To ask the Postmaster-General if any orders have been recently issued with reference to the employees of the post office joining the Volunteer forces or attending camp; and if any order has been made applying to telegraphists in any way different to those applying to other employees of the post office. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) the Answer is in the negative.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will grant the Return relating to Administrative Boards in Ireland standing on to-day's Notice Paper in the name of the hon. Member for West Kerry.†

†Administrative Hoards (Ireland). Return setting out the various Boards which control Irish government, giving the members of each Board; the duties they have to perform; the annual amount of public funds administered by each; the total number of meetings of each Board held last year, with attendances of each member; the total amount of salaries, expenses, and other allowances paid to the officials in each Board; the annual expenses and allowances, etc., paid to the members of each Board; the direct control exercised by Parliament over each Board. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am considering the question whether some such Return as the hon. Member desires can be granted, though it could not in any case be the precise Return which he has put on the Paper. I would ask him to defer his Motion for a time.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the despatch issued by Lord Carnarvon in 1874 [Cd. 1121], in which he condemned the assignation of convicts as servants to private employers or to companies, is still recognised by the Colonial Office; and, if so, what action is being taken to enforce its provisions in South Africa. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) Lord Carnarvon's dospatch was addressed to the Governor of a Crown Colony. The system of convict and prison labour which prevails in the Cape Colony and in Natal is a matter properly within the control of the Parliaments of those Colonies and of the Ministers responsible thereto.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether in view of the current controversy upon education and the complexity of the whole subject, he will arrange for a printed catalogue of the library of the Board of Education at St. Stephen's House, to be prepared and made available at the earliest possible time for the use of the general public. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Board of Education have already prepared a comprehensive list of books and pamphlets bearing on the difficulties connected with the organisation of religious instruction in connection with elementary schools in this and other countries of the world, but I regret that pressure in the printing offices has delayed the issue of this list, which would, I had hoped, have been useful in connection with discussions on the Bill. As regards a general catalogue of the library, the Question raises many considerable difficulties. The original education library, when it was transferred to St. Stephen's House from South Kensington some years ago, showed considerable deficiencies in many important departments of educational study; indeed, it was in the highest degree incomplete, and had not been kept up to date. These defects are gradually being made good, and the library now, though not complete, may be considered a fairly comprehensive one in certain departments, at all events, of educational literature During the period of the library's location at St. Stephen's House the card catalogue now in use has been constructed; but this is simply an author catalogue, and it was impossible to make it otherwise. It contains about 36,000 entries, and if printed would fill a volume, royal quarto in size, of at least 1,500 pages. I think so huge a list of unclassified books would be of little value to researchers and students of education. Only a subject catalogue would meet their needs. The preparation of such a catalogue is engaging the attention of the officers of the library, but it is a piece of work which cannot be accomplished within a short space of time; indeed, the period must be measured by years rather than by months. A catalogue of this nature can only be satisfactorily constructed with the help of a specially qualified staff, when the books themselves have been arranged on the shelves on a subject basis. It would not be possible to carry out this rearrangement of the books in the present temporary and most imperfect quarters in Canon Sow; but the new classification has already been applied experimentally to the inspector's lending library, and it is hoped that the experience thus gained will enable the Board to extend the system to the reference library, and to proceed in course of time to the preparation of an efficient subject catalogue of these books when the removal to the new building has been effected.

To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education the number of children over fourteen years of age in England and Wales who are attending the day schools aided from the Parliamentary grant; and the proportion per 1,000 which those scholars bear to the total number of scholars attending those schools. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The figures for the year 1903–4 are as follows. Later figures are not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if the managers of a school to which extended facilities are given will comprise any representatives of the parents who have asked for those; facilities? (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) In schools carried on as schools provided by a local education authority the managers will be appointed by the public authorities, and it is impossible to make an v general statement as to what may be the constitution of such bodies of managers.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he can state by whom the expenses incurred in connection with a public local inquiry under Clause 4 of the Education Bill now before Parliament are to be defrayed; and whether, if these are to be defrayed by the local education authority, the Board of Education will secure, in the regulations relating to such inquiries to be made by thorn under Clause 13 (3) of the Bill, that the local education authority shall be protected against having to hold a second inquiry in the case of a particular school within, say, a year, if the result of the ballot has established that the statutory four-fifths majority in favour of special religious instruction does not exist, and generally against having to hold frivolous and unnecessary inquiries? (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The expenses in question will be defrayed by the local education authority. I will give careful consideration to the point referred to in the last part of the Question.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state the amount of money standing to the credit of teachers in the Superannuation Fund on December 31st, 1905, and March 31st, 1906, also, the number of teachers, male and female, paying into it? (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The amount standing to the credit of teachers in the Deferred Annuity Fund on the dates mentioned is as follows:—

