I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the sentence on a stoker at Portsmouth of five years penal servitude; and whether, in view of the severity of this sentence and the character of the alleged offence, any steps will be taken to reverse it. The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper: —

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what rule or regulation in the Naval Code provides for the order, "On your knees"; where it is to be found; and will he state whether there is any order of a kindred nature which is still in vogue in the service.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the proceedings in connection with the recent disturbances at Portsmouth have been concluded; and can he state when he hopes to be able to make a statement on the subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can offer any explanation as to why no official notice was taken in September, 1905, of the complaint of stoker Acton that Lieutenant Collard had been guilty of giving improper orders.

The report of the last court-martial has only just reached the Admiralty. The reports of all the courts-martial cover 475 typewritten foolscap pages, which have to be considered by each member of the Board. The questions arising are numerous and important, and will be dealt with, as I have already said, in one comprehensive Admiralty Minute. All despatch consistent with due deliberation will be employed, but I cannot at present name any definite date for the promulgation of the Minute.

asked whether the Admiralty, in considering this matter, would bear in mind the strong feeling there was that, if an officer who was found guilty of giving an improper order was merely reprimanded, it was, to say the least, an outrage and injustice to give a stoker five years penal servitude for not obeying that order.

The Admiralty will consider all the circumstances.

It is introducing Russian methods here.

I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the order "On the knee" has ever been disobeyed by the Government when given by Gentlemen below the gangway?

Will the right hon. Gentleman not answer the last part of my Question?

I cannot now make a statement on one part of the Question.

When may I ask the Question again?

I hope the Minute will be issued before the end of next week,

Then I will put the Question down for this day week.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that our fleet in the North Sea has at present no reliable base nearer than the south of England, he will consider the urgency of giving instructions that the work at Rosyth may be vigorously prosecuted.

The matter is receiving careful consideration, and plans are being prepared for the information of the Board.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated increase in the wages in the dockyard services which will come up for course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1907.

The estimated additional expenditure for the present financial year on dockyard wages, resulting from the revised rates of pay which came into force from the 1st October, is approximately £30,000.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether an order has been issued to close the whole of the Home dockyards on 24th December; and, if so, whether he will allow the workmen to make up the loss by working overtime, and thus avoid a loss of from 3s. to 6s. per man.

In accordance with the invariable custom, where there is only one day between Sunday and a public holiday, it has been decided to close the whole of the Home dockyards on the 24th December, and in such a case the dockyard regulations do not permit of the time lost being worked up.

In view of the season —that it is Christmas time—and that some of the men only earn £1 a week, and what a hard Christmas it will be for them and their families if they lose one day's pay, cannot the Admiralty see their way to relax the rule on this occasion?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the dockyard regulations on the subject.

Will the £7,000 which will be saved by closing the dockyards on Christmas eve be applied towards the sum to be expended in connection with the increased wages just given?

No, we are following the regulations laid down years ago.

May I appeal to the right hon. Gentleman, in view of what has taken place in the dockyards, to reconsider this matter and waive the regulations for this year?

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. William Beardmore and Co., Government contractors, Glasgow, do not conform to the fair wages clause by not paying the recognised district rate to enginemen, cranemen, boilermen, and firemen in their employ, and that the firm have refused to consider a petition submitted by the men's society requesting recognition of their society; that men have been dismissed who through their union requested the observance of the district rates; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the observance by this firm of the fair wages clause.

The hon. Member's Question is the first intimation that the Admiralty have received that there was any complaint against the firm in regard to the observance of the fair wages clause. Immediate inquiry will be made.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the joiners employed in the Royal dockyards participated in the increase of wages recently granted to the workmen; whether the increased rate is paid to the joiners employed in all the yards; and, if not, will he state in which yards the increased rate is paid.

The joiners having received an increase of 1s. 6d. a week in 1904, and a further increase of 1s. a week in 1905, did not participate in the increases recently granted to other workmen. The remainder of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked if the joiners did not, in common with other trades in the dockyard, present a petition to the Admiralty setting forth a schedule of wages paid in other places where similar work is done, and were the Admiralty now paying in accordance with that schedule?

Yes, I believe the petitions did contain a schedule.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has received two petitions from the islands of Barra, Benbecula, and North and South Uist, bearing over 1,100 signatures, asking that an additional squadron of the Lovat Scouts may be authorised; and whether, having regard to the popularity of the service in these islands, the character of the recruits, and the specially suitable nature of the training ground, he will authorise this addition to the establishment.

The petitions have been received. I fully appreciate the zeal and spirit of the islanders. Whether it would be right to add at present to the existing establishment of Yeomanry is another and much more doubttul matter. The question depends on details of general organisation which cannot possibly be settled for some time.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with regard to his intention to quarter two cavalry regiments in the Scottish command, will he, in the interests of frugality, give the estimated cost of hutting the said regiments on a suitable training ground in Scotland pending the erection of more costly quarters.

The cost of hutting two cavalry regiments in a substantial manner with all accessories is estimated at £150,000. This does not include anything for the ground.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many field officers of the Royal Artillery were detailed for service with the ammunition trains and parks serving in South Africa during the late war; and what was the number of field officers specially appropriated to an ammunition train.

During the first year of the war, the maximum number of ammunition columns in South Africa was eighteen. There was also an ammunition park. The latter was commanded by a lieutenant-colonel; the former by majors, although in some cases captains only were available for the duty. After the early phase of the war, and in consequence of the exceptional conditions that arose in South Africa, regular ammunition columns wore abolished, and the number of field or other officers employed cannot now be ascertained.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if on the 1st November 1906, a portion of the 303-inch small arm ammunition held as a war reserve at stations abroad was beyond the age when such ammunition could be regarded as reliable, or should be reported upon with a view to its disposal, in accordance with the regulations for Army ordnance services.

