To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to grant special increments or allowances to assistant clerks who are shown to be employed upon the duties and to' be assuming the responsibilities of second division clerks. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) It rests with the heads of departments to bring forward such cases, if they exist, and any representations by heads of departments receive the careful consideration of the Treasury; but no general undertaking can be given in the sense suggested.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of letters sent from this country and received from France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Belgium and United States of America, respectively, in 1875 and in 1905; and what was the rate of postage to these countries in 1875 and in 1905. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I regret that I am unable to furnish the numbers asked for by the hon. Member for the year 1875. We have not them on record. A basis exists, however, for estimating the correspondence in the case of the continental countries mentioned for the year 1877, and in the case of the United States for the year 1881. The figures for these years, together with those for the year 1905, are embodied in the following statements. The proportion of letters and postcards included in the returns for the earlier years cannot be estimated:—

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when the next Court of Land Commission for appeals will sit in Longford. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that the date of the next sitting at Longford for the hearing of appeals has not yet been arranged. There are at present only fifty-one cases of pending appeals from county Longford.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether any negotiations have been entered into by the Estates Commissioners with Mr. J. M. Coyne for the purchase of his estate in Erris, North Mayo, and with Mr. H. Bengham for the purchase of his property in the same barony; and, if not, whether he will ask the Estates Commissioners to approach these landlords with a view to purchase negotiations, seeing that over two years ago these landlords expressed to representatives of their tenants their willingness to sell. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings or negotiations for sale are, pending before them in respect of the

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the line of telegraph from Dring to Aghnacliffe is guaranteed both locally and by the Granard rural district; and, if so, why the extension is not being pushed through.

The hon. Member is, I think, mistaken. No guarantee has yet been given for a telegraph extension to Aghnacliffe. As soon as this is forthcoming the line will at once be proceeded with.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of E. M. Walden, of 37, Medusa Road, Catford, who has been summoned for not vaccinating his youngest child, he having been refused an exemption certificate on two successive occasions at the Greenwich police court by Mr. Kettle and another magistrate, notwithstanding that the same court had, on two previous occasions, given him exemption certificates in the case of other children; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the continual prosecution of conscientious objectors. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have received a letter from Mr. Walden, but I regret that I have no authority to take action. The matter is one placed by statute within the discretion of the magistrate, and the only remedy for the anomalies which at present occur lies in an alteration of the law. Legislation for the purpose would he in the hands of my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Warwickshire police in forcibly preventing some gipsies from entering Warwickshire from Leicestershire; whether he is advised that the Warwickshire police acted illegally; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The chief constable of Warwickshire informs me that he issued instructions that the gipsies were not to be permitted to enter the county on Saturday last, and that these instructions were carried out. He does not state the grounds on which he considers that he was legally empowered to take this course, and I am not myself aware of them, but I am communicating further with him in the matter. The whole question is a very difficult one.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an occasional licence has been granted to the Brush Electrical Engineering Company, at premises which form part of their Falcon Works, Lough-borough, for several weeks; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1883, Clause 3, which prohibits the payment of wages at or within any place belonging to a public house or occupied therewith, except such wages as are paid by the resident owner, he proposes to take any action in the matter, seeing that wages are still being paid at an office or place belonging to and occupied together with the premises to which the occasional licence is being continually granted. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Yes, my attention has been drawn to the grant of an occasional licence for a canteen established in one part of these works for the convenience of the men employed. Whether the circumstances are such as to bring the case within the terms of the Payment of Wages in Public Houses Act is a doubtful point on which I am not prepared to express an opinion; but I understand that the point was taken before the justices who granted the licence, and that they considered, in view of the circumstances, especially the fact that the pay office was situated at least a quarter of a mile away at the other end of the works, that it could not be sustained. On the information at present before me I do not see my way to taking any action in the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the statutory declarations and statements of Henry P. Lee, Mabel Hodges, Fanny E. Hemsley, and others, with reference to the murder of Mrs. Stevens at Wadhurst. on the 11th December, 1905; whether he is aware that the evidence contained in the above declarations and statements did not appear at the trial of Stevens, and that, had it appeared, the innocence of Stevens would probably have been established; and whether, having regard to this additional evidence, he will order the release of Stevens. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The declarations referred to were submitted to me in June last, and were very carefully considered along with all the representations made to me on the prisoner's behalf. I regret to say that I could find no reason to doubt that the prisoner was rightly convicted, and that I am unable to advise any further interference with his sentence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the medical officer of Birmingham Prison for last year, that no fewer than sixty-eight babies at the breast with their mothers were admitted to the prison during the year, and, that, in the case of these babies, the recently established crêche was found very beneficial; whether a crêche exists in other prisons which have a similar proportion of babies among their inmates; and, if not, will he consider the desirability of establishing crêches in all prisons in which a considerable number of babies are received. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Yes, Sir. It was decided that crêches should be established at prisons where more than fifty babies were received during the year. This has now been done at all such prisons with the exception of Manchester where the work is in progress.

