On behalf of the hon. Member for Gravesend, I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the-Colonies whether he is aware that Lord Selborne has given authority for the publication of the correspondence relating to the applications of groups of mines and associations in the Transvaal for facilities similar to those requested of Portugal by this Government for the Robinson group of mines for recruiting natives in Portuguese East Africa; whether the publication of this correspondence will be made at once; and whether the Portuguese Government decline to give special facilities to any single mine or group of mines on the basis of unequal treatment.

The Secretary of State understands that the Johannesburg Chamber of Mines is publishing the correspondence which it has had with Lord Selborne on the subject. Negotiations with the Portuguese Government am now proceeding, and it is not desirable to make any statement as to the course which they have followed up to the present; nor is the Secretary of State prepared to publish Papers until the negotiations are completed.

Did Lord Selborne sanction the publication of this correspondence?

Lord Selborne has given his permission to the Chamber of Mines to publish the correspondence they have had with him. Therefore the publication of the correspondence is a proper action for the Chamber of Mines to take. But I do nor agree that that fact in any way renders it necessary for His Majesty's Government to publish Blue-books except at such periods as may be convenient, and at such moments as they may be desired to give information to the House of Commons.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he will publish the correspondence as soon as possible?

I am not at all convinced that the correspondence is of sufficient importance to figure in a Government Blue-book.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, as a result of negotiations between the Department and the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association some years ago, a compromise was arranged upon the holiday question; whether, on condition that the stall took a portion of their annual leave, with compensation days for Bank Holidays, in the winter months, the staff were promised that the remainder of their holidays should be granted between the months of March and October (inclusive); whether a guarantee was given to the staff at Liverpool that the bulk of the holidays should be evenly distributed over these eight months; if so, whether this arrangement is to be broken by reducing the number on leave between June and September (inclusive); and whether he will inquire into the circumstances in view of the conditions of the compromise.

In 1897 the telegraph staff at Liverpool accepted the arrangement, which was subsequently adopted in other places, that the greater portion of the annual leave might be taken in the eight better months of the year, the remaining portion being taken between November and February. There was no promise or arrangement that the annual leave should be distributed equally over the eight months. In consequence of the great pressure of telegraph work from the l5th of June to the 15th of September and the excessive overtime that would otherwise have resulted, an even distribution is not practicable, but as little change as possible has been made.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a full statement as to the result of inquiries conducted by the Irish Government into the extent of the failure of the potato crop in Ireland this year; whether, in some districts, the potatoes will be exhausted before the 1st of January, and there will be no seed fit to be planted; whether the Irish Government propose to take any special steps to deal with the situation and, if they do, what measures they have in contemplation; whether any special investigation has been made as to the causes of the failure, and the possibility of taking effective measures against failure of the potat crop in future years; and whether the Irish Government propose to publish any special Report on this subject.

The result of the inquiries made by the Irish Government into the failure of the potato crop in Ireland may be summed up as follows—omitting counties in which the failure has not been serious and will not create any special demand for relief. I regret to say that in the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Ross common, Galway, Clare, Kerry, and the West Riding of Cork, there has been a failure in the potato crop which, varying from place to place, is, except as presently to be stated, approximately two-thirds, and in some favoured places, three-fourths of an average crop. The quality of the potatoes is much below the average, but the proportion of small potatoes is relatively largo, and that of blackened or diseased potatoes relatively small, as compared with other "blight" years. In certain areas, especially in parts of Mayo and Galway, the crop is below half the average, and in a considerable part of the Union of Belmullet it has been almost a total failure. On the other hand, the harvest of other crops has been a good one, and the season, except as regards potatoes, has been favourable for farmers. Live-stock are in good demand at high prices, and the fishing has in most places been good. The Department of Agriculture, after a special investigation, have arrived at the conclusion that the causes of failure, apart from the bad weather which was favourable to blight, are chiefly to be found in a neglect of spraying or of spraying in the best manner, and in faulty methods of cultivation. Except possibly in the Belmullet Union it is believed that the potatoes will not be exhausted till much later than January, and happily the crop no longer forms the sole food supply of the Western peasantry. The Government have under consideration the question of the sufficiency of the seed supply for next season's planting, and at a suitable time will make a further statement. The Irish Government are unwilling to contemplate exceptional procedure for the relief of distress, since experience has shown that demoralising results follow special measures which are not absolutely necessary to save life, and they consider that the Local Government Act lays down a procedure which should be adhered to. The union is primarily responsible; and the county council, who have the best means of knowing the circumstances of the different unions within the county, have it in their power to supplement the efforts of those unions which cannot, without aid, extend the necessary relief to the inhabitants of their area. If a county council declines to put the Act into force the Government must suppose that in the opinion of the council the circumstances of the unions in the county do not call for special procedure. In all cases where the Act is made operative the circumstances will be carefully watched by the Government, and if necessity for Government help is apparent the Government will not hesitate to follow the procedure of 1905, and will give substantial assistance to those unions which are unable to bear any appreciable addition to their rates. The Government desire also to see public works of permanent utility, which in any case they desire to execute, deeming them to be desirable on their own merits apart from any question of distress, begun at the earliest possible moment in several of the coastal districts where distress is most to be apprehended. For most of these funds are available under the Marine Works Act, and as to some a decision has not yet been finally reached, though it is hoped this may very soon be done. The general question of preventing the recurrence of scarcity in the Western districts has engaged the earnest attention of the Government, and a general scheme has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture. The funds at their disposal for this purpose, however, require to be supplemented if this scheme is to be carried out in its entirety. At present the amount available each year for agricultural work in the congested districts amounts to £7,000, and it seems doubtful whether an increased allocation of funds for this purpose from the Department's endowment can be looked for at present. The Government are, however fully sensible of the importance of carrying out measures which will avert the recurrence of distress in the districts which usually suffer from it, and they are considering whether such a Report as is referred to in the latter portion of the Question can be prepared. My hope is that scientific inquiry may do much to improve the agricultural methods in use in Ireland, and may perhaps succeed in getting rid of the potato blight altogether.