There is no reason to believe that any portion of the 303-inch small arm ammunition held as war reserve at stations abroad on the 1st ultimo was unreliable through age. The whole question of replacing existing stocks of small arm ammunition abroad by charger packed ammunition suitable for use with the new short rifle, now in process of issue, is under consideration.

Has it been recently decided to increase the age limit of this ammunition?

I should like notice of that Question.

Is there any reason to believe this deficiency was not well known at headquarters?

It is not a question of deficiency, it is one of reliability, which is a scientific matter. We have no reason to believe it is unreliable.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the decision to withdraw cavalry from Scotland is mainly due to financial considerations; and, if so, whether inquiry has been made as to the possibility of providing adequate accommodation at a much less sum than £200,000; can he give any indication as to the period to which the temporary withdrawal of cavalry is likely to extend; and has he received any assurance from the Treasury that the necessary funds will be forthcoming at some future date.

As I explained to the Lord Provost in the letter of the 28th ultimo, the withdrawal of the cavalry from Piershill is due to the unsuitable character, for such a unit, of these barracks, and I can at present see no reason why Scotland should cease for more than a time to have cavalry stationed in it. But I cannot now say how long the interval will be, though I undertake to do all that I can, consistently with my duty to this House and to the Army, to make the interval as short as possible I do not pledge myself as to the exact sum required, but judging from experience about £200,000 is what would be wanted for the site and for building a good up-to-date barrack for cavalry.

May I ask will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether his decision would not be expedited if the public authorities with suitable grounds would communicate with him to that effect?

There seems to be an outburst of patriotism in Scotland at this time, and if some patriotic people who own beautiful land in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh would put their parks at my disposal it would help to a solution of the problem.

Arising out of that Question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he limits that suggestion to Edinburgh.

No, I am open to offers.

With regard to the Answer of the right hon. Gentleman respecting barracks, would he undertake to use his influence with the great landlords with whom he undoubtedly has great influence?

Has Lord Rosebery made any offer to the right hon. Gentleman to supply a training ground?

Is the right hon. Gentleman correctly reported as having stated a few days ago that this regiment of Scottish patriots consists mostly of Irishmen who desire to escape from Scotland?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that such high authorities as Sir Henry Littlejohn and Dr. Williamson have reported that Piershill Barracks are in a perfectly sanitary condition and whether, in view of the statements made on behalf of the War Office to a contrary effect, he has any objection to lay upon the Table the Report on which the conclusion of the War Office was arrived at.

My attention has been drawn to the statement that Sir Henry Littlejohn and Dr. Williamson have reported that Piershill Barracks are in a perfect sanitary condition. As such reports would contradict the information I have received from the War Office experts, I have sent Lieutenant-Colonel Melville, R.A.M.C, and Mr. Tyndale, sanitary engineer, down to Piershill, and have made the request that Sir Henry Littlejohn and Dr. Williamson should meet them on the spot while they make a fresh inquiry. I will lay the Report of these exports on the Table of the House as soon as I get it, and I will also lay on the Table the Report of Sir Alfred Keogh, the Director-General of Army Medical Services, who, at my request, inspected these barracks last summer, and who has informed me that, in addition to his dissatisfaction with other features of the barracks, he found it difficult to express in moderate language his view of the conditions under which the number of officers required for a cavalry regiment were being accommodated.

Have any special instructions been given these experts to report on the sanitary condition of the barracks?

was understood to reply in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that civil clerks and civil labourers in the Army Ordnance Department at Dublin are being discharged to make room for soldier clerks and soldier labourers of the Army Ordnance Corps, and that the military labour is a heavier charge against the public; and whether, seeing that civil labourers at wages of 18s. a week are employed as clerks in the offices owing to pressure of work, he, will explain why these discharges are taking place; can he state the annual cost of military administration and military supervision in this department in Ireland; and will he consider the advisability of working this department on a more economical and efficient basis as a purely civil department.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that discharges of civilians employed in the Army Ordnance Department in Dublin are already taking place. It is true, however, that, in view of the requirements of mobilisation and administration, it has been decided to replace soldiers of the Army Ordnance Corps by civilians at certain stations abroad, bringing the soldiers back to home stations. This will involve the discharge of a certain number of civilian employees, but the number to be discharged at Dublin will be small. The annual cost of the Army Ordnance Department and Corps in the Irish Command is about £36,500. It would not conduce to economy or efficiency to attempt to work the Ordnance services of the Army on a purely civilian basis, as it is essential for mobilisation to maintain the strength of the military establishment and to train the soldiers of the Army Ordnance Corps in peace for the duties they would have to perform in war.

Will this apply to the whole of the Army Ordnance Department?

To some extent it will.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Bengal Chamber of Commence desire it to be known that they have never contemplated, and are not contemplating, any deputation regarding the partition of Bengal, and that the use of their name in connection with suggested deputations against such partition is without foundation; and absolutely unwarranted; and what action, if any, he intends to take in regard to this declaration.

The Secretary of State has observed a statement to the effect mentioned in the public Press. He does not propose to take any action in regard to it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can now say how many Indian Medical Service officers had been appointed as specialists under the Indian Army Order regarding specialists' appointments in India; how many officers so appointed by the Director-General of the Indian Medical Service had received the special remuneration authorised for such appointments; and how many were natives of India.

