To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the port of Liverpool is amenable to the transhipment regulations specified by the Board of Customs in their general Order, No. 45, of 1898; and, if so, will he say who is responsible, and what are the reasons for allowing relaxations of the regulations which enable the merchants of Liverpool to remove dutiable goods, excepting tobacco and casks of spirits, in open conveyances, without an officer in charge, thereby giving traders privileges which are not enjoyed by the merchants of London, and other approved transhipment ports in the United Kingdom.

( Answered by Mr. McKenna. ) The transhipment regulations prescribed by the Board of Customs are applied generally at Liverpool as at all other approved transhipment ports in the United Kingdom. The great bulk of the goods transhipped at Liverpool are free of duty, the remainder being chiefly low-duty goods and spirits in cases, the contents of which could not easily be tampered with without detection. About ten years ago the Board, after full consideration of all the local conditions at Liverpool, and particularly those relating to the situation, security, and contiguity of the docks, allowed certain relaxations of the regulations under which their local collector was authorised to dispense with the attendance of an officer in charge of the conveyances containing transhipment goods. Under this arrangement the interests of the Revenue have been in no way prejudiced, while business has been facilitated and merchants and shippers relieved of unnecessary expense. Similar relaxations are allowed at other ports where the local conditions afford reasonable security for the protection of the Revenue.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the special allowances of £15 and £7 10s. per annum granted to a section of Customs examining officers, second class, as compensation for retardation of promotion due to departmental reorganisations and other causes, is partially withdrawn when the ordinary salary amounts to £207 10s. and £215 respectively, and is entirely taken away when £220 is reached; that those officers are thus obliged to remain at £220 for three and two years respectively; and whether, having regard to the fact that the promises of more rapid promotion held out in the Goschen Minute of 1891 have not been realised, the Treasury will authorise payment of the special allowances referred to without interruption until the maximum salary of £250 is reached.

( Answered by Mr. McKenna. ) The conditions as to the grant of the allowances referred to are not fully set out in the Question. Under Treasury authority special temporary allowances, not exceeding one or two years' increments, viz., £7 10s. or £15, were granted to certain second class examining officers until their salaries and allowances together should reach £220, the ordinary maximum of their class. At that point they were to "mark time" until a year after their salaries would, in the normal course, have reached £220. The extension to £250 is intended to meet the cases of those officers of good conduct who have failed to obtain promotion to the higher class before reaching their ordinary maximum salary. Since the date when the Goschen Minute of 1891 took effect, the proportion of superior appointments has been increased, and these temporary allowances have been granted. The Board of Customs are of opinion, in which I concur, that the claims of the class have been reasonably met, and that the scale of pay is adequate to the duties performed.

TO ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that it takes a Customs examining officer, second class, nineteen years, under the most favourable circumstances, to proceed from the initial to the maximum salary of his class; can he say whether such a period obtains in any other grade in the Customs or other public Department where the duties performed are of equal importance and responsibility; and whether, seeing that many of those officers had already served from twelve to sixteen years before obtaining the position, and only a small proportion can ever hope for further advancement under existing conditions, the Treasury will take steps, either by increasing the annual increment or giving an immediate advance after having served a certain number of years in the class, so that the maximum salary can be reached in a shorter time.

( Answered by Mr. McKenna. ) I understand that it takes eighteen years for a Customs examining officer, second class, to reach in ordinary course his maximum salary (£250), and that the average previous service of the existing members of the class is eleven years two months. I have already stated the reasons why I do not think the conditions of these officers' service calls for improvement, but I would like to point out that the existing number of the class to-day is 834, and that there are no less than 380 superior posts in the direct line of promotion ( vide my Answer to the hon. Member for Barrow - in - Furness on May 4th last). †

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state what is the latest data as to coal consumption per twenty - four hours continuous running at cruising and full speeds of quadruple and turbine engines on His Majesty's ships of similar displacement and speed; and the relative cost of construction of these types of engines.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) The Admiralty are averse from making any detailed statement at present in regard to the experience hitherto gained as to the working of turbine machinery. Nothing has occurred recently to alter their favourable opinion of this type of machinery.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, on his moving Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates, he will be prepared to make a general statement on the subject of the wages of men employed in the Royal Dockyards, and in particular to deal with the points of the petitions presented by the men to their Lordships.

( Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson. ) I hope to be able to make a statement on this subject of a very general character when Navy Vote 8 is taken.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Chief Superintendent of Telegraphs at Glasgow, notwithstanding his having exceeded the age limit by nearly three years, continues in the service on full pay, while officers in the lower grades at the same office are compulsorily retired at sixty years of age on pension allowances; and whether he will consider the advisability of enforcing retirement at sixty years of age among all grades of the service.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) The rule is that all pensionable officers, of whatever grade, who are not thoroughly efficient, are called upon to retire at sixty; but retirement at sixty is not enforced in the case of officers whose conduct is good and who are certified by their superior officers to be thoroughly efficient. As the Chief Superintendent of Telegraphs at Glasgow was reported to be thoroughly efficient, I decided that, in accordance with the foregoing rule, he might be allowed to remain in the service for the present. I do not consider it advisable to make retirement at sixty years of age compulsory in every case.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the delay in presenting the Report of the Scottish Churches Commission is causing inconvenience, especially owing to the uncertainty as to the allocation of the theological colleges; and whether he can say when the Commission will report.

( Answered by Mr. Sinclair. ) I would refer my hon. friend to the reply given by me on June 13th to a Question put to the Prime Minister by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Inverness Burghs, † which is the latest information at present in my possession. If further information is desired, I shall be glad to endeavour to obtain it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have yet sanctioned the sale of the Morrogh Bernard estate, county Kerry; whether they have dealt with the claims of the evicted tenants on the estate fully; and whether they have arrived at any decision that would have the effect of excluding from the sale the evicted farms at Kilnarovanagh and Faha and thereby prevent the evicted tenants of these farms from being reinstated.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the sale of the estate mentioned has not yet been sanctioned. The sale will be dealt with in order of priority. The applications of the evicted tenants have not been finally dealt with, nor has any decision been arrived at which would have the effect of closing the sales without a full consideration of the cases of these evicted tenants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education have yet arrived at any decision as to the Amendments which they propose to make in the rules affecting the civil rights of teachers; if not, at what time can he make an announcement on the subject; and whether he can see his way to recommend the Commissioners to make the rules in this respect similar to the rules in England, so that Irish teachers will possess equal freedom with teachers in other parts of the Empire.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have amended their rules by removing the prohibition against the attendance of teachers at fairs, markets, and public meetings other than meetings held for political purposes. The amended rules read as follows:—"Rule 89 (a). The attendance of teachers at meetings held for political purposes, or the taking part in elections for Members of Parliament, or for poor law guardians, etc., except by voting, is incompatible with the performance of their duties, and is a violation of rule rendering them liable to withdrawal of salary. Rule 94 (III.). Teachers are required to act in a spirit of obedience to the law and of loyalty to the Sovereign." The Commissioners have also decided that there is no objection to the recognition of a national teacher as a chairman, vice-chairman, or member of the committee of a college for summer courses in Irish.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Dr. Scott, an Inspector of the Board, advised the Blackburn education authority to abolish their pupil teacher centre on the grounds that the local grammar and high school furnish an education possessing superior culture and refinement; whether the Blackburn authority were unable to accept this view, and Dr. Scott then declared that the technical school, in which the centre was held, was an unsuitable building, and that the Board of Education, having determined to abolish pupil teacher centres, must require the local authority to at once proceed to find accommodation for the pupil teachers elsewhere; and whether he will give such instructions as shall preserve that form of professional training which the success of the centre justifies and which the Blackburn authority desire to continue.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) My attention has been called to the case by the hon. Member's Question. So far as I can ascertain, the facts are by no means as stated in the Question: the grounds named by the inspector as pointing to the desirability (not the necessity) of a change of plan were not, I understand, those alleged in the Question; and the decision that the existing buildings were unsuitable had been made and announced quite independently of the question of whether secondary schools are generally speaking desirable places for the education of intending teachers. The Answer to the third paragraph is practically con- tained in my Answer to the hon. Member's previous Question on this subject.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if the promised Amendment to Clause 35 of the Education Bill, dealing with medical inspection, will include a provision authorising local authorities to provide glasses for such children as are found to be of defective eyesight.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) The Amendment which the Government inserted in the clause dealt only with medical inspection, which was made compulsory. The point referred to in the hon. Member's Question would therefore not fall within it, but would come, if at all, within the remainder of paragraph (b) of Clause 35. On this I have to say that I am not prepared to give a general interpretation beforehand as to the various individual matters which would fall within the powers of a local authority under the term "such arrangements as may be sanctioned by the Board of Education pertaining to the health and physical condition of the children educated in the public elementary schools," since the clause throws upon the Board the duty of giving hereafter such sanction as it may think justified by the circumstances of each individual case.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland if he can state why the Estates Commissioners do not, in accordance with the regulations now in force and the decision in the Blake-Foster case, refuse to deem land an estate in every case in which the agreed price exceeds the standard of true value of similar land ascertained by official valuers under former Purchase Acts; and why they sanction prices five years purchase higher than that standard without any economic justification.

