To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the members of the Douglass Committee who advised the abolition of the carpenter (warrant officer) in the Royal Navy had taken any steps to obtain the opinion of the admirals and captains on the active list on the question before arriving at their conclusion; whether he will inquire whether the officers mentioned failed in the finding of the Committee's Report; whether steps have been taken to ascertain if the officers, admirals, and captains on the active list consider it would be to the best interest of the service to retain the carpenter on the present line; whether, in the event of the Douglass Committee's suggestion being approved, their Lordships intend merging the warrant officers at present holding the rank of carpenter to the proposed rank of warrant artificer; I and whether he will furnish the House with a list of the occasions on which Navy carpenters have been specially I commended by their Lordships for the able manner in which special and urgent repairs have been effected in connection with the stranding of the battleship "Howe" on the rocks at Ferrol and other warships.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether I he is aware that there is a number of carpenter warrant officers, many of whom are serving in first-class battleships and

†Sec (4) Debates, clix, 345.

cruisers, who receive about 1s. per day less than the mechanics in our Royal dockyards; and, if so, can he hold out any hopes that the pay of these warrant officers will in the near future be revised.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have applied to the North Berwick Parish Council for a site for a look-out hut for coast defence and protection of shipping; and, if so, with what result.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department received a memorial signed by, amongst others, I twenty-eight head masters of schools, stating that, in the opinion of the memorialists, beagling is a demoralising form of sport for the young, and suggesting that a drag hunt should be substituted; and whether his Department will accede to the prayer of the memorialists at the Royal Naval College.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any part of the expenses incurred in the sport known as beagling at the Royal Naval College is paid for out of public funds; and whether parents of cadets are under any obligation to subscribe to the maintenance of this form of sport.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether cycle postmen are expected to clean and attend to their cycles in their own time; and whether, in view of the diversity of practice, he will issue a circular defining what is meant by minor repairs, which, in addition to cleaning, have to be performed by postmen.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is intended to sanction the use of a taximeter for motor or horse-drawn cabs in London which will register the fares in accordance with the existing regulations as to rates; and whether, on account of the difficulty of designing a taximeter which will register the inequalities of the existing cab tariff, he intends to give effect to the recommendation of the Select Committee on Metropolitan Cabs and Omnibuses for the adoption of the taximeter by sanctioning a new scale of cab fares in which the inequalities referred to will be abolished.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Central Unemployed Committee for London has initiated any schemes for dealing this winter with applicants for employment, who are eligible under the Unemployed Workmen's Act; whether he can state what those schemes are; how many of the unemployed have applied for work under them; how many who applied have been rejected as not complying with the conditions of the Act; and how many of those applicants who do comply with its conditions have received any employment at all.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the delay in obtaining a hearing of causes before the Court of Appeal, and to the fact that certain causes have been down now more than two years for hearing without any immediate probability of coming on; and whether any remedy for this delay has been considered and if it is proposed either to form an extra Court or appoint further Judges to obviate the difficulty.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that tobacco manufactured in England is extensively sold in Ireland under the designation Irish roll; and whether, seeing that the term is calculated to deceive intending purchasers, some steps will be taken to confine the term to goods only made in Ireland.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the proprietors of the Midland Tribune newspaper, published in Birr, King's County, are subjected to annoyance and inconvenience by the fact that the London General Post Office authorities insist that the English translation of the title of a Gaelic supplement, Dun na n Gaedheal published by them in connection with the Midland Tribune, must be printed at the head of each page; and whether he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of this interference with their publications.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state what steps are being taken to fill the-position of Crown Receivers shortly to become vacant on the termination of the notice given to the present Crown Receivers; what qualifications will be required for the position; and what remuneration will be paid to the next receivers.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if English county councils have power to establish University scholarships; and, if so, to what extent do they use that power.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if Scottish county councils have power to establish University scholarships; and, if so, to what extent is that power used by them.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will give the reasons for the refusal of the Department of Agriculture to sanction the proposal of the county Wexford County Council to establish University scholarships for students from that county.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution passed at a public meeting in Keel, county Kerry, dealing with the failure of the potato crop in that district; whether he has made inquiries into the matter; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the number of subjects specified by the Commissioners to be taught in Irish national schools, managers will be permitted, in districts where Irish is spoken, to substitute Irish for object lessons and physical drill; whether the Board has directed its inspectors to refuse such authority to managers; and, if so, will he say why this has been done, in view of Rule 119d.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the Paper, No. 1 (1906), United States, contains all the correspondence which has taken place between His Majesty's Government, the Government of the Colony, and Mr. Root in reference to the Newfoundland fisheries between 12th October, 1905 and 8th October, 1906.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board, if he is aware that the, official examiner of vaccine lymph stated in evidence to the Royal Commission on Vaccination, in answer to Questions 4154 and 4164, that it was then impossible to ascertain by microscopic examination whether lymph contains the virus of syphilis or not; and if, since then, any practical means have been discovered by which the presence of syphilitie germs in vaccine matter can be ascertained;.and whether he has any official information showing that the symptoms produced by inoculation with calf lymph are sometimes indistinguishable from those produced by syphilitic inoculation.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, if he can state why the joiners employed in the Works Department of the Admiralty are paid at a lower rate I than the joiners employed in other departments of the dockyards; and whether they can be placed upon an equal footing as regards pay and prospects.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether in view of the fact that outbreaks of a destructive epidemic fungus disease of gooseberries, viz., the American gooseberry-mildew have now occurred in Worcestershire, and that the Board of Agriculture have at present no power to deal with the prohibition or control of the importation of diseased gooseberry bushes, on which the disease has been introduced into this country, the Government will introduce this session a short amending Act to The Destructive Insects Act, 1877, in order to give the Board the necessary legislative powers to deal with the disease.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will furnish a list, made up to date, of persons to whom bonus has been paid under the Land Act of 1903, showing in respect of each the county in which the land sold is situate, the amount of bonus paid, the total, the number of years purchase paid by the purchasers, and, so far as can be ascertained or estimated, the aggregate amount of relief in addition to price and bonus gained by each vendor from payment of stamp duty, cost of publication of notices, cost of preparation and service of notices on public departments, cost of searches in registry of deeds, titles, and judgments, negotiation fees, deduction of title, and other normal expenses incidental to sale to tenants under previous Purchase Acts, and from which these vendors have been relieved.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he is aware of the annoyances and threats towards various persons since the late election for having exorcised their right of private judgment; whether he is aware that on Wednesday night, 28th November, the annual social meeting of the Bushmills Presbyterian Church was made a scene of disturbance; that a speaker was interrupted during his discourse, and that clergymen and their wives were hooted and threatened when leaving the lecture hall, and members of the congregation were stoned on their way home; whether he proposes to give police protection to these people, who have been attacked because they hold political views in opposition to the Conservative interest; and whether the Government will prosecute for the offences done on Wednesday night, 28th November, in the presence of the police, as it is dangerous for anyone to prosecute in his private capacity.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been directed to the effect of placing the teachers who were in training colleges for a two-years course when the new-salary rules issued by the Hoard of National Education in 1900 came into operation in the lowest grade provided by these rules, whereas, according to the rules in force prior to 1900, and which were chiefly instrumental in inducing those men and women to become teachers, their salaries would have been far more satisfactory; and, if so, has he used his influence with the Commissioners of National Education to make special provision for these teachers in the salary rules which at present are under consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Commissioners of National Education made application to the Treasury for a grant for the purpose of making the salaries of those teachers who were undergoing a two years course in the training colleges when the new rules of 1900 came into operation more in accordance with what they would have been did the old rules which induced those teachers to enter their profession still hold; and, if so, has the application been favourably considered, and if it has been rejected will he say on what grounds.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Cavan Urban Council drawing attention to the fact that the grant for Irish primary education is less by £578,905 than the grant provided for Scotland; as the number of pupils in the two countries attending primary schools is practically the same, will he explain why there is such a difference in the treatment; and whether he will at once take steps to secure fair treatment in respect of the grant for primary education in Ireland.

