To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state approximately what proportion of the total cost of a first-class battleship, of the "Dreadnought" or "King Edward" classes, is represented by wages paid to workmen employed in the building operations and in producing the necessary material. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) No accurate calculation is possible, but as I have already stated in reply to a Question asked by the hon. Member for King's Lynn on March 7th, there is reason to believe that the proportion of the total cost of a battleship which represents wages is well over 70 per cent.

To.ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the name of the clergyman resident abroad in respect of whom a sum of £10 is to be repaid to the Civil Contingencies fund for stamp duties on.Letters Patent conferring on him a degree; and will he state the character of the degree. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The name as the Reverend Herbert Udny Weit-brecht, the degree that of Doctor in Divinity.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, seeing that a sum of £367 4s. is placed on the Civil Service Supplementary Estimates under Class 7 as repayments to the Civil Contingencies Fund in respect of stamp duties payable on Letters Patent conferring knighthood on twelve persons resident abroad, will he state whether these gentlemen are British subjects; and, if so, will he explain why they are not required to pay their respective portions of the stamp duties. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) All the persons in question are believed to be British subjects. If they had been resident in the United Kingdom they would have received knighthood personally at the hands of the Sovereign, and Letters Patent would not have been necessary. In these circumstances they were relieved from the duties on the Letters Patent according to the usual practice in such cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the saving that will be effected by the reduction of the forces decided upon, he will now have sufficient funds to enable him to proceed with the erection of the new barracks at Norwich. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Will the hon. Member kindly refer to my reply to a Question on this subject put by the noble Lord the hon. Member for Maidstone on Monday, 30th instant? †

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of the firms which recently tendered for the painting, &c, of various barracks in northern districts are regarded by the organisations of workmen as firms which do not conform to the established conditions of work and wages in the trade; and whether he takes any steps to ensure that firms doing work for his department do not repudiate the accredited representatives of the workmen and recognise the trade customs and wages obtaining in the particular trade and district. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Such contracts contain the usual provision that the wages paid in executing them shall be those generally accepted as current in each trade for competent workmen in the district where the work is carried out. Any specific representation that this clause is being infringed will be duly inquired into.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Tibet Convention between His Majesty's Government and the Government of China, which was signed at Pekin on April 27th, has been ratified, and will be laid upon the Table before the adjournment of the House. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The Convention was ratified on the 23rd instant, and will be laid before the House almost immediately

† See col. 449.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a collision which occurred in Golden Lane, E.G., on May 1st, 1906, between a motor car belonging to the Marquis de Jacome Correa, of the Portuguese Legation, and driven by the Marquis' chauffeur, Emile Brouard, and a bicycle belonging to and ridden by Mr. F. Broomfield, of 8, Boundary Road, Walthamstow, whereby Mr. Broomfield was seriously injured and his bicycle damaged by the negligent driving, as Mr. Broom-field alleges, of the Marquis' motor car; and whether, inasmuch as both the Marquis and his chauffeur are protected by their diplomatic immunity from proceedings being taken against them in the English courts, but it is competent to the Marquis to waive this immunity as regards his chauffeur, the Secretary of State will represent to the Portuguese Legation the propriety of waiving this immunity to this extent, so as to enable Mr. Broomfield to sue the chauffeur for damages for negligence. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The facts stated in the Question are being brought to the notice of the Portuguese Minister. But as the matter is one of diplomatic privilege recognised both here and abroad, no other action can be taken by His Majesty's Government.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why the allowances to officers in Northern Nigeria have been reduced from 5s. per diem to 4s., although it is stated in a G. S. O. that an allowance of 5s. per diem would be temporarily issued until permanent buildings were made, and these buildings have not yet been erected. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The system of giving a daily allowance, in addition to salary, to civil and military officers was adopted in 1900 on the establishment of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, and was an extension to civilians of the arrangement under which the officers of the military force previously in occupation of the country had been regarded as on service t"In the field;" and had been allowed 5s. a day as "field allowance."the conditions of the grant were laid down as follows—Permanent houses have not yet been built in Northern. Nigeria for the accommodation of Government officers, who will at first have to live in temporary wooden houses sent out from this country; and, in view of the inconvenience to which they will thus be exposed, and of the comparatively high cost of living under the existing conditions in Northern Nigeria, a "local allowance" of 5s. a day will for the present be paid to officers for each day of residential service, but this arrangement, will be subject to revision when the present conditions in these respects are improved, and officers are provided with permanent quarters. Large sums have been expended in successive years on the building of houses for the European staff, and the sending out of temporary wooden houses has been discontinued. As regards. Lokoja and Zungeru, the two chief centres of administration, Sir Frederick Lugard considered no further houses necessary last year, and in the current year has asked for and obtained sanction to only one building of importance. In the more distant stations the erection of permanent quarters is making steady progress. The-allowance of 5s. a day has always been, understood to be temporary, and the conditions quoted above are taken from the "general conditions of service," which are liable to alteration from time to time as circumstances require. It has been felt for some time that the circumstances of Northern Nigeria were now such as to admit of officers working there being treated less as though they were on service "In the field," and more like officers holding similar positions in the other West African Colonies, and it has accordingly been decided to take steps for the gradual abolition of the allowance in question.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will cause Mr. Cecil Bisset to be informed of the grounds on which he was dismissed from Kroonstad, of the reasons for the refusal of his application for compensation; and also, whether Mr. Bisset's affidavits referred to, in the letter addressed to him by Mr. C, Grant, R.M., from the office of the. Resident Magistrate, Kroonstad, O.R.C., on May 19th, 1903, have yet been found. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) With regard to the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to my Answer of June 28th, † which Mr. Bisset has no doubt seen. With regard to the affidavits, inquiry shall be made.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will obtain and lay upon the Table of the House Reports on the Government farms at Nairobi and Naivach in the East Africa Protectorate, in continuation of Africa, No. 4, 1905. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) An expert is proceeding to the Protectorate at the beginning of September to inquire into and report on agricultural matters generally, and, in the circumstances, the Secretary of State does not consider it necessary to call for separate Reports on the Government farms at Nairobi and Naivasha.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have received any representations from the Governments of any self-governing Colony relative to the question of granting a constitution to the Orange River Colony; and whether any suggestion has been received from any Colonial Government that the question should not be determined except after discussion by a colonial conference. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The answer to both Questions is in the negative; but if it be the pleasure of the House I will make a statement upon the constitutional questions in South Africa to the Supply Committee after Question time.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of white adult males in the Transvaal; of the total number how many are British subjects, and how many are not British subjects; of the total

