I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the recent advance in wages to the various trades and grades in His Majesty's dockyards have been awarded in accordance with the petitions presented to the Admiralty by the representatives of the dockyard employees; and whether such petitions included the average rates of wages from all parts of the country where Government work is executed.

The advances of pay recently made are the outcome of exhaustive in- quiries made by the Board of Admiralty when they visited all the Home dockyards and received deputations of the men. As regards the second part of the question, the petitions in some cases included particulars as to the average rates of wages ruling in the districts referred to, but they were not generally uniform in this respect.

Is it not the fact that the Government accepted the principle of the trade union rate of wages, or at any rate the payment of the like wages in dockyards to those for similar work in private establishments? And does not the Return just issued show that the Admiralty are in fact paying 10 per cent. less at the present time?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty to what cause must be attributed the delay in carrying out the work of reconverting the "Renown" into a battleship.

I am sorry, but I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply of my right hon. friend the Secretary to the Admiralty on the 22nd November. †

I bog to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many of the eighty-five torpedo boats on the list would be required to undertake in war duties similar to those allotted to torpedo boats Nos. 65 to 73, and whether only thirty of the eighty-five torpedo boats on the list have any serious fighting value; and how many of those of the remaining fifty-five which took part in the recent manœuvres proved themselves incapable of attaining their estimated speed of seventeen to eighteen knots.

I can only refer the hon. Member to the detailed statement made in reply to his previous question on the 2nd August. ‡ As regards the second part, it is not considered desirable to

† See (4) Debates, clxv., 1190.

‡ See (4) Debates, clxii. 1343.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty on what date mark X was finally adopted by the Admiralty as the standard 12-inch gun; and whether the guns of this class mounted in the "Dreadnought" wore originally destined for the armament of one or more of the ships now under construction or completing for sea.

I can only repeat what was said by my right hon. friend the Secretary to the Admiralty, in answer to the hon. Member's Question of the 27th November, that it is not considered desirable in the public interest to give information as to the particular mark of guns supplied to ships.

I beg-to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the American Navy Department has reported to Congress that it is necessary to increase the original programme of battleships from two to four; and whether any change in the British programme for 1907–8 is contemplated.

asked the hon. Gentleman whether, in the interests of the continuance of the friendly relations existing between the United States and this country, he would repudiate the suggestion that an increase in the American Navy was a reason for an increase in our Navy.

That is a Question as to policy which I would rather not answer. In answer to the first part of the Question, the Admiralty have no information apart from a statement in the Press. In answer to the second, the Estimates for next year are now tinder consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to see if a suitable site for a brigade of cavalry can be obtained in Scotland.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state what decision has been arrived at with regard to Lord Rosebery's offer to supply free of charge any land that may be required for the accommodation of the Scottish cavalry.

It is obviously impossible for me to arrive at any decision until some definite materials are before me. When I have these they will be considered without delay in connection with principles of cavalry distribution and training which are being worked out. Possibly what the hon. Member for West Cavan has in his mind in the other part of his Question is the fact that Lord Rosebery and his oldest son not long ago presented the nation with a site for a battery near Dalmeny, very generously refusing to accept any payment for it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the brigade of artillery now quartered at Hilsea, in Hampshire, which brigade is not fur removed from the First Army Corps, has boon provided with the new guns; and whether any defect has lately been discovered in the new guns now being served out.

This brigade has not yet been re-armed. No defect in the new guns has lately been discovered.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers of corps, who enlisted before April, 1904, other than cavalry, artillery, and infantry, are suffering by the fact that when they gave up their right to good-conduct pay on 1st April, 1904, they were led to believe that they would receive service pay so long as they remained in the Army; and whether seeing that in the cavalry, artillery, and infantry an emolument has been substituted which is known as proficiency pay, he will say why other corps do not participate in this.

All men who were in receipt of, or eligible for, service pay on 1st October, 1906, will continue to earn it for the whole period of service with the colours for which they had contracted before that date. As regards the last part of the Question, proficiency pay is given to the three fighting arms only. The other branches of the Service are considered to be sufficiently provided for by the grant of engineer pay, or special rates of pay for technical qualifications.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will say what is the present cost of upkeep, and generally, of the military barracks at Cavan; is any part of the old disused gaol in Cavan owned by the War Office authorities; if so, what is the tenure, what is the rent, and to whom is it paid; and how many men are accommodated in Cavan.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland reports as follows:—The average annual cost of up-keep of Cavan Barracks in £175. All the disused old gaol is at present hold by the War Office from the Irish Government, as long as required by the former. The rent is £37 17s. 2d., paid to T. R. Blackley, representing Lord Farnham. The accommodation is seven married, seventy single men; and there are in occupation seven married, eleven single. Ten are on the lodging list.

