asked whether it would be open to the Government to advert at a future date to the declaration just made that corrupt practices extensively prevailed.

asked whether it was not usual in such cases to have the evidence printed.

If any hon. Member or right hon. Member moves that the judgment and evidence should be printed of course that would be done.

moved that the judgment and the evidence be printed.

said it was not necessary for him to put the Motion.

asked whether it was not in accordance with precedent that in a case where corrupt practices extensively prevailed the issue of the writ should be opposed; and whether this was not a ground for disfranchisement.

That is not a proper Question for me.

said that notice of Motion for a new writ had to be on the Paper for forty-eight hours before it could be moved.

presumed the Government would follow the usual practice of themselves calling attention to this subject. Ordered, That the Copy of the Shorthand Writer's Notes of the Judgment of Mr. Justice Lawrance and Mr. Justice Walton on the Trial of the Election Petition for the City of Worcester, also the Minutes of Evidence taken at the Trial of the said Election Petition, be printed. [No. 198.]—(Mr. Attorney-General.)

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can now give a definite assurance that there will be no further reductions at Pembroke Dockyard (other than what may be due to natural wastage) during the financial year ending March 31st, 1907. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) In addition to the reductions which have already taken place, it will be necessary to discharge about fifty more men at Pembroke, in order to make room for that number of apprentices who complete their time during the current financial year. Beyond this, no further reduction is contemplated other than that due to natural wastage.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state approximately, for purposes of comparison, by how much the Navy Estimates of 1906–7 would be reduced if the old arrangement, existing prior to 1888–9, still existed of charging the Vote for armaments to the Army Estimates. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Navy Estimates for 1906–7 would be reduced by, approximately, £2,803,000 if the arrangement existing prior to 1888–9, under which provision for Naval Armaments was made in Army Votes, were revived. It may, however, be mentioned that the transfer of the cost of Naval Armaments from Army Estimates was associated with, and was partially counterbalanced by, the transfer to those Estimates of the Vote for Sea Transport (Army), previously included in the Navy Estimates. The amount voted for Army Transport services in the Navy Estimates for 1887–8 was £206,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Albert Bach who, at the Middlesex Sessions on January 9th, 1904, was sentenced to seven years penal servitude for receiving goods, valued at £3 15s., knowing them to have been stolen; whether there was any other evidence of this guilty knowledge than Bach's neglect to record the purchase; whether he is aware that the police gave evidence that Bach was friendly with one Lionel Green, a convicted receiver of stolen goods, and that Bach contented and evidence was given in support of the contention that this evidence of the police was due to confusion between Lionel Green and a Mrs. Green totally unconnected with him, who lived in the same street and was an acquaintance of Bach; whether, seeing that the clerk of the peace wrote to Mrs. Bach that the chairman regretted that having carefully inquired into the whole matter and considered the evidence adduced before him, and further information he had received, he was unable to concur in any application being made to the Secretary of State for any remission of sentence, will he say if the further information thus referred to has ever been communicated to the prisoner or his legal advisors so that he might have an opportunity of rebutting it; and whether, seeing that Bach had never before been convicted of any breach of the Law, he will take steps to reduce the sentence of seven years penal servitude passed upon this man for his first offence. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The case of Albert Bach has repeatedly been under the consideration of my predecessor and myself, and, after giving very careful attention to it, I regret that I can find no grounds for interference. I regret also that it is not possible to discuss by way of Question and Answer either the details of the evidence on which the jury arrived at their verdict or any information which the chairman may have obtained for the purpose of replying to applications from the prisoner's friends.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will grant the Return standing on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Newry.† (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that the information asked for in the Return has already been given in the valuation and appeal lists issued to the Belfast Corporation, which were open to public inspection. In these circumstances I do not feel justified in authorising the expenditure which would be involved if the Return were granted.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has found any difficulty in securing an adequate supply of home-fed meat, at a reasonable price, for Army requirements; what is the saving he expects to effect by permitting the supply of foreign meat to the Army; and whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision to permit the supply of foreign meat to the Army in view of the present want of confidence in foreign meat, and the serious injury that will be caused to British and Irish farmers by the threatened partial or total displacement of home-fed meat for Army use. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) There has been no difficulty in obtaining

—The Return was as follows:—Belfast (Valuation. Return showing the Valuations placed upon each House in Royal Avenue and Donegal Place, Belfast, at the recent re-valuation, showing (1) the Valuation fixed in first instance; (2) after the first appeal; (3) after the appeal to the Recorder.

home-bred beef; but so long as there were no tenders for foreign home-killed beef, it could not be possible to say whether the price was reasonable in comparison. Further, it would not be possible to estimate the saving without obtaining tenders to the two specifications. As regards the last part of the Question I have nothing to add to my previous replies on this subject, beyond pointing out that the want of confidence mentioned applies to tinned meat and not to live cattle killed at port of entry.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether any complaints have been made of the similarity in shape and general appearance between the blank rifle ammunition now issued to His Majesty's forces and the ball ammunition; whether any accidents have yet occurred through any confusion between the two; and whether, by effecting a difference either in colour or in feel he can see his way to obviate the danger of accident now existing. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The short blank rifle cartridge is quite distinct from the ball cartridge, but the long blank only differs in having its case coloured black. It has now been decided to make a groove round the case of the long blank cartridge so that it can be distinguished by feel.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury why the Commissioner of Valuation in Ireland did not proceed with the revaluation of Dublin when he finished the revaluation of Belfast; whether the staff employed in the revaluation of Belfast would not have been able to deal with Dublin, a city of about the same size; whether he is aware that in the existing valuation of Dublin no account is taken of business goodwill or the value of publicans' licences; can he state the comparative valuations of Guinness's brewery, Dublin, the Bass and Company's brewery at Burton; and say why exactly the Commissioner of Valuation does not at once proceed to the revaluation of Dublin. (Answered Ly Mr. McKenna.) The revaluation of Belfast, with the revisions necessary to bring it up to date, was only completed on the 6th of this month, and the Commissioner of Valuation is ready to proceed with the Dublin revaluation as soon as the necessary financial arrangements are made. The surveyors and valuers employed in Belfast were discharged some time ago, the appeal work during the past year being done by the permanent staff of the Department. Up to the present no account is taken of the value of the publicans' licences in Dublin. The valuation of Messrs. Guinness's brewery is £22,000, and I am informed that that of Messrs. Bass's breweries is £22,150.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is able to grant the Return, re docks, wharves, quays, and ships, which stands on the Order Paper for to-day,† (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I regret that I am unable to grant the Return desired by the hon. Member. As regards several of the points in the Return, e.g., (b), (c), and (e), there is no information in my possession and my Department has no means of obtaining it, while as regards others there would be considerable difficulty involved in getting out the particulars desired. Such information, however, as I am able to give the hon. Member on the different points included in the Return is set out below. (2) The number of docks, wharves, and quays in the United Kingdom recorded in