asked whether the defective spraying was not due to the neglect of the Board of Agriculture since they took over that part of the work of the Congested Districts Board, and whether the right hon. Gentleman would consider the desirability of preventing the Department from paying away any portion of the scanty funds to private associations such as the Agricultural Organisation Society, when admittedly they had not funds enough to carry out most essential works in the West of Ireland.

said he had no reason whatever to think that the neglect of spraying was the fault of the Board of Agriculture, which had, in fact, issued the directions for spraying. The reason why spraying had not been more resorted to was partly that the people were disheartened by the wet weather, and partly because the previous season was so good that they had no apprehension of the danger of neglecting to spray. The question of the Agricultural Organisation Society's subsidy was being looked into. He hoped it would be possible from time to time to make statements with reference to public works to be undertaken.

complained that the inspector visiting one district in Cavan simply called at one or two houses along the roadside in order to ascertain the amount of distress that really existed.

said he believed the inspectors had done their best to ascertain the amount of distress and to deal with it. If, however, the hon. Member had any details he could give him he would cause inquiry to be made into them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Vice-President of the Agricultural Department is a gentleman who has the profound distrust of the Irish Party?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the owner of the Corrib salmon fishery at Galway has for some time past been discharging loads of stone into the river at points chosen so as to concentrate the current in a few deep passes and thereby facilitate netting operations; and that the consequent quickening of the current prevents fishing boats from reaching the landing quay at low tide, and thereby injures their access to market; and, if so, whether the Irish Government will take steps to prevent further interference with the natural course of the river and to remove the obstructions which have been created.

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction have been informed by the Clerk of the Galway Board of Conservators that he is not aware of any action taken by the owners of the Corrib salmon fishery or by any other person which is calculated to alter the current of the river, or in any way to hinder fishing boats from reaching the landing quay at low tide or otherwise. The clerk states that he has interviewed several of the leading fishermen on the subject, none of whom are aware of any change of current which would affect landing. I may add that in cases in which there is any obstruction to navigation, the matter is not one for the Irish Government to deal with, but falls, I believe, within the province of my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman further inquire into this matter?

If the hon. Member will see me I will give him privately some information on this matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is proposed to take any portion of the sum to be voted for school building grants in Ireland out of the Development Grant.

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Ireland Development Grant Estimate for the current year, from which it will be seen that a sum of £15,000 has been voted for national school buildings. It is explained in the note to Sub-head C that this amount is the first instalment of the grant of £70,000 from the Ireland Development Grant towards the cost of rebuilding necessitous national schools, and this sum is supplementary to the provision for National Education buildings made by the ordinary Estimates. As to the latter, a vote of £20,000 has been taken for the current year, under Class I., Vote 14, Public Works and Buildings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Development Grant was sot up a promise was made to the Irish Party that they should be consulted as to its application. Has that promise been carried out?

said that happened in the days of his last predecessor but one. He was doing his best to apply the grant to the most useful purposes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case and the intense interest which has for a long time existed in Ireland on the question of school building grants, he will consent to lay upon the Table the Report of the Committee which sat on this subject in 1902, and the correspondence which has passed between the Treasury, the Irish Government, and the Commissioners for National Education for Ireland, on the subject of school building grants from 1900 to the present date.

The Report referred to was a confidential document prepared for the information of the Treasury. The late Government decided that no action should be taken upon it and that there would be no advantage in publishing it. In all the circumstances my hon. friend sees no reason for varying this decision. For a similar reason he is not prepared to lay on the Table the correspondence since 1900, especially as much of it is now out of date and its publication would not, in his opinion, serve any useful purpose.

I should like to ask the Chief Secretary if the Irish Government have any power whatever over this matter of Irish education, or are we to be oppressed and our schools ruined by the Treasury?

The Irish Government, so far from being indifferent, have been giving constant attention to this matter. Hardly a week passes without it engaging our attention.

I did not say the Irish Government were indifferent. I asked if they were powerless? Do they accept the responsibility for the present situation in Ireland in this matter?

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that the National Board have asked for money, and that the Irish Government have endorsed their request, but that the ultimate decision rests with the Treasury.

With the result that for ten years our schools have been falling into ruins. It is an absolutely intolerable state of things.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to that portion of the Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, which deals with schoolbuilding grants, in which it is stated that the controversy on this subject between the National Board and the Treasury has now lasted for ten years, that the present position is deplorable, and that it would require a sum of £100,000 annually for five years to enable the Board to deal with the large number of cases that have accumulated in consequence of the practical suspension of grants for the last four years; and whether, in view of the feeling which has been aroused in Ireland on this matter, he will make a full statement of the present situation, including the amounts which the Treasury has agreed to place on the Estimates for school-building grants during the next four years.