To ask the Secretary for Scotland the number of children over fourteen years of age in Scotland who are attending the day schools aided from the Parliamentary Grant; and the proportion per 1,000 which those scholars bear to the total number of scholars attending those schools? (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The number of children over fourteen years of age on the school registers for the statistical year 1904–5 was 22,815. This gives a proportion to the total number of 28·37 per 1,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce his Bill to deal with the subject of the treatment of children in courts of summary jurisdiction; and whether the Bill will provide for separate treatment as well as for separate officers? (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I presume that my hon. friend refers to the Bill for the appointment of probation officers and the release of youthful and other offenders on probation, which is now in draft. The Bill presents several difficult questions; but good progress has been made with it, and I hope to be in a position to introduce it shortly. With regard to the separate treatment of children's cases, the information which I have already given shows clearly how much can be done under the existing law; and I think it will be well to wait for further experience of the effect of recent Home Office action before considering whether further legislation would be useful.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mr. W. G. Palmer of Merridge, Spaxton, near Bridgwater, applied on September 29th, 1904, to the Bridgwater county petty sessional magistrates for a certificate of exemption from vaccination of his child, and was refused; that subsequently he was prosecuted for refusing to have his child vaccinated; that the same bench made an order, with 10s. 6d. costs, directing him to have his child vaccinated, and afterwards fined him 20s. and 2s. costs for disobeying that order; that goods to the value of £10 have been seized to be sold in liquidation of the fine and costs which Mr. Palmer refuses to pay on the ground that they were illegally imposed; and whether, under the circumstances, the President of the Local Government Board will countermand such sale. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. I have no information with regard to the facts of the case beyond that furnished by the hon. Member in the Question; but, assuming his statement to be accurate, I may say at once that neither I nor any other Department of the Executive Government have power to interfere with the execution of a warrant of distress issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. It does not appear on what ground the validity of the magistrates' order is disputed, but if any question of law is involved that could only be determined by a Court of Law.

To ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state the amount of rainfall in Guzerat and the Deccan since the 1st June; and what is the probable forecast of the monsoon. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) In a telegram of the 9th July the Viceroy reports "general and beneficial rain in Bombay, though insufficient in parts of three affected districts, in two of which sowing operations have been retarded; fodder continues scarce, and cattle not yet improved in condition; drinking water supply improved, but still insufficient in parts; prices continue high; numbers on relief decreasing; employment sufficient." The forecast issued in June last by the Meteorological Department predicts a seasonable rainfall not appreciably smaller in amount than that of the past year.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ire- land the number of children over fourteen years of age in Ireland who are attending the day schools aided from the Parliamentary grant, and the proportion per 1,000 which those scholars bear to the total number of scholars attending those schools. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the number of children over fourteen years of age who are on the rolls of national schools in Ireland is 47,173 or sixty-four per thousand of the total number on the rolls. The Commissioners' records do not enable them to state the number of children over fourteen who are in average attendance, but the number over fifteen years of age in average attendance is 11,766 or 23·5 per thousand of the total average attendance.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is acquainted with the terms of an instruction issued by the Army Council on the 26th of April 1904, and forbidding attempts to obtain favourable consideration of any application by the use of outside influence; and whether he is prepared to enforce that order by treating every breach of it as an admission on the part of the applicant that his case is not good on its merits. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Hildane.) I am aware of this order. It has been embodied in the King's Regulations, and the Army Council is determined that it shall be enforced.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the barracks at Tidworth are still lit with oil; if it is proposed to introduce electric light, and thereby mitigate the chances of fire; and will he say whether the barracks at Tidworth are insured against fire risks.

The introduction of electric lighting instead of oil is entirely a matter of funds; none are available at this moment for this purpose. It is not the practice to insure Army barracks against fire risks.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the barracks at Norwich, the foundations of which were laid early in October, 1905, are yet completed: and, if not, when will they be.

As I informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Croydon, in February last†, barrack policy must be subservient to and dependent on general policy. I am not yet in a position to announce a decision on the question of military policy involved, and so I cannot at present assent to the expenditure of nearly £200,000 which would be involved by the building of new barracks at Norwich.

asked if the Army Council was in favour of the Norwich scheme.

The Army Council has never expressed an opinion on the subject, but I know the Council very strongly holds the view I have just expressed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can give from actuarial calculation figures as to the automatic shortage which will take place in the establishment of the Regular Army at Home and in India during the next six years.

† see(4)debates,clii.,773.

The hon. Baronet is presumed to refer to the shortages which may be expected in the strength of the Infantry of the Line. On the assumption that the intake of recruits will not exceed 22,000 annually and that present establishments are maintained, it is probable that two years hence the shortage will be between 12,000 and 14,000. After that date the effective strength would begin to rise as the men enlisted under the three years system pass to the reserve.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in May last, at Tunbridge Wells, a highly partisan sermon attacking the Government's Education Bill was delivered by the chaplain at a camp church parade of the West Kent Imperial Yeomanry whether attendance at these services is compulsory; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of such practices in the future, and will further provide that attendance shall not be demanded from those who are not members of the Established Church.