( Answered by Mr. Cherry. ) The Estates Commissioners inform me that in administering the Irish Land Act of 1903 they have due regard to the regulations now in force and to the principles laid down in the decision in the Blake Forster case. They are not aware of any such official standard of true value as that alluded to by the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state when further papers on the agreement with Tibet will be laid upon the Table.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley. ) The hon. Member was informed on May 23rd, † in reply to a Question addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as to the Papers which will be presented as soon as the Convention is ratified. The exchange of ratifications may be expected to take place shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the present practice of purchasing Army horses only after they have reached

† See (4) Debates, clvii, 1268.

the age of five years is one which is viewed by British farmers with much disfavour; and whether he will consider the advisability of establishing depots so that horses can be purchased at three years instead. Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) This proposal has been frequently considered, but the large annual expenditure involved has been held to be prohibitive, and there appears to be little likelihood of the difficulty of providing money for the purpose being got over in the near future. I am not aware that the present practice is viewed with great disfavour by British farmers.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what was the number of troops, by arms, despatched to India in units and detachments respectively in the years 1904 and 1905.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The figures for the years ending September, 1904 and 1905, which will be found in the general Annual Reports, are as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for War what battalions are at present serving on short tour; what is the number of the rank and file of each such battalion; and how many men in each battalion are respectively under twenty years of age, and under two years service, and under one year's service.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. )—

To ask the Secretary of State for War what number of private soldiers now actually serving the King will be redundant under the reduction proposed to be made in the artillery and in the rest of the regular forces respectively.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The disposal of the soldiers in the branches affected by the reductions is receiving most careful consideration, and until the details connected with drafts and establishments have been more fully dealt with, I shall be unable to give the figures for which my hon. friend asks.

To ask the Secretary of State for War on what date and what action does he propose taking to give effect to the recommendations as set forth on pages 29 and 30 of the Report of the Committee on Civil Employment of ex-Soldiers and Sailors [Cd. 2991]. Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The recommendations of the Report have been approved in principle by the Army Council, and the measures necessary to carry them into effect are at present under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the deficiency of establishment in the eight battalions of the line which it is intended to disband; and whether any reason other than deficiency of establishment has led to his selection of these battalions for disbandonment.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The regiments were selected in consequence of the difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of recruits in this and past years, and not for any other reason. The battalions selected were those last, raised. The total deficiencies of each regiment are as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for War how he proposes to find employment for field officers of the garrison artillery Militia, seeing that the ammunition column of a brigade of field artillery is commanded by a captain.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) This, with other questions affecting the Militia artillery, is receiving consideration, and I am not at present able to give a reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether in return for the past services of the Lancashire Artillery Militia, covering a period of fifty-three years, and whose records for efficiency have been maintained throughout, although their work has been the most responsible undertaken by garrison artillery, namely, the defences of Portsmouth in the sea forts of Horse-sand, No Man, and Spit, and in lieu of Volunteers being asked to conduct this work under circumstances which cannot suit their periods of drill, he will either allow the Lancashire Artillery to continue the same work or else permit them to be amalgamated with their own off-shoot, the Lancashire Field Artillery Militia.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The Lancashire garrison artillery Militia cannot be treated differently from the other regiments of garrison artillery Militia.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what reduction, if any, in the numbers of officers, non-commissioned officers, gunners, and drivers, respectively, at present on the establishment of the Royal Field Artillery will result owing to the reduction proposed to be made in the Royal Artillery.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The reductions in the establishments of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery referred to, amount to sixty-seven officers and 3,712 other ranks.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, when the regiments now in South Africa, which are to be disbanded, will return home; and by what troops these regiments are to be replaced.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) I regret that I am unable at present to give the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will explain why Corporal Jordan, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who, as quartermaster sergeant, was tried by the district court-martial at Aldershot for statements he made against his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel O'Leary, Commandant of the School of Signalling, and reduced to corporal, has been reinstated into his former rank.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. On the review of the proceedings of this court-martial, the Judge Advocate-General recommended the Secretary of State to quash the proceedings on the ground that the evidence did not justify the conviction. This non-commissioned officer has, consequently, been relieved from all consequences of his trial.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, when the 3rd battalion of the Coldstream Guards will proceed to Egypt, and how long will it remain there.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) The details of this move have not yet been decided.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the number of dismissals of national teachers in Ireland since 1900, the Commissioners of Education can state the reasons assigned for the dismissal of John P. O'Connor, assistant teacher, Kanturk No. 1 School, who was retired in 1904, notwithstanding that he was considered a competent teacher and held a certificate in drawing and music.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. John P. O'Connor was assistant teacher in Kanturk boys' national school from 1st July 1896 to 29th September 1904, when he resigned his position, and was stated to have emigrated. He was not dismissed by the Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are now in possession of information respecting the holdings of the evicted tenants, James Culhane, Ballygraddy, and Mrs. Anne Connell, Coolmahane, both in Kanturk Union, county Cork; and whether the Commissioners will enter into communication with the present occupiers with a view to effecting such a friendly arrangement as may lead to the reinstatement of these evicted tenants.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) The Estates Commissioners have referred the applications lodged by the two persons named to one of their inspectors for inquiry, but his Report in the matter has not yet been received.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at the request of the secretary of the Schoolmistresses' Association, the council of the Royal Dublin Society appointed a subcommittee to inquire into and report on the administration of The Intermediate Education Act, 1881; and will be take steps to ascertain the nature of that report and its recommendations.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state who was responsible for the Royal Society of Dublin dropping their inquiry into the administration of The Intermediate Education Act, 1881.