†Return showing—(a) The number of Docks, Wharves, and Quays there are in the United Kingdom; (b) The length of working Quays: (c) The number of Ships worked, and tonnage handled; (d) The number of visits paid, during the working time, by the Factory Inspectors to Docks, Wharves, Quays, and Ships: (e) The aggregate number of men employed aboard working Craft and Quays; (f) The number of Accidents, general and fatal, aboard Ship or working overside to Quay; (g) What gears and working plant examined on Docks, Wharves, Quays, and Ships; (h) The number of Factory Inspectors allocated to inspection of Docks, Wharves, Quays, and Ships; (i) What qualification determines the appointment of Inspectors to Docks, Wharves, Quays, and Ships; (j) The number of Accidents in consequence of defective and unsafe ladders in holds of vessels.

the Factory Department as subject to the regulations made under Section 79 of the Factory Act is 3,067, but I am not prepared to say that this figure includes every wharf or quay on the rivers, canals, etc., of the country, however small and unimportant, (d) The number of docks, wharves, and quays visited by the factory inspectors during 1905 was 2,147, but I cannot give the number of separate visits. Many docks would be visited frequently. There is no separate record of ships visited in connection with the enforcement of the regulations, (f) and (j) The accidents in docks, wharves, and quays are not tabulated separately or classified according to cause for the purpose of the annual statistics, but some statistics were specially prepared by the Department in connection with the public inquiry two years ago into the regulations when in draft, and I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with these if he wishes, (g) All the gearing and plant dealt with by the Regulations are examined, (h) and (i) The work of inspection is carried out by the factory inspectors for the district in which the premises are situated, and no inspectors have been specially appointed for these duties.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the dishousing of persons who reside at Prospect Terrace and Derry Street as tenants of the St. Pancras Borough Council; whether any arrangements have been made for re-housing these people at a reasonable rent; and, if not, whether he can take any steps to secure that such arrangements shall be undertaken without delay. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I am aware that in connection with a Scheme made under Part II. of The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, the borough council of St. Pancras are displacing certain persons of the working class who reside at Prospect Terrace and Derry Street. The Order of the Local Government Board sanctioning the scheme required that housing accommodation for 213 persons should be provided in respect of these displacements on a site in Great College Street, and I understand that this accommodation has been provided. The Order further provides that not more than half of the area shall be cleared until provision has been made for housing seventy-two persons on that area. It does not appear to me that the Board can do anything further in the matter.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the number of men employed in the lighting and ventilating department of His Majesty's Office of Works who are qualified to receive a pension on retirement; whether any of the employees are not so qualified; if so, how many, and what is the reason for placing them on a different footing to the remaining portion of the staff. (Answered by Mr. Harcourt.) There are seventy-four men employed in the lighting and ventilating department at the Houses of Parliament; none of them are qualified to receive a pension on retirement.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how he intends Sub-section (1) of Section 1 of The Revenue Bill, 1906, to affect Colonial and Foreign plain spirits when imported for use in art and manufacture, or for making industrial methylated spirits; seeing that the surtax, if imposed, after the passing of the Revenue Bill, would act as a protective duty pure and simple. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Under the sub-section in question, it is proposed to pay the same allowance on Colonial or Foreign plain spirits, when used for industrial purposes, as will be paid in the case of plain British spirits, viz. 3d. per proof gallon. The relative position of these spirits will, therefore, be the same when used for industrial purposes as when used for any other purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of India, in their programme of railway construction for the year 1905–6, included an allotment of six lakhs for a line from Viramgam to Malia, which forms part of a projected connection with Sind through Cutch; and, in view of the fact that the Cutchi inhabitants of Bombay, the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality of Hyderabad, have sent forward petitions urging that in the public interest the line should pass through Cutch, will he state whether the objections raised by the Rao of Cutch have yet been considered; and, if so, with what result. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The estimates for the construction of the Viramgam-Malia line were sanctioned by the Secretary of State last year, and an allotment was, as stated in the Question, included in the programme for 1905–6, but no expenditure was incurred on it during that year. The allotment for the Bombay-Sind connection in the railway programme for 1906–7 is three lakhs. As I stated in reply to a Question on 2nd May last,† a reconnaissance; of alternative routes to the north and south of the Runn has been sanctioned. I understand that when this reconnaissance has been carried out, the question of the route will be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as reported in the last Administration Report of the Baroda State, the complete separation of judicial from executive functions has been effected without any practical difficulty in that State; and whether he will bear what has been done in that State in mind in considering the long pending memorial from the late Lord Hobhouse and others urging the separation of the exercise of these functions by the same officer in the advanced districts of British India.

†See (4) Debates, clvi., 543.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I understand that the change of system referred to in the Question was introduced in the Baroda State only a year ago. When the time comes, it will of course be impossible to overlook the working of the experiment there in arriving at the conclusions upon the memorial mentioned in the Question.