Do the War Office propose to continue the occupation of this gaol indefinitely?

I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state, with reference to the Scots Greys, what proportion of the men are English, what Scottish and what Irish.

The percentages of the non-commissioned officers and men in the Scots Greys are as follows:—English 31 percent.; Scottish, 67 per cent.; Irish, 1 per cent.; India and Colonies, 1 per cent.

Are not the English mainly recruits for drafts in India?

If notice is given of that Question I will inquire.

Is it not the fact that for the last three years recruiting been has entirely confined to Scotland?

I think it is very doubtful, as the regiment has moved about a good deal.

How many of these Scottish soldiers have fathers and mothers born in Ireland?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the death of Frederick Henry Geall, aged 19, who recently joined the Coldstream Guards at Caterham; whether he is aware that the cause of death was certified to be septic poisoning; to what cause the fatal disease was attributable; and whether any other recruits have been similarly infected.

Private Geall, Coldstream Guards, died of septicæmia following ulcerated sore throat at Caterham on the 13th ultimo. On the 21st November, Private A. Morris, of the same regiment, was admitted to the hospital with malignant scarlet fever and died on the 24th, the local medical officer of health agreeing in the diagnosis. The similarity of the throat symptoms in these two cases point to the probability of Private Geall's death being due to scarlet fever, although the actual symptoms at the time of death did not justify such a diagnosis. Although it has not been possible to trace the origin of the disease in either case, it is thought that Morris derived his infection from Geall or at least from the same source. There have been several recent cases of scarlet fever in the neighbourhood of the barracks, some occurring in the street immediately behind them. The room in which these men died has been thoroughly disinfected and all the other prescribed measures have been taken. No further cases of scarlet fever have occurred up to the present.

Is it not the fact that this was a healthy young man who, vaccinated with lymph from a diseased calf, died a few days after from blood poisoning?

The diagnosis points to a very different conclusion.

But was not septicæmia —blood poisoning—the cause of death?

I have told the hon. Member the view of the doctor.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if there is an age limit laid down in the Army Ordnance regulations for ·303 small arms ammunition; if so, whether it has boon decided to increase this age limit, and for what reasons, and by how many years; and if, in view of the recent instances of deterioriation of cordite in India, resulting in several separate explosions, he will consider the advisability of not extending the age limit of ·303-inch cordite small arms ammunition.

No ago limit is laid down in the Army Ordnance regulations for small arm ammunition. Instructions were some years ago sent to the commands abroad not to keep small arm ammunition beyond a certain time, but these instructions turn out, in the light of further experience and of fuller knowledge, based on scientific investigation, to have been ill-founded. The whole matter is being reconsidered in the light which the investigations of the scientific departments of the War Office have thrown on it. The explosions in India were not of small arm ammunition.

Has any extension of the age limit been authorised?

replied in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will say in what manner he proposes to deal with the 210 officers, 189 non-commissioned officers, and 1,491 men of the disbanded battalions who have neither retired nor been discharged, have not been transferred to existing battalions, or passed to the Reserve; and whether the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are in receipt of full pay pending a decision being arrived at as to their ultimate fate.

They will be supernumerary to establishment until transferred to other regiments, should they desire it, or until absorbed in their own. They will remain in receipt of full pay.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total amount of money expended to date in payment of bounties to men of the disbanded battalions in order to induce the men to join battalions of other regiments; whether bounties have been paid to men to induce thorn to join other battalions of their own regiment; and from which Army Vote is the money taken.

The total amount spent to date is about £2,560. No bounties are paid to men on being posted to other battalions of their own regiments. The charges are taken against Vote 1, Subhead F..

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the custom of the military stationed at the Curragh Camp, county Kildare, to keep horses and vehicles to carry soldiers and their wives between the camp and adjacent railway stations on private business; whether fares for the journeys are deducted from the pay of the soldiers who use or whose wives use those vehicles, and the amount handed over to the sergeants' mess fund; is there a licence paid for such vehicles; are the horses Army horses and the drivers soldiers; do the military authorities pay any contribution to the up-keep of the roads; do the hackney-car owners of the Curragh district pay a weekly fee for the privilege of standing at the Curragh Camp for the purposes of hire; and will he inquire into the practice, if any, of the use by the military of vehicles in competition with the qualified and licensed car-owners of the Curragh district, with the view of discontinuing any such practice?

The Question concerns a matter of local administration on which the War Office has no information; but I have no objection to asking the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland for a report, and I will let the hon. Member know the result of my inquiries.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether the Army Council consulted Volunteer opinion before arriving at the decision to abolish fourteen days camp training for next year; and whether the Institute of Commanding Officers of Volunteers unanimously approved of four- teen days training.