†Sec (4) Debates, clv., 18,1315.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that eviction notices have recently been served on a number of tenants on the Shirley estate, Carrickmacross, county Monaghan; whether he is aware that negotiations for the purchase of their holdings by the tenants are proceeding; will he say whether the tenants on whom the notices of eviction have been served are willing to buy on terms fixed by the official inspector employed by the Estates Commissioners; whether he will disclose the main facts connected with the negotiations for sale and purchase as between Mr. Fottrell, who has carriage of the matter, on behalf of the trustees and the Estates Commissioners; whether he is aware that the trustees are trying to sell the estate in portions and on different terms; and whether, seeing that such a method of proceeding is contrary to the spirit of the Act of 1903, he will instruct the Estates Commissioners to refuse to advance the money necessary for such a piecemeal sale; whether he will ask the Estates Commissioners to use their powers to bring the matter to a successful conclusion on terms fair to both parties; and whether he will take such action as may be necessary to preserve the peace of the locality if the measures now threatened by the trustees are carried out.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement in his former holding from W. O'Brien, of Ardcanaght, Keel, county Kerry; and, if so, what steps have been taken to arrange with the present occupant.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how-many firms in the United-Kingdom are able to make the gun mountings for the twelve-inch guns.

Two, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the consequences of any abandonment of the coastguard stations of Great Britain on a large scale, and especially the difficulty of maintaining the various organisations for the saving of life from shipwreck in the event of the coastguards being withdrawn, he will undertake that no further reductions or abandonments of stations shall be made until this House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter.

I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the telephonic communications established round the coasts of the British Isles for the purpose of saving life from shipwreck are worked entirely, or almost entirely, by His Majesty's coastguard, and that some portions of this system of coast communication have already been relinquished in consequence of the abandonment of certain coastguard stations, he can undertake that no further action shall be taken by the Admiralty in the direction of reduction of the coastguard until opportunity for discussion in this House has been given.

No further orders for closing of coastguard stations will be issued before the Estimates are introduced next year, as the whole subject is being considered by an Inter-departmental Committee.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that there had been very serious inconvenience, especially on the coast of Northumberland, in carrying out the arrangements for saving life.

said he would be glad if his hon. and gallant friend would let him have any information in his possession on the subject.

:inquired if during last year there were no fewer than 300 launches of the lifeboats made by the coastguard in cases of emergency.

Notice should be given of such a Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, pending the provision of reliable ammunition and its shipment abroad, any of our stations abroad in the case of unforeseen hostilities would, at the present moment, have to depend on a limited war reserve of ·303-inch small-arm ammunition, which, owing to its age or other causes, can no longer be regarded as reliable, and moreover is not packed in chargers.

The war reserve of ·303-inch small-arm ammunition abroad is in all cases maintained at the figure which is considered requisite to meet the military requirements of each station. As regards the reliability of this ammunition, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply the Secretary of State gave him on the 6th instant.†Charger-packed ammunition is only required at stations where the troops have the short rifle; the issue of this kind of ammunition is proceeding pari passu with that of the short rifle.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the War Office has given a contract to America to supply the British Army with about 10,000,000 lbs. of corned beef; and, if so, whether, after the recent disclosures of American meat packing methods, he will say what steps have been taken to avoid risk to the health of British soldiers by supplying them with food from this source.

No contract has been placed for the quantity referred to. The balance of preserved meat due under a contract made in the early part of this year, namely, about 1,000,000 lbs., has yet to be delivered from America. An officer has been sent to America to watch the process of manufacture. Owing to the stringent regulations issued by the American Government which came into force on 1st October last, it is not anticipated that there will be the slightest risk to the health of soldiers by supplies of food from this source.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the condition of some of His Majesty's Indian subjects who have landed in British Columbia, and have neither food, shelter, nor suitable clothing to withstand the rigours of the winter, and cannot find employment; and whether he will take steps to discourage the immigration of Indian natives to Canada unless suitable work can be ensured for them, seeing that they are constitutionally unfit to stand the severity of the Canadian winter.

As stated yesterday, the Secretary of State's attention has been called to this matter, and he has asked the Government of India to

†Sec (4) Debates, clxvi.,1170–71.

take steps to discourage further emigration to Canada.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any system of registration of smallpox cases exists in India and any system of registration of vaccination from which it can be readily ascertained by investigators whether persons suffering from smallpox have been vaccinated or not.

There is a system of registration of vaccinations performed throughout India. There is no such general system in respect of cases of smallpox, but there is a legal obligation to report cases occurring in most of the larger towns.

Has the Royal Commission not been told that vaccination in this case is absolutely useless?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Surgeon-General to the Government of Bombay, in his instructions to vaccinators, orders that vaccination shall be made with four crosses on each shoulder; that calves, lanced at every inch all over the body, are wheeled in a hand truck from station to station about the city of Bombay, so that children may be vaccinated direct from the calf; and that this system produces violent inflammation, which sometimes causes death; whether the lymph with which the calves are originally vaccinated comes from London; and whether these practices rule in other Presidencies in India.

