To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty when a full statement will be made of the changes contemplated in the distribution of ships; whether he can now state the nature of the sliding scale which it is proposed to apply to the nucleus crews; and whether the minimum will in any case fall below the present two-fifths complement. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The changes in question are still in course of development, and in any case

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the numbers of fatal and other accidents in the Metropolitan district caused by motor vehicles other than motor omnibuses and by motor omnibuses, respectively, in each month since he last gave similar figures to the House of Commons; whether the Metropolitan police inspectors entrusted with carrying out the regulations as to motor omnibuses record and report all instances of failure of the brakes or other parts of motor omnibuses causing stoppage and interference with the general traffic, failure of the steering machinery, skidding or loss of control, any other forms of failure of the machinery, and bad driving involving risk of accident and police interference; and whether he will state to the House the number of such instances of each kind reported during the same months. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The following table gives complete information as to the accidents caused by vehicular traffic in the metropolis during the months of July and August last. The corresponding figures for the month of September were given in reply to a Question of my hon. friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty, on the 31st ultimo; † while those for the month of October are not yet ready. Return showing the number of accidents to persons or property known to police to have been caused in the streets, by the vehicles named, during the months of July and August, 1906.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether all grades of the staffs of the telephone systems recently acquired by the Government from the corporations of Glasgow and Brighton have been placed in the same grades as they occupied when they were in the employment of those corporations; whether their wages have been increased, decreased, or continued at the same rates; whether they have been placed on the established strength of the Department; and whether their services with the corporations as licensees of the Department will be reckoned as services with the Post Office for pension purposes. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The corporation telephone staffs at Glasgow and Brighton are being taken over on the terms and conditions and at the rates of pay which they enjoyed in the service of the corporations. The regular increments of wages to which they were entitled have been allowed. The question of placing on the establishment those classes which are usually established in the service of the department and giving them a prospect of pension will be considered in due course, but I may say at once that the counting towards Civil Service pension of their service with the the corporation is not contemplated.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will grant this year i for Christmas pressure £1 as a minimum payment to town sub-post offices, and £2 as a minimum to rural sub-offices, which deliver letters, in place of the present scale, which leaves great numbers of offices without any remuneration for this extra work. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The question of the remuneration of sub-postmasters is to be considered by the Select Committee on Post Office servants. Pending their Report I do not think it would be advisable to make any alteration in the payments already authorised. I should, however, explain that in fixing the payments to sub-postmasters the the extra pressure at Christmas is taken into account.

:To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information which he can communicate to the House regarding the distribution of a circular, purporting to be issued by a society in Bengal styled the Golden Bough, in which circular the-recipients are asked to promise to break the nests of the Feringhi (European) birds,, tearing them in pieces, and throwing them into the Ganges, to beat the sahibs (Europeans) of the city, and to drive them away, that the Hindus may govern their own country, and in which the Mohammedans are informed that their Hindu brothers have great hope of them, and in. which the recipients are asked to bring anything they can get, lathis (clubs), spears, and guns; and, if so, whether any action will be taken against the printers, and publishers of such incitements to rebellion and treason. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The circular described in the Question, appeared, under the heading "Golden Bengal," some fifteen months ago. So far as my information goes, the police are j unable to fix definitely the responsibility for printing or publishing it.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a Bengali agitator addressing employés of the East Indian Railway at Asansol on 5th September last, in the presence of a magistrate and officer of police, informed his hearers that sugar was refined with pigs' and cows' blood, that Babu Bannerjee had been crowned King or Emperor of Hindustan, that the English had fattened on dogs' meat and grown bold, and that Japan had shown them what Asiatics could do; and whether the Government of India proposes to take any action in view to preventing the debauching of ignorant multitudes by such discourses. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I am not aware whether the Government of India propose to take any action; but no doubt they will give attention to the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether those portions of the redistribution scheme of the Commander-in-Chief which proposed to place a permanent cantonment at or near Torseppah, in the mountainous country occupied by the Mohmund tribes, and to establish an artillery and cavalry cantonment between Nowshera and Hoti Murdan have been definitely abandoned. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) Sanction has been given for the new cantonment between Nowshera and Hoti-Murdan. A proposal for placing a permanent cantonment at or near Torseppah has now, I believe, been abandoned.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial from the Fourteenth Madras Provincial Conference, held at Tinnevelly in June last, praying that steps might be taken with as little delay as possible to secure the separation of judicial from executive functions, and whether, seeing that in 1903 the then Viceroy intimated that the question would be dealt with shortly, he will take such measures as may be necessary to bring about this reform in Indian administration as speedily as possible. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.)The memorial referred to has not boon received by me. I addressed the Government of India on the 22nd June last, asking them to let me have their conclusions on the subject as soon as possible.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to effect the reinstatement of Mr. Daniel O'Shea in his evicted form on the estate of the Earl of Kenmare, near Killarney; whether this evicted farm is in the landlord's own possession, and if there are any other difficulties in the way of reinstatement but those created by the landlord's agent, Mr. Maurice Leonard; and whether the Commissioners can now state the exact position of affairs in connection with the case. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have; had the evicted farm in this case inspected, with a view to the reinstatement of the evicted tenant. The Commissioners understand that the farm is in the land-lord's occupation. The inspection was made with the consent of the agent, Mr. Leonard. The Commissioners have recently received their inspector's report and will deal with it as soon as possible.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the now system of teachers' salaries in Ireland operates to the disadvantage of teachers appointed since 1900, whether the initial salaries of such have been decreased, and that the effect of such decrease has been to lower the standard of ability among candidates for the teaching profession; and, if so, whether the system can be at once revised so as to check any deterioration that may have been disclosed. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that since the new system of teachers' salaries was established in 1900, the average salary paid to newly appointed principal teachers has decreased, though there has been an increase in the average salary paid to newly appointed assistant teachers. Precise figures are given in House of Commons Return, No. 286, of 1905. Moreover, the Commissioners are aware that under the new system teachers on first appointment to largo and important schools do not receive incomes proportionate to the importance of the schools, as was the case under the former system. The entire question of revising the teachers' salaries has already engaged the attention of the Commissioners, and is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners and the Irish Government.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether there are schools in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin in which the children are much overcrowded; and, if so, will steps be immediately taken to provide sufficient school accommodation in a locality where the attendance amounts to 85 per cent, of the children in the district. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that there are several national schools in the area mentioned at which the attendance is in excess of the space accommodation. In many cases the managers are anxious and willing to provide adequate accommodation, and have made applications for building grants; but the matter has been delayed pending the settlement of the general question of building grants. Upon this subject I beg to refer to my Answers to Questions on 31st October.‡ As I then stated, there is every reason to anticipate that a settlement of the question will shortly be effected.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention having been drawn to the incident connected with the opening ceremony of the Munster-Connaught Exhibition by Lord Aberdeen, at which, by special Resolution, it had been decided that the British flag should be excluded from the decoration of the exhibition premises, he will take such steps as may be deemed necessary by the Cabinet to insure that Lord Aberdeen, as direct representative of the Sovereign, shall not in future take part in public functions when Resolutions against the use of the British flag have been passed. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave on Wednesday, 31st October.‡ As I then said, I do not know what occurred on the occasion referred to, but the hon. Member is not to assume that his statements are to be taken as accurate. The Cabinet and, I believe, the country also have perfect confidence in the high sense of duty, judgment, and tact of the Lord-

† See (4) Debates, clxiii., 1028, 1129,1130, 1131.