The Army Council's decision to abolish the fifteen days training of field Army battalions is based on reasons which I have already given to a Question by the hon. Member on 21st November last;† it implies no judgment as to relative value of the longer and shorter periods of training for Volunteers. On this latter question Volunteer opinion deserves, and will receive, full consideration.

Was not a proposal to abolish the fourteen days camp for one year only made by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor, and had to be abandoned because it was so detrimental to the force?

I can only answer for my own misdeeds.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can lay upon the Table of the House the Report of the Volunteer Advisory Board of 19th December, 1903, on fourteen days camp training.

The Reports and the statements made in the confidential

† See (4) Debates, clxv., 814–5.

Was not the Report in favour of fourteen days training—were not the officers unanimously in favour of it?

I think it is very likely.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if be will forbid the unnecessary publication in the official gazette of personal orders regarding the feudatory princes of India, such as the recent restriction of their freedom to travel, which they regard as injurious to their ancient dignity and in contravention of their treaty rights; and whether he will deprecate the use by the India Office of the discourteous term "Native Chiefs" when referring to these princes of India, who are officially addressed as "Your Highness."

I see no reason, as at present advised, to issue orders as suggested in the first part of the Question. I am not sure that I perceive any discourtesy in the term "Native Chiefs," and I need hardly say no discourtesy can be intended.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the unrestricted powers of trading in India rubber, which the West African Produce Company possess in 4,000 square miles of the Sierra Leone Protectorate, confer a monopoly of trading in India rubber or in any other kind of forest produce on that company in the whole or any part of the specified area; whether any other trader or company can go into the region covered by the concession and trade in India rubber or in any other kind of forest produce; and can the native sell his rubber to whomsoever he will.

The Secretary of State cannot undertake to interpret the meaning of these concessions, which is a matter for the Courts of the Colony, but he is advised that it is doubtful, having regard to the law of Sierra Leone, whether the concessions are valid.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if he can state whether all Returns of the Transvaal Government Mines Department will in future be open to the inspection of the public.

The Secretary of State learns from Lord Selborne that the Chamber of Mines has consented to waive any objection to the publication of the mining Returns based on the ground of a previous understanding as to the figures relating to individual mines being confidential. The Mines Department is now engaged in preparing the Returns; their compilation is stated to be a work of great magnitude, and will take four or five weeks.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recruiting of coolies in China, under the Convention of 13th May, 1904, has now been finally closed; and whether the recruiting agencies, set up with the assistance of British consular officers under the terms of that Convention, have been abolished.

The British consular officers were instructed to resume, as from 30th November last, the functions delegated by them to the Transvaal emigration agents in respect of recruiting, and no recruiting under the Convention is now possible.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to the difficulty the Colony will have in raising the money to pay for the Tanjong Pagar Docks; whether the nationalisation of those docks at the price named in the arbitration award will involve any increase in the dock dues at Singapore; and whether any discussion has taken place between the Colonial Office and the dock company as to the possibility of returning to the status quo before the question of expropriation was raised.

The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that the Colony will have difficulty in raising the money required, or that the amount of the purchase price will involve an increase in the dock charges. The Answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information relative to the anti-opium movement in Singapore and the Malay States; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government will consent to make full inquiries with reference to this reported opium cure.

The Secretary of State has received copies of Resolutions, passed at public meetings, advocating the suppression of the opium traffic. The latter part of the hon. Member's Question presumably refers to the alleged discovery of a plant which will cure the craving for opium. The Secretary of State has no information with regard to this matter beyond the statements which have been made in the public Press.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire further?

Certainly, Sir.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Premier Diamond Company has offered the Natal Government £30,000 for permission to employ the rebel Zulu prisoners in its mines, the period of employment for such prison labour to last two years; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action in the matter.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that the new Natal Government intend to open negotiations with the Premier Diamond Mining Company with the object of sending the native prisoners captured during the recent military operations in that Colony to work in the mines, and that the company offers £30,000 for their use for the next two years; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter; can he also state the number of prisoners taken; and whether there is any precedent in modern times, except in semi-barbarous countries, for the sending of political prisoners to work in mines.

To ask ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, has the Colonial Office received information that the new Natal Government is negotiating for the sale of Zulu political prisoners to the Premier Diamond Mines; and, if so, will the Imperial Government interfere to prevent such a transaction.

The Secretary of State has received no official information as to such intention on the part of the new Natal Government. I understand that the number of rebels who have been sentenced to imprisonment is 4,192.

Can the hon. Gentleman state specifically if such a transfer would be contrary to the Act?

said he did not think it would be, as the practice had obtained in South Africa for a long time. He could not say, on the spur of the moment, whether such a transference, if proposed, would require the assent of His Majesty's Government, but certainly they would be informed of it in time to make representations to the Natal Government, and in deciding they would be governed by the desire, as far as possible, to alleviate the condition of these people.

