To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any complaint has reached the Estates Commissioners in connection with the sale of a large grazing farm in the townland of Leefin, parish of Balamana, Loughrea, by the landlord, Mr. John Smyth, of Loughrea, to Mr. Patrick Farrell, of Loefin; whether he is aware that Mr. Farrell is a large agricultural tenant on the same property; and whether the Commissioners, before sanctioning the sale, will institute inquiries as to the number of small holdings in the neighbourhood and the necessity of enlarging them out of this grazing farm. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that this farm consisting of 330 acres, forms portion o the estate of Mr. J. Smyth, which they have agreed to purchase under Section 6 of the Act. Mr. Farrell, who is yearly tenant of the farm, has, upon the suggestion of the Commissioners, consented to give up sixty-nine acres of it for the purpose of enlarging the three holdings on the estate which require enlargement. The remainder of the farm is being sold to Mr. Farrell. He has no other holding on the property which is being sold. The arrangements for the purchase and re-sale of the property have been completed.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if an agreement form to purchase the grazing farm of Caramina from the trustee to the Darcy property, situate in the parish of Balamana, Loughrea, has been filed with the Estates Commissioners by Mr. Martin Farrell; whether he is aware that Mr. Farrell is an agricultural tenant on another property, holding over 100 acres of prime land; and whether, in view of the number of small holdings in the neighbourhood, he will advise the Commissioners not to sanction the agreement until such time as the small holdings are made economic out of this grazing farm. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the farm referred to was part of the estate of Anne Kelly and others, which was purchased by the Commissioners under Section 6 of the Act of 1903. Martin Farrell was tenant of the farm which contained some 160 acres. At the request of the Commissioners he offered to give up twenty-two acres of the land to be divided between two tenants on an adjoining estate who were anxious to have their holdings enlarged. These tenants refused to take the twenty-two acres unless all the land were surrendered by Farrell and divided. The Commissioners accordingly sold to Farrell the whole of the farm occupied by him, and it has been vested in him. The Commissioners understand that Mr. Farrell has another farm on another property.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that trees have been planted upon the Custom House Quay, and that seats have been placed there by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, and that for many years past the quay has been used daily by large numbers of the public for fresh air and recreation during the spare moments of their day's work in the warehouses and offices adjacent; whether he is aware that there are less than half a dozen riverside spaces from the cast of Blackfriars Bridge to the county boundary, and these only of small extent, to which the public have access; whether he is aware that the City Corporation possess an adequate site for fish-market purposes at Shadwell, which has not hitherto been developed; and whether, under these circumstances, he will decline to accede to the request of the City Corporation and the fish merchants of Billingsgate that he should grant the use of the quay for fish-market purposes, which would necessitate the destruction of the trees, the removal of the seats, and the exclusion of the public from one of the few riverside spaces which they at present enjoy in the eastern part of the Metropolis. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The subject is receiving my careful consideration; but I have not yet given any reply to the request of the City Corporation. I shall certainly not fail to have due regard to the important aspect of the Question to, which the noble Lord refers.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on local taxation five years ago and the admitted urgency of this Question, the Government contemplate taking any stops to deal with it. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The Question referred to by my hon. friend is engaging the careful attention of the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that a native was killed by British soldiers near the village of Sersena, on 13th June last; whether a secret military inquiry is now being held; and, if so, why the inquiry is secret, and why is it not held by the ordinary tribunal. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The dead body of a native was discovered at Sersena, and it was alleged that the deceased had been chased and struck by two soldiers. As British soldiers are only amenable to martial law in Egypt, the matter has been dealt with by a military court of inquiry, but the information obtained does not point to the conclusion that the man was killed by a soldier. I believe that such inquiries are not usually held in public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has been informed of the sentence passed upon the Reverend Edgar Stannard by the court at Coquilhatville, Congo Free State; and if His Majesty's Government will place Vice Consul Armstrong's full Report on the Table of the House when it is received. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) His Majesty's Government have not yet heard officially of the sentence passed upon the Reverend Edgar Stannard by the court of Coquilhatville. The question of placing Vice-Consul Armstrong's Report on the Table of the House will be considered as soon as it has been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will lay upon the Table the Papers promised in connection with the Denshawi affray, and the subsequent trials and executions. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) My right hon. friend hopes to be able to lay the Papers some time next week. The detailed account of the evidence will, however, not be included, as there has not yet been time to translate it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and, if so, what, further measures in addition to the executions, floggings, and imprisonments already carried into effect have been adopted against the villagers of Denshawi in consequence of the events of 13th June. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The village of Denshawi has been deprived of an Omda and has been attached to the adjacent village of Abu Kullos. The former village watchmen have been dismissed, and other watchmen sent from Cairo to take their places.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of Egypt have decided to station a force of police within the precincts of El Azhar University; and, if so, on what grounds this step has been decided. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) At the request of the authorities of the El Azhar University the police force for preserving order in and about the university was recently increased.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, what action he proposes to take in the case of Patrick McGlone, of Aghanlish, Largydonnell, county Leitrim, who was compelled by the Estates Commissioners to purchase his holding from them at a price which is thirty-eight and a-half years' purchase of the rent fixed by the county court judge. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not yet arrived at a decision in this case, in which legal questions of difficulty are involved. As I have already stated, they are considering whether they shall take steps to test the decision of the county court judge in the case. The matter is not one in which action on my part is called for.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state if the Estates Commissioners have yet taken any steps to render Section 13 of 3 Edw. 7, c. 37, workable, and particularly with regard to subsection 3 of said section; and, if so, will he state what are the conditions under which the Commissioners are prepared to dispose of the mining and minera rights; and has any transaction under this sub-section 3 taken place. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The question of issuing regulations upon the subject of the sporting rights vested in the Land Commission under the section quoted is under consideration. As regards the mining rights, it was decided by the Judicial Commissioner, in a recent case referred to him by the Estates Commissioners, that the Land Commission have no power to deal with or dispose of the mines and minerals vested in them until authorised so to do by statute. The question of undertaking the necessary legislation is receiving the attention of the Government.