I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the annual cost of the troops stationed in Ceylon, Hong Kong, and in the Straits Settlements, respectively; and what is the amount of the annual contribution received from each of these Colonies. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the annual cost of the troops stationed in the West Indies; and what is the amount of the annual contribution received from the West Indian Colonies.

The figures for 1904–5 are as follows:—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the average annual strength of the British Armies in Egypt and India during the twenty years 1881 to 1900 was approximately 69,751; if the total number of cases of small-pox amongst these men was 1,149, and the number of deaths from small-pox was 113; if all these men were vaccinated when they joined the Army or subsequently; and having regard to the fact that in the Indian and Egyptian Armies during the years 1901 to 1904 the case fatality from small-pox was nearly 13 per cent., when all the cases were those of vaccinated men, and that in Leicester, where there is a large unvaccinated population, the case fatality was only 4 per cent., he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances attending this failure of vaccination to protect His Majesty's Army.

The Secretary of State answered a similar Question of my hon. friend on Monday on this subject, and I have nothing to add to the Answer he then gave. †

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the administration of martial law in Natal the Commandant of Militia has empowered the officer in charge of Leuchar's Field Force to inflict thirty lashes with the cat upon any person refusing to give information to any member of his force, vide Blue-book, Enclosure 2, in No. 30, and whether the Home Government has sanctioned such methods; and whether he intends to make any representations on the subject to the authorities in Natal.

The officer in command of the field force has no such powers conferred upon him as are stated in the hon. Member's Question. Courts of a magistrate, or special courts-martial, have power after due trial and conviction to punish with lashes refusals to give information, but all cases tried by court-martial must be immediately reported to the Colonel-Commandant, and if more than thirty lashes are awarded confirmation of the sentence is necessary. The Secretary of State does not intend to make representations on the subject to the authorities in Natal.

But is this in accordance with what is laid down in the Blue-book which I have in my hands?

said he had no doubt whatever that in framing the Answer the Secretary of State had the fullest cognisance of the Blue-book.

asked whether, in view of the odium attaching to a spy, it was advisable to hold courts-martial on those who refused to play the part of spies.

Will the Government make representations to the Natal authorities against permitting this form of lashing of persons, against whom no form of crime is alleged.

I will make inquiries as to the points mentioned by the hon. Members, and if a Question is put on the Paper I hope to be able to answer it on Monday.

asked whether the hon. Member's attention had been called to the statement that if any individual "refuses to give information to any member of your force he may be sentenced to receive thirty lashes for refusing."

I have nothing to add to the Answer I have already given to the hon. Member.

asked whether the procedure had not the sanction of the Governor of Natal, and therefore presumably of the House.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have any official information from Natal to the effect that Colonel M'Kenzie's force, operating against the natives, had burnt many kraals and secured and divided much loot; whether Colonel M'Kenzie's force is composed in part of native levies; and whether he can say if any burning of kraals or destruction of property was confined to cases of military necessity, in accordance with No. 12 of the Rules published in Appendix I. of the Blue-book [Cd. 2905].

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by me yesterday to a similar Question, † addressed to me by the hon. Member for Woodstock, in which I indicated that the information in the possession of the Secretary of State does not support the belief that any destruction of kraals or property will take place except as being justified on the ground of military neces- sity. The Secretary of State has no information as to loot having been divided: among Colonel M'Kenzie's force.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

We want an assurance that these seizures are not divided amongst soldiers.

said that, from his recollection of the general appearance of a Kaffir kraal, he did not suppose that loot found there would be worth dividing among Europeans. As to what might have been done by native auxiliaries he had no information.

But are we not responsible for the acts of our native auxiliaries?

Surely thousands of cattle and sheep have some value?

In regard to captures of stock made by the column operating in the field, I understand that the stock has been sold and the receipts paid into the Natal Treasury as some off-set against the very large sums of money which the Natal Government have been forced to pay for the purpose of carrying on the operations.

Cannot you give the House the assurance I have asked for?

I will make further inquiries if the hon. Member wishes.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of Chinese employed in the mines of the Transvaal on the date of posting the repatriation notices; and how many coolies, since the promulgation of those notices, have made application for repatriation.

The number of coolies on the Rand on the date mentioned was about 50,000. I have not yet received information as to the numbers who have applied for repatriation.

Is the recent proclamation now in force?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Will the hon. Member take steps to inform himself of the number?

His Majesty's Government have carefully and closely watched the results of the proclamation which has been issued on their authority, and to which they attach great importance. But it is premature at the present moment to judge of the results. In about ten days it will be possible to judge of the effect.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the question of the better controlling of the Chinese coolies employed on the Transvaal gold mines; whether the proposals submitted involve further restrictions on the liberty of the coolies; and what action His Majesty's Government has taken and proposes to take in the matter.

I beg also to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what action it is proposed to take to carry out the recommendations of the Commission appointed to consider measures for the better control of Chinese minors on the Rand; and whether those recommendations include a system of guarding mine boundaries, the erection of wire fences, the strengthening of European guards, and other such measures.