† See (4) Debates, ciix., 1112–3

number of British subjects how many are of British birth, and not of British birth respectively; and of the total of those not of British birth, though British subjects, how many are Boers, and how many belong to other races. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) There is no reliable estimate for bringing the figures of the Census of April, 1904, up to date. The total number of adult male British subjects at that date is given as 91,484. The Census does not provide the means of answering the other points raised in. the Question.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the required guarantee has been: given by the Tullamore (No. 1) Rural District Council in connection with the proposed telegraphic service between Tullamore and Killeigh, King's County; and can he say what steps are being taken to carry out the work. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The deed of guarantee is being prepared for execution. The work will be carried out as soon as possible when the deed is executed.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the offer of appointments in the Central Telegraph Office to female learners at Belfast, it is proposed to give, on the acceptance of such appointments, an immediate increase in pay to compensate for the cost of living in lodgings in London, as compared with living at home in Belfast; and, if so, what would be the amount of such: increase. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) No,. Sir; it would not be practicable to grant, such an allowance.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can now give any information as to the working of the Local Government Board Order of May, 1905, respecting the co-operation of boards of guardians in the work of providing food for children in attendance at public elementary schools, suffering from lack of food. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Local Government Board obtained from their inspectors some information on this subject in March last, from which it appeared that in some populous districts, such as the large Lancashire and Yorkshire unions, a good deal of work has been done under the Order, but that elsewhere the cases relieved under the Order had not been very numerous. In the Eastern Counties no relief under the Order had been found necessary, except at Norwich. In Birmingham, shortly after the Order came into force, the guardians wore informed by the local education committee that there were 2,600 underfed children in the parish, and that they were being supplied with free meals. Numerous applications were made by the head teachers to the relieving officers on behalf of children under their care, but when inquiries were made as to the circumstances of the parents of these children, it was found that in many cases the guardians would not be justified in granting relief under the Order. The largest number of children on any one day to whom meals have been supplied by the guardians under the Order was 482. At Bristol the guardians made arrangements with the local education authority to obtain the assistance of a local society interested in the welfare of children. The first list sent in by the teachers specified seventy-four children as being underfed by reason of parental neglect, but inquiry by the relieving officers showed that only in one case would the guardians be justified in giving relief. Up to the end of January the names of fifty-five children were submitted as coming within the Order, but in only eleven cases was relief given. Thus out of 129 applications only in twelve instances did the guardians feel justified in giving relief. In Cheshire, Salop, etc., twenty-seven cases were relieved, viz., two at Birkenhead, three at Bucklow, eight at Congleton, four at Stoke-on-Trent, and ten at Wolstanton and Burslem, In several unions, however, voluntary funds were started, and thus children were relieved and kept off the rates. At Derby there were 127 applica- tions, and seventeen children were found to be underfed. In Nottingham there were 107 applications and fifty-one relieved. In Leicester there were over 400 applications, but in no case was relief found to be necessary. In the township of Manchester 120 cases were relieved, about 380 in Chorlton, and many in Prestwich. The operation of the Order in Lancashire was mainly restricted to the neighbourhood of Manchester and Bolton. As regards the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire, there were 2,586 cases in Bradford, 375 parents of 1,073 children were notified that relief was given on loan, and fifty parents were proceeded against fox—recovevy of the cost. Of the 2,586 cases, 1,513 were fed by the guardians on behalf of the education authority who administered a fund raised by the Mayor. In Leeds 500 cases were fed at the cost of a voluntary fund. 110 cases were fed at first in Hunslet, but the number was afterwards reduced to thirty. In Bramley the guardians fed 291, and a voluntary fund 2,523 cases. In London, generally speaking, very few cases were relieved under the Order, but in some ordinary poor relief was granted, and in others food was provided by school children's meals associations from moneys voluntarily contributed.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state approximately the comparative annual cost per child, including charges on capital account and maintenance in each of the several classes of institution known as barrack schools, village communities, scattered homes, and boarding out, provided under the Poor Laws; is he aware that the Hornchurch village community cost £190 per bed to build, and the Sidcup village community £280 to build per bed provided; and can he give the cost per bed of other village communities. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I am sorry that I am not able to give the particulars desired.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the ultimate purchase by the local authorities within the period fixed by Parliament, in pursuance of the powers given him under the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation Acts granted by Parliament to companies in the administrative county of London, he will appoint as auditor of the accounts of such undertakings the auditor of the Local Government Board, who already audits the electric lighting accounts of the boroughs holding Orders within such area; or whether he will take steps to assimilate the two systems of audit in order to secure a uniform and reliable basis of comparison. (Answered by Mr. Kearley.) So long as an electric lighting undertaking is carried on by a company, I do not consider that any advantage would be gained by making the accounts of the undertaking subject to a Local Government Board audit. The latter part of my hon. friend's Question seems to suggest that the forms of account prescribed by the Board of Trade require alteration. Those forms were settled after consultation with competent authorities, and the Board of Trade have not received any representations that they are in any way defective.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the Return of hours worked by railway men in March last, and called for in April, will be published; and whether he can facilitate the publishing of such Return. (Answered by Mr. Kearley.) No Return of hours worked by railway men in the month of March has been called for, though a Return for certain classes of signalmen of hours worked in February was asked for in May. Many of the railway companies have forwarded their statements to the Department, and I hope that this Return will be published with no undue delay. A Return of the hours worked by enginemen, guards and brakesmen, signalmen and examiners during the present month is now being called for.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Return of Accidents on Railways for the year 1905 has not yet been published and whether he can indicate as to when it is likely to be published, and the reason of it being later than usual; and whether he can facilitate the issuing of these Returns. (Answered by Mr. Kearley.) Quarterly Returns of accidents on railways are issued, and the total number of accidents in 1905 to passengers, railway servants, and other persons is given in the Return for the last quarter of the year which was published in April last. Since 1903 the detailed Annual Returns of Railway Accidents have been published together with the General Report on Railway Accidents. The Report for 1905 is now nearly completed, and will, I hope, be issued very shortly.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to whom the beach below high-water mark belongs, between Blairmore and Innellan on the Firth of Clyde, to whom belongs the right of removing gravel therefrom; whether any private proprietors have this right; and, if so, who are they. (Answered by Mr. Kearley.) At least half of the foreshore in question is under the management of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. I have no information as to what rights are exercised over that part of the foreshore. The remaining part of the foreshore is under the management of the Board of Trade, who have conveyed or leased portions thereof to adjoining owners. I am not able to give the names of all the present owners or lessees. They are subject to covenants not to do any act which may obstruct navigation or be injurious to the public interest. Generally the removal of gravel is subject to the control of the Board of Trade. If the hon. Member could make it convenient to call at the office of the Board of Trade further particulars can be supplied.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any, and, if so, what steps have been taken to ascertain whether the system of lotteries, practised by the proprietors of newspapers, by which money prizes are given for the chance finding of a number or numbers on tickets or otherwise is illegal. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) A case has been stated for the opinion of the High Court in connection with a matter which legally stands on a similar footing, but it is very doubtful whether this case will be heard during the present sittings of the Courts.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to the Return of the nature and amount of the securities held by the National Debt Commissioners to meet the liabilities of the Post Office Savings Bank, if he will state the actual cost and the present market value of the securities. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Return referred to by the hon. Member is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 9 (2) of the Savings Banks Act, 1904, and purposely excludes a valuation of the securities held in respect of the Post Office Savings Bank which was held by the Select Committee of 1902 to be misleading. To state the actual cost and present market value of the securities would therefore tend to defeat the intention of the statute in question.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to Section 6 of the Savings Bank Act, 1861, whether the funds in the possession of the National Debt Commissioners, being the sums invested by them in trustee securities under that Act, are at the present time sufficient to meet the lawful claims of the depositors; if not, what is the amount of the deficiency; and, if a deficiency exists, whether, in accordance with the Act referred to, it will be certified to Parliament. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Post Office Savings Banks Fund does suffice, and always has sufficed, to meet the actual claims of the depositors. In the event of any deficiency having to be made good by an issue out of the Consolidated Fund, the amount of such deficiency would be duly certified to Parliament as the Act requires.

To ask the hon. Member for East Bristol, as Church Estates Commissioner, how many of the fifty-seven licensed houses on the estates of the Ecclesiastical Commissionersin Lancashire were either leased for the first time or by way of renewal during the past ten years; where such houses are situate; and what inquiries, if any, were made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners as to the needs of the neighbourhoods before granting or regranting the lease or leases concerned. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The number is two, and both were renewals. The Commissioners were satisfied from their acquaintance with the circumstances of the estates and the districts that in. neither case was there sufficient ground, for refusing a renewal.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can state who are the trustees of the fund of £ 10,000 given by Mr. Bourke Cochran for the benefit of Sligo, his native place; whether the trust being for a public object is one which, as Attorney-General, it would come within his duty to supervise; and whether, as it appears that the entire trust fund has been lost, he will take any steps to have an investigation of the application of the money by the trustees. (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) I am not aware that there are, or ever were, any trustees of the sum mentioned in the Question, or that a deed of trust of any kind was executed by Mr. Bourke Cochran, who appears merely to have-invested the sum of £10,000 in an industry connected with the town of Sligo, with the laudable object of benefiting his native place. It is no part of my duty to supervise that gentleman's investments, nor have I any right to inquire into them with a view to ascertaining whether they have been remunerative or not.