‡ See (4) Debates, clxiii, 1126, 1127.

Lieutenant, and I regret that any Member of this House should put such a Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is in accordance with the Land Act of 1903 for the Estates Commissioners, when dealing with an estate for which an application for an advance has been made, to accept purchase agreements and collect interest in lieu of rent from middlemen; and, if so, under what section of the Act. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The provision, under which an agreement for purchase by a middleman is received and interest in lieu of rent collected from him pending inquiry by the Estates Commissioners is Section 35 of he Land Act of 1896, with. which the Act of 1903 is construed as one. The Estates Commissioners inform me that if the middleman is a person having power under the Land Purchase Acts to sell to tenants, and if the Commissioners should come to the conclusion that the sub-tenants are of such a character as that they should be deemed. tenants, then the middleman's application for an advance for he purchase of the entire holding would be refused. If the middleman has not power to sell interest is similarly collected pending inquiry; and after the estate is inspected the Commissioners may, if they think fit, declare the sub-tenant to be a tenant and his parcel to be a holding. Until they do so the subtenant remains, tenant to the middleman and liable for rent.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that out of 172 purchase agreements lodged with the Estates Commissioners in re Mrs. Grace C. P. Mahon's estate, Strokestown, on the 25th April, 1906, upwards of eighty were from middlemen for holdings in the occupation of sub-tenants; that the Estates Commissioners have up to the present disregarded the subtenants and have collected interests from the middleman; whether the sub-tenants are entitled to any reduction from the middleman; and whether the Government will remedy the grievance under which they are alleged to suffer. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that on the estate referred to there are eighty-three sub-tenancies, mostly town or village plots, of which thirty-four are stated to be held by yearly tenants and the remainder by weekly or monthly tenants. Until the estate has been inspected the Commissioners cannot decide whether all or any of these sub tenants will be declared to be tenants, or whether advances can or will be made to the middleman. Meanwhile the subtenants will not be prejudiced by the collection of interest in lieu of rent from the middleman.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Department of Agriculture has advised the Government not to proceed with the work of extending Arklow pier. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) As I informed the hon. Baronet on 2Gth July last, † the Government have promised a free grant of £14,000 towards works at Arklow harbour, and £7,000 of this amount is provided in the Ireland Development Grant Estimate of the present year. My hon. friend is doubtless aware that by arrangement with the Arklow Harbour Commissioners the entrance to the harbour has, for a considerable time past, been dredged by the Department of Agriculture. The Department's engineer has recently furnished a report on the subject, which indicates that the dredging operations have so far been quite successful, with the result that the largest vessels frequenting Arklow now have free access to the harbour It is understood that the Harbour Commissioners and the traders of Arklow agree that such is the case. The result tends to show that dredging rather than an extension of the pier is mainly what was needed at Arklow, and as the question of the particular steps to be laken for improving the harbour is one which primarily concerns the Harbour Commissioners, the engineer's report has been sent to them

† See (4) Debates,clxi., 1421.

for their consideration. I may mention that the engineer's report, besides dealing with the question of dredging, makes suggestions for improvements of the harbour other than pier-extension. The Government have also expressed their willingness to assist the Harbour Commissioners in their consideration of the matter by having a further inspection made by the Board of Works if the Commissioners should so desire. No reply has been yet received from the Commissioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether any effective steps have been taken to carry out any, and, if so, which, of the recommendations on pages 29 and 30 of the Report of the Committee on Civil Employment of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors; have any county and borough councils been urged as-suggested in recommendation 16, and with what result; and has any Irish county or borough council given a favourable reply. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The question of the provision of funds, for the establishment of the central association, recommended by the Departmental Committee on the Civil Employment of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors, is still under consideration. The Admiralty have not been able to see their way to co-operate in the creation of the proposed association. The Army Council, however, in view of the difficulties in regard to employment which at present handicap the ex-soldier, and from which, owing to the smaller number thrown on the labour market and the nature of their training, ex-sailors do not suffer to the same degree; are of opinion that the establishment of a central association is essential to the success of their endeavours to ameliorate-the prospects of ex-soldiers. Steps have-been taken by the Army Council in filling all appointments under their control to give preference to ex-soldiers of good character where they possess suitable qualifications. Pending the formation of the new association, no steps have been taken to establish the central office and he local committees, by moans of which, it was proposed to get into touch with the various county and borough councils. The Army Council are in communication with general officers commanding-in-chief as to the best methods of imparting technical education as recommended by the Committee, and a standing advisory committee on technical education has teen established at the War Office with a view of assisting the local technical education committees which it is proposed to establish in the commands. With the exception of those measures which are dependent upon the establishment of a central organisation, progress is being made in carrying out the other recommendations of the Report. A committee is about to assemble to report upon the the payment of pensions and reserve pay at more frequent intervals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been received by the Foreign Office, or addressed by the Foreign Office to the Admiralty, concerning the increase of piracy on the China station; and whether the Chinese Government are actively co-operating with a view to the suppression of these lawless proceedings. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) Communications have passed between the Admiralty and Foreign Office on this subject. The commanding officers of His Majesty's ships on the West River are being called upon to report periodically on the state of security of traffic on the waterways in the neighbourhood of Canton, and from time to time to suggest such improvements as may appear to them desirable in the plans devised for keeping piracy in check. The question is now engaging the attention of the commander-in-chief. The Chinese Government have sent very stringent instructions to the Canton Viceroy as to the necessity of suppressing piracy.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the names of the counties and burghs in Scotland respectively where speed limits for motor traffic have been imposed. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:—