( Answered by Mr. Bryce. ) I am informed by the Registrar of the Royal Dublin Society that in the year 1897 the Science Committee of that Society, at the instance of one of its members, appointed a sub-committee to consider the provision made by the Board of Intermediate Education for encouraging the teaching of science. In the following year the sub-committee presented a report on the subject, and having done so, its duty was discharged, and it automatically ceased to exist. I understand that the sub-committee's report was published in the Annual Report of the Royal Dublin. Society for the year 1898.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Federated Malay States have purchased a block of shares in the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company; if so, what was the profit on the basis of the award; if, after notice of expropriation was given, the market price remained at $240 why did the Government not buy them; was any effort made to come to terms with the company previous to resorting to the expedient of arbitration; did the company make any offer to dispose of their undertaking for a guaranteed interest of 12 per cent. on the par value of the shares; will he explain why the Colony is to be saddled with a charge representing three times the market value of the shares; had the Colony any voice in the question of the method of purchase; what fees were granted to the arbitrator, umpire, council, and others; and when does he expect to be able to lay Papers recording this transaction.

( Answered by Mr. Churchill. ) Taking the sentences of the hon. Member's Question in order:—(1) and (2). Shares have been purchased at different times by the Government of the Federated Malay States as an investment of surplus funds, but I am not aware of the purchase price in each case and, therefore, I cannot state what the profit will amount to. (3). The market price did not remain at $240, and in any case it would not have been proper for the Government to speculate on the results of the award by making further purchases after notice of expropriation had been given (4). I have answered this Question in my reply to the hon. Member of the 12th instant; (5). I am not aware that such an offer was made; (6) the amount of the award was determined by the umpire; it will be a charge on the assets of the Dock Board; the Ordinance (a copy of which I have already placed in the Library of the House) was passed with only two dissentients, who were directors of the company; (8) in view of the possible taxation of costs I am unable at present to state what expenditure will be entailed upon the Colony in all the cases referred to by the hon. Member; (9) I will expedite the presentation of Papers as much as possible, and I hope that they may be distributed before Parliament is prorogued, but I cannot commit myself to a definite undertaking at present.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state how many applications were made by county councils in each of the years 1903, 1904, and 1905, for the consent of the Board under Section 2 of the Education Act, 1902, to the raising of a rate for purposes of higher education exceeding two pence in the pound; and when, and by what county councils, each of such applications was made, and with what result.

( Answered by Mr. John Burns. ) There were no applications of the kind in 1903 or 1904; but in 1905 two such applications were received from the county councils of Anglesey and Merioneth respectively. In each of these cases I consented to the raising by the county council for the purposes of higher education of a sum not exceeding the amount which would be produced by a rate of three pence in the pound for one year.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board what speed limit he has ordered to be observed by motor omnibuses within the metropolitan area.

( Answered by Mr. John Burns. ) Motor omnibuses within the metropolitan area would usually come within the regulations madeby the Local Government Board with regard to heavy motor cars. The provision as to speed is contained in Article VII. of these regulations, which is as follows:—Article VII. The speed at which a heavy motor car is driven on any highway shall not exceed eight miles an hour. Provided that—(a) if the weight of the heavy motor car unloaded exceeds three tons; or (b) if the registered axle-weight of any axle exceeds six tons; or (c) if the heavy motor car draws a trailer, the speed shall not exceed five miles an hour. Provided also that if the heavy motor car has all its wheels fitted with pneumatic tyres or with tyres made of a soft or elastic material, the speed at which the heavy motor car may be driven on any highway shall not exceed (a) twelve miles an hour where the registered axle-weight of any axle does not exceed six tons; and (b) eight miles an hour where the registered axle-weight of any axle exceeds six tons.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the letters are not delivered at Ardara, County Donegal, on the arrival of the mid-day train; whether he has received memorials from the inhabitants of that town complaining of the delay in the delivery of these letters, and the consequent loss and inconvenience to which they are thereby subjected; and whether he will take steps to secure the speedy delivery of the midday mail in Ardara.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) No applications respecting the delivery at Ardara have reached me, but I have called for a Report on the subject, and on its receipt I will communicate with the hon. Member.

To ask the Postmaster-General if it is intended to further postpone the purchase of the site for the Monaghan post office; and, if so, will he take into consideration the present unsanitary conditions under which the officials perform their duty, and instruct the proper officials to proceed with the purchase of the new site forthwith.

( Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) It is not intended to postpone the purchase of the site longer than is absolutely necessary. Every effort is being made to dispose of certain outstanding legal questions, and I believe there is a good prospect of their being settled soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the bye-laws of the Thames Conservancy, under the Act of 1894, having reference to the Petrolenm Acts of 1871 and 1879, give the Conservancy control over the import only of petroleum spirit, but do not give any control over such spirit when once landed when moved from the landing-place by water, whether up the river or seawards; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone. ) I am aware of the defect of the existing law in the matter referred to, and I hope to deal with it by legislation when I have an opportunity.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to state the decision of the Board with regard to the proposal of the Accrington Education Authority to open the Hyndburn Park School as one large mixed department, though the plans upon which the loan was sanctioned provided for two mixed departments; and, in particular, can he say whether the Board adhere to the view expressed in their letter of 17th May last on the subject.

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) The decision of the Board in this case was sent to the Local Education Authority on the 7th July. I will send the hon. Member a copy of this reply, which will give him the information he desires.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether until the Education Bill now before Parliament becomes law, he will refrain from making any further orders involving expenditure as to improvements, etc., in elementary school buildings; and whether he will authorise the suspension of works not yet carried out, in view of the possibility of the schools thus affected not being effectually taken over by the local authorities?

( Answered by Mr. Birrell. ) I cannot undertake, and it would be improper for me to think of doing so, to refrain from requiring such improvements in school buildings as may be needed for the health of the scholars or for their efficient instruction. But I will arrange that due regard shall be paid to present circumstances in the case of any matters in which some delay would not be prejudicial to the interests of the children involved.

TO ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are many assistant clerks (new class) who are over thirty years of age, and who, despite the fact that they have served for ten or more years in the public service, receive only about 30s. per week; and whether, taking into account the age of the clerks referred to, and to the fact that they have to support life under the conditions consequent upon residence in a large city, he will consider the advisability of raising their pay to the rate of a living wage.

( Answered by Mr. McKenna. ) Even before the scale was improved in July, 1902, assistant clerks of the new class, the limits of age for which are nineteen to twenty-one, reached a salary of £80 per annum after eight years' service. Under the present scale £80 is reached after five years' service. I see no reason for any change.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the statement of the Great Northern Railway of Ireland that their reason for not carrying third-class passengers on their mail trains is in order to obtain the punctual working of the mails, whether he can state if the carrying of third-class passengers dislocates the mail service on any other railway line in Great Britain; whether he is aware that the later train, being a slow train, does not at all meet the requirements of business men; and whether he will cause further inquiry to be made ( Awswered by Mr. Lloyd-George. ) I am unable to say whether on other railways than the Great Northern of Ireland it is found that the carrying of local third class passengers interferes with the punctual working of the mails. I will call the company's attention to the representation with regard to the later train and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the men composing the 3rd Kent (Woolwich Arsenal) Artillery Volunteers will be employed on other than military duties in time of war, it is proposed to disband the corps; and, if so, when will the disbandment take place; and whether the Elswick Volunteer Artillery will be dealt with in the same manner and on the same grounds.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) I am not able at the present moment to make any detailed statements in regard to the Volunteer Artillery.