I understand that my hon. friend has seen the statement in the Report of the Commissioners of National Education referred to, but he is not aware of the basis of the figure given. The present position is that the suggestions of the National Education Board as regards standard plans for the future have been received by the Treasury through the Irish Government, and are now being examined on behalf of the Treasury. In the meantime the Commissioners have authority to submit urgent cases, with details of requirements in each case, for consideration on their merits. The statement that the grants have practically been suspended for the last four years cannot by admitted, as the figures of expenditure are: 1902–3, £33,280; 1903–4, £13,142; 1904–5, £18,785; 1905–6, £28,007. Provision is also made in the Estimates of the current year for £20,000, in addition to £15,000 from the Development Grant. The Treasury has agreed, on the representation of the Irish Government, to place a sum of £40,000 for this purpose on the Estimate for Public Works and Buildings, Ireland, 1907–8, but the amount of the provision for later years has not been decided on.

pointed out that while £1,500,000 was spent annually on the police in Ireland only £1,500,000 went to education, whereas in England only £2,500,000 was expended on police, and £13,000,000 on education.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of John O'Gorman, who was evicted from his farm on the estate of Messrs. Campbell and Gledstane, near Convoy, county Donegal, in April 1898; is he aware that this farm is now in possession of a planter named Russell, who is willing to take compensation and give up the farm; and whether he will advise the Commissioners to send down an inspector to inquire into the whole matter, so that O'Gorman may be reinstated in his former holding. The hon. Member had also given notice of the following Questions:— To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the matter of Andrew Conaghan, who was evicted from his farm on the estate of Mr. Bustard, at Carricknashane, near Castle-fin, county Donegal, in May 1897; and, if so, whether they will send down an inspector to inquire into Conaghan's case, with a view to reinstating him in his farm before sanctioning the sale of the estate. To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of John Monahan, who was evicted from his holding by the representatives of the Stokes Estate, near Raphoe, county Donegal, in 1885; the farm is now in possession of a planter named Farell, the estate having been sold to the tenants; and can he say whether an inspector will be sent down to inquire into the matter with a view to reinstating Monahan before the sale is completed.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an application for reinstatement from each of the evicted tenants named in these three Questions. The Commissioners intend to have the cases of these and other evicted tenants in county Donegal inquired into by an inspector as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Commissioners have no information as to the present occupiers of the evicted farms.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the need that exists for the distribution of untenanted land for the relief of evicted tenants and of congestion, and the number of owners of largo tracts who have not consented to sell, he will, under Section 23. sub-section 8, of the Land Act of 1903, ask the Estates Commissioners to communicate without further delay with all owners of non residential tracts of over 100 acres with a view to acquiring such land wherever available, and, if sufficient cannot be obtained, dealing with the problem next session.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are at present fully engaged in communicating with the owners of untenanted land, and that it would be premature to draw any conclusion from the result of the negotiations which they have so far undertaken. I have already stated that I cannot at present make any statement as to possible legislation next session.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the gross amount of loss incurred by the Congested Districts Board, the Land Commission, and the Estates Commissioners, under the statutory powers allowing loss in the purchase and re-sale of estates, so far as now completed; the gross amount spent improving these estates, restoring them and the people on them to economic conditions, and generally in reversing the policy of their late owners; the gross increase in the price of such estates purchased since the 1st April, 1903, as compared with the average price of those purchased before that date; and, if this latter is not included under either of the preceding headings, by how much does the total expenditure exceed the net value of the estates in question before purchase.

It would not be possible, within the limits of an Answer to a Question, to give the statistical information asked for or to discuss the problems which apparently are intended to be raised. The last annual Reports of the Congested Districts Board and the Estates Commissioners contain all the information on the subject then available, and further similar information will be contained in future annual Reports. I am informed that, in addition, the Congested Districts Board have afforded information on the subject to the Royal Commission on Congestion now sitting, and this information will, doubtless, be published in due course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of the Resolutions passed at a public meeting in Glenbeigh, county Kerry, on 18th November; whether the Congested Districts Board will set to work on improvements on the Winn estate, lately purchased by them, as suggested by the terms of the Resolution; and whether he proposes to give effect to the request that a representative from Kerry shall be placed on the Congested Districts Board.

I have received the Resolutions mentioned in the Question and have referred them to the Congested Districts Board, by whom they will be considered at their next meeting. The Winn estate has not yet been vested in the Board, and the Board are, therefore, not yet in a position to alter the boundaries of holdings or effect large improvement works, but the necessary works on the estate will be commenced as soon as the estate is vested. The Board's funds are not applicable to the relief of temporary distress by the undertaking of relief works, as suggested in the Resolutions. I may, however, say that the Government are carefully watching the condition of the county. The Resolutions passed at Glenbeigh did not ask for the appointment of a representative from Kerry on the Congested Districts Board, but a Resolution has been received from the Kerry County Council making that request. There is, however, no vacancy on the Board.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the principal teacher in a national school, Roll No. 112, Circuit 9, Section C, is at present in receipt of a grade salary less by £9 than that to which he would have been entitled had he remained assistant; and, if so, will he invite the Commissioners to consider the case of this teacher for an increase in salary, seeing that he is now in charge of a large and important school.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. O'Neill, principal teacher of Clohoge National school, has a salary of £63 per annum, which, with the residual grant, about £15 per annum, makes a total income of £78. Had he remained an assistant he would have been entitled under the 4th Schedule of the Irish Education Act of 1892 to a bonus of £9, making his total salary £72. In that case, however, he would not have received any residual grant nor would he be eligible for promotion beyond the third grade. The case is not one in which the Commissioners could grant a special increase of salary under Rule 112 (E).

