:To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received Reports from Brandon, Keel, Inch, and Cromane, county Kerry, as to the failure of the potato crop in those districts; and whether he proposes to take any steps to help the people over the winter, and also to supply thorn with proper seed potatoes next spring?

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Edmond Feehan, of Ballingarry, in the county of Tipperary, for reinstatement in his holding of 60 acres situate at Garroncilla, Gortnahoe, near Thurles, on the Jones estate, and from which he was evicted in the year 1884 for non-payment of a rack-rent; whether he is aware that the agent, Peter Fitzgerald, of Adare, in the county of Limerick, recently let the lands to graziers; and what action the Commissioners propose to take in the circumstances?

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the directors of the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway Company have refused to allow Mr. John Prior, of Bawnboy, to audit the company's accounts, although he was appointed their auditor on the 15th October, 1906; will he say when were the company's accounts last audited, and by whom; how was his appointment made; and will the Local Government Board take immediate action if there has been serious irregularity?

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Miss Nixon, Kingstown, is selling her property around Blacklion, in county Cavan; if so, is it proposed to sell the grazing ranches in the townlands of Neggiel and Barran, in the parish of Killinagh; who is the proposed purchaser; how much land does this man hold; is there a large amount of congestion and many uneconomic holdings right round the 700 acres the subject of this Question; and will the Estates Commissioners' attention be specially directed to this case?

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether a man named Patrick Dolan was knocked down and seriously injured on the 3rd December in the fair of Dowra by a car driven by one Thomas Brady; at what hour did the occurrence take place; what speed was the car going at in the crowded street of Dowra; was Dolan rendered unconscious for two hours; what action have the police taken in the matter; and who is this Brady who drove the car.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that James McCann, who, in March, 1906, was sentenced to three years penal servitude for an alleged Whiteboy offence, is at present in a very dangerous condition of health; and will he now advise the Lord-Lieutenant to extend to him the clemency of the Crown and order his release on such terms as may seem fit.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when the Report of the Royal Commission on Drainage may be expected; and when will he be in a position to direct the Board of Works to order such drainage works in the Cam and Clonwhelan district of North Longford as will prevent the constant flooding of these lends by the River Riffey.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- Lieutenant of IreLand if he has received a copy of a Resolution passed by the Wexford County Council, protesting against the action of the Council of Agriculture and the Agricultural Board in subsidising an organisation known as the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, which has no legal status, and is subject to no public control, to the prejudice of county councils and their committees; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

:To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Mr. Kempe, the Comptroller and Auditor-General, is under any sort of obligation to retire at a specified age; if so, by whom that obligation could be enforced; and whether the Treasury could make a similar arrangement with a Judge of the High Court of Justice.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the Norwich telegraph staff, asking that the holiday arrangements may be altered and that seniority of service may be the basis of selection for the periods of annual leave; and whether an Answer can now be given in view of the fact that the lists for 1907 will be prepared almost immediately.

† See (4) Debates, clxvi, 957–8.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the men of the Royal Navy in consequence of the meagreness of the food scale, dealing with the provisions supplied to men on His Majesty's ships; whether he is aware that the men have to supplement the Navy rations at their own expense; and, seeing that many of the men have to expend as much as 4s. per week to purchase additional food, in consequence of the naval rations as provided by the Admiralty not being sufficient, will he consider the advisability of providing increased rations.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that discontent exists amongst the men of the Royal Navy in consequence of the expense to which they are put in having to purchase uniforms at their own cost; and whether he will consider, in the Naval Estimates next year, the advisability of asking for a grant so as to ensure that men of the Royal Navy may be provided with an outfit of clothing at the expense of the nation.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether either or both of the recruits Geall and Morris of the Cold-streams Guards, who died last month at Caterham, had been recently vaccinated, whether it is in accord with Government instructions to public vaccinators that the operation should not be performed during the prevalence of infectious disease in the neighbourhood.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps will be taken by the police to deprive James Mulvihill, of Leaf, county Longford, of his licence to have and carry arms, in view of the charge made against him at the recent Wicklow Assizes.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the names of the Sub-Commissioners who recently heard fair-rent cases from the union of Granard; in how many cases they varied the existing rent in favour of the landlord and tenant respectively; what was the average percentage of their reduction; and whether the fall in the value of agricultural produce was taken into account when making their valuation.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the site for the new post office buildings in the town of Monaghan has already been decided on by the Department; will he say if the plans and specifications of the new buildings are already completed; whether, seeing that Monaghan is an important town and the centre of a large postal district, he will say what is the cause of the delay in proceeding with the work; and if he can state when the advertisement will be issued in connection with the erection of the same.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that English addresses are let on hire on board immigrant ships to enable aliens to impose upon immigration boards that they have friends in this country who will be responsible for them; that £5 notes are similarly lent in order to deceive the boards; and if he will caution them to be on their guard against this fraud and, before giving admittance, to have addresses verified and the hirers of £5 notes closely cross-examined.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state how Chaim Bromberg, a destitute alien boy of seventeen, who was admitted on 28th November as a political refugee, proved that his political opinions were of any importance to the Russian or any other Government; and who thus succeeded in gaining admittance to the London labour market.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of motorman R. K. Hannah, attached to the Clapham depot, who on the 12th July last was summoned for exceeding the speed limit in Kennington Park Road, and for the offence was, on the 31st July, fined 5s. and 2s. costs at the Lambeth Police Court; whether he is aware that upon applying at Scotland Yard on the 25th August for a renewal of his licence (which expired on the following day), he was told by the authorities to continue at work on the just expiring licence until the 29th August, and then to apply again; that upon so doing he was advised by the authorities that he had better take a holiday, and they would let him know when his licence was ready; and that, upon attending at Scotland Yard on the 3rd September, he was informed that if summoned again his licence would not be further renewed; and whether, as the withholding of the driver's licence for a period of six days involved a loss in wages of £1 17s. 6d., he will be prepared to give the matter due consideration, with a view to insuring that in future men summoned for similar offences may not be penalised twice over.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the sworn declaration forwarded to him with reference to the statements made by the Widnes police against two women members of the Salvation Army, he will cause an inquiry to be made, whereby these women may have an opportunity of removing the charge against their truthfulness.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the conditions of service in the police force are such as to prevent police officers from using their civil rights in all respects; whether the conditions preclude a member of the force from writing to the public Press commenting upon matters connected with the terms of service; and, if so, will he issue an order instructing that there shall be no undue restraint upon police officers in these matters.

:To ask the President of the Local Government Board when he proposes to lay before Parliament the reports of the inquiries regarding the local financial conduct of affairs in Poplar and West Ham.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether there is any intention of his Department to make inquiries in other metropolitan and other areas similar to those which have been and are being made in Poplar and West Ham.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he has cognisance of the suggestion of the Registrar-General, in his Annual Report, that medical men are in the habit of ascribing some deaths to chicken-pox which are really cases of small-pox; and if he has taken any steps to prevent the continuance of this practice.