To ask the Secretary for Scotland what is the total number of cells in Perth Prison available for male prisoners; and how many prisoners were in custody there on each day in the month of September, 1906.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a man named Terence Daly has for over twenty years discharged the duties of postman in the considerable town of Bundoran, county Donegal; whether Daly is entitled, by reason of long service, to any pension in case of retirement; if not, will he inquire into the case with the view to having Daly put on the establishment, so as to entitle him to pension. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Daly is an auxiliary postman not doing a whole-time duty, and not eligible for any award under the Superannuation Acts, or to be placed on the establishment. On his retirement, however, I will inquire whether his case is one for a grant from a compassionate fund placed at my disposal by Parliament.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the morning collection of letters from the letter-box in Ardmayle, county Tipperary, a practice which has been in operation for over thirty years, has recently ceased; that the people of the district have suggested to the postal authorities a plan by which this privilege could be continued, and which would, in addition, allow of a midday delivery at the expense of only one additional mile to the existing journey of a postman; and will he say if this suggestion will be favourably considered. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have called for a Report on this subject, and will send the hon. Member an Answer when it is received.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the British delegates at the Berlin Conference on Wireless Telegraphy have been out-voted on the following points, namely, the compulsory intercommunication of all floating stations on ships on the high seas with no reservations; the adoption of certain regulations containing no satisfactory guarantees against interference with naval messages; the granting to each State of the right to exempt certain wireless stations from compulsory intercommunication with all ships, however fitted; and the proposal that any shore station exchanging messages with a ship carrying apparatus of a system different from that used at the shore station in question should be entitled to receive a higher rate of payment than when exchanging messages with a ship using an apparatus similar to its own; whether the British delegates received instructions from His Majesty's Government to make a stipulation that secret details of working wireless messages shall be safeguarded, and that this proposal has been in the result neglected; whether the representation proposed by the British delegates for British Colonies on future International Commissions on Wireless Telegraphy was also vetoed; and whether the British delegates will be instructed not to sign or ratify the proposals carried by a majority at the Conference. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) If my hon. friend will wait until he has before him the text of the Convention, of the Regulations, and of the Protocol, which will shortly be made public, he will find that the statements which he has seen, and which he has embodied in his Question, are either the reverse of the truth or misleading in their implication. The British delegates were instructed to carry out that which was the policy of the late, as well as of the present, Government in regard to the matter. They were instructed not to agree to the principle of intercommunication, nor to sign the Convention, unless specific and adequate securities for British interests, naval and commercial, were obtained.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that at Carstairs Junction a postman has not only to cross the metals in the dark in order to place the mails in the guard's van, but frequently to crawl beneath trucks and waggons; whether he is aware that in response to his application for steps to be taken to minimise this risk, it was suggested to him that he should transfer to another place; and whether he has sanctioned this reply. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have called for a Report on this subject, and I will communicate with the hon. Member after I have received it.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state what the annual average cost has been to the public for the last ten years of maintaining the garden for the private use of the officer in charge of the Ordnance Survey, Dublin; whether the labourers of the Ordnance Survey perform this as well as the work of making hay; and whether he can give the names of the officers successively in charge of the Irish survey during the same period. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Ordnance Survey offices occupy a group of Government buildings in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, and an officer and a detachment of Royal Engineers are also quartered in these buildings. The garden and grounds adjoining, which comprise some five acres, are kept up by labourers of the Ordnance Survey, and the average annual cost of this work for the last ten years has been £231. The following officers have successively occupied this Government quarter during the last ten years:—Lieutenant-Colonel Hellard, August, 1896, to March, 1899. Lieutenant-Colonel Sim, April, 1899, to September, 1904. Lieutenant - Colonel Meres, October, 1904, to June, 1905. Major Buckland, June, 1905 to present date. The garden and grounds in question are in full view of the Phoenix Park, and they cannot be regarded as being maintained solely for the personal pleasure of the officer in charge of the Ordnance Survey, whose emoluments are quite inadequate to enable him to do so at his own expense.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether bookbinding and map mounting in connection with the Ordnance Survey work in Ireland is done in Southampton; and, if so, with a view to convenience and economy whether he will arrange to have it done in Ireland. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Map mounting and book binding for Ireland is done at Southampton, but the amount of such work is small, and it could not be done with either convenience or economy by setting up a separate staff and machinery in Dublin.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether application has been made for the consent of the Board under The Law of Commons Amendment Act, 1893, to the appropriation of five acres of Witley Common, near Godalming, in the county of Surrey, for the purposes of a burial ground; and, if so, whether, having regard to the importance of preserving intact all common lands in the neighbourhood of London, and especially in growing residential districts like that in question, the consent of the Board will be withheld. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The parish council of Witley have applied to the Board for their consent, under Section 22 of the Commons Act, 1899, to the grant or inclosure, of three acres of common land forming part of Witley Common. The application is now under consideration of the Board, and inasmuch as certain objections have been received it is proposed to hold a local inquiry on the subject.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether in view of the numerous cases of damage caused off the South Coast of Devon and Cornwall to the fishing gear of English fishing vessels by foreign steam trawlers, he will impress upon the Government Departments concerned the necessity of taking more effective action to protect the fishermen against their repetition. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd George.) The Board of Trade and the Admiralty are alive to the necessity of protecting British fishing interests in the Channel, and in this connection I would draw the attention of my hon. friend to the reply given on the 29th ultimo by the Secretary to the Admiralty to the hon. Member for the Totnes Division of Devonshire, showing that the Department concerned are now considering the question.† I may add, however, that in cases of damage done by French trawlers to the gear of British fishing boats in the Channel, representations will be made to the French Government whenever such action appears possible.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of having the control of the Irish Ordnance Survey put under the charge of the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. No change is contemplated in the existing arrangements for the conduct of the Ordnance Survey. The divided control suggested would be attended with diminished efficiency and increased expense.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a sum of £32,470 was collected for the year 1905 in Ireland as Crown and quit rents; whether he can state the total amount collected from that source during the past ten years; whether he will state if it is retained as a separate fund, and what portion of it has been expended and for what purpose; and whether he will consider the advisability of applying this money to create and finance a forestry department for the purpose of re-afforesting Ireland. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The quit and other Crown rents collected in Ireland during the year ended 31st March last amounted to the sum mentioned by the hon. Member. As was stated in answer to a Question by the hon. Member

† See (4) Debates, clxiii, 684.

for Kilkenny South, on 7th March last.† the average annual amount of quit rents collected during the ten years ended 31st March, 1905, is £35,516, and the money has been merged in the general income of the land revenues of the Crown, the surplus proceeds of which have been paid into the Exchequer each year, in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Acts. As I have previously informed the hon. Member the question of re-afforestation in Ireland is one which must be dealt with on its merits, apart from any question connected with quit rents.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a Bridge Commission, upon which the counties of Waterford and Kilkenny were represented, under the provisions of I and 2 William iv, c. 33, 4 and 5 William iv., c. 61, 2 and 3 Vic. c. 50, and 30 and 31 Vic, c. 50, sat at Waterford in 1903 for the purpose of considering the desirability of erecting a new bridge accoss the River Suir at Waterford, and of determining, in the event of a new bridge being built, the proportions in which the various counties would benefit by its erection and of assessing the proportions in which the various interested counties should contribute to the expense of its erection, and that the Commission determined that it was desirable that a bridge should be built and that the proportion to be paid by the county Tipperary South Riding should be one fifth of the total cost; and seeing that it was recommended by the Commission that the county Tipperary South Riding should be so taxed without having any representation on the Commission, will he in the event of a new Commission being appointed, advise His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant to appoint a representative on the Commission from the county Tipperary South Riding. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The facts are as stated in the Question. The claim made on behalf of the County Tipperary South Riding for representation on the proposed further Commission will receive due consideration.