To ask the Secretary of State for India how many churches in India, for the use of troops, have been built either wholly or partly out of funds provided by the Government, respectively, or upon land provided by the Government; how many such churches are maintained either wholly or partly out of funds provided by the Government; in how many cases such churches are, owing to consecration, either not available, or only available with the consent of a bishop, for the free use of all troops of any denomination for the time being stationed where such churches are; whether any person, other than the Secretary of State, can prevent the equal use of any such church by troops of any denomination; and whether he will take measures to prevent any such exclusion in future; or if in the circumstances of any case that is not feasible, whether he will in future refuse any grant of public money to any church which is not equally available for troops of any religious denomination. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I am unable, without reference to the Government of India, to give the statistics asked for. The effect of consecration is fully explained in the Papers presented to Parliament in 1900 (Cd. Paper 129); it makes the consent of the bishop necessary for the use of the church by any denomination other than Anglicans. As regards the future, measures have been already taken to prevent inconvenience arising from consecration, as I explained in my Answer on the 21st May to the Question (No. 63) of the hon. Member for Roxburghshire.†Churches built wholly or partially at the public expense are not allowed to be consecrated except

†See (4) Debates, clvii., 929, 930.

where separate provision exists for other than Anglican services; and, being un-consecrated, are available for use by all denominations.

To ask the Secretary of State for India if he will cause some inquiry to be made in regard to the alleged murder in May last of a punkha cooly named Sahiya by a British gunner at Jullundur, Lahore. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have already addressed an inquiry to the Government of India, as I undertook to do in my Answer to a Question on the 30th ultimo.‡

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have made any inquiries into the case of William Ryan, who was evicted in the year 1887 from his farm containing 100 acres at Ballinaguile, Croagh, in the county of Limerick, by the landlord. Colonel R. Conway; and, if not, will they do so with a view to reinstating the evicted tenant. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners have received an application on behalf of William Ryan for reinstatement, and will have the case inquired into in due course.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether it is the intention of the Estates Commissioners to send down an inspector to inquire into the case of Owen Sheehy, who was evicted from his farm at Ballinaguile, Croagh, in the county of Limerick, containing forty-six acres, by the landlord, Colonel R. Conway, with the view to bringing about his reinstatement. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) the Estates Commissioners propose to send an inspector at as early a date as practicable

‡See Col. 409.

to inquire into the cases of all evicted tenants, including Owen Sheehy, in the district in question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have yet done anything to bring about the reinstatement of John Sheehy, who was evicted in the year 1884 from his farm at Raheen, Croagh, in the county of Limerick, by the landlord, Colonel R. Conway; and, if not, will they at once do so. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The answer given to the preceding Question applies to this case also.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any action in reference to the reinstatement of John Sheehy, of Raheen, Croagh, in the county of Limerick, who was evicted in the year 1884 by the landlord, S. Dickson; and, if not, whether they will negotiate with the landlord to have him reinstated. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that no steps for the reinstatement of John Sheehy have yet been taken, but that his case will be duly inquired into by an inspector with the view of effecting a settlement.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what was the actual expenditure for the last financial year in connection with the National School teachers' pension fuud. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that the expenditure in question was £71,333 6s. 4d.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state under what circumstances military bands are permitted to compete with civilian bands for engagements at entertainments in districts where they are stationed; and what is the object of such competition. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The orders issued by the Army Council enjoin that military bands are not to seek for or take up engagements through the medium of musical or other agents, or through the press, and that no engagement should be accepted on terms which are less than those which would in the same circumstances be offered to other than military bands. They are thus prevented from entering into competition with civilian bands for engagements.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the present proportion of regular field and horse artillery guns available for service per 1,000 sabres and rifles of the regular Army, Militia, and Volunteers. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) According to our present war organisation, as laid down in War Establishments, the proportion of field and horse artillery guns to sabres and bayonets in an organised field force is about one to 200, or, approximately, five per 1,000. If, on mobilisation, all the regular batteries in the United Kingdom could be used as batteries, the proportion of guns to the mobilised war strength of the regular cavalry and infantry units available for service would be somewhat higher than indicated above. But under the existing arrangements the personnel of a large number of these batteries would have to be employed for the formation of ammunition columns. No regular batteries have, so far, ever been provided for service with the Militia or the Volunteers.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men respectively, in the Lancashire Militia Field Artillery Brigade who are serving or have served in the Regular Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet able to say that the system of payment of Army pensions will be changed, so as to enable retired soldiers to receive their pensions by weekly instalments.Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The question is still under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated cost of the salvage and repairs of H.M.S. "Assistance;" whether the coal expenditure and other costs incurred by warships rendering aid are included; and whether H.M.S. "Assistance" is to be supplied with stronger ground tackle.

The estimated cost of the salvage and repairs to the "Assistance" is £70,000. The cost of coal, etc., expended by other ships of the Fleet in rendering aid cannot be calculated separately, and is not included in this Estimate. As regards the last part of the Question, no material change is being made in the anchor equipment of the "Assistance."

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures are as follows:—

The Answer is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Government have decided not to build one of the battleships mentioned in this year's Navy Estimates.

I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for Fareham on Tuesday last. †

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the arrangements to change mixed farms into pasture at Stobs Camp, in order to facilitate manœuvres of troops, and the consequent change of three farms into one, were made before or after he assumed office.

The arrangements mentioned were made before I took up office as Secretary of State for War.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War

† See Cols. 812, 813.

whether his attention has been called to a protest by the workmen engaged at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, against compulsory vaccination as a condition of employment there; and whether, seeing that the workers regard such a condition as contracting themselves out of their rights as citizens, he will take steps to abolish this condition of their employment.

The question was raised in March last at an interview between the Secretary to the Employees' Union and the Chief Superintendent of the Ordnance Factories. I am not prepared to depart from the decisions of my predecessors not to admit men to the various Ordnance Factories unless they consent to be vaccinated.

asked whether insistence on vaccination had not been followed by serious results to individual workers.

did not think serious results had followed. Wherever there was a large body of men working together the case seemed to be that risks might result from not insisting upon vaccination.

asked whether the Secretary for War would examine the Army medical records and ascertain whether they would not show that there had been over a certain period of years a thousand cases of smallpox, a hundred of them fatal, in carefully re-vaccinated troops.

I think the hon. Member must give me notice of that Question if he wants a definite Answer to it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will appoint a Committee to inquire into the appointment of privates and non-commissioned officers to the military police, and also into the manner in which that body performs its duties, with a view to its thorough reorganisation on different lines, in view of the manner in which some of its members behave toward soldiers. In putting the question the hon. Member asked whether the Speaker had authorised the alteration of the Question, and whether the Clerks at the Table had power to sub-edit Questions put in by hon. Members.