; To ask the President of the Board of Education, whether he has considered the proposal of the local education authority for London to alter the method of ascertaining the number of school places required, which method has been established for many years by a formal agreement between the School Board and the Board of Education; whether a similar proposal to avoid the provision of schools by altering the basis of calculation was made by the School Board in 1888 and refused by the Board of Education; and whether he will withhold his sanction from the present proposal.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, whether, in the town of Roscommon, boys have been interfered with by the constabulary in selling copies of the Roscommon Messenger newspaper in the streets; if so, under what authority, and by whose instructions.

To ask the hon. Member for Mid-Derbyshire, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee if he will explain why the waiters of the House do not receive salary or wages during the Recess of Parliament; and whether he will remedy this state of matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the British officers of Madras infantry regiments have been reduced to ten in number and the men to 600; if so, whether such regiments are regarded as being fit for active service; and whether any such regiments, with the exception of the regiment quartered at Poona, are stationed at other than single regiment stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for India, whether regulations exist for the space required on board ship for Indian coolies returning from Natal to Southern India; whether these regulations are properly enforced by the Natal Government; and whether, in a recent return voyage from Durban to Madras the "Umfuli" was improperly crowded.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether statistics are available regarding the proportion of invalid coolies sent back to India from Natal before their indentures have expired, and the proportion admitted into hospital for lengthy periods during their indentures in Natal.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that 2,000 Sikhs, more or less, are without occupation in Canada; whether any action can be taken for their repatriation if they cannot obtain employment; and whether the fact has been duly published in the Punjaub and elsewhere in India that there is no career in Canada for Sikhs or other Indians who have crossed the Pacific.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions that as much notice as possible may be given to His Majesty's troops of a change of quarters in times of peace, so as to save the expense which now too often falls upon married officers and soldiers; and whether, seeing that if this could be done it would be a boon which would cause no expense to fall on the public, he will issue regulations on the subject.

:To ask the Secretary of State for War what instructions were sent some years ago to the commands abroad not to keep small-arm ammunition beyond a certain time; and what was the period of time then fixed as an age limit for such ammunition.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the tenants on Lord Kilmaine's estate near Rochfort Bridge, county Westmeath, signed agreements to purchase their holdings, under the Land Act of 1903, about two years ago;will he say if the sale has been completed yet; if the tenants are still paying interest to the landlord; whether a valuer from the Irish Estates Commissioners has been inspecting the property on their behalf within the last week; whether he is aware that the poorer tenants on this property sent two memorials to the Commissioners asking for a distribution of a portion of the large grass lands amongst them, without any effective result; and whether, seeing that there are many small holdings on this estate, and some grass ranches let to graziers on the eleven months system, he will urge on the Commissioners the necessity of promptly dealing with this property.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if it is intended in future to make Ballymena the head quarters in the county of Antrim of the Royal Irish Constabulary, considering that Ballymena is the centre of the county, is the centre of the railway system of the county, and always was the head quarters until a few years ago, when they were transferred to Lisburn, on the very edge of the county and not on the principal railway system of the county.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the increasing exodus of Irish national school teachers to England and elsewhere, he is now in a position to make any statement of the new scheme under consideration for the increase of salaries; and, if not, can he say when he expects to be able to do so.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the application made to District Inspector Potter, of Ballymoney, on behalf of Constables Seery and Healy, who recently secured the conviction of a man called Devlin for the manslaughter of the late James Brown, station master on the Ballycastle Railway, has yet been placed before the Inspector-General; and whether, seeing that the application was made in July last and no reply has been received, he will bring the matter before the proper authority, with the view of giving those constables the benefit of the police code, which provides for awards where difficult duties have been performed.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state why, although eight months has elapsed, 75 per centum of national school teachers' increments are still unpaid.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and, if so, what, precautions are taken by the Commissioners of National Education to safeguard zealous hardworking teachers from dismissal for non-compliance with views foreign to sound education.

To ask the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take in regard to the consideration of the grievances of the smaller classes of postal servants, who owing to the smallness of their numbers have been debarred from being heard before the Select Committee on Post Office Servants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the amount of the last deficit of the Macedonian Budget, and of its declaration; to what extent such deficit has been made good by the Turkish Government in accordance with the Porte's engagement with the Powers; and whether he will inform the House or cause inquiries to be made, regarding the amount of the uncovered deficit at periods convenient for comparison from March, 1905, to the present date.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state how many hired accountant clerks have been appointed in the Accountant-General's department of the Admiralty, and how many have been discharged as unsuitable or for other reasons.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, before making the recent appointment of a Railway Commissioner, the claims of Sir Francis Hopwood to the position were considered.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is intended to apply the provisions of Clause 1 of the Revenue Bill to the manufacture of alcohol for use as motor spirit, so as to cheapen the cost of production and enable alcohol to compete with petrol as a means of propulsion.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the delay in the reply to his question of last July as to the desirability of allowing officers to draw their privilege leave pay at the Home Treasury, a matter of importance to officers concerned, and in view of the time that it has taken to receive a satisfactory reply to his cables with regard to the prevailing sickness at Rawul Pindi, he will consider the necessity of addressing the Government of India in reference to these matters.

I beg ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a petition bearing 150,000 signatures has been laid by Reynolds' Newspaper at the Admiralty in favour of the reconsideration of the sentence of five years penal servitude on Stoker Moody.

said he could not answer for the number of signatures, but a petition to the effect stated had been received at the Admiralty that day.

What will be done with it?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Post Office servants may take a part in the elections and may become candidates for, and serve on, all municipal bodies other than county councils; what is the reason for this distinction; and whether, in view of the forthcoming county council elections, the existing prohibition in regard to county councils will be removed.

:I have considered the question of withdrawing the prohibition which at present exists against Post Office servants taking a part in the elections, or being candidates for, or serving on county councils while they are allowed to participate in these matters in regard to all other municipal bodies. It is difficult to see any valid reason for differentiating in these matters between county councils and other municipal bodies. I, therefore, propose to abrogate the prohibition. At the same time, I desire to make it clearly understood that this liberty of action must in no way interfere with Post Office duties; and, further, that when the duties connected with any of these municipal bodies interfere with the efficient personal performance of his duty as a Post Office servant, the officer concerned will be required to retire from the body to which he has been elected or from the service.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and if so, what, steps will be taken to construct a pier at Reenard, county Kerry, in view of the frequent representations which have been made, and of the inspections which have been carried out by the Congested Districts Board and the Board of Works.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's Question of the 12th November.†The matter is still the subject of correspondence and inquiry.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware of the necessity, in the interest of the fishing industry, for the construction of a suitable pier at Ballinskelligs, county Kerry; and whether he proposes to give effect to the requests frequently put forward on this subject by the fishermen of the district.