Up to 20th September, 1906, fifty-eight officers of the Indian Medical Service had been recognised as specialists, and fifteen of them had been posted to vacancies and drawn the allowance. Only one native of India had applied for recognition as a specialist, and he had received it. I have no later figures, but it was intended at the time mentioned that the other officers who had been recognised as specialists should (unless transferred to civil employment) be posted to appointments as soon as opportunities occurred.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any convention or arrangement has been made between the United States Government and the German Government providing that in case Germany should be engaged in war the German mercantile marine shall be taken under the United States flag; and have His Majesty's Government received any communication on the subject from the British Ambassador to the United States.

I have received no communication of any kind on this subject. If the hon. Member has any reliable information upon it, I shall be very glad to receive a communication from him.

Do I understand that the Foreign Office has no information on the subject of any kind whatever?

Yes, Sir. We have no information at all; from which I should infer that no such arrangement exists.

Is it not the case that no convention or international agreement of any kind with a foreign Power can be entered into by the United States Government without the public ratification of the Senate; and is it not, therefore, impossible for such an arrangement to exist without its becoming a matter of public knowledge?

The hon. Gentleman is as good an authority as I am on the Constitution of the United States, and I have no doubt he is correct. It seemed to me when the Question appeared on the Paper that it was quite impossible that any such arrangement could exist.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to protecting British trading interests and of possibly mitigating the evils that now prevail, he will advise His Majesty's Government to claim consular rights on the Congo under the Act of 1885.

His Majesty's Government do not propose to take any action in regard to the Congo Free State pending the result of the discussion now in progress in the Belgian Chamber. And in any event, as already stated, the first step taken by His Majesty's Government would be to consult other Powers. It is evident that action by Belgium, or united action with other Powers, would lead to a more complete and effective change of system than could be done by individual action of any Power outside Belgium separately.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since the Denshawai incident in June last, the village of Denshawai has been deprived of its immemorial rights as a separate balad or district regulated by its own omdeh and ghafirs, a force of ghafirs being imported from Cairo for its regulation at a charge on the villagers of more than £400 a year for their salaries, and that its inhabitants are now subjected to restraints, seriously interfering with their ordinary avocations and protection of their property; and, if so, whether the British representative in Egypt will be asked to inquire into and report upon the situation thus brought about.

After the attack on the officers at Denshawai, the village was deprived of an omdeh, and was attached to the adjacent village of Abu Kullos. One sheikh, one wekil, and twenty specially selected ghafirs, recruited and equipped in Cairo, were left to take charge of the village, by the inhabitants of which they were to be paid. All the original ghafirs were dismissed, and their arms and equipment were withdrawn. I do not consider that the matter is one in which His Majesty's Government should interfore with such measures of detail which the Government of Egypt think necessary for the preservation of public security, or that it calls for a special report from Lord Cromer.

Is it not the fact that the ghafirs did their best to protect the British officers after the affray, and did they not when they got them into their village protect them from injury?

I cannot say from memory exactly what their action was, but it is quite clear that they did not prevent them from being assaulted, and it is impossible for His Majesty's Government after what took place to interfere with the measures taken by the Egyptian Government to preserve public security.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations in connection with the projected Russo British loan to Persia are now completed.

I am unable at present to make any statement on the subject.

It is obvious that a matter of this kind cannot be arranged without the consent of the three Governments concerned. When anything has been definitely settled it will be made known. In the meantime I can make no statement.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the income-tax returns made by private individuals and companies are treated as entirely confidential by the Income-Tax Commissioners, or is the information contained in them available to any Cabinet Minister on demand, to the Cabinet collectively, to the officers of the Estate Duty Department, or to any and, if so, what other Government officials and departments.

The Board of Inland Revenue do not consider that any use they may make of income-tax returns within their own department, and for their own official use, constitutes a disclosure of such returns within the meaning of the provisions of the law relating to secrecy in income-tax matters. Care is taken, however, that only responsible officers should have cognisance of such matters. Any request for information coming from another department, or from any of my colleagues in the Cabinet, would only be considered in the event of its being preferred through mo. I have not up to the present had occasion to consider in what circumstances, if any, such a request could be complied with.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases income-tax has been deducted from monetary prizes in the form of single non-recurrent payments, offered for competition in the public services, between the years 1895 and 1905 inclusive.

The Board of Inland Revenue have no record of such cases. The deduction, when made, would be made by the Department making the payment. If there is any particular case in which a question arises whether the tax is properly deductible or not, I shall be happy to have it looked into.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in the case of the estate valued for purposes of probate at £132,300 in 1898, or less than one-third its true value, the sum of £450,000 at which the concern was floated in 1900 was based on the actual value at the time of death, and on the profits for three years prior to death; whether he is aware that the property in question was an old-established business not liable to violent fluctuations as suggested by the Board of Inland Revenue, and that the profits prior to death showed a steady upward tendency; whether, in view of these facts, and of the statement made by the Board that all the facts were fully disclosed at the time of death, he will say who was responsible for passing the assessment of this property at less than one-third its value, and the consequent loss to the Treasury of over £20,000; will he explain the statement made by the Board that the prospectus of the company is not before them, seeing that it was published in all the leading Dublin newspapers, and should have been well-known to their local officials; and will he say whether the Board requires its officials to acquaint themselves with the contents of prospectuses of new public companies, with a view to a comparison of their statements with the Returns made to the Board for the purpose of income-tax or probate, as the case may be.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I have already given to my hon. friend on the subject of this estate, except that I do not accept his view that it was undervalued for estate duty purposes in 1898. The value of £132,300 was five years purchase of the average annual income, a rather high valuation, regard being had to the nature of the business. The statement that "the prospectus is not before the Board of Inland Revenue" means that it is not upon the Department's files. I have no doubt that at the time of its issue in 1900 it was known to the estate duty officials. Such prospectuses are examined by those officers as part of their ordinary duty.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the practice which has grown up on the part of the Board of Inland Revenue of refusing to give information to this House relating to the work of their department, on the alleged grounds that such information would take considerable time and trouble to prepare and is not of sufficient public interest; is he aware that information is refused when actually in the possession of the Board and when it has a bearing on subjects of importance, as for instance the assessment and collection of taxes, and is intended to show the unsatisfactory nature of the present system and the need for reform, and when such information is regarded by the Board itself as of sufficient importance to be collected for their own use; can he explain the reluctance of the Board to give information to this House concerning the work of their department; and will he take steps to secure that such information shall not be withheld when it is desired in the public interest, and necessary for the use of Members sent to this House to enable them properly to discharge their responsibilities.

