To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total accommodation of the Naval and Marine Barracks respectively in the United Kingdom and abroad, exclusive of coastguards; and in how many cases disciplinary powers for punishment over more than 2,000 men are vested in the hands of one Naval or Marine officer.

To ask the Postmaster General, if he will cause inquiries to be made into the wages, hours of duty, and service of Mr. Cornelius Healy, a rural postman at Headford, county Kerry, who is only in receipt of 5s. 4d. per week after seven years' service; and if he can see his way to give an advance to this man so that he can maintain himself.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will say under what circumstances female learners in the Belfast office are listed for school attendance during the period when they are required to do ordinary manipulative work; and whether the effect of this arrangement is that the records show so many hours school attendance per day when, as a matter of fact, no such attendance is given.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he can hold out any prospect of permanent places being found at an early date for the female learners in the Belfast office who have so much as four years' service standing to their credit; if it is necessary to employ these learners on manipulative work white they are officially in school; and can any reason be advanced why they should not be appointed and placed permanently at the work for which their services are now required.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will state the result of his inquiries into the applications made from county Longford for extended postal facilities between Barry and Ballymahon, and the application for a Sunday delivery of letters from Longford to Esker.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, in view of the extension of the regulations regarding examinations for certificates of fitness to certain workshops, involving a probable increase in the number of these examinations made by the certifying surgeon at his residence or rooms, it is his intention to retain the sixpenny fee as a fair standard rate of payment for this class of skilled professional work, or will he be favouraly disposed to consider the advisability of making some revision in the scale at present in operation; and whether he will be prepared to institute an inquiry among certifying surgeons as to the extent to which children and young persons are sent for examination to the certifying surgeon's residence by large employers of adult labour, who thus take advantage of a concession that was originally intended to be given only to small employers.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, notwithstanding the promise of the Government that it would receive applications and complaints from the unions direct or the officials of the unions, he has declined to enter into correspondence with, or to confer with such an official who recently wrote to the Admiralty on behalf of the men, the reason given being that he was in the employ of the Admiralty; and, seeing that no such refusal has been made in any other State Department, whether he will take steps to enter into communication with this official, as desired.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the nature of the decisions and sentences of courts martial, the Admiralty Board will consider the advisability of introducing a civil element in the personnel of such courts in the future, with a view to securing public confidence in the administration of martial law in disciplinary offences.

To ask the Lord Advocate if he will appoint a Committee to inquire into the whole question of Court of Session procedure and expenses; and, if not, will he devise any means to lessen the fees which are felt burdensome by litigants from the West of Scotland.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has been come to with regard to the disposal of the site of the old War Office in Pall Mall; and, if so, whether he will make a statement on the subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if the provisions of Section 59, Sub-section 2, of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, requiring that an annual audited Return of the accounts showing the receipts and payments of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account for each year, should be laid before Parliament, had been complied with; and, if not, will he state the reason why the statutory obligation has not been complied with; and will he now undertake that the accounts, as required by the statute, will be presented without further delay.