The Congested Districts Board have considered this matter, and have decided that, in view of the very large expenditure which would be necessary, they are unable with the funds at their disposal to undertake the construction of a pier at Ballinskelligs.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement on page 130 of the recently issued Appendix to the Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, that Irish is in parts of county Kerry a living language, sometimes the only language, that in Dingle on a market day nine-tenths of the transactions are conducted in Irish, that it is the language of the home and children lisp in Irish at their mother's knee, that it should therefore be the

† See (4) Debates clxiv., 1006–10.

language of the school from the earliest moment, that English should be taught through the medium of Irish, and that as the child grows up he would naturally and easily become the possessor of two tongues instead of one; and whether with a view to the general adoption of the bilingual system in the schools of county Kerry, he is in a position to state whether any, and, if so, what, facilities will be given.

I understand that the statement referred to in the Question occurs in the general Report for the year 1905 of Mr. Connelly, one of the senior inspectors of schools in Ireland. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they are prepared to sanction the bilingual programme in the national schools in Irish-speaking districts and in districts in which Irish and English are both commonly spoken, provided that the home language of the majority of the pupils is Irish; that the teacher can speak Irish fluently; and that instruction through the medium of English will be given to any exclusively English speaking pupils whose parents desire it. The Commissioners hold that in schools in which the bilingual programme is adopted, Irish should be mainly the medium of instruction for the junior standards, and English for the higher. The Commissioners will pay a fee of 4s. for each unit of the average attendance in schools in which the bilingual programme has been sanctioned by them and has been taught satisfactorily, and in which the necessary conditions have been complied with.

inquired if it were not the fact that certain exporters of Irish products stamped their goods in the Irish language to show the country of origin. Was that in consonance with the regulations of the Board of Trade?

replied that he could not speak as to the regulations of that board without notice.

Irish is not a subject taught in England.

asked on what system the decision was to be based as to what children should be taught the Irish language.

said it would be for the Commissioners of National Education to decide what children came within the regulations which would be put in force.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to a recent speech of the Provost of Trinity College, one of the Commissioners of National Education, in which he charged the Government with having brought undue pressure upon the Comsioners of National Education in favour of the Irish language; can he state what pressure has been brought to bear upon the Commissioners; and, if no such pressure has been brought, will he consider the advisability of communicating with the Provost of Trinity College with the view of getting the withdrawal of such charge.

My attention has been called to the speech referred to in the Question. I am not aware that any such pressure as is suggested has been brought to bear on the Commissioners of National Education. No action has been taken regarding the statement mentioned in the Question, for if the Irish Government were to make a practice of endeavouring to secure the withdrawal of every statement attributing to them action that they have not taken or intentions they have not entertained, they would have little time for any other work. The Provost of Trinity College, however, on learning of the hon. Member's Question, has been good enough to favour me with a full statement in which he supports the view advanced in his speech by extracts from the correspondence which has passed between the Irish Government and the Commissioners of National Education on the subject of the teaching of Irish. I should gladly have read this statement to the House, but cannot do so because it would be entirely irregular and open to grave objection to publish correspondence between Departments of the Government. I may, however, say that while the Provost thinks those extracts bear out his remarks, they appear to me to have no such meaning, purport, or effect.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Provost of Trinity College, who was himself a member of the Commission, had in his speech alluded to this correspondence, and that he justified his speech by extracts from it, the Government were not entirely relieved from any obligation of secrecy. Ought not the whole correspondence to "be placed before the House?

No, Sir; I cannot assent to the proposition that if a member of the Board chooses to quote correspondence that has passed between one Department and another therefore the Government is to be forced to publish the whole correspondence. What would become of official secrecy?

Inasmuch as one member of the Board has published statements founded on the official correspondence, would there be any objection to other members of the Board publishing the correspondence?

Yes. I do not think because one member of the Board has done what may be considered to be irregular that the example should be followed by others. So far as I recollect, I do not think that the Provost of Trinity College quoted anything from the correspondence. I think he merely stated his opinion of it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the congestion in the courts of the Irish Land Commission, the consequent loss to some thousands of tenants who cannot afford loss, and the danger of purchasing on the basis of the present unrevised rents where even that alternative is open, will he reconsider favourably the advisability of providing an immediate general statutory abatement of all rents, following the example set by a Unionist Government in Section 29 of The Land Law Act, 1887;and, if not, will he obtain facilities for a Bill with that object introduced next session by a private Member.

I am not aware of any facts which would render it necessary to consider the very large proposal made by the hon. Member. As regards the latter part of the Question, I am unable to make any statement as to what may be possible next session.

asked if there was not a good deal of distrust owing to the constitution of the tribunal, and if it would not be possible to have a legal commissioner sitting with one assessor.

I am not in a position to answer that Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, owing to the increase of defective vision in Ireland, opticians must have a diploma of proficiency before they are permitted to engage in the trade of selling glasses, or fitting the same, according to prescriptions given by medical men who order certain grades of glasses for different cases of impaired vision; whether, in view of the forthcoming Dublin Exhibition, he will take measures to prevent those foreign pedlars who make a living by following exhibitions and representing themselves as American optical companies from deceiving persons by such representations, they being without any status or qualifications as opticians; that those who obtain concessions for soiling glasses at the forthcoming Dublin Exhibition must be compelled to give the name of the country in which they are domiciled, also the city and place of business in the same; and that to entitle them to trade as opticians at exhibitions in Great Britain and Ireland they must satisfy the British consul in the country of their domicile as to their qualifications and proficiency.

I am not aware that it is necessary that persons who trade as opticians in Ireland should hold any diploma of proficiency, and I am advised that the Irish Government have no power to impose restrictions, such as the hon. Member suggests, upon the sale of spectacles at exhibitions or elsewhere. But if pedlars obtain money by falsely pretending that they represent companies which it can be proved they do not represent, the police will, in the ordinary course, prosecute them upon an information being sworn by any person who has been defrauded. The Question which the hon. Member raises is one of very wide import, and it does not fall within my province to deal with it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the cities and towns and villages of Ireland spectacles are being sold at a shilling a pair which are injurious to the eyesight of the people?

If the hon. Member can bring to my notice any facts as to the prevalence of such a serious practice, or show that the people are being defrauded by the sale of absolutely worthless spectacles I will, of course, have inquiry made.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has boon able to fulfil the promise he recently gave to call the attention of the Commissioners of National Education to the question of the defective eyesight of children in schools?

asked for notice of the Question.

May I ask if the defective eyesight of the children is due to ill-health caused by vaccination in infancy?

I do not think any such cause can be assigned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate the matter?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can now say what progress the Estates Commissioners have made towards acquiring for distribution Mr. Pakenham's grass ranches at Cooks-borough and Macetown, Westmeath, and when the lands are to be inspected, seeing that the agent, Mr. Philip O'Reilly, of Colamber, announced publicly two months ago the owner's willingness to sell.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have twice written to Mr. Pakenham inquiring whether he was prepared to sell his untenanted land in County Westmeath, but they have not yet received a reply from him. The Commissioners have now addressed a further communication to him on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the criticism at the last meeting of the Council of Agriculture, oh the encouragement given by the Department of Agriculture to grazing as against tillage; and whether he will consider favourably the introduction of a short Bill next session to make the Council of Agriculture representative of the public interest and endow it with power.