To ask the hon. Member for south Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he will state the number of cases of sheep scab notified in the county of Gloucester during the twelve months ending February 1st, 1906. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Four outbreaks of sheep scab have been reported in the county of Gloucester during the period named.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the case in which a Belfast merchant has been fined £200 for blending, at his own premises, patent spirit with pot-still whisky; whether a similar practice is regularly carried on an the bonded warehouses under the supervision of the Inland Revenue officials, and the mixture so compounded retailed to consumers as pot-still whisky; and can he say what steps he proposes taking to prevent such fraud upon the public. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Wicklow yesterday.†

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state, for the financial year 1905–6, the.amount of car fares and subsistence allowances specially charged by resident magistrates in Ireland for special conferences with district inspectors of police regarding cases in which the latter are prosecuting on behalf of the Crown and the former adjudicating thereon; and what steps he proposes to take in this.matter. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The resident magistrates' accounts for the year 1905–6 are at present at the Audit Office for examination. I am, however, informed that practically no expense is incurred by resident magistrates upon conferences with district inspectors. In the few Cases, if any, in which such conferences

† See Col. 413.

may occur, the usual course would be for the district inspector to wait on the resident magistrate and not vice versa.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the amount of subsistence allowance for 1905–6 charged while at Bangor by the resident magistrate of Portadown; and, seeing that many of the places at which this resident magistrate presided, while staying at Bangor, were as easy of access from Portadown as from Bangor, whether he will give instructions that in future subsistence allowance is to be disallowed in such cases and in all similar cases throughout Ireland. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) As the resident magistrates' accounts for the year 1905–6 are at present at the Audit Office for audit I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question. The hon. Member may, however, rely upon the fact that these accounts are closely scrutinised, not only by the Financial Department of the Chief Secretary's Office, but also by the Controller and Auditor-General.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the amount of car-hire for 1905–6 paid to the revising barrister who sat at Newry, for journeys to and from Warrenpoint; and whether, seeing that there is good hotel accommodation in Newry, and that no official business was to be transacted at Warrenpoint, he will give instructions that in future such charges are to be disallowed, and also similar charges throughout Ireland. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The amount paid in 1905–6 was £6 5s. The revising barrister explains that he did not consider that any extra expense was entailed by working the district from Warrenpoint, as compared with the cost of changing his quarters from place to place. Similar charges will not be allowed in future unless under very exceptional circumstances.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Government has directed its attention to the circumstance that the increase of tuberculosis in Ireland has followed on the increased use of low-class American bacon, believed by many people to be the flesh of tuberculous swine; whether, as there is no Government inspection of possibly tuberculous meat at the ports of entry, he will consider the advisability of issuing a circular to the various public health authorities in Ireland, calling their attention to the danger to health arising from the consumption of meat infected with the bacilli of tuberculosis and the necessity for vigilance of their inspectors in preventing unsound meat from being exposed for sale. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The entire question of the importation of food, which affects the United Kingdom generally, has been under the consideration of the Government, and my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board has introduced a Bill dealing with the matter. I refer to the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Bill, which is down for Second Reading on October 23rd.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will represent to the Department of Agriculture, etc., the desirability of maintaining a hatchery on the river Erne under the control of the Department instead of subsidising a private hatchery, the sufficiency and management of which is much doubted by many persons interested in the river and Lough Erne. (Answered by Mr. Bryce) The Department of Agriculture are satisfied that the hatchery referred to is very well managed. They are, however, prepared to enter into an agreement, upon the usual conditions, to enlarge the hatchery, but are not prepared to establish another hatchery in the river under their own control.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any arrangement has yet been come to with the conservators in the Erne district as to contribution by the Crown, as owner of Lough Erne, towards the preservation of the fishing and enforcement of the laws against illegal netting and the destruction of spawning fish; and, if not, will he give the matter his early attention, with a view to more careful protection of salmon trout and other fish for the benefit of many poor fishermen to whom Lough Erne is a principal source of the means of earning a living. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Department of Agriculture are informed that no application has yet been made by the Board of Conservators to the Commissioners of Woods with regard to the proposed co-operation in the protection of the fisheries of Lough Erne. The Department understand that the matter will be considered by the Conservators at their next meeting.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Report of the inspector who some time since visited, the De Vesci estate, Abbeyleix, Queen's County, has yet been received by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, can he state what steps are being taken to reinstate or otherwise provide for Samuel Maxwell, an evicted tenant, on the property. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners have not yet received their inspector's Report on Samuel Maxwell's application.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that chairs have been placed in the Phœnix Park, Dublin, for the occupancy of which visitors have to pay: can he say by whose orders and upon what authority those seats have been introduced and the charges to the public permitted; who collects and receives the funds; and whether the seats are Irish or Foreign manufacture. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) For the convenience of the public attending band performances, cricket and polo matches, etc., the Board, following the analogous arrangement in the public parks under the control of the Office of Works in London, have licensed experimentally the placing of chairs in the Phœnix Park, for which an authorised charge of one penny per diem is made and collected by the agents of the licensee. The Commissioners have no knowledge as to where the chairs were manufactured. The chairs supplied by the licensee are, of course, in addition to, and not in substitution for, the numerous seats and chairs already provided in the park by the Board for which no charge is made.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in cases where the rental of an estate has been diminished charges payable to the church property branch of the Irish Land Commission have remained unaltered; will he state the basis on which these charges are assessed; and will he have inquiry made into this matter, with a view to having tithe rent charges and similar charges diminished in the same proportion as the rental. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Under the Tithe Rent Charge (Ireland) Act, 1900, Sections 2 and 3, the tithe rent charge in any county is varied proportionately to the variation between the former rents and the rents fixed by the Land Court in the county. Under Section 90 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, perpetuity rents payable to the church property branch of the Irish Land Commission are similarly varied.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that several tenants on the Montgomery Estate, which was sold about two years ago in the Land Judge's Court, have been prevented from purchasing their holdings; in view of the fact that these tenants have always enjoyed grazing rights on an adjoining mountain, without which it would be impossible for them to exist on their farms, and that the agent on the estate has informed the tenants that they will not be allowed to purchase their holdings unless they consent to abandon these rights, will the Chief Secretary inquire into the case with a view to expediting the sale to these tenants. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that he is unable to identify the estate referred to, as there are several estates before the court in which the owner's name is Montgomery. If the hon. Member will give particulars which will enable the estate to be identified, the Registrar will make further inquiries.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the recent public pronouncements of Dr. Traill on compulsory retirement of teachers for enforced inefficiency, he will cause a public inquiry to be made into the injustice alleged to be done to teachers under the National Board. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that there is no reason whatever for a public inquiry into this matter. The dismissal of teachers for inefficiency since 1900 has, the Commissioners inform me, not been due to the abolition of the results system which was effected in that year. In the great majority of cases the teachers so dismissed had been censured for inefficiency prior to 1900. The Commissioners are having a Return prepared showing the record prior to 1900 of each teacher dismissed during the past five years.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received from Patrick Fiely an application to be reinstated on his farm in Gortinar, near Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, on the estate of Owen Wynne, Hazlewood, from which he was evicted, although offering to pay all arrears; and whether the Estates Commissioners are taking action in this matter. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners have received Patrick Fiely's application, and will have it inquired into by an inspector in due course.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the amount of outdoor relief paid in the Poor Law union of Listowel in the year 1880 was £8, whereas for 1905 it was £3,063 14s. 4d., and for 1906 £3,078 17s. 4d.; whether he can explain this increase; and whether, in view of the statement of the auditor in his last Report as to the burden which this amount is on the ratepayers, he will appoint a Commission to inquire into this increase in outdoor relief in the interests of the ratepayers. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the figures set out in the Question are substantially correct. The Local Government Board have called the attention of the board of guardians to the great increase in the expenditure on outdoor relief in order that the guardians may exercise greater economy in the matter. The Board have also referred the observations of their auditor on the subject to the guardians for their consideration. It is, however, to be remembered that it is within the discretion of the board of guardians to administer outdoor relief to certain classes of persons. The appointment of a Commission to inquire into the matter does not appear to be necessary, especially as the sphere of the present Royal Commission extends to Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether while in camp during their annual trainings, the sole use of one tent is granted to each officer of Militia and Volunteers; and, if so, whether seeing that in the Yeomanry, officers below the rank of field officer are only allowed one tent between two, orders will be issued to place the Yeomanry officer on the same footing as the Militia and Volunteer officer. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The Yeomanry officer is on the same footing as an officer of the Regular Forces. The Militia have been treated exception- ally owing to the length of their camps; but the question of treating all forces on the same lines as the Regular Forces is now receiving consideration.