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners propose to enlarge the holdings on the Roo estate, annuitants to the Government, near Gort, county Galway, out of the un-tenanted lands purchased from Mr. Shawe-Taylor. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the townland of Roo does not appear to be on the estate of Mr. Shawe-Taylor, but on that of Mrs. A. C. Maxwell, the un-tenanted land upon which has already been divided. The Commissioners have not yet received from their inspector the proposed scheme for the division of un-tenanted land on the Shawe-Taylor estate, and until this scheme has been received and considered the Commissioners are not in a position to say whether land will be available for persons other than the tenants on the estate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have received a copy of a resolution passed at a representative meeting of the Athenry people on Sunday, 8th July, setting out that the Lord Chancellor and the owners of the Lambert property, Athenry, are agreeable to sell to the tenants; is he aware that the tenants made an attempt to buy, but that, owing to the price demanded by the receiver, Colonel Lopdale, namely, twenty-five years' purchase, the negotiations fell through; and whether, having regard to the willingness of both sides to negotiate a sale, he will advise the Estates Commissioners to try and effect a settlement. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received a memorial from the Athenry town tenants on the estate of Lamberts Minors. The Commissioners are at present in correspondence with the receiver of the estate with a view to purchasing it under Section 6 of the Act of 1903, and thus effecting a settlement of the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of contracts, during the period of the supply of home-fed beef, were held by the nominees of other people who are interested in Foreign lairages; whether he will cause an examination to be made of these gentlemen's accounts with the various carrying companies from Wood-side Lairage, Birkenhead, to the several Army stations from which they have held contracts; whether he intends to take-any measures in regard thereto; and whether he will consider the advisability, at the expiration of the existing contracts, of making arrangements to receive home-produced animals, sheep and cattle, alive, and allow the soldiers to do the necessary work at the various stations. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It does not appear that an inquiry into the working of expired contracts, which would hardly be practicable, could serve any useful purpose. As regards the last part of the Question there are at present four stations at which cattle are slaughtered by the troops, and it is not proposed to increase the number.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Yeomanry are mounted infantry, as distinct from cavalry, and that at present Yeomanry have to learn their drill from the cavalry drill book, much of which is quite useless and some of it quite wrong for mounted infantry, so that it has to be corrected by various supplementary papers, causing confusion and difficulty, and in view of the fact that Yeomanry training is extremely short, he will, in the interest of Yeomanry officers, non commissioned officers, and men, consider the advantage of issuing a drill book containing plain definite instructions for Yeomanry training. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Imperial Yeomanry are not included in the category of mounted infantry but are trained to be capable of performing all the duties allotted to cavalry except those connected with shock action. Their role is clearly donned in the instructions for the training of Imperial Yeomanry which were drawn up after very careful consideration. No confusion or difficulty, has been created, and no complaints of the present methods of instruction have been received at the War Office from the general officers commanding in chief.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consent to the Return being given of copies of the correspondence between the hon. Member for Canterbury and the Foreign Office on the affairs of Egypt and the sanitary state of Cairo and other towns of Egypt. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by printing this correspondence and presenting it to Parliament. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the authorities in Egypt are fully alive to the importance of improving the sanitary conditions of the towns, and the matter is one which will not be lost sight of.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury how many boy clerks were appointed by the Civil Service Commissioners during the year ended March 31st, 1906; how many secured permanent positions in His Majesty's Civil Service; and how many, during the same year, were dismissed on attaining the age of twenty. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that in the year referred to 762 boy clerks were added to the register. Two hundred and six boy clerks were removed from the register on being certificated for permanent appointments in the Civil Service, and in addition twenty-four left to take up appointments under Government of a quasi-permanent character or permanent public appointments not in the Civil Service. I understand that probably a considerable number obtained permanent positions after ceasing to be boy clerks, but it is not possible to say how many. The number of those removed from the register on attaining the age of twenty was 273, inclusive of boys who resigned their appointments as boy clerks very shortly before attaining the age of twenty.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received the memorial forwarded in May last by the new class of assistant clerks in the Statistical Office, Customs; and, if so, whether he can state what steps have been taken to secure to the memorialists similar treatment to that enjoyed by their colleagues in other departments. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The case of those clerks was fully considered early in the present year, and certain improvements were authorised in the scheme of promotion to superior posts. A further memorial on the subject has recently been received in the Treasury and is now under consideration. With regard to the last words of the hon. Member's Question, the conditions of employment in the Customs Department are necessarily determined with reference to the requirements of that particular service.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether any non-interest bearing accounts in the Savings Bank Department are transferred to the dormant ledgers, or whether all interest-bearing accounts are kept in the ordinary ledgers, no matter how long since the books were forwarded for examination or actual transactions took place on them; and, if so, whether he will cause all accounts on which no actual transactions have taken place, or the books forwarded, for a period of five years to be transferred to the dormant ledgers, an index of the names of these depositors kept, and a list periodically published, in order that the legal representatives of all deceased depositors may have facilities for claiming moneys due to them by the Savings Bank Department.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that no index of depositors' names is kept in the Savings Bank Department, and that no list has ever been published showing unclaimed balances to the credit of depositors who have not forwarded their book for examination or deposited or withdrawn money for a number of years, sums of money are in the hands of the Government which the legal representatives of many of those depositors are entirely unaware of, whilst others find it very difficult to claim under the present system, unless they can supply particulars of deceased depositors' books; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I may, perhaps, answer these Questions together. There is no regular system of transfers, either of interest bearing or of non-interest bearing accounts to dormant ledgers in the Post Office Savings Bank. As I informed the hon. Member on July 3rd,† I am not prepared to sanction the compilation and publication of a list of accounts that have not been operated on for a given period, nor the preparation of a general index of depositor's names, as I consider that the expense and inconvenience that would attend these under takings would more than counterbalance any advantage to depositors that might be derived from them.

