To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mrs. Higginbotham, who holds land in county Cavan under the Lord Chancellor, representing Martha Ann Fenner, a lunatic, has applied to have a second-term rent fixed, and that the application has been refused on the ground that, in law, there is no landlord; and, if so, on what ground, and for whom, rent is collected. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Land Commission inform me that, in the case referred to, the landlord is described in the form of application to fix a fair rent as "in re Martha Ann Fenner, a lunatic, by Thomas F. Barry, her committee." This application was served on the Land Commission on the 9th April, 1903, and it has been several times listed for hearing, and adjourned owing to the death of the landlord, because when the landlord dies after the service of an originating notice to fix a fair rent it is necessary to serve notice upon his successor. In September last the adjournment was made on the application of the tenant's solicitor, and in April, when the case was last ad journed, it did not appear that the successor to the landlord had been served with notice. It has been as certained from the Lunacy Department of the Court of Chancery that the lunatic died on the 11th December, 1903, and that advertisements have been widely published with a view to discovering the heir-at-law of the deceased, but no claimant has as yet established his title. This is the real cause of the delay. In March, 1906, the Lord Chancellor, by order, transferred the matter to the court of the hon. Mr. Justice Barton to administer the estate, and an application is pending in that court for letters of administration. The receiver's final account in the lunacy matter has been passed, and it is presumed an application will be made to Mr. Justice Barton to appoint a receiver in the action. When a receiver has been appointed, if the application in the fair rent matter is served on that gentleman by the tenant's solicitor, the case can be proceeded with. Mrs. Higginbotham, who is the only tenant on the estate, has paid her rent up to the last gale day; and it is stated that she has made a claim to be the heir-at-law of the deceased lunatic. She will, it may be assumed, have notice of the proceedings in Mr. Justice Barton's court. Pending the discovery of the heir-at-law, it is necessary that rent should be collected for the benefit of whomsoever may ultimately be declared to be the heir.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the female learners at Belfast have not yet had the benefits of the wages adjustments he introduced applied to them; if he can say when they will be placed on the new scale; and if there is any hope of permanent places on the establishment being found for them at an early date. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I was not aware that there had been any further delay in applying the new scale but I now find that the matter is no yet quite settled. But in any case the new scale, when applied, will date back to 1st January.

To ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that women clerk in the Accountant's Office, Dublin, have their maximum salaries fixed at £10 per annum less than those of women clerk in the London office, who have been appointed from the same competitive examinations, while no such distinction is made in the case of men clerks employed in the same office, and whose conditions of appointment are identical and that memorials from women clerk in Dublin praying for remuneration similar to that given to the women clerk in London have been refused on the grounds that the cost of living is less in Dublin than in London, and that it is the practice of the Post Office to pay less salary at provincial offices; and will he explain why these reasons do not apply in the case of men clerks and whether, seeing that the former reason has been disproved before a Treasury Commission to reduce the salaries of other civil servants stationed in Dublin, and that the latter applies to the capital of Ireland, and that this reduction of maximum salary in the case of women clerks transferred from London to Dublin is a violation of the conditions of their appointment, he will consider the case of the women clerks in Dublin with a view to giving them remuneration equal to that given women clerks in London. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The scale of the Second Division clerks fixed by the Treasury, as they belong to a class common to the whole of the Civil Service. The women clerks were all under the terms of their engagement appointed to London offices, and it was only at their own request that they were subsequently transferred to Dublin, with the full knowledge that the scale in Dublin was lower. Transfers to Dublin are much sought after by women clerks, and if any of those who have bean transferred to Dublin would prefer to return to London, their application shall be considered and endeavour made to arrange a transfer.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can explain why stokers are being trained in the use of tools and machinery used in marine engineering, and who by this means obtain warrant rank, while men who are already trained can be obtained to do this class of work. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) I must refer the hon. Member to the Statement of Admiralty Policy [Cd. 2791] of last session, and the Reports on the New Scheme of Training [Cd. 2841] of this session.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the details of the outfit allowances to naval Volunteer officers have yet been settled; and, if so, when the regulations will be issued by which the allowances will be granted. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The financial questions involved have now been practically settled, and regulations on the subject are being prepared.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that Bernard Martin, Cloon-cruffer, county Roscommon, a tenant of the Countess of Kingston, was evicted from his holding on the 14th May, 1892; that he has made repeated applications for reinstatement under the Land Act; that no notice of his applications has been taken, notwithstanding that portions of the estate have been sold, and that further sales are now pending; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates' Commissioners have received from, Bernard Martin an application for rein- statement in a holding on the estate of the Countess of Kingston. This holding is not included in the portion of the estate now being sold, but the Commissioners intend to make inquiries into Martin's case.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether, before the lands of Ballyseedy, Tralee, now being sold by Colonel Nash, will be declared an estate, inquiry will be made into the case of John Cronin, evicted tenant on the estate. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have recently received from John Cronin an application for reinstatement, and will have his case inquired into in due course. No proceedings for the sale of the estate in question have yet come before the Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inspector from the Estates Commissioners has yet visited county Kerry to inquire into the cases of evicted tenants; whether he inquired into the cases of Daniel Murphy, Dromin, Killorglin, and Michael O'Sullivan, Doaghs; and whether application was made to Mr. Wharton, who now occupies Mr. Murphy's farm, to leave for some other place. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that one of their inspectors is at present inquiring into the cases of evicted tenants in county Kerry. The cases mentioned in the Question have been referred to him, but his report has not yet been received.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that ejectment processes for one and a-half year's rent have been served upon the tenants on the Ballycleary Estate of Mrs. Dunne, Aughavoe, Queen's County; and whether, seeing that the tenants have been in treaty for the purchase of their holdings, and that negotiations were broken off in consequence of the demand of twonty-four years purchase, with bonus, made by the landlord, the Estates Commissioners will approach Mrs. Dunne with a view to settlement, pending the hearing of the cases before the county court judge. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the Question, and that no proceedings for the sale of the estate mentioned are pending before them. The Commissioners, however, will approach the owner with a view to taking action as conciliators in accordance with the regulations of 13th February, 1906.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the sale of the Owen Wynne Estate, including the town-land of Gregg, near Sligo, has been completed; has the Land Commission paid over the purchase money to the landlord; is he aware that Mrs. Kate Banks, of Cregg, on this estate, paid interest to the Land Commission, on 16th November, 1905, at the rate of 3¾ per cent., and that on 22nd January, 1906, the Estates Commissioners informed her by letter that her holding was excluded from the estate for sale; will he explain whether it was by order of the Land Commission that Mr. George Hewson, of Dromahair, county Leitrim, agent for Mr. Owen Wynne, applied to Mrs. Banks, on the 2nd June instant, for payment of. £5 8s. alleged to be due for interest pending sale; did Mrs. Banks, at the request of Mr. Hewson, sign an application for an advance of £332; was it found, on inspection, that her farm was not security for so large a price; will he see that Mrs. Banks' farm is included in the sale of the Owen Wynne Estate and sold to her at a fair price; and will he request the Estates Commissioners to stop further proceedings in connection with the sale of the Wynne Estate until the circumstances connected with Mrs. Barks' case are fully investigated. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the sale of the estate in question was completed on 8th February, 1906, and the advances were made on that date. The funds have not yet been allocated. According to the purchase agreement signed by Mrs. Banks, the interest payable by her in lieu of rent was to be at the rate of 3¾ per cent., and this was duly collected by the Land Commission up to 1st November, 1905. On 22nd January, 1906, the Estates Commissioners informed Mrs. Banks that her holding was excluded from the estate for sale, and consequently the Land Commission ceased to collect interest as from 1st November, 1905, and the tenant became liable for rent or interest to the vendor. The Commissioners, however, have no information as to the amount demanded by Mr. Hewson, the agent. The Commissioners are not aware at whose instance Mrs. Banks signed the agreement for purchase. It was ascertained upon inspection that the holding would not afford security for the advance of £332 applied for, and the Commissioners therefore declined to sanction the advance. The agent for the vendor has undertaken to include Mrs. Banks' holding in the next estate of this vendor for sale, and when this estate comes before the Commissioners they will see that the undertaking is fully carried into effect.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state on what principle the Assistant Land Commissioners are now proceeding, in connection with the fixing of rents for the second judicial term, in respect to improvements made on the land by the tenants; whether they are still instructed to pay due regard to the section of the Act of 1881 which provides that rent shall not be chargeable in respect to improvements made by the tenant or his predecessor in title; has his attention been called to the case of Mr. Patrick Lynch, Curragh Kilbrin, on the estate of Dr. Barry, of Kanturk, recently heard, in which Mr. Corliss Bolster, ex-Land Commissioner, valued at £66 10s., whereas Mr. Commissioner Donavan valued at £84, being a reduction of only £4 a year on the first judicial rent fixed seventeen years ago; and whether, in view of the complaints by improving tenants of the action of the Assistant Commissioners, steps will be taken by legislation or otherwise to strengthen and make clear Section 8 of the Act of 1881. (Answered by Mr. Bryce) I am informed by the Land Commission that in dealing with the question of improvements when fixing judicial rents the Sub-Commissioners are governed by the Land Law Act of 1881, and subsequent Acts, the rules prescribed under those Acts, and the numerous judicial decisions interpreting the law as to the fixing of fair rents. I have no information as to the particular case referred to, except that an appeal from the order of the Sub-Commission is pending in the case.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at the sitting of the Sub-Land Commissioners for the fixing of fair rents, held in the town of Tipperary, in the early days of May, a case as between Mr. Hefferman Considine, landlord, and Michael M'Grath, tenant, on the lands of Tirmanagh Pallasgrean, county Limerick, was gone into, that the farm, consisting of forty-four Irish, acres has been for the past fifteen years, first-term, held under judicial lease at a yearly rent of £86 10s., although, a large portion of it is of inferior quality; and has his attention been called to the statement of a herdsman of Mr. Considine on the occasion that dairy cows are now let for the season at £12 10s. per cow, although the figure all around is £9 per cow; and can he say whether the Commissioners have as yet inspected the farm or have they given their decision as to the fair rent. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have referred this Question to the Land Commission, who inform me that the case referred to is one in which an application was made to have a judicial rent fixed by the Court; and they do not consider it desirable to discuss the details of such cases, which are the subject of judicial decisions.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board have refused to sanction the appointment of Mr. Flanagan as engineer and architect to the Corofin District Council; and, if so, if he will state the reason for this action. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local Government Board have been unable to sanction the appointment of Mr. Flanagan as engineer and architect to the Corofin Board of Guardians, upon the ground that he has not been shown to be qualified for the position. Mr. Flanagan appears to have had experience as an overseer of roads, but no evidence is forthcoming to show that he possesses any qualifications in the matter of land surveying, mapping, and building works. Mr. Flanagan's appointment as engineer to the district council has not yet been reported to the Local Government Board. In view of the expected building of a large number of new cottages under the Labourers Bill, when it passes into law, it becomes specially important to secure that the architects of local bodies shall prove that they possess, technical skill and experience.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any complaints have been received in regard to the manner in which officers of health in rural districts discharge their duties in connection with sanitation of the out offices attached to national schools and the premises generally. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local Government Board have not received any complaint that there has been failure of duty on the part of medical officers of health generally in regard to the sanitary arrangements of national schools. It is to be remembered that these buildings are periodically inspected by the inspectors of national schools, whose reports are communicated to the managers of the schools.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if any, and what, means are at present in force to prevent children suffering from contagious diseases attending national schools in the ordinary way.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any provision is made, for the systematic medical inspection of pupils attending national schools in Ireland with respect to defective sight, hearing, or with regard to skin diseases; and, if not, will he direct the attention of the Commissioners to the matter. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they direct the exhibition in every national school of a printed notice calling attention to the penalties for sending children to school who have been suffering from infectious disorders. The Commissioners have also recently sanctioned the exhibition in every national school of a poster calling attention to the dangers of consumption and the measures to be adopted to prevent the spread of the disease; and in the new edition of "Notes for Teachers," which the Commissioners are about to issue, a special chapter is devoted to school hygiene, and teachers are instructed as to the general signs of infectious diseases. Managers and teachers are empowered to exclude from national schools children suffering from infectious diseases. The Answer to the hon. Member's second Question is in the negative. The matter is already within the knowledge and consideration of the Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is proposed to give extra salary to graduates of Universities who are teachers in Irish national schools; and whether, seeing that such a change would help to raise the standard of education to the benefit of the Irish child, steps will be taken to make provision in the next Estimates for such a change. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The adoption of this proposal would involve very considerable expense and it would be a question whether any addition to the funds available for primary education could not be better expended in some other way.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the inspector from the Estates Commissioners notified Mrs. Catherine O'Connor, who claims to be an evicted tenant on the Morrogh Bernard Estate, county Kerry, that he would inspect her evicted farm on the 5th April, 1906, and that on that date the inspector refused to inquire into the case on the grounds that he was prevented by the estate agent from doing so; and whether the Estates Commissioners will refuse to sanction a sale of any portion of this estate until the claims of all the evicted tenants on it are fully and satisfactorily dealt with. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that it is the fact that the agent of the estate in question objected to the inspection of the holdings of evicted tenants who had not signed agreements for purchase. The Commissioners, however, intend to have further inquiries made into the cases of these evicted tenants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that Lord Clanricarde's agent has made a report to the Government on the condition of Lord Clanricarde's estate in the county Galway, he will state how many farms on this estate are untenanted. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) No such report has been received by the Government from Lord Clanricarde's agent. The official information upon the subject of the Question, which is contained in a Return (No. 173) presented to Parliament in 1903, shows that out of 254 evicted farms on the estate all except twenty-eight were in the occupation of tenants. I have no reason to believe that the circumstances have materially changed since then.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of Patrick Fox, now of Arden Flash, county Fermanagh, who served nineteen and a half years in the Army, first in the 5th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers and then in the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment (regimental number 443), and was on the 12th September, 1883, transferred to the First Class Army Reserve at Omagh with a good conduct certificate, and was discharged from the Army Reserve on 8th October, 1891, with good conduct certificate, but without a pension, which he has since been trying to get; will he say if it is in accordance with the Army Regulations that a man who serves so long, and leaves with good conduct certificates, should not be entitled to a pension; and, if so, will he recommend a change in the orders. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This man was discharged on the 8th October, 1887, after twelve years service, on the termination of his first period of limited engagement, and subsequently served four years in Section D Army Reserve. He had previously served for two years 176 days in the Donegal Militia. His total service with the colours was seven years eleven months, and he was not engaged in any campaign during this period. His service does not therefore entitle him to any pension. There is no trace of any application for pension from this man.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can ascertain from the Army Council what American firm has obtained the contract for the supply of fresh beef to the troops stationed in the three Kingdoms; and whether he can state if any canned provisions are used, and what ratio of frozen mutton is allowed. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The Morris Meat Company, an American firm long established on the London meat market, holds contracts for the supply of ration meat at three military stations in the United Kingdom. These contracts do not include the supply of canned provisions, but occasionally preserved meat is issued from the Army reserves, in order to insure a turn over of the war stock. The proportion of frozen mutton allowed does not exceed two-sevenths.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the need which exists for establishing a rifle range at Welshpool, an important depot of Auxiliary Forces; and whether he will take action in order to the providing of such, range at the earliest possible date. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.), The establishment of a rifle range at Welshpool depends upon the provision of suitable manœurving areas in connection with it. These matters are now engaging the attention of the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command. It will not have escaped the observation of my hon. friend that the latter part of his Question involves financial consideration.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence between the Governor of Malta and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Malta, relative to the Protestant religious services in the theatre at Valetta, which services were afterwards disallowed by the withdrawal by the Governor of the consent to the use of the theatre for such services, which he had already granted. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) I will lay the correspondence upon the Table of the House.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to his statement that there are grave objections to the procedure which was followed in regard to the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries Concession, and to his further statement that the results have not been at all satisfactory, the Government will consider the advisability in the public interest of reopening the whole matter. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) No, Sir; the transaction must be regarded as complete.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the effect upon municipalities of the provisions of the Trustee Act of 1893, limiting the investments of trustees to nominal or inscribed stock and excluding corporation mortgages as a trustee security: and whether, seeing that the security in all cases of mortgage is the rates, and that many corporations, including Devonport, have by local Acts power to mortgage all their revenues in addition to the rates, thus making the security identical with that of stock, in view of the practice which obtains in Scotland, he will take steps to legalise as trustee securities corporation mortgages. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I am aware of the desire of local authorities that the power of trustees to invest in their securities should be extended in the direction suggested; but the determination of the question as to the securities in which trustees should be