Lord Selborne has informed the Secretary of State that copies of the Report of the Commission referred to are on their way to this country. One of the recommendations of the majority of the Committee is that wire fences should be erected round the mine premises to prevent egress of coolies except at gates where watchmen would be posted to see that the coolies leaving bounds were possessed of the necessary permit. Until the Report is actually before us it would be premature to form any final opinion of its proposals. But His Majesty's Government, while recognising the importance of preserving peace and order on the Witwatersrand, will not be readily disposed to concur in unusual devices in restraint of ordinary liberty. It would appear that the need of such devices might easily be removed by the provision of a more adequate police force; and there seem good reasons to support an opinion that the charges incidental to any such increase in the police force ought properly to be borne by the importers of that class of indentured labour which alone renders the increase necessary.

Arising out of that question, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the Secretary of State is aware that 1,850 more Chinese coolies have just arrived at Durban on their way to the Transvaal, and whether in view of the admitted inability of the Transvaal Government to protect British subjects from the outrages of the Chinese already on the Rand, he will decline to allow this large additional importation of coolies to take place.

I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the facts stated by the hon. Member. The policy of His Majesty's Government upon this question has been explained to and accepted by Parliament. That policy, as the hon. Member is certainly aware, did not contemplate the cancellation of any of the 16,000 licences which had been issued previous to the change of Ministry in December last. His Majesty's Government cannot at any time repudiate definite promises or undertakings which they have made. Still less would it be wise to make changes in a policy deliberately adopted pending the grant of self-government, when the period of delay may be said to be drawing to its close.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements have recently authorised an outlay exceeding £1,000,000 sterling on the first part of an extensive harbour improvement scheme; and that such scheme has been and is opposed by the local trading community, including the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, and by the non-official members of the Legislative Council, on the ground that the present and prospective trade of the country do not, in their view, warrant the expenditure; and whether, in view of such opposition, he will arrange to send out some perfectly independent person to examine and report upon the matter, and, pending such Report, will direct that the proposed works be not proceeded with.

The Secretary of State is aware that the scheme in question has been approved by the Legislative Council. The Singapore Chamber of Commerce has in the past made representations against the construction of the proposed works, but the Secretary of State is not satisfied that such representations can be taken as embodying the wishes of the trading community in this matter. The Legislative Council voted unanimously in favour of the expenditure, all the unofficial members being present, except those who represent Penang, and Lord Elgin can see no reason for further delay in the construction of a work which is being undertaken upon high expert's authority and after prolonged consideration both here and in Singapore.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what is the annual cost charged upon Votes submitted to Parliament for the Military Forces stationed in the West African Colonies.

So far as Colonial troops are concerned, there is no charge upon Votes of Parliament for military forces in the West African Colonies, except that indirectly a portion of the cost of the Northern Nigeria Regiment is defrayed by means of the grant in aid of the revenue of Northern Nigeria. As to the cost of the Imperial troops stationed in Sierra Leone, I must refer the hon. Member to the War Office.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, what amount now remains unexpended of the £3,000,000 sterling allocated to land settlement in South Africa from the £35,000,000 loan.

Up to February 26th last a total sum of £2,351,924 had been issued from the loan for land settlement out of £2,500,000 voted for that purpose. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, £500,000 has not yet been voted, owing to the fact that there has been excess expenditure under other heads of the loan.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the convention between Great Britain and China, which was signed at Pekin on April 27th, provides for the payment by China of the Tibetan indemnity of Rs.250,000 to the Indian Government.

The Tibetan indemnity is not mentioned in the Convention in question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any information as to the acquisition by Germany of the island of Laut at the south-eastern extremity of Borneo, and as to arrangements now in progress for establishing there a revictualling station and a point of observation for German warships.

His Majesty's Government are informed that there is no truth in the report of Germany having acquired the island of Laut or any portion of it, or of any station or post of observation for German men-of-war being established there.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any reply has been received from the Chinese Government to the note presented on Saturday, demanding a satisfactory assurance that the Customs Edict, issued on Wednesday last, meant no interference with or alteration in the administration of the Chinese Maritime Customs as at present constituted; and, if so, whether he will state the terms of that reply to the House.

No reply has yet been received.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the German Government respecting an alleged violation of the British frontier in South West Africa by German troops in pursuit of the insurgent leader Morenga; and whether any, and, if so, what, explanations have been afforded of the occurrence.

The German Chargé d' Affaires informed me on the 14th instant that a German Officer had pursued some insurgents over the British frontier, and that fighting had taken place on British territory. The Chargé d' Affaires stated that the German Government entirely disapproved of this, that it was contrary to instructions, and that they would take steps to prevent its recurrence. The House will no doubt appreciate, as His Majesty's Government have done, both the terms of this communication and the fact that it was made before any explanation had been asked for.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now give an estimate of the expenditure out of the Exchequer in consequence of the operation of the repatriation order now in force in the Transvaal whether he has made provision for this expenditure in the Budget; and whether an opportunity will be given in Supply this session for discussing directly this expenditure which has been authorised by His Majesty's Government.