Will the Colonial Office take care that the sum paid for this forced labour is equal or superior to the sum that would be ordinarily paid in wages for labour of a similar kind?

I think that is a very material and important point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman appoint a Commission to inquire if there ever was any rebellion among the natives?

That does not arise out of the Question.

Can the hon. Gentleman see his way to: suggest to the Natal Government that these 4,000 natives should be returned to their homes, where there is severe distress owing to scarcity of food in consequence of the women and children being left without their natural providers and protectors; it being unusual in cases of this kind to punish with great severity the whole of the rank and file?

I am very largely in sympathy with the desires of the hon. Member, and if any opportunity should occur which would enable the Colonial Office to bring them into reality or bring them near realisation, I can assure him that opportunity shall not be allowed to pass.

Is there any case in which white prisoners of war are put on labour of this kind; if not, why are these men thus treated?

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with the Governor of Natal, so that he may know the views of this House?

I will, of course, communicate with him.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Government will lay the correspondence, in connection with the recent Transvaal Ordinance dealing with Indian subjects resident in the Colony, upon the Table.

It is not possible to lay the correspondence until towards the end of this month, when Lord Selborne will have received the despatch conveying Lord Elgin's decision.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any official information showing that on twelve Jekri dock and wharf labourers at Lagos applying to a British port official there for their wages (which were due), stating that they were starving, this official ordered them on board the steam launch "Otto," took them out into mid stream and there administered to them twenty-five lashes each; and, if so, what action he intends to take in regard to the matter.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that a British port official at Lagos recently caused twelve native dock labourers, who applied for their wages, to be taken on board the steam launch "Otto," and to be given twenty-five lashes each; and, if so, whether the official in question has been arrested.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the excitement among the native community of Lagos at the action of a British port official who, upon being applied to for money on 4th December by twelve Jekri men (dock and wharf labourers), ordered them on board the steam launch "Otto," took them out into mid stream of the river, and there had twenty-five lashes given to each, because the men asked for wages which were due and stated that they were starving; and whether he will at once inquire into these allegations.

The Governor of Southern Nigeria reports that the incident in question, which occurred on the 2nd instant, was brought to his notice on the 6th instant, and that he immedi- ately ordered an inquiry. The result of the inquiry was to show that the Port Officer, Captain Hughes, did not himself strike anyone, but that he ordered the native headman to do so because the men refused to work. The blows were inflicted with a small whip. Most of the men received only one blow each, and no one received more than six. The medical Report is to the effect that the flogging was not severe and that the men are not now suffering from any injuries. On four men there are no marks, and on the others only slight skin abrasions. The affair has been much exaggerated in the newspaper reports; but while these whippings do not appear to have been cruel or severe, they are of course illegal and improper. The port officer has been censured by the governor, and the Secretary of State reserves his decision as to any further action until he receives the Report which the governor has promised.

Do the Government consider censure is sufficient punishment on an officer who has done this illegal act?

We must see the official Report before expressing an opinion on it.

I suggest that you give him five years penal servitude.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Sir Patrick Manson and Dr. Daniell have satisfactorily established the fact that a cure for sleeping sickness has been discovered by a medical practitioner in Ceylon; and, if so, whether he will supply the authorities in the British Central Africa and other Protectorates with the necessary information, in view of the apprehensions entertained in such quarters regarding the spread of this disease.

I have communicated with Sir Patrick Manson, who informs me, I am sorry to say, that there is no truth in the statement to which my hon. friend refers.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office will consider the policy of offering land grants in the British Central Africa Protectorate to British Indians in the Transvaal who may be willing to emigrate thence.

There is very little land at the disposal of the Government in the British Central Africa Protectorate. It is open to British Indians who emigrate to the Protectorate to acquire land under the regulations in force. But the information at the disposal of the Secretary of State does not lead him to suppose that it is at present necessary to offer special terms to such immigrants.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether jurisdiction over native races will be excluded or restricted in the forthcoming Transvaal constitution.

Nothing can be added to the statements made to Parliament on this subject on 31st July until the letters patent are published.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Messrs. Kennelly and Foster have announced that, as lions have taken complete command at Chiromo and suburbs, and unsettled native labourers to such an extent that they cannot carry on work in and around the township, they are reluctantly compelled to wind up their affairs after fulfilling their existing engagements; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the correctness of the information supplied to him as to the exaggeration of the damage done by lions in and around Chiromo.