To ask the hon. Member for Mid. Derbyshire, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if he will consider the advisability of raising the price of the 1s. dinners to 1s. 3d. or 1s. 6d., in order to abolish the system of tipping, and to provide for the payment of waiters during the recess.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of insane persons deported from England and Scotland to Ireland during the last ten years; and the total cost of all such persons during the same period.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of British Government pensioners in receipt of Poor Law relief in Ireland, and the cost of relief to this class, discriminating, if possible, between Civil Service, Army, Navy, and police pensioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state separately the number of persons in receipt of poor relief deported from England and Scotland to Ireland during the last ten years; also, the total cost which the Irish ratepayers contributed to the support of all such deported persons in the same period.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of Government pensioners in Irish insane institutions at the date of the last available Returns, and the total annual cost of such persons.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether in future Returns of Evicted Tenants in Ireland he will include the number of years'rent owed by such tenants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether teachers entitled to increment from 1st April have received payment of the same; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state in detail the nature of the general scheme which has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland with the object of preventing the recurrence of scarcity in the western districts.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken to arrange with Mr. Thomas Wharton, of Dromin, Killorglin, Kerry, who at present occupies the farm formerly held by Mr. Murphy; and, if so, with what result.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inspector has yet visited the farm at present occupied by Mr. Thomas Wharton, of Dromin, Killorglin, Kerry, and formerly owned by Mr. Murphy, now of Tralee; and, if so, whether any arrangement has been come to with the grabber for the surrender of this farm and the reinstatement of the evicted tenant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Board of Works have inquired into the claims made by the Tralee Harbour Board for a grant for the repair of the Fenit Per, and for the reduction of the rate of interest paid on the original loan; whether he is aware that the ratepayers have to pay nearly £5,000 per annum for this pier, and that interest at the rate of 4 per cent. is charged on the loan; and whether, seeing that the Treasury borrow money at less than 3 per cent., steps will be taken to reconstruct the loan and reduce the interest on the amount at present outstanding.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the public are in danger owing to carelessness or mismanagement on the part of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company at the level crossings on the Rosslare line; whether he is aware that sometimes the gates are shut against the train and sometimes against the public, and that the gates on the Mayglass crossing were shut on a recent Sunday which prevented the people going to mass; and if he will order the police to see that the public are allowed a right of way over the roads.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to an advertisement, dated 23rd November, in which the Commissioners of National Education give notice that they will shortly appoint four junior inspectors; is he aware that under Rule 75 (b) teachers of exceptional ability and qualifications are eligible for appointment as sub-inspectors of national schools, and that under Rule 78 (b) teachers who have been continuously employed under educational authorities from the age of thirty-five years or under may be admitted up to forty-five years of age; can he explain why a new age limit of thirty-five years has now been inserted in this advertisement; and whether, in view of the impression created that the sub-inspectors would be recruited largely, if not entirely, from the ranks of the teachers, he will represent to the Commissioners that an age limit of forty-five should be inserted in place of thirty-five.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have yet made the inquiry, promised in May last, into the application of Mrs. Elizabeth Rourke to be restored to the evicted farm situate at Kilmacart, Hacketstown; and, if so, with what result.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether there is any reason for retaining the police hut at Glanquin, county Clare, and if he can state the length of service of Sergeant John Miller of the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether he is about to retire on pension; whether, recently in the neighbourhood of Glanquin, a complaint was made that the police kept a man who had been arrested on the road all night; and whether inquiries will be made into these matters.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board in Ireland has any control over the clerks of unions appointed by Poor Law guardians; and whether under the rules and practices it is com- petent to a board of guardians to appoint an uncertificated bankrupt.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that, on his own suggestion, followed by the request of the Estates Commissioners, a statement on behalf of twenty-nine occupants of holdings under £5 valuation on the Malone estate, twenty-one occupants of holdings larger but still uneconomic, and twenty men with no holdings, has been lodged with the Commissioners, praying them to verify by inspection these and other facts in the statement, and, in conformity with the Blake-Foster case, to refuse to sanction the sale unless the non-residential grass farms were sold for distribution; and if he will take steps to prevent the Act of 1903 being used to create a monopoly of land in the hands of two graziers to the detriment of these sixty poor families.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will ascertain why the Estates Commissioners propose to declare the congested portion of Colonel Malone's Baronstown property an estate, while excluding from it two grass farms which the grazier is not entitled to purchase under the Land Act of 1903, which are required for the relief of the congestion, and which would be surrendered for that purpose if the Commissioners refused to sanction the sale without them.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that Colonel Malone's Baronstown estate was inspected before the present instructions for inspectors were drawn up, that consequently the inspection and report were not such as those instructions require, and did not include congestion or the material for relief of it, though both exist on the estate, that the Commissioners have been obliged to modify their original proposals based upon that Report, and that all the tenants, except two graziers, desire a fresh inspection to be made with special regard to congestion and the relief of it, will he ask the Commissioners to accede to this request.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that all the grass farms on Colonel Malone's estate, which the tenants want distributed, are non-residential and wholly untilled; that the graziers have never used them otherwise than as grass farms, and hold several similar grass farms besides large residential farms, and would probably surrender the farms in question for distribution among their poor neighbours if asked by the Commissioners; and will the Commissioners communicate with them with that object.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if an application for reinstatement has been received from Thomas Prior, Liscroty, Garradice, county Leitrim, who was evicted from his holding in the townland of Stroke, in the vicinity of Ballinamore, county Leitrim; and, if so, what action will be taken in the matter, considering that the inspector who visited that district recently had the name of Mrs. Prior, who is sister-in-law to Thomas Prior, on his books, whereas Thomas Prior was tenant formerly, and his brother, now deceased, being only sub tenant to him.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have fully inquired into the application for reinstatement of Mr. Morty Buckley, of Faha, county Kerry, on the Morrogh Bernard estate; whether they are aware that pressure is being used to force him to give up a portion of his claim; and whether they will refuse their sanction to the sale of the estate until his claim and that of the other evicted tenants is dealt with satisfactorily.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the promises given by successive Chief Secretaries since the passing of the Marine Works Act of 1902, that a sum of £3,000 was to be expended on a pier at Clifden, Connemara, and, in view of the rates already weighing heavily on the poor people of the Clifden union, now actually threatened with distress, consequent on the failure of the potato crop, he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the condition made for the construction of this pier by the Irish Government, viz., that a sum of £2,000 be subscribed out of the rates to supplement the proposed grant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the school fees earned by the teachers in model schools are distributed to teachers who earn no such fees; and whether it is the National Board or the Treasury who are responsible for the present mode of distribution.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that two policemen, stationed at Abbeyfeale, in the county of Limerick, have taken two houses in the town from which the former tenants were evicted, and that this action on the part of the police in interfering in a dispute between the landlord and his tenants will create disturbance in the district; and whether, in the circumstances, he will take such steps as will cause the police to surrender these houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to proceed with the erection of barracks on the site lately acquired by the War Office adjoining the Victoria Barracks at Windsor.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what answer was given to the offer of a park and twenty miles of country for cavalry to drill and manœuvre over in Scotland, free of cost or charge, this year; and also whether any other offers of a like nature were made.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether any offers of training ground for cavalry in Scotland for the ensuing year have been made; and whether he will give the names of the offerers.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what offers have been made by the Duke of Atholl and other landowners with regard to the temporary provision of a training ground for cavalry in Scotland.