It will be impossible to make any estimate until it becomes evident to what extent the Chinese are likely to avail themselves of the offer which has been made to them. No special provision has been made in the Budget, but, if and when it becomes necessary to ask the House to sanction any expenditure for the purpose, full opportunity will be given for discussion.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that, according to the Income Tax Returns for the year 1903–4, there are only 2,913 persons in the United Kingdom, out of an estimated population of 41,600,091, with annual incomes of £2,000 and upwards, he will grant a Return giving the names and addresses of these 2,913 persons, with a view to the exposure of the frauds practised by some of the other persons whose names should appear in the list.

The hon. Member appears to have derived his figures from the first Table in the Return of Income Tax Assessments recently published, No. 102 of 1906. These figures do not warrant the inference he has drawn from them, as the Table does not purport to relate to the whole body of income-tax payers in the United Kingdom, but only to such as are assessed under Schedule D. Even of these the figures quoted relate to a fraction only, viz., that fraction which consists of individuals as distinct from members of firms and companies.

suggested that fuller returns should be issued to prevent such questions being asked. [Cries of "Order, order."]

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the practices of certain persons styling themselves Christian Scientists; and whether, with the view of preventing danger to the lives of credulous persons by these practitioners, he will take measures, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent them from carrying on their practices.

The law with regard to these practices will probably be further elucidated by the proceedings in the case of the Christian Scientist who has recently been charged with manslaughter in respect of the late Major Whyte. Till these proceedings are concluded I can express no opinion on the subject.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that inland postcards are sold at their face value in every Colony of the Empire and in every country of the world except our own; whether he is aware that a profit is made out of the stationery of postcards in Great Britain and Ireland; and whether he will undertake to sell postcards at their face value in the United Kingdom on an early date.

It is true that postcards are sold at their face value in British Colonies and in most foreign countries, and that a small profit is made on the stationery of inland postcards sold in this country. I recently considered the question of selling postcards at their face value, but I came to the conclusion that the other reforms which have been, or are being introduced, would be of greater advantage to the public and should take precedence.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the cost of a money order for 5s. from France to England is 1d.; and that the cost of a money order from England to France for 5s. is 4d.; and, seeing that the French Government make a profit out of this transaction, will he reduce the rate to the same as from France.

The British rate for an order not exceeding £1 payable abroad is to be reduced on July 1st next to 3d. I am not aware that the French authorities make a profit on the orders described.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to consider the desirability of improving the telephonic facilities between the various boroughs on Tyneside by readjusting some of the geographical limits which at present operate unequally between neighbouring districts.

The limits of the existing telephone exchange areas were settled under the agreement between the Post Office and the National Telephone Company under which the trunk lines were transferred to the Post Office in 1896. It would be difficult to readjust these limits without disturbing the existing relations between the systems of the Post Office and the National Telephone Company as well as the Company's contracts with their subscribers. I will, however, carefully consider any particular case in which an alteration may be desired, if brought to my attention.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has been in consultation with the Postmaster-General of Canada with regard to the possibility of devising some special arrangement to lower the postal rates on newspapers between England and the Dominion; and, if so, with what result.

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General on what grounds does he charge, for printing stamps on private postcards, a higher rate than for stamps on other documents; will he explain why he does not print stamps on private postcards free of charge beyond the cost of the stamps; and I whether he is aware that no charge what ever is made in the Colonies of the Empire for printing stamps on stationers' postcards beyond the cost of the stamps.

A charge for printing stamps on private postcards is made because of the additional cost that is involved in the production of such stamps as compared with the cost of a corresponding quantity of adhesive postage stamps. The fee charged by the Inland Revenue Department for printing stamps of the class in question is 1s. for every 1,000 stamps and any fraction of that number. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is understood that it is only in a few Colonies that such printing is undertaken without charge; that in the majority of the Colonies it is not undertaken at all; and that in one of the principal Colonies of the Empire a charge is made for the work of 5s. per 1,000 stamps for large quantities, and of 8s. per 1,000 for smaller quantities.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether, when ordinary facilities for special religious instruction are given in a public elementary school, Clause 3 of the Education Bill is intended to direct that such instruction shall be given in the school house; and, if so, how will the cost of warming and other incidental expenses be apportioned between the local education authority and the trustees of the school. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Education whether Clause 7, Sub-section (1), of the Education Bill is intended to prevent a teacher, employed in a public elementary school in which ordinary facilities are afforded, from being present during the time allotted to special religious instruction for the purpose of maintaining discipline.

It is impossible to discuss satisfactorily the details of the Bill in a reply to a Question. There will be an opportunity for discussing the points in the Committee Stage of the Bill.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can now state when the Return of the syllabus of religious instruction at present in force in each local education area will be in the hands of Members; and whether he will undertake that it shall be circulated previous to the consideration of the Education Bill in Committee.

It is impossible to say when the Return will be available. Circulars asking the local authorities for the information have been issued from the Board of Education; and the date of the completion of the Return must depend largely upon the expedition with which local authorities send in their replies. The volume, however, cannot but be an exceedingly bulky one, and will necessarily take a considerable time to compile and to print, so that it will be quite impossible to delay the Committee Stage of the Bill as proposed by the hon. Member.