I have not seen the Question in its original form. Certainly the Clerks at the Table have full power to sub-edit any Questions brought to them. If any necessity arises I shall be glad to consider any Question myself, but with the duties which are imposed upon me by the House it would be practically impossible for me to revise all the Questions brought to the Table.

Should the Clerks at the Table not inform an hon. Member whose Question is altered so that he might have an opportunity of seeing it before it is placed on the Paper?

The Clerks always endeavour to do so. If an hon. Member has left the House, it is not easy to get into communication with him, but if he is in the House, they take every possible means of getting into communication with him.

But, Sir, I never leave the House.

I was certainly in the House yesterday and the day before, when I put down the Question, and I had no notification that the Clerks desired a change.

The hon. Member places me at a great disadvantage. This Question must have been on the Paper for some days. If he had a complaint to make, why did he not come to me?

answering the Question, said men were carefully selected for the military police. No complaints had been received of the manner in which they performed those duties. He saw no reason for appointing a Committee of Inquiry.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any of the current Army contracts are held by British makers of canned or preserved meats; whether any of these contractors are firms whose articles were condemned during the South African War; whether there is any inspection into the quality and soundness of the materials used during their manufacture; if so, is the inspector a medical man holding a public health diploma or is he a military man.

No Army contracts for tinned meat are held by British makers at present. Whenever a contract for preserved meat is held by a British firm surprise visits to the works are paid by Army officers, and samples are submitted to a Government analyst. These Army officers hold certificates from the Birkenhead Medical Officer of Health and some from the Royal Sanitary Institute, the latter being similar to those held by inspectors employed under the Local Government Board.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would cause a trained Army officer to pay surprise visits and take other precautions to ensure good quality.

asked whether the inspector should not be a trained veterinary inspector and expert in meat, or a medical man holding a diploma of public health.

thought the hon. Member did not appreciate the kind of training that these Army service medical officers had. They were trained for this very purpose, and there were several certificates which they had to obtain. One was the Birkenhead certificate. Another certificate was that of the Metropolitan Meat Market. Colonel Hobbs, who had gone out to inspect the stockyards, not only held that, but had had practice in judging meat for some years.

asked whether the Secretary of State had made himself acquainted with the nature of these two examinations and whether they were not very perfunctory.

said he was informed that the examinations for some of these certificates, particularly that of the Sanitary Institute, were very searching indeed.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would ascertain the value of the tinned meat and other provisions supplied, not by American, but by British contractors during the late war.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, at present quartered at Holy wood, near Belfast, is almost entirely recruited in Yorkshire, that this battalion has not since its return from foreign service been quartered in Yorkshire, and that it is now under orders to move to Aldershot next spring, he will say whether at the end of its time at Aldershot it will again be due to go abroad; and whether, in view of the fact that other Yorkshire battalions have been for more than one period of their time of home service quartered at York, he will be able to give to this battalion the same privilege at an early date, or at any rate before they go again on foreign service.

This battalion will probably go on foreign service shortly after the end of its time at Aldershot, but on leaving Aldershot an effort will be made to quarter it in the north of England before going abroad. It must be remembered that there are only two infantry stations in the north of England for eighteen regiments who have claims to be quartered there, and that it is therefore impossible to ensure for all northern regiments home service in the vicinity of their territorial districts.

pointed out that the regiment had not been quartered in Yorkshire for over twenty years.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the rifle range at Abbotsham, near Bide-ford, has been closed by the War Office on the ground that it is situated too close to property owned by Mr. Wingate; that the adjutant of the 4th Volunteer Battalion Devon Regiment and the District Inspector of Musketry inspected the range and passed it as safe and suitable some five years ago, and that consequently considerable expense was incurred in the erection of targets and other paraphernalia of the range; whether he is aware that the local companies will be put to expense in acquiring a new range or arranging for a temporary one; and whether, having regard to the desirability of encouraging the Volunteer system, he will give such financial assistance as may be necessary to enable the local companies to obtain another range.

This range was approved by the War Office on condition that the Officer Commanding the 4th Volunteer Battalion Devonshire Regiment obtained a lease or permission for firing rights over the range and danger area, then owned by one person. The lease, however, was never made, and subsequently to the establishment of the range Mr. Wingate acquired a portion of the land, the boundary of which is within about twenty yards of the targets. As this distance was not considered safe, and as he objected to firing under these conditions, the range had to be closed. It is regretted that there is no money available for the financial assistance of the corps suggested in the Question.

Was it not the duty of the War Office to see that the lease was obtained before expense was incurred?

I think not. Permission was only given on the condition that the lease was obtained.

I beg to ask the Secretary whether any of the barracks recently of State for War erected on Salisbury Plain are un provided with hot and cold baths for the use of the soldiers; and, if so, will he give orders for this provision to be taken in hand at once by the military authorities.

Assuming that Tidworth Barracks are intended, a bathhouse, with hot and cold baths has been provided in the Aliwal Barracks. This was of an experimental nature, and the building of bath-houses for the rest of the barracks at Tidworth has now been commenced.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there are any barracks in Great Britain which are still unlit by incandescent burners where gas is the illuminant; if so, what would be the cost of substituting incandescent light in those barracks; and whether he can carry out this reform to add to the comfort of our soldiers this year.

There are many gas-lit barracks still so un provided with incandescent burners, but the work of substitution is proceeding as rapidly as funds will allow. It is estimated that to complete the work will cost about £9,000 beyond the funds already voted. I am afraid, therefore, that it will not be possible to complete the work during the current year.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman bring in a Supplementary Estimate this year?

I am in a difficulty, for the House is continually asking me to keep down the expenditure.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the Tyneside Division of Northumberland, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in a recent case in which a capital sentence had been passed, a prisoner prayed to the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam for mercy or, as an alternative, for the transmission of his memorial to the Governor-General in Council; that the Lieutenant-Governor rejected the prayer and forwarded the memorial to the Governor-General in Council, but ordered the man's execution; that the Governor-General in Council telegraphed staying the execution, but too late, as the man had already been executed; and whether he will make inquiries into the facts of this case, and prescribe rules which shall prevent the occurrence of any such incidents in future.