The Secretary of State has not seen the instructions referred to, and he has no report as to improper treatment of the calves employed. Fresh calf lymph is used in a largo but decreasing number of the vaccinations performed in Bombay City, and the percentage of success in primary vaccinations with this lymph is very high indeed; no deaths from this cause have been reported. Glycerinated lymph has on some occasions been procured from England, and has been tried on calves with excellent results. In Bombay, as in other provinces of India, rapid progress has been made towards the substitution of preserved vaccine, prepared by moans of chloroform, for the fresh lymph.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India it he has any official information to the effect that ton prisoners out of twenty-four inoculated with cholera virus for experimental purposes, in Manila, died, and that the experimenters explain that the virus was contaminated with bubonic plague; and whether any precautions have been taken in India to make sure that the virus used for vaccination in that dependency is free from bubonic plague germs; and, if so, will he describe them.

The preserved vaccine, which is now used largely for vaccination in all parts of India, is prepared in a strictly scientific manner at special depots, and I am advised that the possibility of its contamination by plague in course of its preparation is excluded. In provinces where arm to arm vaccination is still practised, great care is taken in the selection of the persons from whom the lymph is taken.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary of State will, in the exercise of his general control and supervision over the conduct of the business of the Crown Agents, consider whether greater efficiency would ensue if the present system, under which appointments to the staff of the Crown Agents' Office are made by nomination and without an examination of any kind, were replaced by a system under which candidates were required to enter for a competitive examination in open competition.

It is obviously desirable that appointments to Government services should be made either by competitive examination or by selection after standard ex- amination. The Secretary of State will consider whether such a reform can be conveniently effected in the system of appointment to the staff of the Crown Agents' Office. But the questions connected with such a change are complex, and no decision can be taken upon them at present; and the Secretary of State must not be taken as admitting that there is any lack of efficiency.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the funds available for the maintenance of the Crown Agents' Office are drawn in part from Protectorates which are largely financed by grants-in-aid from the Treasury, he will arrange that this House shall not again, until it has a practical and efficacious right of control, be asked to sanction expenditure which will go in part towards the maintenance of the Crown Agents' Office.

The system under which the Crown Agents transact business provides for a complete audit of the accounts of grants-in-aid colonies by the Comptroller and Auditor-General as well as for the observance of all the checks by which the Secretary of State exercises control over the Crown Agents. If the House does not regard this control as practical and efficacious expression will no doubt be given to its opinion upon some convenient opportunity.

Can the hon. Gentleman quote any other cases where grants of public money are made without the corresponding right of control?

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the consulting engineers to the Crown Agents have anything to gain by recommending the construction of railways; whether they, or their representatives, are employed and receive remuneration for their services in connection with the construction of railways which have been undertaken upon their recommendation; and, if so, what has been the amount of their remuneration from this source during the last ten years, how is it assessed, and from what fund or funds has it been paid.

The consulting engineers employed on behalf of the Crown Colony and Protectorate Governments advise only on such schemes as are referred for their advice by the Colonial Governments with the sanction of the Secretary of State. They do not recommend schemes in any other sense than that they state the merits or demerits of any project upon which they are called upon to advise, from an engineering point of view. Should the Secretary of State decide that any scheme shall be carried out, after the consulting engineers have advised, their further advice is, if advice is necessary, utilised in connection with its execution. The course followed is the ordinary practice whenever professional advice in any branch is sought either by Governments or by private individuals. How far it may be possible or expedient to furnish a Return of the nature desired requires further consideration.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the condition of the immigrant Hindoos who have landed in British Columbia, and have neither food, shelter, nor suitable clothing to withstand the rigours of the winter, and are without employment; and whether he will facilitate any steps taken to remedy the condition of these natives; and if he can state their numbers.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave yesterday to the Question of the hon. Member for the Montgomery Boroughs on this subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman say who is responsible for enticing these Indians to go to so unsuitable a country?

No, Sir.

How many are there of them?

Two thousand. I think the Canadian Government are fully alive to the situation.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether thirty-six mines on the Witwatersrand employ about 53,000 Chinamen, 17,000 natives, 8,300 whites, and that, therefore, about 6,200 whites at least are directly dependent on the retention of Chinese labour, and will be thrown out of work when these Chinamen are repatriated.

The official monthly statistics do not give the numbers employed on various mines, but I have no doubt my hon. friend's figures are substantially correct. The general bearing of the Chinese labour experiment upon the interests of white labour in the Transvaal is not a subject which can be conveniently dealt with in answer to a Question. The views of His Majesty's Government have often been explained; and I should be ready to repeat them if desired on any suitable occasion.

asked if the Robinson Group might not employ a far larger number of white miners if they were allowed to recruit Kaffirs, and whether the very same mineowners referred to in the Question of the hon. Member for Banbury were not pressing the Portuguese authorities to refuse the Robinson Group facilities for recruiting Kaffirs?

said it was no doubt true that the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association and the Chamber of Mines did object to the increased facilities for recruiting native labour in Portuguese territory, which the Government believed would very probably result in supplying any deficiency in the labour supply to the mines which the absence of Chinese might create.

asked whether it was not the fact that Mr. Robinson had surrendered his right to 3,000 Chinese coolies because he preferred to employ white men.

was understood to say that that was so, and that a beginning had already been made in spite of many delays with the employment of white labour on one of the Robinson mines.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in regard to the rumoured negotiations for the removal of a body of native prisoners from Natal to the Transvaal, he can state under what law and by what authority it is possible to transport natives from Natal to the Transvaal; and, in the event of such natives being so transported, under what law and by what authority they can be detained in the latter Colony against their will; and whether, in previous cases, such as the detention of the Natal Native Chief Langolibalele in the Cape Colony, special legislation had to be resorted to to which the assent of the Crown was necessary.

The necessary legislative authority is given by the Natal Act No. 15 of 1905, and the Transvaal Ordinance No. 36 of 1904. Special legislation was passed in the case of Langolibalele and in some other cases which, in view of the provisions of the above Ordinances, is not required in the present instance.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the approximate cost of suppressing the native rising in Natal; and whether any portion whatever of that cost will be defrayed out of Imperial funds.