The right hon. Gentleman held out some hope in answer to another Question that some of this information could be given at once.

I am very anxious to give it as soon as I get a sufficient number of answers. I have an interesting collection of my own which I shall be happy to show any hon. Member.

Will you undertake to postpone the clauses connected with this matter?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state the number of minor local education authorities within the area of which not more than one public elementary school is situated; the total number of such schools connected with each denomination or classed as provided schools; and the number of children in average attendance at each class of schools in such single-school areas.

The numbers asked for have not been worked out and will take some time to arrive at. I am having the matter looked into, and will give the hon. Member the information he asks for if he will repeat his Question on Monday.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at the inquest held on the body of a girl named Emily Beatrice Millington, who was run over and killed by an electric tramcar at West Bromwich on May 5th, in which it is shown that more than half an hour elapsed before the tramcar could be lifted and the girl extricated, and that this delay was due to the lack of any suitable lifting appliance; whether he is aware that similar delays in extricating injured persons have occurred from the same cause in connection with other similar accidents on this and neighbouring tramway systems; and whether, with a view to prevent such occurrences in the future, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to make compulsory the carrying of hydraulic lifting-jacks on all electric, steam, and cable tramcars.

The Board of Trade have received a report of the fatal accident referred to in my hon. friend's Question. It appears that the child suddenly ran in front of the car and that the wheel passed over her killing her instantly. The Board of Trade have not hitherto considered the necessity of recommending that all cars should carry lifting-jacks, but it is their intention to hold an inquiry into this accident, and this special point will be carefully considered.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the attention of the Board has been drawn to certain prosecutions for butter adulteration that have taken place in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and to certain evidence as to the cause of adulteration given therein; and whether the Board propose to take any steps to inquire into the facts in dispute.

The circumstances of the cases referred to have received our careful attention and we agree that further inquiry is desirable. We are in communication with the local authority on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he has received further information regarding the conditions on which numbers of fishermen's houses are held; and, if so, what steps he proposes taking to remedy the grievance.

I am informed that the conditions have materially changed since the date of Sheriff Guthrie Smith's Report and that on most estates feu charters are given to fishermen who apply for them. No complaints of hardship have reached me, but I shall be glad to inquire into any instances of grievance to which the hon. Member may direct my attention.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Samuel Millar, who was tried and convicted at the White Abbey petty sessions on the 10th instant for assault; whether, seeing the solicitor for the defendant was unable to be present at the outset of the case, and witnesses for the defendant were not examined, he will explain why application for adjournment was refused by the magistrates; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I am informed that the magistrates, at the request of a representative of the defendant's solicitor, postponed the hearing of the case in question until they had disposed of all the remaining cases before them. The solicitor having then failed to appear, the case was heard, and several witnesses for the defence were examined. I have no power to interfere with the judicial action, taken by magistrates.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can state at what amount did the Educational Endowments Commission assess the value of the Roxborough Road school buildings; and was that valuation confirmed on appeal by the Privy Council of Ireland.

The hon. Member will find full information on the subject of this Question at page 6 of the Final Report of the Educational Endowments (Ireland) Commission, 1894.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give rue the information here?

The Report is available to everybody.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can now state who is the tenant of Roxborough Road schools, Limerick, at present; is there any public trust attaching to this tenancy; is a school carried on in these premises; and is it a condition of admission to it that the child must thenceforth profess the Protestant religion.

The Commissioners of Education after their last meeting informed me that the present tenants of the Roxborough Road school premises are the Misses Gregg, the executors of the very rev. Dean Gregg, the late tenant; and that they do not hold under any trust. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be held on the 24th instant, and in the meantime I am unable to obtain information upon the concluding inquiries of the Question.

May I ask whether, in view of the education policy which the Government are carrying to such lengths in England, something cannot be done to protect the rights of the Limerick local authorities.

That is not a Question I can answer now.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland will the Estates Commissioners refuse to advance money to Colonel Smythe, of Gaybrook, Westmeath, in respect of any one part of his property, while on another part, not yet before the Commissioners, an evicted tenant has been obliged, in order to get restored, to borrow money to pay the landlord rent accruing on the farm while vacant, and must ask a grant from the Commissioners in such circumstances that the grant would in effect be made to the landlord.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will, before sanctioning advances in this case, consider the report of their inspector on the matters referred to.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in respect to a number of weekly and monthly tenancies in Kanturk and other towns in county Cork the landlords have refused to adjust the tenants' rents, as provided by the Local Government Act, and have been receiving the old rents, whilst the tenants owing to non-fixity of tenure are compelled to pay the old rents and are responsible for the rates; whether he will introduce some amendment in the rating system with a view to compel such landlords to pay the standard rate as provided in the Act; whether he is aware that in a number of these cases, owing to the poverty of the tenants, these rates cannot be recovered from them, and that representations have been made to the Local Government Board by several county councils drawing attention to the amount of irrecoverable arrears which accrue in this manner from time to time since the passing of the Local Government Act.