TO ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Report of the governor of Carnarvon Prison, to the effect that one reason why more fines are not paid after committal is the heavy charges for conveyance and the warrant; that in one case a young girl was fined 1s. for having no light on her bicycle, and finally had to pay 17s. 6d. and suffer a short imprisonment as well; and whether he will consider the whole, question of costs in connection with summary convictions with a view to a radical revision of the system. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone?\.) I have seen the Report in question, and I regret to say that other cases of a similar character from time to time come to the notice of the Home Office. Any alteration in the law would present great difficulties; but no alteration ought to be necessary, as the justices have power to remit payment of costs in all cases, and, when the fine is less than 5s., the costs cannot be imposed except by an express order of the court. The Home Office has frequently called the attention of magistrates to their powers and duties in this matter, and I will consider whether it would be useful to issue a circular on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many benches of magistrates throughout the country in applying Section 5 of The Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, are in the habit of imposing automatically the maximum period of imprisonment fixed by the scale in respect of the nonpayment of a fine, instead of determining the period according to the justice of the case, as the section requires; and whether, by circular or otherwise, he will call the attention of justices to the requirement of the law. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The Home Office for one reason or another hear of a very large number of sentences passed by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, and though it may be true that some Courts fix the amount of imprisonment to be imposed in default of a fine in the mechanical way indicated by the hon. and learned Member, I have no ground for thinking this is generally done. I will, however, take an early opportunity of calling attention to the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the stations in the United Kingdom where single regiments of line cavalry are maintained, specifying those from where cavalry brigade work cannot be practised; and if he will consider the advisability of suppressing one of those stations, if necessary, so as to allow of a cavalry regiment being maintained in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to certain Lancashire regiments of Volunteers, and the hardship caused to individuals, by the order of the 30th October, which forces the best non-commissioned officers to retire from the service in the prime of life and when they are of the greatest service to the commanding officers; and whether he will withdraw the order till he has made an inquiry and heard the views of the commanding officers of these battalions. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Under the provisions of Section 85 of the Army Act, a soldier may be permitted to continue in the service after twenty-one years, subject to the right to claim his discharge at three months notice, This is in fact a privilege which may be withdrawn by superior authority on giving the soldier one month's notice. In the cases alluded to, the non-commissioned officers have been given five months notice, as they will not be discharged to pension until the 31st March next. And, before the order is carried out, the number of non-commissioned officers liable to be discharged under its provisions will be reported to headquarters, when due consideration will be given to special cases.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the claim of Denis Looby, evicted tenant, of Sandymount, Templemore, to a farm instead of his evicted farm now occupied by a new tenant, was considered in connection with the redistribution of the untenanted lands purchased by the Estates Commissioners from Mr. Downes Martin; whether he is aware that Denis Looby resides within two miles of these lands, and if his claim was not considered why was it not; and, if so, why was he passed over. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that Denis Looby's application was duly considered by them in connection with the untenanted land on the Downes Martin Estate. The Commissioners understand that Looby has been placed in his former holding as caretaker, and that it is not improbable that the landlord may sell the estate, in which case Looby may possibly be reinstated in his former holding. Having regard to these circumstances, and to the many other urgent claims for the untenanted land on the Downes Martin Estate, the Commissioners have decided not to deal with Looby's case in connection with that estate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that about 150 police in charge of the county inspector were present at a peaceful meeting at Gortnahoe, county Tipperary, on 21st October; whether an information was sworn that the meeting might lead to a breach of the peace; if so, who made the information; what is the amount of extra cost chargeable for the concentration of the constabulary at Gortnahoe, and by whom is the same payable; and whether he is aware that the meeting was called to enable the hon. Member for Mid Tipperary to address his constituents. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that a force of seventy, not 150, police was assembled at Gortnahoe on 21st October for the purpose of preserving the peace in connection with a public meeting held there. No information was sworn in the matter. The police authorities inform me that they had reason to apprehend that a breach of the peace might be attempted, but none took place. The force was drawn from the district, and no charge falls upon local authorities. The placard convening the meeting did not announce the object of the meeting to be that mentioned in the Question, but I am informed that the hon. Member was one of the speakers.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say when the sale of Lord Southwell's estate, in the county of Limerick, will be completed, and when the evicted tenants on it will get. a grant from the Estates Commissioners. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that it is not possible at present to state when the sales on the estate in question will be completed, but in all probability it will not be before the end of next year. The Commissioners understand that two evicted tenants have been put into occupation on grazing agreements pending purchase, and they have instructed their inspector to visit the holdings and report as to the estimated price of the holdings, and as to the wants and circumstances of the evicted tenants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has seen the reply of the late teacher of Teeagh national school, Mr. McCurdy, relative to withdrawal of salary on the plea of inefficiency, where McCurdy emphatically denies the charge of inefficiency previous to the introduction of the new system; is he aware that the percentages quoted in that reply are very high for the nine years ending 1900; have the Commissioners any objection to give dates and substance of reprimands received by him during results period; and whether he will recommend the Commissioners of National Education to consider the case with a view to have Mr. McCurdy restored to his former position as principal teacher, or to grant him any other substantial recognition of his long services as a teacher. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Commissioners of National Education inform; me that they have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the Question on this subject put by the hon. Member for South Belfast on 19th July last.† The matter is entirely within the province of the Commissioners.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted on the civil servants of the Straits Settlements by the fixing of the value of the dollar at 2s. 4d., whereas when the currency scheme of pay was introduced, in 1903, the dollar was worth only about 1s. 5d.: and whether he will take steps to remedy the grievances of these officers, who have thus practically suffered a diminution of their local salaries amounting to about 30 per cent. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) I understand that when the sterling scheme of salaries was introduced the average ex- change value of the dollar was about 1s. 9d., but officers were already drawing compensation allowance, and this fact-was taken into consideration when fixing the sterling rates. It was optional for officers either to accept these rates or to remain on their dollar salaries. The Secretary of State does not consider that the officers concerned have been affected to a degree which would make it necessary or desirable to reconsider the general rates of salary now paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say what are the terms of settlement between the Russian Government and the British owners of the "Knight Commander" and the other British vessels destroyed in the late Russo-Japanese War. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) With regard to the case of the

† See (4) Debates, clxi., 376.

