "completely successful" after but little fighting, the tribes implicated in the attack on Abinsi having submitted. What was stopped was a more extensive expedition into the Munshi country, which had been contemplated, but does not now appear to be necessary.

Who paid his fare back?

[No Answer was returned.]

asked if it was the policy of His Majesty's Government to discourage punitive expeditions.

^* : Most certainly; the Government wish to discourage this and all forms of military operations in West Africa, and all other parts of the British Empire under the authority of the Imperial Government.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it would not be possible, seeing what the London Press is at the moment, for the Government to send out negations of the abominable lies that are published?

Could the names of Reuters correspondents in Africa be given, could they be identified?

^* : I think the Question is an extremely important one, and I can assure the hon. Member that the state of the information sent to Africa does receive the careful consideration of the Government. I admit it causes no little anxiety that the Press in the Colonies is largely under the influence of one particular section of opinion, and that not the predominant section of opinion in the country.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that a Chinaman, Li Kui, who was sergeant of police at the Langlaate Mine, was in the habit of torturing the Chinese coolies employed there, hanging them by their thumbs and whipping them, and also dealt largely in opium and gin; and, if so, what steps have been taken to effectually put a stop to such practices.

^* : The Secretary of State has no information to this effect, but is expecting a full Report by mail. The information so far received is to the effect that this person was ordered to be repatriated under Section 7 of the Ordinance No. 27 of 1905, under which the superintendent may repatriate any labourer who is a danger to the exercise of the proper control of labourers on any mine. He left the Transvaal on March 24th. Inquiry will be made into the truth of the hon. Member's statement and as to any steps which have been taken.

Who paid his fare back?

[No Answer was returned.]

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement made by Mr. Chaplin, the president of the Transvaal Chamber of Mines, at the annual general meeting on February 22nd last, that nineteen inhabitants of the Transvaal had been murdered by Chinese coolies, of whom eight were white people; and whether the Government is now able to give the promised Return of all the crimes committed since last June upon the people of the Transvaal by Chinese labourers in the mines.

(1) I have seen the statement referred to. (2) The promised Return has not yet been received from Lord Selborne. A telegram has been sent to him asking when the information may be expected.

^* : I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make inquiries as to the progress of the Baghdad Railway scheme since the first section was completed in 1904; and whether he will communicate such information as he may obtain.

As we are not parties to the scheme, we have no means of knowing anything, except the actual progress of the railway, of which the first section has been completed, and that is all so far. When any more progress is made we shall be kept informed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the port of Zanzibar is now free from plague; and, if so, whether the ports of German East Africa have been reopened to sailing vessels arriving from Zanzibar.

Zanzibar was declared free from plague on November 23rd. Dhow traffic between Zanzibar bar and the port of Dar-es-Salaam has been reopened, subject to certain sanitary precautions.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the North British Railway Company has not yet carried out the construction of a breakwater at Mallaig, part of the agreement with the Government; if he is aware that in consequence of the want of this breakwater the fishing fleet at Mallaig has recently, on more than one occasion, been seriously damaged; and, seeing that the owners of the fishing boats threaten to leave the district, will he call upon the railway company to complete the terms of their agreement with the least possible delay.

The Board of Trade have been informed by the railway company that there is no probability of the breakwater at Mallaig being completed before April, 1907. The Board have no power to compel the company to execute the works, which, I understand, have been delayed owing to the extra cost of the railway beyond what was estimated. My right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland will deal with the rest of the Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the proceedings taken in the Ramsgate Borough police court, on March 28th, against two foreign seamen, members of the crew of the ship "Vivid," in the course of which the captain of the ship stated that the men were shipped at Sunderland at wages at £2 10s. and £2 respectively for the voyage, through a boarding-master, to whom the captain paid £1 for one man and £1 5s. for the other, that they did not understand their duties as seamen, that they did not understand the commands given to them, that the captain had to manage as best he could by motioning to them, and that the men had not signed on before any officer; whether it is permitted to the masters of ships to engage such men in British ports without taking them before a superintendent; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