I am not aware of any case in which information asked for by the House has been refused. If my hon. friend is referring to replies given by Ministers to Questions asked by individual Members, I can only say that, for my own part, I regard it as my duty, where such inquiries will involve expenditure of time and labour in a department for which I am responsible, to consider, before agreeing to obtain the information, whether the facts which it is desired to elicit are of sufficient public interest to justify the investigation being undertaken. When I am satisfied that this is the case, I should never sanction the withholding of information.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the opinion of the Departmental Committee on Income-Tax, 1904–5, in favour of continuing the present practice of employing eight different officials at Somerset House, in addition to the Surveyor of Taxes and his staff, on each claim for repayment of income tax, even when such claim amounts only to a few shillings, is based solely on the evidence of the head of the Repayment Branch at Somerset House, who may be regarded as an interested witness: whether he is aware that no independent evidence was taken such as that of a surveyor of taxes, a collector of Inland Revenue, or of any other revenue officer conversant with the view of the outdoor staff in actual contact with the practical work of investigating the bona fides of the claims and certifying thereto; and will he say whether the Government will take steps to obtain such independent evidence and make a full inquiry into this matter before forming an opinion as to the wisdom of maintaining a costly establishment which is only engaged on routine duties and on apparently useless and unnecessary work.

The Departmental Committee, of which the late Lord Ritchie was Chairman, was a very strong one, and I am not disposed in this matter to go behind either their procedure or their conclusions. The Committee included the Chief Inspector of Taxes, an ex-surveyor of experience, who both heard the evidence and signed the Report.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Lieutenant Paton, who was charged at Windsor on Saturday, December 1st, before the Berkshire magistrates, with the manslaughter of Mr. Hart, who died from injuries caused by a motor-car driven by the defendant at Windlesham, on October 23rd last, in which case several witnesses spoke to the car having been driven at a speed estimated at between forty and fifty miles an hour, and in which the magistrates, without calling on the defence, dismissed the charge; and whether, in view of the evidence that the defendant was travelling beyond the statutory limit of twenty miles an hour, he will state if he proposes to take any further action to protect the lives of persons using the highways.

My right hon. friend has no official information on that matter. In Answer to the Question on the Paper, ray right hon. friend has so far only seen a newspaper report of the proceedings, but he is making further inquiries.

IS the hon. Gentleman aware that this offence of driving over the speed limit is becoming very common, and that the hon. Member who put this Question was himself recently fined for such an offence?

On behalf of the hon. Member for South West Ham, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what amount of money has been allocated to the distress committees of the various boroughs out of the £200,000 set aside for the relief of the unemployed.

Payments amounting to about £25,000 have been made out of the grant by way of instalment up to the present time to the Central (Unemployed) Body for London and to distress committees in other parts of England and Wales. Further payments are being made.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact mentioned in the Report of his department, just issued, that the rates of the administrative county of London averaged 6s. 9·7d. in the pound, and those of the rest of England and Wales 5s. 6d. in the pound, yet the Government grants to the administrative county of London only equal 12·9d. in the pound, while those to the rest of England and Wales average 21d.; and what steps are being taken to remedy this inequality.

I am aware of the facts referred to in the Question. I may, however, point out that the grants in London are equivalent to 9s. 7d. per head of population, whilst in the rest of England and Wales they are only equivalent to 9s. 4d. It would seem impracticable to effect any general alteration in the basis of the distribution of the grants except in connection with a scheme for the readjustment of local taxation, for which purpose legislation would of course be required.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the offer made by the Canadian Government to pay a bonus of £1 a head to each person over eighteen booked for Canada of the following classes, farmers, farm labourers, gardeners, stablemen, carters, railway service men, navvies, miners, and female domestic servants, and to pay a bonus of 10s. a head for each person between one and eighteen years of age; and whether he will bring this offer to the notice of the boards of guardians and distress committees throughout the country.

I have seen a circular which appears to have been issued from the Immigration Branch of the Department of the Interior at Ottawa to the steamship booking agents in this country, from which I gather that the bonuses to which I presume my hon. friend refers are offered to these agents. It does not seem to be necessary to make this offer known to boards of guardians and distress committees.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if the Local Government Board has sanctioned the application of the local authority to give a speed limit for motor cars at Newmarket, and if generally, with regard to applications of local authorities, he is aware that the late President of the Local Government Board, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Dublin, stated in the Committee stage of the Motor Car Act, 1903, that to say what the speed of motor cars should be in scores of places throughout the country was a duty the Local Government Board could not possibly undertake; and, just before that, the regulations would have to be made by the local authorities which would have knowledge of the districts; that they might safely leave the matter to the local authorities.