"Knight Commander," the Russian Government, having declined to reconsider the claim put forward on behalf of the owners and others concerned, His Majesty's Government have proposed that the case should be referred to arbitration by the International Tribunal at The Hague. The Russian Government have not yet replied to this proposal. The cases of other vessels destroyed by the Russian naval forces during the hostilities between Russia and Japan are pending before the Russian prize court. His Majesty's Government have, however, reserved the right of further diplomatic intervention if necessary, after the usual legal remedies have been exhausted by the parties concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the loss of the British steamer "Baron Huntly," when bound on a voyage from a Spanish port loaded with iron ore to a port in the United Kingdom; whether the load-line mark of the "Baron Huntly," had been shifted; and, if so, to what extent; if he will state the age of the vessel "Baron Huntly"; and whether the Board of Trade intend to make inquiries into the loss of this vessel.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the loss of the steamer "Lebanon," loaded with iron ore from a Spanish port to a port in the United Kingdom; if he can state how many inches the load-line mark of this vessel had been shifted; whether he will state the age of the "Lebanon"; and whether any inquiries are intended to be held with regard to the loss of this vessel.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the loss of the British ship "Manning-tree" in the Atlantic Ocean; and whether he has any official information showing that the disaster was owing to an alteration in the load-line to the extent of seven and a half inches; and whether he can state the age of the steamer "Manningtree"; whether he is aware that she was loaded with copper ore bound for Philadelphia; and whether he can state that the load-line of this vessel has been shifted to allow the vessel to load deeper; and whether the Board of Trade intend to hold an inquiry as to the loss of this vessel. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) My attention has been called to the three cases to which the hon. Member refers, and I have ordered a formal investigation to be held in each instance. Pending the result of these inquiries I am not prepared to make any detailed statement with regard to them.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United States levies an import duty upon British works of art, comprising paintings in oil and water colour, pastels, black and white drawings, and statuary, at the rate of 20 per cent, ad valorem, while the duty upon similar works imported into the United States from Finance, Germany, Italy, or Portugal, is only 15 per cent.; and whether he will take steps to induce the United States to remove a discrimination so prejudicial to British artists. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I am aware of the fact stated. Communications are passing between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States upon the subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Board have yet come to any decision on the question of placing increased reliance on the petty officers for the maintenance of discipline in the Navy, with a view to the abolition of the system of ship police. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The matter is still under consideration.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the totals, in the 35th Annual Report of the Local Government Board are omitted from the first Statement of the expenditure on Poor Law relief in England and Wales, on pages 588 and 589, where they have appeared for many years; whether he can state how the totals, except for the year 1905, on page 592, are made to agree with those on pages 588 and 589; and whether his attention has been called to the discrepancy between the totals of expenditure for 1905, on pages 589 and 592. (Answered by Air. John Burns.) The total expenditure on the relief of the poor in England and Wales for each of the twenty-five years up to 1904–5, inclusive, is shown in the tables on pages 591 and 592 of the Report referred to. It was, therefore, not necessary to retain the column for "totals" in the table on pages 588 and 589. The space formerly occupied by this column has been utilised for adding particulars of the expenditure on "buildings, repairs, furniture, rent, taxes, and insurance." for those years in respect of which they can be given. As regards the latter part of the Question, the explanation is that certain expenditure which appears in the accounts of the guardians of the poor under some of the headings in the table, e.g., the estimated value of the produce of a workhouse farm which is consumed in the workhouse, and is included under the head of "in-maintenance," has to be excluded in arriving at the total expenditure, because it is represented by expenditure which appears under another heading, such as the cost of working the farm, which would appear under the head of "other expenses." Deductions to avoid duplication were formerly made from separate items in the table corresponding with that on pages 588 and 589 of the last Report, and the totals of these reduced items were given in the table, but the Returns did not show precisely what deductions had been made. The present practice is to obtain Returns of the full expenditure charged to each heading, and to make the necessary deductions in the total. Hence the total expenditure for the year 1904-5 which excludes the duplicate amounts, shown in the tables on pages 591 and 592 of the Report, is not the total of the items shown in respect of that year in columns one to seven of the table on page 589.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state what provision has been made by the Customs authorities for the widow and six children of Mr. Patrick McKeon, whose friends reside near Boyle, county Roscommon, and who served twenty-two years in the Customs, and died last September at 162, Cyfartha Street, Roath, Cardiff. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that Mr. Patrick McKeon, late; preventive officer of Customs at Cardiff, died on the 2nd ultimo, after a service in this department of twenty-two years. His widow appealed to the Board of Customs on the 3rd instant for some pecuniary assistance, alleging that her husband's death was due to pneumonia consequent on exposure while he was on duty. Inquiries are being made into the facts of the case, but I ought to inform the hon. Member that the Superannuation Acts do not provide for the grant of assistance to the widow of a civil servant, unless the officer's death results from injuries specifically attributable to the nature of his duty.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether Sir Robert Hunter, as solicitor to the Post Office, rests under the disability imposed upon other civil servants of being forbidden to take an active part in politics; if so, whether the Postmaster-General's attention has been directed to a speech ascribed to Sir Robert Hunter; and whether he will draw Sir Robert Hunter's attention to the regulations governing the conduct of civil servants in such matters. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Sir Robert Hunter's remarks, to which, my attention has been drawn, were made at a drawing-room meeting held in connection with the question of woman's suffrage. The meeting was in no sense a party meeting. I am sure that Sir Robert Hunter had no intention of infringing the understanding governing the conduct of civil servants in such matters, and I do not propose, therefore, to take any action in regard to the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information he has received in reference to the conflict of Saturday last, when Hungarian gipsies attempted to force an entrance into the county of Warwick, and were assisted by the Leicestershire police; is he aware that the Leicestershire police actively assisted the gipsies in trying to push the leading carts over the boundary line, and the women of the gipsy band meanwhile be laboured the Warwickshire police with hedge stakes; and what action has the Home Office taken or proposes to take at. once to prevent a further breach between the county police and to avoid expense. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have had reports from the two chief constables concerned, and am satisfied that the accounts of the conflict between the two forces, which seems to have been due to some misunderstanding, are exaggerated. The movements of these gipsies involve many questions of great difficulty; but I am confident that the various police forces will cordially cooperate with one another in preserving law and order. As I have already stated, the only powers which I have in the matter proceed from Section 3 of the Aliens Act and relate to such individual cases as may be certified by a court for expulsion.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is possible so to arrange the business in the offices of surveyors of taxes that knowledge of the contents of people's income-tax returns and like confidential matters shall not come within the knowledge of the un-established clerks who discharge the clerical duties in those offices; will he say whether any petition was presented by the surveyors of taxes praying that the clerks in their offices should, in the interests of the public service, be put on the establishment, and was any scheme prepared by the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue for the establishment of those clerks; and will he recommend the appointment of a Committee of the House to inquire into the question of putting the clerks in the surveyors' offices on the establishment, and as to the preservation of secrecy in the matter of income-tax returns. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am informed that it would not be practicable to ensure that under no circumstances should the unestablished. clerks in surveyors' offices have access to information bearing in any way on income-tax returns, or other matters more or less confidential. But the arrangements at present made are such as to limit as far as possible such access, and there is no single case on record in which complaint has ever been substantiated that an unestablished clerk has made improper disclosures of information that has come to his knowledge in the course of his clerical duties. In 1905 the surveyors of taxes asked the Board of Inland Revenue to consider the question of employing a certain proportion of established clerks. This was done, but the Board felt unable to recommend that course. The Chairman of the Board has always been opposed to it, and has never prepared or submitted a scheme embodying it. The facts and considerations bearing on the subject are all fully known to the Board of Inland Revenue and the Treasury, and I do not think any further inquiry is required.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian princes and other persons who subscribed money for the building and endowment of the Imperial institute were consulted before it was decided to devote three-fifths of the building to the purposes of the London University; and whether any offer was made to refund to them the whole or a proportional part of their subscriptions. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) So far as I am aware, the surviving subscribers in India were not consulted by the governing body of the Imperial Institute, within whose discretion the matter lay, nor was any offer of a refund made to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received from the Government of India any information as to the desirability of assimilating the civil to the military regulations in respect of the remission of penalties for overstaying leave when the over stayal is due to delay in the arrival of a steamer. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have received a Report on the subject from the Government of India, who are not in favour of the suggested change. I am satisfied that, while the civil rules applicable to officers over-staying their leave differ to some extent from the military rules, they are not on the whole less liberal in actual practice, and that there is ample provision for preventing any inconvenience from the particular difference to which the hon. Member has drawn attention. I therefore see no sufficient ground for differing from the Government of India in the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Harold James Carroll, who is reported to have been dismissed from the Army because, having obtained a commission from the ranks, and having found that his pay as an officer would not cover his expenses, he resigned his commission and enlisted in the Royal Irish Dragoons; and whether, should the above report prove to be correct, and in the event of there being nothing against the character or conduct of Harold James Carroll, he will reconsider the dismissal and give him an opportunity of rejoining the Army in some capacity. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Mr. Carroll was on leave of absence from his battalion when certain circumstances affecting his character and conduct came to notice. He was ordered to rejoin his battalion and to give an explanation regarding the above matters. He furnished no explanation, stating that he was too ill for correspondence, and a medical board gave him leave for fourteen days. On the termination of this leave, Mr. Carroll failed to rejoin his battalion though ordered to do so, and gave no explanation. After a further period of twenty-one days absence without leave, he was removed from the Army. It then transpired that he had enlisted into the Royal Irish regiment, but in view of the above circumstances it was not considered desirable that he should serve, and his discharge was accordingly authorised.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the scale of pay of officers in the Army; and whether he can give any hope of his being able to make such provision in the Army Estimates next year as will make it possible for officers to live in all cavalry and line regiments without private means. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It is not possible for me to say more at present than that this important matter is receiving my careful consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to pay officers serving in South Africa at an increased rate, seeing that the cost of living in South Africa is very much higher than in this country. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The Colonial allowance issued to officers serving in South Africa, together with the rebate of customs duty granted to them, is considered sufficient to cover the extra cost of living in that country. No increase of the present rates of allowance is contemplated.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that for some days past the men belonging to Pembroke Dockyard, now employed in salving H.M.S. "Montagu," have refused to take their turn of night work at the pumps; whether on the 1st August any, and, if so, what number of these men refused to work altogether; whether this refusal has thrown extra work on the officers and blue jackets concerned in the salvage; whether this refusal has lessened the prospect of saving the vessel; and what