^* : My attention has been called to the case to which the hon. Member refers. The vessel in question is employed in the home trade and is therefore not required to engage her crew before a superintendent or other Board of Trade officer. The master states that the sums of £1 and £1 5s. were merely given as advances to enable the men to settle their accounts for board and lodging. As I have said, there is nothing in the law to require such men to be taken before a superintendent when engaged.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the number of accidents caused by the breaking of axles on the District Railway; whether he has inquired as to the cause of those breakages, and what steps has he taken to obviate such accidents in the future; whether he can give any information as to the makers of the faulty axles; and whether any other electric railway has had similar experience with regard to their axles.

My attention has been called to the matter, and I have appointed an Inspecting Officer of Railways to inquire into the causes of two of the breakages. I have also pointed out to the Metropolitan District Railway Company the urgent necessity for taking measures to prevent such accidents in future. I understand that the axles broken have been those of the trailing bogies of the motor vehicles, and that no time is being lost by the company in replacing all such axles with others of a stronger type. More than a third have been replaced already, and the whole of the work should be accomplished in less than six weeks. The axles were made by Krupp at Essen. The number of broken axles reported to the Board since the beginning of 1904 on all electrically worked lines, other than the District Railway, has been seven.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General when the tenders for supply of horses and men for mail and parcel post work will be invited; and whether, before inviting such tenders, or agreeing upon any tenders, he will receive a memorial or a deputation from the London Carmen's Trade Union, representing the workmen concerned, on the working conditions, rates of wages, and hours of labour of such carmen, and others, working; for the said contractors.

It is not at present necessary to call for tenders for mail cart services in London, but I shall be glad to receive and to consider at any time any memorial or information which the London Carmen's Trade Union may send me in the interest of the carmen employed by the contractors on mail services.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if an appeal from Mr. P. J. Walsh, sorter, London West Central District Office, has been received, and on what grounds and on what report his probationary period and increment had been extended for three months; and whether he is making inquiries in accordance with Mr. Walsh's appeal.

An appeal from Mr. Walsh has been received. I have already made full inquiry into the matter; and I am satisfied that his complaints are unfounded. His probationary period had been extended, and his increment deferred on reports that he had shown lack of energy and of interest in his work.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the attitude of the senior inspector, sorting office, West Central District Office, London, towards the Irishmen engaged at that office; and what steps he intends taking to terminate such a state of things.

I am assured that no complains has been received from any class of officers at the West Central District Office, concerning the Inspector in question; and I am satisfied that there are no grounds for such complaint against him.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General upon what grounds are the scales of pay of the Newcastle-on-Tyne postal and telegraph staff officials less than those obtaining at Leeds and Bristol.

The scale of the sorting clerks and telegraphists is the same at the three offices named. The pay of superintending officers varies in accordance with the total amount of work performed at each office. At New-castle-on-Tyne the amount of work is considerably less than at either Leeds or Bristol.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that inconvenience is suffered in the extensive and populous eastern district of Newcastle-on-Tyne for lack of adequate postal and telegraphic facilities; that many business people and seafaring families reside there, and cannot get stamps or send off telegrams after 8 p.m. without going a distance of two to three miles; and will he arrange for the telegraph office to be open all day and night, and the postal facilities to be in keeping with the needs of the district.

I will have inquiry made in regard to the hon. Member's suggestion that additional post and telegraph facilities at night are required in the eastern district of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that counsel representing the Law Officers of the Crown in Criminal trials in Ireland, even when the prisoner has not called witnesses or put in evidence, exercise a general right of reply; and whether, seeing that in the English criminal courts the exercise in such cases of a general right of reply is restricted to the Attorney-General or Solicitor-General alone in criminal cases conducted by them in person, and is rarely used, and has frequently been exercised by gentlemen holding the positions of Law Officers of the Crown as an invidious personal privilege, he will, with a view to assimilate the practice in England and Ireland, give directions to counsel representing him in criminal cases not to have recourse to an exceptional procedure permitted to the Law Officers of the Crown in England to the exclusion of all other counsel by a resolution of the English judiciary in December, 1884.