To ask the Secretary of State for War how firms are selected for tendering for Army supplies; and if he can say whether the Hackford Provision Company, Brixton, have ever got an opportunity of tendering or have at any recent time been contractors for supplies.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) Any firm wishing to tender for Army supplies should write direct to the Secretary, War Office. The company referred to is not known by the War Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is to happen to those officers and men who are at present serving in the battalions which are to be disbanded.

( Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane. ) This question is now under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Sheerness Reserve Division, consisting of three battleships and five cruisers, proceeded into the North Sea for five days quarterly practice on April 23rd last, that by order of the Rear Admiral commanding the division the whole of its one-inch aiming and light quick-firing ammunition was expended in half a day by being fired at towing targets, while in the case of the heavy gun firing only two ships were permitted to use the proper range near the Tongue lightship, the remainder being forced to expend their ammunition in great haste in order to comply with the Admiral's orders as to rejoining the Flag; whether he is further aware that H.M.S. "Vindictive" on this occasion expended the whole of her sixty rounds of six-inch ammunition in ten minutes, using only one broadside for the purpose; whether the use of towing - targets for quarterly practice is not now officially regarded as obsolete; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the responsibility of the Rear Admiral in question for so serious a departure from the regulations and consequent waste of both training and ammunition.

No report has yet been received, but inquiry is being made, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what reserve of heavy guns is maintained by the German Navy for battleships carrying four heavy guns each; and whether the guns in German fortifications generally correspond to the guns on board the ships.

^* : So many Questions have recently been addressed to me on the subject of foreign Navy Estimates, programmes, and policy that I am constrained to ask my hon. friend and other hon. Members to excuse me from making statements on subjects as to which the Board of Admiralty have no official knowledge and can take no responsibility.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the number of natives who have been killed, the number wounded, and the number who have surrendered and are now prisoners of war, in connection with the military operations now being conducted against them by the Colonial forces in South Africa.

The following information has been received from the Governor—Approximate number of natives killed, 3,500; approximate number of natives taken prisoners or who surrendered, including wounded, 2,000. No official record has been kept differentiating between the surrendered and those taken prisoners. The Government has information that a large number of the natives who were wounded in the various fights found their way back to their kraals, and these people were notified through the magistrates of the districts that medical aid will be given if applied for.

But we have been told that the kraals have been destroyed and burnt. How can the wounded find shelter in them?

There is another Question on the Paper, the reply to which deals with that point.

Does not the proportion of the surrendered and wounded to the killed bear out to a very great extent the fears of some hon. Members?

^* : That is a matter of opinion or argument.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to cablegrams reporting the contradiction of the Natal Government of the report that their officers gave orders to the soldiers and native levies that no prisoners were to be taken?

Yes, sir.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to state the number of natives killed after the Mome Valley fight; and will he say if Bambaata's head was cut off and exposed for two days before burial; whether he has any information of the number of prisoners that have been taken during the War in Natal; and whether the Imperial Government are in any way directly represented at the seat of hostilities?

The following telegram has been received this morning from the Governor of Natal in reply to an inquiry addressed to him in consequence of the statement which appeared in the Daily Mail for Monday:—"I have laid your telegrams of July 16th, No. 2, before Ministers, who desire me to send to you following reply. Begins it is not the case that 3,000 natives have been killed in Natal since the Mome fight, as the total number of the killed throughout the whole of the operations is only 3,500, vide return given in your Excellency's telegram, No. 1 of to-day. Government has received no information that the wounded were killed by native levies. It is of course possible that levies away from the observation of the European officers may have killed the badly wounded and it would be quite impossible to prevent it, but the Commandant of Militia is certain that this has not been done during the present rebellion to the same extent as in former times. During the Zulu war it was common knowledge that the British native levies did kill the wounded, and to take one example, at the battle of the Inyazana it it was reported both by Europeans and natives that the greater proportion of the wounded had been killed and that very few if any prisoners were taken. Government has received following report relative to the decapitation of Bambaata:—Begins. It was intimated to the officer commanding the troops that the dead body of Bambaata was lying at the bottom of a gorge about 2,000 feet below the camp, and as it was most essential that it should be ascertained definitely whether Bambaata was really killed or not, Major Platt, Natal Medical Corps, with a number of natives, was sent down to bring up the body for the purposes of identification. On reaching the spot where the body lay it was found to be in an advanced stage of decomposition, and as the natives refused to carry it to camp, decapitation was absolutely necessary to ensure definite identification by responsible persons acquainted with Bambaata. The head was not exhibited but was kept covered and in privacy under an armed guard and was only shown to persons who stated that they knew Bambaata intimately and would be able to recognise him. When the identification was complete and it was proved beyond doubt that the head was that of Bambaata it was returned to the spot and interred with the body." Ends. The statement that the troops gave no quarter is untrue and this is proved by the fact that about 2,000 rebel prisoners as far as can be at the present time ascertained are now in custody. The enemy's wounded have been attended where possible by the medical staff. In some cases the wounded having been attended to were left on the field to be taken care of by their friends. Troops are searching the country but rebels are being given every opportunity to surrender. Burning the kraals has been strictly forbidden except when military exigencies require it.

Barbarous.

The distinction is perfectly clear. Cattle belonging to rebels have been taken by troops on behalf of the Government but not as private loot. The point with regard to the firing of grass is not understood, as this is a common practice throughout the Colony at this time of the year. The officer commanding troops denies absolutely the truth of the allegation that prisoners were shot when breaking up camp. With reference to the third part of the Question, I have already given the information asked for in answering the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil. With reference to the fourth part, Major General Stephenson was with the troops from the middle of May until the middle of June on the nomination of the general officer commanding South-Africa with the object of keeping the latter informed on all matters of military interest.

Having regard to the practical admission by the Under-Secretary that the native levies have been guilty of killing the wounded, I desire to know whether the Imperial Government will bring their influence to bear at once to stop the employment of native levies; and I would ask what further action it is proposed to take in the whole matter, and also whether the Government will lay the Reports of the officer who has been present throughout the war in Natal.

It is quite impossible for me to answer a matter of such importance without notice; it is perfectly obvious it is a matter that can only be decided by the Secretary of State and also by the Cabinet. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am not aware whether we have any Reports in our possession which have been handed in by Major-General Stephenson, but I will inquire and consider whether they are Reports which can be laid on the Table with advantage.

I shall address the Question to the Prime Minister.

Has the Government conveyed any comment upon the manner in which the body of this Zulu chief was treated; do they approve of it, in point of fact, and is it conceivable for a single moment that if this had been a white foe his body would have been so treated.

I am afraid the British Government is not in the best position in regard to the incident of the decapitation of Bambaata, for, as the hon. Gentleman will remember, under the late Administration, after the battle of Omdurman, the Madhi's head was most shamefully decapitated, and I think it is quite obvious that such an evil precedent would be quoted against us by a Colony in reply to any remonstrance we might think it necessary to make. As to whether any protest has been made, I may tell the House that I am informed that the Ministers in Natal and the Governor of Natal were greatly astonished at the statements which were telegraphed out to South Africa after they had appeared in the English papers. As soon as those statements were cabled out, Sir Henry M'Callum at once telegraphed to the Prime Minister as follows:—"I cannot believe that this can be true. If it has been allowed"—that is, the killing of the wounded—"immediate orders must be given for any such practice to stop, and Colonel Mackenzie must give an immediate explanation." The reply of the Ministers of the Natal Government I have already read to the House. I am also informed that the native levies have been kept in the strictest control that was possible, having regard to the broken nature of the country, and that out of thousands of native women who have been involved in the area affected by the operations only one case of assault has been heard of.