The service in question was not a camp church parade, but was held in the parish church. According to the custom in the Army, all men not on leave or specially employed attend, but there is no compulsion to attend in the case of men who do not belong to the denomination concerned The action of the chaplain is to be regretted, and it is presumed will not be repeated.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Sunderland, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of private soldiers of all ranks, as also non-commissioned officers, that have retired on a pension during the last seven years.

Number of noncommissioned officers and men discharged

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the General Officer commanding the Forces in Ireland will now agree to the discharge of Michael M'Garvey, who enlisted in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, and whose parents applied for his discharge, he being still under eighteen years of age.

Questions of underage discharges are, under the King's Regulations, dealt with by General Officers Commanding in Chief, with whose discretion I am not prepared to interfere.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it will encourage recruiting in Ireland to insist upon retain-

These points can only be decided by those who have the full facts before them.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the fate of the Ordinance which was submitted by the Governor of Ceylon to the legislature of that Colony some month or two ago, with regard to giving power to municipalities and local boards to provide facilities for elementary vernacular education; and whether the further legislation for requiring planters to provide estate schools for the children of coolies and the inspection of those schools by Government officials has taken solid shape.

The " Town Schools Ordinance " has been passed and has received His Majesty's sanction. A copy will be supplied to the hon. Member, if he desires to have it. I understand that the further legislation referred to is now being drafted.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the inconvenience and loss resulting to merchants, shippers, cultivators, and the public generally, by the insufficiency of rolling stock on the main lines of railway in India have been brought to his notice; and whether he will take such steps as may be proper and practicable to bring about an improvement in this behalf.

As the Secretary of State stated in reply to a Question on the 29th March,† this matter has been under consideration, and provision has been made for a large outlay upon rolling-stock during the next three years, which I hope will remove the causes of complaint.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will inquire regarding the indiscriminate offer of rewards by the Government of, and by the local governments in, India for the destruction of tigers and leopards; and whether, seeing that these animals keep down the head of deer and sounder of pig, which destroy the crops of the cultivator, he will consider the propriety of discontinuing to offer such rewards at the cultivator's expense, to the cultivator's detriment.

The Secretary of State does not consider that the discontinuance of these rewards is advisable. He thinks it is generally felt that any indirect advantage to crops that might result from the multiplication of tigers and leopards would be more than counterbalanced by the increased danger to human beings, cattle and domestic animals.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that these rewards only operated on the margin of the cultivation where these animals wore personally known to the villagers.

No doubt the Secretary of State is aware of that.

† see(4)debates,eliv.,1521.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give any explanation of the circumstances under which Udoya Patni, of Sylhet, in Eastern Bengal and Assam, was hanged under the orders of the Lieutenant-Governor, although his prayer for mercy had been transmitted by the Lieutenant-General to the Governor-General in Council, and the orders of the Governor-General, granting a reprieve, arrived after the execution had taken place; and whether he can state what action he his taken, or proposes to take, in the matter.

The Secretary of State is not in a position to answer any Question on this subject to-day.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any indication when I may put the Question down again?

I am afraid I cannot. I am sure hon. Members who have Questions on this very grave subject will recognise it is absolutely essential that the India Office should be in possession of every fact available. I can assure the House, however, that no time is being lost, and that the Secretary of State will shortly be able to make his promised statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Sultan of Morocco has taken any steps to carry out the recommendation of the Algeciras Conference that the public sale of slaves should be prohibited in his dominions; and whether he has any official information showing that a young black girl was recently sold in the city of Tangier, and that her father was unable to obtain any redress.

His Majesty's Government have so far received no information as to the steps taken by the Sultan of Morocco to carry out the recommendations of the Algeciras Conference that the public sale of slaves should be prohibited in his dominions. They are, however, in communication with His Majesty's Minister at Tangier, who has brought the subject to the attention of the Sultan's Government, and has received a reply stating that the Sultan has sent orders to all the authorities of the towns to put a stop to the sale into slavery of children born free. In reply to the second part of the Question, no information has been received of the case of slave dealing mentioned.

Will there be power under the agreement come to at the Algeciras Conference to stop the public sale of slaves in the coast towns?

asked for notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that of the thirty two officers and others who took an active part in the assassination of the late King and Queen of Servia, four only have been retired, aad that such four have boon retired on full pay, with the special thanks of King Peter; whether he is aware that the resumption of diplomatic relations in these circumstances has caused misgiving in the minds of a section of the Servian community; whether he is aware that it has been officially announced that the British representative, upon his arrival at Belgrade, is to be escorted to the Palace by prominent regicides; and whether, in all these circumstances, he will consider the propriety of delaying the departure of the British representative and the reception of the Servian Minister pending further explanations from Belgrade.

For the first paragraph of this Question, I must refer the hon. Member to the Answer returned by me to his Question in this House on the 28th ultimo,† namely, that the conditions upon which the resumption of Diplomatic relations between His Majesty's Government and the Servian Government was made to depend having been fulfilled, His Majesty's Government are not concerned with other matters The Answer to the second paragraph is in the negative. In regard to the third para-

†See (i) Delates, clix, 1133.