To ask the Under-Secretary o f State for the Colonies whether the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia communicated with the Home Government prior to declaring his assent to The Australian Industries Preservation Act, 1906; and whether, in view of the effect of the provisions of this Act upon the interests of traders, manufacturers, shipowners, and others in the United Kingdom carrying on, or seeking to carry on, business with persons in the Commonwealth, he can undertake that, in the future, the provisions of proposed laws passed by the Commonwealth Parliament, which appear likely materially to affect the trade interests of the United Kingdom, shall not receive the assent of the Governor-General until an opportunity has been taken by the Home Government to elicit the opinions of the commercial community in this country upon the probable effect on their interests of such proposed legislation.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that clerks to surveyors of taxes are not in the service of the Board of Inland Revenue he can say why the inspectors of such Board give these clerks orders when of inspection; and whether he will state if these clerks are supposed to take orders from servants of the Board, in view of the fact that they are personal clerks of the surveyors.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has been fully informed as to the treatment of three of the temporary clerks appointed as abstractors in Ireland since November 1902; whether he is aware that the deduction of 10 per cent. in the case, at least, of two of the clerks whose salaries were reduced was specifically enforced for pension purposes; will he explain why it is now sought to imply that the reductions were due to considerations of merit; if he will state what provision, if any, was made for superannuation of the four temporary clerks whose salaries were not reduced on appointment; if he is aware that these four clerks were appointed abstractors subsequent to the date of the appointment of the three whose salaries were reduced; if he is aware that the salaries of those who suffered a reduction were already less than the salaries of those who suffered no reduction; and if, considering the small number affected, he will adjust their salaries and refund a deduction which is unprecedented and has not since been enforced.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the number of women clerks or typists employed, in connection with Royal Commissions, and paid out of public funds, during the present year; what rate or rates of wages have been or are paid them per day, per week, and for overtime; whether they are engaged and paid directly or through the agency of typewriting offices; and, in the latter case, will he state the names of the contractors.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that among the senior assistant clerks in the Education Department at South Kensington, there are certain of them of long service who have reached the maximum salary if their class, £150 per annum; that they have appealed for an improvement in their positions and have been informed that the only means open is by promotion to the second division is opportunity offers; whether the Treasury have recently refused to sanction a recommendation from the Department to promote certain senior assistant clerks to the second division and what prospect is before these men; and whether any encouragement can be offered them by conceding personal allowances of the same nature as already sanctioned by the Treasury in the Department.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether cloak rooms and out offices are excluded in the calculation of allowances for repairs under any circumstances; and, if so, can he provide any arrangement for their inclusion seeing that they are a necessary portion of the school premises.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what new arrangements are being made, or are to be made, for editing, issuing, and circulating Consular Reports on the condition of trade abroad.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the danger to passengers at the Kensal Rise station arising from the difference of level between the platforms and the floor of the railway carriages; and whether he can do anything to have the danger removed.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the practice to pay to abstainers in the Navy a sum of 1s. 6d. per month in lieu of the ordinary rum rations; and whether, with a view to promoting temperance in the Navy, he will consider the desirability of increasing such payment to 2d. a day or 5s. a month.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the law officers of the land are now of opinion that the Minch can be closed against trawlers without the consent of of the signatories to the North Sea Convention; and, if not, will he consider the expediency of urging the Foreign Office to communicate with the signatories to the Convention.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the vast majority of the 20,839 agricultural holdings in the Highland crofting counties with rentals not in excess of £30 were brought into cultivation and the buildings erected by the tenants or their forefathers without any expense whatever to the landlords, will he consider the expediency of arranging for tenants of this class to have a first claim for loans under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, for the purpose of improving or rebuilding the houses on their holdings.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the recommendation of the Poplar Guardians, dated October last, as to the increase of the salaries of their out-door medical officers; whether this recommendation has been replied to; and, seeing that in one instance at least the work of the medical officer has been trebled during the last seven years, and that this officer is receiving, at present, less salary than was then paid, does he propose to take any action in the matter.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the work of copying the assessments under Schedules D and E for income-tax purposes in Ireland, and making out the notices of assessment to be sent to the income-taxpayers, is done by the clerks of the surveyors of taxes who are not civil servants; do they also file and record the income-tax returns rendered by the public; is he aware that such clerks deal with and report on applications in Form 48; and, when they are employed in so doing, will he say whether steps are taken to keep from them the details of the income of the persons making application on Form 48.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the repeated allegations regarding the unequal distribution of State patronage between the different communities of India, he will call for a comparative return of officers in the service of the State in the gazetted and non-gazetted appointments above the menial grades in the two provinces of Bengal, in the Punjaub, Sind, and the Madras Presidency.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the sudden dismissal, after twenty-nine years of approved service, of Trimbak Ganesh Paranjpi, extra assistant commissioner and magistrate of the first class in the Central Provinces of India; whether Paranjpi, was suspended by telegraphic orders, and publicly disgraced for several months, on the statement of a man who subsequently denied ever having made it, and which was eventually found to be untrue; whether he is aware that Paranjpi was refused copies of important documents used against him and even the names of his accusers; whether, considering that Paranjpi was a gazetted officer in the Provincial Indian Service, and as such, before being dismissed, was entitled, under Section 2 of Act XXXVII. of 1850 of the Indian Legislature to a formal and public inquiry, he will satisfy himself whether such an inquiry was held before Paranjpi was deprived of his livelihood and sent adrift in his old age; and whether, if satisfied that no such public inquiry was made, he will direct that such an inquiry be instituted.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial from the Cutchi public of Bombay, urging that the proposed Vizamgam-Malia railway line should pass through the territory of the Rao of Cutch; has the Report on the reconnaissance of the two alternative routes yet been received; and, if so, will he state when a decision as to the route to be adopted is likely to be arrived at.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Portrush Harbour Company have made application to the Irish Government for a loan of £5,000 to enable them to carry out the necessary works at the harbour for the accommodation of the passenger traffic from Ardrossan to Portrush; that the harbour has been kept open for many years for the public convenience by the directors of the company personally guaranteeing loans for dredging purposes; that the Glasgow and Londonderry Steamship Company are prepared to put on a fast passenger steamer, capable of doing the double trip in one day, if the harbour accommodation is made suitable; and having regard to the advantage to Portrush and the North of Ireland of the passenger traffic from Scotland, if the Government will facilitate the company in obtaining the loan.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say how many labourers' cottages are proposed to be built and how many contracted for in the Tarbert electoral division (North Kerry) under the last scheme proposed by the Listowel Rural District Council.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can say if the sale of the Garvagh estate in East Cavan is yet completed; if not, what is the cause of the delay; what steps are being taken in connection with the reinstatement of evicted tenants; and can more than one year's rent be added to the purchase money.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether representations to the Estates Commissioners have been made by Mr. James Murphy, solicitor, Tralee, in letters dated 9th December, 1904, and 24th January, 1905, on behalf of Messrs. John Egan, Michael Fitzgerald, Garnett Fitzgerald, and John O'Donnell, tenants on the estate of Lindsay Talbot Crosbie, of Ardfert, North Kerry, asking that the sale of their holdings to them should not be sanctioned until an inspector visits their land in connection with the flooding thereof; if so, whether the inspector has visited the farms; and, if so, with what result.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Commissioners of National Education can state the number of years that the Rev. James Dewar has been manager of Corry No. 2 National School, Belfast, of which his sister is teacher, in violation of the rules of the Commissioners; whether Mr. E. P. Dewar is still senior inspector of the circuit in which the school is; and what steps the Commissioners propose to take to secure the observance of their rules.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what qualifications the Commissioners of National Education require of candidates outside the ranks of national teachers in the contemplated appointment of four junior inspectors; and what steps do they intend taking to insure that such candidates will have practical experience of the work which they will be called upon to superintend and administer.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty a Question of which he had given private notice—whether there was any justification or precedent for the disciplinary order "On the knee" given to Stoker Moody.