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state approximately when the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the working of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education for Ireland will be available for Members of this House, and can he say when the minutes of evidence taken at the inquiry will be published.

I am informed that the Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Department of Agriculture hope to be able to present their Report within the month of March next. The minutes of evidence will accompany the Report.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether Mr. Sydney Smith, a personal friend and neighbour of the agent of the Kingston estate, has been appointed by the Estates Commissioners to examine the holdings and inquire into the methods by which the second term tenants on this estate were induced to sign purchase agreements at the rate of twenty-six and a quarter years purchase with interest at 4 per cent.; and whether the Estates Commissioners will consider the desirability of appointing an inspector not so closely connected with Mr. Henry Frend, agent of the estate.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have referred this Question to their Inspector, Mr. Sydney Smith, who reports that he is slightly acquainted with the agent of the Kingston estate, but the agent resides at some distance from him, and is not closely connected with him as stated in the Question. The Commissioners do not consider that there is any necessity for assigning the duty of inspecting the estate to another inspector.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain who recommended this Gentleman for appointment?

I do not think the Commissioners would be willing to tell me. I think they consider when they appoint an inspector that they do it in their official capacity and not with any particular recommendation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of Mr. Patrick Ahern, of Ballylough, a second-term tenant on the Kingston estate, who refused the terms of purchase offered to second-term tenants, namely twenty-six and a quarter years, with interest at the rate of four per cent. on the purchase money, which would amount to more than his old rent; whether he is aware that, in consequence of Ahern's refusal to agree to these conditions, Mr. Henry Frend, agent of an estate, has compelled the tenant to pay three gales of rent in one year, and has since harassed him in every possible way; and whether, seeing that about two years ago the Estates Commissioners promised a full inquiry into all the circumstances of the case, he can state when such inquiry will take place.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are aware that Patrick Ahern, a tenant on the Kingston estate, has not signed an agreement for the purchase of his holding. The Commissioners have directed their in- spector to inquire into and report upon the circumstances of the case when he visits the estate. In the meantime, the Commissioners have no information as to the terms of purchase offered to Ahern, or as to the payment of rent by him. The Commissioners think it probable that the estate will be inspected early in the coming year.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a special post of police, established about two years ago for the protection of General Gore at Derrymore, county Clare, is still in existence; if so, whether the police are retained at Derrymore by desire of General Gore, and, if not, what are the circumstances which render it still necessary to protect General Gore against his own wish.

I am informed by the police authorities that the police protection post which was established at Derrymore on 11th October, 1905, is still in existence. It is, I am informed, not the case that the police post is retained against the wish of General Gore. The post was established upon the initiative of the police because they considered it necessary, and it is retained for the same reason. It is understood that General Gore, though he did not ask for protection, acquiesced, and still acquiesces, in the arrangements which the police, who are responsible for the preservation of the peace of the district, consider necessary.

Is it not the fact that General Gore, who is very popular in the neighbourhood, has no wish for this protection? Who is the judge of the necessity for extra police?

Prima facie the police who are responsible for the peace of the district. Due regard will be had to General Gore's wishes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at a recent meeting of the Ballina Board of Guardians, a resolution was passed of a boycotting nature directed against a man named Haire, who is stated to have taken an evicted farm at Grannagh, and that this resolution was also adopted by the Swinford Board of Guardians, and proposed to be adopted by the chairman of the Killalla Guardians; whether he will state if any of the guardians who took part in these proceedings hold the commission of the peace; and whether any disturbances, cases of boycotting, or intimidation in connection with the Grannagh farm have been reported by the police during the past two years.

I am informed that on 5th November the Ballina Board of Guardians passed a resolution protesting against the action of John Haire in taking portion of a farm as to which negotiations for sale to the Estates Commissioners were said to be in progress. The farm is not an evicted farm. None of the guardians who were present holds the commission of the peace. I am informed that the resolution was not adopted by the Swinford Guardians, nor by the Killala Guardians, though the chairman of the latter board proposed it. I understand from the police authorities that though some local exhibitions of ill-feeling on the subject have taken place, nothing has occurred which has called for the institution of legal proceedings. Haire is receiving all necessary protection at the hands of the police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member who put the Question was himself convicted last week of intimidation?

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member for South Down has just made a statement that is absolutely untrue, and reflects upon my personal character, and I ask you to protect me.

I thought the statement quite beneath the notice of the hon. Member.

May I say that the firm of which the hon. Member is hon. chairman was last week convicted of intimidating—

I read the account of the trial, and I made the statement I did after reading it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, on what grounds was James Graham, head gamekeeper to Lord Ashtown, who was sentenced at petty sessions, held on l2th November, at Ballymacarberry, county Waterford, to a month's imprisonment for presenting a revolver at a man named Ryan, released after fourteen days' imprisonment; is he aware that James Sands, under gamekeeper to Lord Ashtown, was, at the same sessions, sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment for assaulting Ryan, and that Sands has been returned for trial on the charge of shooting at and wounding a man named Hyland; and whether, considering the conduct of these men, and the state of feeling in the district produced by their action, the licences to carry arms now held by these men will be withdrawn.