In view of the horror in which this country holds these and other regicides, will the right hon. Baronet consider the advisability of sending the King of Servia a copy of Lord Rosebery's "Life of Oliver Cromwell"?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to say by whom the application was made for the services of the Metropolitan Police to keep order at the recent race meeting at Ascot; by whom the request was granted; and how much was charged for the services of the police.

The police maintaining order at Ascot were applied for by Mr. Clement, the clerk of the course, Lieutenant-Colonel Carter, on behalf of the Grand Stand Trustees, the secretaries of the Coaching Club, the Four-in-Hand Club, and the Cavalry Clubs; the Great Western, London and Southwestern, and South-Eastern and Chatham Railways. A charge was made for their services at the customary rate for police employed beyond the district. This rate is fixed for each rank at a sum which includes pay, clothing, allowances, and every other item in the cost of a police officer. The total sum was £1,202 11s. 9d.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that many of the suburbs of London were denuded of police during this meeting?

No, Sir, I am not at all aware of that.

Who is the-Master of the Buekhounds who, according to a recent Answer by the right hon Gentleman, defrays a portion of the cost.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Metropolitan Police are used to maintain order at the Lingfield or Gatwick race meetings, or at any other race meetings outside the Metropolitan Police area; and whether he will consider the advisabilty of allowing the Metropolitan Police being used outside their district.

It has been usual for many years for the Metropolitan Police to maintain order at certain race meetings outside the Metropolitan Police area. Those meetings are Aseot, Goodwood, Windsor, and Sandown. Metropolitan Police are not sent for this purpose to Lingfield or Gatwick. A considerable proportion of the spectators at these meetings come from the Metropolitan Police district, and, moreover, the county police cannot always provide the number of men required.

asked whether it was the duty of the metropolitan ratepayers to find police to keep order in other counties.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of accidents in the London area during the month of June last from motor 'buses and motor cars respectively; in how many instances have personal injuries resulted; and in how many cases have such injuries proved fatal.

During the month of June the number of accidents known to the police to have been caused by motor cars (including motor cycles) within the Metropolitan Police district was 559. Of these 178 resulted in personal injury and four proved fatal. In the same month 390 accidents wore caused by motor omnibuses, of which eighty resulted in personal injury and three proved fatal. Those figures do not include accidents caused by tramcars.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give the various Commissions and Committees of inquiry upon which Mr. Henry Hardinge S. Cunynghame, C.B., the Logal Assistant Under-Secretary to the Home Office, has been appointed since his advent to the Department, or, if the information is beyond the limits of an oral Answer, will he give it in a Return; and what special qualifications Mr. Cunynghame possesses to report to the Department on mining and engineering questions.

Mr. Cunynghame has served with distinction on many Royal Commissions and Committees. Among others he was Chairman of the Committees on the notification of industrial accidents, and the use of electricity in mines. For twelve years all Home Office matters relating to factories and mines have come before him. He has served in the Royal Engineers and is a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. His scientific attainments are well known and appreciated by all who know his work.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Richard Dixon, of Birtley, was prosecuted under Section 29 of the Vaccination Act of 1867, at Chester-le-Street police court on July 4th, 1906; that the public vaccinator admitted, in evidence, that he had not called to offer vaccination at the home of the child before the cause of complaint arose, viz., before the child attained the age of six months, and that when he did call at the home, after the child had attained the age of seven months, he did so without having previously given twenty-four hours notice of his intended visit, contrary to the provisions of Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the Vaccination Act, 1898; and whether he will remit the fines and costs inflicted at Chester-le-Street petty sessions.

The Justices convicted the defendant of neglecting to have his child vaccinated within six months of birth without rendering any reasonable excuse for such neglect. They took the view that the notice and visit contemplated by Section 1 (3) of the Vaccination Act, 1898, are not conditions precedent to a conviction. This is a question of law which I have no authority to determine, but I understand the Justices have agreed to state a case for decision of the High Court, and while the matter is thus sub judice it would be improper for me to interfere.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Summerbell) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that there are 250,000 persons employed in the manufacture of tin and black-plate; that the manufacture of such articles takes place under unhealthy and dangerous conditions; and, if so, whether it is his intention to afford more inspection to tin-plate works.

The number of persons employed in the manufacture of black and tin-plate in this country is, I think, very much smaller than that stated in the Question. I am unable to give the exact figures, as in the factory department's tables the industry is included under the heading " Conversion of iron into steel, etc."; but the total number under this heading in 1901 was 138,093, and the black and tin-plate workers would form only a small part. According to the figures of the 1901 census the number employed in the manufacture of tin plate was just over 15,000. The industry was made the subject of special inquiry in the years 1899 to 1901, and a conference was held with the manufacturers at which certain suggestions for protecting the workers against injurious fumes and dust were discussed. I will call for a special report as to the progress that has been made since then and the present conditions of the industry.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Sunderland I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Truck Commission will meet during the autumn session; and when a Report from the Commission may be expected.