I do not understand the parallel which the hon. Gentleman has made. But does he or does he not impute any disgraceful act to the officer concerned in taking these steps for the identification of this man?

No, I do not myself consider—for after all it is a point I have to answer without consultation—that the steps taken by the officer in Natal were half so discreditable to civilisation as the steps that were taken with regard to the Mahdi.

I do not understand condemnation by innuendo. What I desire to know is whether the hon. Member does impute a disgraceful act to this officer. As he has left the matter, a disgraceful imputation is made against him.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, are we now to enter into questions affecting a war of five or six years ago?

^* : I think it would be undesirable to do so. I am afraid the topic was introduced by the Minister who replied.

May I ask whether the Under-Secretary has any information to show at what date the prisoners were taken prisoners, whether before the Mome slaughter or since then?

No, Sir, but I shall be very glad to get information if the hon. Gentleman desires it.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would answer my Question, whether he does impute [MINISTERIAL cries of "Notice"]—no notice was given of the imputation—disgraceful conduct to this officer or not?

I have answered.

The hon. Member has told us that he did not consider the conduct of this officer as bad as the conduct of some other officers. I want to know whether the hon. Member does impute disgraceful conduct to this officer or not.

May I ask the Prime Minister, having regard to the fact that the telegram which has been read excuses and admits the action of the native levies in killing the wounded, what steps, if any, the Government propose to take in the matter?

As far as I followed what my hon. friend read, I did not understand that there was any disposition to excuse or admit such practices. It was said that where native levies were out of the ken and observation of European officers they might resort to practices of that sort, but they had no knowledge of its having been done, and were greatly surprised by the extraordinary telegrams, issuing, I believe, from Johannesburg, which imputed wholesale massacre or ill-treatment of the wounded.

May I ask the Under-Secretary whether he relies upon absolute information within the War Office, or the Colonial Office, that the head of the Khalifa—

I think it would be better not to go back to that again.

Is it not the case that in the Answer read to-day the statement occurs that the killing was not so serious as has been the case formerly, and is that not an indirect excuse for the action that has taken place?

No, it is an expression of regret that the means of restraint had not been more effective.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the accusation was not contained in telegrams from Johannesburg, but in letters from private soldiers who said they had taken part in the butchery, and will the right hon. Gentleman obtain some authentic information on that point?

We cannot inquire into a letter by a private soldier unless we know who he is; but we have made at once the fullest inquiry, and we have received a very full reply already. Any further point that requires elucidation we shall be only too happy to inquire into.

Can the Government give any information as to the method by which these Press telegrams are worked for a political object?

I have a slight suspicion myself, but I cannot say that I am acquainted with the facts. I have nothing to do myself with the manipulation of the Press, and if I were to start to do it I do not know how I should set about it.

Appoint another Royal Commission.

If there was nothing to conceal why was a censorship of the Press established?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can see his way to remit that part of the charge of 3d. in the pound, levied on the remittance home of British seamen's wages from Hamburg and other foreign ports, which is now retained by the British Consuls in those ports.

The matter is now under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can see his way to remit that part of the charge of threepence in the pound levied on the remittance home of British seamen's wages from Hamburg and other foreign ports, which is now retained by the Board of Trade.

The whole question is receiving the careful consideration of the three Departments concerned, namely, the Treasury, the Foreign Office, and the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now received the Consular Report dealing with the labour conditions in the Islands of San Thomé and Principé.

The Answer is in the negative. His Majesty's Consul at Boma has, however, been reminded by telegraph of the desire of His Majesty's Government to be furnished with his Report as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that recently the magistrates of the city of Lincoln granted a vaccination exemption certificate to a parent residing in the county of Lincoln and outside the jurisdiction of the Lincoln city magistrates; and, in view of the difficulty in securing certificates from some benches of magistrates, will any objection be taken by the Local Government Board to certificates being granted by justices other than those acting for the area in which applicants reside.

^* : I beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. My attention has not been called to this case. It appears to me that the proper course for justices is to refuse to deal with applications for certificates when parent and child are resident outside their jurisdiction; but if in such circumstances Justices grant a certificate it is not for me to take objection to it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in making local inquiries in connection with applications for licences, the verification of signatures, the substantiality of sureties and other matters, it is the present custom to employ police constables in uniform; and whether he will consider the possibility of directing that all visits in connection with such matters shall, in future, be made by men in plain clothes.

^* : I am aware of the usual custom referred to. I concur in the opinion of the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police that no change in existing practice could be made without grave inconvenience and that in the great majority of the inquiries referred to there is an advantage in having the officer in uniform. When circumstances indicate a different course as desirable, an officer in plain clothes is sent for the purpose.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now had an opportunity of considering with the Director of Public Prosecutions the question of omitting from future Returns of criminal prosecutions the actual names of acquitted parties.

^* : Yes, Sir; and the Director of Public Prosecutions will omit from future Returns the names of acquitted persons.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trade returns of New Zealand show that since the passing of the Preferential Trade Act, 1903, the value of New Zealand exports to places within the Empire has largely increased while the export of goods to countries without the Empire has diminished; whether he will state the percentage of increase that has taken place in the value of goods exported from the United Kingdom to New Zealand since 1902; and whether he has any information showing the results of the working of preferential relations between the United Kingdom and other Colonies.

The preference accorded by New Zealand to British goods came into operation in November, 1903. A comparison of the statistics for 1903 and 1905 shows that the total exports from New Zealand to places within the Empire increased from £14,166,683 to £14,679,620, or 3½ per cent., while the total exports to places outside the Empire increased from £843,695 to £976,327 or 15¾ per cent. During the same period the exports of British produce from the United Kingdom to New Zealand increased from £6,361,390 to £6,425,793, or 1 per cent. Comparisons, however, between the figures for single years are apt to be somewhat misleading. As regards the last part of the Question, statistics of British exports to other Colonies can be given for a series of years, but (except in the case of Canada) the institution of preference has been too recent to enable any safe inference to be drawn as to its effect on the figures.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the growing trade in torches between Germany and Great Britain; whether he is aware that at a recent demonstration in Birmingham 5,000 German torches were used, and that none of them were marked made in Germany; and whether, as the sale of such articles without such a mark constitutes an infringment of the Trade Marks Act, he can state why these were allowed to be imported, and whether any legal proceedings will follow on their importation.

I have no official information on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, but I should be glad to think that the followers and admirers of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham enjoyed and appreciated for at least one evening the advantages of free trade. I have great doubt if there was any contravention of the Merchandise Marks Acts, but in any case action would be difficult, as I understand that the last particle of evidence as to the nationality of the torches was consumed in the course of the festivities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of suggesting to the promoters of celebrations, such as these, the giving of preference to the Colonies in the matter of such contracts, especially as Canada has enough forests to supply torches to all the country?

Protection has gone to blazes.

Will the Home Secretary offer a reward for the detection of the guilty party?

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the accidents that have recently occurred to motor 'buses, he will take steps to revise the regulations of the Local Government Board, by making it compulsory for every motor 'bus to have an extra emergency brake at the rear of the car under the control of the conductor.

I will give consideration to the suggestion of my hon. friend.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the reduction in the postage on literature for the blind, which he promised in his speech on Post Office Estimates.