The Local Government Board have no information to the effect stated in the first part of the Question. It may, however, be pointed out that the provision in the Local Government Act of 1898 as to the adjustment of rent between occupiers and landlords applies only in the case of tenancies which existed on the 1st April, 1899. I stated, in reply to a Question of the hon. Member for West Cavan on the 4th April, † the reasons why I am not prepared to introduce legislation to amend the rating system. It is, I am informed, the fact that in a number of cases poverty is alleged as the cause of the non-collection of rates, and representations to that effect have been received by the Board from local authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Cork county council has lost several thousands of pounds owing to the operation of this system which was introduced against the wishes of the Irish representatives of the time?

I am not aware of that. The subject is a very complicated one.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland do the Estates Commissioners hold that they have no discretion as regards price when they find that a purchasing tenant has been despoiled of money and means under writs for arrears of rent, that the price has been calculated upon that rent, that it is within the zones, that the agreement was signed in that condition of embarrassment, and that owing to the high price and the purchaser's want of means they would not sanction the transaction if free from the compulsion of the zones.

My right hon. and learned friend has already informed the hon. Member that if a holding which is held under a judicial tenancy is included in lands declared by the Estates Commissioners to be an "estate" for the purposes of the Act, then, provided the price comes within the zones, the Commissioners hold that they have no discretion as to the price, and are bound to make the advance. If, however, the purchasing tenant should allege that the agreement was entered into under duress, and the Commissioners should find such to be the fact, they will, in the exercise of their powers, refuse to act upon the agreement.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the estate of Mr. W. N. Leader, Dromagh, county Cork, whether the Estates Commissioners can; now state what steps have been taken to secure the reinstatement of the evicted tenants, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Cronin, with the least possible delay; is he aware that the originating application for the sale was lodged in June, 1905; that the holdings are vacant, and the landlord agrees to the reinstatement of one tenant and the placing of the other on a holding of equivalent value; that the Commissioners undertook some time ago to send an inspector to the estate; whether the Estates Commissioners will arrange, without further delay, for the replacing of these tenants on the lands before the entire transaction of sale and purchase is concluded; and whether an inspector will be sent to inquire into the possibility of acquiring the whole or portion of the un-tenanted lands now in the landlord's possession, with a view to purchase same for dividing them amongst other deserving evicted tenants and the labourers of the district.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they intend shortly to send one of the recently-appointed inspectors to inquire into the cases of these evicted tenants. In the meantime they are not in a position to deal with the matters referred to in the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in the matter of the Hungerford and Clorahn estate, barony Duhallow, county Cork, whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made to the Estates Commissioners for the reinstatement of two evicted tenants, James Reen and Goffrey Reen, but no reply has been received beyond a mere acknowledgment of the application; and whether, in view of the fact that a sale of the estate is pending, that the landlord offers no objection to reinstatement, and that the present occupant is willing to surrender the holdings on receiving reasonable compensation, the Estates Commissioners will arrange to send an inspector to the estate with a view to facilitate the reinstatement of these tenants with the least possible delay.

The Estates Commissioners have been informed by the Owner's Agent that Breen, who occupies the holding in question, has signed an agreement to purchase, and that the owner does not intend to depart from the terms arranged with him. The Commissioners will, however, make inquiries with a view of ascertaining whether an arrangement is possible.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the estates of Mr. W. N. Leader, of Dromagh, county Cork, and Hungerford and Clorahn, Knocknagree, whether the Estates Commissioners will instruct the inspector who is about to visit the Glory estate, Knocknagree, to visit and inspect these estates, which are in the same locality, about the same time, with a view to restore the evicted tenants whose applications have been before the Commissioners for a considerable time.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they intend to make inquiries as soon as possible into the cases of all evicted tenants in the district referred to who have applied to them for reinstatement.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have any further statement to make in regard to the case of Mr. Timothy C. O'Callaghan, of Dromahane, Mallow, who was evicted from the Newman Estate though he offered to purchase upon the same terms as the other tenants whose agreements have boon sanctioned; is he aware that the Commissioners informed the Member for North Cork some months since that they were in communication with the vendor on the subject of O'Callaghan's eviction; and whether, having regard to the admittedly exceptional nature of this man's case, they are now prepared to take exceptional measures to bring about his reinstatement.

The Estates Commissioners have forwarded to me a copy of a letter which they sent to Mr. O'Callaghan on the 10th instant, setting forth the reasons given by the landlord for his refusal to sell to Mr. O'Callaghan, or to reinstate him after eviction. The Commissioners are awaiting a futher communication from Mr. O'Callaghan before deciding what action, if any, they may take in the matter. I will forward to the hon. Member a copy of the letter referred to.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the landlord of the Mayberry Estate, near Kenmare, has refused to reinstate the six evicted tenants on the estate, although application has frequently been made; and whether this matter will be considered by the inspectors appointed to deal with the Question of evicted tenants.

I have no information as to whether the owner of the estate referred to has refused to reinstate evicted tenants. The Estates Commissioners, however, inform me that they have received applications for reinstatement from five persons who claim to have been evicted from this estate, and that the cases of those evicted tenants will be duly inquired into.

Cannot the Estates Commissioners initiate proceedings by sending an inspector to ask the landlord to reinstate these tenants?