I will read the substance of the Admiralty minute on the subject. To prevent misapprehension I must premise that Stoker Moody was not charged with refusing to obey the "On the knee" order, but with having on two occasions incited others to take part in disturbances.

Did not the disturbances occur after the order "On the knee" was given?

The Minute will show. The minute says:—

"My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have reviewed the circumstances and considered the evidence adduced by the Courts-martial in connection with the disturbances at the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, on 4th and 5th November, 1906, and have come to the following conclusions and decisions:—I. It is established by the evidence that the first disturbance (on 4th November) partook of the nature of an unpremeditated outbreak, to which the following causes appear to have contributed—(1) a feeling of resentment on the part of the stokers caused by the misuse of the drill order "On the knee"; (2) the retention of the stokers on parade on the Sunday afternoon during rain, and the subsequent want of judgment shown in dealing with them; (3) the want of proper supervision and control in the canteen. II. The second disturbance (on Monday, 5th November) was of a more serious nature, inasmuch as a contemporaneous riot on the part of civilians and other persons took place immediately outside the barracks. This disturbance would not have occurred had those in authority taken precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the disorder of the previous day. No such measures were taken. III. Their Lordships are compelled with extreme regret to express their conviction that Commodore the Hon. Walter G. Stopford failed to deal with the disturbances with firmness and resource; they have, therefore, decided to relieve him in his appointment. Commander Sidney R. Drury-Lowe, as second-in-command of the barracks, has failed in the performance of his duties as executive officer, and will be superseded. Commander Francis H. Mitchell (commander for gunnery duties failed) to exercise proper supervision by allowing a drill order to be used for other than drill purposes, and he will be relieved in his appointment. Lieutenant B. St. G. Collard has been tried by Court-martial and convicted of an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline, and the sentence of reprimand has been noted. IV. In reviewing the proceedings and sentences of the Courts-martial held on the eleven stokers, their Lordships are legally advised that the charges were in order, and with the one exception of Stoker James Day the proceedings regular, and the sentences within the powers of the Court. In consideration of all the circumstances, and also of the evidence given at the subsequent Courts-martial, they have, however, decided in the case of First-class Stoker Moody to modify the sentence by reducing it from five years to three years' penal servitude. They have also decided, having regard to the fact that one of the three charges against Stoker Day was not clearly proved, to remit six months of the imprisonment awarded. V. Directions have been given for general guidance that the drill order 'On the knee' is not to be used for other than drill purposes."