To ask the Postmaster-General what is the

T ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the administrative difficulties arising out of rating powers exercised by overseers in such towns as Devonport, he will initiate legislation securing unification of rating powers by vesting such powers in local authorities. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I presume that my hon. friend has in view legislation to provide that in a borough all the rates shall be levied by the town council. I have this matter under consideration.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of Poor Law children at present accommodated in the district and separate schools, the village communities, and grouped cottage homes of metropolitan unions and provincial unions respectively. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The number of children in separate establishments of the guardians of Poor Law unions in England and Wales on the 1st January last was as follows:—

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the rule for giving assistance to postmen who may have above thirty-five pounds is intended to mean that a portion of the load may be transferred from one duty to another, or should a special delivery be made of the portion taken away to relieve a man; is he aware that the former method was adopted at St. Leonards-on-Sea on May 4th, No. 17 walk being relieved of some parcels which were transferred to No. 4 parcel duty, this duty thus being compelled to relieve another in spite of the fact that over fifty-two hours duty was worked on the latter duty during that week, and under these circumstances will overtime payment be made for the four hours. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) If a postman in a town is overburdened there is no reason why he should not be relieved by the transfer of part of his load to another postman on duty, provided, of course, that the second man is not thereby overburdened or his walk unduly prolonged. I will cause inquiry to be made as regards the particular case mentioned by the hon. Member and inform him of the result.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the interest caused in Ireland by the publication by the Historical Manuscripts Commission of the MSS. at the Franciscan Monastery in Dublin, he will consider the advisability of securing the publication of similar historical documents, bearing on the same-period, now at the Irish College in Rome. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Inquiry shall be made into the suggestion of the hon. Member. But no funds are at present available for the purpose in question, and I cannot give any pledge on the subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the directors of the Lough Swilly Railway Company have made charges against the Board of Works in respect both of certain alleged departures from specification by the contractors employed to make the Burtonport extension, and also of the character and amount of the rolling stock provided; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, the Treasury will now agree to grant an inquiry into the whole matter.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a letter from Mr. Alexander Spense, secretary to the Londonderry, Lough Swilly, and Letterkenny Railway, urging on behalf of the board of directors that, in accordance with the views taken by the ratepayers, the Donegal County Council and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce which have passed resolutions in favour of an inquiry, the charges made by the board of these railways against the Board of Works with reference to the Burton-port Railway and the expenditure of public money in reference thereto, and having regard to their granting to the subject of inquiry by a competent and impartial tribunal; and, if so, what reply has been given to that letter. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) After very full and repeated consideration of all the circumstances of this case, and in view of the terms of the Order in Council and the agreement with the Treasury for the construction, etc., of the line, the Treasury has decided that it would not be justified in referring the matter to an outside tribunal, and: I am so informing Mr. Spence in reply to his letter referred to.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he: is aware that the crofting township of Glasphein, in Glendale, Skye, belonging to the Congested Districts Board, is so seriously congested that the peat banks are practically exhausted, and that the neighbouring proprietor, who last year kindly granted permission for the crofters to take their supply of peats from his property, has this year prevented them from doing so; and if he will give instruction that the Congested Districts Board shall take steps to see that fresh peat ground is provided for their tenants on another part of their estate. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I am informed that the facts are as stated. The Congested Districts Board are unable to insist that other townships having peat banks on their own common pasture should admit the crofters of Glasphein but any difficulties that may arise might best be dealt with by the Crofters Commission coming to an understanding with the tenants with whom arrangements have been made for purchase of holdings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the practice resorted to at laboratories where experiments are performed on dogs and other living animals of cutting the nerves of vocalisation before commencing the experiments in order to prevent their cries being heard; and, seeing that such practices are in contravention of The Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, he will say what steps, if any, are being taken to prevent this additional and unnecessary pain to the victims of vivisection. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) If my hon. friend can give me particulars of any cases of the nature referred to I will at once have inquiry made, but I am informed that it is certainly not the practice in laboratories in this country to divide the nerves of vocalisation of animals before commencing experiments. I would remind him that no experiment involving a serious operation is allowed to be performed unless the animal is under the influence of some anæsthetic of sufficient power to prevent it feeling pain.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he will consider the desirability of removing the inconveniences which result from the antiquated system of copyhold tenure by substituting the compulsory for the voluntary enfranchisement of copyholds. (Answered by Sir John Walton.) I have ascertained from the Lord Chancellor that he is not prepared at present take up this subject, or express any opinion upon it.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the present financial position of the Bombay Government, owing to a recurrence of famine years; and whether he will in future Provincial Settlements consider whether some arrangement would be devised by which the additional expenditure on account of local famines could be borne either by the Government of India, or by increased special allotments of the Provincial Governments. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The hon. Member will see from the Report (appended to the Financial Statement recently presented to Parliament) of the Proceedings of the Governor-General's Council on the 28th of March that the question raised by him was then discussed at some length, and that Mr. Baker, the member in charge of the Finance Department, stated that it is the intention of the Government of India to examine the matter thoroughly. I shall no doubt receive a communication on the subject from the Government of India, and it will have my careful consideration.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the official inquiries into the question of establishing the trades union standard of wages in the Royal Dockyards are completed; and whether he anticipates being able to announce the decision of the Admiralty in this matter before Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates is taken. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The inquiries into the rates of pay of dockyard employees are completed. Proposals in regard to the wages, &c, of men of the various classes are now being formulated in connection with the workmen's petitions, and it is hoped that it may be possible to announce decisions in the matter before Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates is taken.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned the sale of one division of Sir Algernon Coote's estate at Rearymore, Queen's County, and that the Kyle portion of the property has been offered to the tenants at twenty-three years purchase; whether he is aware that three tenants on this estate, who recently went into court, got reductions varying from twenty-six to forty per cent., which have been appealed against; and whether the Estates Commissioners will approach Sir Algernon Coote, with a view of effecting the sale of this estate. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that in August, 1905, agreements for the purchase of a portion of the estate referred to, including the townland of Rearymore, were lodged with them, but the portion in question has not yet been declared to be an "estate," and the advances have, therefore, not been sanctioned. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the number of years purchase at which the Kyle portion of the estate has been offered to the tenants, nor of the result of the fair rent proceedings. The Commissioners, however, will, when dealing with the question of declaring the lands to be an estate, consider whether the Kyle property ought to be included in the sale.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount of money given the Union Quay Co-operative Federation Society, Cork City; whether it is usual to grant money to co-operative societies for trading purposes to persons who are not members of a co-operative society; and whether he can give the names of the members of this society. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Department of Agricultural and Technical Instruction have not made any payment to the society referred to, the correct name of which is the "Cork Co-operative Creameries Federation, Limited." The Department are informed that the members of this society are co-operative dairy societies which are federated with it for the purpose of having their butter churned; and that it is managed by a committee elected by the federated societies.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to enter into negotiations for the sale of the Clonfin (Thompson) Estate, for the benefit of Longford evicted tenants, with the firm of Messrs. McCredy and Sons, Solicitors, Dublin. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will communicate with the firm of solicitors named on the subject of the sale of the estate in question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the action of the receiver on the Cusack (county Longford) Estate, motions are being made to delay the sale of this estate to the Commissioners; and whether he can now state if action will be taken to acquire this estate for the benefit of county Longford evicted tenants. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that the offer of the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the Cusack Estate was brought before the Land Judge for consideration on the 11th instant. The case now stands adjourned for a fortnight in order to enable the solicitor having carriage of the sale to communicate with the Commissioners on the subject of certain conditions contained in their offer. The receiver repudiates the suggestion that he has taken any action calculated to delay the sale of the estate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in the case of the Maconely Estate, county Longford, the vesting orders to tenants will soon be issued. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received their Inspector's report on this estate, and have considered the same and issued queries upon it, but at this stage of the proceedings it would not be possible to say when the orders vesting the holdings in the tenants will issue. The case is being duly attended to, and the sale will be completed with as little delay as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the approximate time H.M.S. "Montagu" went aground, by what time salvage work was started by the salvage company on board H.M.S. "Montagu," and what are the terms of the contract with this company in reference to payments.

The "Montagu" went aground at 2.10 a.m. on May 30th. The salvage steamers which were chartered arrived on the night of the 31st, and started work next day. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not usual to publish the terms of current contracts.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, after H.M.S. "Montagu" wont aground, a salvage steamer proceeded to her assistance in the fog and was alongside H.M.S. "Montagu" within ten hours after she had gone ashore; whether her assistance was declined, and, if so, for what reason; and whether the damage to H.M.S. "Montagu" was not very much increased by the delay in salvage operations.