I find it difficult to believe that the facts are as stated in the Question, but if they are they amount to an enormity. I will therefore request my hon. friend to furnish me with the date of the case and the name of the prisoner, and I will immediately telegraph to the Government of India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of a case in which the sub-divisional officer of Munshigunge, in the newly-established province of Eastern Bengal and Assam, has fined two schoolboys Rs.500 and Rs.150 respectively, and has awarded thirty stripes each to two other boys, for obstructing a constable in the alleged discharge of his duties, and also to the judgment of the magistrate in the case, which describes the offences as not very serious, and, while exonerating the boys from any bad motive and questioning the propriety of the constable's action, justifies the severity of the sentence on the ground that the prevailing spirit all around requires to be curbed in such a manner as to prove a sound lesson to the accused and a warning to their class; and whether, having regard to the frequency of schoolboy prosecutions in Bengal and to the feelings which this policy is arousing in the new province, he will issue instructions to refrain from schoolboy prosecutions, as far as possible, in future.

I have seen a report of the magistrate's judgment in the case to which the hon. Gentleman refers. While giving weight to the points which were in favour of the accused persons the magistrate, who was a Bengali Hindu gentleman, stated that he was unable to overlook the fact that it was no business of theirs to interfere in matters that were not within their province. If the sentences were considered too severe it was open to the accused to move the Courts to reduce the fines. The case occurred three months ago, and as I have no reason to suppose that schoolboy prosecutions are or are likely to become frequent, I see no necessity to issue any instructions on the subject.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will be prepared to give facilities in procuring a Return which I have asked for, regarding these schoolboy prosecutions?

promised to consider if he could grant a Return of these cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can assure the House that the circular issued on 12th May by the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam, signed by Mr. Lyon, the Chief Secretary, restores the liberty that the people of the province possessed of public processions and public meetings; and whether he can assure the House that Swadeshi meetings, public or private, are in no danger of interference by the local officials or police.

I stated in reply to a Question on the 24th of May † that the Lieutenant-Governor had withdrawn all restrictions on processions and public meetings imposed by previous orders; and the only restrictions that now remain are those imposed by the ordinary law, which gives to the district police authorities the duty of regulating and licensing public assemblies and processions. These powers will only be used to stay actual or imminent breach of the peace.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of the issue of this circular has been to create a bitter feeling between the Mahommedan and Buddhist people?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a case in which two soldiers on the road to Simla demanded some soda water from a native, and that they were duly supplied with what they wanted, but that when payment was demanded one of the soldiers raised his rifle and shot the native in the chest, the billet passing out of his back; and whether, having regard to the frequency of these incidents in India. this

† See (4) Debates, clvii., 1413.

ease being the fifth of its kind during the present year, he will address the Government of India with a view to taking stringent measures to prevent their recurrence.

May I be permitted, Sir, before the Question is answered, to enter a protest against the wording of the Question?

The hon. Member may ask a Question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering that there are 80,000 white soldiers in India, even it be true that there have been five cases of shooting during the year, he thinks that justifies putting the Question in this way?

I rather sympathise with what has fallen from the hon. Gentleman behind me. I have no information as to the case stated in the Question, but if the hon. Member who put the Question will give me the necessary information, I will make inquiries.

Am I to understand that the Government are in sympathy with the shooting of black people in this way?

I cannot think that that is a Question I can be expected to answer.

Is it the fact that four cases have already been proved to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State for India?

There is a report of this case in the Indian newspapers by this mail.

Need I say that if these cases are accurately reported, and some, I am afraid, have been accurately reported, I will at once give them my most prompt and earnest attention? Nobody has a more complete detestation of such acts than I have.

The effect of the right hon. Gentleman's Answer has been to indicate some kind of approval of this procedure. That is the effect of the right hon. Gentleman's Answer. It bore that interpretation.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why the assent of the Legislative Council of Ceylon was required to the twenty years lease of the Government pearl fisheries at an annual rent of £20,660; whether he is aware that the Legislative Council was not allowed to discuss the terms of the lease at their session of February 14th, 1906; whether he is aware that the Ceylon Government share of the fishery of the year 1905 was £150,000 net; and will he say what was the net value of the fishery of the year 1906; and whether that value goes to the company.

As regards the first two Questions, I would refer my hon. friend to Mr. Lyttelton's despatch of December 1st, 1905, and the Secretary of State's despatch of the 9th ultimo (Nos. 24 and 30 in Cd. 2906) and also to my reply to a Question put by him in the House on April 2nd last. † The answer to the third Question is in the affirmative. The net value of this year's fishery, after allowing for the expenses of management, is approximately Rs.1,125,000 (£75,000), and of this, as far as can be calculated at present, the company will receive, after deduction of the various payments specified in the lease, about Rs.484,000 (£32.207).

asked why the Legislative Council was asked to pass a law approving of the lease, and then refused permission to discuss any single detail thereof.

The reasons why the Government adopted the procedure they did are fully set out in the Blue-book which has lately been presented to Parliament, and if my hon. friend will consult that I think he will find it was held by Mr. Lyttelton that it would be difficult for the Council to go into every detail in the lease, and that it would be better either to accept or reject it as a whole.

† See (4) Debates, clv., 165,166.

Whether that was a desirable thing or not I do not desire to express a decided opinion.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in the negotiations with Mr. Lyttelton, between December, 1904, and January, 1906, about the lease of the Ceylon pearl fisheries, Sir J. W. Ridge-way acted at any time on behalf of the Government of Ceylon or the people of Ceylon, or solely on behalf of the Gulf Syndicate and the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers; whether he is aware that the capital of the syndicate was nominally £10,000, of which £1,687 10s. was called up, and that the Gulf Syndicate sold the concession, after expending £200 as cost of obtaining the concession, £106 as cost of registration, and £110 as preliminary expenses, to the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers for £11,000; and whether, before the twenty years lease was conceded, any intimation had been given by the authorities to the commercial centres of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Rangoon, and Singapore, of the intention to lease the Ceylon Government pearl fisheries.

Sir J. W. Ridge-way did not act at any time on behalf of the Government or people of Ceylon. There appears to be no information available in the Colonial Office concerning the financial transactions mentioned by my hon. friend, and as regards his last Question, I would refer him to the Answer which I gave him on April 9th†.