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have further considered the frequency with which seamen and stokers are moved from ship to ship, so entailing on them the expense of purchasing new cap ribbons; and whether they are now prepared to issue two cap ribbons free of charge. (Answered, by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Question is still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what were the number of battleships classified in the last Return of Fleets (Great Britain and Foreign Countries) as first class battleships, which were laid down for the Navies of Great Britain, Germany, France and the United States in the quinquennial periods, 1885–9, 1890–4, 1895–9, 1900–4, inclusive of the two battleships purchased from Chili, and in a final period of 1905–7, so as to include any battleships which are intended to be laid down by the four Powers during 1906 and 1907 (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The information desired by the hon. Member is given in the following table.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Longtown, Cumberland, Board of Guardians, who have refused to relieve an aged widow because her son, who has a wife and child to maintain on his wages of 9s. per week, should make provision for her, and because she had not sold a donkey and cart with which she occasionally earns a few shillings by carting garden produce to market, and that she still retained her furniture; whether his attention has been called to the statement of the chairman, that the Local Government Board would surcharge the guardians with the cost of any out-relief they might grant in such a case; and will he say whether this represents the practice of the Local Government Board in regard to the granting of outdoor relief. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have made inquiry on this subject, and am informed that the woman referred to had one son, whose wife was residing with her. The son was working on a farm where he was boarded and lodged in addition to receiving 9s. a week wages but he spent from Saturday to Monday with her. The grounds upon which she applied for relief are stated to have been that her son's wife had recently been confined at her house. The guardians did not think this a sufficient ground for granting relief, as the husband was in work and ought, as they considered, to be able to support his wife and child without coming upon his mother. I have no information as to any statement by the chairman, but I understand that the guardians were of opinion that the case was not one which came within the regulations as to out-relief in force in the union. Where out-relief is given in any particular case it rests with the auditor in the first instance to deal with the legality of the payment made, and it would not devolve on the Local Government Board to take any action in the matter unless an appeal were made to them against his decision. In the event of such an appeal it would be necessary that the precise facts should be ascertained, before they could express an opinion as to whether the relief was legal or not.

To ask the Prime Minister what will be the position of aliens and all persons, not-being British subjects, in the Transvaal with regard to the franchise under the new Constitution; and what steps -will be taken to prevent all persons other than British subjects from being placed on the register. (Answered by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman.) The franchise will be confined to British subjects only. The usual steps will be taken in the course of registration.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is to be the future of the so-called obsolete war vessels at present anchored in the Holy Loch and Kyles of Bute, in the Firth of Clyde; are they to be allowed to remain there until they rot and sink, or are they to be sold for the benefit of the nation.

The larger proportion of those vessels are on the sale list, and the remainder will also be sold unless other uses are found for them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of having these vessels broken up in His Majesty's dockyards so as to lessen the number of discharges? Would it not relieve the distress in many dockyard towns?

That matter I have already considered.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many cruisers at present in full active commission are to be attached to the new Home Fleet; from what squadrons are such cruisers to be respectively drawn; and whether any such cruisers, and, if so, which, have already received instructions with a view to the proposed changes.

No definite instructions have as yet bean given in regard to any of the points raised in the Question, and the Home Fleet will not be fully constituted till after the Lagos manœuvres in February.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any, and, if so, how many, stokers who were present when the order "down on your knees" was given by Lieutenant Collard on the 4th instant, at Portsmouth, have since been ordered to join ships proceeding to sea; on what date was the order given; for what period of time is it anticipated they will be away from England; were any, and, if so, how many, informed before leaving that they were at liberty to tender evidence before the inquiry instituted by the Admiralty; how many have recently returned from abroad; and what number were entitled to a period of leave. May I also ask whether the men have been confined to their ships, and whether the right hon; Gentleman is now able to make any statement on the subject.

No men have been sent to sea in consequence of the recent disturbance at Portsmouth, and the remainder of the Question, therefore, does not arise. With reference to the supplementary Question, I would ask the leave of the House to take this opportunity of redeeming the promise I made yesterday to make a statement on behalf of the Admiralty. The Admiralty have received and considered the report of the court of inquiry appointed to investigate the recent disturbance at Portsmouth Naval Barracks, and they have decided on the following course of action:—First, the men principally implicated in the disturbance to the number of eleven will be tried by court-martial under the provisions of the Naval Discipline Act. Secondly, a court of inquiry-is to be appointed to investigate the allegation made against Lieutenant Collard that on 24th November, 1905, he gave the order "On the knee" improperly. Pending the result he has been transferred from the Naval Barracks to the Gunnery School. Thirdly, when the reports of the court of inquiry and the finding of the court-martial have been received and considered by the Admiralty, an Admiralty minute will be promulgated giving the decision of the Board in regard to the conduct of all concerned and the questions arising thereon. In the meantime the Admiralty feel that to make any more definite pronouncement with regard to the action which they may subsequently find it necessary to take would be calculated to prejudice the court of inquiry and the court-martial.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how old is this order by which officers can compel men to kneel?

Any answer to that Question on my part would be apt to prejudice the course of the inquiry.

Will the men who are to be tried by court-martial be permitted to be represented in any way?

Oh yes; there is a legal representative who is called the prisoner's friend, and who will act as counsel.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has been come to regarding the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the grievances of British Indians in the Transvaal.

No decision has yet been arrived at in the matter.

When responsible Government has been given will it not be too late? Does not the delay practically mean that the Imperial Government are drawing a colour line?

I must ask for notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the names and addresses of British Indians in the Transvaal who have telegraphed to the Secretary of State in favour of the Anti-Asiatic Ordinance, which is now under the consideration of the Government.

The petition I have received is signed by W. Godfrey and C. M. Pillay, apparently on behalf of 437 other British Indians who disclaim having given Mr. Gandhi any mandate to represent them in England. The petitioner represents that Mr. Gandhi is a professional political agitator whose views have been productive of harm to the Indian community. The hon. Member is at liberty to see the petition and the names at the Colonial Office.

May I ask whether the Secretary of State has not received other telegrams from South Africa indicating that this telegram is a spurious one, and that the signatures to it were obtained under false pretences?

No, Sir. I am not aware of any such telegram.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in consequence of the evidence accompanying Mr. Bucknill's Report on the conditions of Chinese labour in South Africa, any telegraphic communication has been made to the High Commissioner.

Yes, Sir.

Who shut this man out, with what object, and at whose cost?

I must ask for notice of that.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any of the evidence accompanying the Report of Mr. Bucknill on the conditions prevailing in Chinese compounds in South Africa justifies in any respect the allegations as a result of which an inquiry was instituted.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday last indicated that the confidential character of the Report and evidence will be preserved, and I must therefore, ask the hon. Member to permit me not to go into details.