They can only proceed where the sale of the estate is actually pending, and where they have been applied to to take action. May I suggest that Questions involving points of practice should be given notice of?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will ascertain from the Inspector-General if a shorthand note taker was present at a meeting of the Kilcreele branch of the Sinn Fein Association at which Mr. P. J. Kelly, J. P., is reported to have made a speech on the subject of one Antony Daly, who was executed for shooting a land agent; if a note taker was not present, whether notes of the language attributed to Mr. Kelly, J.P., were made by the police present on the occasion, either at the time his words were spoken or afterwards, when the police returned to their barracks; if so, whether the police report substantially bears out the language attributed to Mr. Kelly; and whether he will direct the attention of the Lord Chancellor to them.

I am informed by the Inspector-General that no police shorthand note taker was present on the occasion referred to. As to the remainder of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's previous Question on the 2nd instant, †

Was not the real object of the meeting to protest against the attempt of the landlord to destroy the policy of the present Government with regard to congested districts, and to protest also against the giving of forty years purchase for a farm in a congested district, the rent of which had been fixed by the landlord himself.

I have no particulars as to that.

Is it not the case that Antony Daly was executed sixty years ago?

Yes, more than sixty years ago.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the speech made by the hon. Member for North Mayo, at a public meeting of the United Irish League, held on the 4th instant at Ardagh, near Ballina, county Mayo, to protest against the sale which was about to be hold of Crannagh farm; and whether he intends to take any, and, if so, what action to prevent intimidation and inciting to boycott such as this.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the Question on the subject put by the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh on Monday. ‡

Is it in order to make the Notice Paper of this House a vehicle for conveying charges against hon. Members? I refer to the last few words of the Question.

Had my attention been called to the Question I should certainly have deleted the words.

If it is a Nationalist Member's Question the Clerks take care to do it always.

The original Question contained a variety of quotations which were cut out, and those words which referred to them should also have been omitted.

Is it within the province of any Member of this House to attend public meetings outside and use inflammatory language?

I am afraid that a good deal of inflammatory language is used outside and inside this House.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that, some time ago, the Estate Commissioners declared the holdings of nine tenants on the estate of the Rev. Marshall Vincent, at Rapla, near Nenagh, in the county Tipperary, to be a separate estate, although they refused on a previous occasion to do so; that, while these nine holdings have been created since 1902, the four old tenants, whose predecessors had been on the estate for generations, are not enabled to purchase their holding; that a condition sought to be imposed by the landlord, when negotiating for sale to one of the four old tenants, was that he should purchase an evicted farm in addition to his own; and can he state the nature of the correspondence and inquiries which caused the Estates Commissioners to change their mind on the question of the sale.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the holdings referred to, having been declared by them to be an "estate," were sold to and vested in the purchasing tenants on August 4th, 1904. The tenancies were created in 1902 with the object of enlarging the holdings in the occupation of the purchasing tenants. The vendor had applied that certain of the lands in his possession should be excluded from the sale, and the Commissioners, before finally declaring the lauds sold to be an "estate," perused the correspondence which had passed between the vendor's solicitor and the tenants' solicitor, and came to the conclusion that the application of the vendor was reasonable. I have no further information in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application of Martin Maher, evicted tenant on the estate of Mr. George Langley, for reinstatement in his farm at Lisnamrock and Knockolonga, Mid-Tipperary; is this farm at present let on the eleven months grazing system; have any proposals for purchase been made by the tenants; and, generally, will he state what steps have been or will be taken by the Estates Commissioners to secure the reinstatement of Maher in his old holding.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an application for reinstatement from Martin Maher. No proceedings for the sale of the estate have yet been instituted, but the case has been referred to an inspector for special report with a view to a settlement.

I beg to ask to the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Captain Garden has offered to sell his property at Burnane to the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, in what manner do the Commissioners propose to deal with it.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no originating application or request in respect of the sale of this estate has been lodged with them, but they have had some preliminary negotiations on the subject with the owner.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the site selected by the Urban District Council of Athlone for the erection upon it of workmen's dwellings, whether Mr. Cowan, Chief Engineering Inspector of the Local Government Board, has approved of the selection; and, if so, whether the Board will sanction the scheme and allow the work proposed by the district council to be carried out without further delay.

The Local Government Board are prepared to sanction a loan for the erection of workmen's houses when a suitable site is secured by the Urban District Council. In 1903 the Council obtained, under a Provisional Order confirmed by Parliament, compulsory powers for the acquisition of a site, but they are apparently unwilling to exercise these powers and have since been endeavouring to obtain another suitable site. Of the alternative sites put forward by the Council, one only has been favourably reported on by the Board's Inspectors. The question of the purchase money for this site has not, however, been settled, and a loan for its acquisition and for the erection of houses on it could not be sanctioned until a Local Inquiry has been held The Board have so informed the Council, and are now awaiting an application from them to have the Inquiry held.

Is this the site that Mr. Cowan approves in the correspondence between the Urban Council and the Local Government Board?

I will inquire.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and, if so, what, steps have been taken to proceed with the construction of the pier at Reenard, near Cahirciveen, under the Marine Works Act.