† See (4) Debates, cliii, 461.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners received an application last year from Garret Stynes for reinstatement in his holding situated at Plunketstown, Graney Electoral Division, Baltinglass Rural District, No. 3, county Kildare; if he is aware that the holder of this farm, Thomas Jawler, has instructed Mr. E. P. O'Kelly, auctioneer, Baltinglass, to sell the holding; and whether, with a view to the reinstatement of Garret Stynes, he will instruct the Estates Commissioners to enter into communication with Mr. O'Kelly or buy the farm at the auction. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the matter referred to in the Question is at present before them, and they are making inquiries in regard to it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 28th ultimo four fishermen when entering the boat harbour at Ballycastle had a narrow escape from drowning, due to a wall having been built there by a Mr. M'lldowney between high and low water mark; if he can state on whose authority this wall was built; and whether, seeing that it imperils the lives of fishermen using the harbour, he can say what steps, if any, it is proposed to take to have it removed. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) It is, I am informed, the fact that a boat containing four fishermen recently had a narrow escape from being swamped when entering the boat harbour at Ballycastle. The fishermen hold that the building of a wall by Mr. M'Ildowney has increased the danger of entering the harbour in rough weather, and some of them told me when I was at Ballycastle on 31st August that the wall prevented the Rathlin men who came into the little harbour from seeing when a heavy swell was coming. I understand that Mr. M'Ildowney, who is the owner of a private jetty near the harbour, has built the wall on ground of which he claims to be the lessee. He does not admit that the wall has injured the harbour, but says it has rather tended to make it safer. The Department of Agriculture is at present negotiating with the county council with the view of seeing whether anything can be done to improve the harbour, and in that connection the subject of the wall referred to will doubtless receive consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of skilled labourers at Chatham Dockyard have been reduced to the rank of ordinary labourers, with a reduction in wages from 3s. to 4s. per week; and, seeing that he has accepted the principle of trade union conditions being made applicable to all royal dockyards, whether he will take immediate steps to raise the minimum wages to those current in private shipbuilding yards where similar work is being executed.

In accordance with the universal practice of the Royal Dockyards and in order to save the men from being discharged, some seventy skilled labourers at Chatham have been temporarily employed on ordinary labour, and have been paid as ordinary labourers. It is hoped that the reduction of pay will be of short duration. The men will be placed on their former rates of pay as soon as skilled work becomes available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of the Question? Are we to understand that the Admiralty are going to recognise trades union rates in the dockyards according to the hon..Member's promise in March last?

I must refer the hon. Member to the words of my promise, † and he will see that my Answer is not inconsistent.

† See (4) Debates, cliii, 505, 509.

May I ask whether the minimum rates for labourers in the dockyards do not amount to 24s. a week?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

I should like to ask whether reduction in the position of a number of skilled labourers has necessitated a reduction in the number of ordinary labourers in the dockyard?

Not so far as I know. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat the Question.

I bog to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is considered by the Admiralty and the Committee of Defence that ships withdrawn from the Fleet in full commission and placed in the Reserve or Home Fleet, are immediately effective as a striking force in the emergency of war.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to Answer this Question. The Answer is—Yes. The Board of Admiralty consider that the redistribution of ships about to be made adds to the fighting efficiency of the Fleet. Questions of this nature are not referred to the Committee of Defence, but I thought I would give this reply in order to save time.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, as a result of the inquiry recently held locally, any decision has been come to with regard to the use of the Start Bay, South Devon, as a range for big gun firing by His Majesty's ships.

It has been decided not to lay down permanent moorings for a fixed target range in Start Bay, and gun firing will be carried out there in future only between 1st November and 31st March, during which period every precaution, consistent with service requirements, will be taken to avoid interference with fishery interests.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has decided to extend the Volunteer Brigade organisation of the provinces to the force in the metropolis, with a view to preparing them for mobilisation under commanders acquainted, with the battalions according to the expressed wish of nearly all the commanding officers in London.

It is not proposed at present to extend the Volunteer Brigade organisation to the Volunteers of the metropolis.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not going to take any steps at all in the matter?

I said it was not proposed to at present.

When is it likely to be determined?

When a large question like this is under consideration nothing is more mischievous than the making of statements piecemeal.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the system of payment by results is that adopted in the Paymaster's Department of the War Office; and, if so, when was any change made; is it the practice to object to a claim which is smaller in amount than the scheduled charge; does the clerk or objector receive half of the original small claim on securing the acceptance of the larger though scheduled charge. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what amounts have been paid to officials in the Paymaster's Department of the War Office for detecting alleged errors in claims made against that Department for the past ten years, will he further state how many claims does the amount represent.

The hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension as to the method of examining accounts in the War Department. The practice referred to does not obtain in the War Office.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the conditions under which the King's medal for the South African campaign was granted have resulted in unequal treatment, so that men who served during the first and more arduous portion of the war received one medal, the Queen's—while men who served during the second and less arduous portion received two medals—Queen's and King's. Whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction caused, especially amongst the Natal Field Force and the Colonial forces, in consequence; and whether he will take steps to remedy the inequality.

The object of the King's medal was to give special recognition to the services rendered by the troops in the later phases of the campaign, and to reward those soldiers who. by their long service in the field, brought the war to a successful termination. This is clearly stated in the Army Order promulgating the grant of the medal. The Army Council are not aware of any sound grounds for re-opening the question of the conditions of the grant.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether several patients have recently been discharged from Netley who have been there in some cases for many years; whether, seeing that the only legal refuge for patients so discharged is the workhouse of the place where he was born, he will say what was the final notice given to the patients of their impending discharge; and what steps, if any, the Government intend to take to alleviate the hardships of these men?

It was brought to the notice of the War Office last year that there were several cases of men being retained in military hospitals after their discharge from the Army. Such retention not only caused a charge on Army Votes (of about £3,000 a year) in respect of men no longer in the Army, but also absorbed hospital accommodation required for other soldiers. After full consideration of the matter it was decided that such cases could not be retained indefinitely or from any charitable reason, but that they should be discharged from hospital as soon as they were fit to travel. These men, if they have no homes to go to, are sent to the guardians of their place of settlement. As regards notice to the patients, discretion as to length of notice is left to the principal medical officer of the hospital in question. How long was the notice which he gave in recent cases I cannot tell, but if the noble Lord desires it I will inquire. I am doing all in my power to find homes for these men.

Are the soldiers described as pensioners not, in fact, suffering from disease? May I further ask is it not a part of the terms under which recruits are engaged that free medical treatment shall be given?

Free medical treatment was given. One man has been ten years an invalid. He has received medical treatment, and he would not have been kept in ordinary civil employment under these conditions.

As the right hon. Gentleman expects to save £3,000 a year on this arrangement, will he consider the advisability of sharing the money for the benefit of these men until they can find a permanent home?

If Parliament will give me authority in the matter I will see what can be done. It is going beyond the power of the medical organisation to keep the sick until they find a home. I will consider the question for putting money on the Estimates, but I cannot give any assurance.