When the salvage steamer in question reached Lundy, arrangements for the salvage of the "Montagu" had already been entered into with the Liverpool Salvage Association, who were considered most capable of carrying out this work. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not a fact that the damage to the "Montagu" was increased by the delay.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the life pension of £12 per annum, granted from the 9th of July, 1902, to Petty Officer, Second Class, W. Stewart, No. 15,898, of Strangford, county Down, has been cancelled; and, if so, for what reason; and will he reconsider the case of this seaman who, after a naval service including reserve extending over a period of nearly 34 years, is now aged, infirm, and absolutely without other means of subsistence.

The pension granted to W. Stewart was not awarded to him as a "life pension." His age is 54, and in ordinary circumstances he would not have become entitled to any pension at all before reaching the age of 60. As it was certified in 1902, however, that he was incapacitated from contributing to his own support, the regulations enabled a temporary pension to be granted to him. His condition has now improved, and under the regulations applicable to his case, it was necessary to discontinue payment of the pension.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a cargo of flour has been landed from England at Castle town Berehaven for the use of that portion of the Fleet manœuvring on the Irish coast will he say if any difficulty has been experienced at any time in getting a sufficient supply of flour from Irish firms for the use of the ships on the coast of Ireland; has any flour been brought from Ireland to English ports for the use of the Fleet; and whether, in view of the effect of this action on the Irish milling trade, steps will be taken to stop any further importation of flour from England to Ireland for the use of the Navy.

A cargo of flour was recently landed at Berehaven from Deptford for the use of the Atlantic Fleet. The circumstances were exceptional, as the flour had been purchased in England for use at Gibraltar, it being understood that the ships would need to replenish before leaving for Home waters. Later on, however, the Admiral reported that it would be more convenient for the ships not to fill up until they reached Berehaven, but in the circumstances it was necessary to utilise the flour already available, as considerable expense to the Crown would have resulted from purchasing a duplicate quantity from Irish millers. In regard to the second point, our experience does not lead us to suppose there would be any difficulty in obtaining supplies of flour, in ordinary circumstances, from Irish firms to meet the requirements of ships on the coast of Ireland. In regard to the third point, I do not know of any such case, but if any Irish firms desire to tender for the requirements in this country, viz., at Deptford, Portsmouth, and Plymouth, they will be given opportunities of doing so. In regard to the last point, the circumstances in the present case were exceptional and are not likely to recur. In ordinary cases it is obviously more advantageous from every point of view to meet the requirements of the ships as far as possible from local resources, and this course will be followed.

I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the attention of the Admiralty has been directed to the unusual delay which occurred before the Collieston coastguard rendered assistance to the trawler "Star of Hope," which was wrecked on the Aberdeenshire coast last December, and in consequence of which three of the crew lost their lives; and whether they have made or intend to make an inquiry into the matter.

Inquiry has been made and action taken in consequence.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether the new coastguard station at Boscastle, in Cornwall, has been roofed with foreign slates; from what country were such slates imported; whether, in view of the fact that some of the most productive slate quarries in the United Kingdom exist within but a few miles of the site of this building, he will say whether any and what saving was effected by the use of foreign slates in this case.

The slates used were Welsh, not foreign.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can promise that if any increase of pay and pension is to be granted to warrant officers, Militia sergeant-majors will receive favourable consideration, in view of the fact that during annual training their duties are proportionately more onerous than those of line regiments.

The question of the emoluments of Militia sergeant - majors has been frequently raised and it has been decided to make no alteration. It may be pointed out that their work, taking all the year round, is less onerous than that of a sergeant-major of the line.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether advantage has been taken of the experience gained in the South African campaign, and of the war between Japan and Russia, to construct a scheme whereby on the outbreak of war, if necessary, the working of railways will be efficiently carried out by a special military staff; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of instituting a department for the training of officers in the working of railways during war.

As the result of the experiences gained in recent war a railway branch has been formed as the War Office under the Quartermaster-General. The necessary organisation for the working of railways in time of war in concert with the civil railway staff is receiving careful consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a number of circulars have been recently posted in prominent places throughout the North of Ireland calling upon Irishmen to refrain from joining the Army, Navy, or Police forces; and if any steps have been taken to trace the source from which these circulars emanate.

My attention has been drawn to the matters alluded to, and I am not impressed with their importance.

Is it an offence in law to advise a man not to go into the Army?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend that Militiamen be granted separation allowance during annual trainings, as is permitted to men of the Army reserve when called up to do their reserve training.

I am afraid that no money is available to meet the very large expense which this concession would involve.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the allowance of 6d. a day in lieu of rations in kind, which has hitherto been regularly allowed for years past to men employed in the officers' mess of Militia regiments during annual training, may be continued in the future.

It is not intended to change the past practice in regard to the issue of this allowance, and the point will be made clear in the regulations.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the expenses to which Yeomanry officers are subjected during their annual training, for bands, subscriptions, and entertainments are regarded as burdensome by many officers; and whether, in view of the fact that these charges deter many young men from serving in the Yeomanry, he will represent to Commanding Officers the desirability of limiting those expenses as much as possible.

It is the duty of all Commanding Officers of Imperial Yeomanry to endeavour to keep down the expenses of officers as far as possible; I doubt whether any good purpose would be served by a mere general official representation to this effect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Companies of the London Imperial Yeomanry is heavily in debt in consequence of these expenses?

I have no information as to that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the officer appointed to inspect the conditions under which meat is prepared in American factories has hitherto been an instructor in the Army Service Corps on forage supplies; and whether he holds the Birkenhead certificate for inspection of meat.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hobbs has had seven years experience as Assistant and Chief Instructor in Army Service Corps duties, which include the inspection of forage, live cattle, preserved, frozen, refrigerated and dead meat, and has special expert knowledge of the subject. He holds a certificate of proficiency in judging meat from the sanitary authorities of the London Central Meat Market, which is similar in every respect to that now obtained at Birkenhead.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to complaints made by boards of guardians in Ireland that in many cases the wives and and children of Militiamen are constrained to become paupers during the absence of the husbands at training; and whether, in view of the increase entailed on the rates, provision will be made for the families of such men by providing separation allowances.

No complaints to the effect stated in the first part of the Question have been received. The expense involved by the provision of separation allowances would be very large, and no money is available for the purpose.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the refusal of the Committee of the House of Representatives on Agriculture, on the 13th instant, at Washington, to order the meat packers in the United States to label or stamp the date of manufacture on each article of food product sold by the packers, he will issue an Army order that in future every can of preserved meat supplied to the Army shall be plainly stamped with the date of its manufacture; and that in future all bottles, tins, or cases of preserved food bought by the military authorities, whether for issue to our soldiers at Home, in India, or in the Colonies, shall be indelibly stamped, labelled, or marked in a similar manner.

My hon. friend is evidently unaware that it has long been a condition of the ordinary War Office contracts that tins of preserved food must have the date of canning visibly stamped on the inside.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether patients in military hospitals are required to do fatigue duties whether convalescent or not; and, if so, whether he will issue an Army Order to prevent the patients being ordered to do work of any kind, having in view the fact that all soldiers in military hospitals are placed under stoppages of pay to recompense the public for the loss of their services whilst under medical treatment, and that, if he cannot see his way to issue the order above referred to, he will see to it that no man will have any deduction made from his pay on the day he has done any work whilst in an Army hospital.

The King's Regulations empower officers in charge of hospitals to employ on light duties, without extra pay, patients whom they consider able to aid the hospital establishment. Patients are never employed on the ordinary heavy work incidental to hospital routine, and not often on the lighter work authorised, which would be in the wards. The stoppages are intended to recompense the State for cost of maintenance and treatment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a petition signed by the majority of the inhabitants of the Island of St. Helena, praying that the garrison may not be removed from the island; and whether he still adheres to the intention of withdrawing the troops in the autumn of this year.

A petition to this effect has been received. I should much regret it if the decision of the Army Council caused inconvenience to any of the inhabitants of St. Helena, but it is obvious that the Army Council ought not to recommend military expenditure which would burden the British taxpayer uselessly from a military point of view. It would be cheaper and better to make a direct grant of money. Whether this could be justified I cannot say, but my plain duty as a responsible War Minister is to reply to the last part of the Question put in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what was the quantity of Chicago canned meat that was supplied to the troops in South Africa during the late war; and what proportion of the mortality returns that were entered under the heading of enteric ought more properly to have been described as due to ptomaine poisoning.