† See (i) Debates, clix., 1600.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been directed to the character and price of the refreshments supplied by the contractor at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew; and whether he will make such arrangements as will ensure that the public are better served in this respect in future. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Very few complaints have been made with regard to the refreshments at Kew. The prices charged are low, and constant supervision is exercised by the Office of Works over the quality of the food and the character of the service. But I shall be very glad to cause further inquiry to be made if my hon. friend will let me know more precisely in what respects he considers that there is room for improvement.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been directed to the fact that the only guides to be obtained at the Royal Botanical Gardens are detailed sectional official productions and an inadequate non-official production; and whether he will give instructions for an official guide to be prepared for sale at say 3d. or 6d., which will describe and illustrate the contents of the gardens in broad outlines and in simple but accurate terms. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The preparation of an official guide to Kew Gardens has kindly been undertaken by Sir William Thistleton-Dyer, the late director, and it will be completed and placed on sale at the earliest possible date.

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 were remitted altogether.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to state what has been the number of accidents to or caused by motor omnibuses in the Metropolitan area; and what has been the number of accidents caused by other motor vehicles since the last figures given to the House. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am not clear to what figures my hon.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange that the latest Returns of the Irish Railway Clearing House be laid upon the Table of this House, and containing information as to the making of preferential through rates in Ireland; whether he will set out in the Return the apportionate payments made to Continental, British railways, shipping companies, and Irish railways respectively; and whether he will ensure that the ordinary rate chargeable from Dublin shall be specified in the Return, so that a comparison shall be possible between the through and local inland rates. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I am not able to give a Return of the nature suggested. Beyond the provisions of Section 33 (5) of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, under which in certain circumstances the apportionment of through rates between the sea and land portion of the route is required to be set out in the rate books kept for public inspection, carriers are not required to disclose the division of through rates amongst themselves.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board in what way and by what officials the safety of the construction and equipment of motor omnibuses for street traffic or for use on country roads is now tested; whether certificates of fitness for the traffic specified are now issued after any such testing and inspection; and whether he will consider the advisibility of forthwith strengthening the law and the administrative requirements and powers so as to better provide for the security of the public. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) In the Metropolitan Police district stage carriages of all kinds, including motor omnibuses, are inspected and licensed by the police. Motor omnibuses, like other omnibuses plying for hire, in urban districts outside the Metropolitan Police district are licensed by the urban district council, and in connection with such licensing are liable to be inspected. No formal certificates of fitness for the traffic specified are issued. The suggestion in the last part of the Question will not be lost sight of.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is intended to appoint the Inquiry Committee on Irish Railways and Canals between the House adjourns; whether a time limit for Report will be made; and whether the Committee will be granted extensive powers as to taking evidence and sitting in various centres in Ireland. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commission of Inquiry into Irish Railways has already been appointed. The terms of reference and names of the Commissioners were published last Friday. No time limit for Report has been fixed or could be fixed. The Commission have the usual powers of taking evidence in whatever places they think fit.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the House of Commons unanimously passed a Resolution in favour of extending the Allotments Act to Ireland; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing the measure at an early date. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The hon. Member doubtless refers to the Resolution made on the 13th of April 1894, in which the House expressed the opinion that the facilities for obtaining land possessed by England should be extended to Ireland. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that since then a great deal has been done by the Labourers' Acts to give effect to the principle of the Resolution, and the Bill at present before the House will, when it passes into law, hasten the provision of labourers' cottages and plots. The precise provisions of the Allotments Acts are hardly suitable to the circumstances of Ireland.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Cleary, the owner of Rockfield Farm, near Streamstown,county Westmeath, was willing to sell it to the Estates Commissioners for distribution amongst the poorer tenants, and that on communication with the Commissioners they replied that as the land was encumbered they could not buy it for distribution; and can he say if incumbrances debar purchase. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the farm in question was purchased by the occupying tenant under the Land Act of 1903. The Commissioners are, by Section 9 (4) of the Land Purchase Act of 1891. precluded from making advances for the purchase of land already purchased under the Land Purchase Acts and still subject to the payment of a land purchase annuity. The Commissioners, however, can purchase in such a case if the lands should be discharged of all encumbrances. They have, however, received no intimation that Mr. Cleary, the present owner of the farm referred to, is prepared to soil it freed from encumbrances, but if such an intimation should be made to them they will consider the question of purchase.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the date upon which the abstracts of the closed accounts of the respective public bodies in Ireland are required to be forwarded to the Local Government Board or their auditor preparatory to commencing audit of their accounts; the dates upon which the respective audits were commenced in respect of the half years ended 30th September 1904, and 31st March 1905; the dates upon which the respective accounts were certified as audited by the Local Government Board's auditor; the fees for such audits paid by the respective public bodies; and the salary paid to each of the seventeen Local Government Board auditors for the year ending 31st March, 1905. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) Article 25 of the Public Bodies Order, 1904, requires that the abstracts of the accounts of public bodies in Ireland shall be forwarded to the Local Government Board within four weeks after the close of each year or half year as the case may be. The preparation of a Return giving the information asked for in the second and third part of the Question would entail a great deal of trouble, and would occupy a considerable time. In the opinion of the Local Government Board such a Return would not serve any useful purpose, because any conclusions which might be drawn from it would be misleading for the reason that, owing to adjournments, interruptions, and the manner in which the accounts are presented, no accurate comparisons between the time occupied upon the audits of the accounts of different bodies, or even between the times occupied upon the audits of the accounts of the same authorities for successive periods can be instituted. If the hon. Member should see fit to move for a Return by counties of the fees recovered by the Local Government Board from public bodies for auditing accounts, I will offer no objection. The salaries of the auditors will be found in the Civil Service Estimates.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Ballinakill, county Galway, oyster fishery banks were declared public property some seventeen years ago by the Rev. Mr. Green, Fishery Inspector to the Congested Districts Board, and that the rights and privileges secured to the people in the neighbourhood by that declaration are now threatened by an application for a licence for one of these banks by a Miss Duane and for another by a Mr. Gilmour Browne; and whether steps will be taken to protect the rights of the people in regard to these banks. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that Mr.Green did not at any time make a declaration as to the extent of the public oyster beds in Ballinakill Harbour, nor has he power to do so. Applications for licences to form oyster beds in parts of this harbour were recently made by Miss Duane and Mrs. Browne. The statutory public inquiries were held by Mr. Green, who is the officer to whom the Department of Agriculture have assigned this duty. He was satisfied that no substantially profitable public fishery for oysters was carried on in areas for which the licences were desired, and licences to Miss Duane and Mrs. Browne are being prepared. Appeals to have the licences vacated may, within one month of the date thereof, be made to the Lord-Lieutenant in Council. The areas affected by the proposed licences were formerly the site of licensed oyster beds, but the licences were revoked on account of the non-cultivation of the beds.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the number of persons detained for one or more nights in the Clifden Bridewell during the last twelve months; what is the annual cost in connection with this bridewell; and whether, in view of the fact that criminals can now be quickly conveyed to Galway Gaol by train, he will consider the desirability of closing the establishment or selling it. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The number of persons detained for one or more nights in the Clifden Bridewell during the last twelve months was twenty-one. The estimated cost of maintaining the bridewell is £68. The whole of this sum would not be saved by closing, the bridewell, as there would necessarily be a larger expenditure than at present for the escort and conveyance of prisoners to and from Galway Prison which is fifty miles from Clifden; and, in addition, the detention of police escorts in Galway for the night would be necessitated. The question whether it may be possible to close the bridewell will, however, be considered.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the peaceful condition of the district for some considerable time past, and of the fact that the police barracks at Letterfrack are only three miles distant, the police barracks at Tullycross, county Galway, will be discontinued; and if he will state the number of cases the four or five policemen at this station have had during the last year. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The police station at Tully, which is three miles from Letterfrack, is situated in a populous district. The locality, however, has been reported as peaceable for some time past, and the question of the necessity for continuing the station will shortly come up for consideration. The number of prosecutions by the police at this station during the past year was fifty-one.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have made any offer to Captain Caldbeck, Ballacolla, for the purchase of his estate; and, if so, can he say with what result. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not yet made an offer for the purchase of his estate, but with a view to doing so, they have referred the matter to their inspector, whose report has not yet been received.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a memorial signed by the chairmen of the Dungarvan urban and rural district councils and others on behalf of these councils, urging the importance of the construction of the Cunnigar bridge and roadway, and asking for a grant for the purpose of £15,000; whether his attention has been called to the memorial presented to the Secretary of State for India, when Chief Secretary for Ireland, on the same subject; and whether he will be able to make a personal investigation during the present year into the merits of the proposed works, having regard to the advantages which it is claimed will accrue from their construction. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have received the memorial referred to, and as I have already informed the hon. Member, have examined the memorial which was presented in 1894 to the then Chief Secretary. I have obtained reports upon the proposal to erect a bridge or causeway at the Cunnigar, and these lead me to doubt whether the benefit to be obtained would be commensurate with the very large expenditure which would be necessary. In any case funds for works of the kind are not at present available. I shall be glad to visit the Cunnigar when opportunity offers, but am not able to say when that may be.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the vacancy which has arisen on the Poor Law Commission by the death of The O'Conor Don, and of the dissatisfaction which exists in the medical profession in Ireland, owing to its having hitherto been unrepresented on the Commission, he will consider the advisability of appointing an Irish medical man to the vacancy. (Answered by Sir II. Campbell-Bannerman.) I cannot see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the late The O'Conor Don was a member of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws relating to the United Kingdom; and, if so, will he, in filling the vacancy, have regard to the wishes of the Irish Poor Law medical profession by appointing an Irish medical member. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman): I cannot see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House at what date the Government propose to bring forward the Colonial Marriages (Deceased Wife's Sister) Bill, sent down more than four weeks ago, and for the third time, by the House of Lords. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman): The position in which this Bill stands on the Order Paper will give my hon. friend a general indication of its prospects.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when did the negotiations with the War Office for the sale of Sparkbrook first begin; and what progress had been made in such negotiations when the late Government went out of office.

Negotiations for the sale of Sparkbrook began on November 1st, 1905, by letter and by interview at the War Office. On November 15th the Army Council informed the Treasury that they thought it desirable to enter on negotiations for this purpose. These negotiations were engaged on and proceeded with up to the day on which the late Government resigned.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether a Garrison Artillery Militia regiment, such as the Lancashire Artillery, having been trained for many years in the highly specialised work of drilling with the elaborate and scientific armaments in the Horsesand, No Man's, and Spit Forts, in the Solent, is to be included in the number of those Garrison Artillery Militia regiments who are in the future to form the ammunition train of the Field Artillery.

In accordance with the policy of allotting the Garrison Artillery Volunteers to coast defences, the services of Garrison Artillery Militia will not be required unless they avail themselves of the invitation to form a Field Artillery Reserve. It must be pointed out that the Volunteers have the advantage of being able to train all the year round and in the works they will have to man in time of war.

On behalf of the hon. Member for West Marylebone, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the expenses which will fall upon married officers of the condemned battalion of Coldstream Guards owing to their proceeding to Egypt for the winter in response to the appeal from the Government; and whether, in view of the special circumstances of the case, the Government will be prepared to contribute towards those expenses.