The approximate cost is £700,000, all of which will be borne by Natal, not by Imperial, funds.

asked if this included the cost of the regiment at Pieter-maritzburg.

said he understood the extra cost was, but he could not say that the ordinary annual cost was or ought to be charged against South Africa.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Natal Chief Tilonko was on the 30th July tried by a Court constituted of military officers of a Colonial corps set up by the Governor of Natal and the Commandant of Militia under martial law on a charge of sedition, and was convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour and to a fine of 500 head of cattle; whether he is aware that the persons constituting this Court were indemnified and the proceedings of the Court, which was held with closed doors, were rendered valid by anticipation by an Indemnity Act previously passed by the Parliament of Natal, which was itself dissolved before the trial began, and whether, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the unreliable character of the evidence for the prosecution, and the severity of the sentence which has now been endured by Tilonko for several months, the Secretary of State for the Colonies will consider the propriety of advising that in this case the prerogative of pardon may be exorcised by the Crown.

In this case the Governor acted on the advice of his responsible Ministers, and the Secretary of State does not think that he would be justified in over-ruling him in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under such conditions.

asked whether, without over-ruling the discretion of the Governor, some representations would be made with regard to the prerogative of mercy.

said he would be very glad to see some modification of the sentence, but he could make no official statement.

thanked the hon. Gentleman for his sympathy, in which he hoped other chiefs sentenced with Tilonko would be included.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies can he state what was the proportion of first-grade butter to the total exported when grading was first instituted in New Zealand, and what is the proportion in the present year according to the latest information; and can he state what is the difference in the price of first-grade New Zealand butter now and that current when grading was instituted.

Compulsory grading was instituted by the Dairy Industry Act of 1894. The first year for which full statistics are available is that ended 31st March, 1896, when the percentage of first-grade creamery butter was 93 per cent., while that for the year ended 31st March, 1906, was 97·85 per cent. In regard to the difference in price as between these years, no precise figures can be quoted as a guide, as values fluctuate from year to year according to the general state of the market irrespective of influences such as grading. It may be stated in general, however, that New Zealand butter, since the institution of grading, has attained a higher standard of value represented by many shillings per cwt.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will convoy the information to the Irish Department of Agriculture.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what the cost is per hundredweight of grading butter in New Zealand: and what is the proportion borne by the producer and the New Zealand Government respectively.

The cost of grading butter in New Zealand by the Government of that Colony is stated to be approximately 1½d. per cwt. The whole of such cost is borne by the Government. The figure named does not include the cost of cold storage and freezing at the grading depots at the ports of shipment. Practically the whole of such cold storage charges are now borne by the producer or shipper, and are considered as pertaining in greater degree to the business of oversea export than to the official grading system of the Colony.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the total cost?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proposed judicial reforms in Macedonia are to be prepared, presented to the Porte, and applied by Austria and Russia, to the exclusion of Great Britain and the other Powers.

No proposals for the introduction of judicial reforms in Macedonia have yet been put forward. Whenever a definite scheme is proposed, the question of the best method of applying it will be carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, who appreciate the importance which attaches to the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have promised their full support to a plan for summoning an international conference to consider the situation in the Congo Free State; and whether His Majesty's Government will, in conjunction with the United States, take any steps in this direction.

the plan of summoning an international conference has not specifically been mentioned. But the United States Government have recently intimated their desire to contribute to the realisation of whatever reforms may be counselled by sentiments of humanity, and by the experience of past or present administration in the Congo State. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, such an announcement is most cordially welcomed by His Majesty's. Government. But, pending the decision to which Belgium may soon come, it is unnecessary to make any further statement at the moment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Bill is now before the Portuguese Cortes under which it is proposed to grant exclusive rights to a German syndicate to build hotels and sanatoria in the island of Madeira during a period of thirty years, to import furniture and material free of duty, and to build and run casinos and gambling rooms in connection with the said hotels; whether he is aware that the import duties in Madeira average from 50 per cent. to 80 per cent. ad valorem; that the Portuguese Government has frequently promised equal treatment for British subjects with the subjects of other Powers; and, seeing that the granting of the exclusive rights and privileges above referred to would constitute a breach of these pledges, and expose British subjects long established in Madeira to ruinous competition and loss, whether His Majesty's Government will make such representations as seem necessary on the subject to the Portuguese Government.

According to the information in my possession, no Bill such as that alluded to by the hon. Member has yet been brought before the Portuguese Chamber. I am aware that the Portuguese import duties are high. His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that any legislation is contemplated which would be contrary to the satisfactory assurances which have already been received from the Portuguese Government with regard to the protection of British interests and property in the island of Madeira from unfair competition.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income-tax was paid by the London County Council on its tramway profits for the year 1905–6; and what was the amount of profit on those tramways on which tax was paid.

The information cannot be given without breach of the injunction to secrecy in respect of profits under Schedule D.

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

Yes, Sir. I have now had the opportunity of making inquiries into this ease, and as the result I am consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions as to whether further proceedings against the defendant should not be taken.

Is it not the fact that Lieutenant Paton says that his car was not travelling twenty miles an hour?

The case is under consideration. I can make no statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Jane Isabella Sharpies was sentenced at the City Police Court, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 29th October, 1904, to be detained in a home until she was sixteen years of age, and that, although she attained that age on the 5th August last, she has not yet been released from the home at Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire, to which she was sent, the officials of the home stating, in reply to the mother's protestations, that they intend to keep possession of the child until she is eighteen years old; and whether he will order the instant release of this child and cause immediate inquiry to be made into the conduct of the officials concerned.

This girl was found to be living with prostitutes. At the same time as she was committed her mother was, I am informed, sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour for keeping a disorderly house. The girl was not committed to an industrial school, but was dealt with under Section 9 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904, and I have no jurisdiction in the matter. As she is over sixteen she is a free agent. I have, however, communicated with the authorities of the home, and I am informed that she remains there entirely of her own free will and that the officials have not stated that they intend to keep her until she is eighteen.

What was the order of the Court in this case?

I cannot say at the moment. I have given the hon. Member the facts, and I am not inclined to interfere in the case.

Was not the order of the Court to hand the girl over to the Court missionary and not to send her to an industrial school?

Notice should be given.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will endeavour to see that persons who, deliberately breaking the statutory law, happen to commit homicide, receive some punishment as a deterrent.

Anyone is liable to conviction who, as the result of an unlawful act, accidentally commits homicide; but it is for the magistrates to decide whether the evidence in any particular case is sufficient to warrant committal for trial; and if the accused is committed, it rests with the jury to decide whether he is guilty.