To ask the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that over £150,000,000 has now been deposited by the working classes in the Post Office Savings Bank, whether he can see his way to introduce legislation to enable a proportion of the sum, say one-third, to be devoted to the erection of model free-hold dwelling houses for the working classes, thus helping the poor with their own capital. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.) I am not prepared to introduce legislation for this purpose. I do not think that working-class dwellings are the most appropriate form of security in which to invest Savings Bank deposits. But it may interest my hon. friend to know that a considerable portion of the Savings Bank Funds is already applied, through the Local Loans Fund, in providing advances to local authorities for their expenditure on housing and other purposes. On the 31st December last the assets of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund included Local Loans Stock to the amount of £19,292,969.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when he intends publishing the Minutes of meetings of the Intermediate Board, and correspondence dealing with the Resolution of this House of 21st May, proposing to alter their rules of 1907. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Intermediate Board have been asked by the Lord-Lieutenant to send him the Minutes of their proceedings for publication, but have refused to do so, stating that in their opinion no good purpose would be attained by the publication of their Minutes which have always been regarded as private and confidential. It was hoped that the correspondence between the Irish Government and the Board might have been before now published, but it has not yet been brought to a close. I trust, however, that it will within a few days be concluded, and as soon as that happens it shall be published.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will furnish particulars of the one serious breach of the peace reported by the inspector-general of constabulary as occurring with the recent Orange demonstration in Ulster. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The case in question is one in which a young woman named Lucinda Roche was shot and seriously injured near Armagh. As a man is awaiting trial for the offence, it would be contrary to practice and undesirable that I should enter into the details of the case.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that application has been made to the Estates Commissioners to restore Mrs. Colfer, of Langnageer, to her holding on the Leigh estate from which she was evicted; and whether this case comes under the evicted tenants clauses of the Land Act of 1903; and, if so, can he state why the Estates Commissioners have taken no steps to restore Mrs. Colfer to her home. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners have received from Mary and Patrick Colfer an application for reinstatement, and will have the case duly inquired into. The Commissioners are unable to say, until they receive their inspector's report, whether the case is one which comes within the terms of Section 2 of the Act of 1903.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to sentences that have been inflicted by courts martial, in some cases of a trivial character, on men in the Navy for striking non-commissioned officers, and to the fact that, with few exceptions, those sentences were of imprisonment with hard labour for terms ranging from six to eighteen calendar months; whether he is aware that in many instances those offences arose whilst the men were under the influence of drink, or were young to the service and had lost their tempers, and afterwards appeared to express genuine regret for their wrong doing; and will he say whether any such sentences were afterwards reduced by the Admiralty, and, if so, in how many cases.

I assume that the term "noncommissioned officers" is intended to include all "superior officers" of a rank below that of a commissioned officer. The Admiralty are unable to regard the striking by a subordinate of a superior officer in the execution of his duty as an offence of a trivial character, but courts martial have full opportunity of taking into account all such circumstances as those referred to by the hon. Member. As regards the last part of the Question, there have been four cases in which the sentences have been annulled or modified during the year 1905.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the offence of striking a superior officer in the Royal Navy is regulated by the 16th section of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, which provides that every person subject to the Act who shall strike, or with any weapon attempt to strike, or draw or lift up any weapon against his superior officer, being in the execution of his office, shall be punished with death or such other punishment as is thereinafter mentioned; and whether, seeing that by Section 86 of the same Act the words superior officer include all officers, including petty and non-commissioned officers, and by the Admiralty Instructions also include acting potty and acting non commissioned officers, lance-sergeants, and lance-corporals borne on the books of one of His Majesty's ships, the Lords of the Admiralty will consider the advisability of recommending that some statutory modication of Section 16 referred to, shall be made in order that, in time of peace at least, the maximum punishment should be reduced to that more in consonance with modern practice.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Admiralty do not consider it desirable to make any statutory modification of the Naval Discipline Act intended only to apply in time of peace.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether their Lordships will consider the advisability of appointing a Committee to examine into and report upon the whole question of the procedure, powers, and sentences of naval courts martial.

A Committee has been appointed, and is now sitting, which has under review the whole procedure of naval courts martial. The powers and sentences of courts martial are clearly defined by the Naval Discipline Act, and the Admiralty see no reason for any reference to a Committee on these points.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can say when the Joint Committee, representing the Admiralty and the London County Council, are expected to report on Greenwich Observatory.

It is not possible to say at present when the Committee will be able to report, but their deliberations are being expedited as much as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the tonnage and cost of battleships completed for sea during the six years ending 31st March, 1906, by each of the five great naval Powers respectively, and the number of battleships projected at the present time by those several Powers.

The tonnage and cost of battleships completed for sea during the six years in question by the five great naval Powers are as follows:—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state how many additional horses per battery will be required for the mobilisation of the Field Artillery when on the new peace footing, and from what source it is proposed to provide them.

The numbers of additional horses per battery required for mobilisation of Field Artillery when on the new peace establishment are 102 for each four gun battery and 132 for each two gun battery. These horses would be provided out of the horses registered for military service on emergency.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any expenditure for military protection is involved in the extension to Parachinar of the Kurran strategic railway and the making of the Kabul river strategic railway to the Afghan frontier.

An increase of the strength of the Khyber rifles by one British officer, 354 Infantry and 80 Sowars was sanctioned by the Secretary of State in Council in August 1905, in connection with the sanction given in the previous month to the construction of a line from a point near Jamrud to a point on the Kabul River known as Mile 300. The initial cost of the increase was Rs. 18,000, the estimated annual cost is Rs. 99,500. No proposal has been made for military protection in connection with the extension of the Kurran railway to Parachinar which was sanctioned in September 1904.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the number of cases in which whipping is awarded as a judicial punishment in India, amounting in 1878 to 75,223, in 1897 to 64,087, and in 1900 to 45,054, and to the fact that this punishment is invariably inflicted in public with a rattan or cane over the bare buttocks; and whether, having regard to the general feeling in India on the subject, and to the abuses attending on whipping as a judicial penalty, he will address the Government of India with a view to the elimination of this punishment from the criminal code of the country, except in cases where the offender is guilty of gross and violent crime against the person.

This subject was brought to my attention some time ago, and I have addressed a despatch to the Government of India upon the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the Excise administration of India has been considered by the Government of India; whether the Report will be issued as a Parliamentary Paper; and, if so, whether ho can arrange for its circulation to Members before the House reassembles in October.

The Answer to the first Question is in the negative. When I have seen the Report and communicated with the Government of India I will consider whether I can present it; but I am not sure that it can be ready for circulation before the House reassembles.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has decided upon a scheme for the improvement of Calcutta; what such scheme is estimated to cost; when it is proposed to put it in operation; how the money is to be raised; and, if no decision has been arrived at as to how the cost is to be met, will ho consider the advisability of raising it by means of a temporary export duty on jute (of which Bengal has a monopoly) and jute manufactures.

My predecessor gave his general assent to a scheme, the net cost of which was roughly estimated at about £3,000,000, to be met partly by loans and partly by a grant from general revenues. The scheme is at present under discussion by the Bengal Government and the local authorities concerned, and no final decision has been come to as to the total cost or as to how it should be met.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, if, in view of the fact that the irrigation works in India are now yielding a return of over 7¾ per cent, on the outlay, he will draw the attention of the Government of India to the matter, with a view to reductions in the charges being made to cultivators in cases whore they are exceptionally high.