Such an announcement has in fact been made in the local press by Messrs. Kennelly and Foster, but the Commissioner is not certain whether the presence of lions is the solo and absolute cause of the dissolution of partnership between these gentlemen and of their withdrawal from business. He is indeed not wholly able to free his mind from the suspicion that the statement referred to contains some flavour of levity, which would, as my hon. friend will I am sure agree, be out of place in dealing with such a painful subject. Careful inquiry will, however, be made.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed by his Department, or the Government of the Straits Settlements to impose an export tax on the coal raised from the Brooketon mine in the Sultanate of Brunei; whether he is aware that this mine is being opened out by His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak under a lease which has still about sixty years to run; that it has hitherto been developed at a financial loss to Rajah Brooke; and whether, seeing that on this new industry the loss entailed by this development is estimated at $80,000 for the incoming year, he will say on what principle such a tax would be imposed on a nascent industry which is being created at a sacrifice in an impoverished country, with the risk of causing the mine to be shut down, while on the other hand His Majesty's Government has recently withdrawn the duty levied on all coal exported from Great Britain.

His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak has communicated direct to the Secretary of State his objections to the proposed export duty on coal referred to in the hon. Member's Question, and Lord Elgin has been glad to refer the matter to the High Commissioner for further consideration. Pending the latter's reply I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies from what source the cost of the recently created residency at Brunei is found; if from the Federated Malay States and Brunei, in what proportions; whether the Secretary of State has had before him a copy of the petition, signed by the present Regent and his Ministers, addressed to His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak, praying for his influence to effect the absorption of Brunei into Sarawak; and whether, in view of this and of local circumstances, the Colonial Office propose to assent to such absorption.

The British President is also Colonial Secretary of Labuan and is paid from Labuan funds. In other respects the cost of the residency is borne by Brunei, aided by an imperial contribution of £600 which is made in return for the discharge by the President of the duties of Consul for Sarawak and North Borneo. A copy of the petition referred to has been communicated to the Secretary of State. It is signed by the Pengiran Bendahara, who is one of two joint Regents, and by certain other persons, most of whom cannot be identified. There is no reason to sup-pose that any considerable proportion of the people of Brunei desires annexation to Sarawak. The idea was strongly opposed by the late Sultan to whom a promise was given that his dynasty should be uphold. His Majesty's Government are not as at present informed, inclined to depart from the policy which has been adopted.

said he was aware that the hon. Gentleman was well informed on this subject, and he proposed to arrange an interview for him with the Secretary of State at which the matter could be fully discussed.

I bog to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been arrived at by the Government in reference to railway development in Nigeria, and whether he can make any statement to the House.

It has boon decided by the Secretary of State that the Lagos railway shall be extended without delay from Oshogbe to Illorin. The policy in Northern Nigeria is still undetermined.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the date for the assembling of the next Colonial Con- ference has been changed; and, if so, what is the reason for the alteration.

The date of mooting of the Colonial Conference has not boon altered.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a fresh shipment of Chinese coolies is about to leave, or has just left, China for the gold mines of the Transvaal; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government intend to take, in view of the assurances given on behalf of the Government that the last shipload of Chinese had gone to South Africa before the l5th November.

The steamship "Cranley" left Ching-Wang-tao on 27th November with 1,000 coolies on board for the Rand. It is the last vessel that will carry Chinese coolies to South Africa, as the Consular authority to recruit and embark was withdrawn on 30th November. The coolies on board do not amount to a complete shipload, and are the remainder of those for whom licences had been issued. But I am quite free to admit to the House that the figures at my disposal had led me to believe that the total number of coolies licensed to be imported had already been accomplished without this last shipment, albeit incomplete, and the information contained in the newspapers was to me as unexpected as it was unwelcome.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman would make further inquiries as to whether his first information was not correct that the whole 16,000 had already been sent; and, if so, whether he would take steps to have these men returned.

If it should appear that any of these 1,000 men were not covered by the licences which the Cabinet have decided must be recognised, then I entirely agree that steps would have to be taken to prevent their landing in South Africa. But I think there is no chance of that being the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affair whether the Emperor Menelik has signified his approval or otherwise of the arrangement encored into between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of France and Italy with reference to Abyssinia.

The Emperor Menelik has expressed his thanks to the Governments of Great Britain, France, and Italy for the communication of the agreement to him, and for their intentions, declared therein, of maintaining the independence of Abyssinia. His Majesty at the same time stipulates that the agreement shall not in any way limit his own sovereign rights.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Sultan of Morocco has taken any steps to remedy the state of affairs at Tangier as the result of the collective note from the European representatives.

My right hon. friend has not yet received any report as to the result of the representation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement of Baron d'Achrental that the improvement of the administration of justice in Macedonia must now be brought nearer realisation; and whether the Government will do all in their power to encourage and promote judicial reforms in that country.