:I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the direction of the coroner to the jury at Blackpool, with reference to Clause 9 of The Motor Act, 1903, which enacts that a person shall not under any circumstances drive a motor car on a public highway at a speed exceeding twenty mile per hour, in stating to the jury that if it were done early in the morning when few people are stirring, or in a place which might be unfrequented, the act would be excusable if. ordinary precaution were used, and that it did not matter the time of day, as that was only another way of saying when there was no traffic about; and what action he proposes to take with reference to this coroner.

I am informed by the coroner that the words quoted had reference to Section 1 of the Act (which relates to driving recklessly or at a speed dangerous to the public) and not to Section 9 which fixes a maximum rate of speed. The coroner did not say any thing to imply that a car might be driven anywhere or under any circum stances at a speed exceeding twenty miles an hour. On the contrary, he expressly stated that the driver had no right to drive down the road where the accident occurred at a speed of twenty miles an hour.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount produced by the Metropolitan police rate for the years 1905 and 1906.

The sums received in the years 1905 and 1906 in respect of the proceeds of the police rate of 5d. in the £ levied on the parishes in the Metropolitan Police District were respectively £1,044,941 10s. 1d. and £1,077,548 15s. 8d.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what facilities are afforded by the police to a man arrested in a public street for any offence to obtain witnesses from the bystanders who have been present during the time of the alleged offence.

It is open to any bystander to proceed to the police station or police court in order to tender his testimony, and no obstacle would be placed in the way of the prisoner asking any bystander to do so. A person under detention at a police station is afforded all possible facilities for communicating with his friends or his solicitor.

Are we to understand that a man arrested will be allowed to ask bystanders for their names and addresses?

I was asked a general Question and I have given the best answer I can.

But a definite instruction from the Home Secretary might be useful.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the growing practice amongst a certain section of the Press, of publishing articles minutely descriptive of the methods practised in certain forms of crime, such as coining and house-breaking; whether he has official information showing that such articles are an incentive to imitation, and thus directly productive of an increase in the crime of the country; and whether there are no means by which the abuse may be checked.

The attention of the Home Office has more than once been drawn by Judges and others to the mischief done by such articles as are mentioned in the Question. One of the worst of these articles was withdrawn from circulation some years ago, but the evil it did survives, and quite recently a case occurred where it had led to the commission of crime. I entirely concur with what my predecessor said in this House on 1st August, 1904; and, if necessity arises, I shall be prepared to ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to take action. If it is found that the law requires to be strengthened, I am confident that I should receive the support of the House in legislation for its amendment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a letter written from the Colonial Office by the hon. Member for North-west Manchester, advocating a reduction in the amount of the naturalisation fee at present charged as a condition upon which an alien resident in this country may obtain the privileges of British citizenship; whether this letter was written with the Home Secretary's approval or knowledge; whether the matter is one within the competence of the Colonial Office to decide; and whether the Government intend to lower the fee.

Yes, Sir, my attention has been drawn to the letter referred to. The subject of it, as my right hon. friend knows, is under the jurisdiction of the Home Office, and it is one on which my hon. friend the Member for North-west Manchester is perfectly entitled to express his private opinion. The question as to whether or not the naturalisation fee should be lowered has not as yet been under my consideration. I may, however, observe that in considering applications for naturalisation I attach more importance to the careful inquiries which are made into the personal qualifications and fitness of the applicant than to the amount of the fee.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the rank and qualification of a constable in charge of a police station, and, if any, what instructions are given to him; and what power is placed in his hands of retaining or dismissing a prisoner who is brought into the station.

The rank of the officer depends on the local circumstances. In all the more important stations he is an inspector; in minor stations a sergeant. The qualifications of the officers appointed to this post are ascertained from their record of service, and tested by departmental examination. It would be impossible within the compass of a Question to discuss the powers of the station officer, and the instructions given him; but I may refer the hon. Member specially to Section 69 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, and to Section 38 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will give the names of the various distress committees to which money has been granted, and the amount that has been granted to each of the said committees.

The total amount distributed in England and Wales out of the grant up to the present time is £29,450. I will send my hon. friend a statement as to the particulars of the payments.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the value of pigs seized and destroyed weekly in Birmingham for tuberculosis has been estimated at £100, and that it has been admitted by the town clerk of Birmingham that the approximate value of pigs destroyed each week for the four weeks ending 17th November was £31 18s.; and whether he will take steps to have those dealers recompensed whose pigs have been destroyed in the interest of the public.

I am not aware of any authority for the estimate referred to, and its accuracy is denied by the town clerk on behalf of the town council. The approximate value given by the town clerk of the carcases and portions condemned during each of the four weeks ending 17th November is as stated in the Question, but I am informed that the number of pigs slaughtered during this period is considerably above the average of the year. I have no authority to cause the dealers to be recompensed us suggested.

Why are not the owners in Birmingham compensated as they are elsewhere—inGermany for instance? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the pigs slaughtered have passed the Government inspectors; at the port of embarkation? What are the special qualifications of the Birmingham inspectors for the work?

I have no doubt as to their qualifications. It would be quite possible for an animal inspected at the port of embarkation to develop disease subsequently.

What becomes of the condemned pigs?

I hope by means of the Bill I have before the House to ensure that no pigs are sold which are not fit for human consumption.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny the justice of compensating poor, dealing men, whose pigs have been seized and destroyed in the interest of the public?

:I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any communication from the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland with reference to trials they propose inaugurating for ascertaining the most effective devices, in compliance with the regulations of the Local Government Board and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, for preventing side-slip and skidding by motor omnibuses; and whether he can see his way to appoint a representative to watch the trials in the interests of the public.

I have received a communication to this effect, and have accepted the invitation to send an officer of the Local Government Board to watch the proceedings for testing the capacity of any devices that may be submitted for competition.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that the post office at Hatherleigh, Devon, has recently been moved into a building occupied by a political club; that the postmaster is an official of the said club, and that there is direct communication between the premises of the club and the post office, and that the postmaster is authorised to deal in liquor; and whether he will endeavour to find other premises for this, post office.

This Question has necessitated local inquiry which is now being made. I will give the hon. Member an Answer as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, during the two years ending July, 1906, 80,000 now Post Office hampers, of the average value of £1 per hamper, were, at the instance of the Postal Department, burned by the contractors, who were paid £1 per 100 for destroying them; whether the only reason for destroying these hampers at the public expense was that the Department had decided to adopt another kind; and whether some of these hampers are still being burned by a South London firm of contractors who are being paid by the Post Office for destroying them.