Will the hon. Gentleman not say in general terms what the nature of the Report and the evidence was, and what steps the Government proposes to take?

It is quite impossible for me, in answer to a Question, to state in general terms the nature of an extensive Report of this character; nor could I, without full notice and full opportunity for consulting the Secretary of State, give any indication at length of the steps which are being taken, and which certainly must be vigorously taken, to improve the condition of affairs.

May I ask if the grave state of things now known to exist, and which as late as August last was stated by the Government to call for a reversal of policy, is now to dwindle down to a matter of administration?

Is it not time the Chinese were cleared out of South Africa?

Were any of the 1,665 coolies discharged during October discharged on grounds of gross immorality, and were any of those struck off the strength by special resolution of the Executive Council discharged for the same reason?

I do not know.

I would, ask the Under-Secretary whether having regard to the fact that he made a statement to this House in connection with the appointment of this Committee, and that very serious allegations have been made with regard to administration, the Colonial Office does not think it very much concerns them to give at least a negative or affirmative Answer to the Question.

When will the hon. Gentleman be able to tell the House whether the state of things has arisen, in regard to which he stated on 4th August that if it proved to be true the Government would revise their whole position in regard to the Chinese labour question, even during the short transition period before the granting of responsible government?

On questions of policy, which are matters of Cabinet decision, I must ask for fuller notice.

In reference to the secrecy of this Report, has Lord Selborne been consulted?

Yes; he has been consulted as to the steps to be taken.

Just so; hear, hear.

And he has replied in a manner which leaves no doubt as to the stringency of the measures to be taken.

Could the Under-Secretary give us some indication of the date when he would be able to declare what the policy of the Government is relating to this Report?

Is it the intention of the Imperial Government to hand over to a new and struggling colony the settlement of a great question of public morality?

That does not arise out of the Answer to the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether Mr. Bucknill, on behalf of the Government, gave assurances to any persons that the information supplied by them to him in the course of his inquiry into the condition of morality among the Chinese labourers in the Transvaal should be treated as confidential; and if so, whether the Government will publish such parts of the evidence and Report as are not covered by these assurances.

As I informed the hon. Member for the Henley Division of Oxford on Wednesday last, no publication will be made of this Report or of any part of it.

asked whether assurances were given.

Yes; I believe some assurances were given.

inquired whether Mr. Bucknill had the authority of the Government beforehand to give these assurances.

Mr. Bucknill was appointed by the Transvaal Government, and I presume that any act of his was within the scope of his authority, and that his only object was to secure the complete truth.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a statement in the last Report on the British Central Africa Protectorate to the effect that, after strict medical examination, 1,714 natives of British Central Africa were despatched to Johannesburg; that 165 of these men were rejected as unsuitable after further medical examination, or fell out for other causes; that, out of the remaining 1,549 who arrived at Johannesburg, 119 died in a period considerably less than twelve months; and whether, in view of this mortality, His Majesty's Government will either forbid any further recruiting in British Central Africa for work in the Transvaal mines, or insist on greater precautions being taken by the mine owners for the preservation of the health of their employees.

I have seen the statements referred to. The Secretary of State has, after full consideration, finally decided that further recruiting from the districts of the British Central Africa Protectorate which shows the highest rate of mortality should be forbidden, and also that no recruiting shall take place for underground work in the mines; but, subject to these and other conditions, he has sanctioned, as a further experiment during the present season, the recruitment of a certain number for surface work only. Up to 500 will be permitted to be recruited for surface work on the Premier Diamond Mine, and up to 500 for surface work on the gold mines.

Is it not the fact that even when working upon the surface these natives suffer a high mortality, and will not the Government absolutely prohibit the recruiting for the mines from British Central Africa?

It is quito certain that a number of these natives will in any case find their way into the mines. The whole question was most carefully considered during last year, and the decision we arrived at was that, for surface work only, and in districts where the mortality was not unduly high, there should be a certain amount of recruitment.

But immediately on arrival is there not at once pulmonary complaint and disease and death amongst these natives? In view of that, will not the Government reconsider the position it has taken up and forbid all recruiting of Central Africa natives?

Might I ask the hon. Gentleman to answer the last paragraph of my Question?

We are insisting upon the fulfilment of a most elaborate scheme of reforms in the interest of the health of these natives.

Is it not solely a question of climate?

No, Sir, some of the natives appear to do well.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state th6 exact number of Chinese employed in the mines in South Africa at the end of November of last year and the number employed at the present time.

The number of men employed on 30th November 1905, was 45,856. The number employed on 30th September (the latest date for which I have official figures) was 53,430.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the alteration in practice under which Chinese labourers in the Rand mines are now required to address their complaints in the first instance to the manager of the mine, whether his attention has been called to the statement in the letter of Mr. Jamieson, superintendent of foreign labour, dated 4th September, 1905, that the interests of justice would not be served were the Chinese labourers' opportunities of obtaining redress, in the first instance, limited to an appeal to the mine manager; whether Mr. Jamieson was consulted before the change was made; whether the Special Committee on the Control of Chinese Labourers, which reported so recently as the 2nd May last, recommended that this change should be made; whether the Special Committee had before them Major Bagot's memorandum, which strongly objected to the then existing practice; whether the Labour Ordinance and especially Regulation 41, has been in any way altered; and whether the Government propose to acquiesce in the change of practice.

The letter of Mr. Jameson of 4th December, to which the hon. Member refers, was alluded to by me in my previous Answer to the hon. Member on Monday last,† and I am not aware that the statement quoted conflicts with the existing practice in accordance with which the labourers are at liberty to make use of locked petition boxes for their complaints. The special Committee made no actual recommendation on the subject, but commented on the fact that on some of the mines the complaints and grievances of the labourers are not received and given heed to by the management, and implied that the management in such mines was remiss in the matter. It is not clear to the Secretary of State that there has been anything amounting to a change of practice, and the action of the mine manager appears to be really a facility in addition to and not in substitution for that of the inspector. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that the existing practice invalidates or derogates from the right of the labourer under Regulation 41 to obtain a permit for the purpose of making a complaint to the superintendent. If the hon. Member has any specific information on which he founds his Question, and will furnish me

† See (4) Debates, clxiv., 1042.

with it, the Secretary of State will make further inquiry into the matter.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the Commonwealth Government will have a consultative voice in the appointment of new officials contemplated by the Anglo-French agreement with respect to the New Hebrides.

If the Commonwealth Government desire to recommend any candidates for appointment to any of the new offices to be created in the New Hebrides, such recommendations will, of course, be carefully considered by the Secretary of State.