Arising out of that Answer, may I ask why the Government did not cause information as to the expiration of the old lease, and the proposal to grant a new twenty years lease, to be given and tenders to be asked for from the Scotch firms, which have had such a large share in the development of the resources of India and Ceylon.

I believe there is some possibility—I do not know whether it amounts to a probability—of Mr. Lyttelton again becoming a Member of this House. He is much more capable of giving the hon. Gentleman the explana-

† Sec (4) Debates, clv., 986, 987.

tion he desires than I am. I confess I have formed views somewhat different from those which appear to have actuated Mr. Lyttelton throughout the arrangements connected with the lease—views which have become more adverse the more I have had to deal with the matter.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Sir J. W. Ridgeway is Chairman of the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, and that he holds 1,000 ordinary and 1,600 deferred shares in that company, and that the deferred shares, which are of the nominal value of Is., are selling at from 10s. to 12s. each.

The hon. Member must give notice of that Question.

May I ask why the information was given to Sir W. J. Ridgeway and the capitalists, and not to the Scotch or Indian firms?

I think there are grave objections to the procedure which was followed, and that the result has not been at all satisfactory.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state how many outrages, causing death or personal injury to Europeans, had been committed by the natives in Natal during the twelve months preceding the attempt on the part of the Natal authorities to enforce payment of the poll tax; and whether this Government, in view of the loss of life, both native and white, occasioned by the pursuit of the natives, will take any steps to put an end to the conflict.

There is no information in the Colonial Office as to outrages by natives on Europeans in Natal during the period referred to. It is not true that the poll tax has been the only, or indeed the principal, cause of the present native doubles. The tax is levied on about 115,000 persons, of whom about 30,000 are Europeans, 25,000 Indians and 60,000 natives of Natal, mostly young unmarried men working in the European settlements and not assessable to the hut tax. The collection appears to be proceeding smoothly in all parts of the country outside the limited districts affected by the Bambata rebellion, and all except about £15,000 has already been received at the Treasury. His Majesty's Government would welcome the termination of native disturbances in Natal. But it is obvious that the only possible end to the conflict must be found in the restoration of peace and order, for which the Colonial Government are responsible.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to carry out the pledges given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to annul or repeal or amend the Chinese Labour Ordinance, so as to prevent the new Transvaal Government from inheriting the present Ordinance and from finding in force all its powers, and especially the power of re-enlisting or detaining, under the conditions of that Ordinance, the coolies now in the Transvaal.

I would refer my hon. friend to my Answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne. †

What will be the practical effect on the coolies still serving supposing a date is fixed during the period their indentures are still in force?

I thought I had made it clear that when the Transvaal received responsible government a date would be fixed for the order to lapse, and the powers under which Chinese coolies are imported will cease unless in the meantime another Ordinance is introduced which does not present the same objection to His Majesty's Government.

And when will the Transvaal get responsible government?

was understood to say he hoped to make an announcement on that subject in five or six weeks time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now indicate the date to be fixed for the termination of the Ordinance?

I can add nothing to my Answer.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his-attention has been called to that part of the open letter from the King of the Belgians to the secretaries of the Congo Reform Committee in which he says that no Power has the right of intervention in the Congo Free State, that nothing could justify any intervention, and that his rights in the Congo are personal and indivisible; whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to accept these statements of the case; and, if not, whether they will protest, either alone or in conjunction with the other Powers.

I am not sure what is meant by personal and indivisible rights. We have recognised the independence of the Congo State, and the rights of intervention which we have are those of seeing that treaty obligations are observed. These cannot be affected by subsequent declarations on the part of the Sovereign of the Congo State, and the letter in question cannot alter them.

Do His Majesty's Government intend to tell the King of the Belgians that?

No, Sir. I do not see any necessity for making any communication.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government have received a reply in writing to the repeated representations which were made by His Majesty's Minister at Peking to the Chinese Government, urging that the Anhui Mining Contract should be recognised as still valid and binding; is he aware of the loss that has been occasioned during the thirteen months to the promoters by this infraction of the Mackay Treaty; whether he will consider the advisability, as a matter of policy, of avoiding submission to such a violation of the legally acquired right of His Majesty's subjects; and that pending the re-affirmation of the contract, would His Majesty's Minister be instructed to demand the necessary permission to enable mining operations to be provisionally proceeded with.

No written reply has yet been received from the Chinese Government to the representations which have been made to them with regard to the Anhui Mining Contract, the continued validity of which is disputed by the Chinese authorities. The efforts of His Majesty's Legation have already been directed to obtaining permission for the promoters of the scheme to commence operations, but so far without success. Those efforts are being continued, and I am unable to make any further statement on the subject at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British steamer "Briardale" is still detained at Genoa, that the total period of detention is now fifteen months, and that the Italian courts still refuse to release the vessel upon the provision of adequate bail; and whether His Majesty's Government will make strong representations to the Italian Government with a view to procuring the acceptance of bail as customary in all other countries and so effecting the release of the vessel without in any way prejudicing the rights of the Italian claimants.

As my hon. friend is aware, His Majesty's Government have made urgent representations to the Italian Government in regard to the general principle involved in the treatment of this case by the Italian courts, but they cannot undertake to endeavour to influence these courts on a purely legal issue such as that of the conditions to be attached to the acceptance of bail.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in a recent judgment of the court of appeal at Genoa, in the case of the British steamship "Briardale," the principle has been laid down that an Italian subject, having a private claim against one shareholder in a British vessel, can arrest the entire ship, and thus inflict heavy loss upon the other shareholders; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take, having regard to the effect the admission of this principle will have upon British shipping.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government have represented to the Italian Government that the maintenance of this principle will be most prejudicial to the commercial relations between the two countries.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the event of persons known to be anarchists arriving as immigrants in this country, the plea that they are political refugees is accepted as entitling them to admission.

The Aliens Act makes no provision for the exclusion of anarchists, as such. Further, the question of political refugeeism does not arise unless the immigrant has no means or prospect of means of decently supporting himself. When it does arise, it can only be settled according to the facts of the particular case, and does not admit of a general answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a definition of an anarchist?

I certainly cannot.