I am informed that at the last meeting of the Council of Agriculture only one or two Members suggested that more encouragement was being given to pastoral agriculture than to tillage, and such was not the general trend of the discussion. The Department entirely repudiate the charge that they favour either at the expense of the other. Two-thirds of the Council of Agriculture are at present elected. Pending the Report of the Committee which is inquiring into the constitution and working of the Department, I can make no statement as to possible future legislation.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of Moses Glenn, who was evicted from his farm on the Ards estate, near Killygordon, East Donegal, twelve years ago; is he aware that the landlady, Miss Stewart, has now sold to the tenants and restored Moses Glenn to his holding; and, if so, will he take steps to have an inspector sent down to inquire into the matter, with a view to assisting the tenant to build up his houses and re-stock the farm.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will send an inspector at an early date to inquire into the case of Moses Glenn referred to in the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the amount allocated to the county of Armagh from the Exchequer Contribution Account, for the erection of labourers' cottages, for each of the three years 1904, 1905, and 1906, and the amount which will be payable to the county from this fund in future years under the Labourers Act of the present year.

The amounts of the Exchequer contribution allocated to county Armagh for the erection of labourers' cottages in each of the three years ended 31st March, 1904, 1905, and 1906, were, respectively, £1,074, £1,071, and £1,072. The amount which will be payable to the county in future years cannot be estimated. It will depend mainly upon the extent to which the district councils may put the new Act into operation; and in some degree, upon the number of cottages already provided. For further particulars I would refer to my Answer to the similar Question put by the hon. Member for South Down on 5th December.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the fact that the estimated cost of the education in England and Wales for the year 1905–6 is £13,139,000 and the cost of the police £2,700,000, whereas in Ireland the estimated cost of public education is £l,393,223 and the estimated cost of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police is £1,405,759, he will take steps to have the proportion readjusted between the expenditure on police and the expenditure on education in Ireland.

The figures mentioned in the Question refer to the estimated expenditure from Imperial funds upon the services of police and education, and not to the total cost of these services. Moreover, as regards education, the Hon. Member contrasts the estimates for primary, secondary, and technical education in England and Wales with the estimates for primary education alone in Ireland. The hon. Member appears to have overlooked the fact that in Ireland almost the whole cost of the services for police and primary education is defrayed from Parliamentary Votes, while in England and Wales nearly one-half of the total cost of primary education and considerably more than one-half of the total cost of police, fall upon local authorities.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Sir Horace Plunkett granted £2,000 towards the promotion of an international exhibition in Ireland, notwithstanding the condemnation of the project by the Council of Agriculture; and, if so, by what authority did Sir Horace Plunkett make this grant out of public funds.

The resolution of the Council of Agriculture alluded to in the Question advised, not against any contribution, but against any substantial contribution. It was as follows, "That while we do not wish in any way to discourage any such undertaking as an international or a national exhibition, we do not consider that the various imperative calls on the limited funds of the Department will leave them sufficient resources to justify the Department in making any substantial contribution to the funds of any industrial exhibition in the immediate future." This resolution was considered at a meeting of the Agricultural Board on 22nd May last, when it was agreed that the Department of Agriculture should not make any grant for the general purposes of the Exhibition, nor undertake to organise a special exhibit. The question as to whether any arrangements not involving large expenditure might be made for helping small struggling industries to exhibit their products was also discussed by the Agricultural Board, and with their definite concurrence a sum of £2,000 was set aside to be used for this purpose, in the event of its being found that such arrangement would be beneficial. This sum is being applied for the purpose mentioned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this project is almost universally condemned by the public bodies in Ireland, who think the money might be more profitably spent on the really national exhibition to be held in the following year?

I am aware that there is a difference of opinion with regard to this matter, but as it is a matter which is within the province of the Board, I see no reason to interfere.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has boon directed to the paragraphs in the last Report of the Congested Districts Board, in which it is stated that the revenue at the disposal of the Board is only sufficient to enable them to deal with £140,000 worth of land in each year, and that among pressing requirements to enable them to carry on their work are an increase of income to enable them to meet the loss in dealing with poor estates and carrying out migration, and power to borrow money, to buy out interest in largo farms required for rearrangement and enlargement of holdings; and whether, in view of the unexpected delay in presenting the Report of the Congested Districts Commission, he will take steps to place a sum of money at the disposal of the Board sufficient to enable them to carry on their work during the coming year.

The Congested Districts Board at present hold property valued at more than a million and a quarter sterling, a considerable part of which it maybe found desirable to prepare for resale to the tenants before making further purchases. The Board's funds are for the present ample to enable them to deal with the lands on which improvements are being carried out. The questions of the provision of funds for the future, and generally of the effectual and expeditious execution of the work on which the Board is engaged, are now being considered by the Royal Commission. The question of adequate funds for the Board's operations next year will be considered when the Estimates for the coming financial year are being prepared.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that he himself signed a Report declaring it to be an urgent necessity that the Board should get additional income in order to carry out pressing works and, if that were the case, is it now consistent for him to agree to the postponement of the matter until the Commission has reported?

I entirely agreed with the Report which has been referred to. It was a case of urgent necessity, but, as I have pointed out, the funds in hand are sufficient to carry out the works in hand. But of course the Report of the Commission would have an important bearing on the scheme for further operations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press on the Treasury the importance of not allowing operations of the Board, in this year of distress especially, to be arrested by a lack of funds pending the report of the Commission?

Certainly Sir, I think it is the duty of the Irish Government to try and secure whatever funds the Board may require.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will inquire of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland whether it intends to present immediately the evidence received up to this date.

The first Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland, with an appendix of the evidence taken in Dublin, was presented to Parliament on 27th November. The second Report, with an appendix of the evidence taken in Donegal, will, I am informed, be presented to Parliament in the course of next week. The evidence recently taken in London will follow in due course, but I understand that some time must elapse before it can be presented.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Stranorlar Board of Guardians, at their meeting held on 3rd December; and, if so, whether he will state what steps he proposes to take, and when, to give effect to that portion of the Poor Law Reform Commission Report referred to in the Resolution, and which is also a standing grievance in another union in Donegal.

I have received the resolution in question, which approves of the recommendation of the Poor Law Reform Commission that Poor Law unions should not extend beyond the boundaries of one administrative county, except in the case of certain county boroughs. It would require legislation to give effect to this recommendation, and, as I have already stated, it will be necessary for the Government carefully to consider the Commissioners' recommendations as a whole, and I do not anticipate that I shall be in a position to make a statement on the subject for some time to come.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that national school teachers in Ireland entitled, according to the rules, have not yet received certain increments of pay due to them on 1st April last; that resolutions on this subject forwarded to the Commissioners by the teachers' organisation have been left unheeded; and will he endeavour to have the payments made without further delay, and in future when they become due.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the payment of the increments referred to in the Question is proceeding as rapidly as possible, and is now approaching completion. The present year is the third year of the triennial period, and the, work has, consequently, been especially heavy.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners would buy the unsold portions of Sir Morgan Crofton's estate surrounding the town of Mohill, together with the town, with a view to reselling the same to the tenants.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no originating application in respect of the sale of Sir Morgan Crofton's estate has yet boon lodged with them. They will, however, be prepared to consider the question of purchasing the property if the matter should be brought before them.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have received au application for reinstatement from Mrs. Casserly, Corlough, on the Ellis estate, in county Leitrim; and if any action has been taken with regard to the same.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an application for reinstatement from Mrs. Casserly, and have obtained from their inspector a report upon the ease which will shortly come before them for consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland would consider the advisability of altering the present plans for teachers' residences, so as to include a bathroom and lavatory, to be erected on the latest hygienic principles, and if the cost of the same would be added to the Board of Works loan, and that the number of years for repayment be extended, so as to lighten the present yearly payments on the teachers of Ireland.