The charges made to cultivators for supplies of water from State Irrigation Works are fixed after careful local inquiry as to the profits of irrigation in the district, and ordinarily are below the economic value of the water to the cultivator. The selling value of land consequently goes up in canal tracts to the benefit of the private owner. I hardly think it necessary to bring the matter to the notice of the Government of India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if it is proposed to enhance the assessments of tea lands in Assam at the expiration of present leases; if he is aware that on account of depression in the tea trade most of these lands have yielded a steadily decreasing profit for some years past; and if an enhancement of land rent is contemplated in any of the other tea districts in India.

Under conditions of the leases granted for tea cultivation in Assam the land assessment is liable to revision after thirty years, the standard being the rate at which ordinary agricultural land in the district is assessed. This term is about to expire in the case of a number of leases in the Surma Valley districts. In its proposals for re-assessment the local Government has had regard to the present state of the tea industry, so far as relevant to the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if there has been any increase of trade between India and Tibet since the late expedition; whether Indian tea is now admitted into Tibet; and, if so, on what conditions.

The latest figures received show that for the eleven months ending February last the value of exports to Tibet was £111,054, of imports from Tibet, £118,578. The export of tea to Tibet is subject to the Regulations of 1893, and the provisions of the Lhasa Convention of 1904. The Trade Returns do not show any export of Indian tea to Tibet.

Do the Trade Returns show any increase?

asked for notice of the Question.

It is to be hoped military force will not be used to import Indian tea into Tibet.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will call the attention of the Government of India to the inadequate provision which has boon made in this year's Estimates for European and Eurasian schools; if he is aware that there are seventy-six such schools in Bengal alone, and that out of the increased appropriation of £16,000 for the whole of India, these schools stand to receive only about £10 each for equipment, scholarships, increase of salaries, and all other purposes; and if ho is aware of the face that nearly all the European schools in India are most inadequately equipped, that the standard of teaching is low, and that the teaching profession is so poorly paid that few new recruits of high character and ability can be induced to go into it.

The Government of India have recently taken steps to increase the resources at the disposal of European schools. These schools constitute a relatively small proportion of the schools of India, and the assistance which can be given to them must ho limited by a due regard for the claims of other classes of schools. Many of the larger European schools have endowments which render thorn independent of assistance from the Government.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the clerks in the Crown Agents' office are still selected by nomination alone; and whether any stops will be taken to place those appointments upon a competitive basis under the control of the Civil Service Commission.

In reply to the hon. Member's Question, I am desired by the Secretary of State to say that the internal administration of the office of the Crown agents for the Colonies is entirely in their hands, and that as the holders of these appointments are not members of the Civil Service, there is no intention of adopting the course suggested by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has boon called to the recommendations of Sir Augustus Hemming, ex-Governor of Jamaica, that there should be an inquiry into the management of the Crown Agents' office and the way in which the funds are expended, or that there should be laid before Parliament a Return showing the rates of salary and any other form of remuneration received by every member of the staff, together with a detailed and explanatory statement of accounts; and whether either of those proposals is now receiving favourable consideration.

The work and organisation of the office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies has received constant and close attention from successive Secretaries of State, and two Parliamentary Papers on the subject were laid before Parliament in 1904. Lord Elgin does not as at present advised see sufficient occasion for a further inquiry, or for publishing a more detailed statement of accounts than that already published.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the decrease in the number of offences committed by Chinese coolies on the Rand; and whether he has any official information as to the causes of this decrease.

I have seen a statement by the Chairman of the Chamber of Mines to this effect in the Press. Official information has not yet been received as to the number of convictions since May last.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to construct a branch railway from Tarquah to the Aucobra River; if so, whether the contract will be submitted for public tender; and whether a more moderate scale of charges will prevail on such railway than on the present railway from Sekondi to Tarquah.

A scheme is under consideration for the construction of a branch railway from Tarquah to Prestea, but it has not yet been submitted in final form for the decision of the Secretary of State. I am accordingly unable to reply at present to the latter parts of the Question.

I beg to ask the Lender-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that Tolonko (or Tilonkwe), a Zulu chief,.visited Pietermritzburg on Monday, July 23rd, on the invitation of the Minister of Native Affairs, and was immediately arrested; whether ho can inform the House if the charges against this chief are for deeds alleged to have been done last.January, one being a refusal to pay poll tax before it was due; whether, although the charges were denied, the chief is to be tried by court-martial; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to see that the statement made to the House that only natives caught in the act of fighting are to be tried by court-martial is to be respected by the Government of Natal.

On July 24th the Governor telegraphed as follows:— '' In accordance with instructions sent to Tilonkwe, one of the most important chiefs referred to came to Pietermaritzburg yesterday. He denies charges made against him. He has been allowed to return to his tribe, but summons has been served on him to return next Monday and stand his trial. I believe that he will do so and that exhibition of military force will be unnecessary." Tilonkwe is described by the Governor as one of the chiefs who defied the Government last March. I have no further information but will inquire.

asked whether this was the chief who was being tried to-day by court-martial with closed doors.

said be had no information on that point.

said the hon. Gentleman had not replied to the latter part of his Question, in reference to the undertaking that only natives caught in the act of fighting would be tried by court-martial.

replied that he would make inquiries on the subject.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman was aware of the natural anxiety which prevailed hero owing to statements by Natal correspondents of London papers announcing the sentences that would be imposed on these chiefs before the trials took place.

Such statements on the part of newspapers before the trials have taken place are manifestly grossly improper.

The lion. Gentleman has not explained why these trials are being conducted with closed doors.

It may be that the Natal Government desire to protect themselves from similar newspaper statements.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to state whether Gobizembi, Kulu, and Meseni have been tried by court-martial; and, if so, will he say what charges have been preferred against them, when their alleged crimes are said to have been committed, and what sentences have been passed upon them.

Messeni was tried for high treason and murder. Gobizembi has been deposed as is shown by the despatches printed at pp. 30 and 37 of Cd. 2905 and p. 3 of Cd. 3027. Inquiry shall be made as to the precise action taken in these cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the rapidly increasing trade with Siberia, he will now consider the advisability of approaching the Russian Government with the object of getting British consuls appointed at some at least of the cities on the Siberian Railway.

The matter will not be lost sight of by His Majesty's Government. But, at present, I can say no more than I said to the hon. Member in reply to an almost identical Question on March 13th, † except that steps are now being taken with a view to the reappointing of a commercial agent at Vladivostok.

† See (4) Debates, cliii., 1096.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the recent decline in the value of Consols, and to the consequent losses of small investors through the Government in that security by depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank; and if ho can suggest any means of preventing in the future such losses by investors in the Post Office Savings Bank.

I am aware that there has been a very considerable decline in the capital value of Consols, to the extent of twenty-seven points in ten years. Holders of Consols through the Post Office Savings Bank who may find it necessary to realise at present prices stock which they purchased at higher prices will necessarily incur a loss, but the risk of such loss is one which has to be taken by all purchasers of securities having a fluctuating capital value, and I see no reason why the Government should be asked to give preferential treatment to any particular class of holders of the public funds.

gave notice that he would call attention to this matter on the Appropriation Bill.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn the fact that during the period 1900–6 there has been a decrease of 1 41 degrees in the average gravity of beer produced in the United Kingdom; whether this represents approximately a diminution of £340,000 in the yield of revenue derived from this source; and, if so, whether he will consider what action can be taken in order to prevent a further reduction of revenue from this cause.

The facts are as stated. The growing preference on the part of the public for lighter beers is, I think, apart from consideration of revenue, a reason for satisfaction. I am looking into the question whether such beers are, or are not, in proportion to their alcoholic strength, more lightly taxed than beers of higher gravity; but, even if it can be shown that they have an advantage in this respect, I do not at present express any opinion as to whether that is an advantage which ought to be withdrawn.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he contemplates any new issue of the lower value coins; whether he will consider the desirability of adopting instead of bronze a nickel or other lighter alloy in a convenient form to avoid confusion with the silver coins; and whether he will before making such issue consider the nickel coins of low denomination lately issued in Belgium.