Then these men will be branded as paupers?

Will the right hon. Gentleman put down an extra sum in the Estimates to provide for these men?

I will consider that question, but can give no assurance at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that these soldiers are still in a condition of grave sickness, and are they being sent out of the hospital to enter the workhouse?

They are not in a condition of grave sickness; they are only bed-ridden.

Have they not gone into the workhouse?

Are not the Irish workhouses full of soldiers chargeable on the rates?

That may be; I cannot say.

Are they not suffering from very grave sickness when they are unable to work?

They are not able to work, and if Parliament chooses to say that the Army medical organisation is to insist upon providing medical treatment, then we will do what Parliament desires of us. But I may point out that some of these men have been ten years under hospital treatment.

rose to put a further Question.

Order, order! This is becoming a debate.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information which he can communicate to the House regarding the distribution of a circular, purporting to be issued by a society in Bengal styled the Golden Bough, in which circular the recipients are asked to promise to break the nests of the Feringhi (European) birds, tearing them in pieces, and throwing them into the Ganges, to beat the sahibs (Europeans) of the city, and to drive them away, that the Hindus may govern their own country, and in which the Mohammedans are informed that their Hindu brothers have great hope of them, and in which the recipients are asked to bring anything they can get, lathis (clubs), spears, and guns; and, if so, whether any action will be taken against the printers and publishers of such incitements to rebellion and treason.

The circular described in the Question appeared, under the heading "Golden Bengal," some fifteen months ago. So far as my information goes, the police are unable to fix definitely the responsibility for printing or publishing it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a Bengali agitator addressing employees of the East Indian Railway at Asansol on 5th September last, in the presence of a magistrate and officer of police informed his hearers that sugar was refined with pig's and cow's blood, that Babu Bannerjee had been crowned King or Emperor of Hindustan, that the English had fattened on dog's meat and grown bold, and that Japan had shown them what Asiatics could do; and whether the Government of India proposes to take any action in view to preventing the debauching of ignorant multitudes by such discourses.

I am not aware whether the Government of India propose to take any action; but no doubt they will give attention to the subject.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial from the Fourteenth Madras Provincial Conference, held at Tinnevelly in June last, praying that steps might be taken with as little delay as possible to secure the separation of judicial from executive functions; and whether, seeing that in 1903 the then Viceroy intimated that the question would be dealt with shortly, he will take such measures as may be necessary to bring about this reform in Indian administration as speedily as possible.

The memorial referred to has not been received by me. I addressed the Government of India on June 22nd last asking them to let me have their conclusions on the subject as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether those portions of the redistribution scheme of the Commander-in-Chief which proposed to place a permanent cantonment at or near Torseppah, in the mountainous country occupied by the Mohmund tribes, and to establish an artillery and cavalry cantonment between Nowshera and Hoti Murdan have been definitely abandoned.

Sanction has been given for the new cantonment between Nowshera and Hoti Murdan. A proposal for placing a permanent cantonment at or near Torseppah has now, I believe, been abandoned.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether any further progress has been made in regard to the proposed establishment of a legislative council for the British Central Africa Protectorate.

Advantage was taken of the presence in this country of the Commissioner of British Central Africa to discuss this proposed change and the numerous arrangements in details which would require to be made, the consideration of which must occupy some time. The matter is, however, being kept steadily in view.

Is my hon. friend aware that those interested are anxious to see this measure carried out as soon as possible?

Yes, sir, and I am endeavouring to give every consideration to their wishes. But there are many large questions to be considered in connection with such a matter as this.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to an agitation going on in British Guiana against the monopoly of the Crown Agents to the Colonies; whether the Colony claims the right to make its own contracts in the open market as it possesses the independent control of its own finance; and whether he will supply any Papers dealing with the question.

My attention has been called to certain paragraphs in the public press in which allusion is made to this subject, but I have received no official communication from the Government of British Guiana. The rule that requisitions, for public stores should be made through the Crown Agents for the Colonies and not through local firms represents the conclusions arrived at by successive Secretaries of State as to the method of obtaining public stores which is best calculated to promote economy. In answer to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, the point is whether the Government of British Guiana, like the Governments of other colonies not possessing responsible government, should in accordance with the standing rule procure stores required from the United Kingdom through the agents of the colony in the United Kingdom, viz., the Crown Agents for the Colonies, or through local firms and their agents. How far the unofficial majority in the financial House wish to insist on the latter course I am not able to say, nor have I at present material for laying Papers on the subject before Parliament.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Kaffirs were discharged from the mines of the Transvaal during the past six months; and also how many Chinamen have been employed as skilled workers during the same period.

I cannot state how many Kaffirs were discharged from the mines of the Transvaal during the period in question; but the number of native labourers employed has remained practically unchanged, there having been 94,277 on 31st March, and 93,803 on 30th September, a reduction of only 474. Upon the question of how many Chinamen have been employed as skilled labourers, my hon. friend is no doubt, aware that such employment is prohibited under section 9 (a) of Ordinance No. 17 of 1904; and the information at my disposal does not enable me to say whether such regulation has been in any way infringed. But my hon. friend may perhaps be interested to observe that the ratio of white men to coloured of all races was in May, 1904, before the importation of Chinese began, as 10 to 59, whereas to-day it is as 10 to 84, and the number of white men employed per 100 stamps was 250, whereas to-day it is 210.

I think the hon. Gentleman—unintentionally no doubt—has reversed the figures concerning the natives? Did he not convey the idea recently that Chinamen were displacing white skilled labour?

If the hon. Gentleman asks me a Question regarding statistics, I do my very best to supply him with the Answer he wishes.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received from His Majesty's High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States the Report asked for in August last regarding gaming licences; if so, can he now say what amount of annual revenue is derived from such licences; and if any steps are being taken to abolish licensed gambling in the Federated States.

The High Commissioners Report has now been received. It is not possible to state the exact amount of revenue derived from gaming licences, as the gambling farms have hitherto been leased in conjunction with other farms, but the average annual revenue from this source is estimated at about three million dollars. The Secretary of State is satisfied that the immediate abolition of licensed gambling is impracticable, but steps are being taken to restrict it as. far as possible, and to prepare the way for eventual abolition.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the fact that the Order in Council carrying into effect the modus vivendi with France of 1890, respecting the Newfoundland lobster fishery, was not issued till the 23rd June, 1891, and contained a declaration that it was so promulgated under powers vested in Her Majesty by an Act passed by the Legislature of that Colony, he will explain why His Majesty's Government have not followed a similar course in the case of the modus vivendi with the United States Government respecting the Newfoundland fisheries.