I have referred this question to the Commissioners of National Education, by whom it will be considered at their next meeting on the 18th instant.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state how many estates have been sold in county Leitrim since the passing of the Land Act of 1903, together with the amounts for which they were sold; and in how many cases have the advances for the same been already sanctioned by the Treasury.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that proceedings have been instituted before them for the sale of fifty-six estates in county Leitrim, the purchase money of which amounts to £271,926. Advances amounting to £22,019 have been made for the purchase of thirteen of those estates. The Commissioners will deal with the remaining estates in their order of priority.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board auditor has disallowed the payment out of the rates of expenses incurred by the Ardee town commissioners in the regulation of certain fairs within their jurisdiction; and whether he will, by legislation or otherwise, secure that the Commissioners shall not be driven to pay out of their own pockets money spent in the discharge of their public duties or to raise it by a house-to-house collection.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that the Local Government Board's auditor made any disallowance in this matter. The auditor's attention, however, was called to the payments in question, and he put a note of caution on the expenditure book, to the effect that there was no statutory authority for defraying out of the rates the cost of advertising fairs, save in cases coming under Section 10 of the Local Government Board (Ireland) Act, 1872. I am not prepared to say whether or not legislation on the subject is desirable. I am told that it would certainly give rise to controversy.

Will the threat be withdrawn?

I am unable to say. The auditor has called the attention of the local authorities to the fact that there is no statutory warrant for these payments, but whether he has any discretion which he can properly use I am unable to say without notice.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of bushels of foreign wheat consigned, during the year 1905, to the following ports in Ireland, respectively, Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Dundalk, and Drogheda; and whether he can give the names of the consignees.

The imports of wheat into the ports of Dublin, Cork, and Belfast during the year 1905 were as follows:—Dublin, 4,710,123 bushels; Cork, 2,610,608 bushels; Belfast, 2,888,853 bushels. These are the only ports in respect of which the Department of Agriculture publish separate information. No return of the wheat imported into Dundalk and Drogheda in 1905 can be given. The Department have no information as to the names of the consignees.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners, in dealing with estates for sale comprising land held on the eleven months system, observe any rule as to the splitting up of the same amongst the evicted tenants and tenants of uneconomic holdings connected with the particular estate.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in dealing with any untenanted land which may be acquired by them they pay due regard to the provisions of the Act of 1903, and to the Regulations of the Lord-Lieutenant made under Section 23 of the Act. There are no rules on the subject.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the police have succeeded in discovering the person or persons who maliciously stabbed a mare on the lands of Bawnmore, in the parish of Athenry, on the night of the 22nd August.

I am informed by the police authorities that the mare referred to in the first Question was not stabbed, but a cut skin deep and other slight injuries were inflicted. In the second case, the horse was not houghed, but cuts were inflicted on the legs. This horse was worth about £1 before the injury, from which it has recovered. The owner lodged a claim for £17 compensation, but afterwards withdrew it. In the third case, it is a fact that the burnings mentioned took place, and that claims for compensation have been lodged. The police inform me that Messrs. Hayes and Leahy are popular men, and that the burnings, if wilful, were not connected with any agitation. The question whether the fires were the work of incendiaries has yet to be decided by the Court. In none of the cases have the police found evidence which would justify proceedings.

Is it not generally believed in the Killarney district that this fire was the work of a tramp? How is it with all the police there they have done nothing to bring the offender to justice? Is it not the fact, too, that at the last six quarter sessions the County Court judge has spoken in praise of the condition of this district?

If the hon. Member wants a reply to the last Question I must ask for notice. Nobody has been prosecuted because no evidence has been obtained.

Well, the chairman of the Killarney Urban Council and myself with the people of the town attended and helped to put out this fire, while only five policemen put in an appearance.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman meant to imply that the fact that this horse was of low value entitled anyone to torture it because he happened to differ with the owner on political matters?

I do not mean to imply anything of the sort.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman did not state as an excuse for this act that the horse was worth a small amount of money.

No. Whatever the value of the horse, any injury inflicted upon a dumb animal is a cruel thing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 90 per cent. of the applications for compensation in county Kerry have been refused by the County Court Judge, who is an honourable man, nevertheless a Tory?

I know the Judge referred to. I should be sorry to think that in the opinion of the hon. Member any dishonour should be associated with the holding of any particular political view.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has seen a report of the proceedings of the Ballinaglera branch of the United Irish League, which recorded the fact that two boycotted persons of Drumkeerin were receiving supplies from a merchant at Enniskillen, and that action should be taken in the matter; and whether he can say what action was taken.

I am informed by the police authorities that a report to the effect mentioned appeared in a local newspaper, but the police have no knowledge that the proceedings did in fact take place. So far as the police know, no action has been taken in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many appeals were pending on the 30th November, 1897, 1898, 1899,1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904 in the Irish Land Commission.

The Land Commission have furnished me with the following figures showing the number of appeals from decisions of Sub-Commissions and Civil Bill Courts which were pending on the 30th November in each of the years mentioned:—1897, 4,549; 1898, 7,824; 1899, 10,031; 1900, 11,988; 1901, 13,088; 1902, 13,935; 1903, 14,506; 1904, 14,376; 1905, 11,477; 1906, 8,392.

Is not this continued delay a very serious matter for the tenants?

Yes, it is regrettable, and I shall be glad, if I can, to find some means of accelerating the hearings.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland), Sir Horace Plunket, is to be the Parliamentary candidate for North Tyrone in the event of a vacancy arising; can he state whether the present Vice-President is qualified for election to Parliament; and, if so, what stops it is intended to take in the event of a member of the Government standing as a Unionist.

Sir Horace Plunket is at this moment in the middle of the wide Atlantic, and unapproachable except possibly by the Marconi system, and I cannot invite his opinion on the matters raised in the Question. But it would have been superfluous to do so, for I can imagine nothing more improbable than that he should think of becoming a candidate for a seat in Parliament so long as he remains in his present post, nor indeed could he properly do so having regard to the fact that, as will be seen by reference to an Answer given by mo in this House on 21st February,†he wrote to me that he should, during his continuance in office, consider himself debarred from taking any part in political controversy.