I am informed that the facts are as stated in the first two inquiries of the Question. Graham was released after fourteen days imprisonment by order of the Lord-Lieutenant. It would be contrary to practice to state the reasons which influence His Excellency in exercising his prerogative in such cases. The question of revoking Graham's licence to carry a revolver is at present under consideration; and the similar case of Sands will be considered upon the conclusion of his trial, which is taking place at the current assizes.

Is it a fact that the alleged offence against Ryan for which he was so savagely attacked was the snaring of a rabbit?

I have no information.

Who is considering the matter of the gun licence?

The Lord-Lieutenant.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence which passed between the solicitor for the Rev. Marshall Vincent, at Rapla, near Nenagh, county Tipperary, and the solicitors for the purchasing tenants on the estate, which the Estates Commissioners declared to justify them in making the holdings of nine purchasing tenants a separate estate and in excluding from the sale the holdings of four tenants whose families have been on the estate for generations; if he can say on what grounds were these holdings excluded; and whether, as these four tenants are, and have been, willing to buy their holdings on the same terms as the others, the Estates Commissioners will not sanction the sale of this estate without having all the tenants included if they have not yet paid over the purchase money of the nine holdings to the landlord.

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his Question on this subject on 16th May last. † The Estates Commissioners inform me that the purchase money of the estate sold has been paid over, and it is not now possible to re-open the matter. The Commissioners were satisfied at the time of the sale that the vendor has made a reasonable offer to the four tenants who were unwilling to purchase, and the Commissioners did not think it desirable to stop the sale to nine tenants who desired to purchase because of the unwillingness of the remaining four tenants to accept the vendor's offer. The declaration of the estate is a matter within the Commissioners' discretion. It is not-considered necessary or desirable to lay upon the Table the correspondence referred to in the Question.

Is there any secrecy about this correspondence to prevent its being laid?

I do not know what is in it, but the Estates Commissioners say it would not be proper to lay it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolution recently passed by the Irish Butter Ex-porters' Association, protesting against the proposed subsidy to be given by the Irish Department of Agriculture to the

† See (4) Debates, clvii., 488.

My attention has been called to the resolution referred to, and to the objections which have been taken in other quarters to the action of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in applying public moneys for the teaching of agricultural co-operation through the agency of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. I have already stated that the opinion of the law officers is being taken upon the legality of this action.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the fact that in the last issued Report of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland for the year 1904–5, page 134, it is stated that on the 31st March, 1905, the Department had invested in Local Loans Stock £250,000, Exchequer Bonds, 1905, £70,000, Guaranteed Land Stock £70,837 15s. 11d., Consols £20,000 and a further balance of £37,077 1s. 9d., making a total of £447,914 17s. 8d., and to the fact that it has recently been stated by the head of the Department that the sum at present held is of a face value of £379,431 15s., and of a real value at present prices of £357,430, with an additional sum held on deposit of £35,000, making a total value of £392,430; can he state how this decline of £45,484 17s. 8d. is accounted for; and, if it is by the sale of securities, will he state what was the face value of the securities so sold, their cost prices, the amount they realised, and the purposes on which they have been expended.

The facts are as stated in the Question. The hon. Member, however, appears to be contrasting the nominal values of the securities held by the Department on 31st March, 1905, in his first total of £447,914 17s. 8d., with the cash values of securities now held, in his second total of £392,430. The only change in the nature of these securities that has taken place since 31st March, 1905, is as follows:—The£70,000 Exchequer Bonds matured on 7th December, 1905, and were paid off at par, thus realising £70,000. They had been purchased in July, 1901, for £69,116. Of the amount realised, £35,000 was re-in- vested in 2¾ per cent. Guaranteed Land Stock. The balance of £35,000 was used to meet expenditure on marine works; new buildings and equipment of the Albert Agricultural College and of Athenry, Ballyhaise, and Clonakilty Agricultural Stations; the purchase of a dredger; and special investigations and experiments in flax and tobacco growing and curing, and peat-making.

IS it not the fact that the figures in the first part of the Question are the official figures given by the Board, and that those in the second part were supplied by the right hon. Gentleman himself?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Member in the one case gives the face value of the securities, and in the other the actual value.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps have been taken by the Department of Agriculture to ascertain the views of Irish butter producers and exporters with regard to the grading of butter; and can he say what steps in particular have been taken to ascertain the opinion of the producers of centrifugal creamery butter.

The Department of Agriculture have not taken any special steps to ascertain the views of Irish butter producers and exporters with regard to the grading of butter. They do not consider it desirable to take action in this direction until they have satisfied themselves by further inquiry that it is practicable in the present circumstances of the trade to establish an adequate system of grading.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the ravages of consumption in Ireland; whether he is aware that the average death rate from tuberculosis, which in 1902 was 11,837, had risen to 12,694 in 1904; and whether the Government intend taking any steps to give immediate effect to the recommendations of the Viceregal Commission on the Irish Poor Law contained in paragraphs 101–107 of their Report.