The hon. Member appears to assume that effect was not given to the modus vivendi concluded with France in 1890 until June, 1891. The modus vivendi was made only for the season of 1890 and expired at the end of that season. Her late Majesty was bound by it from the date of its conclusion and gave effect to it throughout the season of 1890. Lord Salisbury, however, renewed it for another year in March, 1891. The Colonial Act under which the Order in Council referred to was issued was not passed until it had been made clear to the Colony that in the absence of Colonial legislation an Imperial Act would be passed. Lord Salisbury's Government actually introduced a Bill into Parliament, and it was only withdrawn when the Colony undertook to legislate. The modus vivendi was renewed by Lord Salisbury before that undertaking was given. The modus vivendi which has been concluded with the United States Government applies only to the present winter herring fishery, which will end about Christmas; the Colonial Legislature will not meet again until after it is over. Without at this moment entering upon legal considerations I would point out that there would have been no object in concluding the modus vivendi at all if effect was not to be given to it until after the end of the fishery to which it was to apply.

As a matter of fact did not the Colonial Government in the period of Lord Salisbury's Administration consent to the modus vivendi in view of the fact that Lord Knutsford on 13th February, 1890, said—

The hon. Member is not now seeking information.

asked when Papers would be laid.

I am making inquiries at the Foreign Office, but I do not think Papers can be laid before the beginning, or perhaps the middle of next week.

inquired whether the modus vivendi was to be submitted to the Colonial Legislature after the herring fishery season was over. Did it only apply to this season?

said that he could not undertake to answer Questions on this matter of great constitutional complexity without proper notice, which would enable him to consult the noble Lord the Secretary of State.

asked whether the arrangement with the United States would terminate at Christmas, and thus leave the Colony complete freedom of action.

The arrangement is a provisional arrangement, which it was necessary to make because of the imminence of this year's fishery, and pending the general discussion of the question which is still proceeding. The arrangement terminates when the decision on the general discussion has been reached.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the fact that the imposition of forced labour (unpaid) is imposed upon the West Africans in lieu of the imposition of money rates, he will say on what grounds heavy taxation by way of customs is imposed on the same people. I beg also to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to state whether forced (unpaid) labour has ever been demanded, or, if demanded, the latest date of such demand in the Colonies of Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, or of Lagos, before the absorption of the last-mentioned Colony in South Nigeria.

By universal and immemorial custom of the numerous tribes inhabiting the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria (and West Africa generally) the inhabitants of each town are responsible for the upkeep of the native paths running through their lands. In the large portion of Southern Nigeria where the House Rule Proclamation is in force, the natives all belong to some house, and in return for the protection they receive are liable under that law to work for their chiefs. In the interior where this proclamation is not in force all inhabitants are subject, probably to a greater extent, to the control of their chiefs. The town dwellers also, except whore British rule is established, build and maintain defensive walls and trenches —generally extending for many miles— round their towns as a protection against raids. Often several lines of walls and trenches exist. As we occupy territory all this ceases, and the Governor reports that the relief thus given must be tenfold the requirements of the Government for the construction and maintenance of better roads. After the establishment of British Government the inhabitants of all towns and villages in the territory under our control are required to construct necessary additions to and maintain the existing roads through their districts in good order. In the last two years the construction of roads of a much better class than those previously existing has been undertaken, and it has been recognised that the natives could not reasonably be called upon to construct such loads without assistance from the Government; although they themselves are, of course, the chief gainers by improved communications. In most places the benefits arising from new roads are fully understood by the chiefs, and they gladly assist in their construction. Where such improved roads have been constructed payment has always been made to the natives, but in cases where they have been called upon simply to clear a broader track through the country and to fell trees and uproot stumps, payments have been made to the chiefs. The rule is for the chiefs to supply food for the men sent by them to work. It has boon left to the discretion of the Provincial, Divisional and District Commissioners to consider the amounts that should be paid from Government funds for road work done, and I believe, they have always shown full consideration to representations made by the chiefs or people that work on roads may be suspended or considerably reduced during the farming and palm oil seasons. In addition to this ordinary road-making and construction work, it has always been customary to fine towns and villages for risings against the Government, for murders, human sacrifices, slave-dealing, etc., and in lieu of the exaction of a fine in cattle, sheep or produce, chiefs have been required and certainly prefer to provide labour for road construction or for the clearing of sites and the erection of buildings for new stations. The people are invariably dealt with through their chiefs, and I need scarcely state that any abuse by Government officers of their delegated discretionary powers would entail the severest censure, if not the dismissal of the officer concerned. Subject to these exceptions the Secretary of State is not aware that forced unpaid labour has within any recent period been demanded in any of the colonies named or, so far as his present information goes, that it has been demanded in Southern Nigeria. The experience of the Road Construction Department, however, has been that unpaid labour is unsatisfactory, and even costly, for works of any magnitude on account of its fluctuations and inexperience. The question of the abolition of a deeply-rooted custom is too large and complex for any hasty or immediate decision, but the Secretary of State earnestly hopes that it may eventually follow into extinction other still more undesirable local institutions which have been already terminated by the extension of British authority.

Then in any case payment is made to the chiefs and poissbly by them indirectly to their men?

Yes.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now official information to the effect that the Chinese labourers in the Rand mines are required to make their complaints to the managers of the mines, instead of to the inspectors under the superintendent of foreign labour as heretofore; and, if he has not any information on the subject, will he be good enough to cause inquiry to be made.

I am in communication with the Governor on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies at whose discretion can forced unpaid labour be exacted from West Africans; and whether such discretion lies solely in the control of the Governor or if it can be exercised by any subordinate.

In West African Colonies and Protectorates in which there is legal power to demand labour on roads and waterways, the Governor or High Commissioner alone can make an order that such work shall be done.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the incident terminating in the death of Mr. Crewe Read was attributable to demands for forced labour, unpaid, being enforced.

The Secretary of State expects shortly to receive from the Governor of Southern Nigeria a further report for which he has called upon the causes of the attack on Mr. Crewe Read; and in the meantime I am not in a position conclusively to answer the hon. Member's Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state what effective measures have been taken to prevent a repetition of the outrages recently perpetrated in the Congo State.

Some reforms have been announced since the report of the Commission of Inquiry. They do not meet all the points to which that Commission drew attention, and there has not yet been time to receive reports upon the extent to which they have been put into force, or what the effect has been.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there is no principal probate registry in Edinburgh for Scotland similar to the one in London for England; and if he will say how the Death Duties are dealt with there in the absence of such a registry; whether affidavits, or inventories as they are called in Scotland, are received at the Estate Duty Office direct and without passing through any probate registry; whether affidavits are received in Scotland by collectors of Inland Revenue direct and without the intervention of a district probate registry, duly accepted, and the document sent to the Comptroller, Estate Duty Office at Edinburgh, for stamping, and resort had to the Sheriff Clerk only after the fact for the grant of confirmation and making copies of the account and wills; whether this system is in use in Scotland; and, if so, will he consider whether it can be introduced into England; and, if not, what are the circumstances which render the system unsuitable in this country.