A local inquiry was held last week with respect to the Newmarket case, and I have not at present received the report which the inspector will make on the subject. I have seen the report in Hansard of the observations of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Dublin in the debate referred to. I gather that he was then urging that it should not be made the duty of the Local Government Board to make regulations fixing varying rates of speed in different places.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can now make any statement as to the working generally of the Local Government Board Order of May, 1905, respecting the cooperation of boards of guardians in the work of providing food for children in attendance at public elementary schools suffering from lack of food.

I would refer my hon. friend to the Answer which I gave to a similar Question on the 31st July last.† I do not think I can add anything to the information then given.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board has been officially informed that cows in an advanced stage of tuberculosis are frequently being sold for food, at prices varying from 10s. to £2, at an open country town market within 50 miles of London; whether, if so, he has had these official reports investigated; and if they have been found substantially correct, whether he will take measures, by legislation if necessary, to prevent such a practice in the future.

A copy of a letter signed "Medical Officer of Health" which appeared in the Morning Post, and which contained allegations of the kind mentioned in the Question, has been sent to the Local Government Board, but the name of the place at which the market referred to in the letter was hold was not stated. Other representations of a similar kind have reached me, and I have taken note of them for consideration when the time comes for dealing with the subject by legislation. I am not, however, in a position to promise legislation with regard to this matter at the present time.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether an inquiry, relating to the proposed provision of a new council school, is to be held at Gwespyr, Flintshire, on Saturday next; whether

† See (4) Debates, clxii., 679.

he is aware that some tenants of the Talacre Estate, living near Gwespyr, have received notice to quit, that others have had their rents raised, while others have been evicted from their holdings; and whether care will be taken at the forthcoming inquiry that the provisions of The Witnesses (Public Inquiries) Protection Act, 1892, will be read by the Commissioner appointed to hold the inquiry.

The investigation which I had arranged to be held on Saturday next in regard to the school named in the Question is merely into the question of the size and site of the new council school which the Board have decided must be erected, and the point had seemed so small that a public inquiry, in the technical sense of this term, had not seemed to be necessary. In view however of the difficulties which have arisen in regard to the case, and in particular of the allegations as to undue pressure which are contained in the hon. Member's Question, I have arranged that a full public inquiry under Section 23 (10) of the Act of 1902 shall be held. This will necessitate posponement of the inquiry till Saturday, December 15th, in order that the statutory seven days notice may be given. The fact that the inquiry will then be in the technical sense a public inquiry will bring it within the provisions of The Witnesses (Public Inquiries) Protection Act, 1892, and I have instructed the official to draw the attention of those present at the inquiry to the provisions of that Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a letter (a copy of which I hold in my hand) has been sent round to the Gwespyr cottagers by the agent, stating that the landlord intends to reserve his Gwespyr cottages for those who are willing to send their children to his school?

I have seen the letter. I do not know whether it has been sent. It would not be within the Act.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the contractor for cleaning windows of the several Government offices, and drawing £100 per month besides his weekly wage for this work, is employing forty men and paying them 6½d. per hour, while the trade union rate for window cleaning is 7d. per hour; and, if so, what steps he intends taking in the matter.

I do not understand the first part of the hon. Member's Question. Our arrangement with the contractor is to pay him for the work by measurement of the area of glass cleaned. There is no question of a weekly wage to him. I am informed that thirty-eight of the men employed are receiving 7d. per hour or over; nineteen are on the lower scale, but of these eighteen are youths or learners who are not yet fully skilled, and one is an old man who is kept on for charitable and kindly reasons.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the Return relating to Inclosures (County of Gloucester) will be ready.

The Return in question was presented on November 22nd, and it is now in the hands of the printer. I hope that it will be issued very shortly.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that six trading firms display advertisements within the walls of the National Gallery; that the area occupied by these advertisements is the greater part of the wall space of the entrance hall, or many hundreds of square feet; that one of the firms has, in addition to wall space, a stall, twelve feet long and three feet wide, whore photographs are sold by an attendant, who is not a public servant; that another firm is allowed to place a pile of advertisement cards on a counter; will he say whether any rent is paid for these privileges; and whether, with a view to improving the general arrangement of the entrance and ground floor corridor of the Gallery, he will represent to the trustees that the wall space of a public picture gallery should be entirely devoted to the artistic purposes of the gallery.

I am informed that the statements contained in the Question are correct, and that at present no rent is being charged. The subject is being carefully considered by the trustees, and I will communicate their conclusions to my hon. friend as soon as I receive them.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury at what age the non-pensionable workmen in the employ of the various State Departments are called upon to retire; and what classes of such workmen receive gratuities on retirement.

No uniform age is prescribed for the retirement of non-pensionable workmen. Each Department makes its own arrangements on the subject. Such workmen receive gratuities on retirement if they fulfil the conditions laid down by Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury how many assistant clerks, new class, employed in the Secretary's office and Accountant-General's office at Somerset House have been promoted to the second division under the provisions of the Order in Council of 29th November, 1898.

I am informed that the Answer to my hon. friend's Question is as follows: in the Secretaries' office, four; in the Accountant-General's office, three.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, as in other cases not falling under the provision of the Order in Council, the Treasury have made any, and if so, what conditions as to the age at which Sir James Woodhouse will undertake to retire from the office of Railway Commissioner.

No conditions have been made as to the age at which the holder should retire. I may add that no pension attaches to the office.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether a new receiver of crown rents has been appointed; if so, what remuneration is to be paid to him, and how does it compare with that paid to his predecessor; and has any change been made in the duties of the office.