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The baskets to which he refers were not now, but upwards of eleven years old; the number destroyed was about 3,000 not 80,000. They were heavy baskets of an obsolete pattern; and as it was found that an economy would be effected by replacing them, even though not quite worn out, by a much lighter receptacle, it was decided after full consideration to withdraw them from use. If they had been sold they would have realised only a very low price; and as it was not considered desirable, being a Post Office pattern, that they should be used for ordinary purposes, there was no alternative but to destroy them.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the case of Miss James, a pupil teacher studying at the Thoresby High School, Leeds, who applied for admission to the Ladies Training College, Cheltenham, and whose application was refused, has been submitted to him by the Leeds Education Authority for inquiry; whether such inquiry has been made; and, if so, with what results.

The Answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Owing to present circumstances I have not yet had time to make inquiry into the case. The matter seems to me to be of such a nature as to necessitate a most careful inquiry and not merely cursory investigation. It is for this reason that I prefer to postpone my inquiry for a short time in order that it may be done thoroughly, and with full consideration of the somewhat wide issues of principle which it will of necessity raise in regard to our whole training college system. The hon. Member may rest assured that the case will not be let slip, and that my delay, so far from implying indifference to it, is on the contrary due to my serious concern in regard to the principles involved.

Shall I repeat the Question in a week's time?

The Education Office at the present moment is very heavily worked. I will communicate with the hon. Member at the earliest possible opportunity.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will issue a statement explaining the principles on which the £1,000,000 to be granted under the Education Bill is to be allocated to the education authorities.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave on this matter on 26th April and 9th July.†The latter reply also gave the reasons why we cannot at present come to any definite conclusion on the matter. I should perhaps add that the grant of £1,000,000 was made contingent upon the passing of the Government Education Bill.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the resolution recently passed by the National Sheep Breeders' Association,

†See (4) Debates, clvi., 28; clx., 493–4.

urging the Government to put into force at once an universal order throughout the whole of Great Britain for the compulsory dipping of sheep; whether he is aware that the outbreaks of sheep scab are now in excess of the outbreaks at the same season last year; and whether the Board will now proceed to carry into effect an universal sheep-dipping order in accordance with the wish of the main body of sheep breeders in the country.

we have received the resolution referred to, but the proposals made would involve a system of penalties on the owner of diseased sheep. This would require legislation and the Board do not consider the necessity of such a measure has been established. It is true that the number of cases of the disease during the two weeks ended 1st December was greater than during the same period last year, but this temporary increase has not been maintained, and for the year as a whole the outbreaks have been reduced by nearly one-half. The Board are now considering the question of extending the requirement of compulsory dipping universally.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the danger to the fruit-growers of Great Britain in consequence of the outbreaks of American gooseberry mildew in this country, a danger admitted by the Board in the circular just issued by the Department, he will undertake at the earliest possible date to introduce legislation giving power to the Board, both to prohibit the importation of gooseberry bushes into Great Britain, and also to deal effectively within the country with infected stocks and insect pests, on the lines of the Destructive Insects Act, 1877.

Full inquiry is being made as to the necessity and practicability of legislation in the direction suggested by the hon. Member, but until we are in possession of further information as to the characteristics and past history of the disease, and the nature and extent of the trade with which it is proposed to deal, it is not possible for us to enter into any definite undertaking on the subject. We fully appreciate, however, the importance of taking any action which may be decided upon as speedily as possible.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware of a number of recent cases of sheep scab in various districts in the south of England, which have been traced to sheep purchased at some of the larger sheep fairs; and whether, for the protection of purchasers, he can see his way to appoint an inspector at the principal sheep fairs in England.

If my hon. friend would be good enough to give me rather more specific information as to the locality of the outbreaks to which he refers, the Board will be glad to cause fall inquiry to be made into their origin. The administration of the orders relating to sheep scab rests, however, with the local authorities, and the appointment of an inspector to attend fairs would be a matter for their decision.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the train service at Castletownroche, on the line of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company; if he is aware that no train stops at this station, in connection with any train north of Mallow, after 2.18 p.m.; that passengers leaving Dublin by any train later than 9.15 a.m. cannot reach Castletownroche the same night by rail; and if he will make representations upon the matter to the company concerned, in order that the requirements of the people of this and surrounding districts may be adequately provided for.

The Board of Trade have been in communication with the railway company concerned. They admit that the facts are as stated in regard to through trains, but state that further facilities for long distance passenger traffic could not be given without extra expense which the amount of the traffic would not warrant. The company add that there is a good local service.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the breaches made by the gales of last winter in the Humber bank, thereby flooding the low lands of Kilnsea and Easington; whether he is aware that nothing has been done to repair these breaches and that the Treasury have repudiated their obligation after maintaining them for over fifty years; and what steps he proposes to take in the event of this winter's storm sweeping through the bank and affecting the navigable channels of the Humber, thereby causing silting and injury to the approaches to the city of Hull and the port of Grimsby, and also endangering the anchorage for shelter of His Majesty's Navy and the mercantile marine.

The Board of Trade have received reports as to the damage done by the gales of last winter to the sea banks of Kilnsea and Easington Levels, whereby a considerable extent of low lands became flooded, and I under-stand that it is the case that the breaches in the banks have not since been repaired. These banks have always been maintained by the local Commission of Sewers at the expense of the owners of the lands requiring protection, and not by His Majesty's Government. The Board of Trade are advised that there is no reason to anticipate that the navigable depth of the Humber would be affected to any appreciable extent by the passage of water across the low lands in question.

asked if it were not the fact that every extra high tide of the sea sweeps through the breaches. Would the Government not reconsider their determination to refuse assistance for remaking the bank.

The Board of Trade sent down an eminent engineer, and the Royal Commission on Sea Erosion has also taken evidence on the matter.

But does the hon. Gentleman realise that before the Royal Commission can report the damage done may be irreparable?

I have had many representations to that effect from the hon. Gentleman.

Have not the Government for fifty years maintained a portion of the bank?

Yes, in connection with the Spurn lighthouse.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case in which four kegs of butter consigned from Limerick to Messrs. White & Symon of Maldon on 6th November were not delivered until 19th November; and what action, if any, the Board of Trade proposes to take in the matter. The hon. Member had given notice of the following Question also:—To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case in which three boxes of butter were consigned to Morgan Hicks, Parth, South Wales, from Limerick on 26th November, and not delivered on 4th December; is he aware of the fact that those complaints in regard to Irish produce are general; and can he say what steps will be taken to insure punctual delivery.