I have no evidence that the present coinage is regarded as other than satisfactory by the public generally, and, in the absence of any general demand for an alteration, I should not be prepared to take the responsibility of interfering with it.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has yet caused inquiry to be made from the Lunacy Commissioners as to the number of hours worked by asylum attendants, and the percentage of these attendants who ultimately suffer from lunacy; if so, can he state the results of such inquiry; and whether he proposes legislation on the matter.

I beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. Information on this subject has been collected by the Commissioners in Lunacy. The particulars of the hours during which attendants are on duty cannot well be summarised, but the returns are at my hon. friend's disposal at the Commissioners' office whenever he may care to call and see them. It appears that during the last five years fifty-two attendants and ex-attendants (twenty-three male and twenty-nine female) are known to have become insane; that is to say, that, roughly speaking, in any given year 1 per cent, of the average total number of attendants employed in asylums become insane. This figure is slightly in excess of the percentage of insanity in the general population between the ages of twenty and fifty-four. The terms on which asylum attendants are employed is a matter for the Visiting Committees, and I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say how many girls in the non-inspected rescue homes have been sent there with the approval of the justices; and whether he will direct that in future a justice of the peace shall not assent to any girl being sent to any such home.

As regards the i first point I am afraid that I have no in-I formation, and as regards the second point I have no jurisdiction to interfere.

Who would have jurisdiction?

I cannot say.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain that information?

I have no power in the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any information to show the number of children under twelve years of age and under twelve months of age living in, or whose mothers are living in, non-inspected semi-charitable institutions where laundries and workshops are carried on; and whether he can state the mortality among such children, or obtain any report as to the mortality occurring.

I am afraid that I have no such information, nor have I at present any means of obtaining it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of introducing legislation giving him power to obtain this information?

I have already said I hope to bring in a Bill dealing with these matters.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, on the 17th instant, a motor car, ran into a funeral as it was about to enter St. Paul's Church, Wokingham, resulting in the death of an old lady who was standing in front of the coffin and bearers; will he ascertain whether this accident was duo to reckless driving; and, if so, will he consider the expediency of arranging for the licence of the motorist to be suspended.

From inquiries I have made it appears that at the inquest the Coroner's Jury brought in a verdict of accidental death. The driver of the motor-car was, however, arrested on a charge of manslaughter and the Justices have committed him for trial at the next autumn assizes.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has now completed his departmental inquiries into the postal inconveniences from which the inhabitants of Tormarton, Gloucestershire, are suffering; if not, whether ho is aware that two months have elapsed since he promised to investigate the matter; and, if the desires of the inhabitants of Tormarton are not fully understood, whether he can arrange for a Post Office official to meet a small deputation on the spot to consider the matter.

I regret the delay. But various local circumstances have pre- vented an earlier decision. I hope to be able shortly to take steps to improve the service; and my representative would be glad to ascertain the local opinion on the question.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if, when settling the terms of the new Indian mail contract, he will arrange to have the time fixed for the arrival of the homeward mail in London at least twenty-four hours before the departure of the outward mail, during the greater part of the year, and at least twelve hours before departure during the monsoon season, even if this involves departure from Bombay on Friday evening instead of Saturday.

I am not prepared to commit myself in any way as to the time table of the Indian mail service under a now contract; but the hon. Member may rest assured that I shall endeavour to arrange it in the arrange best suited to the different interests which have to be consulted.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he can now state the result of his inquiries into the conditions under which contracts for mail van work are carried on.

I am pursuing my inquiries on this subject, but they will necessarily occupy some time, and am I not yet in a position to make any general statement as to the result.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if ho can state if the Allan Line have come to a definite conclusion as to the abandonment of Moville as a port of call for the Canadian mails.

The Canadian Government, with whom the final decision rested, has now informed mo that it finds itself compelled, in connection with the acceleration of the Canadian mail service, to abandon Moville as a port of call for the direct packets. It is stated that this decision has been arrived at most reluctantly and after careful consideration of the strong protest made by the British Post Office against the change. I have from the first pointed out the postal disadvantages which will accrue from the abandonment of the Moville call, and I regret the decision at which the Dominion Government have arrived.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether it is proposed to utilise the space behind the National Gallery of Art, at Millbank, for the purpose of building a new Stationery Office or other Government Office; and, seeing that such building, if erected, would render it impossible to make additions to the Art Gallery, which is becoming overcrowded with pictures, whether ho will consider the advisability of reserving this ground for the extension of the Gallery.

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative; in accordance with a scheme sanctioned by my predecessor it was proposed to build the Stationery Office upon the vacant land behind the National Gallery of Art at Millbank. The extensions originally contemplated when the site was offered by the Government to Sir Henry Tate in 1893 have already been made. I will make inquiry as to the future needs of the Gallery, and will reconsider the matter before next year's Estimates are framed. I may mention that some space is still reserved for the purpose of the Gallery.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware of the condition of the roads in Richmond Park; and if he will give instructions for a better system of watering and procure the services of a steam roller in lieu of the one-horse roller at present in use.

I am aware that, owing to the prolonged drought, the condition of the roads in Richmond Park has suffered a good deal. There are no funds available for much extra watering and rolling this year. In the next financial year I hope it may be possible to purchase a motor roller.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether ho would either limit the speed of motor cars in Richmond Park or stop them altogether.

asked for notice of the question as to limiting speed, adding that there would be no excess of speed in the motor roller.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether it is intended to rebuild the West minster County Court, and, if so, when such works of rebuilding are likely to be commenced; whether plans have been pro-pared of the proposed works, and if the same have been approved by the local authority and by the Judge and officials of the Court; and, if not, whether such approval will be required before the building is commenced.

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The work of rebuilding will be begun so soon as a contract can be made. Sketch plans have been prepared and have been seen by the Judge and registrar of the Court, and the building will be carried out as far as possible to meet their wishes. But I am unable to give any undertaking such as is suggested in the concluding paragraph of the hon. Member's Question. The local authority has no jurisdiction.

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 three pence 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 to which my hon. and gallant friend refers is still under consideration by the three Departments concerned, viz., the Treasury, the Foreign Office, and the Board of Trade; and I will take the earliest opportunity of informing him of the decision arrived at.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, having regard to the fact that a sum of £800 is placed on the Civil Service Supplementary Estimates under Class VII. for the cost of repairing the cable between Chefoo and Wei-hai-wei, will he state on what ground this cable is being maintained by the British Government.

The cable was constructed at the charge of His Majesty's Government and is worked by the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company under an Agreement a copy of which was laid before Parliament, H.C. Paper 151 of 1901. The cost of repairing the cable is borne by His Majesty's Government under the terms of the Agreement.

When does the agreement expire?

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if ho will state when the funds will be forthcoming to enable the Secretary for Scotland to take such steps as may be necessary to meet the sanitary requirements of the townships in the Island of Lewis and remedy the evils disclosed in the Report of Dr. Dittmar, the medical inspector for the Local Government Board for Scotland.

The Secretary to the Treasury asks me to answer this Question. As my hon. friend knows, the circumstances in this case are exceptional and difficult, and I regret that it is not yet possible to indicate the policy of the Government in regard to it. The subject is receiving serious consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state how many boys and girls respectively resident in the Island of Lewis have been recommended by the local authorities to the Scottish Education Department for participation in the industrial training provided for under Section 1 (d) of the Minute of March 19th last.

The applications received from local authorities in the Island of Lewis for grants under Section 1 (d) of the Departmental Minute of March 19th, 1906, for the provision of such initial equipment as may be required for supplying industrial training to boys and girls resident in the Island do not specify any particular number of boys or girls who are recommended for participation in such training. I regret, therefore, that the information desired by my hon. friend is not available.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if ho will consider the expediency of introducing legislation at an early date such as will admit of the Conscience Clause in the Vaccination Act of 1898 being extended to Scotland.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Stirlingshire on May 2nd. †

I have not the remotest idea what that Answer was.

I will send the hon. Member a copy.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the vesting of Dunblane Cathedral in the Commissioners of Works, as is provided by the National Galleries of Scotland Bill, will affect or in any way interfere with the interests of the cathedral, or the use to which it is at present devoted.