The various arrangements involved in the decision to despatch this battalion to Egypt have not yet been worked out in detail. I am not, therefore, in a position to give the hon. Baronet any definite reply to his Questions.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets, Stepney, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that, on the first occasion on which the Bande Mataram processions were allowed under the new rules to perambulate the streets of Dacca, the people taking part in the procession assembled in front of the English church during service and shouted the song to such an extent that the Commissioner of the division, who was officiating, was unable to proceed with the service; and whether it is intended to take any steps so to regulate these Hindu processions as to prevent persons belonging to other religions being molested.

Under existing orders, the cry of " Bande Mataram " may be prohibited where it disturbs public worship, and the Secretary of State has no doubt that the local authorities will take such steps as may be necessary to put a stop to this form of annoyance.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets, Stepney, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the song of Bengal, known as the Bande Mataram, is distasteful to the Mahommedans, who form the majority of the population of the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam; and whether, considering that the song was only composed in 1882 and has since then seldom been sung,even during Hindu national festivals, it is intended to adopt any measures to prevent a breach of the peace between Hindus and Mahommedans in Eastern Bengal.

As I stated in reply to a Question on July 4th, the cry of " Bande Mataram " may be prohibited, under existing orders, whore it would cause such feeling in the Mahommedan population as would be likely to lead to a breach of the peace. The Secretary of State does not think that further orders are required.

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the song in question is distasteful to the Mahommedan population.

That is a matter of opinion. My hon. friend had better give notice if he desires a reply.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a public execution of a private in the 1st Lincolns took place between the prison and the cemetery at Trimulgherry on September 1st last; that the station orders issued by Brigadier General E. O. F. Hamilton, C.B., commanding Secunderabad and Bolarum, on that occasion required the attendance of detachments of every corps, British and native, in the station; that the scaffold was erected a few hundred yards from a public roadway and in view of the windows of the cell in which the man was lodged prior to his execution, and that in the walk from the prison to the scaffold he had to pass through crowds of natives and white women and children assembled to see the execution; and will he say what action he proposes taking in the matter. The hon. Member also had the following Questions on the Paper on the same subject. To ask the Secretary of State for India why the soldier of the 1st Lincolns tried at Secunderabad last year for murder by a general court martial was not handed over to the civil authorities and tried at the High Court at Madras. To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will reconsider the sentence of penal servitude for life imposed on a corporal of the 2nd Border Regiment by a general court martial in Burmah last; year, for attempted murder, with a view to its mitigation, and explain why this case was not tried by the Chief Court at Rangoon. To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that station orders, issued by a Brigadier General at Bolarum on August 30th last, contained paragraphs following each other, the effect of one being instructions for a general parade to witness the execution of a private in the 1st Lincolns, the next announcing regimental sports to be held by that battalion and the officers giving an at home; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the holding of a fete in the regiment twenty-four hours after the public execution of one of its men, which one company had been forced to witness.

replied that the matter was receiving the attention of the India Office, and the Secretary of State was not yet in a position to give an Answer to the Questions.

said that on May 30th he addressed a Question to the Secretary for War, who stated on June 18th that he was making inquiries. He asked if instructions would be given to the Commander-in-Chief in India that no white soldier should be executed under such barbarous circumstances.

Or native soldiers, either.

This is a matter for the Secretary of State. I will convey to the right hon. Gentleman the suggestion of the hon. Member. We are, I can assure him, in communication with the Indian Government on the subject.

Will you cable out to India and ascertain if any British soldiers are now under sentence of death, and if so will you give provisional orders that the execution shall not be conducted under these barbarous circumstances.

And also inquire as to native soldiers.

I can give no pledge of that kind.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any, and what, proportion of the appointments recently made to the Public Works Department of India by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of a Committee of Selection were given to Scotsmen or to engineers educated at Scottish universities and institutions; and whether Scotland is represented on the Committee of Selection.

Out of the twelve men who were recently selected for the Public Works Department (one of whom resigned), four were of Scottish parentage and three were educated at Scottish Universities. I do not think that any one of the three members of the Committee of Selection is a Scotsman; but made no inquiry as to their nationality.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a Bill of Indemnity has passed its Second Reading in the House of Assembly in Natal; whether by one of the provisions of this Bill, officers and agents of the Natal Government are indemnified for acts that may still be committed as well as for those that have been committed; and whether such a provision has hitherto been inserted in Acts of Indemnity.

A Bill substantially in the form described by my hon. friend has been introduced in the Natal House of Assembly, and the Secretary of State is now communicating with the Governor on the subject of its provisions, for some of which there is no modern precedent.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the abuses to which the farm system for the collection of opium revenue in the federated Malay States, Singapore, and Hong Kong has given rise, he will consider the advisability of making any alterations in the respective systems by which the sale of opium is now licensed in those countries.

The system of farming the opium revenue has frequently been considered, and it has been held to be the one best adapted to the circumstances of these communities, in which there are no import duties and no Customs establishment available for collecting them. The Secretary of State is not aware that the system has given rise to abuses, and, in the light of past experience, he does not, as at present advised, see what alterations could usefully be made.

In view of the opinions expressed by the Secretary of State for India, will the Government not consider the desirability of putting an end to the production of opium in British possessions?

I must have notice of that Question. It refers apparently to a speech which I should see before replying.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a Return as to the quantity of opium consumed and the amount of revenue derived therefrom during the last ten years in the federated Malay States and Singapore.

The Governor of the Straits Settlements will lie asked to supply the information.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state when it is proposed to establish a certain amount of representative or Crown Colony government in our East African Protectorate.

The Secretary of State proposes at an early date to, advise His Majesty to issue Letters Patent providing for the establishment of a Legislative Council in the East African Protectorate, which will include unofficial members nominated by the Crown.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state whether it has been decided to allow the chief Nana to return to his own people and country after the long punishment he has received.

The Secretary of State has decided, upon the advice of Sir Walter Egerton, to permit the chief Nana to return to Southern Nigeria and to settle at a town called America in Bonin River. A compassionate, allowance of £10 a month will be paid to him for two years, after which it is expected that he will be able to support himself.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the action of the school board at Marnisburg, in Cape Colony, on which the Ditch have obtained a majority, in dismissing all the English teachers in the schools of the district; and whether he will bring this matter to the notice of the Government with a view to safeguards being introduced in the new constitutions of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony against injustice being done to British officials in those Colonies.

I have seen a newspaper statement to this effect. The general position of British or other officials likely to be affected by the forthcoming constitutional changes in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies will certainly not escape the notice of His Majesty's Government so far as that is not inconsistent with the general principles of responsible government.

But, Sir, will the hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to ascertain whether this outrage has, in fact, been committed.

said he should himself hesitate to accept, upon such testimony as they had before them, the word " outrage" which the right hon. Gentleman had used in regard to a proceeding of local government in a. responsibly governed Colony.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean us to understand that the turning out of all the teachers in a British school in a British Colony because these teachers are English is not an outrage?

said he had answered fully the Question on the Paper, and if the right hon. Gentleman wished to put further Questions, perhaps he would give notice.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman would promise to make special inquiries concerning this report.

said he was quite unable to make a promise of that kind himself. He was bound to consult the Secretary of State on the matter; and if the hon. Gentleman would put a Question on the Paper, he would have the opportunity of conferring with the Secretary of State before giving an Answer.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in possession of information enabling him to say whether on Saturday the 7th July the house of a white man in the Rand district was attacked by Chinese and Kaffirs, the man robbed and injured and his wife outraged, dragged across the veldt, and again outraged; and whether the perpetrators of the alleged outrage have been arrested.

The Secretary of State has not yet received a reply from Lord Selborne to the telegram addressed to him on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the subjects of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan enjoy the same rights and privileges in the Crown Colony of the Transvaal as the subjects of the German Emperor.