Approximately, rather more than half the canned meat purchased came from the United States, but it is not possible to say how much Chicago meat was supplied to the troops in South Africa. Nothing is known of any cases classed as enteric which should have been described as ptomaine poisoning.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any British troops are under orders to leave Egypt; and whether there is any intention to reduce the garrison there.

No British troops are under orders to leave Egypt; the future composition of the British army of occupation is now under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any troops have, during the last twelve months, refused to eat rations of canned meat issued to them; and, if so, will he discontinue in times of peace the issue of rations of tinned meat instead of fresh meat to soldiers, whether serving at Home or abroad.

The only case of which the Army Council are aware occurred at Bulford. A sample of the meat in question is being examined by an analyst. Stocks of preserved meat are kept in store in reserve for war purposes, and these ought to be turned over to avoid loss to the public. The practice has been to make periodical issues to the troops to enable this to be done. If this can be carried out consistently with what is the foremost consideration—the health and well-being of the soldiers—the practice will be continued, but not unless investigation shows that there is no danger to be apprehended.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange that in future the tour of service for the constabulary and political departments in Northern Nigeria be twelve months instead of eighteen months as at present, and so bring these services into line with all other departments, which have a tour of twelve months only.

The system by which officers of the political and constabulary departments are liable to serve for eighteen months (with a proportionate increase of leave in England) was adopted after careful consideration on the recommendation of Sir Frederick Lugard, and with the concurrence of the principal medical officer of the Protectorate, it being left to the discretion of the High Commissioner to grant leave to any officer after twelve months service if he should require it by reason of ill-health. Sir Frederick Lugard has not expressed any desire for the alteration of the system, and as at present advised the Secretary of State would not feel justified in requiring an alteration.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, when the Colonial Office Vote is put down again for discussion, he will arrange that it shall be preceded by the Colonial Services Vote, which was not reached on the 8th instant.

As the Colonial Office Vote provides the machinery for administering the Colonial Services Vote, it naturally and properly precedes it; but the wishes and convenience of the House must always regulate the choice of Votes under the Supply Rule.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the suggested construction of railways in Northern Nigeria, which would facilitate the growth of cotton, whether the alternative of motor traction upon the roads which have been or are being constructed is also under consideration.

The hon. Member makes a valuable suggestion. The possibility of employing motor traction in Northern Nigeria has been under consideration, and some experiments have already been made in this direction. We have not yet learned the result.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the recent Customs Convention in South Africa, if carried into effect in the Transvaal, would be to seriously increase the cost of every necessary of life; that such taxation of food is contrary to the wishes of the people of the Transvaal, as shown by recent meetings of protest; and whether he will urge upon the Legislative Council the advisability of ascertaining fully the feeling of the people, more especially in towns like Johannesburg, before consenting to these new tariff' proposals.

The increased duties under the new Customs tariff' come into effect on May 25th. The tariff' is higher than the previous one, but simultaneously with the increased duties there has been a reduction of railway rates which should have the effect of very largely neutralising the effect of the increased duties on the cost of living in the inland colonies. I have noticed that there has been a meeting of protest on the part of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce. The Legislative Council is meeting this week and opportunity will be thereby afforded to members of it to express their opinions. It is an open secret that the continued existence of the South African Customs Union at the present time was bound to involve a higher tariff in view of the financial position of the coastal colonies. When the Transvaal and Orange River Colony possess elective Legislatures, their authoritative voice can be expressed on the subject. Meanwhile the general opinion in the two colonies appears to have been clearly in favour of retaining the Customs-Union. The Convention can be denounced by any member of the Union giving one year's notice to date from June 30th in any year.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what are the conditions which attach to the payment of the bounty to emigration agents by the Canadian Government in respect of emigrants from Ireland.

The bonus is paid to such steamship booking agents as are recognised by the Canadian Immigration Department upon tickets for Canada sold in any part of the United Kingdom to persons whose occupation is, and has been for at least one year, one of the following, viz.:—farmers, farm-labourers, gardeners, stablemen, carters, railway section-men, navvies or miners, and who have signified their intention of following farming in Canada, and to female domestic servants.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state whether the Zulus engaged in the Natal rising are armed with rifles, assegais, etc., supplied by Birmingham firms; and will he say whether these arms were supplied to them in connection with the Boer War.

No, Sir; I have no more information on this subject than when I replied to the hon. Member on the 14th ultimo.†

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to investigate any cases of gun running that may be brought under his notice?

Yes, any case of that kind will be rigorously followed up.

Have the rifles given to the natives during the Boer War been returned?

† See (4) Debates, clvii., 176

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state what were the precise recommendations made by the Committee, appointed by Lord Selborne, for the prevention of further outrages by the Chinese deserters from the gold mines, and which of these recommendations His Majesty's Government have decided to adopt.

The main recommendations of the Committee appointed to inquire into the control of the Chinese labourers, and the arrangements for dealing with desertion, were: That there should be a system of guarding the mine boundaries and the erection of physical barriers on such boundaries in the shape of wire fences: That an effective system should be instituted, in place of the present system of roll-call, for ascertaining from day to day the number and identity of labourers absent from work: That the European control on the mine premises be strengthened generally and in such a manner as to operate as a check upon the Chinese mine police and interpreters whose services the Committee consider cannot be entirely dispensed with: That in order to ensure better and more effective police control, the Witwatersrand area, as defined by the Labour Importation Ordinance, 1904, be contracted to the actual mining area and the towns situated on the line of Reef; That the known bad characters now employed on the mines be repatriated. His Majesty's Government are not able to sanction further restrictions either by legal enactment or by physical barriers, and are not, therefore, able to approve wire fences or the proposed amendment of the law for contracting the "Witwatersrand area. With these exceptions the recommendations are in process of being carried out as far as possible. Lord Selborne has informed the Secretary of State that regulations will be issued compelling every employer of Chinese labourers to employ at least five white men on each mine whose sole duty it will be to keep order among labourers and Chinese police and chock gambling and sale of opium in the compounds.

Is it not the case that up to now there have been no physical barriers of any kind in any of the mining areas?

I believe there has been no general system of circumvallation.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government have received from Natal any official news of the death of the chief Bambaata; and whether, if they have, they will use their good offices with the Government of the Colony with a view to their facilitating a return of the natives to their allegiance.

The Secretary of State received a telegram from the Governor last Friday stating that Bambaata was killed in the fight on the 10th, and that his body was identified by his brother and many others. The Government of Natal is as deeply concerned as His Majesty's Government or the hon. Member himself to bring to an end a state of disorder and unrest which daily imposes upon the Colony a very heavy financial burden, and causes widespread anxiety and dislocation in all classes of society.

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what is the number of Chinese coolies now imprisoned in the Transvaal.

I am not able to give the total number, but inquiry will be made at once by telegraph.

Has any one ever heard of imprisoned coolies attending race meetings as the Chinese do in South Africa?

The Question obviously refers to coolies actually undergoing imprisonment.

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of Chinese coolies convicted for offences of all descriptions, whether tried summarily or otherwise, since January 1st, 1906.

The total number of convictions for the first three months of the year was 4,446, of which 3,734 were cases of desertions and absence of various descriptions, being rather in the nature of breaches of regulations than criminal offences.

I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government are aware that the sole right to recruit Kaffirs is enjoyed by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association; whether they are prepared to put an end to this monopoly; and whether they will throw open recruiting of Kaffirs to other responsible persons or bodies.

The Witwatersrand Native Labour Association is a voluntary union of all or most of the principal mine-owners to regularise and control the recruiting of native labourers for the mines. It occupies a commanding position so far as recruiting in British South Africa is concerned, and enjoys a practical monopoly in respect of British Central Africa and Portuguese East Africa. Although this arrangement constitutes a great improvement upon the "free recruiting" system which it has replaced, it is not itself without serious disadvantages. His Majesty's Government is not unwilling to permit recruiting on equal terms by other bodies, but their status, substance, and responsibility must be clearly established beforehand in each particular case, in order that there may be no risk of the natives being deceived by extravagant promises or ill-used on their way to the mines.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information showing that instructions have been sent to the viceroys and governors of provinces in China to put into effect the proposals of Yuan Shih Kai, Viceroy of Chihli, to discourage and restrict the opium smoking habit amongst the officials and literate classes in that country.

His Majesty's Government have no information to this effect.

was understood to ask if the right hon. Baronet would make inquiries.