It is, no doubt, as a general rule, desirable that the practice in criminal trials in Ireland should be similar to that in England, but it is not within the province of the Attorney - General to regulate the procedure in such cases. Should the attention of the Irish Judges be drawn to the Resolution of the English judiciary referred to by the hon. Member, I have no doubt that they would give to it all the consideration due to the expression of the opinion of so eminent a body.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that in Ireland a man summoned by the Crown to show cause why he should not be bound over to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, is not allowed to give evidence to show such cause, and may be imprisoned, he will have such law amended so as to enable a man, under such circumstances, to give evidence to show cause, as is allowed in Great Britain.

The difference between the practice of the English and Irish Courts referred to in the Question, so far as it exists, arises from the fact that the Criminal Evidence Act of 1898, which makes persons charged with offences competent witnesses on their own behalf, does not apply to Ireland. The Government cannot undertake to bring in any Bill this session to extend the Act to Ireland.

Seeing that Mr. Justice Gibson has recommended a change, will the right hon. Gentleman promise a Bill for next session?

Any recommendation by Mr. Justice Gibson will, of course, receive sympathetic consideration.

Any proposal to give Crown Prosecution power to cross-examine prisoners will be opposed by me.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if, with a view to the liberal provisions of the forthcoming Workers' Bill, he will have all representation forms under the Labourers' Acts which are, or have been, disallowed on technical and other unsubstantial grounds preserved for use immediately the new Act comes into force, and provision inserted in the Bill to make these representations available without further delay, trouble, inquiry, or expense.

It is presumed that the hon. Member refers to the forthcoming Labourers (Ireland) Bill. While desiring to save all possible expense, I am advised that not only is the suggestion made in the Question impracticable owing to changed circumstances and other causes, but that even if it were practicable its adoption would be unnecessary, for reasons which I could not now explain without stating the provisions proposed to be made in the Bill. I would ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will request the Local Government Board to furnish the Delvin District Council with a copy of Inspector Wilson Lynch's report, a summary of the evidence, other than that given at the public inquiry, with the names of the persons who gave it, and the grounds for disallowance in each of the sixty-five cases in which the Board have rejected the cottages and plots proposed by the council, and thus rendered the expense incurred fruitless; and will the Board state specially what it proposes to do in the case of Michael Gibney, whose present habitation has been condemned by the medical officer.

The Local Government Board are prepared to furnish a copy of their inspector's report to the rural district council if they should apply for it. No evidence was taken other than that given at the public inquiry. The Board have already informed the council of the grounds of the rejection of sixty-two of the cases included in the scheme. A Provisional Order having been issued in the case, the Board have no power to make any addition to the order or to reopen any of the cases excluded from it. The case of Michael Gibney is one of the excluded cases.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland will the Irish Land Commission allow an independent examination to be made of the files in their Court in cases in which they have fixed judicial rents, for the purpose of either confirming or refuting the allegation that the pink schedule is inadequate and not made up in accordance with the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, and that the tenants in those cases have not been given the credit for occupation, interest and improvements, to which they are legally and equitably entitled.

The answer to the Question is in the negative. The Land Commissioners inform me that it would be impossible for the Land Commission, as a Court of Record, to discuss questions which have come or may come before them for judicial decision. They regard the suggestion as unprecedented in the history of judicial tribunals.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of bulls and cows purchased by the Irish Department of Agriculture in England and Scotland during the past five years; the prices paid for same; the expenses incurred by representatives going over to purchase; if these representatives, when on the business of the Department, made private purchases for themselves; what has become of these bulls and cows so purchased; and if the projected Commission will inquire into these purchases, with a view to evidence being given that these bulls and cows could have been purchased as well in Ireland as in England or Scotland.