All Asiatic races are subject to certain disabilities which do not apply to Europeans.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the word native in the Treaty of Vereeniging includes His Majesty's Indian subjects; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Indian subjects are entitled, as natives, to acquire freehold property in the Transvaal.

I have previously explained to the hon. Member in an Answer to a Question on March 15th † that it was asserted that the proposal to admit British Indians to the franchise was a breach of the spirit, if not of the letter of the Treaty of Vereeniging, which engaged that the question of granting the franchise to natives would not be decided until after the introduction of self-government. The late Secretary of State felt bound to take account of this view and accordingly stated in his despatch of March 31st, 1905, that, having regard to the terms of peace, His Majesty's Government had been unable to make provision for the representation of any of His Majesty's coloured subjects. Under the special law applying to Asiatics, Law 3 of 1885, British Indians cannot be owners of landed property save only in the streets, wards, and locations which the Government shall for sanitary purposes point out for habitation.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state whether licences for the recruiting of native labourers on the east coast of Africa or elsewhere have been issued to any persons other than the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association; and, if not, will he state what is the cause of the delay.

No fresh licences have, so far as I am aware, been issued at present. The issue of licences, I would remind the hon. Member, is primarily a matter for the Portuguese Government, and negotiations are now proceeding with the object of obtaining equal recruiting facilities for other corporations of established responsibility. No undue delay is anticipated.

† See (i) Debates, cliii., 1400.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent increase in the duties upon English cottons imposed by the South African Colonies applies to goods now on the high seas and shipped before the increase was made known.

Yes, Sir. Under the law of the Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Natal when an increase is made in the Customs duty on any article after the conclusion of a contract for the sale or delivery of such article and no special provision for the increase is made in the contract, the seller, having paid the increased duty, may add the amount of the increase to the price and is entitled to be paid the amount and in case of default to sue for and recover it by process of law.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state when the correspondence between the Government and the Governor of Malta as to the prevention of the Reverend John M'Neill from holding religious services in Malta at the request of the Roman Catholic archbishop will be laid upon the Table of the House.

The Secretary of State is in correspondence with the Governor on this subject, and I hope to be able to answer the hon. Member's Question on Thursday, when it is expected that a despatch from Sir Charles Clarke will have been received.

Will the complete correspondence be laid on the Table of the House before the Colonial Vote is taken?

I shall be glad for the House to have the fullest possible information on a matter which excites interest in more than one quarter, but I am not sure how far it is possible to publish the whole correspondence. I will examine it from that point of view.

I will put the Question again on Thursday.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether effect is to be given to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Settlements in British Colonies, by reorganising the emigrants information office under the title of the Emigration Office, by extending its functions as suggested by the Committee, and by increasing the annual grant-in-aid sufficiently to provide for the necessary increase of permanent staff.

It is intended that the substance of the Report shall form one of the subjects to be discussed at the forthcoming Colonial Conference; and in the meantime His Majesty's Government do not propose to come to any decision on the recommendations made by the Committee.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government propose to apply to the mainland dominions of the Sultan of Zanzibar, now administered by His Majesty's Commissioner for the East Africa Protectorate, provisions similar to those brought into force in Zanzibar and Pemba in 1897 for the abolition of the legal status of slavery.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on May 30th to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for West Dorset, a copy of which will be sent with the typewritten reply to this Question.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the progress of the negotiations for the delimitation of the Turco-Egyptian frontier; and when it is expected that the work will be completed.

I am unable to add anything to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Blackpool on July 3rd. last, viz.: that

† See (4) Debates, clviii.. 388.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in the secondary Government schools of Egypt, as a result of the British control, religion is not taught and the Koran is not read, notwithstanding the fact that 92 per cent of the population are of the Mohammedan confession.

Religious instruction is not given in the secondary Government schools in Egypt. This has always been the practice, and it is in no way due to interference on the part of the British authorities.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the plans which are in contemplation for the development of the field of Waterloo as a building estate; and whether he will make representations to the Belgian Government with a view of insuring the preservation of the historic features of the battle ground.

My right hon. friend has seen a statement in the Press from which appears that little historical interest attaches to the farm at Waterloo which has been sold. I do not think that representations on the subject need be made to the Belgian Government.

asked if the Government had any information to give as to the proposed visit of the British Fleet to Russian waters?

It has been intimated to us by the Russian Government that, in view of the political situation in Russia, the presence of foreign ships in their ports might give rise to agitations and incidents connected with internal affairs, and it has therefore been decided not to proceed with the cruise as had been intended. His Majesty's Government much regret that this visit of the Fleet has to be postponed, the more so as there would be difficulties in rearranging the remaining part of the programme, and it has therefore been decided to give up the intended cruise to the Baltic altogether, including visits to other ports.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been approached by the Corporation of the City of London with a view to handing over to them Custom House Quay for the purpose of utilising it in the extension of Billingsgate Market; whether he is aware of the boon this open space has been to hundreds of toilers in this congested district since the Metropolitan. Public Gardens Association has been allowed to place seats and plant trees on the quay; and whether he will refuse to grant the request of the City Corporation.

I recently received a deputation from the City Corporation and other bodies asking me to allow the quay to be used between certain hours and subject to certain conditions, to relieve the congestion which exists in connection with the Billingsgate Market. I have not yet given a reply to the request of the Corporation, and, in considering the Question, I certainly shall not fail to bear in mind the important aspect of it to which my hon. friend refers.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a member of the Metropolitan constabulary, charged with being under the influence of drink while on duty, has the same privilege as a civilian in respect of claiming the opinion of a medical man as to his state and condition; and, if the privilege does not exist, will he consider the desirability of granting it?

No alteration of existing practice in the direction indicated could be introduced without detriment to discipline.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, having regard to the fact that, under the present laws affecting the insurance of the lives of children, the death of a child may, by means of insurance, be a source of profit to the person insuring, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill to provide that there shall be a limit to the amount payable on the death of a child, so that the amount payable shall not exceed such as may be reasonably required to pay for the funeral expenses of the child.

I do not know whether my hon. friend is aware that by {Sections 62–67 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, the sum for which a child under five can be insured in one or more societies is limited to £6, and that by the Collecting Societies Act, 1896, Section 13, this limitation is extended to all Industrial Assurance Companies. Great difficulties have arisen in the way of the numerous proposals which have been made to amend the law by further reducing this limit. I would refer my hon. friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets on February 22nd last, † in which I explained that the criminal law relating to this matter is already very severe, a parent who insures a child and then is guilty of cruelty or culpable neglect being liable to penal servitude for five years under Section 1, Subsection (4) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904.

† See (4) Debates, clii., 506.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state when the Committee, which he proposes to appoint to investigate the subject of experiments on living animals, will hold its first meeting; and of whom the Committee will consist.

A Royal Commission on this subject is about to be appointed, and the names of the Commissioners will be announced in due course when His Majesty has approved them.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say how many notifications of the insanitary condition of factories in which jam and other articles of food are manufactured were forwarded by the women inspectors to sanitary authorities during the period covered by the Report of the chief inspector; and whether he has authorised any Home Office inspector to act in default of the sanitary authorities, as provided for by Section 4 of the Factory Act, 1901.

I fear I cannot give the hon. Member, the information asked for at such short notice, but the sanitary provisions of the Act in the case of factories are enforced by the inspectors of factories, not by the local authorities, and the number of such notices as are mentioned in the Question would be few. No case arose during 1905 in which it was found necessary to make an order under Section 4 of the Factory Act for the supersession of the local authority by the factory inspector with regard to the enforcement of the Act.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the factories in which articles of food are made, and which are alleged to be in an unsanitary condition, are premises hitherto unknown to the Home Office inspectorate, or have been subject to inspection by the male inspectors for any considerable time. I beg further to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the keeping of a factory in a cleanly state free from effluvia or other nuisance is provided for under the Factory Act, 1901, Section 1, without the intervention of the sanitary authorities; and, if so, whether stops were taken by the Home Office inspectors to remedy the defects narrated in the women's annual Report respecting jam and other food manufactories.