subsequently asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the widespread feeling on the subject, steps would be taken to have the undue sentence imposed on Stoker Moody reduced.

said he understood a sentence of three years imprisonment was regarded as much lighter than one of two years imprisonment with hard labour, or oven than one of simple imprisonment for two years. But at any rate sentences of this kind were subject to revision by the authorities after a certain time, and that opened up the possibility, at any rate, of a more lenient term.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received the Report of the Committee which recently visited the mechanicians' training establishment at Devonport, the cadets' training establishments at Dartmouth and Osborne, and the boy artificers' establishments at Portsmouth and Chatham; and, if so, if he will state the nature of such Reports, and lay them upon the Table of the House for the information of Members.

Four hon. Members who are specially interested in questions of mechanical training and general education in the Navy, at the invitation of the Admiralty, visited the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth and the training establishments at Devonport and Portsmouth. They did not form a Committee and had no reference, and it is not proposed to publish the private notes and suggestions which they subsequently sent to me.

I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can name a definite day when the armed impotence of the Artillery Volunteers of Great Britain, referred to by the last Liberal Prime Minister, shall cease.

I am afraid that I cannot fix a date for this desirable consummation, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that I will do all in my power to accelerate it as much as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the official circular of Field-Marshal Earl Roberts when commanding-in-chief in South Africa, dated 5th February 1900, urging that the extended formation of modern war made it highly desirable that officers should wear some distinguishing mark on the back of the collar so as to be recognisable by their own generals and men, and to the fact that this view is supported by distinguished officers from active experience, the War Office direction of 30th November, 1906, that the flash allowed to the officers, warrant officers, and staff sergeants of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on their service dress for distinguished services should be cut off, may be reconsidered, bearing in mind that the public is put to no expense in the matter, and in view of the interest of the Welsh people in this distinction.

The "flash" peculiar to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers has never been allowed on the service dress. It is authorised for wear with the tunic only. As soon as this addition to the service dress of the officers, warrant officers, and staff sergeants was brought to notice, instructions were issued for its discontinuance. It is not proposed to reconsider these instructions, the main principle underlying the use of service dress being that it should be universal, and as plain and inconspicuous as possible. No distinctive mark on the back of the collar was adopted either during the Boer war, or when the present dress was approved while Lord Roberts was Commander-in-Chief. In no foreign army is such a distinctive mark worn on the back.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1834 it was officially directed that this badge be worn, and in view of the feeling which prevails on this subject in the principality of Wales will he reconsider the matter.

In the days of King William IV. there was no smokeless powder. War is carried on under very different conditions in modern days.

But the badge is to be worn behind the collar not in front.

That is quite true. But it is extremely undesirable to establish any distinctions. We now seek to secure simplicity.

Do you intend then to take away the kilts from the Scottish regiments?

I have heard nothing as to that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether the Tidworth barracks are at present occupied, as to the five blocks already utilised, by about 3,000 officers and men together with their wives and families, numbering between 600 and 700 women and children; whether these numbers will soon be increased by the occupation of the three remaining blocks; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no hospital, no school, and no church or chapel available for this large population, and that these requirements were provided for in the original scheme of the late Government, he will, in view of the remote and lonely position of this new permanent military establishment state what steps the Government propose to take to supply these deficiences in the interest of the material and moral welfare of the Army.

The numbers of the occupants of these barracks are approximately those stated. Five blocks are occupied, and two more blocks when occupied will increase the garrison roughly to 6,500. As regards the hospital accommodation both temporary and permanent, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Andover Division of Hampshire on the 6th ultimo and the 5th instant†to the effect that a scheme for hospital accommodation has been approved and the plans are being pressed forward to enable the work to be commenced early next year. The general officer commanding is utilising spare barrack rooms for schools pending the provision of suitable buildings. No funds are at present available for erecting a church there.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in his opinion the provision of rooms in a barrack not constructed for the purpose is tantamount to providing a satisfactory hospital; secondly, whether similar accommodation for a large number of children constitutes a satisfactory school; and thirdly, whether he has quite come to the determination that no place of worship of any kind shall be provided for this large population in a permanent military establishment? Also whether this state of things is consistent with the policy indicated by the right hon. Gentleman's recent appointment of a large committee to look after the spiritual and moral welfare of the Army?

Everything is quite consistent. We are building a special hospital, the schools can be easily provided in the spare barracks, while as to the church the troops are now worshipping in a hall, which I admit has not had much decoration.

Are not these parade services, and are women and children allowed to attend them?