The Answer to the first part of this Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, His Majesty's Government have always recognised the great importance of this point, and will certainly do all in their power to encourage judicial reform in Macedonia, and to promote it in concert with all the other Powers concerned.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information relating to the murder of a Vlach in the streets of Salonica and the murder of four Vlach peasants by a Greek band near Karaferia; and whether he will consider the advisability of making further proposals to the Powers directed to the prevention of such outrages in Macedonia.

His Majesty's Government have no information relating to the murder of a Vlach in the streets of Salonica, but have heard of an attack by a Greek band on four Vlachs on the road between Doleni and Kovardjik. As regards the last part of the Question, His Majesty's Government have constantly under consideration the possibilities of mitigating the disorders in Macedonia, and will continue to do all they can in concert with other Powers to improve the state of affairs.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Income Tax Departmental Committee of 1905 reported that the raising of the income tax from 8d. in the year 1900 to 1s. 2d. in 1901 increased largely and rapidly the claims for repayment; and if any estimate can be formed from the figures then obtained of the sums which are still overcharged each year to the smaller payers of income tax, owing to the method of deducting the tax from their dividends before they are received and leaving them to get the tax back.

The Board of Inland Revenue have no materials upon which it would be possible to frame an estimate of how many taxpayers, entitled to claim repayment of income tax, fail to make claims, or of the aggregate amount of money involved.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take into consideration in his next Budget, or in any new scheme for income tax, the advisability of allowing greater relief to married persons and, in particular, to married persons with families dependent on them.

In the consideration which I am giving to the subject of income tax, I will not lose sight of the hon. Member's suggestion.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer under what section of the Act the Board of Inland Revenue refuse to refund income tax to British subjects resident abroad upon interest of Colonial and foreign Government securities, on the ground that these are assessed under Schedule C and not under Schedule D, as are dividends of other foreign securities, this notwithstanding the 188th section of 5 and 6 Victoria, cap. 35.

Under Schedule D., liability, in respect of income arising out of the United Kingdom, is only incurred by residents within the United Kingdom, and therefore the interest on foreign and Colonial securities chargeable under that schedule is not liable to duty when received by any person resident outside the United Kingdom, although the payment may be actually made within the United Kingdom. Under Schedule C, income tax is chargeable in respect of all Colonial and foreign Government securities, the interest of which is payable in the United Kingdom. By administrative Treasury concessions of very long standing, exceptions from the charge under Schedule C are made in favour of:—(a) Foreign and Colonial securities owned by foreigners resident abroad; (b) Colonial stock owned by inhabitants of the colony contracting the loan. Section 188 of the Act of 1842 has no application to the point raised by the Question.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is a Treasury Minute granting to foreign subjects resident abroad relief from income-tax upon foreign and Colonial securities, the dividends of Which are payable in the United Kingdom, relief which is refused by the Inland Revenue to British subjects residing abroad; and, if so, whether he will cause a copy of such Treasury Minute to be laid on the Table.

The authorities under which the Board of Inland Revenue act are Treasury Letters dated 7th October, 1842, and 5th August, 1856, copies of which I have laid on the Table.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that Canadian Three per Cents, now stand at a higher price than some of the securities guaranteed by the English Government; whether the credit of any colony has ever before stood higher than the credit of the Mother Country; and what steps, if any, he can take to remedy this condition, which is causing uneasiness among the investors of this country.

The comparative credit of two countries cannot be fairly judged by the relative prices of two stocks, one of which is directly charged upon the Revenues of the first country, while the other is merely guaranteed by an indirect charge on the Revenues of the second country. The date at which the stocks are respectively redeemable is also a material circumstance. I am glad to note the satisfactory price of the Canadian Three per Cents.; but a comparison between the yield which this stock and Consols return respectively to the investor at current prices will shew that it is not correct to say that the credit of the colony stands higher than that of the Mother Country.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the difference between the amount of the profits shown in the balance sheets of companies supplied to the Income Tax Commissioners, and on which income tax is paid, and the amount of the dividends actually paid by these same companies to the shareholders; and whether, in view of the amount of this difference, he will give instructions or introduce legislation to enable the companies to obtain exemption or abatement from the proportion of such profits which belongs to those shareholders although not distributed amongst them.