I have no reason for supposing that the factories referred to were unknown to the district inspectors, or have remained unvisited by them. Neglect of cleanliness at one period does not, in a trade such as this, argue previous absence of inspection. I regret to say, however, that a number of the matters to which the lady inspectors call attention, such as the cleanliness of the workers handling food materials, the cleanliness of the pots which are filled with jam, etc., are outside the scope of the Factory Act. They should, I think, be dealt with under the law for the protection of the public health, and I am bringing them to the notice of the President of the Local Government Board. The requirement of Section 1 of the Factory Act is that a factory shall be kept in a cleanly state and free from effluvia. Action was taken by the inspectors wherever the defects found were of a kind with which they had power to deal. I may add that this is by no means the first time that the inspectors have reported insanitary conditions in food preserving works, and that as the result of these reports considerable progress has been made in their sanitation, and bad places have become fewer. The whole question of the inspection of these premises is under my consideration, and I hope that still further progress will soon be made.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the action of the French Chamber in passing almost unanimously a measure making it obligatory on all employers of labour to grant one day's rest in seven to their employees, he will reconsider the matter of granting the men of the Metropolitan Police a similar boon; and whether, if he cannot at once grant one day's rest in seven, he will consider if it is not possible to grant thorn one day in ten as an instalment.

The Bill adopted by the French Chamber applies only to commercial and industrial employments and not to the Police. In any event the case of the English Police (who, it must be remembered, are entitled after twenty-six years' service to retire on pension and enjoy seven days rest a week) must be considered on its own merits. I have already, in reply to previous Questions, explained the difficulties, chiefly financial, which stand in the way of adopting the hon. Member's suggestions; and as regards my position in the matter I beg to refer him to the debate in the House of Commons on June 7th.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on the evening of Friday, April 20th, 1906, a boy named Henry Maughan, aged six years, was seized by a policeman while looking into a shop window, close to his own home, taken to the police station, and charged with begging; that on the unsupported and contradicted evidence of that policeman alone he was, on May 7th, last, sentenced at the Gateshead police court to be taken from his parents and confined for ten years in an industrial school; whether he is further aware that, at the same time and on no evidence at all, the boy's father was condemned to pay a fine of 11s. and a permanent charge of 1s. 6d. a week for 10 years, and ordered to report any change of his address during that period to the police; and whether he will cause a review of the circumstances of the case to be made without delay with a view to the restitution of the child to his parents.

I have made inquiry into this case, and find that this boy (whose name is William Maughan) was seen to accost seven men in the course of ton minutes; he had also been loitering in the locality nearly every evening for the previous five weeks. I am informed that the father had on two previous occasions in November last been cautioned by the Police for allowing another child to be in the streets for the purpose of begging. William Maughan was committed to an industrial school in the usual manner until sixteen, and his father was fined 5s. with costs, under the Youthful Offenders Act, and ordered to pay 1s. 6d. a week towards the cost of the child's maintenance. On the facts at present before me I do not see my way to interfere, but I propose to make further inquiries before coming to a final decision.

†see(4)debates,clvii.,601,603

Will the right hon. Gentlemen inquire if this boy was convicted on the unsupported evidence of the policeman who arrested him?

Yes, but I think the hon. Gentleman is mistaken on that point.

Is not ten years imprisonment a very heavy sentence on a child in a case like this?

It is not imprisonment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the King's Bench Division of the High Court in Ireland in Dean v. Wilson, a case which arose on a prosecution at petty sessions of a factory inspector against an employer of labour, and in which it was held that a certain weekly payment was not wages within the meaning of the Truck Acts, but was a bonus; and whether he will bring this decision under the notice of the Committee which is now inquiring into the Truck Acts.

The decision in this appeal, which was taken by my instructions, has been reported to me. I am informed that it has already been brought to the notice of the Committee on the Truck Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether he would consider the expediency, in the interests of public safety, which recent events had proved to be endangered, of suspending all existing licences of motor omnibuses —pending the establishment of a more rigid and effectual system of inspection than that which now obtained of the brakes and other safety appliances of such vehicles, and whether he would see that only such drivers as understood the mechanism of motors should be employed.

This is a Question which requires longer notice than I have received. I am unable to accept the hon. Gentleman's main suggestion. I may say there is no evidence to prove that the recent accidents referred to are attributable to defective or unsuitable brakes or steering gear. The working condition of the brakes of all licensed: vehicles is carefully and frequently inquired into by officers of the licensing authority. Any defect noticed would lead to the vehicle being forbidden to ply in the streets until it had been remedied. The question, which is both important and urgent, is one which falls within the province of the Royal Commission on Motor Cars, and the Select Committee on Cabs and Omnibuses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the month, of June last there were 390 motor-'bus accidents in London?

Yes, I gave the figures myself.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind I the fact that everybody considers these I 'buses a nuisance and a public danger— and that the town authorities of Kensington recently passed a resolution in which they declared that the value of property in their district had gone down because of the nuisance caused by these 'buses, and that children cannot go out into the read for a moment without danger?

I am aware, and I think every hon. Member is aware, that the motor-'buses now plying on the public streets are defective in many ways, and in certain ways are distinctly a nuisance, but these points will be most carefully examined into. The whole question is a, new one, and it is impossible to act in a hurry. I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is receiving the most; serious attention, not only in connection I with the inquiries I have already referred to, but on the part of both the police authorities and my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board.

Do any members of the Cabinet or supporters of the Cabinet ever use those 'buses?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Spencer Bray, J. J. Vann, and S. Bruin, of Blaby, in Leicestershire, were on Monday last committed to Leicester Gaol, the first two for seven days and the last for fourteen days, on orders under Section 31 of The Vaccination Act, 1867; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to alter the law so as to make such imprisonments impossible in future.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I have no information as to the particular cases referred to; but I may point out that a parent would not be liable to any penalty under the Vaccination Acts for the non-vaccination of his child if he had obtained a certificate of conscientious objection under Section 4 of the Act of 1898. I am aware that the procedure with regard to obtaining such a certificate is not altogether satisfactory, and I am considering whether some alteration might not properly be made in the law with regard to the matter.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any notification from the Pontardawe Rural District Council of the reappointment of Dr. Griffiths Griffiths, of Pontardawe, as medical officer of health for the western division of this union; whether he has received a memorial signed by eleven members of the rural district council protesting against Dr. Griffith's reappointment for reasons stated therein; and whether he will suspend the confirmation of the appointment and make such inquiries as to the grounds upon which those reasons have been stated as are necessary in the case.

I have received the notification of Dr. Griffith's reappointment and also the memorial referred to in the Question. I propose to direct an inquiry to be held before I arrive at a decision as to sanctioning the reappointment.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a man named Charles Endsor was taken from his residence, on May 11th, 1904, to the Bramley Union, Leeds, without the consent of his relatives, on the ground that he was of unsound mind, and that while in the act of escaping from the hospital ward he was caught, thrown over a wall in the grounds, and frogged across a field to the hospital, and put into the padded room, being removed two days after to the West Riding Asylum at Menston, ultimately dying there five weeks later; will he explain why there was no post mortem on the body; and, having regard to the seriousness of this and other cases of a similar character, whether he will consider the advisability of ordering a public inquiry into this matter.

I am aware that allegations of the kind mentioned in the Question have been made as regards the case to which it refers. The matter was brought before the Local Government Board, who, after investigating it, came to the conclusion that there was no ground for further action on their part. It was subsequently again considered by them, but they saw no sufficient reason for altering their view. In these circumstances, and looking to the fact that the case occurred more than two years ago, I could not undertake now to reopen it.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, with a view to the production of more accurate statistics of vaccination prophyaxy, he will give directions for the examination of the vaccination registers in all cases of small pox to ascertain whether the patients have or have not been vaccinated.