There is sufficient accommodation for the purpose, although I do not say it is very gorgeous. In order of urgency, however, the hospital stands first, the schools second, and the military church third, and they will be dealt with accordingly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men of the Scots Greys are recruited from Scotland; and if the presence of English and Irish recruits is due to the linked-regiment system, under which recruits are taken in England and Ireland for the corps of Dragoons, some of whom go to the Scots Greys, where they remain until drafts are called for for the 1st Royal Dragoons.

Out of an establishment of 687 non-commissioned officers and men there are now 504 non-commissioned officers and men serving in this regiment who were enlisted in Scotland. Recruits for the Royal Dragoons are in the first instance posted to the Scots Greys and remain with them until sent out as drafts. Recruits for the Scots Greys, are only taken from other commands than the Scottish when the supply from the latter source is inadequate.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the removal of the Scots Greys from Scotland is to be attributed to the insanitary condition of Piershill Barracks, or to consideration of Army efficiency.

As I informed my hon. friend. the Member for the Kirkcaldy Boroughs, on the 6th instant,†the withdrawal of this regiment from Piershill is due to the unsuitable character, for such a unit, of those barracks. Apart from the defects in sanitation shown in the Reports lately laid on the Table of the House (Cd. 2996), they are too small to accommodate a cavalry regiment.

asked whether, having regard to the statements which appeared in the newspapers on Saturday as to the insanitary condition of those barracks, the right hon. Gentleman had satisfied himself that there was no risk to the health of either officers or men from the regiment's being retained there until he was able to make other arrangements.

We will move them from insanitary quarters as quickly as possible. We think there is no substantial risk. We do not like retaining any regiment in barracks in the condition in which Piershill barracks are.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Frederick Henry Geall, of Eastbourne, a new recruit, joined the Coldstream Guards at Caterham, Surrey; that a few clays after joining the Army he died on 13th November, 1906; and that the death certificate gave the causes of death as septicæmia (three days), heart failure and septic tonsilitis; will he say if this recruit had been examined and found healthy and fit for service, and if upon joining he was vaccinated; if so, will he say who performed the operation and from where the vaccine matter was obtained; if any cause for the septicæmia has been ascertained, other than vaccination; and if the vaccine used in this case was matter derived from a diseased calf, and such as often contains flesh-destroying cocci. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the death of Private Alfred Percy Morriss, at Caterham, on the 23rd November, who was a fine healthy man only just enlisted in the Guards, who was vaccinated and died shortly afterwards, with symptoms similar to those of Private Geall, who was certified to have died of blood poisoning; and will he investigate this case, and ascertain the source of the matter used for vaccination.

I would refer my hon. friend to the Answers I gave to the hon. Member for West St. Pancras on Monday and Tuesday last,†which embodied full medical reports on the deaths of these two recruits. All men on enlistment undergo a most searching medical examination, and are not accepted unless they pass it. The vaccination was performed by an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Caterham; and the vaccine was obtained from the Army Vaccine Institute, Aldershot. The lymph at this institute is always preserved in glycerine, and is not issued until the calf has been found healthy on post mortem examination, and the lymph shown to be clean by plate culture. The other vaccinations made from lymph taken from the two calves used for vaccinating privates Geall and Morriss have proved quite satisfactory.

Where is this lymph obtained? Is there any systematic examination of it? Mr. HALDANE: At Aldershot we have an Army Vaccine Institute, which makes a scientific investigation of the lymph before it is used. The lymph is kept in glycerine.

Where is it obtained?

From the calf.

Have they calves at Aldershot or some other place?

Yes, we have proper and sufficient calves.

Could the right hon. Gentleman discover any other cause for blood poisoning in these cases than vaccination?

Judging from the fact that many other soldiers have been successfully vaccinated, we gather that the deaths were due to something else than the vaccine.

What was it produced the blood poisoning?

How can the right hon. Gentleman answer that?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, on several occasions between the 26th August and the 14th October last, a number of soldiers stationed at Ballater, who were entered as belonging to the Church of England, were invited by their superiors to attend the Presbyterian church instead of their own; and, if so, what was the reason for this proceeding.

The officer commanding the King's guard of honour at Ballater in August last informed his men that, while he had no desire to influence them one way or the other, he would raise no objection to their attending the parade service in the parish church, should they wish to do so. As the men attended the Presbyterian service of their own free will, there seems to be no objection to the course taken by the officer commanding.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the nine battalions to be disbanded by order of the Army Council, though nominally 20,000, have only a total strength of 6,107 men of all ranks, and that 4,184 men have been transferred to other battalions or other regiments or to the staff; and, if so, whether he will state the approximate amount of reduction in cost as a result of this reduction in actual numbers.

As I informed the hon. Baronet the Member for West Marylebone, on the 3rd instant,†the strength of the nine battations on 1st September last was 6,167, the total establishment being 7,390, and not 20,000. The 20,000 comprises other details. Though for the present the officers and men are mainly being transferred to other battalions or regiments, so that the immediate loss of actual strength is but small, the ultimate reduction in the cost of the Army will be the full cost of the nine battalions, viz.:—about £500,000 per annum. It is impracticable to give any figure for the saving by diminution in actual strength of the Army, owing to these disbandments, because that diminution is progressive, varying from day to day.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why the garrison of Mauritius increased from 886 men in 1894–5 to 3,605 men in 1904–5; and whether he can further explain why nine-tenths of the total cost, £278,841, of maintaining this local force is borne by the taxpayers of the United Kingdom.