The task imposed on the Committee is a very heavy one, and they will continue their labours during the autumn session. Their work is being pushed on with all expedition, and it is hoped that a Report may be made to me as early as possible next year.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sentences of death were passed in Great Britain during the ten years ending 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1900, respectively; how many of such sentences were duly carried out; how many commuted to terms of imprisonment; and how many wore remitted altogether.

The various figures asked for would take too long to deliver, but if the hon. Member will put down his Question unstarred, I shall be happy to give them in the form of a Table.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Richard Dixon, of Birtley, was prosecuted under Section 29 of the Vaccination Act, 1867, at Chester-le-Street police court on July 4th, 1906; that the public vaccinator admitted in evidence that he had not called to offer vaccination at the home of the child before the cause of complaint arose (viz., before the child attained the age of six months); that when he did so, after the child had attained the age of seven months, he did so without having previously given twenty-four hours' notice of his intented visit, contrary to the provisions of Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the Vaccination Act, 1898; that the public vaccinator stated in evidence on oath that it was his usual custom to call upon parents to offer to vaccinate their children, without giving the notice provided by statute; that he omitted to send such notice on the advice of the Local Government Board's inspector; and whether he will take steps to ensure the observance of the provisions of the Vaccination Act, in the Chester-le-Street union, in the above respects.

I am aware of the case referred to. I understand that the public vaccinator did not give notice before he visited the home of the child because he had been informed by the father that he would have the child vaccinated by his own doctor, and in the circumstances he did not think notice necessary. The inspector alluded to retired a few years ago, and I have not been able to learn from him what advice he gave as to notices, but the public vaccinator states that in future cases he will endeavour to carry out rigidly the provisions of the Vaccination Acts in this matter.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, having regard to the fact that in the recently issued Report of the Local Government Board for Scotland the Board of Agriculture are stated to have expressed the opinion that milk drawn from a cow within three days after calving is not in a fit condition for sale to the public as milk, and that the sale of any such product as milk renders the seller liable to prosecution under Section 6 of the sale of Food and Drugs Acts, will he state what steps have been taken to make this opinion known to the proprietors of dairies throughout the United Kingdom; and what steps have been taken to protect the public against sales of this character.

We are under the impression that it is generally recognised by dairy farmers that the milk referred to is not of the character of ordinary milk, and there is no evidence that it is sold as such to any appreciable extent. We shall be glad, however, to call attention to the matter in the next issue of our monthly Journal.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Board of Inland Revenue have power under the Income Tax Act of 1842 to control the action of the local tax: commissioners in regard to assessments; will he say whether the Board have power under this Act, or any other, to dismiss an official (clerk, parochial assessor, or collector) appointed by the said commissioners; and whether the penalties provided by the Act of 1880 to meet obstruction, negligence, etc., by clerks, assessors, and collectors in England and Wales would have to be enforced by the local commissioners who appoint them.

As regards the first Question, the Board of Inland Revenue, through their surveyors, have considerable powers as regards the initiation and correction of assessments. But they have no power to control the final decisions of local commissioners, except by reference to the courts and the obtaining of a judicial decision on matters in dispute. The Answer to the second Question is in the negative, and to the third, in the affirmative.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Board of Inland Revenue has power to recover, by surcharge or other means, estate duty which has been either omitted from any affidavit or under-estimated wilfully or otherwise; and will he state whether the authority is controlled by the Statute of Limitations and restricted to three years, or extends beyond that period.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The power of the Board of Inland Revenue in the matter referred to is not limited as to time, or controlled by the Statute of Limitations. The power may, however, be terminated by the issue of a certificate under Section II. of the Finance Act, 1894.

I beg to ask the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee if he will inform the House the names of the laundries that are employed by his Committee; whether they are State-inspected; and, if so, are trades union rates of wages paid in such laundries.

The names of the laundries employed by the Kitchen Committee are Rogers and Cook, Limited, and the Seabrook Laundry Limited. Under the Factory Acts all laundries are State inspected, with the exception of those connected with charitable institutions. I am informed there is no trades union rates of wages, the employees being mostly women.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Elland Division of Yorkshire, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether his attention has been drawn to the new scheme for the administration of Llewellyn's and Charles's charities in the city of Wells, Somerset, which provides that only three trustees shall be elected and five shall be co-opted; whether, seeing that it was the intention of the founder that the charity should lie administered by the Corporation, and that for a long period it was so administered, he will give the reasons which induced the Commissioners to complete and seal a scheme before replying to the representations which they had invited from the Wells Corporation, and without giving any reasons for refusing to appoint a majority of representative trustees; and will the Commissioners take steps to give effect to the request of the Corporation and to secure that at least a majority of the trustees shall be elected.