Does a letter written by an official of the Government over-ride an Act of Parliament?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies I would like to ask him whether Sir Horace Plunket sent that letter to the Government himself or whether he was invited by them to send it, and further whether he has any ground for believing that Sir Horace Plunket has altered his political opinions since he was in this House as a representative for South Dublin or since as a Unionist he contested Galway, and what ground he has for believing that Sir Horace Plunket is not as well qualified now as he was six or seven years ago to stand for a constituency.

This Question does not appear to me to be quite relevant. As regards the Question on the Paper I think everybody will agree that a man who has taken this action solemnly debars himself. As regards the Question put by the hon. Member for East Mayo, I do not know anything of Sir Horace Plunket's opinions or changes of opinion. The Question put to me is, Is he likely to stand as a candidate? and my answer is that I do not think he can.

Did Sir Horace Plunket write that letter of his own motion or was it made a condition of his re-appointment? Is not Sir Horace Plunket at this moment under the Act of Parliament a member of the present Government by legal statute.

No, Sir, I do not think he can be called practically a member of; the Government. I do not think he is a member of the Government. I regard him as at present in the position of a temporary official. I asked him to retain the office for reasons which I have fully stated to the House. As regards the letter it was written as embodying the arrangement made between the Government and Sir Horace Plunket, and it was part of that that he should consider himself entirely outside politics.

†See (4) Debates, clii., 352–355.

If, in view of the statement that he only holds this position temporarily until the Commission should have finished its sittings, will the right hon. Gentleman now consider the advisability, seeing that the Commission is finished, of appointing a permanent Vice-President, and also whether there is any precedent for a Liberal Government appointing a Unionist as vice-President?

That is not the point. He was asked to continue for the reasons I have given.

:desired to ask whether Sir Horace Plunket was not an official holding office by virtue of a statute and whether by a private letter he could debar himself from sitting in the House which was part of the statutory obligation.

I have answered that. I have said he can.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that under the section of the Act the appointment is considered a Parliamentary appointment, and that the holder of the office is bound to expound from the Treasury Bench the policy of the Department?

The whole House knows perfectly well what the statute is. But I think Sir Horace Plunket's personal engagement to the Government debars him. He has given a most specific undertaking. I did not say that the provisional arrangement will come to an end as soon as the Commission has finished taking evidence. I said when the Commission reported. Before we make any future arrangements for the Department it will clearly be necessary to wait for that Report.

If, as alleged, Sir Horace Plunket is able to get over the duties conferred upon him by statute, is it the intention of the Government to make him a permanent civil servant?

No, Sir, I have never said anything of the kind. The whole matter will be reserved until the Commission reports.

The Question is beginning to assume the form of a debate. I do not want to interrupt, but it is only fair to other Members who have Questions on the Paper that I should now intervene.

Put Sir Horace Plunket into the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state on what date the Local Government Board inspector last visited the Bawnboy district, in which distress exists, in county Cavan; what length of time did the inspector spend in the locality; how many visitations did the inspector make; what are the names and valuations of the parties called on; what route did the inspector follow; and will this whole matter be immediately reviewed.

In the hon. Member's previous Question of 6th November†he referred to a memorial which had been sent to me, asking for the institution of relief works upon the ground that the potato crop had been a complete failure. The memorial purported to be signed by a large number of ratepayers in the Bawnboy and Ballyconnell districts. The Local Government Board's inspector visited the Bawnboy district on 14th November for the purpose of making inquiries concerning this memorial. The inspector interviewed some of the well to-do farmers whose names were attached to the memorial, and they denied all knowledge of it. He did not keep a record of the exact time occupied, or of the number of visits he paid, or of the names of those visited. He satisfied himself, however, that the memorial did hot issue from the persons whose names were appended to it. All the signatures were in the same handwriting. I have already stated that though the potato crop in Longford is somewhat under the average, the Local Government Board have not found reason to fear that the condition of the people will be seriously

†See (4) Debates, clxiv., 344.

affected by it. They add that since the famine of 1847 there has never been acute distress in either the Bawnboy or the Ballyconnell electoral division.

Did an inspection take place?

Yes.

Then why did not the inspector think it worth while to visit the gentlemen who called attention to this matter in the first instance?

I cannot say, but I do know he has made a full and exhaustive inquiry.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many persons there are in the East Riding of Galway at the present time, according to police returns, in any way interfered with in the exercise of their legal rights, including cases of total boycotting and partial boycotting.

I am informed by the police authorities that there is at present in the East Riding of Galway no case of total boycotting; but there are thirteen cases of partial boycotting. The police are affording all necessary protection in these cases.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been transferred from Loughrea since the date of Sir Antony MacDonnell's visit in connection with the Ward affair; if so, whether such transfer was part of the terms made; can he state whether they were transferred at their own expense; where are they now; did the suggestion to transfer them originate with the county inspector or district inspector or an official at Dublin Castle; and can he state why they were transferred.

I am informed by the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary that since June last, the date referred to in the Question, eleven members of the force have been transferred from Loughrea Two of these transfers were made on the application of the men concerned, and were, in accordance with the practice in such cases, carried out at the expense of the men. The other transfers were carried out at public expense. One of the men was transferred to county Dublin; one to county Kildare; one to county Sligo; and one to county Roscommon. In the remaining seven cases the men were transferred to different stations in the East Riding of Galway. With the exception of the cases of the two men transferred on their own application, all the transfers were made on the recommendation of the local officers, and solely to meet the exigencies and requirements of the service, and for no other reason. I do not know what is meant by the inquiry whether such transfer was part of the terms made; but I wish to repudiate in the strongest possible manner, as I have already done on several occasions, the suggestion that any terms whatever were made on the occasion referred to. I may add that the Under-Secretary was in no way concerned in these transfers, which were carried out without his knowledge by the Inspector General.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a tenant farmer, named James M'Kenna, Tonnysilligo, in the parish of Donagh, barony of Trough, Monaghan, whose rent was raised at the expiration of his lease from £5 10s. to £9 by his landlord, the Earl of Dartrey, and who was subsequently evicted from his farm, made application three years ago to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement, but has not as yet received any reply; and will he endeavour to ascertain why no answer was sent.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received the application in question, and have referred it with others to the inspector of the district for inquiry. The inspector's report has not yet been received, and in the meantime the Commissioners have no knowledge of the facts of the case.

What amount of time is required to investigate a simple matter of this kind? Are the Commissioners discharging their duties properly when these delays occur?

The Commissioners have a Large number of case to deal with and are disposing of them as quickly as they can. Additional inspectors have lately been appointed to assist them.

How long are we to wait in this unfortunate case?

I cannot say. I hope not long.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 31st March, 1887, twelve tenants in the parish of Donagh, in the barony of Trough, Monaghan, were evicted from their holdings by the Earl of Dartrey; that since then these twelve evicted tenants have acted as caretakers or future tenants on those farms; that, whilst deprived of any benefits from recent Land Acts, the Earl of Dartrey wants twenty-six years purchase for the said farms; and will he state what action, if any, the Estates Commissioners are prepared to take to counteract this action on the part of the Earl of Dartrey.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not received any applications from persons who claim to have been evicted from the estate in question in the year 1887. They have, however, received applications from seven persons who allege that they were evicted from the estate in various years, ranging from 1881 to 1903. These applications will be inquired into in due course. No proceedings for the sale of the estate have yet been instituted before the Commissioners; but if the estate should come before them to be dealt with the cases of any tenants who may have refused to purchase will be inquired into, and the reasons for such refusal investigated.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the night of Tuesday, 20th November last, three men were attacked close to the town of Athenry, and one of them, a labouring man, seriously injured; will he say whether any arrests have been made in connection with the case; whether any extra police are stationed in the district; and, if so, how many.