The garrison was increased as stated in accordance with the views obtaining at that time regarding the defence of the island. As regards the contribution paid by the Colony, the amount depends on the financial ability of its inhabitants to meet the cost of its government and defence. I should naturally be glad if circumstances made it possible to bring the cost of the garrison and the amount of the contribution more into accord.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the cavalry now stationed at Glasgow will be removed when the Scots Greys leave Edinburgh, and, if so, when other troops will be quartered at Maryhill Barracks.

In the ordinary course the squadron of Scots Greys, now on detachment at Maryhill from Edinburgh, would leave Glasgow when the regiment left Scotland. An infantry battalion is already stationed at Maryhill Barracks, although only the advanced details have arrived there as yet, the headquarters being due to arrive from Aden on the 29th instant.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inform the House what terms the Protector of Emigrants in British East Africa has boon instructed to offer to agricultural emigrants from British India; whether such emigrants are exempted from the operation of the Indian Emigration Acts; and whether British Central Africa should also be included in the list of countries to which emigration from India is allowed.

The Indians who are being invited to emigrate to the East Africa Protectorate are being offered land grants and other assistance to enable them to settle as free cultivators; consequently the Indian Emigration Acts, which relate only to emigrants leaving India under an agreement or indenture, do not apply to them. As regards the British Central Africa Protectorate, there is nothing to prevent the voluntary immigration of natives of British India.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that British vessels leaving Hong Kong for the Philippine Islands, or any other possession of the United States, are boarded in Hong Kong before sailing by a representative of the United States consul general, who exacts from every British passenger what is locally known as a poll-tax, and assumes to order out of the ship any person, whether a passenger or a member of the crew, whom he may consider undesirable; whether this taxation of British subjects in a British port by the servants of a foreign power has any and, if so, what legal sanction or authority; and whether he will take immediate steps to put an end to this practice.

I am aware that vessels leaving Hong Kong for American ports are examined by medical officers, attached to the United States Consulate, who are responsible to their Government for the proper disinfection of luggage and passengers. The functions performed by those officers are not enjoined by British law, but in the interests of international public health and convenience their usefulness is recognised by His Majesty's Government. I am not aware that any other officers attached to the United States Consulate exercise similar functions, or that any poll-tax is levied; but if the hon. Member will supply me with any information which is in his possession, inquiries will be made.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why, as an inquiry is now pending into the whole question of the recruitment of Kaffir labour for the Johannesburg mines in the Portuguese territory, it was thought expedient to put pressure on the Portuguese Government to make effective the licence for recruiting natives granted to the group of mines controlled by Mr. Joseph Benjamin Robinson; and whether under the circumstances, the Government will withdraw the pressure and suspend any action under this licence until the results of the inquiry are known.

The reason is obvious. The Robinson group of mines naturally expected that the licence issued was issued to enable them to recruit effectively. His Majesty's Government see no sufficient reason for departing from the attitude they have taken up in the matter up to the present.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the shareholders in all the other groups of mines working at Johannesburg at the privilege granted to the Robinson group of mines alone to recruit Kaffir labour in the Portuguese territory; and on what ground the group named was especially favoured, to the detriment of the shareholders in all the other groups of mines.

I am aware that those representing the interests of other mines are dissatisfied. The Robinson group applied on the ground that they wished to dissociate themselves from the Witwatersrand Native Labour Asssociation, and it was only at a later date that the other groups applied for separate facilities and proposed to break up the association, after the policy had been adopted of inviting the Portuguese Government to grant facilities for the Robinson group, and to accept the principle of holding an inquiry before any further change was made.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the forthcoming Government Licensing Bill he will take further steps to secure without delay from those Colonies which have not yet replied to him the information necessary to complete the promised Return of the local option provisions in Colonial liquor laws, so that it may be ready for the use of Members by the beginning of next session.

The Colonial Governments from whom replies are still required have been again reminded by telegraph, and when the necessary information has been received every effort will be made to give the Return with as little further delay as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the House has this information? It is very important.

I most earnestly desire it shall be given, but I can only ask the Colonies for information.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. Howard Pimhas been dismissed from his position as auditor of certain gold-mining companies because he declined to give an undertaking not to contest a seat in the legislative Assembly of the Transvaal Colony to be elected pursuant to His Majesty's Order in Council just issued; whether Mr. Schumacher, chairman of the Jumpers Deep (one of the companies referred to), admitted, at a meeting held yesterday, that the sole reason of Mr. Pim's dismissal was the political reason; whether the Municipal Election Ordinance, 1903, as adapted in the Letters Patent to elections for the Legislative Assembly, renders such intimidation a criminal offence, and, if so, will the necessary steps be taken to insure prosecution and, if such.Municipal Election Ordinance, 1903, fails to deal with intimidation of the nature referred to, whether any, and, if any, what, steps will be taken to insure that the ensuing elections shall be free from intimidation and corruption.