I will cause inquiry to be made into the matters referred to in these Questions, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the number of companies which do not comply with the statutory requirements as to the holding of annual meetings; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to secure the observance of the law.

Yes, Sir, the question referred to has engaged the attention of the Department and will be dealt with in the Companies Bill which my right hon. friend hopes to be able to introduce next session.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury have repudiated their liability to maintain the Spurn Breakwater at the mouth of the Humber; whether he is aware that the breaches in the banks made by the storms of last winter near Kilnsea have been entirely neglected; will he say what has been the amount annually contributed for the purpose of maintaining the Spurn during the last twenty years; what is the acreage of land reclaimed from the Humber (including Sunk Island), and what is the annual amount of rent paid into the Exchequer from such land; and whether in the event of the Humber Conservancy being willing to accept the obligation of the Treasury respecting the maintenance of the Spurn, he will transfer to them the income arising from these lands, such money to be expended in maintaining the Spurn and the Humber generally.

I have been asked by my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to the Question addressed to him by the hon. Member. The Treasury have neither repudiated nor admitted liability for the maintenance of the Spurn towards which a sum of £1,200 has been voted by Parliament for many years past. The area of land reclaimed at Sunk Island is estimated at about 5,000 acres. That reclamation has been effected partly by nature and to a great extent by works carried out at the expense of the Crown or its tenants. The gross rental of Crown property on Sunk Island is £10,000. The suggestion that such income should be transferred to the Humber Conservancy on their undertaking the maintenance of the Spurn cannot be entertained.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the circumstances under which six new licences were recently granted by the Clydebank Bench, several of the applicants already holding one or more licences; whether be is aware that no vote was taken by the Bench when the licences were granted; and whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter.

No information on the subject referred to by my hon. friend has reached me.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that magistrates at petty sessions in Ireland I are empowered to sentence to terms of imprisonment of not more than one month, on summary conviction, persons brought before them and that such sentences may be accompanied with hard labour; that from these sentences the prisoner has no power of appeal, and that an increase of sentence to admit of the lodging of appeal is not uncommonly refused by magistrates, and that such refusal has been frequently the subject of severe comment by County Court Judges and Judges of the High Court; and; having regard to the fact that in England there is in every case a power of appeal from the decision of magistrates, and that the senior Member for London on the 17th May, 1887, when the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Bill was passing through Committee, gave a pledge, which was not observed, that in all cases under that Act there should be an appeal, he will consider the advisability, with a view of assimilating the English and Irish criminal law, of advising the Government to introduce a measure providing that in Ireland in all cases there should be a power of appeal from the decision of magistrates at petty session.

The right of appeal from an order of imprisonment by a Court of summary jurisdiction in Ireland is, as stated in the Question, confined to sentences exceeding one month in duration. Magistrates are sometimes asked by the persons convicted to increase lesser sentences with a view to allowing an appeal, and in some cases they have refused to do so. As the hon. Member is aware, during the course of this session an Amendment to the Street Betting Bill was adopted by the House, extending this right of appeal in Ireland in the case of offences which will be created by that Bill if it becomes an Act. Personally, I see no objection to a more general extension of the right of appeal, and it is prima facie desirable to assimilate the criminal law in England and Ireland in this and in many other respects. These are matters, however, upon which I can give no pledge on behalf of the Government.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether the programme of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland for the period after 1907 is expressed to be the programme for any particular year or years; if not, for how long will such programme continue in force; and whether there will be power to alter it every year as may be found necessary.

The programme of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland for the period after 1907 is not expressed to be the programme for any particular year or years. It will continue in force until altered by the Commissioners. There is power to alter it at any time as may be found necessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any and, if so, what stops have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to secure the reinstatement of Patrick Sullivan, an evicted tenant on the Burns Hartopp estate, now living in Cahirciveen, whose case has been inquired into recently by one of their inspectors.

the Estates Commissioners imform me that their inspector has recently inquired into and reported upon the application for reinstatement which was made by Patrick Sullivan, an evicted tenant from the Burns Hartopp estate. The Commissioners will take the inspector's report into consideration as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been specially drawn to the condition of the people in the union of Swinford due to the failure of the potato crop in that union; and whether he will consider the desirability of placing a sum of money at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board for the purpose of carrying out drainage and other much needed works in that union during the coming spring.

The Reports which I have received indicate that there has been a partial failure of the potato crop in the Swinford Union, but that other crops have been good, and that good prices for live stock prevail. It is not anticipated that any exceptional distress is likely to exist in the union for some time to come, but the condition of the people will continue to be carefully watched. The Congested Districts Board hold that they cannot undertake works for the relief of temporary or exceptional distress. Their power to execute improvement works is confined to estates which have been purchased by and vested in them. The Board are alive to the importance of carrying out any works they can carry out in the places and at the times most likely to be helpful for the relief of distress.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Dr. R. Bird's estate at Kilcrohane, Bantry, county Cork, was vested in the Congested Districts Board; and, if, so, whether striping and rearrangement of holdings will be immediately carried out so as to enable the tenants to earn money and thereby prevent their suffering from the partial failure of the potato crop.

I am informed that the estate in question was vested in the Congested Districts Board on 25th October last, and that the Board are now proceeding with improvement works on the estate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the enumeration of agricultural statistics in Ireland is deficient in that it does not contain tables of average and comparative prices of agricultural produce from different parts of the country; and will he direct that this omission be remedied next year.

Information as to the average and comparative prices of agricultural produce in different parts of Ireland is published in the annual Returns of prices of crops, live stock, and other products, which is issued by the Department of Agriculture and presented to Parliament. The Department do not consider it desirable that this Return should be incorporated in the agricultural statistics.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any representation has reached the Land Commission from county Longford farmers, on the subject of recent rent reductions in that county; whether he is aware that in nearly all the cases heard recently the highest reduction given did not exceed 15 per cent.; and can he undertake to make representations to the Commissioners upon this subject.