Will the Commonwealth Government be called into consultation before any appointments are made?

was understood to answer that their views would receive consideration.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether the revenues of the Government of the Federated Malay States are partially derived from the profits of the gambling houses there carried on under Government licences; and, if so, whether there is any other part of the King's dominions in which a like state of things exists.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. So far as I am informed no similar system exists in His Majesty's dominions. The Federated Malay States, as my hon. friend is no doubt aware, are native States under our protection.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, Limited, has furnished the Colonial Office with its statements of account for its first financial year, namely, from 3rd March 1906 to 30th June last, being 119 days, for which period a dividend of 9d. was declared on the Is. shares; and whether, having regard to the statements of Sir Joseph West Ridge-way, as chairman, at the annual meeting on the 6th November, as to higher dividends being distributed in future years, he will state if the contract with the Ceylon Government contains any provision for profits above a stipulated maximum being shared with the Colony.

Copies of the Director's Report have been furnished to the Colonial Office. The Answer to the second Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, before ratifying any agreement with the Porte for an increase in the Turkish Customs duties, would give a day for a discussion on the subject in the House; and when they would lay upon the Table Papers dealing with the subject.

When a decision has been reached upon the subject in question, Papers will be laid. But they cannot be laid while negotiations are still in progress. After a decision has been come to, it will of course be possible to discuss it on any of the usual opportunities. But the matter is not one which would require ratification.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, before agreeing to an increase in the duties levied upon British and Indian goods imported into Turkey, in order that such increased revenue may be devoted to the better administration of Macedonia, will take steps to ensure that the revenues at present employed by the Turkish Government to defray expenditure in Macedonia are not to be diverted to other objects, so as to liberate funds for purposes in no way connected with the better government of Macedonia, or with any British interest.

The expenditure in Macedonia is already considerably in excess of the revenues which are available, consequently His Majesty's Government see no reason to anticipate that the proposed increase of the Turkish Customs duties will set free for other purposes revenues at present employed to defray expenditure in Macedonia.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shipwrights employed by the Board of Trade as tapeholders, at a weekly wage of 27s., do not become eligible to receive pension in their old age; and whether he can state on what grounds this particular class of public servant is excluded from a benefit so generally extended to those who grow old in the service of the State.

The weekly wage of the Board of Trade tapeholders rises to 28s, and uniform is provided. These men are engaged on the distinct understanding that they are not entitled to a pension, and their wages are fixed accordingly. Non-pensionable employment under the State is by no means so rare as my hon. friend appears to think.

If it is a necessary qualification for these men that they should be shipwrights, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are paid the wages current in that industry?

I will look into that matter.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Pilot Commissioners for the port of Boston have passed a resolution, by a majority of three, proposing to alter the pilotage by-laws so as to enable them to reduce the earnings of the pilots to an unlimited extent, the proposed new by-law giving the Commissioners absolute power from time to time to make reductions of such amount as they may decide in the rates payable by steamers trading to the port twelve-times a year, or such other number of times as the Commissioners may fix; and whether, seeing that this is an entirely new departure as regards pilotage rates, and in view of the fact that the labour and responsibility are the same on all occasions when a pilot is performing his duties, the Board of Trade will veto the application made by the Boston Pilot Trust for an Order in Council to approve such proposed new by-law.

The Boston Pilot Commissioners have applied for an Order in Council to confirm a new bylaw they have recently made amending the existing by-law which deals with the rates of pilotage at that port and the Board of Trade have given directions for the application to be advertised. Any objections that may be received will be carefully considered before any decision is come to as to the submission of the by-law to His Majesty for confirmation. I cannot say by what majority the new by-law was passed, but the Commissioners have authority under Section 582 (6) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 189 4, to make by-laws altering the mode of remuneration of pilots in such manner as they think fit, such by-laws being subject to confirmation by Order in Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his serious attention to the dangerous precedent thus being set not only in Boston but in all parts of the United Kingdom?

Any objections received will, of course, be considered by the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that by the federal laws of the Republics of the United States and France respect for the national flag is taught to every elementary scholar by the compulsory hoisting of the national emblem over, or in front of, every schoolhouse, receiving State aid; and if, having regard to the adoption of this regulation by the Premier and Government of Greater Britain in Manitoba, he will cause such a provision to be added to the Education Bill now before Parliament with respect to the Union Jack bearing the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick.

With all respect to the Governments of the United States, of France, and of the province of Manitoba, who doubtless are the best judges of what is desirable for their respective countries, I do not think that the patriotism of England and Wales needs to be manufactured nor would be promoted by the compulsory imposition of any particular ritual in connection with flag waving at all State-aided schools, as proposed by the hon. and gallant Member. Any such plan is within the competency of all local education authorities wherever and in so far as they may think it desirable, and I am not prepared to suggest putting an obligation on them in this respect by special legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept an Amendment to the Education Bill when it conies back?

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been directed to the excellent results to character, intelligence, and physique attending the rifle exercises of the shooting club of the London School Guild organised by Dr. R. J. E. Hanson; and if, having regard to the rapid extension of the cadet movement in Canada and Australia, in Natal and New Zealand, as also in America, he will enable the British boys to keep pace with their comrades in the Colonies by authorising the formation of such clubs in the schools under his control, subject always to the written consent of the father or mother to their sons learning the use of the miniature rifle and to shoot under proper supervision at the range for badges and prizes.

As regards the teaching of rifle shooting during school hours at our public elementary schools, and as an integral part of the public elementary school curriculum, I have nothing to add to the very full Answer which I gave on the subject on October 29th last.† My attention has been drawn to the school guild referred to in the Question; but, so far as I understand,

† See (4) Debates, clxiii., 705–707.

the shooting clubs which it organises operate wholly outside school hours and are not part of the public elementary schools as such at all. The formation of such clubs needs no authorisation from me, as the Question of the hon. Member would seem to suggest: and as this is a free country, such fathers and mothers as desire it are quite free to permit their boys to join such clubs and to take part in all such activities as these clubs may organise in the direction referred to in the Question, provided it does not trench upon school hours. These are already all too short to secure that general education which is now the birthright of every British boy.

May I ask the right hon Gentleman whether he is aware that 97 per cent, of the schools in the London School Guild gave their consent most readily?

Then I do not see what the hon. Gentleman is complaining of.

IS the right hon. Gentleman aware that Irish boys are not allowed to be trained in rifle shooting, in a free country, with equal laws?

England and Wales are quite enough for me.

And Ireland is enough for us.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the opinion of the Inter - Departmental Committee on Physical Deterioration that the attendance of children under five years of age at school should be discouraged, and whether, in view of this recommendation, he will reconsider his decision and reissue last year's letter of the Board of Education refusing to pay grants for children under five years of age attending public elementary schools.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for Preston on October 29th,‡

‡ See (4) Debates, clxiii., 703–704,

and I am not prepared to re-consider the question of withdrawing grants in respect of children under five years of age attending public elementary schools.

Is the right hon. Gentleman willing to give a Return showing how much of the Parliamentary Grant is paid in respect of children under five?

I will consider that.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Government inspector, recently sent to Montgomeryshire to report upon sheep dipping, was acquainted with Welsh, in many cases the sole, and in most cases the chief, language of the hill farmers.