I am informed by the police authorities that on the night in question two tradesmen named McHugh, with their labouring man, were attacked by four men near Athenry, and the labourer received serious injury to his eye. These tradesmen had obtained a contract for plastering which others were anxious to get. No arrests have been made, as the persons assaulted were unable to identify their assailants. Twenty five extra police are stationed in the Athenry district, and a police patrol passed a short time before the assault.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that no grant whatever is made by the National Board or any other Government Department towards heating Downshire national school, Dundrum, county Down, or other national schools in Ireland, but that the cost of heating has to be defrayed by the teachers out of their salaries or by raising money by voluntary subscription; and whether, in view of the climatic conditions prevailing in Ireland, he will take immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs.

I am informed that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. I understand that the fuel used in national schools generally takes the form of turf which is provided by the pupils, with occasional help from the teacher or manager. I should be glad to see proper fires in these schools, but the Commissioners of National Education have estimated that the cost would amount to about £24,000 a year. In England and Scotland the cost is not borne by the State. The whole question of expenditure upon national schools is now under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider the advisability of making some other arrangement so that the schools may be warmed in wintry weather?

I should be very glad to, but the matter also requires sympathetic consideration from the National Board.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at a hearing of a summons for recovery of possession of a small tenement in Castleblayney, Lord Hope's estate, county Monaghan, under 14 and 15 Vic, cap, 92, sec. 15, at petty sessions in Castleblaney on the 27th November last, a warrant was issued by the magistrates for possession; that, on the order being made by the magistrates, the Royal Irish Constabulary, by their district inspector and sergeant, strongly opposed the warrant being directed to the police for execution, and asked that the warrant be issued to a special bailiff; that, being pressed, the constabulary declined to give their authority from the Government for departing from what has been the ordinary practice for the past fifty years, though asked to do so by the bench of magistrates, on the grounds that their instructions were confidential; and will he explain why these instructions were given to the constabulary.

I am informed by the police authorities that the facts are substantially as stated in the Question. Under the Act quoted, the magistrates may address the warrant for possession either to a special bailiff or to the police; and, in accordance with the long standing practice, the district inspector requested the magistrates to address the warrant in this particular case to a special bailiff, adding that the constabulary would afford all necessary protection to the bailiff so appointed. The magistrates complied with the request of the district inspector, and addressed the warrant to a special bailiff.

Why did the constabulary decline to give their authority when asked?

It is not the practice to do so.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the grazing lands of Traskernagh and Grallagh, on the estate of Sir Henry Burke, near Loughrea, have been purchased by the Commissioners in the interests of the tenants; and if he will state when the lands will be dealt with by the Land Commission inspectors.

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his Question on this subject on 1st November.†As I then stated, the Estate Commissioners' inspector is preparing a scheme for the division of the untenanted lands which the vendor has expressed his willingness to sell. The Commissioners have not yet received the inspector's Report.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether agreements to purchase were signed on the 4th May, 1905, by the tenants on the property of Major Hall, Newcastle, Athenry, county Galway, whether these agreements were signed conditionally on the Estates Commissioners purchasing the untenanted land on the estate in the interests of the tenants; and whether he will state what steps, if any, have been taken to acquire the untenanted land.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are considering the question of purchasing the estate referred to under Section 6 of the Act. They have had a preliminary inspection made of portion of the untenanted land, and have furnished to the vendor an estimate of the price which they are prepared to give for it. No undertakings to purchase by the tenants have yet been lodged; but the whole of the estate is now being inspected, including the remainder of the untenanted land.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state in what position the proceedings for the sale of the O'Donoghue Estate, county Kerry, now

†See (4) Debates cxliii, 1345.

are; and when will the Estates Commissioners be in a position to send an inspector to see the lands.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the agreements for purchase in respect of the estate of the O'Donoghue were lodged in January, 1906. The estate will be inspected in its order of priority; but the Commissioners do not anticipate that the case will be reached for some considerable time.

:I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he say whether in the sale of the estate of the Earl of Dunraven to his tenants around Adare and Croom, county Limerick, the case of Mr. George Spearing, of Beabus, has yet, as promised some time ago, been inquired into; and will the Estates Commissioners send an inspector to report on the treatment to which Mr. Spearing has been subjected so that he may be able to purchase with the other tenants.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the holding of the tenant referred to in the Question was duly inspected on their behalf, and the purchase money was fixed at £842. The tenant, however, refused to sign an undertaking to purchase at that price, and his case with others is at present under the Commissioners' consideration with the object of determining whether these tenants should not be brought into the sale under Section 19 of the Act.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction members of the committee, nominated or otherwise, were called upon to vote in connection with the granting of a sum of £3,000 to an independent trading concern called the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society; is he aware that some of those members who voted in favour of it had a direct personal and pecuniary interest in obtaining the grant, and that the Vice-President, Sir Horace Plunkett, made no protest against their action; and whether he will communicate the views of the Government concerning this allocation of public funds to the Vice-President of the Department.

The Department of Agriculture understand that by the "Advisory Committee of the Department" is meant the Council of Agriculture, and that the vote referred to is that given at the recent meeting of the council recommending that the Department should promote agricultural organisation through the agency of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, which, it should be pointed out, is not a trading body. The members of the council present at the conclusion of the discussion on this subject, both elected and nominated—seventy-seven in number—exercised their right to vote on the question. The Department are not aware that any members of the council have a pecuniary interest in the matter, except perhaps in the case of one nominated member of the council, Mr. Anderson, the Secretary of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. Even if no nominated member had voted, there would still, I am informed, have been a majority in favour of the vote which was carried. As I have already stated, the legality of these payments to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society is being considered by the law officers.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Commissioners of National Education are precluded from applying for grants in many urgent eases where schools are required, because the scale of accommodation and the Estimates on which grants can be made have not yet been fixed by the Treasury; and whether he will press this consideration on the attention of the Treasury and represent to that Department that until they have settled the new plans their permission to the Board to report urgent cases is to a large extent illusory.