I indicated the position of affairs in regard to this matter in my reply to the hon. Member's previous Question of April 3rd., † and am not yet in a position to say more.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police has issued an order stating that there has been a tendency amongst the sergeants of police to avoid making cases against licensed traders in the metropolitan area; if, in order to draw attention to their failure in this respect, the responsibility was thrown upon the

† See (4)Debates, civ., 365.

shoulders of the inspectors of police; if the inspectors were told that it was necessary that cases should be made; and, if this order was not issued by the Chief Commissioner or the Assistant Commissioner, whether the Chief Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner gave authority to any of their subordinates to issue such an order; and whether an order in this sense has been issued.

The Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police informs me that neither he nor the Assistant Commissioner has issued any such circular as is referred to, nor has authority been given to any subordinate to issue such circular. The Chief Commissioner has no knowledge that any subordinate officer of the force has in fact issued such a circular, but he is making inquiries into the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, in the police inquiry held in connection with the Irish motor race, Constable Shankey's sworn evidence was contrary to a previous statement signed by him and given to his superior officer; whether the statement and subsequent sworn evidence of Constable Shankey will be laid upon the Table of the House, together with the statements and subsequent sworn evidence of the constables who were dismissed in connection with this inquiry; and, if not, what action, if any, will be taken regarding Constable Shankey.

I am informed by the Inspector-General that no constable named Shankey was examined at the police inquiry referred to, which took place in the year 1903. The Inspector-General is not aware that the suggestion made in the question applies to the evidence of any policeman who was examined at that inquiry.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many evictions have taken place and are pending upon the estate of Lord Ashbrook, since 1903, on his King's County estate; and will the Estate Commissioners intervene to protect these tenants, who are weighed down with arrears.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of any evictions which may have taken place or be impending on the estate in question. The Commissioners have received but one application from a person claiming to have been evicted from the estate. It shall receive due attention. The Commissioners have no power to intervene except where their functions are invoked under the Land Purchase Acts. If tenants who are evicted apply to the Commissioners their cases will be duly considered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that complaints have been made by the students of Marlborough Street Training College in regard to the food supplied; whether he is aware that many of the female students were obliged to purchase bread, being unable to use that supplied to contract; and what action, if any, does he propose to take in the matter.

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that complaints have recently been made to them in respect of the bread supplied to the students of the Marlborough Street Training College. It is reported that in some instances female students purchased broad in the city. The Commissioners have fully investigated these complaints, and have taken such steps in regard to the bread supply as will, they hope, prevent a recurrence of any cause of complaint.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, protesting against any interference with the constitution and conduct of the Department of Agricultural and Technical Instruction on lines which would bring it under the control of the General Council of County Councils of Ireland; whether he is aware that this is a purely Nationalist organisation; and whether the council of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Association will be permitted to lay its views before the Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Department.

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I have no knowledge of the political complexion of either the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society or the General Council of County Councils of Ireland. The question whether the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society may lay its views before the Committee of Inquiry is one for the determination of the Committee, who, I have no doubt, will give all proper consideration to any request on the subject which may be addressed to them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know the political complexion of the County Councils Association? If not, will he inquire?

I do not see that I am called upon to do so.

Have not the Unionist Members retired from that body, so that it is now composed solely of Nationalists.

I know nothing about that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the East Galway executive of the United Irish League, at a meeting held on Sunday, April 22nd, at Ballinasloe, at which it was decided that all graziers should be written to to surrender their farms; what stops the Government have taken to counteract the action of the league in the matter; and what steps they intend to take to reassure tenants of grazing farms that they will receive adequate protection against intimidation of this kind at the instance of the United Irish League.

I am informed by the police authorities that the meeting referred to was held within doors, and that the police have no evidence as to what pay have occurred at it. It is the duty of the police to afford any protection which may be necessary to all classes of His Majesty's subjects. The police, however, have no reason to apprehend that any special measures of this kind will be necessary in the district referred to.

Is the charge of intimidation made in the latter part of the Question in order?

I do not think the words are very objectionable. They relate evidently to certain letters written to tenants calling on them to surrender their farms. Possibly a better phrase might have been chosen.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that rural postmen in county Armagh are compelled to perform Sunday duty, and are required to travel miles to notify certain persons that no letters have arrived for them; and will he say what extra pay do they receive for this duty, and by whose directions it is performed?

A number of rural postmen in county Armagh are required to perform duty on alternate Sundays, for which they receive extra payment at the special Sunday rates. I am not aware that in any case a rural postman has to call at a house merely to notify that there are no letters for the occupants. If, however, the hon. Member knows of such a case, and will give me particulars, I will give instructions for the practice to be discontinued.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of giving the people of Caledon, county Tyrone, a despatch of mails for England and Scotland at 6 p.m. daily, in substitution for the present 2.40 p.m. mail, the mails being despatched to England via Greenore and to Scotland via Belfast and Ardrossan.

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the cloth used for the uniforms of postmen in Ireland is of Irish manufacture; and, if it is not, will he say whether such cloth could be obtained from mills in Ireland.

No contracts for the supply of cloth used for postmen's uniforms are at present held in Ireland, but it is open to all firms in Ireland to tender for these contracts in the general competition, notice of which is given by advertisement annually.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the Question?