Does not the chief danger to society arise from persons who are not known to be anarchists?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the extent to which the anarchist propaganda is being carried on in London by means of journals and other publications, wherein murder is openly advocated and murderers are extolled and held up as examples for imitation; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to take to bring the persons responsible for these publications to justice.

The extent of the anarchist propaganda in the Metro-polis is not considerable. The police keep themselves fully acquainted with the contents of all publications of the nature referred to in the Question, and will be prepared to take action again, as they have taken action in the past, should the published matter show grounds for criminal prosecution.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 105 orders which he has made for the expulsion of aliens have been acted on: whether the aliens have been in fact deported in each case; and whether any difficulties have arisen with the countries affected as to receiving these expelled aliens.

In fifty-one cases steps were taken to deport the alien; of the other aliens who were left to find their own way out of the country, some are known to have gone, and if any are found in this country they will be arrested and punished as rogues and vagabonds. No country has, to my knowledge, refused to receive its own nationals when expelled from these shores, but there is sometimes a difficulty in establishing nationality.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the death of Miss Cove when descending from a balloon in a parachute on June 11th; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prohibit such exhibitions in the future.

My attention has been called to this shocking case. I have prepared, and hope to introduce shortly, a Bill extending the Dangerous Performances Acts to all women whatever their age may be.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of A. E. Ather-such, of 24, Sion Hill, Clifton, who has been twice refused a vaccination exemption order by the Bristol magistrates; and whether he will call their attention to the provisions of the Act of Parliament under which exemption orders for vaccination are granted.

My attention has not been called to this case; but a circular has very recently been sent to justices drawing attention to the principles which I am advised should guide them in dealing with applications for certificates of exemption.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether there is any Local Government Order, or regulation, or by-law, requiring the makers of sausages, brawn, potted meats and paste, meat pies, &c., or of similar articles of food, to register their premises with any public authority, or which limits the hours of their manufacture to the hours inspectors are by legal custom allowed to enter, viz., 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Answer is in the negative. The Local Government Board have no power to make any such requirement as that suggested.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will request the various medical officers of health throughout the country to ascertain the vaccinal conditions of all small-pox patients, not merely by verbal inquiries, or by examination for marks of vaccination, but also by examination of the registers to ascertain if the patient has been registered as vaccinated.

Such an examination of the Vaccination Registers as that suggested would involve considerable trouble and some expense, and in a great many cases it would be impracticable. The majority of small-pox patients are adults whose vaccination, if any, took place at a remote and uncertain date, and often in another and perhaps distant place, many of these patients being persons of vagrant habits. It forms no part of the duty of the medical officers of health to make the proposed examination, and I do not feel that I could ask them to undertake it.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if it is a practice in the small pox hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and of authorities in charge of small-pox hospitals throughout the country, and of medical officers of health, in reference to small-pox patients, to have the vaccination registers searched in order to ascertain authoritatively the vaccinal conditions of small-pox patients.

No, Sir, I believe not.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Metropolitan Asylums Board publishes statistics as to the conditions of the patients?

I will inquire.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if it is the practice for all vaccinations at all ages, and re-vaccinations, to be registered in public registers, and, if not, if he will direct that all re-vaccinations performed at the public expense shall be entered in a register, and if he will also address a request to private practitioners to cause all cases of re-vaccination, which are not at the public expense, and of primary vaccination, where not previously registered to be registered.

Every public vaccinator is required to enter in his Vaccinator's Register all vaccinations and re vaccinations performed by him at the public expense. It would be advantageous if private medical practitioners kept similar records, but I have no authority to ask them to do this. Every medical man, however, whether a public vaccinator or not, is required by the Vaccination Acts to give a certificate of the vaccination of any child successfully vaccinated by him. The certificate has to be sent to the Vaccination Officer for entry in the Register kept by that officer.

I beg to ask the the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the recommendation contained in the Report of the Central Unemployed Committee for London that no time should be lost in bringing before Parliament supplementary legislation, as promised in His Majesty's speech, he is now in a position to say when his proposals will be introduced.

I hope to be in a position to make a definite statement on this subject shortly.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he would state the number of Reports requested, also the number received from the local distress committees re the administration of the Unemployed Act, 1905; if he proposes to lay any of these Reports upon the Table of the House; and whether he can inform the House when the Unemployed Bill will be introduced.

The Central (Unemployed) Body for London were asked to make a Report, and application was made to each of the eighty-nine Distress Committees in England and Wales, outside London, for returns as to their receipts and expenditure and as to their proceedings in various matters. They were also asked to send a copy of any Report presented to or by the Committee as to the operation of the Act within their area. Returns have been received from eighty of the Committees, and in sixteen cases these are accompanied by copies of more detailed Reports. As soon as all the Returns and Reports have been examined, I will determine as to the course to be taken as to laying information on the Table. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer to the Answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Bethnal Green.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the British delegates to the Postal Conference at Rome opposed the proposal which was made by the delegates from New Zealand, and supported by the delegates from the United States, in favour of a universal penny postage for letters; and whether this House will have an opportunity of expressing an opinion as to that opposition.

His Majesty's Government were not in a position to support the proposal for universal penny postage for letters, and the British delegates to the recent Postal Congress at Rome were instructed accordingly, and they abstained from voting on the proposal. The House will have an opportunity of discussing this, or any other postal question, on the Post Office Estimates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the House has an opportunity of discussing this question on the estimates?

Personally I have no control over the debate, but I hope there will be full opportunity.

Ought not this House to be consulted before the delegates commit it in any way?

Order, order! That is a matter of opinion.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that inconvenience is being felt in business circles in the West Indies and Demerara owing to the practical discontinuance of the regular mail service between the United Kingdom and the latter Colony; and whether he will endeavour to arrange a regular and permanent mail service to the Colony in question.

Inconvenience has no doubt resulted from the recent curtailment of the opportunities available for the conveyance of mails to Demerara, and I am considering to what extent improved arrangements are practicable. In reply to a further Question the right hon. Gentleman promised that the service to the North-West Indian Islands should likewise be inquired into.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether there are any rules or regulations preventing teachers in England and Wales from taking part in the ordinary duties of citizens; and whether, having regard to the existence of regulations by which teachers in Ireland are restricted, under the penalty of withdrawal of salary, from the same liberty as teachers in England and Wales enjoy, he can say whether he considers the drafting of any regulations necessary to secure uniformity.