This Charity was removed from the control of the Wells Corporation under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835. As I have explained on a previous occasion, the Commissioners cannot make a scheme, or amend one when made, when the income, as in this case, exceeds £50, except on application from the trustees. In the present instance, the Commissioners on their own motion proposed to introduce two representatives of the Town Council, and increased the number after publication to three, but they feel bound to exercise a discretion in such matters so as not unduly to discourage application for schemes by trustees of such large charities. The suggestions of the Town Council were fully considered, and were acknowledged on the establishment of the scheme, but the Commissioners could not undertake to enter into correspondence on the subject of such suggestions when no point has arisen requiring further investigation.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can state the number and the names of the gunboats at present employed in the protection of the fisheries off the Scotch coasts; and can he state the number and the names of the gunboats supplied by the Admiralty for this purpose.

The following four vessels are cruisers under the Fishery Board:—" Vigilant," " Brenda," " Minna," and " Freya." The Admiralty has placed the " Ringdove" at the disposal of the Board for fishery protection and on occasion they grant the temporary services of a vessel for special duty. His Majesty's Ship "Hussar" has been employed this summer at Balta Sound.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send a copy of that Answer to the Irish Secretary? It will strengthen his application to the Admiralty on behalf of the Irish fisheries.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the judge at the assizes held at Ennis for the county of Clare, viz., that in not a single instance have the judges been called upon to investigate any serious crime; whether he is aware that the county of Clare has got an unqualified certificate of good character from Mr. Justice Johnston; and whether he will explain why the Government counsel wore employed in the prosecution of an individual charged with the larceny of a pair of winkers.

I have seen a newspaper report of the learned Judge's address to the Grand Jury, in which he stated that the cases for trial were in no way exceptional. Eight cases in all were tried, none of which were of a very serious character. In six of these there were convictions, and in two, acquittals. I gather from the reports of the police authorities that county Clare is, with the exception of one locality, in a satisfactory condition. In the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, the accused pleaded not guilty when before the petty sessions court, and demanded to be tried by a jury. The case having been sent forward in the ordinary way, I felt bound to direct it to be conducted by the Crown counsel. The seriousness of an offence cannot be determined alone by the value of the article stolen. The accused was convicted by the jury.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to that portion of the Judge's address in which, in endeavouring to describe the condition of the county, he said he could only compare it to Utopia? That is my constituency.

I am sorry to say I did not see a report of that portion of his address.

That was the best part of it.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement of the Judge to the effect that in order to make this an assize case the Crown added sixpence to the value of the " winkers "?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the danger and inconvenience of the crossing Dun drum inner bay at low water, he will consider, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War, the Agricultural Board, and the local authorities, the advisability of erecting a bridge joining Ballykinlar Camp, at Redmond's Point, with Dundrum for the convenience of farmers in that agricultural centre as well as for the troops quartered there during: a large portion of the year.

It has been represented to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction that a bridge or causeway at the place suggested would be a great convenience to the residents of the district. The navigation, however, would have to be provided for and the project would present considerable difficulty, and in the circumstances the Department are of opinion that they would not be justified in incurring expenditure on the suggested works. I have communicated with my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War upon the subject, and he informs me that a bridge would not be of sufficient importance from a military point of view to justify the expenditure of Army funds upon it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps, if any, have been taken by the Instates Commissioners to find out whether Mrs. Lewis, of Balinagar, Woodford, county Galway, is prepared to negotiate terms of sale with a view to the reinstatement of the evicted tenants.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are at present in communication with the agent of the estate referred to, with the view of purchasing the lands concerned, under the provisions of Section 6 of the Act.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been directed to the circumstances attending the sale of the Cooks Town farm, near Gort, belonging to Mr. Edward Martyn, Tullyra Castle, Ardrahan, county Galway; whether he is aware that a number of small tenants in the neighbourhood were looking forward anxiously to have their holdings enlarged out of this farm; can he say if the farm has been sold to a large holder of land in Kilbecanby, near Gort, by Mr. Martyn, to the exclusion of these small tenants; and will he, for the general peace and contentment of the people, take such stops as may be necessary not to allow this rumoured sale to go through.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that two originating applications have been lodged with them by Mr. Edward Martyn for the sale of portions of his estate in county Gal way. Neither of these applications, however, comprises the lands of Cooks Town to which the Question refers, and the Commissioners are not aware of the matters stated in the Question. If further particulars should be furnished to the Commissioners they will have enquiries made as to the alleged sale of the Cooks Town farm.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, has the inspector, deputed by the Estates Commissioners, to enquire into the cases of evicted tenants in the county of Limerick, as yet made any inquiry in regard to the evicted farm of Mr. Edward Hartigan, in Bettyville Manister, in that county, formerly held from the Rev. J. T. Lee, of Hardwicke Rectory, Cambridge; whether he is aware that the Rev. Mr. Lee has alleged that he had paid £800 for this farm of Hartigan's, and that this sum was arrived at by adding up arrears of rent on a rack-rented farm and law costs to the amount of £500; and whether, seeing that some time since negotiations for reinstatement were opened between landlord, agent, and tenant, the Estates Commissioners will use their kind services to bring to completion the proposed arrangement.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not yet received the report of their inspector upon this case. The Commissioners have boon informed by the Rev. Mr. Lee that he did not pay £800 for the tenant's interest alone. Mr. Lee states that he bought the tenant's interest at a sheriff's sale, and had to pay a considerable sum of money to a creditor who had a charge on the tenant's interest, and in addition he lost a large amount due by the tenant for rent. When the Estates Commissioners have received their inspector's report they will consider what further action they can take in the case.