During the five years ending March 31st, 1906, 276 pedigree bulls and twenty-four pedigree cows and heifers were purchased in England and Scotland for the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction at a total cost of £14,906. The usual travelling and subsistence expenses of the Department's representatives were paid. In most cases the animals were purchased by a permanent inspector of the Department, who in no instance made private purchases for himself. On a few occasions the Department found it necessary to employ the services of a person not on their staff, and there was nothing to prevent such persons from making private purchases; but the Department have no information that he did so. The bulls were sold to applicants for county premiums, with the exception of seven which were retained by the Department for their own herds. The twenty-four cows and heifers were distributed among the Department's agricultural stations. The number of animals required has not been obtainable in Ireland, nor has the Department found it possible to procure, even in Great Britain, a sufficient number of bulls to supply the demand which exists under their live stock schemes. It will be in the discretion of the Committee whether they will inquire into this particular branch of the work of the Department.

Had the Department exhausted the supply in Ireland before application was made elsewhere?

I assume the Department purchased what they could in Ireland.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state upon what terms the planter, who occupies the farm on the Adair, Mountmellick, estate, from which Thomas Flanagan, Clonaghadoe, was evicted in 1884, is in occupation; and whether the planter in question has been approached by the Estates Commissioners, with a view to Flanagan's reinstatement; and, if so, with what result.

The Estates Commisioners inform me that they have no information as to the terms upon which the farm formerly occupied by Flanagan is held by the present tenant. This tenant has not been approached by the Commissioners, who have no power to arrange for the restoration of Flanagan unless the estate concerned comes before them for sale. No proceedings for the sale of the estate have been instituted before the Commissioners.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the whole estate was sold under a previous Act?

I am not aware of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Estates Commissioners to intervene?

I understand they have no power under the circumstances that now exist.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he say how negotiations for sale and purchase on the lands of Ballygrennan, Croom, county Limerick, as between Mr. Edward Croker and his tenants stand at present; is he aware that as far back as November last arrangements were made on the understanding that the tenants should pay directly a gale of rent, then barely due; that on the payment of the rent by three of the tenants out of four the agent alleged that the title deeds to the estate could not be found so as to break up the sale; and that the fourth tenant, Michael Cussen, has been processed for £7 17s., amount of dead gale; and does he propose to take any, and, if any, what action in the matter.

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that no proceedings for the sale of this estate are pending before them, and they have no information as to the matters of fact alleged in. the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that there are at present no fewer than 90,000 holdings on the register, which are at present increasing at the rate of 14,000 a year, it is the intention of the Government to introduce during the present session a Bill for the perfecting of the system of local registration of title in Ireland.

I understand that the figures quoted in the Question are substantially correct. The subject is admittedly of considerable importance, but it is also one of much complexity. It has already been under the consideration of the Irish Government, and legislation may be necessary to deal with it, but I fear that it will scarcely be possible to introduce a Bill during the present session. The matter, however, will not be lost sight of.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the salary of Constable Anderson, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who, notwithstanding the fact of his being a confessed accomplice of Sergeant Sheridan in the mutilation of animals and the conviction of innocent men for these atrocities, is still, owing to an alleged contract entered into between him and the right hon. Member for Dover, when Chief Secretary for Ireland, in the force and engaged in the performance of fatigue duty and the tutelage of recruits in the Royal Irish Constabulary depot, Phœnix Park; what is the cost of this man in board, lodging, and clothing to the State; and under what estimate will his salary and perquisites be included.

I am informed that Constable Anderson's salary is £65 per annum, and that his entire pay and allowances, including cost of uniform, amount to £70 per annum, from which a deduction of one shilling a week for barrack accommodation is made. The constable pays for his own board. His salary is borne on the Vote for the Royal Irish Constabulary. It is incorrect to describe this constable as a confessed accomplice of Sergeant Sheridan and as being engaged in the tutelage of recruits. I have already informed the hon. and learned Member that the constable protested his innocence, and that he has no authority over recruits.