The Land Commission inform mo that they cannot find that any representations from county Longford farmers have reached them on the subject of recent rent reductions in that county. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question yesterday, the Land Commission conceive that they ought not to discuss, in answer to Questions in this House, the result of judicial proceedings for the fixing of rent. If either of the parties to a particular case is dissatisfied with the decision, he has the right of appeal as provided by statute. I have no power to interfere with the procedure for rent fixing which Parliament has left to the Land Commission.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a copy of a resolution passed recently at a public meeting held in Ballinamore, county Leitrim, protesting against the closing of four flag stations on the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway to passenger and goods traffic; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, and have informed the chairman of the meeting that the Irish Government have no authority to interfere with the action of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company in the matter complained of, but that it appears to be open to the ratepayers, under Section 47 of the Cavan, Leitrim, and Roscommon Light Railways Order, 1884, to make representations to the Board of Trade in respect of any alleged default on the part of the railway company in the working of the line.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will submit to this House the names of all persons who are candidates for inspector, ships under The Labourers (Ireland) Act 1906, before any appointments are made.'

No, Sir; it would be an unprecedented and most inconvenient course to submit to this House the names of candidates for any offices in the gift of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that over 200 tenants on the estates of R.G. Young, Esq., Culdaff, county Donegal, signed agreements to purchase their holdings under the Land Act of 1903 in March, 1904;that the estate was inspected in August, 1904, and all the queries raised by the inspector satisfactorily discharged; whether, seeing that the tenants have since paid punctually interest at the rate of 3½ per cent. on the purchase money, he will say what is the reason for the delay in vesting the holdings in the tenants, by which the amounts of the hall-yearly payments would be reduced; whether the Commissioners have received letters from the tenants complaining of the delay; and, if so, why they have not replied to them.

The Estates Commissioners inform mo that the estate in question was first inspected in August, 1904, but having regard to the fact that a considerable number of the tenants had refused to sign purchase agreements, and that part of the estate was congested, the Commissioners decided to deal with the estate in two portions, one of which was to be sold to the tenants by direct sale (Section 1) and the other to be sold to the Commissioners under Section 6. With the object of making an offer to the vendor for the latter portion, the Commissioners instructed another inspector to visit this portion of the property and also to report on certain holdings included in the direct sale which were described as judicial holdings. On consideration of the second report the Commissioners decided to visit the estate personally and suspend the completion of the sale until they should have an opportunity of doing so. Owing to the demands upon the time of the Commissioners, which made it difficult for them to leave Dublin, some time elapsed before this visit could be made. As a result of their visit the Commissioners have decided that a further report must be made before the advances applied for could be made. The inspector to whom the estate has been referred has met with an accident and will not be able to visit the estate until January, and until his Report has been received no further action can be taken. Letters have been received from several tenants on the estate and will be dealt with when the Commissioners have received the further Report.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. George Hewson, J.P., estate agent, Dromahair, is a candidate for the position of inspector under The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906; and, seeing that the Local Government Board are aware that Mr. Hewson's appointment would be unpopular in the county of Leitrim, whether he will consider the advisability of appointing some other person.

I have no information as to whether the gentleman named is likely to be a candidate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inspectors of the Estates Commissioners have completed their investigation of the position of the evicted tenants in county Clare; and what steps are to be taken for their reinstatement into their holdings.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received 200 applications for reinstatement from evicted tenants in county Clare. The Commissioners have obtained reports from their inspectors on 156 of these cases. In thirty-four cases the prices which the Commissioners will be prepared to advance for the purchase of the holdings, which are in the owners' possession, have been communicated to the owners, and have been accepted in thirty of these cases. In fifty-one cases the Commissioners have decided, for various reasons, to take no action. In thirty-three cases the applications have been noted for consideration in connection with the distribution of any untenanted land which the Commissioners may acquire; and the remaining thirty-eight cases have yet to be ruled on by the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to name a sitting for the purpose of a discussion on the Radio-Telegraphic Convention.

An opportunity will be given on Tuesday.

:I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that, on 27th November last, a deer turned out to be hunted by the Berks and Bucks staghounds, after a run of some fifteen miles, got entangled in a barbed wire fence which it had attempted to jump, and while thus entangled was so severely bitten by the hounds and so seriously injured by the barbed wire that it subsequently died in a cart into which it had been lifted for the purpose of removing it; and if he is aware that, on 4th December last, another deer was turned out by the same hunt in a maimed and injured condition, and after a short run was captured and carried on a gate to a neighbouring farm, where it was killed by order of the master of the hounds; and if he will introduce legislation at an early date to put down such so called sport.

I am not aware whether the facts are as my hon. friend states, but if such cruelties are perpetrated and we can do anything to top them I shall be very glad. I am against cruelty of any sort whether under the name of sport or otherwise.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the rejection of the Plural Voting Bill in another place, the Government will introduce at an early date a measure to include one man one vote, adult suffrage, and the removal of all obstacles which prevent the legislative expression of the will of the people as declared through their duly-elected representatives.

I am afraid that I cannot make any announcement on this subject.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will give an opportunity during the present session of Parliament for considering a Motion affirming the desirability of relieving spiritual peers from attendance in Parliament.

I do not see any possible opportunity.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the list of newly appointed magistrates for the borough of Swindon; whether he is aware that out of the published list of twenty-four appointments one only of that number represents labour, although five nominations were made from organised labour; and can he say what are the objections taken to labour men in the borough mentioned.

The Lord Chancellor informs me that he is under the impression that three representatives of labour are on the list of justices appointed for Swindon, but will inquire. Whether it is one or three no other labour names were sent to him direct, nor were any others recommended to him. The Lord Chancellor is prepared to receive and consider the names of labour representatives from any responsible quarter, but in order to prevent misunderstanding he suggests that the names be sent to him direct, accompanied by recommendations on which he can act, as in other cases.

Cannot the Irish Lord Chancellor act in the same direction?

The ways of Ireland are strange.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the sum of £33,800 is to be spent on a new prison in Scotland though there is large spare accommodation in Perth and other prisons; and whether, in the interests of frugality, he will consider the advisability of utilising this sum as an instalment towards new barracks for housing the Scots Greys.

I am aware that this sum is given as the estimated cost of the new prison at Greenock. It is the case that the accommodation in Perth prison is not fully occupied, but the constant removal of prisoners for considerable distances is attended with serious public inconvenience, and therefore this new accommodation is required. Let me add that I should think there can be no question in any circumstances of permanently housing the Scots Greys in Scotland. That regiment has only had ten turns of two years and under of service in Scotland during the last hundred years.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if the Constitution of the Orange River Colony will be included in the discussion fixed for the 17th instant; and, if so, whether Papers will be at once laid upon the Table giving full particulars of the proposed Constitution of that Colony.

the general outline of the Orange River Colony Constitution will be announced to Parliament on Monday. No Papers will be laid at present.

asked when the grant of the Constitution would actually be made.

If any definite Answer can be given to that Question it will be given on Monday.