The offer by the landlord was all a bogey proceeding, was it not?

I have no information as to that.

A very safe reply.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why the fee payable on the appointment of a magistrate in Ireland is£6, seeing that it is only 10s. in Scotland.

I am informed that the fee of £6 payable on each Commission of the peace in Ireland is fixed by an order made a good many years ago by the then Lord Chancellor with the concurrence of the Treasury, under the provisions of the 84 Section of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Act, 1877. I understand that the fee payable in Scotland is now but five shillings. The matter is not within the control of the executive Government, but I will bring the Question to the notice of. The Lord Chancellor.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that certain Scotch herring curers have been accustomed to use the name of Downings Bay, in county Donegal, as a brand for herrings not captured or cured in Ireland; and that, in seeking to gain the prices usually paid for Donegal fish,, they have endangered the reputation of a special Irish product in the markets on the Continent; and whether the Irish Government will take any steps to put an end to this practice.

The Department of Agriculture have received information to the effect that certain curers in Scotland have recently adopted the practice mentioned in the Question; and the matter is now being investigated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman re-consider the matter seeing that the use of an Irish brand would put a stop to this practice on the part of Scottish curers?

As far as the Department can ascertain the Irish fish curers are not favourable to having a brand, but if it can be shown that they desire it, I will reconsider the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to a speech delivered by the Lord-Lieutenant in Cork, on the 4th July, in which he stated that His Majesty's advisers will not be forgetful of the undertaking in His Majesty's Speech from the Throne, to study most carefully what can be done for the fulfilment of the aspirations, alluded to in an address presented by the town council, in favour of the passing of a measure that would entrust to them the control of their own affairs; and, if so, whether he can give any information as to the steps intended to be taken to fulfil the aspirations alluded to.

I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the First Lord of the Treasury to a Question addressed to him on Wednesday last by the hon. Member for Mid Armagh,† to which I cannot add anything.

Can the right hon. Gentleman contrive to warn the Lord-Lieutenant that the Member for East Down has his eye upon him?

That is unnecessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas Young versus Edward Brennan at the King's County Assizes, on June 30th last, when it was proved that in certain costs taxed in the King's County county court a fee of 5s. to the crier of the King's County county court had been allowed; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking-steps by legislation or otherwise to prevent such fees being charged in future.

I am informed by the county court judge that as a matter of fact, no fee was allowed by him to the crier of the court in the particular case referred to, and that consequently the disallowance at assizes of the supposed

† see col.59.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, taking the fact of the peaceful state of the county of Clare into consideration, he will give instructions to have the Royal Irish Constabulary force in the county reduced, in number.

At the triennial redistribution of the Royal Irish Constabulary in May last, the free force of county Clare was reduced by fifty-two men, as the result of the peaceful state of the county. The established force of the county is now 367 sergeants and constables, and this, in the opinion of the police authorities, is the lowest number with which it can at present be policed. I need hardly say that the possibility of reducing the police force in the most tranquil parts of the country will continue to engage the attention of the Irish Government.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on the Western Problem will be such as to enable the Commission to inquire into the cause of the inflation of prices under the Land Act of 1903; and how far the operation of the zones and removal of inspection have contributed to that result.

It is not intended to direct the proposed Commission to inquire into the subject mentioned in the Question. The matters connected with the problem of congestion are so numerous and important as to be fully sufficient to occupy the attention of the Commission.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made at the last. meeting of the Agricultural Council, to the effect that, out of £19,000 paid by the Department since 1900, to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, £17,000 of that sum was handed away without the knowledge or approval of the Agricultural Board; whether he is aware that this statement was made by an elected member of the Agricultural Board with the concurrence of four other elected colleagues; and can he say upon what authority and for what purpose the Department disbursed this money without submitting the payments to the supervision of the Agricultural Board.

I am informed that a statement to the effect mentioned was made by an elected member of the Agricultural Board, who said that he had consulted four of his elected colleagues on the subject. The inference that the payments wore made without the concurrence of the Agricultural Board is, I am informed, incorrect. The expenditure in question, which was in respect of work one for the Department by officers of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, was undertaken with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board in the circumstances detailed in my reply to the question of the hon. Member for East Mayo on May 21st.†

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Irish Agricultural Organisation Society is a trade society competing with private traders?

asked for notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state, after his promised communication with the Commissioners, when the Report of the Poor Law Commission (Ireland) will be presented to the House; and whether he can explain the cause of the delay.

the Commissioners inform me that they cannot yet name a definite date for the presentation of their report, but that every effort will be made

†See (4) Debates, clvii., 902.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many evicted tenants have been reinstated on the estate of Lord Stratheden and Campbell, Barna, county Galway, since the passing of the Land Purchase Act of 1903.