The arrangements for the future management of the Crown lands are still under consideration.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is proposed to carry out in practice the suggestion made in paragraph 31 of the recent Report of the Select Committee on Official Publications that, before agreeing to grant a Return, the Minister responsible should consult the Stationery Office as to its proposed form, and that, when agreeing to grant a Return, he should state to the House the probable cost of its preparation and printing.

The Report of the Select Committee is under consideration, and no statement can be made on the subject at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the condition of the mail and passenger service to Tiree, and to the fact that, although a steamer is timed to bring mails and passengers three times weekly, none were landed between the 19th and 26th November, owing to the exposed position of the landing place at Scarinish, although by going a mile further a landing could be effected in calm water at the Bay of Gott; and whether he will take the necessary steps to improve these conditions, which handicap the trade, enterprise, and prosperity of the inhabitants of this island.

I find that I must ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to address this Question, as it relates to the mail service, to the Postmaster-General on some later day.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what is the necessary qualification for candidates seeking the position of principal and assistant county surveyors in Ireland; when will the next examination be held; are the results of these examinations published; is any nomination necessary; if so, by whom; and, if any differences exist between the system of making those appointments in England and Ireland, will he have them removed.

My hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. County surveyors in Ireland are appointed by county councils, with the statutory concurrence of the Local Government Board, after examination by the Civil Service Commissioners. The nomination of candidates rests with the county councils, to whom the result of the examination is notified. Assistant county surveyors are also appointed by county councils, subject to the statutory concurrence of the Local Government Board, who prescribe the qualifications. A person who possesses a certain proscribed engineering degree, diploma, or certificate is deemed to be qualified without examination. Any other person undergoes a qualifying examination conducted by the Board. It is expected that an examination for county surveyors will be held very shortly, and for assistant county surveyors early next year. I have sent to the hon. Member printed Papers setting forth the subjects of examination and other particulars which are too long to be stated in reply to a Question. I have no information as to the method of making appointments in England beyond that contained in the Answer of my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board to the hon. Member's Question of 26th November.†

† See (4) Debates, clxv., 1244.

asked if the practice in England was analogous to that in Ireland?

said he gathered that it was not.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the J. W. Leahy Estate, at Aghatubrid, near Cahirciveen, who signed purchase agreements under threat of legal proceedings by the landlord, have been notified by the Estates Commissioners that they will not declare it an estate for the purposes of the Act; and whether, in view of the fact that the tenants are now free to open negotiations de novo for the purchase of their holdings, and have sent a memorial to the Estates Commissioners asking them to purchase the estate, and have expressed their willingness to abide by the valuation of the Commissioners, by whom the estate was inspected last July, he will ask the Commissioners to undertake the purchase of this estate.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that it is the case that they have refused to declare the lands comprised in the purchase agreements in question to be an estate for the purposes of the Act. The Commissioners, however, have expressed their willingness to make an offer for the purchase of the lands, provided that the vendor shall signify his consent to sell the estate to them under Section 6 of the Act. The negotiations have not yet concluded.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the J. W. Leahy Estate at Ballycarberry, near Cahirciveen, have memorialised the Estates Commissioners with a view to the purchase of their holdings; and whether the question of this purchase will be considered by the Commissioners at the same time as the purchase of the rest of the estate at Aghatubrid.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received a memorial from the tenants on the Ballycarbery portion of the estate of MR. J. W. Leahy. The matter of this memorial will be duly inquired into by the inspector when he visits the other portion of the estate which the Commissioners have offered to purchase.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will inquire of the Estates Commissioners what steps they have taken to reinstate the evicted tenants on the Vandeleur Estate in West Clare; whether the Estates Commissioners' inspector and Mr. Vandeleur's agent visited the evicted farms; whether Mr. Vandeleur also sent a valuer to examine the holdings; and will the Estates Commissioners have these evicted tenants reinstated as soon as possible.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have had an inspection made of all the evicted tenants' holdings on the estate of Mr. H. S. Vandeleur, and have communicated to the owner the estimated price which they are prepared to offer. The owner has expressed his willingness to accept the estimated price, and is taking the steps necessary to bring the estate before the Commissioners, in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the estimated annual cost of instituting in Ireland a system of grading butter; and what would be the relative proportion to be borne by the Department of Agriculture and the butter exporters.

The Department of Agriculture are not at present in a position to give any reliable estimate of the annual cost of instituting in Ireland a system of grading butter. They are of opinion, however, that the cost would probably amount to a sum largely in excess of any revenue which would be obtained.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any complaint has reached the Estates Commissioners from Thomas Duffy, of Lagga, Moyne, county Longford, who purchased his farm on the Maconchy Estate in 1904; whether he is aware that this man's rent previous to purchase was £13 17s. 6d., out of which he got an annual allowance of £3 0s. l0d. for maintaining a passway for other tenants on the property whether this allowance has now been stopped, with the result that his purchase instalments now amount to more than his previous net annual rent, although he has no turbary and is an acre short in his measurement; and will an inspector be sent to inquire into this man's case and have justice done to him.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received a communication from Thomas Duffy to the effect mentioned in the Question. The Commissioners have no present knowledge of the facts, but will have the matter inquired into.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he say how many future tenants, owing to eviction and e-admittance, the non-redemptions after service of caretaker's notices, and other such causes, are in East Limerick; and how many are on the Cloncurry property in the parish of Murroe; and can he hold forth any hope of redress to them by ameliorating legislation in the near future.