The right hon. Gentleman has again been misinformed. Is he not aware that the late Chief Secretary, who made this bargain with this man, stated that he was examined before a private Commission on condition that if he told the truth he would stay in the force? Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to perpetuate this great iniquity?

What is the difference between fatigue and other police duties?

The man is kept at the depot. I have already answered these Questions fully and can add nothing.

Does fatigue duty include moral instruction?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many county inspectors, Royal Irish Constabulary, have been appointed since November 29th, 1901; how many of these were Catholics; is it the case that six vacancies will occur this year; and will Catholics be excluded from promotion as heretofore.

I am informed that since November 29th, 1901, eleven first-class district inspectors have been promoted to the rank of county inspector. None of these are Catholics. I understand that several vacancies will occur this year, but I cannot say how many. The vacancies will be filled by promotion, according to seniority, of suitable officers from the list of first-class district inspectors, totally irrespective of the religious body to which they may belong.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that Mr. Jeremiah O'Dwyer, district councillor, of Mohouragh, Cappawhite, county Tipperary, was refused a gun licence by the local resident magistrate, Mr. H. Turner, without any reason whatever being stated, and, seeing that Mr. O'Dwyer is a farmer who needed a gun-carrying licence so that he may be in a position to protect his crops from vermin, he will recommend that the granting or refusal of such a licence shall henceforward be vested in the local bench of magistrates.

The hon. Member complained that the words "a man of undoubted respectability," which appeared in the Question originally after Mr. O'Dwyer's name, had been struck out.

The power of granting licences in a proclaimed district under the Peace Preservation Act is vested by Order in Council in the resident magistrate for the district. I do not think it would be judicious to make the alteration suggested in the latter part of the Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman introduce legislation to remove from the Statute Book this remaining Coercion Act?

I do not think it can properly be described as a Coercion Act. I cannot make any statement without notice.

Is a man to be denied the right to protect his property?

I know nothing as to the facts.

Is it not the fact that at the recent assize the Judge was presented with white gloves?

I believe so.

said he should like also to vouch for Mr. O'Dwyer's undoubted respectability.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has come to any decision yet as to securing powers for the Estates Commissioners to sell on lease the mineral rights vested in them in the estates purchased under the Act of 1903, so as to enable minerals, where obtainable, to be worked; and, if so, what does he propose doing.

This matter, which is no simple one, is still under consideration, and I am hoping to receive shortly the views of the Land Commission. I cannot yet make any statement in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the month of October, 1904, the police at Fintown, county Donegal, seized a new gun belonging to a young man named James Walsh; whether there is any reason to suppose that the gun was intended to be used by Walsh for any improper or illegal purpose; whether this man has made repeated applications to have it restored to him, and whether applications have been refused; and, if so, will he now order that the gun shall be delivered to Walsh without delay.

I am informed by the police authorities that in October, 1903, the gun in question was seized by the police because Walsh was carrying it in a proclaimed district without a licence. It is not alleged that Walsh had the gun for an illegal purpose. He has made one application for its return to him, which application was refused. Under the Peace Preservation Act, a gun so seized becomes forfeited to the Crown; but if Walsh should obtain a licence under the Act the gun will be restored to him.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the peaceable condition of the rural districts of Glenties and Dunfanaghy, county Donegal, as shown by the absence of any serious agrarian outrage during the past ten years, he will direct that the proclamation of these districts, dated April 5th, 1881, under the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act of 1881, shall forthwith be revoked.