I am afraid not.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman apply to the mills for samples?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of stock issued under the Land Purchase Act, 1903, up to March, 1906, the actual cash received, the loss on flotation, the annual charge for the repayment of this loss, and from what source does it come.

The total amount of stock issued under the Land Purchase Act, 1903, up to March, 1906, was £13,201,444 8s. 9d. The actual cash received was £11,691,454 1s. 8d., and the difference was £1,509,990 7s. 1d. The annual charge for the repayment of this difference is £49,074 13s. 8d., of which £44,653 6s. 9d. is in respect of advances and is paid from the guarantee fund; and the remainder, £4,421 6s. 11d., is in respect of the Land Purchase Aid Fund, and forms part of the amount provided under Subhead G of the Vote for the Irish Land Commission.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Kildare, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War through what Department or branch of Department Army supplies for the camp at the Curragh of Kildare are procured and distributed; is it the custom to purchase supplies, where possible, from the farmers of districts where largo camps are situated; is there any order or regulation governing the purchase and distribution of supplies for the use of such camps; what is the custom, if any, of inspection of supplies; and what experience have those who may be appointed to carry out such inspection.

Army supplies for rations of Provisions and Forage are obtained under contracts arranged by the General Officer commanding, and the supplies are delivered through the Army Service Corps for distribution to the troops. As large camps are ordinarily supplied under contracts it is not customary in such a case to specially purchase supplies from local farmers, but during the manœuvre season purchases from local fanners are frequently made for those places not covered by existing contracts. The answer to the third Question is in the negative. All supplies are inspected on delivery by specially trained and qualified officers of the Army Service Corps.

, on a point of order, asked whether Amendments to a Bill ought not to be printed in the order in which they were handed in. The hon. Member stated that he was second at the Table, and that at the head of the list of his Amendments was one in the name of the hon. Member for Waterford. But on the list of Amendments that Amendment was eighth, not second.

said that there was always particular difficulty in getting the Amendments handed in the moment after the Second Reading had been given to a Bill, especially if a great deal of interest was taken in the Bill. There were about twenty-five pages of Amendments handed in last Thursday, as soon as the figures of the division were announced. Properly speaking, every hon. Member ought to hand in his own list of Amendments, but if that rule were strictly enforced, it would be impossible for the Members in the "No" lobby to get out, because there would be a string of Members reaching from the lobby down to the Table. The late Speaker, therefore, accepted the practice of one Member handing in the Amendments of his hon. friends. That was what occurred last week. If any injustice were done by that practice, he would do his best, to amend it. But in this case, although the hon. Member for Waterford stood eighth on the list, he would not in any case have stood first; and, therefore, no substantial injustice was done.

said that if his Amendment had been accepted in the order in which it was handed in, it would have stood second on the list. He asked whether, as his Amendment was undoubtedly handed in second, the Speaker would not direct that it should appear second in order.

I will consider the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked whether the Leader of the House still considered it a convenient thing to any Party in the House to take the Education Bill in Committee on Monday. He had not examined precedents, but he must say the interval allowed between the Second Reading and the Committee stage was extremely small. He doubted whether any first-class Bill which had excited so much animated controversy had ever been pressed on after such a brief interval.

said it would be a convenience to Irish Members to know whether it was intended to carry on the Committee discussions right up to the eve of the Whitsun holidays.

asked whether, in the event of any change, the Trade Disputes Bill would be put down for Monday.

I do not think any change is likely to arise. I do not think the time is too short. Although the Bill, as we know, is full of very important points, they are not elaborate, or multiplied, or confused so as to require a very long time for consideration; and I think the time allowed is ample for the purpose. The country as a whole is well seised with the points.

pressed for a reply to his Question.

said the debate in Committee would probably be carried on to the Tuesday before Whit Sunday.

Will the Trade Disputes Bill be taken immediately after Whitsuntide?

No arrangement has yet been made with regard to the Trade Disputes Bill.

Is there any limit to the number of Amendments which an hon. Member may hand in on behalf of others? To my knowledge a representative of the Government handed in a very big batch. It might happen that a single Member might hand in the Amendments of a whole Party and so secure precedence. Would not that be an abuse of the rule?

said he was not aware that his predecessor laid down any limit. Such a case as this did not often arise—it was not likely to arise more than once in a session, and to adopt any other course might load to great inconvenience.

asked when the Prime Minister proposed to introduce the Bill setting up the Royal Commission on the Action and Regulations of the Metropolitan Police, and whether it would contain the names of the members of the Commission and the terms of reference.

The Bill requires to be drafted before it is introduced, but the drafting is well advanced. I cannot name any day for its introduction, nor can I now state the names of the members of the Commission. The terms of reference will be the words used by myself in answer to the Question that was put to me.

gave notice that following the precedent set on the Galway Election Petition in 1872 he would move on the first available opportunity, "That this House do resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House to consider and report on the proceedings at the trial of the election petition for Yarmouth and the complaints that have been made of the partisan and political conduct during the trial of that petition of Mr. Justice Grantham."