The records of the Board of Inland Revenue do not contain the information necessary for such a comparison. Under the Income Tax Acts a company is chargeable on the whole of its profits, whether distributed to the shareholders or not, and I am not prepared to recommend to Parliament a change in the law in the direction suggested.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the knowledge of the stock markets that fresh issues of certain Home trustee securities are likely to be shortly made, Canadian Three per cent. Stock stands higher than some trustee stocks guaranteed by the British Government; and whether he will take steps to prevent, anyhow for some years, any new issues of trustee securities by the Government or municipalities from ranking as trustee investments, and so improve the value of existing trustee stocks and better the credit of the country,

I do not think that, in determining what stocks are to be, and are not to be, "trustee" securities, it would be legitimate to have regard to any considerations other than the merits of the stocks themselves. In the cases referred to by my hon. friend new issues as a rule rank pari passu with existing issues, and there is therefore no ground for such discrimination as is suggested. I have no doubt that the fact that further issues of certain stocks which are guaranteed by the British Government are anticipated has a good deal to do with the present low range of prices of such stocks, as compared not only with Canadian Three per cents., but also as compared with Consols (in regard to which the difference is still more marked); but I cannot think that our credit would be enhanced by an arrangement implying that we no longer regarded our guarantee as of sufficient value to justify a trustee investing in a security which carries it.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the recent action of the French Chamber in raising the stipends of all its members from £360 a year to £600; and whether he can indicate at what date he is likely to be able to provide the sum of £402,000 a year, which would be required to pay a salary of £600 a year to every Member of the British House of Commons.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will insert in the Bill relating to children's offences now being prepared by him provisions to enable a fine inflicted on an offender under the age of sixteen to be recovered against the parent, except the parent shall satisfy the Court that the offender is beyond his control, and to suspend the execution of a sentence of imprisonment, whether in default of a fine or not, passed by a Court of summary jurisdiction on such an offender, until it has been confirmed by the Home Office.

Section 2 of the Youthful Offenders Act, 1901, imposes liability on parents and guardians for offences committed by children under sixteen in certain cases, and I do not think it would be practicable or just to push that liability further. Nor do I think it would be right to impose on a Government Department such a duty as is indicated in the latter part of the Question. When offences against the law are committed by persons under sixteen the question what punishment, if any, should be imposed must be decided, as in other cases, by the judicial tribunals that hear the evidence and have the defendants in person before them.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the Returns presented to the House of all sentences of corporeal punishment inflicted upon prisoners between the 1st of January and the 31st December, 1904 and 1905 respectively, the number of strokes ordered by the respective Judges were in fact inflicted; whether there were any cases during the said period in which the whole or any part of the sentence was remitted or was not imposed; and, if so, whether he will give the number, and state the details of such cases mentioned in the Returns.

In all, except one, of the cases mentioned in the two Returns relating to indictable offences the number of strokes ordered by the Judge were inflicted. The one exception was in the case of J. F., convicted at the Central Criminal Court on 28th July, 1904, and ordered to receive six strokes. In this case the prisoner was found to be medically unfit.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of convictions for indictable offences during the year 1905 against clergymen of the Church of England and ministers of other religious denominations, solicitors, company promoters, licensed victuallers, bookmakers, and moneylenders respectively.

No, Sir. To obtain the information asked for by the hon. Member would involve the separate examination of some 50,000 records of criminal cases; and even if it were possible to undertake this labour, the results, depending as they would necessarily do on statements made by the prisoners themselves, would be of small value. There would, for instance, be hardly any bookmakers, as I understand that gentlemen of that profession almost invariably return themselves either as accountants or as commission agents.

But have you not the information at the Home Office in connection with the forthcoming publication of judicial statistics for 1905, and did not the right hon. Gentleman accept the declarations of prisoners on a; recent return as to their religious persuasions?

I cannot enter into an argument. It is not the case that we have the information at the present time.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state what has been the result of his negotiations with the railway companies with respect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Cabs and Omnibuses on the question of the privilege cab system, and what action, if any, he proposes to take; whether he proposes to amend the existing order with respect to sub-letting of cabs in accordance with the recommendation of the same Committee; and, if so, whether he can state when the new order will be issued.

I regret that the negotiations up to the present have not been altogether satisfactory. Failing agreement, the only alternative course would be legislation. As regards the second part of the Question I am awaiting a report from the Commissioner of Police, which I understand will reach me very shortly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Henry Oswin Bell, J.P., licensee of the Earl Grey Arms, Broom-hill, Northumberland, who was fined £2 and costs at Morpeth petty sessions on 27th November last, for having permitted drunkenness upon his premises on Sunday, 21st October; whether he is aware that Sergeant Short, of Broomhill, stated that on that Sunday afternoon fifty people left the public house more or less under the influence of drink; that he described the scene as a drunken procession to the village, and stated that he had never known a worse conducted house than the Grey Arms; whether he is aware that this licence was granted to the Northumberland Public House Trust Company, of which Mr. Henry Oswin Bell is the secretary, and that Mr. Henry Oswin Bell is a justice of the peace for the county of Northumberland, as well as licensee of this public house; and whether in view of this and similar breaches of the law owing to imperfect supervision, he will take steps by legislation or otherwise to secure that the holders of licences shall be resident upon the premises in respect of which they are licensed.