I hope to be able to carry out a considerable reduction in the postage on literature for the blind very shortly. A book printed in type for the blind consists of two to three, and sometimes four volumes, for each volume printed in the ordinary type, while the volumes themselves are bulky and heavy. Thus the existing postage rates involve a very serious charge on the blind because of their affliction. I am advised, however, that these reductions cannot be made by Treasury Warrant under the existing Post Office Acts, and that it is necessary for the Porsmaster-General to obtain special powers. I am, therefore, to-day introducing a Bill which will give authority to the Postmaster-General to fix special postal rates in respect of books and papers impressed for the blind, and to make regulations in respect to their transmission by post. I venture to hope that the House will allow me to take the Bill as a non-contentious measure, in order that it may pass through all its stages before the adjournment, so that the proposed reductions can be put into force at an early date. Until the Bill has passed this House, I am afraid I cannot indicate the exact nature of the reductions I propose.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to make arrangements for the sale of postage stamps at the principal railway stations.

Railway companies as a rule are unwilling to sell stamps at their telegraph offices at railway stations; but Messrs. W. H. Smith and Sons have licences for the sale of stamps at all stations where they have bookstalls, and negotiations are in progress with Messrs. Wyman and Sons to the same end.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether facilities will be afforded to the postal employees in Edinburgh and Leith district who are Volunteers, to enable them to attend camp for annual training.

The reply is in the affirmative, so far as the requirements of the postal service will admit.

Have not all applications for leave for camps in July been refused?

I have not heard so; I will inquire.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that school boards and local education authorities under the Act of 1902, acting under the advice and encouragement of the Board of Education, have established with successful results centres for the training of pupil teachers; whether he is aware that inspectors of the Board of Education are now stating that the present policy of the Board involves the closing of such centres, whether suitable or not, and the transference of the pupils to secondary schools during the two years of apprenticeship, such secondary schools being in many instances outside public control, and in some instances denominational in their tendency; and whether, having regard to the desirability of securing distinct professional training, under complete popular control, for pupil teachers, he will take the necessary measures to preserve such centres for the professional training of young teachers, while secondary schools continue to give that general and specialised instruction required by other students.

Before the Act of 1902 school boards having had no power to conduct secondary schools were necessarily restricted to educating their pupil teachers in special classes or centres established solely for that purpose. Some of these have been continued since 1902 by the local education authorities, and some new ones have been established and recognised, usually on a temporary basis, pending the development of a secondary school. The Answer to the second paragraph is in the negative, except where it is manifestly desirable and possible to provide a decidedly better education for the pupil teachers by such a change. In reply to the third paragraph, I can only say that a good general education for these young persons between the ages of sixteen and twenty seems to me, and I believe to all educational experts, a matter of far greater importance than any attempt to develop in them at so early an age any special technical dexterity in handling large classes or other professional specialities, which can only be achieved by stunting their intellectual development at what is perhaps the most important stage of their mental growth.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that an important district in Fetlar is unable to supply itself with fuel, except at great risk to life and limb; and if he will permit an officer of the Congested Districts Board to visit the island and report.

This matter has been before the Congested Districts Board, who in pursuance of their general policy decline to give a grant for the construction of a road into a peat moss. The Board are, however, prepared to send an officer to examine and report upon a bridge which it is understood is required, provided the persons locally responsible ask them to do so and supply requisite information as to the character of the work to be undertaken.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the insanitary condition of the townships in the island of Lewis, as disclosed in Dr. Dithnar's Report, published upwards of a year ago, will he state the result of his application to the Treasury for the funds requisite to improve the sanitary condition of the island.

The subject is still under consideration, and I regret to say that I can at present make no announcement upon it.

I was told that three months ago.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the nature of the arrangements under which landless cottars, who recently seized the Isle of Vatersay, Outer Hebrides, have been allowed to remain.

The island of Vatersay has not been seized by cottars, as stated by the hon. Member, but cattle belonging to cottars have been ferried over by them to the island and left to graze on lands in the occupation of the tenant farmer. I understand that the cattle are still there. I am not aware that any arrangements have been made.

Has not some of the land been taken?

No, Sir, none has been seized.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state on what date the promised Crofters Acts Amendment Bill will be introduced; and in view of the limited time at the disposal of the Government before the House rises, will the Bill be brought in under the ten minute Rule?

I can at present add nothing to the reply given on Wednesday last to my hon. friend. †

I appeal to the Prime Minister— have the Government any honest intention of proceeding with this Bill, or do they intend to allow years to elapse before doing anything? Cannot he infuse any energy into the Scottish Office?

I do not think there is any lack of energy. But this Bill raises larger questions than my hon. friend has any idea of. That is the reason for the delay.

Will it be introduced this year?

I have no other expectations.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can now give the names of the new Members proposed to be added to the Board of Control of the Royal Canal; if not, can he give an assurance that they shall be Irishmen, not nominated or suggested by any railway company, but interested in the preservation and development of the canal for heavy traffic.

The question of filling the two vacancies on the Board of Control of the Royal Canal is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject. There has been no idea of appointing anyone but an Irishman, nor has any nomination or suggestion

†See (4) Debates, clx, 858.

been made by or invited from any railway company. Under the statute regulating the appointment, the persons to be appointed must not be shareholders of the Midland Great Western Railway Company or of any canal or inland navigation in Ireland. In reply to supplementary Questions of which the hon. Member has given me private notice, I beg to say that the Board of Control inform me that it is not the case that the Royal Canal is now in a worse state than ever before. It has been ascertained from the Midland Great Western Railway Company, that a one-horse boat carrying a cargo of from 45 to 50 tons can now be taken from Dublin to Mullingar in three days. Any question as to the action which is being taken by the Canal Commission should be addressed to my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the facts that Colonel Malone's Baronstown estate, Westmeath, was inspected prior to the instructions now in force and not in accordance with them, that the estate comprises three untenanted farms, Cumminstown, Baronstown, and Ballycorkey, and thirty-four tenants of uneconomic holdings, will those farms be distributed among those small tenants and other eligible persons in the neighbourhood; and, if the report before the Estates Commissioners be insufficient for this purpose, will further inquiry or inspection be made before any contrary ruling.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that there are no untenanted farms on that portion of Colonel Malone's estate which has been inspected and declared to be an estate for the purposes of sale. There are, however, two large tenanted farms upon the estate which is being sold, and these are occupied under agreements entered into more than twenty years ago. The Commissioners are considering the amount of the advances to be made for the purchase of these holdings, and do not think it necessary to have any further inquiry or inspection made.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that John Houlihan was evicted from his holding at Morgan's, Barrigone, in the county of Limerick, in the year 1888, by the landlord, Mr. Charles Sands, since deceased; that application for reinstatement was made by him to the Estates Commissioners; that the landlady, Mrs. Mildred Sands, has sold the estate, under the Land Act, 1903, in which the evicted farm is situate; that in the year 1905 she made application to the Estates Commissioners to divide this evicted farm from her other lands adjoining it, with a view to reinstating the evicted tenant; that the Estates Commissioners have as yet done nothing in the matter; and will he say what is the reason for this neglect on their part.