Yes, if any information is sent me on which I can base them.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Imperial funds out of which the Turkish Government have undertaken to make good all deficits in the Macedonian Budget will be applied for that purpose in conjunction with the revenues from the increased Customs duties, or only in the event of such revenues being insufficient; whether the Customs revenues will be applicable to meet military expenditure; and whether it will be permissible for the Turkish Government, after His Majesty's Government have given their consent to the increase in the Customs, the amount of which almost exactly equals the deficit in the Macedonian Budget, to apply the whole of the funds now absorbed by the deficit to the finding of the kilometric guarantee for the Baghdad Railway.

(1) The Turkish Government have undertaken to make good any deficit in the Macedonian Budgetout of Imperial revenues generally. If the increased Customs duties are devoted to this purpose, the deficit to be made good from other revenues will pro tanto be diminished. (2) The proceeds of the increase of 3 per cent, in the Customs duties will, if the increase is agreed to, be applicable to the Macedonian Budget as a whole, of which the military expenditure forms a part. (3) For the last part of this Question I must refer the hon. Member to the first paragraph of the reply made to his Question on the 13th instant,† viz., that

† See Col. 958

His Majesty's Government have no control over Turkish revenues, the allocation of which has not formed the subject of any agreement between the two Governments. But it is estimated that the increased Customs duties will fall considerably short of what is required to make up the deficit in the Macedonian vilayets, and, in view of the difficulty which already exists in meeting this, it cannot be assumed that, if assistance is given, large sources of Turkish revenue will automatically be set free for other purposes.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations will be made to the Russian Government as to the treatment by officials of the people in the Russian Empire before the British Fleet is sent on a visit of ceremony to Kronstadt, and further steps are taken to commit His Majesty's Government to definitely friendly arrangements with Russia.

The Answer to the hon. Member's Question is in the negative.

May I ask what is the object of the Government in sending a British Fleet to Kronstadt? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a boy of fourteen and a girl of eighteen have been publicly executed at Riga?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has seen in the newspapers the telegram sent by five members of the Russian Duma to the effect that the massacres of the Jews are being continued and are being officially countenanced by the Government; and whether that is not sufficient cause for his Department to take action to influence the Russian Government to stop these outrages in the interests of civilisation?

I have seen the statement in the newspapers, but I have no official information of any kind with regard to the matter. With regard to the Question of the hon. Member for West Ham, the Admiralty are intending to send a Fleet for a cruise in the summer in the Baltic, in the course of which, according to present arrangements, the ships will visit German, Swedish, and Russian ports; and I think it is premature to assume that anything will occur that I would make it necessary to alter those arrangements.

asked whether, in the event of these massacres being continued, orders would be given that the Fleet should not visit Russian ports to mark our disapproval.

I cannot add to the Answer I have already given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could give any information as to the cause of the recent affray between Egyptians and British officers; whether the British officers were in uniform and were engaged in the performance of any military duty at the time; by what tribunal it was proposed to try the Egyptians concerned in the disturbance; and whether the trial will take place in public?

The information which we have received hitherto states that, during a march of mounted infantry from Cairo to Alexandria, five British officers were attacked by natives whilst shooting pigeons in a village near Tantah. One officer has died from the effects of the injuries he received, and two others are badly injured. The actual cause of the attack has not yet been ascertained, and it is not known whether the officers were at the time in uniform. The matter will be dealt with under a Khedival decree of February 25th, 1895, which institutes a special tribunal to deal with crimes of violence against officers and men of the Army of Occupation. The meetings of the tribunal will be held in public. The facts of the case cannot be thoroughly known until the judicial inquiry has taken place.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman proposed to allow these Egyptians to be sent before the special tribunal before it had been proved that the officers were in uniform and were engaged in the performance of military duties.

That is a point on which we have not yet received full information. We cannot tell without inquiry how far that point would affect the question of the tribunal before which the case should come.

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct the attention of the Egyptian authorities to that point?

We are expecting more information. I will bear that point in mind.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that Shuttle, the ex-convict, one of the witnesses in the Hugh Watt's case, has got into trouble in Winnipeg, Canada, and to the indignation expressed in that town over the action of the British authorities in sending Shuttle to Canada without notifying the Canadian police; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the man Shuttle, one of the witnesses in the case of Rex. v. Watt, and who was recently deported at the expense of the special Service Fund to Canada, has already come into collision with the Canadian law; and whether, before deporting at the public expense any other witness for the prosecution in this case, especially to British Colonies, he will inquire into his record.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the deportation of James Shuttle, one of the witnesses in the Watt case, to Canada has raised indignation in that country; whether, in consequence of popular feeling there against this action of His Majesty's Government, Shuttle has been forced to remove to the United States; whether His Majesty's Government have received any representations on the subject from the Government of Canada; and whether he recognises the objections to lending Government aid to the emigration of persons whose presence at Home is undesirable.

In answering this Question I propose to deal also with the Questions of the hon. Members for South Hackney and North-West Lanark. I have seen a newspaper report of the occurrence to which the hon. Member refers, but I have no other information with regard to the matter. Shuttle had never been sentenced to penal servitude and was not under police supervision. In consequence of the evidence which he had given ho was unable to obtain employment in London and was exposed to molestation. It was thought right to assist him in making a fresh start in life. He went to Canada voluntarily. No conditions as to his remaining there were imposed upon him. Under these circumstances it was not, in my opinion, the duty of the police in this country to send notice to the Canadian police of the man's antecedents. No representations have been received from the Government of Canada on the subject, but should any representations be received full and, I think, satisfactory explanations will be at once given.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the National Conference on Infantile Mortality and the speech there delivered by the President of the Local Government Board, in which he attributes infantile mortality and other evils largely to the employment of married women] three months before and six months after child-birth, he will consider the possibility of dealing at an early date with this subject.

The question is one attended by many difficulties both as regards the enforcement of, and the possible results of, such a prohibition as suggested; I am not prepared to deal with it immediately. I am, however, fully aware of the great importance of the subject, which has already been under consideration in connection with the Report of the Physical Deterioration Committee, and it will receive my attention in connection with any amending factory legislation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to make any representation to His Majesty in reference to the sentence recently passed upon Hugh Watt; and, if not, whether he will be prepared to consider any further representations upon the subject.

I can only refer to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Leeds on May 28th,† and add that any further representations which may be made on Watt's behalf will, of course, receive my careful consideration.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in filling up the vacancy on the Railway and Canal Commission, he will appoint some one practically aquainted with agriculture and the transport needs and difficulties of that national industry.

I am not at present able to make any statement on this subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the growing practice among certain classes of limited liability companies of ignoring the Companies' Act, by omitting to call annual meetings and omitting to present annual Reports and accounts as required by the Act and their Articles of Association; and whether in the interests of investors and the commercial credit of this country, he proposes to take any steps either by Board of Trade inquiry or otherwise to enforce the law.

My attention has been called to the omissions referred

† See Cols. 69–70–71.

to in the Question, and I propose to consider the question of what Amendments in the Company Laws generally are desirable when I have received the Report of the Committee which is now sitting. I may add, for the information of the hon. and gallant Member, that I now understand that the Report may be expected almost immediately.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the correspondence which passed between the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland and the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland upon the subject of providing gaslight buoys within two miles of Rosslare Harbour, where the route lies between Greenore Point and the tail of the South Bank, through a short channel over half a mile in width; whether oil-lighted buoys were tried in this roadstead and failed; whether he is aware that similar gas-lighted buoys have been placed for a longer distance on the opposite side of the Irish Channel at Fishguard; can he state why a style of lighting on one side of the same company's route cannot be maintained on the other; and whether, as the total expenditure for this work would only amount to £7,000 for erection and £200 per annum for maintenance, he will direct, in the interests of safe-guarding human life and giving facilities for the development of the Rosslare and Fishguard route to England, that this sum will be placed upon the next Lighthouse Estimates with a view to having these buoys erected immediately.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland has favoured me with copies of the letters addressed to him on this subject by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company. I understand that some six years ago an automatic lighted and whistling buoy was tried on the South Shear of Rosslare and failed. As regards the opposite side of the Irish Channel the Board of Trade sanctioned the erection of a lighthouse at Strumble Head, but this was considered desirable in the interests of general navigation, and the special use likely to be made of it by the steamers running between Fishguard and Rosslare was recognised by the Great Western Railway Company, who are contributing £2,000 towards the cost. I am not aware of any gas lighted buoys having been placed at the expense of the General Lighthouse Fund off Fishguard. A proposal to place such buoys off Rosslare Harbour was recently made by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, but neither the Trinity House nor my own advisers are of opinion that they are required in the interests of general navigation; and, in these circumstances, I am not prepared to sanction the placing of gas lighted buoys here at the expense of the General Lighthouse Fund.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Report of Dr. Robinson submitted to the Sculcoates (Hull) Board of Guardians on the 12th June inst., that there had been thirty-five cases of sickness with six deaths in the workhouse; will he state what was the cause of death; and what space of time did the doctor's Report cover.