The Estates Commissioners have no information as to the number of evicted tenants reinstated on this estate. No applications have been received by the Commissioners from persons claiming to have been evicted from the estate. If, however, proceedings for sale should be instituted before the Commissioners, they will have due enquiry made in regard to the evicted tenants.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the nature of the agreements entered into for the purchase of their holdings by the tenants of Lord Stratheden and Campbell, of Barna, county Galway, and the number of years' purchase; whether the tenants had ever received reductions in rent from the courts: what is the average acreage of the holdings; what are the conditions with respect to mineral and sporting rights; whether he can say if representations have been made to the Estates Commissioners that threats have been made to compel the tenants to accept the conditions of the landlord; and if the tenants were made fully aware of the nature of the agreements into which they were entering.

The Estate Commissioners inform me that, at the request of the owner, they have recently had a preliminary inspection made of the Barna estate, and have informed the owner that they considered that it should be sold to them under the provisions of Section 6 of the Act. No formal proceedings for sale have yet been instituted, and no agreements have been lodged. The information asked for cannot, therefore, be given. If the estate should be offered for sale to the Commissioners, they will make due enquiry under the provisions of Section 6, and, in estimating the price, will have due regard to what the tenants, who they understand are mostly non-judicial, are willing to give.

On behalf of the lion. Member for South Antrim, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on June 9th a case of cruelty to animals was perpetrated on an evicted farm on the Ellis estate at Abbeyfeale, county Limerick, when a cow was covered with paraffin and set fire to, and had subsequently to be destroyed; and will he say whether the police have any information as to the guilty person or persons, and as to the motive for the crime.

I am informed by the police authorities that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. The police are pursuing their enquiries in the case, but have not yet succeeded in bringing the offender to justice. The police have no information as the motive of the offender, and oven if they had it would be undesirable to state the fact.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will explain why a learner was called upon to resign at Limerick on account of ill-health; is he aware that the learner was certified as sound in health by throe medical men of eminence; and will he say why, in the circumstances of the case, the certificates of these doctors wore not accepted.

I explained in writing to the hon. Member that the youth to whom he refers is not constitutionally fit for Post Office employment, and that in his own interest, as well as in the interest of the service, it is desirable that he should follow some other employment.

Why were the certificates of the throe independent medical men ignored?

I can only say that this case has been carefully considered both by my predecessor and myself.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General is he aware that a complaint was made a considerable time ago by the staff at the Kingbridge telegraph office, Dublin, with regard to the absence of facilities for obtaining meals while doing duty there; is he aware that under the present arrangement the men are compelled to visit neighbouring public houses to procure food; and can he say why no answer has been given by the controller of the Dublin telegraph office to a petition on this subject, and will he take immediate steps to improve this condition of affairs.

Two years ago the Post Office telegraphists employed in the telegraph office at Kingbridge Railway Station were allowed to use the dining room provided by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company for their staff. At the end of last year, however, the company withdrew the privilege, and as the result of the petition which was received endeavours were made to induce the company to reconsider their decision. I propose to communicate further with the company on the subject.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Intermediate Board for Ireland refused, without giving any reason, to obey the Resolution of the House of Commons, steps will be taken to have the members of the Board who refused to obey the House brought to the Bar and admonished for their misdemeanour.

It is not the case, as the Question seems to assume, that the Board of Intermediate Education for Ireland are now refusing to obey the Resolution of the House of Commons. They are understood to have retired from the position which they at first hastily took upon the subject.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, in view of the decision to take the Indian Budget upon the Morning Sitting July 20th and of the consequent curtailment of the time available for the consideration of Indian affairs upon the one day in the session devoted to India, he will move to suspend the- Five o'Clock Rule upon that occasion.

There is a good deal to be said for the course which my hon. friend suggests. I believe it is not expected that the debate will go on till a late hour if the Five o'Clock Rule is suspended and, with the concurrence of my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for India I propose, as at present advised, to move the suspension of the Rule.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he can now say when the Report stage of the Merchant Shipping Bill will lie taken.

I hope that the Report stage of the Merchant Shipping Bill will be taken towards the end of the session.

asked as to the arrangements for Supply.

said the arrangement at present was that Navy Estimates (Vote 8) would be taken on Friday, and the Vote for the Local Government Beard on Thursday week, after which the order of Supply to be taken would be Irish Estimates, Colonial Office, and Home Office.

asked whether, on the Colonial Vote, the question of the Ceylon pearl fisheries could be discussed.

said that on the Colonial Vote there would be an opportunity of discussing everything colonial.