^* : The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received from John Houlihan an application for reinstatement in his former holding. It appears that the holding is occupied by Mrs. Sands, who purchased it and other lands as one holding under the Land Purchase Acts. Mrs. Sands has applied to the Land Commission for liberty to divide the lands so purchased by her with a view to the sale of the divided portions, and the Land Commission has consented to the division of the lands into lots. The Land Commission are not aware that any sale has yet taken place, and no application on the subject has been made by Mrs. Sands to the Estates Commissioners. The Estates Commissioners will favourably consider any application made to them with a view to the reinstatement of Houlihan, and, in any event, inquiry will, in due course, be made into the case by their local inspector.

Will the Estates Commissioners before advancing any money in connection with the sale of the estate by Mrs. Sands see that Houlihan is re-instated?

^* : I have no control over the Estates Commissioners. All I can do is to transmit the wishes expressed by the hon. Member. They have been vested with special control over these matters by Parliament.

When the Act was passed was it not on the understanding that all these evicted tenants should be re-instated?

^* : If so, then that would be a proper matter to bring under the notice of the Estates Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Returns of the number of magistrates appointed in Ireland, dated March 14th, 1905, and March 22nd, 1906, from which it appears that from March, 1902, to March, 1906, 608 appointments to the Commission of the Peace were made, and that of this number 430 were non-Catholic and 178 Catholic; whether, seeing the Catholics number 80 per cent. of the population of Ireland, he can give any reason why the percentage of Catholics appointed to the magistracy and other public appointments are not equal to this proportion of the population, or at least equal to the number of non-Catholic appointments; and will he take steps to have appointed a number of Catholics equal to the non-Catholics who at present hold the Commission of the Peace.

^* : The Returns to which the hon. Member refers show that the numbers of Catholic and non-Catholic magistrates appointed during the periods mentioned are as stated. Nearly all these appointments were made before His Majesty's present Government came into office. As regards the concluding inquiry, the Lord Chancellor informs me that he has been giving the matter careful consideration, and has already signed warrants for the appointment of 107 new county magistrates, of whom seventy-seven are Catholics. Other appointments have been arranged, and the warrants will be issued as soon as certain formalities have been completed.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware if Mr. Wilkinson, recently appointed to a position in the Irish Land Commission, still continues to carry on the business of a land agent, or assistant in a land agent's office; is he aware if Mr. Wilkinson frequently attends at the land agency offices between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; whether, under the rules of the Civil Service, an official is bound to serve in his office between the hours mentioned; and whether, if Mr. Wilkinson is employed in the land agency office, he will order Mr. Wilkinson's services in the Land Commission to be discontinued, and a properly qualified member of the staff promoted to discharge the duties of the position which Mr. Wilkinson now occupies.

^* : I am informed by the Land Commission that it is not the case that Mr. Wilkinson continues to carry on the business of a land agent or assistant in a land agent's office, and that he does not attend at any land agency offices during the hours named. The Commissioners have knowledge that Mr. Wilkinson's time is wholly devoted to their services during official hours.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say out of what land agent's office Mr. Wilkinson came and who recommended him?

^* : I have no knowledge.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Mr. Timothy Donovan, evicted tenant, of Ballynoe, Kanturk Union, county Cork; and whether, in view of the fact that the holding is in the hands of the landlords, Messrs. Barry, of Kanturk, the Commissioners will communicate with them in the hope of effecting a friendly arrangement which may lead to the reinstatement of the evicted tenant.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received from Timothy Donovan an application for reinstatement, and have approached the landlords' agent on the subject, but have not yet received his reply.

Seeing that the land is in the hands of the landlords and there are no legal difficulties to overcome, cannot the Commissioners expedite matters?

They are doing all they can in that direction; but it is not possible for all tenants to be reinstated in their former holdings, and in those cases efforts are made to find other holdings for them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of cases of attacks upon persons and property, malicious damage, boycotting, intimidation, and threatening letters reported to the constabulary in Ireland during the six months ended June 30th last; and the number of convictions obtained in respect of these offences.

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that it was not possible to compile the required information in the short time since this Question was put down. If the hon. Member should think fit to renew the Question after a few days I shall be prepared to answer it.

I will repeat the Question in a few days.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the County Council of Kilkenny and the Corporation of Kilkenny have agreed to jointly contribute the cost of rebuilding St. John's Bridge in Kilkenny city, but through an unforeseen defect in the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, they cannot do so; whether as the work in question would be one of public utility to the city, and county of Kilkenny and the adjoining counties, and further because of the employment its reconstruction would afford for unemployed artisans and labourers in Kilkenny during next winter, he will endeavour to induce the Government to afford the time necessary to pass into Law the Bill now before the House to remedy this defect.

It is, I understand, the fact that the Kilkenny County Council and the Kilkenny Urban District Council have agreed to contribute jointly the cost of rebuilding the bridge referred to, and it is also the case that there is no provision in the Local Government (Ireland) Act enabling them to make a joint contribution for the purpose. The proposed work would certainly be one of public utility, but it is questionable whether the matter is of vital importance, having regard to the many competing claims upon the time of the House. The question, however, of affording facilities for the Bill is for my right hon. friend the Prime Minister, to whom I will represent the circumstances, together with any other considerations which the Hon. Member may desire to bring to notice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the scenes of disorder at Drumkeerin, county Leitrim, arising out of a boycot of Charles Brady, of Druminafinlo, who is in occupation of an evicted farm; whether he is aware that Brady has been obliged to purchase food for his family in places twenty miles and more from his home, that on Saturday, July 7th, he was assailed by a crowd of persons who destroyed his provisions, that the police who came to the rescue were attacked with sticks and stones, and a head constable seriously wounded; and what steps are being taken to restore order and respect for the Law in this district.

The case referred to appears to be that of Thomas Brady, estate bailiff, who acts as caretaker of three farms from which evictions recently took place. Brady is not himself the tenant of an evicted farm. The occurrence of July 7th is the subject of a pending prosecution against several persons, and it would be undesirable to make a statement upon it while those proceedings are sub judice. The head constable was assaulted, but it is not the case that he was seriously wounded. The local police force has been strengthened, and the necessary steps are being taken for the preservation of the peace.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received copies of resolutions from the Limerick and Glin district councils showing the reasons why the financial provisions of the Labourers (Ireland) Bill ought to be made retrospective as regards the repayment of outstanding loans borrowed for the purposes of the Acts; and, if so, will he say whether it is the intention of the Government to have them made retrospective.

Resolutions to the effect stated have been received. The intentions of the Government will be stated when the Bill reaches the Report stage.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the expenses charged to the rural district council of Kilmallock, in the county of Limerick, by the Local Government Board, in connection with their application for a Provisional Order, made in November 1905, in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, amounted to £101 10s. 6d.; and, if so, in what way were these expenses incurred by the Board; and whether, in the event of the Labourers (Ireland) Bill becoming law, the scale of expenses of the inspector and Local Government Board in the making of Provisional Orders will be reduced.

The expenses of this inquiry, amounting to £101 10s. 6d., were made up as follows: Advertising the inquiry, £7 10s. 0d.; shorthand writing. £78 13s. 9d.; law costs for preparation of of order, £10 10s. 9d; publication of order, £4 16s. 0d. One of the objects of the Bill at present before Parliament is to cheapen the procedure under the Labourers Acts, but it is to be noted that the Board do not charge the local authorities with the salary or expenses of the inspectors, or with the expenses of the Board except the actual legal, reporting, and advertising expenses.

I beg the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether in the event of the Labourers (Ireland) Bill becoming Law the arbitrator appointed in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts will be paid a fixed salary or by the job; and, if in the latter case, whether his fees will be fixed.