I find that in Scotland the duties of the Principal and District Probate Registrars are performed by the Commissary Clerk in Edinburgh and the Sheriff Clerks in the provinces. There exists, however, this distinction between the two countries, that, whereas in England the district registries are merely branches of the Central Registry, in Scotland the Commissary Clerk exercises no jurisdiction whatever over the Sheriff Clerks, although if an executor so desires he may have his case dealt with in Edinburgh instead of in the provinces. Direct receipt of inventories in Scotland by the Estate Duty Office occurs only in the case of mortgages. This is due to the fact that under Scottish law a mortgage is permitted to pass without a grant of probate, and there is therefore no necessity for any official intervention other than that of the Estate Duty Office. In all other cases the duties of Inland Revenue officers in connection with the assessment and collection of Death Duties are the same in both Scotland and England.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the recent rise in the Bank rate has been caused by no very excessive withdrawals of gold; and whether, to obviate the inconvenience to trade caused by a high Bank rate, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to establish a national reserve of gold.

The question has for some time engaged, and is engaging, my attention. I am not at present prepared to make any definite statement on the subject, but I must not be taken to assent to the suggestion that the establishment and maintenance of an adequate gold reserve is the duty of the State and not that of the banking community.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the projected amalgamation of English soap manufacturers, he will consider the advisability of removing the existing duty upon the importation of foreign soap.

Soap as such is not chargeable with duty upon importation. But a duty of 3d. per 1b. is levied upon transparent soap in respect of the spirit which is used in its manufacture. I am considering how far this duty places transparent soap of foreign manufacture at a disadvantage compared with similar soap of home manufacture, in view of the concessions recently granted in respect of alcohol used for industrial purposes.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the indignation that prevails throughout the country over the proposal to turn the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society into a limited company, and in consequence of the fact that this society has an enormous membership in the great towns of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales who are unable, on the score of distance and expense, to attend any meeting of the society held in London, he will take steps, either by meetings of members in the respective towns, or by delegates selected by such meetings, or by ballot to satisfy himself that such a change is desired by the majority of the members of the society.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the differences that have arisen between the members of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society with regard to its conversion into a limited liability company, and if pending the settlement of the matter by the High Court of Justice, he will take care that no steps are taken by the Registry of Friendly Societies to prejudice either one side or the other.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the petition lodged with the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies by members of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society, for an inquiry into the management of that society, also the petition lodged asking for a meeting to be held under the direction of the Chief Registrar, in place of the meeting held in Exeter Hall on September 19th last, to consider the question of the society being turned into a joint stock company; what decisions have been come to in regard to these petitions; and if he is in a position to give an assurance that the registry of the society will not be revoked until full inquiry has been made and until all the adult members have in some way had an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the matter.

My attention has been frequently called to this matter, and very conflicting allegations on the subject have been made to me. The question is now the subject of litigation, and so long as it is sub judice no decision will be taken as to whether the registration of the society is to be cancelled.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he would favour some inquiry by competent persons into the method and scope of Hansard's Parliamentary Reports, with a view of ascertaining whether, without prejudice to the public interest, great curtailment and consequent economy are possible.

The existing Hansard contract expires on the 31st December, 1907. I think it will be desirable to appoint a Select Committee in the course of next year to inquire into the subject in its double aspect of economy and efficient reporting.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that the functions of clerks to Commissioners of Taxes, as defined by the several Tax Acts, have been largely transferred in practice to Surveyors of Taxes; and whether, seeing that the clerks to Commissioners still receive remuneration as if they did the original work, that those acting within the metropolitan area still receive remuneration based upon a poundage of income-tax on property the work of which valuation has been transferred to the various vestries (now corporations), and that the clerical work in England and Wales which clerks to Commissioners now perform is usually delegated to a clerk at low wages or is put out at piece work, the Government will appoint a Committee to inquire into the present working of the Income Tax Acts with a view to improving the machinery for assessment and collection of income-tax.

The Board of Inland Revenue inform me that they know of no foundation for any one of the suggestions conveyed in the Question

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant a Return showing the expense to which the local authorities in Great Britain have been put by the wandering throughout Great Britain of a band of sixty or more German gipsies since the early part of this year; and whether he proposes to provide funds from the Exchequer to recompense the local authorities for this expenditure, which they have unwillingly incurred in consequence of the hospitality of the nation having been extended to these alien immigrants.

No good purpose would be served by such a Return even if it was possible to obtain the figures. I have no power to provide funds out of the Exchequer, nor do I think that there is any reason for doing so.

Why "no good purpose?"

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a band of these gipsies is still giving a great deal of trouble?

I am of course aware that there are gipsies about the country who are giving a great deal of trouble. Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggest some method of remedying the grievance?

I will wait on the right hon. Gentleman for the purpose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to introduce any legislation to cope with this evil?

Would not these gipsies give less trouble if let alone?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended to adopt the recommendations in the Report of the Select Committee on Cabs and Omnibuses (Metropolis), and to introduce the tariff commencing with a sixpenny fare for a short distance, combined with the use of the taximeter working on the horo-kilométrique, or hour-mile system; and when the new regulations are to come into operation.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what steps have been taken, or are proposed, to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee on Cabs and Omnibuses (Metropolis), especially with regard to the system of privileged cabs at railway stations.

The recommendations contained in the very useful Report of the Select Committee, of which my hon. friend was Chairman, are under the consideration of myself and the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police. Some of those which are within the competence of the Commissioner have already been carried out, and an order and regulations dealing with a number of others are now in draft. I am not yet able to make any statement with regard to the proposed new tariff and the use of the taximeter. The privileged cab question is one of well-known difficulty, but I am of opinion that it must be dealt with.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the report of a recent motor accident and the running over of a child of three years old, and to the remarks of the coroner that children should not be allowed to wander along highways at dangerous places, and that chauffeurs could not be expected to look after machines and children; and if he will take steps to remove the coroner from all city magisterial functions.

I have no power to remove any coroner from office, but I am addressing an inquiry to the coroner in question on the subject of the remarks attributed to him in the newspaper extract to Which my hon. friend has called my attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the county council?

I must ascertain the facts first.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment whether he is aware that the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, which consists of numerous affiliated societies throughout the United Kingdom, has refused to take part in the proceedings of the Royal Commission unless the constitution of that body is remedied, and a direct medical representative of the anti-vivisectionists is appointed; and what course he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I regret the decision of the British Union and hope it will be reconsidered, but I have nothing to add to my previous answers on this subject, except to say that the Commission contains two medical men of distinction whoso names were suggested by anti-vivisection societies.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Loughborough licensing justices have granted a licence to the Brush Company at Loughborough for the sale at their works of intoxicating liquors for the benefit of those workmen who are living on the premises during the present dispute; and whether, seeing that such permission makes such premises so licensed a public house, and in view of the provisions of the Truck Act, he proposes to take any, and, if any, what, steps in the matter.

I am making inquiries into this matter, which are not yet complete, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat his question in a few days time.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to a recent motor accident, when a car, alleged to be travelling at from forty to fifty miles an hour, skidded and killed two men; and if he proposes to take any steps to insist on the law being enforced and persons prevented from driving engines faster than express trains on the public roads.

I beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. I have seen the newspaper report of the inquest in this case. It was stated by one witness that the car was going between thirty and forty miles an hour, but the driver estimated the speed at eighteen miles an hour, and an expert witness gave evidence to the effect that the accident was caused by skidding and might have occurred at any rate of speed. The jury found that the occurrence was accidental, and that no blame attached to the driver. The enforcement of the law as to the speed limit is a matter for the local police authority.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the hon. Member who put this Question has himself been fined for exceeding the speed limit?

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of his decision to sanction the payments made by local authorities for religious instruction in non-provided schools pending the appeal in the West Riding case, steps can also be taken to secure equal consideration for passive resisters, who are entitled to the benefit of the decision in the Court of Appeal; and whether he can restrain local authorities during the same period from harshly enforcing against passive resisters the payment of rates for such religious instruction whether by distress or by applying for committal orders.

The only jurisdiction I have in respect of religious instruction in non-provided schools is in connection with the audit of expenditure incurred in relation to it, and, as regards this part of the matter, I may refer to the reply I gave on Monday last to the Question put to me by the hon. Member for the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen. † I am not empowered to take

† See (4) Debates, clxiii., 700.

any action of the kind referred to by my hon. friend.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes to so amend The Local Government Act, 1888, as to place in the hands of the County Council the control of the expenditure now exclusively controlled by the Standing Joint Committee.

I have lately received representations from one or two county councils on this subject, but am not in a position to promise legislation with regard to it at the present time

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an able-bodied pauper, named Tasker, who, with his wife and throe children, is at present an inmate of the Malton workhouse; whether he is aware that, in the last twenty-five years, Tasker has been twelve times convicted of various offences; that he and his wife were, in 1903, sentenced to four months' imprisonment for cruelty to their children, and before that date they had drawn insurance money on the deaths of five of their children at the ages of fifteen months, twelve months, ten months, eleven months, and nine months respectively; that since September, 1905, Tasker and his family have been in the Malton workhouse for forty-three and a half weeks, and that when not in prison or in the workhouse Tasker and his wife wander about the country dragging their children with them; whether he is aware that the Malton guardians are anxious to prevent the children from growing up into pauper vagrants like their parents, but are afraid to adopt them, because, if they do so, Tasker and his wife will leave the workhouse relieved of all responsibilty for their maintenance; and whether, in view of this and similar cases he will introduce legislation to prevent parents from deriving profit from the death, through systematic neglect, of insured children, and also to confer upon boards of guardians greater powers of detaining and otherwise penalising parents who ill-treat and neglect their children.

The guardians of the Malton Union have written to me on this subject. They do not give all the particulars stated in the Question respecting Tasker and his wife, but I should gather that the case is one in which in the interest of the children it is desirable that their care and control should be taken over by the guardians. I may point out that where this course is adopted the parent is not thereby relieved from liability to contribute to the maintenance of the child. With regard to legislation, I believe that one of the questions before the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws is whether increased powers of detention should be given to boards of guardians, and I will bring this case under their notice. Whether any further restrictions should be imposed on the insurance of the lives of children would be a matter for my right hon. friend the Home Secretary.

Do I understand that the Malton Board, of which I am a member, have power to adopt these children?

Yes, I believe they have.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he has yet arranged with the railway companies to provide third-class sleeping-carriages in trains where first-class sleeping-carriages are provided.

In accordance with the undertaking of which I informed the House on June 25th last, † the general managers of the railway companies concerned have met and considered this question. The general managers now state that they are unanimously of opinion that if third-class sleeping-carriages were provided a very heavy pecuniary loss to shareholders would be incurred, and accordingly the companies concerned have come to the conclusion that such provision could not be justified.

† See (4) Debates, clix., 739, 740.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the sums of money which have accrued to life insurance companies in consequence of the inability of many of the insured to keep up the payment of their premiums, whether he will promote legislation for the purpose of compelling life insurance corporations in the future to return on demand to the assured, or his legal representatives, at least 75 per cent. of the premiums already paid.

The Board of Trade cannot undertake to promote legislation for the purpose specified by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of the Board has been drawn, by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries or otherwise, to the treatment received by the Brixham trawling ketch "J. E. S. S." from, and to the damage caused to her fishing gear by, a French steam trawler on the night of 25th October; whether the Board will press on the departments concerned the necessity of more effective protection against the repetition of such action; and whether, in view of the number of such cases which have occurred, steps will be token to provide, as soon as practicable, effective means for obtaining compensation and satisfaction for such injuries.

The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the case of the Brixham trawler "J. E. S. S." The Board of Trade and the Admiralty realise the necessity of protecting British fishing interests in the Channel, and in this connection I would refer my hon. friend to the reply given on the 29th ultimo by the Secretary to the Admiralty to the hon. Member for the Totnes division of Devonshire ‡. The Board of Trade are now investigating the case, and will, if the facts are found to justify a representation to the French Government, suggest to the Foreign Office that such should be made.

‡ See (4) Debates, clxiii., 683, 684

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether a penny post is about to be established between New Zealand and the United States of America; and, if so, whether the same arrangement could be made to include the United Kingdom.

I understand that the Government of the United States of America have agreed to deliver without any additional charge letters posted in New Zealand for the United States of America prepaid at the rate of 1d. per ½ ounce but that the rate for letters sent from the United States of America to New Zealand remains as heretofore, namely 5 cents, equivalent to 2½d., per ½ ounce. As announced not long ago to a deputation in which the hon. Member took part, I am not at present in a position to make any proposals to the United States Post Office for the establishment of penny postage.

asked whether the question was under consideration.

said only in the sense that the question was one which largely depended on how much money was applicable to the various postal reforms.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the importance of wireless telegraphy in connection with the defences of Great Britain and the Empire, and of the conclusion of the international arrangements at the Berlin Conference, His Majesty's Government will give the House an early opportunity of discussing their terms previous to ratification.

The full text of the Convention, with the Regulations and Protocol, has only just been received. It will be laid upon the Table, and before ratification, if the House desires, an opportunity of discussing the Convention will be afforded.

Will the day for the discussion be in the course of the present session or next session?

We hope this session; certainly before ratification.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he has received from the police authorities of the county of Berks the depositions of the witnesses and the verdict of the jury given at an inquest held at Ascot on the 25th and 29th October, 1906, by the coroner of East Berks, upon the body of a cyclist, Osborne Paul Hart, who met his death by being knocked down by a motor-car on the main London Road at Windlesham, Surrey, on the 23rd October, 1906; and whether the Public Prosecutor proposes to bring the driver of the motor-car to trial.

The chief constable has decided to take proceedings in this case against the driver of the car and summonses have been issued.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General what steps, if any, have been taken or are proposed to be taken to give effect to the generally expressed desire that the Long Vacation shall begin on 1st August in 1907 and thereafter.

This question is still under consideration.