The inspector to whom my hon. friend refers is not acquainted with the Welsh language, but he informs me that no difficulty arose in consequence. Our inspectors are always able to rely on the assistance of the local police, and it is only in exceptional cases that persons with whom they are brought in contact are unable to speak or understand English.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if he can state when the case of Rex v. West Riding of Yorkshire is likely to come before the House of Lords.

said application would, he understood, be made to the House of Lords next week to fix a day for the hearing of the appeal, "Rex v. West Riding of Yorkshire." He could not say approximately when the appeal would be taken. That was the matter which the House of Lords would have to consider.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether the attention of the Lord Chancellor has been drawn by responsible persons to the fact that at Bow County Court alone over 1,000 summonses had been proved during the present year by a debt collector, most of the debts being too small to render it worth the creditor's while to attend in person, or to employ a solicitor; and will the influence of the law officers be exerted to prevent committals to prison in such cases.

The matter has been brought under the notice of the Lord Chancellor and will receive his attention.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury in what proportions the sum of –9,901,290, amount of public revenue (1905–6), not paid into His Majesty's Exchequer (vide Parliamentary Paper, No. 334, session 1906) is paid to the Local Taxation Accounts of England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively.

The hon. Member will find the Answer to his Question on page 107 of the Current Finance Accounts, viz., England, –8,480,644 10s. 6d.; Scotland, –1,034,267 13s. 1d.; Ireland, –386,377 18s. 9d. The hon. Member will also observe that, as shewn on the same page, the chief payments to the Local Taxaton (Ireland) Account are made out of the Consolidated Fund, and not out of the assigned revenues referred to in the Return which he quotes.

On be half of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, seeing that the plans and specifications for the thirty-two houses forming the Congested Districts Board's crofter settlement at Aignish, Island of Lewis, make no provision for conveniences, will he state whether the Board have yet considered the expediency of having conveniences provided for these houses.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 5th November.†

† See (4) Debates, clxiii. 133.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that between 4th September and 10th October (both inclusive) there were on twenty occasions more prisioners in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, than there are cells, thus necessitating overcrowding in that prison; and whether, seeing that overcrowding is a criminal offence in Glasgow, he will on that account see that in future any overcrowding that is necessary is done in Perth Prison instead, to which prison, the regulations state, any excess of prisoners ought to be removed.

The fact is as stated, but it should be added that some of the cells are "association cells" and that there is a large hospital ward which was more or less fully occupied during the period referred to. The Prison Commissioners are unaware that there is any regulation stating that excess of prisoners in Barlinnie Prison should be moved to Perth Prison in particular, but, as a matter of fact, 749 prisoners have been transferred to Perth Prison this year already from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the fact that a number of trawlers were recently seen at work in Broad Bay, will he state the name of the Scottish Fishery Board cruiser detailed to protect the district from the depredations of illegal trawling; and why she allows illegal trawling to be practised with impunity in the bay, especially during Saturday and Sunday nights.

The last information received by the Fishery Board as to alleged illegal trawling in Broad Bay was on 1st August. The north-western coast of Scotland is patrolled by different cruisers; the exigencies of the marine service determining what particular cruiser shall be detailed for the duty. Illegal trawling, when detected and proved, is punished.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will produce for inspection the log-books of the fishery cruisers which are supposed to patrol the sea on the Sutherlandshire coasts to prevent illegal trawling, so that Members of this House may see how their duties are carried out.

No, Sir. But I shall be glad to consider any complaint which my hon. friend lays before me.

Why cannot we see the log-books?

If the hon. Member has any charge to lay with regard to the administration of the Fishery Board perhaps he will make it to me. I am responsible to the House in the matter.

I cannot do that until I see the log-books.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether the Fishery Board have yet received an application for a grant towards the cost of a pier at Ardarroch, Kishorn, Ross-shire; and, if so, have the Board yet considered the application.

The Board have not yet received such an application.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how much of the.–200,000 provided for the purposes of the Unemployed Workmen Act in the United Kingdom, has been allocated to Scotland; and, in view of the failure of the herring fishing in the Island of Lewis and the western mainland of Ross-shire, will he state whether the Ross and Cromarty County Council have yet taken action under the terms of the Act.

I am not yet in a position to state what sum will be allocated to Scotland. The Ross-shire County Council have not so far taken action under the Act.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how may paupers are lodged in the insanitary slum property known as Murray's Close, Stornoway.

The following is a Report from the sanitary authority received on Saturday: "The sanitary inspector has visited Murray's Close or Court, Stornoway, regularly twice a week since his appointment last Juno, and also to-day and considers all dwellings in it quite sanitary, but would suggest that stable at top of court be closed." The number of paupers who reside there is three.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state why the inspector of the poor for the Stornoway parish fails to call on paupers periodically in accordance with the terms of the regulations.

I am not aware that there is any such failure of duty on the part of the inspector as is alleged by the hon. Member; should any specific cases be brought under the notice of the Local Government Board they will make inquiries into them. At present, however, the inspector is in ill-health and has had temporary leave of absence, satisfactory arrangements having been made for the discharge of his duties.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will arrange that lighthouse keepers who have been instructed to take the numbers of trawlers engaged in illegal trawling, shall be allowed to attend and give evidence at the trial or trials of the offenders whose numbers they have taken; will he state why the "Northern Lights Commissioners refuse to allow the light keepers to give evidence; and will he explain why the numbers are taken if the important (and often only) evidence is kept from the court at the trial.

Such arrangements as my hon. friend desires, so far as con- sistent with the efficiency of the lighthouse service, have already been made by the Northern Lights Commissioners and the help of their staff is given subject to conditions necessary in the interest of that service, viz., that not more than one keeper of a lighthouse shall be absent at any one time—and in the case of certain remote stations, from which an absence of at least five nights would be entailed, keepers shall not be called upon to leave their stations and give evidence in court.

But will keepers which take the numbers of the trawlers be allowed to give evidence?

Yes, if the conditions are favourable to their getting away.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he has, as promised, visited the Scottish Law Courts in Edinburgh; and whether he is now prepared to recommend such alterations as will remedy their present unsatisfactory condition.

The First Commissioner paid his promised visit to the Scottish Law Courts during the recess, and hopes to be able in due course to propose a plan which shall be found adequate and satisfactory.

Will the First Commissioner submit any new plans to the Faculty of Advocates before coming to a final decision?

This matter is having the personal attention of my right hon. friend, and I am sure any matters which may be represented to him will receive every consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the distribution of certain untenanted land in Westmeath, the Estates Commissioners gave the largest parcel of it to a herd, who, instead of making it a residential holding, let it to a grazier and went to practice herding elsewhere, and that the annuities are being paid with the grazier's money through the hands of this herd; whether the Commissioners now propose to give the largest parcel, seventy-five acres, on another estate to another herd to be worked and paid for in like manner; and whether, in view of the intentions of Parliament and of the present Government, the number of people in real need of residential holdings, and the difficulty of finding sufficient land for them, he will have effective measures promptly taken to prevent such disposal of untenanted land.