No, Sir. These interests will be safe-guarded; and the use of the cathedral and burial ground preserved for their present purposes.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether any steps have yet

† See (4) Debates, clvi., 416 (Reply to W. Wilkie)

been taken as provided in Section 13, Subsection 3, of the Land Purchase Act of 1903, to give to the Land Commission powers to lease or sublet mining rights on lands purchased by them; whether, seeing that, from inquiries made in various parts of the country, the prospects of mining in Ireland are far beyond what was ever before believed, steps will be immediately taken to give to the Land Commission the power of leasing and sub-letting, and thus help to develop the prosperity of the country.

It has been decided that legislation will be necessary to enable the Land Commission to dispose of the mineral rights vested in them under Section 13 (3) of the Act of 1903. The question of introducing such legislation is under the consideration of the Government, and a Bill is being prepared for the purpose.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a claim has been forwarded to the Estates Commissioners by an evicted tenant named Patrick Barry, of Lisnagry, county Limerick, who was evicted six years ago from a small farm of land on the estate of Robert L. Brown, at Ballyvarra, Lisnagry; and whether the Commissioners have made any inquiry into the case with a view to having the evicted tenant restored to his holding.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not received an application for reinstatement from Patrick Barry. They have, however, received an application from Patrick Ryan whoso former holding is stated to be in the occupation of Patrick Barry, and this is probably the case which the hon. Member has in view. Ryan's application will be inquired into in due course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of James Gallagher, whose father was evicted from his holding on the estate of Andrew Moody, Rockfield, St. Johnston, East Donegal, in 1869; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to send down an inspector to inquire into the matter with a view to reinstating James Gallagher in the farm of his father who died some time ago.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will inquire into the case of James Gallagher in due course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Patrick Pranty, a tenant who was evicted for non-payment of rent on the Pennyfeather estate at Kilbracken, in the county Leitrim.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no application for reinstatement has been received from Patrick Pranty.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Royal Commission will hold a sitting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Mohill, or Ballinamore with regard to congestion in county Leitrim, as this county is one of the most congested in Ireland.

The Royal Commission on Congestion is prepared to consider any application which may be made to it as to holding sittings in any particular place or receiving evidence from any particular district. The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Dublin early in September.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that William Murphy, principal teacher of Coolmountain National School, Dunmanway, county Cork, is at present receiving, as principal, a total salary of £75 10s. per annum, while if he remained assistant, his salary would, including, capitation bonus and increment, amount to.£80 15s.; and whether considering his increased duties and responsibilities, as well as the more important services rendered to the State by him, steps will be taken to have his salary reasonably increased.

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his previous Question on June 19th,‡ and to the statement which I forwarded to him on that date. The Commissioners of National Education inform mo that Mr. Murphy's salary and emoluments amount to about £76 per annum, whereas if ho had remained an assistant teacher his income would have been £7:2. The matter is entirely one for the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have received applications for reinstatement from the following evicted tenants, viz., Michael Dolan, John Kennedy, Constantine Kennedy, Thomas Prior, Michael Dolan, Sarah Prior, Michael McGrail, Owen McGrail, Edward McManus, Margaret McTeague, and Mary Kerrigan, all of whom wore evicted from their holdings on the Marsham estate, in the county Leitrim; and if he will direct the attention of the inspector of the Estates Commissioners to these cases, as all the farms are in the occupation of planters.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received applications for reinstatement from the evicted tenants named in the Question, and will have the cases inquired into by an inspector in duo course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether ho is aware that, in the sale of the Macgillycuddy estate, Beaufort, Kerry, sale is refused to Mrs. Elizabeth Joy, of Ardraw, because her husband refuses to give up a small parcel of land which he has held for thirty-six years; that an agreement for purchase

† See (4) Debates, clix., 44.

was signed by Mrs. E. Joy for her farm in November, 1901, and an annuity on the purchase money at the rate of 4 per cent. paid since then by her regularly; and that, now in order to coerce her husband to give up his legal rights, she has been threatened with a writ for £97, the difference between her old rent and the annuity since 1901, while, in reality, nothing is duo from her; and whether ho proposes to take any, and, if any, what stops in the matter.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that eighty-one agreements for purchase, dated April 25th last, have recently been lodged with them in respect of the Macgillycuddy estate. No agreement in the case of Mrs. Joy has been lodged cither with the Estates Commissioners or, prior to the Act of 1903, with the Land Commission; and no annuity or interest has therefore been collected by either body. The Estates Commissioners have no information that Mrs. Joy signed an agreement for purchase in 1901, nor have they any knowledge of the differences alleged to exist between her and the owner. The Commissioners, however, will, when dealing with the estate, inquire as to the exclusion of Mrs. Joy from the proceedings for sale.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has now ascertained if the official circular to the staff of the Local Government Board of Juno 6th, 1905, contained, in every ease under the heading "Place of Education," the entry, "Information not available"; whether the members of the staff were explicitly informed that the Board proposed to answer the query in that form; whether ho is aware that any official objecting to that entry would thus have invited the displeasure of his superior officers; whether he can state why the officials wore not asked whether they wore willing to supply the information ordered to be supplied by the Parliament which votes their salaries; whether the circular was issued by the Assistant Secretary, at the direction of the Vice-President; whether either of them acted at the instance or with the knowledge of the Chief Secretary of the time; and whether the Government sanctioned the conduct of permanent officials in Dublin Castle in suggesting to their subordinates to refuse to supply the information called for by order of the House of Commons.

I have ascertained that the circular contained all the information which the Local Government Board possessed, and that under the heading "Place of Education" the entry was "No information available." the circular stated that it was proposed to send the information in that form subject to any correction which the person concerned desired to make. I am informed that if an official had objected to the entry, ho would have incurred no official displeasure As a matter of fact, many officials of the board, in response to the circular, supplied information as to their place of education, and incurred no displeasure by so doing. The officials were not directly asked to supply information as to their place of education, because the then Attorney-General for Ireland had advised, and had so informed this House, that heads of departments had no legal right to demand this information, and that civil servants could not be obliged to supply it. The circular was issued by the direction of the Vice-President and with the authority of the then Chief Secretary, whose instructions were that the Board should furnish all the official information in their possession, and should lot each official see the proposed return and add any information concerning himself which he desired to give. I am informed that it is not the case that permanent officials suggested to their subordinates to refuse to supply the information called for by order of this House.

inquired why the officials were not asked whether they were willing to supply the information ordered to be supplied by the Parliament which voted their salaries?

I have answered that. The then Attorney-General said the officials could not be required to give the information, and, therefore, it was thought that no question in the nature of a summons should be addressed to them, but as a matter of fact, many of thorn voluntarily supplied the information themselves.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it a proper thing for the head office in Dublin when Sending round a circular asking for information in accordance with the decision of this House to fill up in advance in Dublin one of the columns with the statement that no information was available? Is not that a direct hint to the officials not to supply the information?

It is not for me to express an opinion about the action of my predecessor. [NATIONALIST cries of "Why?"] Because I had nothing to do with the matter, and it is because I have nothing to do with the matter now; but, as I say, the Vice-President informs me that these matters took place in pursuance of the opinion given by the then Attorney-General by which ho considered himself to be bound.

Is it not a perfectly proper Question to put to the right hon. Gentleman whether ho approves of the action of his predecessor in this matter?

No, Sir, I do not think so. As the matter is not one that is before me it is not necessary for me to express an opinion, especially as the opinion of the then Attorney-General appears to have been the governing factor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular only came to light within the past week?

I am not aware.

Is it not a fact that the reason that no information was available was because the officials were left to their own opinions?

No, it was because it was thought that there was no right to ask for it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Earl Annesley, through himself or his servants, is allowed to fish in any part of the River Shimna, Newcastle, from which others, who arc fishermen by trade, are prohibited from fishing; and, if so, on what grounds.