The appointment and remuneration of arbitrators will be fully considered by the Local Government Board when framing the general rules for carrying the Labourers Acts into effect, as provided by Clause 25 of the Bill at present before Parliament. It would at present be premature to make a statement in the matter. Every effort will be made to get the work done as cheaply as possible consistent with efficiency.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say what has been the result of the inquiries of the Land Commission into the matter of Mr. Lionel Croasdale, a Commissioner whose term of office has expired, and now valuing land for the landlords, sending an official postcard of the Land Commission to a Mr. Richard Sheehy, a tenant in the county of Limerick, who was going into court to have a fair rent fixed, and notifying him that he was to inspect the holding and asking him to meet him, and which led Mr. Sheehy into the belief that he was still a Commissioner; and whether the Land Commission approve of Mr. Croasdale's conduct in the matter?

I am informed by the Land Commission that Mr. Croasdale, late assistant Commissioner, admits that, after his term of office had expired, he used an official form of postcard notifying his intention of inspecting the holding referred to. Mr. Croasdale points out that his postcard indicated that his inspection was to be on behalf of the landlord, and that before he visited the holding he explained to the tenant the capacity in which he stood. The Commissioners, however consider, that Mr. Croasdale's use of the postcard was unwarranted.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will insert a clause in the Labourers (Ireland) Bill providing that the inspector of the Local Government Board when holding a local inquiry in connection with the Labourers Acts, shall not require the attendance of the medical officers of health in the different unions in Ireland, when they are obliged to give evidence in connection with schemes under these Acts at local inquiries, beyond the first day of the inquiry, with a view of saving expense to the ratepayers.

In the opinion of the Local Government Board the suggestion contained in the Question would only be practicable in the case of small schemes, the inquiries into which will last but a couple of days or so. In the case of large schemes, it has been found necessary to arrange beforehand the days on which the cases in certain specified electoral divisions will be heard at the inquiry, so that the solicitors, medical officers, and witnesses may know definitely when their attendance will be required; and this system seems to have generally met the convenience of all parties. But if an inquiry is to last a week or ten days the giving of all the medical evidence on the opening day would necessitate the attendance on that day of all witnesses wishing to challenge doctor's reports, and of all solicitors intending to cross-examine medical officers. The suggestion, therefore, while perhaps effecting a trifling economy in one direction, would increase expense in other directions and tend to introduce confusion into the inquiry. Where the council are desirous of an inquiry being arranged with a certain order of procedure, an inspector is always prepared to give due weight to any representations made to him in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and, if so, what action has been taken by the Commissioners of National Education with a view to recognising the employment of extern teachers, and the necessity, in making new appointments of teachers in Irish-speaking districts, of requiring such teachers to have an oral knowledge of Irish.

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that they have adopted the following rules:—"Qualified extern teachers may be recognised in national schools with the approval of the Commissioners to give instruction in certain subjects of the programme in which the ordinary teachers are not qualified." "In the case of new appointments to schools in Irish-speaking districts, the teachers are required to have an oral knowledge of Irish."

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Land Commission are landlords of certain lands of Kilkeasy, in the county of Kilkenny, held by fifteen tenants; that up to 1893 these lands were held from the Irish Land Commission by middlemen; that in consequence of the non-payment of rent by these middlemen they were ejected by the Land Commission in 1893; that a representative of the Land Commission then induced some of the occupying tenants to sign agreements to become tenants to the Land Commission at a rent which was nearly three times the rent previously payable to the Land Commission by the middlemen; that these tenants got an undertaking from the representative of the Irish Land Commission, before signing such agreements, that the Land Commission would sell to them under the Land Purchase Acts at 16½ years' purchase of the rent so agreed on, and that the purchase agreements would be sent to them for signature; and will he say why this arrangement has not hitherto been carried out, and whether the Land Commission will now have effect given to it.

I am informed by the Land Commission that the lands referred to consist of Church Temporalities property, of which they are the owners. The middlemen's interest in these lands was determined in the year 1898 by an ejectment for non-payment of rent. On that occasion the occupying tenants were not dispossessed; but they attorned, in accordance with the statute, and became tenants to the Land Commission at the rents at which they then held their holdings, most of which were judicial rents. The Land Commission have no record that any such undertaking as is referred to in the Question was given.

But the tenants have a record.

Then let them bring the facts before the Land Commission.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care they are not evicted before they have an opportunity of doing so?

I apprehend there will be no difficulty raised about that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have appointed up to the present only one inspector for duty in the county of Cork; and whether, in view of the size of that county, its large agricultural population, and the considerable number of evicted farms and of estates containing untenanted grass land, the Commissioners are prepared to arrange for the appointment of a sufficient number of inspectors to deal with the large amount of business to be dealt with under the Act of 1903.

As I have stated in reply to previous Questions, the number of assistant inspectors specially appointed for the purpose of inquiring into the cases of evicted tenants is six. The Estates Commissioners inform me that one of these assistant inspectors has been assigned to county Cork. The Commissioners make the best use of the staff at their disposal, but obviously, it will take some time to inquire into the cases of all evicted tenants who have sent in applications. The Commissioners will arrange for the inspection, by their ordinary staff of inspectors, of all untenanted land offered for sale to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present rate of progress it will take half a century to reinstate all the tenants, of whom there are 487 in the county of Cork?

I hope that will not be the case. I am told they are now progressing much more rapidly.

Is not the delay largely due to the unwillingness of the landlords to co-operate with the Estates Commissioners?

That is undoubtedly so in some cases, but it must not be taken to be universal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although there are over 300 evicted tenants in county Limerick no inspector has been sent there?

The inspector is finishing his work in county Clare, and I hope he will soon be able to pass into Limerick.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the terms of reference of the Commission appointed to inquire into congestion, he will expand the terms so as to expressly include all uneconomic agricultural holdings and all untenanted land; will he arrange that those responsible for the present inflation of prices shall not have a majority on the Commission; and will the Commission be required to report within the present year; and if not, will he persist in setting up the Commission.

Such an expansion of the terms of reference as is suggested in the Question would so greatly enlarge the scope of the Commission as to involve a great prolongation of its labours. The question of untenanted land will, however, be fully considered in its relations to the problem of congestion. I do not know who are intended in the Question as the persons responsible for the present inflation of prices. The Commission will, it is hoped, report at the earliest date at which it can do so consistently with the proper consideration of the matters referred to it.

IS the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of people are bitterly disappointed with the terms of reference?

No, Sir. On the contrary, I think the Commission has given every satisfaction in Ireland.

To emphasise its character will the right hon. Gentleman add Lord Dunraven and Lord Clanricarde?

And Ginnell too.

[No Answer was returned.]

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland has recently issued a special order requiring that every medical practitioner qualified after the 1st May, 1906, who may seek any appointment, either temporary or permanent, in the Poor Law medical service shall produce a special certificate of proficiency in vaccination, which must be obtained from three selected medical men in the whole of Ireland, one each in Dublin, Cork, and Belfast; whether, seeing that the different universities and licensing corporations accept as sufficient certificates of instruction in vaccination granted to medical students by the public vaccinators in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast, and that neither of the doctors selected in Cork and Belfast is a public vaccinator, will he explain why the certificates of instruction in vaccination, issued by dispensing medical officers (who are the responsible public vaccinators in Ireland), are not sufficient for the requirements of the Local Government Board; and whether he will cause the new order to be withdrawn or so modified as to allow of the certificates of public vaccinators being accepted in future.