A somewhat similar Question was put to me by my hon. friend the Member for the Sleaford division on June 10th.† For the reasons I then gave I do not feel that I could give directions of the kind suggested.

† See (4) Debates, clviii., 1141.

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct that no statistics shall be published at all?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the present system necessarily results in the publication of inaccurate statistics?

I do not admit that.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Godden v. Hythe Burial Board, in which it was held, owing to an obvious flaw in The Burials Act, 1855, that an owner of land who chooses now to build a dwelling-house within 100 yards of a burial ground not used or appropriated prior to the date of the Act can veto interments within 100 yards range; and whether he will take the earliest suitable opportunity which presents itself to amend the law.

My attention has been called to this matter. I certainly will give consideration to the suggestion for an amendment of the law.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the recommendations of the Australian Commission on shipping rebates, which are declared to be open to abuse and calculated seriously to prejudice the trade of the Commonwealth; and whether it is intended to appoint a Royal Commission to report upon the effect of such rebates upon the commerce and industry of this country, with special reference to the South African trade.

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the recommendations in question. The Government intend to appoint a Royal Commission to deal with the whole question of rebates, and the South African trade will be included in the scope of the inquiry.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that compulsory education begins at a lower age in England than in any other civilised country; and whether he will consider the desirability, either of amending the existing Law or of recommending to local education authorities that no parent should be prosecuted for keeping his child away from school until the child has attained seven years of age.

I have perused the White Paper recently issued by the Board of Education on this subject. I am not prepared to attempt any legislation on the matter of school attendance for the present at all events. As regards the concluding paragraph of the Question, the authorities have a wide discretion, and I do not think it is desirable, while the Law is as it is to put any pressure upon thorn in the direction suggested.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to the case of E. W. Lemmon, who is being prosecuted for libel in connection with state in outs made in reference to the alleged flogging of children at Luton School, Chatham, a non-provided school; and if he will order an inquiry into the whole circumstances.

My attention has only been called to the case through the hon. Member's Question. So far as the information in the Board's possession enables me to judge, it would scorn that after a preliminary hearing of the case on March 22nd the defendant was bound over to stand his trial at the next Assizes. I have no later information than this, but will endeavour to find out what has happened. It would not be proper or expedient for me to take any action while the case is sub judice.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the West Riding County Council have decided to appeal against the recent decision of the Court of King's Bench as to the payment of teachers' salaries, he can now consent so to amend Clause 10, Sub-section (2), of the Education Bill as to secure the full payment of teachers' salaries by the local education authority in the transition schools created under that clause.

I have no information as to the alleged intention of the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and I see no connection between any appeal they may think fit to lodge against the unanimous decision of the Court of King's Bench and the sub-section of the clause referred to by the hon. Member.

In the event of the West Riding County Council deciding not to appeal will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to secure payment of the arrears of the teachers' salaries, seeing that they are poor men in many cases?

My sympathies are entirely with the teachers. I will do the best I can.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the proviso in the regulations for the instruction and training of pupil teachers, which comes into force on August 1st next, that candidates must be vaccinated except when a parent or guardian has declared a conscientious objection means that a magistrate must have granted a certificate, or that such objection may be declared to the local education authorities irrespective of any action that a magistrate may have seen fit to take.

The Board will not require for the purpose of its registration any declaration before a magistrate, but will be satisfied with a declaration signed by the candidate or when a minor by his parent or guardian, to be countersigned by the local authority's representative and one other responsible person.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether, where extended facilities are demanded under Clause 4 of the Education Bill and are refused, an appeal to the Board of Education would lie in the case of a school about to be transferred under the Act, a school actually transferred and desiring these facilities, or a school coming into existence after the Bill is passed.

I am not sure what the noble Lord means by the phrase "about to be transferred," but there is an appeal on the part of the owners of an existing voluntary school, fulfilling the various conditions of Clause 4, against the refusal of a local authority to agree to a transfer of the schools; and if the Board make an order requiring the transfer of the school to be taken by the authority, the giving of extended facilities under Clause 4 may also be ordered us part of the arrangement thus made by the Board upon the appeal. As regards (2) andr (3) there is no appeal.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can say why the printing of maps six inches to the mile is being carried out at Southampton instead of Dublin, in view of the fact that the work is purely Irish; whether printers were discharged in 1905 from the Ordnance Survey, Dublin, and, if so, how many; if he can state the number of employees under notice of discharge at the Dublin Survey Office; and whether it is intended to abolish the Irish Survey as a productive department, and thereby transfer all the work of production to Southampton.

As a temporary measure some of the six-inch maps of Ireland are being printed at Southampton, as the printing staff in Ireland is at present fully occupied with urgent work for the Land Judge's. Court. One printer was discharged in 1905 owing to the increased output of the motor driven presses, which were introduced in that year. Two young men are under notice of discharge as there is no opportunity for their further advancement and it is not in their own interest to keep them on at boys' duties. There is no intention of transferring all the producing work to Southampton. I may add that the proportion of the total cost of the Survey which is expended in Ireland has risen from 33 per cent, to 43 per cent, in the last five years.

If the printing staff in Dublin is fully occupied how is it there have been recent discharges from that Department?

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends taking any steps to carry out the suggestion of the Commissioners of Lunacy in Scotland, in their last Report, that officers and servants of district asylums in Scotland should be placed in the same position, as regards pensions, as officers and servants in comity and borough asylums in England.

I beg also to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will be able during this session to take the requisite measures to place the officers and servants of the Melrose Lunatic Asylum, and other similar institutions, in the same position as regards superannuation allowances as these employed in England and Ireland.

I regret that I have no alternative but to repeat the Answer given to my hon. friend the Member for Roxburghshire, on 9th April last, † to the effect that I am unable to introduce a Bill conferring the necessary powers this session.

† See (4) Debates, civ., 1002.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that the maximum number of prisoners for whom accommodation is provided in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, is 1,034; that on July 3rd there were no fewer than 1,100 prisoners in that prison, some of whom had been sent there to serve sentences for overcrowding, and that a number or them were placed together, three in a cell, of less than 1,000 feet capacity; and will he say how this accommodation compares with the minimum air space per adult insisted on by the Glasgow Coloration in the worst class of ticketed houses.

The accommodation at Barlinnie is very slightly above the number given by the hon. Member, and a few of the cells have a cubic capacity of 1,784 feet. The situation referred to existed for one night, and fifty prisoners were transferred to Perth on the following day. I am aware that there is a deficiency of prison accommodation in the Glasgow district of the country, and steps are being taken to increase it. In the meantime transfer of prisoners are made as quickly as can be arranged. Already during the present month 150 prisoners have been moved from Barlinnie prison. I have not been able to ascertain the regulations of the Glasgow Corporation about ticketed houses.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that at Glenties, county Donegal, on the 7th instant, 500 people, many of them carrying sticks, assembled at the workhouse and intimidated the guardians into rescinding a resolution passed a month ago voting an increase of salary to the clerk of the union; whether the Local Government Board has sanctioned this increase; and what steps they propose to take in the mutter.

An increase of salary of £20 a year was voted by the Glenties Board of Guardians to the clerk of the Glenties Union on June 5th, and a letter notifying the sanction of the Local Government Board was issued on June 22nd. A deputation of ratepayers attended at the guardians' meeting on the 7th instant to protest against the increase, but it does not appear from the guardians' minutes that any proposal was made to rescind the resolution granting the increase. No necessity, therefore, has arisen for the Local Government Board to take any steps in the matter. I am informed by the police authorities that it is the fact that a large number of ratepayers accompanied the deputation referred to, but their deameanour was quiet and orderly, and no intimidation was used.