:I am aware that the Commissioners of National Education consider that it is not desirable to avail themselves of the permission to represent specially urgent cases for consideration and for individual decision on the points of plans, floor space per scholar, and the rate of grant; but prefer to await the settlement of these points as regards all future cases. The Treasury are already fully apprised of my view that it is most desirable that those questions should be finally disposed of at the earliest possible moment, so that the building of school houses, which has been interrupted for a considerable time, may be resumed forthwith. Correspondence on the subject is passing between the Irish Government and the Treasury.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will say if negotiations are pending for the sale of the estate of the late Colonel Saunderson in county Cavan; how many evicted tenants have claimed to be reinstated on this estate; what quantity of untenanted land will be available; and will the Commissioners see that after the reinstatement of the evicted tenants the balance of the untenanted lands will be given to those holders of uneconomic farms on the estate.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings in respect of the sale of the estate referred to in the Question appear to be pending before them. In the event of the untenanted land on the estate being dealt with by the Commissioners, the claims of the evicted tenants and tenants of uneconomic holdings on the estate will be considered.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works a Question of which I have given him private notice, whether it is the fact that during the course of the discussion on the Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Bill last night, attendants of the House of Lords had to remove one of the Members who was obviously intoxicated, and that another Member who took part in the debate was suffering from indulgence in drink.

The hon. Member has not submitted the Question to me. It does not appear to me to come within the rules of urgency in any way.

Has the Prime Minister, or in his absence the Chancellor of the Exchequer, any statement to make about the course of business?

said that if the education debate could be concluded that night—he did not know whether that was possible or not—they should take to-morrow the Third Reading of the Workmen's Compensation Bill; and, secondly, the Report, and possibly the Third Reading of the Education (Provision of Meals) Bill.

said this Motion, though very drastic, was the only possible Motion in the circumstances. Here they were with the biggest Parliamentary majority of modern times. They had been charged to set up popular control and remove tests for teachers. The Government had set to work and prepared a Bill, and he thought he might say that this Bill showed greater solicitude for denominationalists than was ever likely to be shown again. They had spent forty-nine Parliamentary days on the Bill, read it a first time without a division, a second time by 410 votes to 204, and a third time by 369 votes to 177. It went to the House of Lords backed by the largest Parliamentary majorities since the Reform Bill of 1832. It was road a first and second time in the House of Lords without a division, which, he had thought, in his own simple-minded fashion, meant that noble Lords had adopted its main principle. That opinion was supported by one or two remarkable utterances made by representative Peers on the eve of going into Committee. Lord Lansdowne on 14th October, at Nottingham, said—

"It should be clearly understood that the Unionist Party did not object to popular control, and that they did not wish to impose religious tests upon teachers, and that they certainly were not engaged in an attempt to run church against chapel."

On hearing that he thought, in the curt and apt phrase of the comic song, "Now we shan't be long," for that was their Bill. Lord St. Aldwyn four days after said practically the same thing, with greater emphasis on the undesirableness of imposing tests for teachers. The most rev. Primate went into Committee, on 25th October, with these words on his lips—

"The Amendments I shall either propose or support are not in any sense what can be called wrecking Amendments of a mischievous kind."

Everybody knew what had happened since. He confessed he had a touch of sympathy with the Lords; for ten years they had had nothing to do but cry "Content" and go home, and, therefore, they fell on this big Bill—their first chance—with horse, foot, and artillery. In ten years the Tory Party sent up to the House of Lords ten great Conservative measures, including the Education Bill of 1902, the Irish Land Bill of 1903, and the Licensing Bill of 1904; aud the House of Lords devoted fifteen days in Committee to the whole of the ten Bills. That was precisely the time they spent on the first measure the present Government sent them. The circumstance was an illumination and a portent. The Lords had made this Bill a hopeless tangle of administrative impossibility, the Board of Education could not administer it, and the local authorities would not if they could. His right hon. friend had pointed out that the Lords had either destroyed or crippled the discretion and power of the great local education authorities. The Leader of the Opposition said, "Quite so, but what the Lords have taken away from the local authorities they have given to the parents." He confessed he was a little amused when he heard that, because he remembered that in 1902 his hon. friend the Member for East Mayo moved an Amendment proposing that of the six managers in every denominational school two should be parents. But the right hon. Gentleman opposite, who was now the particular friend of the parents, would not look at it. "By their fruits ye shall know them." But was it true that the Lords had taken away from the local authority to give to the parents? Take the case of Clause 6; their own clause. That clause said to the parent, "You can please yourself, you shall be the arbiter whether you send your child to the school during the time of religious instruction or not, that is a matter for parental discretion." What happened to the clause? The Lords said to the parent, "You shall send your child, whether you like it or not, at the time of religious instruction." That might be right or wrong, but what became of the inalienable right of the parent? In his long and rather bitter experience on the London School Board he had received petition after petition—honest, not bogus petitions—from parents asking for a board school, and these were always bitterly opposed by the Church and Tory Party on the school board, who now posed as the particular friends of the parents. Whenever he heard hon. Gentlemen opposite advocating the claim of the parents he picked up a fascinating little book on biographies called "Dod's Parliamentary Companion," and found almost without exception either that they were not parents themselves or that they would not under any conceivable circumstances send their child to a public elementary school. The Party opposite was making a cat's-paw of the parent. Lord Heneage's Amendment—[OPPOSITION cheers]—he observed that the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and hon. Members behind him cheered very stoutly that Amendment—was designed plausibly enough for the permanence of religious teaching in the schools of the country; but if he was any judge it would make for quite the contrary, by the irritation and controversy which would follow its imposition. This matter was threshed out in the long debates of 1870, and Parliament decided to leave the question to the local authority. Did the right hon. Gentleman in 1902 put in any Heneage Amendment? No, he left the law as he found it, because at that time one of his pet phrases was, "Trust the local authority." All over the country, clergymen, Nonconformist Ministers, and Roman Catholic priests sat down together in the most amicable way—asthey always did when the platform squabbles were over—and devised the most admirable schemes under which religious teaching was to be given day after day in the board schools to the satisfaction of everybody. In advocating the Heneage Amendment in another place, the most rev. Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury quoted from a Return, which was incomplete and which seemed to have been badly summarised by the National Society, to show that there were sixty-eight local education authorities out of 300 who issued no regulations with regard to religious teaching in the schools. The statement might probably be literally correct; but the inference drawn from it was grossly misleading. The fact was that the bulk of these authorities came into existence in 1902, and gave a formal endorsement to the policy of the school boards they supplanted. In most of the schools they gave religious teaching, and in practically all the others the day was commenced with a religious service. The Minister for Education, when he questioned the right hon. Gentleman, said that, so far as the Board of Education could make out, they thought that the return was so incomplete that it was only nine authorities, and not sixty-eight, that had neither religious instruction nor observances. That was a very serious drop; but even in the case of these nine local authorities the inference drawn was grossly misleading. He had gone into this matter very closely, and he had received official or other letters from all these authorities, except one, to say that they had formally carried on the regulations of the school boards they succeeded, and that in the bulk of these schools there was religious instruction or religious observances. The nine places were Hyde, Glossop, Rawtenstall, Ebbw Vale, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Brecon, Pembroke, and Denbigh, and from every one of the authorities of those places, save from Hyde, he had received assurances that there were religious observances, and in some cases lessons. In the outstanding case of Hyde it appeared that it never had a school board, but had eleven schools made up as follows:—one Roman Catholic, four British, four National, one Church, and one Dissenting. Then he would take the case of Ebbw Vale, which was described as one of the godless board schools. Here was the syllabus of that godless school—