I beg to refer to the Answer which I gave to the Question on this subject put by the hon. Member for West Cavan on 26th June last †. The hon. Member will see that the matter has already engaged the serious attention of the Government. The Local Government Board have been in communication with local authorities and medical officers of health on the subject. The recommendations of the Irish Poor Law Commission upon this and other subjects will receive full consideration, but as I have already said, I do not anticipate that I shall be in a position to make a statement as to the intention of the Government in respect of those recommendations for some time to come.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the increase of picketing and boycotting by branches of the United Irish League at Dromahair, Drumkeeran, and Ballinaglera; whether he is aware that the League in Sligo have caused to be published a statement to the effect that the Trades Disputes Bill which has just passed the House of Commons legalises picketing in agrarian cases; and whether, under these circumstances, he will advise His Majesty's Ministers to insert a new clause, when the Bill is before the other House, providing that agrarian disputes are outside the scope of the measure.

I have no information that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question, or that the league in

† See (4) Debates, clix., 794

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, the amount of Government money allocated to the county of Down annually for the past three years in respect of labourers cottages tinder the Labourers Acts prior to 1906; and what will the maximum amount be for any one year for that county under the Act of 1906.

The amount of Government money allocated to the county of Down annually for the past three years in respect of labourers cottages was as follows:—March, 1906, £2,010 18s. 7d.; March, 1905, £2,027 13s. 8d.; March, 1904, £2,027 13s. 8d. There is an unissued balance at present of £3,264 15s. 5d. Under the new Act, 36 per cent. of the annuity payable in respect of loans obtained after 1st November last from the Land Commission for the purposes of the Acts will be paid partly out of the Labourers Cottages Fund and partly by the Treasury through the Ireland Development Grant. This amount will depend on the extent to which the district councils in the county may put the Act into operation. The councils will also get, in respect of all cottages provided before that date, their proportionate share of the Exchequer contribution.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners intend to give to grabbers a portion of the untenanted lands on the Mountshannon estate, in the county of Limerick, which has been purchased by them; and, if so, whether he is aware that this will cause dissatisfaction and endanger the peace of the county in view of the fact that there are evicted tenants in the county, who have not got back their holdings, willing to take untenanted lands at Mountshannon in addition to those to whom allotments have been made, and also in view of the fact that there are labourers in the district who require suitable allotments of these lands, and that there are uneconomic holdings bounding the estate requiring to be enlarged; and, whether, in view of these facts and in the public interest, he will take steps to see that grabbers get none of the untenanted lands there.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the scheme for the allotment of the untenanted land upon the estate mentioned has not yet been finally settled by them. The Commissioners will, when considering the distribution of the untenanted land, have due regard to the wants and circumstances of persons residing in the neighbourhood.

Will the evicted tenants who cannot get back their old holdings have the preference, and the grabbers be granted money compensation?

The Commissioners will conform to the directions given by Parliament.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the people of the county of Limerick object to the Estates Commissioners giving to any persons other than evicted tenants any of the untenanted lands purchased by them under the Land Act, 1903, while there is a number of evicted tenants in the county who cannot get back their own holdings wanting these lands, and also while the labourers of the county require allotments of them to enable them to live and so that they may not have to emigrate to foreign lands; and whether, under these circumstances, he will give directions to the Estates Commissioners that, before they plant any persons on the untenanted lands there, they will first provide for the evicted tenants and labourers of the county.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in making advances for the purchase of parcels of untenanted land in county Limerick, as elsewhere, they will have due regard to the circumstances of the particular case, and to the claims of the various classes of persons who are qualified to obtain advances for the purchase of such land.

Having regard to the very copious supply of Questions respecting the Estates Commissioners, cannot the right hon. Gentleman now give a general assurance that the expectations he expressed in a recent debate that their proceedings would be accelerated will soon be realised?

That does not arise directly out of the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any competitive examination will be held in connection with the forthcoming appointment of four junior inspectors of national schools.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have up to the present only advertised for candidates for the positions referred to. They have not yet finally determined the method of selection of the inspectors from the candidates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of representing to the Commission that these appointments should be thrown open to competitive examination?

I have no control over them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say if tenders have been or will be invited in connection with the alterations to the Enniskillen courthouse.

The Local Government Board are informed by the secretary of the Fermanagh County Council that the council gave the work in question into the charge of the county surveyor (Procedure of Councils Order, section 22), and the surveyor has invited competitive tenders for the main part of the work, and has given the remainder of the work to local builders.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. Andrew Morrow, one of the poor rate collectors for the Lisburn Union, holds at the same time the position of secretary to the County Down Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; if so, whether he can say why Article 86 and Sub-section F of the General Orders of the Local Government Board for councils are allowed to be infringed; and whether he can say what steps will be taken to enforce the regulation.

I am informed that Mr. A. Morrow was an existing officer transferred to the Down County Council by the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898. The attention of the Local Government Board was called to the fact that Mr. Morrow also held the office of secretary to the County Down Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, and the Board stated that they did not consider it obligatory on Mr. Morrow to resign either of these offices. The Board have a dispensing power under the Public Bodies Orders, and in the case of existing officers they exercise this authority when the circumstances appear to justify that course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it had been brought to his notice that last week two bullocks were removed from the farm of Thomas Brady, near Drumkeeran, and that several mornings later the bones of these animals, with their tails and hoofs, were found in two sacks deposited outside the police barracks; whether ten cocks of hay have been removed from this farm whether he will state the number of police stationed in the neighbourhood; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with these occurrences.