The Land Commission inform me that they have no records whatever as to the number of future tenants in East Limerick or elsewhere. Upon the subject of possible legislation in regard to future tenants, I would refer to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to the Question of the hon. Member for North Westmeath on 7th March last. †

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that for some time past negotiations for sale to the tenants

† See (4) Debates, cliii., 742.

have been in progress on the Stafford Delmege property around Glenbrohane and Garryspillane, in the county Limerick, that on the Glenbrohane side there have boon established later than January 1st, 1901, two tenancies which in purchase will run beyond the statutory limit of £500, and on the Garryspillane side it is sought to establish another tenancy which could not be bought at less than £4,000, the number of acres being 145; can he say whether these sales will be sanctioned by the Land Commission, or will those difficulties militate against the sale of the entire estate; and will the Estates Commissioners, when the opportunity presents itself, purchase the untenanted lands on the estate for the benefit of the labourers and the tenants on uneconomic holdings.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an originating application asking them to declare the lands of Mr. Stafford Delmege of Glenbrohane and Garryspillane to be an estate for the purposes of the Act, but no purchase agreements have yet been lodged. Before declaring the lands to be an estate or receiving purchase agreements the Commissioners will carefully inquire into the facts and, in dealing with the matter, will have due regard to the provisions of the law. The Commissioners are always ready to acquire untenanted land for the purposes of the Act, but they are not at present able to state what they may do in regard to this particular estate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he say how many of the Irish national teachers have got partial increments with promotion since March 31st, 1906.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the practice of giving a partial increment followed by immediate promotion has been discontinued, and no teacher has been advanced in this way since March 31st, 1906.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, R.M., Portarlington, ordered a police constable, named Roberts, to arrest a farmer, whom he alleged obstructed him on the road, on a charge of drunkenness; whether he is aware that the constable, after walking the man up and clown the road, refused, upon conscientious grounds, to make the arrest, and has since been transferred to another station under censure; and, in view of the fact that Mr. Fitzgerald has on a previous occasion been fined £1 for obstructing two ladies on the public highway, will he say what course the Irish Government propose taking in this matter.

I am informed that a civil action for damages in respect of the circumstance alleged in the first part of the Question has been instituted against the resident magistrate by Mr. Wyer, the farmer referred to. While that action is sub judice, it would be highly undesirable that I should make any statement whatever upon the subject, which might have the effect of prejudicing the hearing of the action.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been or are about being taken by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the Collum Minors Estate, Newtown Cashel, county Longford; and, if so, will care be taken that of the fifteen evicted tenants whoso derelict farms are on this property none will be exempted from reinstatement in their old holdings.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings for the sale of the estate mentioned have been instituted before them. The application, received from the evicted tenants will be inquired into and dealt with in due course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Earl of Dunraven or his agent, Mr. Peter Fitzgerald, have as yet reinstated in his holding Mr. Thomas Drew, near Adare, or have the Estates Commissioners taken the matter in hand, and, if so, how far have they progressed in the way of restoration.

I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question of 8th November † that the Estates Commissioners had received no application for reinstatement from Thomas Drew. The Commissioners now inform me that they have still received no application from him, and they have, therefore, taken no steps in the matter. They have no knowledge as to whether Drew has been reinstated by the landlord.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether and upon what date an inspector from the office of the Estates Commissioners visited a farm from which a tenant named Gore was evicted, situate at Mount Iress, Rathkenny, Slane, county Meath, the property of Mr. Balfour, Townley Hall, Drogheda; if he has yet made his report; and what was the cause of the delay.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an application for reinstatement from James Gore, and have referred it, with others of a similar nature, to an inspector for inquiry and report. The inspector's report has not yet been received, and the Commissioners are not aware whether the farm has yet been visited by him. The delay is due to the fact that a very large number of these applications have to be inquired into.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieu-tenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have written, and, if so, how often, to Colonel Lyster Smythe asking him if he would sell to them his estate situate at Notter, county Meath, for the purpose of re-sale to the tenants and reinstatement of an evicted tenant; and what replies they received.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that according to the Return of untenanted land presented to Parliament Colonel Lyster Smythe is not the owner of any untenanted land in county Meath. The Commissioners have, therefore, had no communication with him on the subject, but they will

† See (4) Debates, clxiv., 755.

now inquire from him whether it is a fact that he owns untenanted land at Notter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the estate of the late H. G. Hussey, Rathkenny, Slane, county Meath, has been sold to the tenants, and if the Estates Commissioners will purchase the untenanted portion for distribution among the labourers and occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the district.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the originating application lodged in respect of the estate referred to comprises, in addition to the tenanted land, some 200 acres of untenanted land which the vendor proposes to sell as parcels under Section 2 of the Act. The originating application has not yet been ruled on by the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a resolution passed by the North Dublin Rural District Council, at its meeting on November 28th, in which complaint is made that, while evicted tenants in Dublin county are still unprovided with holdings, evicted and other tenants from other parts of Ireland have had holdings found for thorn in that county; what is the total number of evicted tenants belonging to Dublin county of whom the Estates Commissioners have a record, and how many of that number have been put back on the land as purchasers; and whether he proposes to take any action in reference to the resolution of the North Dublin District Council.