I had not heard of the case in question, and as my hon. friend knows, I have no power under the existing law to take the course suggested. I will consider the matter in connection with the proposed Licensing Bill, but I do not desire at present to express any opinion on the suggestion.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused at Carno and at other places in Central Wales in which the telegraph office is at the railway station, where telegrams are detained owing to the other occupations of the staff, and because preference is necessarily given to railway messages; and whether he will consider the advisability of having a telephone at the local post office in such cases, in order to expedite the delivery of telegrams.

I am aware that inconvenience is caused at certain places in Central Wales by the delay of telegrams owing to their being dealt with at railway stations, and that such delay is attributable to the causes given by the hon. Member; but the local Postmaster is not aware that Carno is one of the places which suffers inconvenience on this account. In 1903 the residents in Carno asked for the extension of telegraph business to that office; and, as the probable business was small, the extension was offered under guarantee. The offer was not accepted, but I am still prepared to undertake the extension under guarantee. The terms are now more favourable to the guarantors, as, under the concession announced in April last, they would now be liable for one-third only, instead of one-half, of any deficiency.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for a second delivery and despatch of letters at Carno and at Cemmes, in Montgomeryshire; and whether he will provide a wall letter box in the village; of Carno at a distance of half a mile from the post office, and at or near the railway station.

I have called for a report on this subject, and on its receipt I will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the condition of the mail service of Tiree, and to the fact that, although a steamer is timed to bring mails three times weekly, none were landed between the 19th and 26th November owing to the exposed position of the landing place at Scavinish, although, by going a mile further, a landing could be affected in calm water at the Bay of Gott; and whether he will consider the best means of improving these conditions.

I am aware that, owing to stormy weather, the mail steamer did not call at Tiree between the 19th and the 26th ultimo. The question of arranging for the steamer to call at Gott Bay instead of Scavinish has been considered on many occasions in the past, but such an alteration was found to be impracticable. No recent inquiries have, however, been made, and I have, therefore, called for a fresh report on the subject. On its receipt I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Portuguese Government are contemplating raising the import duty on fresh fish from ten to thirty-nine years, which will seriously affect the trade of British and German trawlers which fish off the coast of Morocco and land their catch in Portugal; and whether he will remonstrate with the Portuguese Government.

I am aware that a Bill has been brought in by the Portuguese Government to raise the duty on fish in the manner stated. The matter is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to state the result of the communications which have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States with reference to the import duty levied in the United States upon British works of art, which is at the rate of 20 per cent. ad valorem, as compared with 15per cent. charged upon works of art imported from other European countries.

I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member any further information as to the communications which are passing.

Will it be given before the prorogation?

I can name no date.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Mr. Richard Grigg has been sent by the Board of Trade on a special tour to Canada; and whether he will state the purpose of his visit.

Mr. Grigg has been sent to Canada on the recommendation of the Commercial Intelligence Committee on a commercial mission similar to those already undertaken to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand and other countries. The purpose of his visit is to inquire into the condition and prospects of British trade in the Dominion, and to suggest the names of suitable gentlemen for the position of correspondents of the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade in various parts of Canada.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Mr. Owen Ellis has been appointed as an official receiver in Wales; and whether such an appointment necessitates any qualification of a legal character.

Mr. Ellis Owen— not Mr. Owen Ellis—has been appointed as an official receiver in Wales. The Answer to the second part of the hon. Member's Question is in the negative.

Is there any precedent for appointing to such an office a gentleman without legal qualifications?

I am not quite sure but I think there is.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that match-boxes manufactured abroad and imported into this country, bearing no mark of origin, are then filled with matches and labelled with the name of a firm of manufacturers in the East End of London, preceded by the words "manufactured by"; whether he is advised that this practice is a violation of the Merchandise Marks Act; and, if so, will he take steps to stop the practice.

The question whether the practice complained of is a violation of the Merchandise Marks Act depends upon whether in the particular case a false trade description has been applied to the box. If a complaint is lodged with the Board of Trade in accordance with the regulations framed by the Department, a copy of which I have caused to be furnished to my hon. friend, it will be carefully considered with a view to prosecution if the circumstances disclosed and evidence are such as to justify such a course.

If the law does not meet the case, will the Board of Trade undertake to amend it?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is now able to announce the detailed estimate upon which the Treasury has granted an extra expenditure of £1,000,000 under the Education Bill.

The Board have nothing to add to the reply given to this precise Question on 22nd May last, and to the statement made by the President on 9th April on this matter when introducing the Education Bill.

†See (4) Debates, clvii., 1118.

How can we discuss the Education Bill without this information?

It can be discussed on the information given in the Vote.

Which is nothing at all.