The police authorities inform me that Thomas Brady reported to the local police that two bullocks were stolen from his farm on 16th October last. Brady, however, refused to swear an information in support of his statement. There is, I am informed, not the slightest foundation for the suggestion that the remains of these animals were left outside the police barracks. It is the fact that on the night of 15th September some stacks of hay and oats were removed from Brady's farm, and these were found in a field in the locality. There are twenty police stationed in the neighbourhood. No arrests have been made in connection with the occurrences.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the Galway County Council in reference to the extra police tax levied in that county; whether he will state the number of police in respect of which the tax has been levied, the districts in which the police have been located, and the reason for strengthening the number of the force in each case; and whether the extra police, or any portion of them, are still retained in the districts in question.

The County Council of Galway have raised certain objections to paying for the expenses of extra police drafted into the county, and have applied for particulars in connection with the accounts furnished for the purpose of checking their accuracy. As to the numbers of the extra police serving in county Galway at different times since 1st March, 1905. I beg to refer the hon. Member to my Answers to the Questions of the right hon. Member for South Dublin on 2nd November, to which give full particulars. The extra police for which charges have been made were located in the districts of Athenry, Ballinasloe, Dunmore, Galway, Gort, Loughrea, Portumna, and Tuam, and the main reason for the services of these police was the state of feeling arising out of the agitation against the grazing system. As the hon. Member is probably aware, these extra police were sent to the county while the late Government were in office. The only extra force at present serving in the county consists of twenty-five men of the

† See (4) Debates elxiii.,1447–9.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been directed to a report of the proceedings of the South Galway Executive of the United Irish League at Loughrea on 18th November; whether Mr. J. Leahy has offered to surrender his grazing farm to the committee of the Leitrim branch and begged their permission to hold it for a short time to allow him to dispose of his stock; whether Mr. Larkin has undertaken to surrender his farm and also forego his right to a sum of £30 awarded to him as compensation for a malicious injury; whether any cases of intimidation or other disturbance have occurred recently in connection with the holdings of Mr. Larkin and others at Carrowkeel; and whether he has any official information showing that these persons have surrendered their property in deference to the proceedings of the United Irish League.

My attention has not been drawn to the report in question, and I am informed by the police authorities that the meeting referred to was held within doors, and the police have no evidence of what took place at it. I have no information that the persons named have surrendered or have offered to surrender their farms, or that Mr. Larkin has undertaken to forego his right to the sum of £30 awarded to him as compensation for malicious injury. I am informed that the only offence which has recently been committed in connection with the persons named consisted in the breaking of five panes of glass in the windows of Mr. Larkin's house on the night of 24th November.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his knowledge that Thomas Brady, of Drumnafuila, county Leitrim, goes in danger of his life; that three constables have been quartered in his house for his protection since early in August last, two: of whom accompany him whenever he leaves the house; that he is unable to obtain provisions in the neighbouring villages, and is obliged to travel long distances with his escort in order to procure the necessaries of life; and whether the Estates Commissioners are proposing to use public money with the object of inducing Brady to surrender his holding on the Slack estate, which he purchased from the Land Commission in February last.

The Inspector-General informs me that he has no reason to believe that Thomas Brady goes in danger of his life. It is, however, considered necessary to afford constant police protection to Brady in order to prevent attempts at intimidation and possibly rough treatment. It is the case that Brady cannot openly procure provisions in the neighbourhood, but has to go or send considerable distances for them. As to the latter part of the Question, the Estates Commissioners inform me that their inspector is at present making inquiry with a view to the purchase by the Commissioners of Brady's interest in his holding on the Slack estate?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the county of Leitrim was the scene of ex-Sergeant Sheridan's activity?

Why not send the Scots Greys there?

As a new member, I should like to ask the Chief Secretary why it is that certain representatives from Ireland take such interest in trying to blacken their country.

Hear, hear; a most disorderly Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners, in the event of purchasing grazing tracts of land in the county of Limerick, will inquire into the congested state of the mountainous parts of the county, for instance, in Glensharrold and neighbourhood, with the view of giving some of the untenanted lands to the sons of small farmers in these parts, after the evicted tenants' claims have been satisfied, to keep them from emigrating to foreign lands for a living.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that their power to make advances under Section 2 of the Act of 1903 to the sons of tenants for the purchase of parcels of untenanted land is limited to the cases of the sons of tenants of holdings on the estate which includes the untenanted land. The Commissioners have due regard to the provisions of this section when distributing untenanted land purchased by them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the defective and incomplete condition in which Greystones pier and harbour were left by the Board of Works, the late Grand Jury of the county Wicklow, and subsequently the county council, refused to take over possession of the harbour; that it has been steadily and swiftly crumbling away ever since, and that, as a result, the fishermen and others for whose benefit it was intended can make no use of it; and whether, having regard to the sum of public money for the repayment of which the ratepayers are responsible, and under all the circumstances of the case, he will take the necessary steps to see that the Board of Works will put the harbour in a proper state of repair.