I am not aware what is included by the hon. Member in "the ordinary duties of citizens." The teachers in England and Wales may be subject to various rules imposed by their employers (the Local Education Authorities), of which I have no cognisance; but so far as the Board of Education are concerned the restrictions implied in Section 17 (4) of the Education Act, 1902, and in Sections (c) and (d) of Article 11 and (c) of Article 51 of the Code, are, I think, the principal limitations, as regards teachers in Public Elementary Schools in England and Wales, upon what the hon. Member might perhaps consider to be so included. I am not anxious to secure rigid uniformity in any portion of our national education.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he contemplates the creation of a special State medical staff to supervise the efforts of local educational authorities for attending to the health and physical condition of the children educated in the public elementary schools.

The Board of Education are only responsible in respect of England and Wales. They already possess one medical inspector of schools, and I am contemplating the appointment of a second. I do not think it would be wise for the Board to embark upon the establishment of a large staff of such officials—at all events until there has been time to see to what extent the development of local authorities' activities under Clause 35 (b) of the Education Bill render such a course desirable.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any inquiry has been made into the method of working electric trains on various electric railways with only one man in the motor-house in charge of the motive power; and, having due regard to the safety of the traveling public, can he say whether his Department considers the present system of working those trains satisfactory.

This question has been considered by the Board's Inspecting Officers of Railways, who inform me that they are not aware that any accident has arisen owing to there being only one man in charge of the driving gear upon electric trains, and that they have no reason for regarding this system of working such trains as dangerous.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the number of cases and the nature of injuries to servants of the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) as a result of the use of the apparatus placed on locomotives to catch the train staff for single line working when running at high speed through stations.

Only one case of injury from the use of the apparatus in question has been reported to the Board of Trade, the man injured sustaining a fracture of the skull. This is the case referred to in the next Question by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) have the authority of the Board of Trade to continue the use of their invention placed on locomotives to catch the staff for the single line working of their railway at several stations between Portadown and Londonderry, after the defects revealed by the inquiry into the accident to an engine driver, caused by this apparatus, at Trew and Moy, in view of the rules laid down for working single lines of railway, which stipulate that the engine-driver must see and have in his possession the proper train staff for the section before he enters such section of the line.

The Board's Inspecting Officers of Railways have always advocated the employment of an apparatus for the purpose of exchanging staffs or tablets as being, generally speaking, safer than the usual practice of exchanging from hand to hand. The officer who inquired on behalf of the Board of Trade into the accident at Trew and Moy reported that alterations were being made in the experimental apparatus which should effectually prevent the occurrence of a similar mishap in future.

asked if the Board of Trade were aware that these trains passed through stations at a speed of fifty miles an hour in some cases.

I will inquire.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that in many small towns and villages local tradesmen are employed in the position of assessors of inland revenue; that butchers and bakers are put in the position of naming the income for income-tax purposes of the local doctor, solicitor, banker, of brother tradesmen who may be their rivals in business, and of their customers; is he aware that the Boards of Inland Revenue have from time to time drawn attention to the unsatisfactory features of this system, and expressed the desire for its discontinuance; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to whether assessments of incomes are frequently done by deputy and sometimes by youths, and I consider the desirability of introducing the Scottish system of assessment and collection of taxes by responsible officers of the Crown.

The employment of local persons as assessors of income-tax is based on the advantage which their local knowledge gives to them in assisting the Commissioners of Income Tax to make proper assessments. The Board of Inland Revenue are of opinion that this advantage much outweighs any drawbacks that the system may have; and they have never recommended its discontinuance. The Board have no reason to suppose that assessors are in the habit of delegating their duties to others.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the multiplication of officials employed under the present system of assessing and collecting revenue under which the same taxpayer may be called on by an officer of the inland revenue to pay excise, by a collector of inland revenue to pay income-tax under Schedules D and E, by a local collector of taxes to pay income-tax under Schedules A and B, and by a surveyor of taxes or other officer of inland revenue for arrears; and whether he will consider the desirability of reforming the system on lines more consonant with economy and public convenience.

In the opinion of the Board of Inland Revenue there is at present no undue multiplication of officials employed in the assessing and collecting of revenue, but I will look into the matter.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that clerks to Local Commissioners of Taxes are usually solicitors of high standing who have a large portion of the work of copying of assessment of charge showing the incomes of all persons under Schedules D and E entrusted to casual labour obtained at the moment at the lowest possible rates; will he cause inquiry to be made as to how far this system infringes the secrecy enjoined in this connection to prevent disclosures of income.

Under Section 38 of the Income Tax Act, 1842 "clerks and clerk's assistants" to Commissioners of Income Tax are required to be sworn to secrecy in respect of assessments under Schedule D; and no complaint has reached the Board of Inland Revenue that this requirement is not observed, or that improper disclosures have been made.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that it is proposed to abolish the property qualification for Justices of the Peace in counties in England and Wales, he will take steps to assimilate the amount of £4, payable as foes to the county officials on an appointment as Justice of the Peace for a county in England and Wales, to the smaller amount payable on such appointments in Scotland.

I think it is very desirable that the amount of the fees payable by Justices should be reduced to a reasonable sum. I am informed by the Home Office that every effort is made to effect this result, and to limit the charge to £2 in the case of ordinary Justices of the Peace, and 5s. in the case of those appointed ex officio. I am not aware of the amount paid in Scotland, and, therefore, cannot say whether the table applying in that country should be adopted in England.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if the new arrangements for taking divisions will involve any extra expenditure; and, if so, how much.

The cost of the structural work has been £248. If it is ultimately determined to retain the extra marking clerks an additional sum of £300 per annum will be required on the Votes for the House of Commons Offices.

Can some early opportunity be given for the thanks of this honourable House to be passed to the right hon. Gentleman for the great benefit he has conferred upon us all by his clever new arrangement for taking divisions?

I am afraid there is no opportunity of offering the right hon. Gentleman thanks inside the House. Perhaps the hon. Member can devise some means of offering thanks to him outside.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he has received any representations respecting the towers which appear upon the plans of the new Government building facing Great George Street; and whether he is prepared to authorise the construction of any or all of those towers.