I am informed by the police authorities that it is the fact that the districts mentioned have for a considerable time been in a peaceable condition; but it is not quite correct to state that no agrarian outrages have occurred in them during the past ten years. I am informed that the power of limiting the carrying of arms to persons of proved good character has had an excellent effect as a precautionary measure, and that no hardship is involved in the exercise of that power, as licences are in general freely granted. I am not at present prepared to advise the revocation of the proclamation referred to under the Peace Preservation Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the mere fact that this district is proclaimed when it is notoriously free from crime is resented very much—and very rightly so—by the people as a stigma?

Whenever the matter comes up for reconsideration, of course the facts stated by the hon. Member will also be considered.

When will that be?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will grant a Return showing the expenditure to date under the Marine Works Act, and also the works now in progress or intended to be carried out.

If the hon. Member will put down a Question not for oral answer, I shall be glad to furnish with the Votes the information asked for, but it is scarcely necessary at the present stage to make this information the subject of a Parliamentary Return.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Land Commission have ascertained if the Earl of Annesly and the Marquess of Downshire have withdrawn their scales of voluntary reductions for second-term rents in the County of Down; and, if so, whether the withdrawal is attributed by the Land Commission to the fact that the Sub-Commission, of which Mr. M'Connell is a member, have been giving smaller reductions than the landlords themselves were willing to agree to; and, if not, whether he can state for what reason the scale of voluntary abatements was withdrawn.

I am informed by the Land Commission that they have no information as to the withdrawal of voluntary scales of reduction on second-term rents on the estates referred to.

Have any inquiries at all been made in the district? The matter is perfectly notorious there.

I presume they have made such inquiries as they could, and they tell me they have no information.

They have made no inquiries whatever.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether the Board of Education are still the referees of the Marl-field National School in Belfast; and, if not, when, to whom, and for what reason, have the Board transferred their power in regard to this school.

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that the manager of this school has dismissed the principal teacher. The latter contests the legality of the dismissal upon the ground that the referee who countersigned the notice of dismissal was no longer in office, and that, in consequence, the refereeship had, under the agreement between manager and teacher, devolved upon the Commissioners. As the legality of the dismissal is in question, the Commissioners have declined to give any opinion in the matter.

But are the Commissioners still the referees? That is the Question on the Paper.

There is a legal point involved, and it is not for the Commissioners to decide that.

It is a question of fact, not of law. Are the Commissioners still the referees, or have they transferred their powers, and, if so, to whom?

I have given the Answer supplied by the National Board.

I will put the Question down for another day.

I presume the National Board have given the best answer they can.

Shall I be in order, Mr. Speaker, in again putting the Question to which I have failed to get an Answer? Is the right hon. Gentleman entitled to refuse a reply?

^* : The right hon. Gentleman did reply.

:No.

^* : Yes, although perhaps the hon. Member does not like it.

An Answer was given, but not to my Question.

^* : I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say that whether or not the Board of Education were the referees was a legal point which had yet to be decided.

It may be satisfactory to the hon. Member if I say I have no reason to think there is the slightest desire on the part of the National Board to keep any information from the House. If he will put another Question down, I will do my best to get it answered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the official record of Constable Thomas Anderson, of the Royal Irish Constabulary depot; was Anderson assured by the Government officials who held the inquiry into the case of Sergeant Sheridan, that if he told the truth he would not suffer in any way; if so, why is Anderson employed solely on fatigue duty and refused the ordinary police duty at the depot or elsewhere; and if Anderson has, or will be, examined for promotion, and his claims for higher rank be considered if he passes the qualifying examination.

I am informed by the Inspector-General that Constable Anderson's record was favourable prior to his implication in the case of Sergeant Sheridan. As to the remainder of the Question, I beg to refer to the statement of the right hon. Member for Dover made in this House on July 23, 1902.†

As the right hon. Gentleman says this constable's record is favourable why is he excluded from being a candidate for examination for promotion and for other privileges?

The matter has been over and over again discussed. I cannot add anything to the Answers I have already given. If the hon. Gentleman will read the Answer to the end I think he will find it constitutes a reply to his. Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table a copy of the District Inspector's Report?

^* : Notice must be given of that Question.