The pier at Greystones when completed was transferred under the Public Works Acts Amendment (Ireland) Act of 1853 to the Grand Jury of the county of Wicklow who thereby became charged with its maintenance. I understand that the transfer was objected to. Since the transfer serious settlements have occurred at the pier head, but it is not correct, I am informed, to state that it has crumbled away, nor does the condition of the pier head prevent fishermen or others from using the pier. The repayment of the Board of Works loan, to which the hon. Member refers, is now almost completed, only five half-yearly instalments of £34 6s. 9d. remaining to be paid. On the other hand, the expenditure which would be required in order to repair the pier is very large, and I believe unjustified by the condition of the fishing industry at Greystones, which appears to have decayed from general causes. My hon. friend is therefore not prepared to advise a grant from public funds in this case.

expressed a hope that the Chief Secretary would give the matter his personal attention. Five years ago the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor said he was inquiring into it, but the fishery industry at Greystones was being ruined through the pier and harbour being in such an unsatisfactory condition. It would be a lovely run from Dublin for the right hon. Gentleman.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that seventeen out of twenty-three district asylums in Ireland have passed resolutions calling for the absolute withdrawal of the Public Bodies Order; if he will lay upon the Table the documents submitted to him from the Local Government Board, the inspectors of lunatics, and the association of asylum doctors on which he based his statement to Mr. Richard Jones, chairman of the Richmond Asylum Board, that the weight of authority and the views of other asylum committees in Ireland are not favourable to the changes suggested by the Richmond committee; whether the documents submitted included any reference to the powers conferred on the asylum committees by Section 84 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and if such powers conferred on the committee the power to assign duties to every officer; and whether his attention was drawn to the letter written by the Local Government Board, dated 20th November, 1905, deciding to recognise the authority of the asylum committee in this regard.

I am informed that no resolutions against the Public Bodies Order have been received from asylum committees, except Richmond, since January, 1906. When the Order was first issued a considerable number of asylum committees adopted a resolution asking for the withdrawal of the Order; but, in view of modifications agreed to by the Local Government Board, and ex- planations offered to committees on points which were misunderstood, the committees generally withdrew from this position, and the Order is now in force in all asylums, except Richmond, and working satisfactorily. All the asylums, except Richmond and three others, have already furnished their abstracts of account to the 30th September, 1906, in the form prescribed by the Order, and it is understood that the delay in the three cases other than Richmond is due to the fact that the accounts were not promptly closed. The documents referred to in the Question are confidential, and it would be entirely contrary to practice to lay them on the Table of the House. The position taken up by the Local Government Board in their letter of 20th November, 1905, is incorrectly stated in the Question. In that letter the Local Government Board expressed their willingness to agree to certain books and documents being kept by other officers than the resident medical superintendent; but an attempt has been made to read into that letter a proposal to deprive the resident medical superintendent of all responsibility and authority over the supervision and control of the work. The Local Government Board cannot accept that position. The responsibility in question properly belongs to the resident, medical superintendent, and this fact has been recognised by all the other asylums in Ireland, and I believe the same principle exists in England.

inquired if in England the asylum committee did not assign the duties

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the nature and place of origin of the stone to be used in the erection of the new College of Science, Dublin.

If the hon. Member will refer to the Answer which my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for East Clare on the 7th ultimo, the will find all the information

† See (4) Debates, clxiv., 564–5.

said the Irish stone used in the lower storey had proved very satisfactory.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have furnished an estimate of the amount required to place defective elementary school buildings in a satisfactory condition; and whether the Commissioners of the Treasury have arrived at any conclusion as to the renewal of the building grants and an increase in the amount to be voted for this purpose.

I am informed that there has not been any recent statement by the Commissioners to the Treasury which could be described as an estimate of the amount required to place defective elementary school buildings in a satisfactory condition. On a representation, however, by the Irish Government, the Treasury consented some time since to place a sum of £40,000 for the purpose on the Estimate for Public Works and Buildings, Ireland, 1907–8, the amount available on that Vote in the current year being £20,000.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the modifications in Plan VI. A of the estimates for building Irish national schools are yet sanctioned by the Board of Education in Ireland or are likely to be.

The suggestions of the Commissioners of National Education as to the standard plans to be adopted for the future are now being examined on behalf of the Treasury. When that examination is complete, the Treasury will do everything possible to expedite a decision.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has received representations from the people of the Kilrusheighter district of Temple-boy, county Sligo, in regard to in- adequate postal facilities; have the Post Office authorities in Ireland closed a letter box in the district named, retaining at the same time a guarantee of £8 6s.; was there a loss on the letter box, and if so, can he state the amount of the loss; what was the average weekly collection of letters while the box was in use; will he refund the guarantee paid, or part of it; and will he see that the grievances complained of are redressed.

I under-that this Question has reference to the suspension of the evening collection from the letter box at Kilrusheighter in consequence of the failure of the guarantors to pay the cost of collection as they had undertaken. I am afraid, that without a guarantee, I should not be justified in providing the desired facility, the cost of the existing service being already very high as compared to the revenue.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether in view of the importance of the subject, he can see his way to grant a day, or part of a day, before the conclusion of the Autumn sittings, and preferably at an early date, for the discussion of the Report of the Select Committee on the Income Tax.

I am not prepared to give a special opportunity for the discussion of this subject.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he can now give any indication as to when the Small Landowners (Scotland) Bill will come up for Second Reading.

No, Sir, I am afraid I can give no indication.

Will the Prime Minister endeavour not to select the last Saturday of the session?

It may become "Hobson's choice." I do not know.

asked the Prime Minister a Question of which he had given him private notice—namely, when it was expected that the Letters Patent relating to the new Transvaal Constitution would be signed.

The state of affairs in regard to this matter is this. The Letters Patent have received the approval of His Majesty, and the Great Seal will, it is expected, be affixed to them in the course of this week. We hope to lay them on the Table of this House on Monday, and they will be published on Wednesday.