The Estates Commissioners understand that the first part of the Question refers to the Maher estate, county Westmeath, the largest parcel upon which was, they inform me, sold to a man named Gilsenan. The Commissioners are not aware whether this man is residing on the holding, or with what moneys the annuity is paid. The second part of the Question is understood to refer to the Rotherham estate, county Meath. The Commissioners have not yet acquired this property, or selected the purchasers for parcels of it. The question of purchase is under the Commissioners' consideration. I cannot within the limits of an Answer discuss the powers of the Commissioners in relation to the sale and purchase of untenanted land nor the difficulties which surround them, but everyone knows that they endeavour to turn their powers to account for the purpose of obtaining untenanted land for distribution.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction has received a communication from the Kanturk United Trades and Industrial Association, asking for the help and co-operation of the Department towards the formation of the cabinet-industry in the district, by supplying plant and competent instructors; is the Department aware that a representative public meeting in favour of the project was held in Kanturk on the 1st instant; and whether, in view of the promised local co-operation and the need for increased employment in the locality, the Department will favourably consider the application.

The reply to the earlier part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction will carefully consider any proposals which may be submitted through the Technical Instruction Committee of the county of Cork with a view to making provision under the county scheme for instruction in cabinet-making at Kanturk, but the Department are unable to make a direct grant for the purpose in question.

Then in the first place, application must be made to the county committee?

Yes, that is so.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether when a district council has acquired untenanted land for the purpose of the Labourers Acts, it may, while employment is irregular, pending the breaking up of large grass tracts into residential farms, let portions of such land temporarily, at the discretion of the council, to occupiers of cottages for tillage purposes in addition to that permanently attached to the cottages; and, if so, will councils be informed that this may be done.

I presume that the Question relates to cases in which district councils may obtain advances from the Irish Land Commission for the purchase of lands to be held by them as trustees for the purposes of the Labourers Acts. I am informed that no case of this kind has yet arisen, but when it does, arrangements will, no doubt, be made for applying to the best advantage the land so held pending its being regularly allocated or partitioned out for cottages and allotments or allotments only, as the case may be, under the Labourers Acts. If there are labourers in any such locality who have not already been provided with cottages or plots under the Labourers Acts, it seems to the Local Government Board to be desirable that they should have the preference in the matter of the temporary use of the lands rather than occupiers of cottages so provided. The Local Government Board do not consider it necessary to address the councils on the subject, but each case will be considered as it arises.

Then the Local Government Board would not regard the temporary letting as illegal?

No: but we think those who have land are less entitled to the privilege than those who have none.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, have the Estates Commissioners, in view of the difficulty of acquiring untenanted land and the urgent need of it for the use of evicted tenants and relief of congestion, invited all appearing on the Parliamentary Return as owners of untenanted and non-residential land to enter into negotiations for the sale of it; if so, what was the date of the communication; what is the aggregate quantity of untenanted land with reference to the sale of which favourable replies have been received by the Commissioners; and, in view of the inadequacy of that quantity and the continued hardship to the persons and families in need, what special action, if any, does he propose to take to prevent another letting of untenanted land for eleven months and bring it into the market within the current six months.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are at present conducting inquiries with a view to procuring untenanted land suitable for the reinstatement of evicted tenants and for other purposes, but they are not yet in a position to state the result of their inquiries. As to the acquisition of land for the relief of congestion, I would remind the hon. Member that a Royal Commission is at present sitting with the main object of inquiring into this precise question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware of the number of estates in Ireland which have partially lost the character of private property by ceasing to be the property of individual owners and becoming that of insurance companies, or other groups or bodies of non-resident speculators, with no interest in the tenants beyond the amount of money to be extracted from them; and if he contemplates the early provision of any special method, administrative or legislative, for bringing such property into the market for the benefit of the people on it and of the country generally.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of the number of estates which belong to the classes of owners mentioned in the Question, and have no reason to believe that such owners are less willing to sell than other owners. As regards possible future legislation, I can make no statement at present.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, is promotion for secret services still practised in the Royal Irish Constabulary Force; for what services has Constable Scott, of Mullingar, been promoted in preference to many senior constables of better record; is he aware that the magistrates acting in the district have always felt obliged to disregard Scott s evidence, frequently reprimanded Scott from the bench for attempting to mislead them, that within a month preceding the promotion they required the county inspector to attend in the magistrates' room to hear and convey to Scott the dissatisfaction of the magistrates, and that the magistrates regard the promotion as an insult to themselves; is he aware that County Inspector Ruthven did not report these facts to the Inspector-General, but suppressed them and obtained Scott's promotion immediately before retiring himself on pension; will the opinion of the magistrates and of the present county and district inspectors regarding this promotion be ascertained; and will Ruthven's Report, Ruthven's pension, and Scott's promotion be reconsidered.

I am informed by the Inspector-General that Constable Scott was not promoted for secret services. He was promoted to the rank of acting sergeant by the Inspector-General in the ordinary way, as being the senior of the constables recommended by the local officers for promotion. The constable has had nearly twenty-one years' service, and has a clear record. It is, I am informed, not the case that the constable has been reprimanded by the magistrates, or that the magistrates have conveyed to the county inspector their dissatisfaction with Scott. County Inspector Ruthven had retired from the force before the promotion of Scott took place. His present county inspector and district inspector have expressed their concurrence as to his fitness for promotion, and the Inspector-General understands that there is no foundation for the suggestion that the magistrates generally are dissatisfied with the promotion. The Inspector-General sees no reason for reconsidering the question of the constable's promotion.

IS the right hon. Gentleman aware that three of the magistrates who inquired into the conduct of this man are prepared to give their opinion of him if asked to do so?

I have not heard that even if it be so.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieu tenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the auditors appointed by the Limerick Board of Conservators are members of that Board; and what action, if any, is intended to be taken with a view to securing a real check on the working of the Board, or the way in which the money is spent.

I am informed that the present auditor of the accounts of the Limerick Board of Conservators is not, and never has been, a member of that Board. The Department of Agriculture have no reason to suppose that the audit is not satisfactorily performed.

Who is the auditor?

I believe it is Mr. H. J. Greenane.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the series of great meetings which have recently been held in Ireland in connection with the grievances of the teachers in Irish primary schools, the withdrawal of the fees for Irish as an extra subject, and generally with the irresponsible and unpopular body now controlling primary education in Ireland; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to take to meet the demands formulated at these meetings.

The attention of the Irish Government has been called to the meetings referred to in the Question. I have repeatedly stated that the whole condition of primary education in Ireland is, in my opinion, far from satisfactory, but I cannot at this moment state the measures that are required to cure its deficiencies. These would require great consideration. Some of them would excite great differences of opinion in Ireland itself, and with the difficulties of dealing in this House with matters which excite such differences long experience has made us familiar.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of the teachers' salaries, and whether provision in the Estimates of next year to increase the teachers' salaries to a living wage would cause any difference of opinion in Ireland?

No, Sir. I think that is a point upon which general agreement would probably exist. That question is being considered, and we are expecting proposals from the National Board on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland it his attention has been called to the fact that at the recent Dungannon petty sessions John Cardwell, a member of an Orange drumming party, was charged with assaulting Constable Samuel Bell, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Coalisland, in the execution of his duty on 14th October, and that the defendant was fined 5s. and costs; is he aware that the chairman of the bench stated that the constable should be reported for pressing the case; and whether he will make, inquiries as to the action of the chairman in connection with this case.