I have seen a copy of the resolution referred to. The Estates Commissioners inform me that fifty-one applications have been received from persons who state that they were evicted from holdings situate in county Dublin. So far two of the applicants have been provided with holdings on untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners. Such of the, other cases as may be found on investigation to come within the provisions of the Act, and are approved by the Commissioners, will be dealt with as soon as possible. The matter is within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners under the provisions of the Act.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the townlands of Sleehaun-Sankey, Corraboola, Foxhall, Bally-maclifford, Rockpeyten, Clygeen, and Smithfield, in county Longford, are constantly flooded owing to the overflow of the tributary river, which drains these townlands, into the River Inny; whether he is aware that the outfall of the Inny at or near Ballymahon has been choked for years for want of proper draining and fencing; and will he ask the Board of Works to direct the formation of a district drainage board to get this work properly done.

I learn from the Board of Works that they have no information on the facts stated in the Question. If, however, the hon. Member will be good enough to refer to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Cavan on the 15th ultimo he will find that the Board of Works have no power to take the course which he suggests,†

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the practice followed by the Auditor-General and Comptroller of Accounts in connection with the accounts of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, Ireland, are those accounts submitted to the Auditor-General each year for audit with vouchers and receipts for all payments made and moneys received, with certificates of stock alleged to be held, giving details of cost of such securities, or whether the Board are only called upon to submit a general statement, the accuracy of which is not proved in the usual way by the production of receipts, vouchers, and certificates; and, if this latter course is

† See (4) Debates, clxv., 125.

followed, will he state where such vouchers may be inspected.

The accounts and vouchers of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction are submitted monthly to the Comptroller and Auditor-General and are audited in detail, including verification of stocks. The accounts and the Comptroller and Auditor-General's Report thereon are included in the volume of Civil Service and Revenue Appropriation Accounts annually laid before Parliament.

Does the Auditor-General exercise the same close scrutiny over details in this case as in the case of other Departments?

I have read the reply furnished me.

The point of the Question is whether those accounts are audited in detail.

I understand that they are, but the auditor is not the servant of the Treasury.

If not satisfied on details would the Auditor-General refer them back or does he pass the accounts without explanation?

He reports back to the Public Accounts Committee, and it is for that body to comment on the facts.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will read the Auditor-General's Report in this case.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in considering the advisability of extending the area allowed for tobacco cultivation in Ireland, he will draw the attention of the Treasury to the fact that a memorial in favour of tobacco growing in Ireland has been signed by every Member representing an Irish constituency and forwarded to the Prime Minister.

The First Lord of the Treasury has sent the memorial to me, and it shall not fail to have due consideration.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he can hold out any hope of such a proposal for early next session, because I really think we could get it through the House of Lords?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman considers that much in its favour. The hon. Gentleman applies to me, and all I have to say is that, having had forwarded to me a memorial signed by every Irish Member—a formidable fact —and as, I am thankful to say, it did not fall within the scope of my immediate duties, I handed on the memorial to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and we must hear what he has to say to it.

hoped the right hon. Gentlemen would settle the matter between them.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state, in connection with the Milan International Exhibition, on what group jury Admiral C. P. Fitzgerald served, and what his qualifications were; if Mr. J. Sebastian Barnett, the other Irish juror, is connected with any trade interests, British or Irish; and why Dr. Yoshioka, the Japanese fishery expert, was permitted to serve as a British juror, considering that British and Irish experts were available; will he say if the names of the merchants and manufacturers in such cities as Cork, Limerick, and Waterford, and industrial centres as Wexford, will be given who were approached by the Commission with a view to their participating at Milan, and if the name of the exhibition agents who were authorised to get a representative Irish exhibit will be given; will he explain why a special Commissioner was not appointed for Ireland to deal with the matter instead of giving the concession for speculative purposes to a private firm, and if a return will be given as to the fees paid to each juror for serving at Milan; whether he will state if the Government, before giving further grants for exhibition purposes, will take steps when Commissions are being organised to see that the science, arts, and industries, and trade interests shall be represented by Commissioners who are competent; whether the rules governing the system of awards will be published after each Commission is organised, and no jurors will be nominated unless they are experts, and endorsed by the industries to which they belong, and that no foreigner will be allowed to represent British or Irish industries as Commissioners or jurors at future exhibitions, and that, for the protection of British and Irish industries, the expenses of jurors shall be provided for by each Commission.

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate the Answer, which is quite as long as the Question, with the Votes,†

What about the supplementary Questions we may have on it?

I will read it if the House wishes.

I object to not having it read. The public ought to know the Answer.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether His Majesty's Government has now come to any decision with regard to the suggestion that immediately after the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made his Budget Statement of the National Expenditure and Debt for the year, the President of the Local Government Board should make a further statement of the expenditure and debt of local authorities for the same year; and, if so, can he now state that decision to the House.

I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by adopting the hon. Member's suggestion. Local finance is not a matter for which this House, or the Government, are responsible, and a supplementary Budget statement of the

† See Col. 1155.

kind could hardly fail to have a misleading effect on the public mind. That is my personal opinion, but I may add that the scheme is impracticable. The local financial year ends on 31st March, and it would obviously be impossible for my right hon. friend to make a statement in April of the expenditure and debt of local authorities for the preceding twelve months, seeing that it takes many months for the collection and tabulation of these figures.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the British Government intend to renew its adhesion to the Brussels Sugar Convention on the expiry of its present term.

No opportunity for giving twelve months notice of withdrawal from the Brussels Sugar Convention will arise until next autumn. In these circumstances I have nothing to add to the declaration made by His Majesty's Government during the debate on this question.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed during the present session with the remaining stages of the Elections (Meetings in Schoolrooms) Bill [Lords].

I am afraid that there will be no opportunity of passing the Bill this session.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in the Constitution about to be granted to the Transvaal, provision will be taken to safeguard the position of His Majesty's Indian subjects already resident therein.