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this Question. I have seen a copy of Dr. Robinson's Report, dated the 5th instant, in which he stated that during the previous week there had occurred in the workhouse a serious outbreak of diarrhœa and sickness, in all about thirty-five cases, of which number six had died. He attributed their deaths to that cause. He considered that the outbreak was occasioned by the consumption of certain frozen meat. I understand that the matter has been inquired into by a special committee of the guardians, who report that it was not proved to their satisfaction that the frozen meat was the cause of the outbreak. They further report that the meat was in a wholesome condition on delivery at the workhouse, but that it had not been kept under proper conditions. The guardians have not yet had an opportunity of considering this Report.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the insanitary conditions under which American meat is prepared for market, and to the fact that several persons are reported to have died recently at Hull from eating Argentine meat, he will at once take steps to have each consignment of foreign meat, in tins or otherwise, inspected on arrival in this country; and will he also cause a certificate to be issued showing the date of such inspection.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I am not at present in a position to take the steps suggested by the hon. Member, but I am considering the necessity of obtaining further powers for dealing with food imported from abroad.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will call the attention of the boards of guardians, by circular or otherwise, to the rate of infantile mortality in many districts throughout the country, and ask for their co-operation in reducing that mortality, especially by giving medical relief to infants whose parents are unable to provide it, without making such relief a debt.

I have no reason to suppose that guardians are unwilling to afford medical relief for infants whose parents arc unable to provide it, nor have I any evidence to show that, where it is the practice to give medical relief on loan, persons properly entitled to receive relief are thereby deterred from applying for it. It does not at present appear to me necessary to send a circular to all boards of guardians as suggested, but if my hon. friend is aware of any particular cases of failure to give relief to the infants of parents unable to provide it, and ho will communicate the facts to me, I will further consider the matter.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Island of Eriskay, in South List, has only three deliveries of letters in the week; and whether, having regard to the circumstances of this island, namely, that half the population are absent for six months in the year, earning their livelihood elsewhere, and of the importance of the correspondence, not only in the form of letters, but of remittances and parcels to the comfort and convenience of the district, he will reconsider the decision recently given, and endeavour to arrange that a daily delivery may be given.

I will have further inquiry made into the question of increasing the frequency of the mail service to Eriskay, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course,

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can state in how many cases, if any, under Sections 8 and 9 of the Education Act of 1902, the Board of Education has had appeals for the erection of new elementary schools in areas already sufficiently supplied with provided school accommodation at the instance of parents who have expressed dissatisfaction with the Cowper Temple religious teaching provided by such existing provided schools; and in how many cases such new schools have been sanctioned.

The Board do not receive applications for now schools from parents, but from persons prepared to provide new premises. The number of such proposals received since the Act of 1902 is very large. Many of them, for one reason and another, have not been proceeded with; and it is thus impossible for me to say how many of the various proposals were occasioned by any dissatisfaction of parents with the teaching given in existing undenominational schools (if any) in the area. If we take into account, however, only those cases where a new school or enlargement has, in fact, been sanctioned by the Board on appeal, the point referred to by the hon. Member only arises, of course, in cases where the new building has been provided to give denominational education. Of these there have been twenty- five, of which, so far as I have been able to ascertain, eight were numerically redundant, that is to say, there was sufficient room in neighbouring schools to accommodate the children for whom the new building was to be provided, and therefore only those parents would presumably use the new schools who preferred the new denominational instruction given in them to the religious instruction provided in the neighbouring schools, whether council or voluntary, as the case might be. All of these eight now buildings were Roman Catholic, except two, both of which were Church of England. In the seventeen other new denominational schools or enlargements, I cannot say to what extent those conditions prevailed; but, so far as can be ascertained, there seems not to have been room in any existing schools within reach for the greater number, at all events, of the children who are accommodated in the now buildings. It is, therefore, impossible in these instances to make any deduction as to how far the parents of the children to be accommodated were dissatisfied with the Cowpor-Temple religious teaching.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether ho can state for the last completed financial year the percentage proportions of the cost of elementary education borne by Exchequer grants a id local rates respectively, in London, and in England and Wales, excluding London respectively.

Taking the figures given in the statement, Cd. 2916, showing the expenditure of each local education authority under Part I. and Par. II. of the Education Act, 1902, recently presented to Parliament, which are, it must be remembered, not in all cases a trustworthy guide owing to incomplete periods, it appears that for the year ended March 31st, 1905, the proportion of Exchequer grants to total expenditure on elementary education was, in the case of London, 31·2 per cent., and the proportion provided from local funds was 68·8 per cent.; the same figure for England and Wales, excluding London, being 58·3 per cent, and 41·7 per cent. The local funds do not always consist only of rates. It would be, however, a mistake to suppose from these figures that London is the only local authority's area where the proportion of expenditure on elementary education from local funds is larger than that provided from Exchequer grants. There are between 50 and 60 other local authorities of which this is true in varying degrees. In Hastings, e.g., the figures are 35·7 per cent, and 64·3 per cent.; in Hove, 37·7 per cent., and 62·3 per cent.; in Barry practically the same; and in Bridlington 42 per cent, and 58 per cent.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education when he will put the House in possession of the proposed Amendment or new clause in the Education Bill by which owners of voluntary schools may be given an opportunity of transferring their schools, under arrangement, to the local education authority if they desire to do so.

In view of the fact that the terms of such a clause as I foreshadowed must depend upon the shape that Clauses 3 and. 4, and possibly Clause 6, ultimately assume, I cannot undertake to put it on the Paper until those clauses have been disposed of in this Committee. I should, perhaps, remind the hon. Baronet that in his Question he refers only to one half of the suggested clause, whereas the proposal was inherently bilateral, involving an obligation upon owners to transfer schools when desired by the local authority, as much as upon authorities to take over schools offered to them.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can lay upon the Table any of the information respecting religious instruction at present given in provided schools, which has been repeatedly promised by the Government.

An instalment of the Return, ordered by the House of Lords on this subject, comprising a considerable number of local authorities, is now published and can be obtained from the Votes Office.

To ask the President of the Board of Education what are the functions of the Board of Education with regard to higher agricultural education; and whether he will take any steps to remove the disadvantages arising from the conflicting jurisdiction of the Boards of Education and Agriculture in this matter.

I cannot set out within the limits of an Answer to a Question all the various functions of the Board of Education in respect of higher agricultural education. The Reports and Regulations of the Board give the requisite information on the subject The Board of Education keep in as close touch as possible with the Board of Agriculture, and conferences take place between the two Departments on matters of common interest. I am not aware of any conflict of jurisdiction in practice, and any likelihood of it arising upon border-line questions is minimised by the harmonious relations which I hope and believe subsist and will continue to subsist between the two Offices.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somersetshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board are aware of the dissatisfaction existing in Northumberland at the Sheep Dipping (North of England) Order of 1906; whether they are aware that the outbreaks of sheepscab in the county have averaged only 10 per annum for the last five years out of more than a million sheep; and whether under the circumstances the Board can withdraw the Order.

We are aware that Northumberland is comparatively free from sheepscab at the present time, but the Board think that it would be unwise to omit the county from the area to which the Order applies. The Order does little more than render general the existing practice of the principal flockmasters in the county as regards the dipping of sheep.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the export of bacon from Denmark to the United Kingdom in 1905 was some 264,000 cts. less than in 1904; is the decrease to be attributed to a certain disease in the joints and consequent restrictions; will he say what amount of fresh bacon was exported from Denmark through private firms in 1905; and whether these exports consisted of infected pigs.

The decrease in the export of bacon from Denmark to the United Kingdom in 1905, as compared with 1904, is approximately as stated in the Question. Steps were taken by the Danish Government to prevent the export of bacon from pigs suffering from rickets in February, 1905, but I am unable to state whether the decreased exportation is attributable to this fact, nor have we any information as to the amount or quality of the bacon exported from Denmark through private firms in 1905.

And during those years did disease exist among Irish pigs?

I must ask for notice of that Question.