On behalf of the hon. Member for East "Wicklow, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether District Inspector Wade, who has recently been transferred from Queenstown to Wicklow, has for the past three years drawn an annual allowance for the wages of a manservant; if so, whether he kept a manservant; during the whole of that time, or did one of the police constables act as servant for him; if so, was the constable paid for such work; and if this is contrary to the regulations.

The reply to the first Inquiry is in the affirmative. The Inspector-General informs me that on three occasions during the period mentioned the district inspector was suddenly left without a groom, whereupon three constables voluntarily fed and watered his horse for a few days until he got a groom. When the matter was brought to the Inspector-General's notice in January last he informed the district inspector that, while he fully appreciated the good feeling shown by the constables, the bettor course would have been to send the horse to a livery stable. The constables were not paid for the work. There is no regulation bearing on this subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that a landlord is frequently allowed to read and profit by correspondence between his tenants and the Estates Commissioners with reference to a proposed sale; will the Commissioners allow tenants, evicted tenants, or other persons having rights under the Land Act of 1903, or their legal or parliamentary representative, to read a landlord's letter affecting them; and, far example, will they allow a reacting of "Colonel Smythe's letter, refusing to sell, for the use of the evicted families, two evicted farms though untenanted

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they exercise their discretion in each particular ease as to the use they make of correspondence which they may receive from landlord or tenant or otherwise. That discretion is not exercised in such a way as to give advantage to either party. The Commissioners do not consider that any good purpose would be served by communicating the reasons stated by Colonel Smythe for not selling the lands referred to in the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the eviction of Patrick McLoughlin by Mr. James Birney from his shop and premises in Ballinamore on June 25th; will he say whether the sheriff was assisted by police on the occasion, and, if so, how many; did the police actually search the various rooms and out offices; is this bailiff's work done by the police with the knowledge or authority of the Government, and was it part of their duty to re-search the premises after the sheriff had departed, having given possession to Mr. Birney; will he say whether, late in the evening of the same day, a gentleman, who had been on the premises during the whole proceedings, walked out by the front door, and can the police explain how this oversight occurred; and will possession be re-given by the sheriff.

I am informed by the police authorities that on the occasion mentioned two policemen, namely, a head constable and a sergeant, accompanied the sub-sheriff at his request for the purpose of protecting him in the execution of the writ of ejectment. The police did not themselves search the premises, but they accompanied the sub-sheriff while he was doing so. It is the duty of the police to afford full protection to the sheriff. After the eviction the sergeant remained at the door of the premises until a crowd had dispersed, and while there a man who had been unobserved by the sheriff came out of the House. The question whether legal possession was given up to the plaintiff by the sheriff is not one in which the police are concerned.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has seen the Return of Emigrants, natives of Ireland, for the month of June, 1906, and the six months ending 30th June, 1906, showing respectively that 2,567 and 21,612 emigrants left the ports of Ireland; can he say how many of these men, women, and children have left their native country never to return; and is he aware of any other country similarly circumstanced whose people leave her shores in such numbers in proportion to population and birth rate; and will this matter, in view of the oft expressed inability of the Government to deal with it, be submitted in any form to the Colonial Conference to sit in 1907.

The figures are as stated in the first part of the Question. The emigrants included in these Returns consist of persons who are understood to be leaving the country with the intention of permanently settling elsewhere. The rate of emigration from Ireland, though still regrettably high, has of late years shown a slight tendency to decrease. During the past ten years the average annual rate of emigration was 8·5 per 1,000 of the population; last year it was 7·0 per 1,000. There is every reason to hope that emigration will be checked still further by ameliorative measures for the relief of congestion and otherwise. I do not think the matter is one which could with advantage be submitted to a Colonial Conference. The percentage of emigration from Ireland to the colonies is small.

On behalf of the right hon. and gallant Member for North Armagh, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can give any information with regard to the Bann drainage.

The Irish Government have thought it desirable to obtain the views upon Sir Alexander Binnie's scheme of a number of authorities and persons locally interested. Replies have been received from the majority of these, and are now under consideration. A valuation of the lands which would be beneficially affected by a drainage scheme has also been ordered. A number of details require consideration before action can be taken. The matter will continue to engage the close attention of the Government, who are fully sensible of its importance.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that Mr. Patrick Haire valued land in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts in the Borrisoknne Union, in the county of Tipperary, and made awards on seven labourers' plots exceeding all previous awards in that union, ranging from thirty-two to thirty-eight years' purchase; for three statute acres he awarded £98, for one statute acre £30 15s., and for one rood and thirty-five-perches £18 15s.; whether, considering that the highest rent that was paid for any of this land was £1 per Irish acre, he will say on what ground such an award was made; what are the qualifications of Mr. Haire as a land valuer; and who appointed him to the office.

I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Patrick Haire, arbitrator of the Local Government Board, when making awards as to the value of the plots of land in the Borrisokane Union in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, called for no sworn evidence in connection with the same, and for the two days he was engaged valuing the plots his expenses were £15 15s.: whether, as dissatisfaction exists amongst the ratepayers with regard to his valuation of the plots and the amount of his expenses, he will take steps to see that an arbitrator with a greater knowledge of land revalues these plots; and whether he will say in what way his expenses were made up, and whether they were sanctioned by the Local Government Board.

I am informed that Mr. Robert Haire recently valued land required for the purposes of the Labourers Acts in the Borrisokane Union, but it is incorrect to say that his awards on seven plots ranged from thirty-two to thirty-eight years' purchase. It would not be possible within the limits of an Answer to-deal in detail with Mr. Haire's different awards and the reasons for them, but I will forward to the hon. Member the observations of the Local Government. Board in the matter. Mr. Haire is a Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, England, and served for a considerable period under the Commissioners of public works. He has had much experience as an arbitrator and has acted in that capacity under the Labourers Acts on several occasions since 1898, and has discharged the duties in a satisfactory manner. He was selected for the post by the Local Government Board. It is the fact that Mr. Haire did not deem it necessary to examine the parties on oath. His fee is the usual one of £3 3s. a day, and the time occupied by his inspections inquiry, correspondence, and making the award in duplicate, was four and one-third days. His expenses in all amounted to £18 11s., of which his fee was £13 13s., and the balance was travelling and other expenses. The arbitrator's account has not yet been passed by the Local Government Board. There is no power to direct a re-valuation.

Is this valuer a permanent official?

I rather gather not.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how many inspectors have visited county Cavan from the Estates and Land Commission with a view of bringing about the restoration of the evicted tenants in that county; how many cases have been dealt with for the six months ending 30th June 1900; how many evicted tenants have been restored to their old homes and how many have been supplied with new farms; and can he say in how many cases the evicted farms are on the landlords' hands.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that two of their inspectors have visited county Cavan for the purpose of making inquiries as to evicted tenants. Twenty-two applications have been referred to these inspectors for inquiry within the last six months, and are being dealt with by them. The Commissioners have received information that nineteen evicted tenants have been reinstated in this county since the passing of the Act; eighteen of those appear to have been restored to their former holdings and one placed, in another holding. According to the applications which have been received, fifty-two evicted holdings in this county are in the landlords' hands.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, as representing the Department of Agriculture, whether reports and statements of accounts showing the profit or loss in connection with their experimental farms in county Cork and elsewhere were published by the Department; and, if not, whether he will furnish hon. Members of this House with copies of such accounts.

The Department of Agriculture do not keep accounts showing, the profit and loss in connection with their experimental farms. These farms are not conducted upon ordinary commercial lines. They were established for the education and training in educational work of the pupils who attend for instruction.

As this Department is supported out of Irish funds they ought to keep proper accounts.