I understand that if the Earl of Annesley is a riparian proprietor along the fresh waters of the River Shimna he would have rights of fishing in such fresh waters not enjoyed by the public. Under the Statute Law, netting for salmon in tidal waters is illegal within certain distances of the defined mouths of rivers, except by owners of several fisheries therein. The mouth of the River Shimna has been defined. The Department of Agriculture understand that Lord Annesley claims a several fishery in the vicinity of the mouth of the river, but it is not for the Department to decide whether this claim is justified or not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Act of 1842 Lord Annesley cannot be deemed to own the fishery until he has paid rates for ten years, whereas he only began to pay thorn two years ago when Newcastle became an urban district.

That is a question of law which should be addressed to the Attorney -General.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether ex-policemen are eligible for the position of clerkship of petty sessions in Ireland up to the age of 45 years, whilst civilians are ineligible for the same position when they exceed 40 years; and, if so, will ho say why this preference is given to one class beyond the other.

The general limits of ago for the appointment of Clerk of Petty Sessions are 21 and 40 years, but the higher limit is extended to 50 years in the case of ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, magistrates, barristers, solicitors, solicitors' clerks, and assistants to Petty Sessions clerks. The reason for this extension is that all these persons are presumed to have already acquired a knowledge of Petty Sessions law and procedure.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, when the manager of a national school applies to the Commissioners for sanction to introduce the bilingual programme, is the sanction given or refused on the report of a competent Irish-speaking inspector or on the report of an inspector who knows little or no Irish.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that when a manager makes application for the introduction of the bilingual programme into his schools, the inspector of the district reports on the application. If the Commissioners have any doubt as to the soundness of the recommendation made by the local inspector, the case is usually sent to one of the special inspectors of Irish for an independent report, before a decision is given by the Board.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Statement on page 6 of the Report on the Welsh Intermediate Education system, that the chief inspector reports that, during the past year 2,180 pupils in fifty-three schools received instruction in the Welsh language, an increase of 352 in the number of pupils, and of eight in the number of schools, and that, in three or four years, at the present rate of progress, the Welsh language will attain to a satisfactory position in the county schools; and will ho direct the attention of the National Board in Ireland to this Statement, with a view to its being placed in the hands of those of its inspectors who may still have doubt as to the value of a bilingual system.

I have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers, and I have no doubt that the attention of the Commissioners of National Education has also been drawn to it. I should, however, remind the hon. Member that the statement refers to secondary schools and not to elementary schools such as the National Board administer. The question of placing the statement in the hands of inspectors is one for the Commissioners to decide, but the policy of the Commissioners in regard to bilingual teaching is of course determined by themselves, and not by their inspectors.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say what is the population of Shinrone, a village in King's County; whether it is a police district headquarters; can he say how many constables, in addition to the district inspector and head constable, are stationed there; whether, seeing that the salary of the head constable is £104 per annum with apartments, and that his time is occupied in doing the work of the district inspector, who merely signs Returns prepared for him, he will say what stops, if any, he proposes to take to abolish or bring within reasonable limits the unnecessary office of district inspector; and what is the salary of a district inspector, cost of uniform, and travelling allowances.

I am informed that Shinrone has a population of about 350. It is a constabulary district headquarters composed of four sub-districts. The nominal strength of the station is one sergeant and six constables, in addition to the district inspector and head constable. The salary of the head constable is £91 per annum, with apartments. It is, I am informed, not the case that the head constable does the work of the district inspector; each officer has his own proper work. Steps are being taken to abolish district headquarters which are no longer necessary. Nino have been abolished during the past three years, and further reductions are under consideration. The salary of a district inspector ranges from £125 to £300 per annum. A district inspector also receives allowances for forage, servant, and lodging, amounting to about £130 per annum. Ho provides his own uniform, and receives no allowance for travelling within his district.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Foreign Office is prepared to give every facility for the publication, in a succinct form, of all the special Reports about Irish trade which are now appearing from time to time in the Consular Reports; and whether the Department of Agriculture will on the completion of these Consular Reports for 1905, undertake the publication in one volume of those special references to Irish trade in consequence of the widespread interest they have aroused in Ireland and with a view to stimulating the trade of Ireland with foreign countries.

The Department of Agriculture will consider whether extracts relating to Irish trade taken from the Consular Reports referred to can, with advantage, be collated and reprinted with the Reports on the imports and exports of Ireland for 1905 which will be issued by the Department in the course of this year.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the retrenchment taking place in the Army and Navy, any stops will be taken to reduce the police in Ireland; whether he is aware that county and district inspectors spend the principal part of their time in sport and amusement while the duties they are supposed to discharge are done by a head constable or sergeant; will ho say if the police stations at Bracklin, Crinkle, Killoughy, Kilmalogue, and Clonfanlough, King's County, can be abolished, as these stations are in close proximity to others and in a district free from crime; and whether he is aware that Bracklin is within three miles of Tullamore, where there is a staff of twenty police.

The question of reduction in the Royal Irish Constabulary, in accordance with the scheme prepared in 1903 by the late Government, is under consideration. In that connection, the cases of the stations named in the Question will receive attention. Seven police stations in King's County were abolished last year. The present force at Tullamore station consists of thirteen policemen. I have no reason to think that county or district inspectors, or any members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, permit sport or amusement to interfere with the due discharge of their official duties.

Has the scheme for the reduction of the Royal Irish Constabulary initiated by the late Government been dropped?

It has been suspended to a certain extent.

I beg to ask the President of the Hoard of Trade whether lie is aware that at the time of the grant to Earl Annesley of a lease of the foreshore at Newcastle, county Down, an undertaking was given by the Department that the Town Commissioners would be consulted before Earl Annesley would be allowed to remove sand or gravel; and whether the Commissioners were consulted with regard to the permission recently given.

I am aware that the undertaking referred to was given, and it has in the opinion of the Board of Trade been carried out. The undertaking was given on May 13th of last year, and soon after the Board of Trade informed the Town Commissioners that Lord Annesley had applied for permission to remove sand and shingle from the foreshore recently leased to him by the Board of Trade. The town commissioners objected to the removal of sand and shingle from any portion of the foreshore within the limits of the township. They pointed out, however, that the northern portion of the leased foreshore is not within the limits of the township, and in regard to this portion they stated they did not desire to make any representation and sand and gravel could be obtained therefrom. In accordance with this suggestion the Board of Trade gave Lord Annesley permission to remove sand or gravel during a period of twelve months from the shore north of the township. They informed the Town Commissioners of their action and received no objection from them. The Board in reply to a recent application have consented to a further limited quantity being removed, but confined to the same northern area. As the Town Commissioners had stated on the previous occasion that they did not desire to make any representation as to the removal of materials from the northern part of the leased foreshore, the Board did not consider it necessary to communicate any further with them.

gave notice of a further Question for Monday.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the fact that a Committee was appointed in 1899 to consider applications for monetary grants in aid of harbours, will he state the conditions under which grants are made, the number of applications received for grants in aid of harbours in Scotland, the number of cases in which grants have been made, and the amount of the respective grants.

The conditions laid down by the Treasury for the guidance of the Committee in considering applications for such grants are as follows: — (1) That the Local Authority should undertake and should be in a position to ensure the permanent maintenance of the harbour towards the establishment of which the assistance of the State is asked. (2) That of the total amount required for construction, at least two-thirds should be provided from local or outside sources, and that the contribution from the Exchequer should in no case exceed the remaining one-third. (3) That the inquiries of the Committee should be limited to the case of harbours serving or likely to develop a large fishing district either as ports of departure and landing for the fleet, or as providing refuge on parts of the coast whence the nearest existing harbour is so distant as to destroy the value of fishing grounds which produce a good harvest of fish. Since the appointment of the Committee in June, 1899, twenty applications have been received on behalf of harbours in Scotland, and grants have been made or promised in six cases as follows:—Port-nockie, £1,500; Fraserburgh, £15,000; Peterhead, £28,000; Macduff, £2,000; Lerwick, £4,500; Wick, £20,000.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters coming from the commercial centres of Great Britain and Ireland into Ennis for Killdysart by the mid-day mail remain there till the next morning, to the inconvenience of the merchants and farmers of Killdysart and surrounding district; and whether he will have those mid day mails forwarded to Killdysart.

I will make inquiry on the subject, and will communicate with the lion. Member.