I can tell you it did not.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the increase of fires in the New Forest, he is able to state what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods, at the request of the verderers, on behalf of the commoners, to burn certain districts to improve the pasture, and also for the protection of plantations; and whether, in addition, he can also furnish any Reports on the number of recent fires, caused by an incendiary or accident, mentioning the areas and the amount of damage done in each case, with special reference to the recent fire in Knightwood enclosure.

At the request of the verderers on behalf of the commoners the Crown Officers, assisted by some of the local commoners in each place, have burned, during the late spring: In the east district 173 acres, in the north district 770 acres, in the west district 150 acres; total 1,093 acres. This burning was spread over seventeen different places, the area burned varying from 3 to 250 acres. Similar areas were burnt last spring and also in former years. In addition to this the Crown burned, for the protection of certain plantations and the forest generally an area of 302 acres in the three districts. Fires caused by an incendiary or accident occurred in sixty-eight places, by which over 1,200 acres more were burned. Most of them were speedily extinguished by the watchers employed, but there were several of large extent—Hill Top 112 acres, Longdown 40, Shirley Holmes 200, Wilverley Plain 500, Hincheslea Wood 86. The extent of the fire at Knightwood enclosure, which was possibly accidental, was 75 acres. Considerable damage was done to the growing timber, but it is not possible to estimate it accurately at present.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware that a box containing food was recently sent from the kitchen to one of the dining rooms with the inscription "Armours, E. St. Louis, Chicago, Futhurth, Kansas City. Chickens"; and will he say whether any and what portion of the food supplied to Members comes from Chicago.

In reply to the hon. Member, a box used for conveying cake, pastry, etc., from the kitchen to the Press gallery, bore the inscription of Armours, etc. I am having an inquiry made as to how this box came on the premises. No food of any kind, used in the House, comes from Chicago. The Kitchen Committee purchase food of the best quality only, which is supplied by reliable and respectable firms.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland what are the property qualifications necessary in the case of gentlemen holding, or about to be appointed, to the commission of the peace for counties in Ireland; and will he say what are the fees payable to county officials by such gentlemen on their appointment to office.

No property qualification is required by law for persons about to be appointed to the Magistracy in either Counties or Boroughs in Ireland. No fees are payable to county officials on the appointment of Magistrates, but by the Rules of Court made pursuant to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Act, 1877, every Commission of the Peace must bear judicature stamps to the value of £6. The cost of these stamps must be provided by the person about to be appointed and is paid into the Revenue.

Are the same fees charged in England?

I have no information on that point.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange a daily postal delivery to and from Strangford, Cloghy, Kilclief, Killard, and Ballyhornan in place of the four deliveries per week, as at present, in view of the fact that the residents of those neighbourhoods have been accustomed for the past twenty years to have their letters delivered on the two days when the postman did not call by the coastguard-men at Killard, which station has recently been abolished.

A delivery on every week-day is already afforded at Cloghy and in a part of Kilclief; but I regret to find that owing to the comparatively high cost of the existing service to the other places mentioned, I should not be justified in incurring the additional expenditure which would be involved by increasing the frequency of the post at those places.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the rural postman from Scartaglen to Knockreigh, county Kerry has to travel an average of eleven miles per day, and in consequence is unable to undertake any outside work to supplement his salary; and whether, seeing that this man cannot maintain his wife and family under the circumstances, he will consider the propriety of giving him some advance in his wages commensurate with the duties he has to perform.

When this post was tested in 1904 the distance travelled by the postman was eight and three quarter miles, and the total length of his duty was three hours, but another test of the post will at once be made with the view of ascertaining whether an increase of the man's wages is justified.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in the representation of India at the next Colonial Conference in 1907, he will take into consideration the advisability of inviting not only a representative official of the Government of India to attend the Conference, but also a representative of the people themselves, chosen, if need be, by the Government from among the non-official members of the Legislative Councils.

As at present advised we doubt the expediency of the course suggested, but it will be considered.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the declarations made by the present holders of political pensions. The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper:—

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the last political pension granted was given after the late Government had resigned.

I beg to ask Mr. Chanceller of the Exchequer what is the amount of the income which is deemed by the Treasury so insufficient for an Ex-Minister as to justify the award of a pension under the Political Pensions Act, 1869. I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if there has been any refund from the estate of upwards of a quarter of a million sterling of the political pension awarded by Mr. Gladstone, on 12th August, 1869, to a colleague, who had been Judge Advocate - General for six years and President of the Poor Law Board for the same period, and under which £30,810 12s. 8d. was received by the pensioner; and if any representation has been addressed to his heirs on the subject.

While replying to this and the following Question by my hon. friend perhaps I may be allowed at the same time to answer Questions 68 and 69 addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the hon. Member for Central Sheffield. Section 7 of the Political Offices Pensions Act, 1869, which is an embodiment of a section of an Act of 1834, provides as follows—perhaps I had better read the exact words: "And whereas the principle of the regulations for granting allowances of this nature is and ought to be founded on a consideration, not only of the services performed by the individual to the State, but of the inadequacy of his private fortune to maintain his station in life; be it therefore enacted that from and after the passing of this Act, whenever any person shall seek to obtain any one of the pensions before mentioned, his application for that purpose shall be made in writing to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, to which he shall subscribe his name, and which shall contain not only a statement of the services performed by him, and the grounds on which such pension is claimed, but a specific declaration that the amount of his income from other sources is so limited as to bring him within the intent and meaning of this Act and the principle herein above declared, and without such declaration no pension as herein before provided or authorised shall be granted." The allegation of insufficient income is no doubt in each case supported by information satisfactory to the First Lord of the Treasury for the time being, who is asked to grant the pension, but this information is, of course, of a confidential character. I have not myself had any experience in the matter, as when I assumed office the whole number of these pensions which are limited by statute had been assigned to different beneficiaries under the late Government. The latest grant was made on the 5th of December, 1905, before the then Ministry hail surrendered the Seals of Office. With regard to the case of the former pensioner referred to by the hon. Member for Central Sheffield, no representation was made to the heirs for the refund of any part of the political pension awarded. I may mention that subsequently to the award of that pension a rule was made at the instance of Mr. Gladstone by which an applicant is further required to surrender his pension if at any time he should receive an accession of fortune.

asked if the Government would support a Bill on the subject.

I have not yet considered that, but if I am asked for my personal opinion, I say I am opposed to the system altogether.

I will repeat the Question this day week.

said his second Question had not been answered.

said ho did not know what particular act constituted resignation. The pension was applied for on December 1st and awarded on December 5th.

wished to know if resignations could be withdrawn before surrender of seals.

said that was a constitutional point he was not acquainted with.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether there is any precedent for the suspension or alteration of the Rules of Procedure or Standing Orders regulating the public business of the House by the Government without an order of the House; and whether, seeing that in connection with the new method of taking divisions ancient usage has been departed from in several points, namely, the necessity for every Member who takes part in a division to be within the doors of the House when the Question is put if his vote is to be valid, the requirement that every Member should withdraw from the Chamber whilst the division is being taken, the compulsion upon every Member inside the House to vote in any division, and other points of the same character, he intends to give the earliest opportunity to the House to record its opinion upon the changes which have been introduced into its ancient procedure.

There is in the new practice, which I understand to be experimental only, nothing which contravenes any of the Standing Orders. If it is found, as I believe it to be, generally acceptable, I think it would be desirable to embody it in a new Standing Order, and repeal the old Standing Orders which do not give a recognisable description of a division under the new plan. This can be done with other alterations of the Standing Orders which may be necessitated by the recommendations of the Procedure Committee.

said the first part of his Question had not been answered.

There is nothing against the ordinary practice and procedure of the House in what has taken place. I believe the regulations which were acted upon were of a mandatory kind and were imposed at the discretion of the Speaker or of the Chairman of Committees.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of making representations to the Rector of St. Margaret's, the official church of the House of Commons, with regard to the holding of a memorial service in connection with the late right hon. Richard Seddon, simultaneously with the funeral in New Zealand.

I understand that a memorial service is to be held to-morrow at St. Paul's Cathedral, and I conceive that this will afford an opportunity to those who desire to show their respect for the memory of Mr. Seddon, whose death we are all deploring.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that, owing to a private Bill having been put down for Thursday last, only two and a half hours were available to private Members for the discussion of Scottish Estimates, after the Secretary for Scotland had made his opening statement; and whether he will set aside another day for Scottish Supply.

I am afraid that at this period of the session it is very unlikely that another day can be given for Scottish Estimates. I will see, however, if part of a day can be found so as to restore the two and a half hours of which Scotland was deprived on Thursday.