I have seen statements of the kind referred to in the Press, but no official information on the subject has been received. Inquiry shall be made.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what course the Colonial Office, or the authorities of the Colony of Sierra Leone, have taken or intend to take with regard to the twenty concessions from paramount native chiefs and others extending over 4,000 miles, as stated in the prospectus of the British West Africa Produce Company, under the name of Sir Frederick Cardew, therein described as a former governor; whether any correspondence as regards those concessions took place between the said company or the original owners of these concessions and the Colonial Office or the Government of Sierra Leone; whether an antecedent sanction of that Government or the Colonial Office is usually applied for in such matters to make such concessions valid; and whether the doubts as to the validity of these particular concessions entertained by the legal advisors of the Colonial Office had been expressed at the time when the paramount chiefs sold the concessions or when the prospectus of the British West Africa Produce Company, Limited, was issued to the, public in Great Britain.

In February, 1905, Mr. E. Brunner, the then holder of these concessions, wrote to the Secretary of State asking that certain amendments, favourable to the interpretation of the concessions, might be made in the law of Sierra Leone, and that certificates of their validity in regard to agricultural rights might be granted. The late Secretary of State for the Colonies replied that he was unable to comply with this request. There has been no other correspondence between the Colonial Office and the concessionaires. Lord Elgin has no information of any correspondence having passed between the concessionaires and the Colonial Government; but it appears that in October, 1904, an application was made to the Concessions Court of Sierra Leone to have the concessions declared valid by that Court, which however, was withdrawn without any pronouncement being made by the Court upon them. Concessions purporting to grant rights in or over land, minerals, precious stones, timber, rubber, or other products of the soil, require the validation of the Concessions Court of the colony, but not the sanction of the Governor or of the Colonial Office. No opinion had been given on these concessions by the legal advisers of the Secretary of State at the time when the chief sold them or when the prospectus of the company named was issued. The Governor of Sierra Leone will, as I stated in reply to a former Question on this subject, be instructed to watch the operations, if any, of the company, with a view to preventing any illegalities or abuses.

I bog to ask the Under-Secretary of Stats for the Colonies whether the liability to render compulsory labour, which was imposed in 1903 upon all the adult native population, men and lads residing on the Crown lands of the Transvaal, was imposed by Ordinance or by an administrative act of the Executive Council; whether the imposition, was brought to the notice of or had the express sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies for the time being; and whether, in view of the recent establishment of this obligation, the Secretary of State can see his way to cancel and to annul such legislation or regulation before responsible Government comes into operation in the Transvaal.

The arrangement in question which is referred to in the Report of the Commissioner of Lands printed in Cd. 3028, page 26, has formed the subject of correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Governor, who explains that it was not contemplated that the labour supplied by native squatters should be of a compulsory nature. The undertaking to work is purely a matter of contract between landlord (in this case the Government) and tenant. The condition has only been taken advantage of in certain districts; no compulsion has been used and no hardship has resulted to the native. In the circumstances it does not seem necessary for the Secretary of State to take any action in the matter.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the regulation which provides that men and lads are liable to be put on public works for a period of not more than six months in any one year?

No, Sir, but I have asked for Papers.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Crown lands of the Transvaal, occupied in part by natives, were declared by the Executive Council in 1903 to be liable to be allotted under lease or licence to settlers; whether such a declaration has the effect of cancelling all native rights on the Crown lands, and what provision is made for these natives when lands are so allotted; and whether a matter of such serious importance can be dealt with by an administrative Act, or whether legislation would be necessary in order to make it valid.

The disposal of Crown lands in the Transvaal is regulated by the Crown Land Disposal Ordinance, 1903.That. Ordinance among other provisions authorises the Lieutenant-Governor to reserve Crown lands for the use or benefit of aboriginal natives as well as to lease Crown lands to settlers and to utilise them for other purposes. I am not aware that any hardship has been inflicted on natives in leasing such land to settlers.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a new rental of £1 per adult male native, in addition to other taxes, was imposed upon all natives residing on the Transvaal Crown lands by the Transvaal Executive Council in July, 1903; whether this imposition had the sanction of His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies; and whether such imposition is lawful without express legislation.

Yes, Sir. The circumstances are explained in the Report of the Commissioner of Lands laid before Parliament in July, Cd. 3028, page 25. The position of natives on Crown lands is assimilated to that of tenants living on private farms. The Secretary of State saw no reason to interfere. No special legislation seems required, the case being merely that of contract between landlord and tenant.

was proceeding to ask a Question as to a Report in 1904, when Mr. Speaker suggested that notice should be given.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet had an opportunity of using his friendly offices with the Natal Government to secure the return of the Zulu rebels at present in prison to their homes, in view of the distress prevailing in those districts owing to the absence of the male population.

As I informed the hon. Member on the 3rd instant,†the Natal Government are, Iunderstand, taking all necessary measures to relieve distress. The question of deciding as to the return of the Zulu rebels to their homes is one for the local government.

Do the Government not intend to grant an amnesty to these native patriots and let them return to their homes?

I have answered that Question.

I beg to.ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can yet say whether the proposed transfer of Natal prisoners to a diamond mine in the Transvaal will take place.

I am unable to add anything to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member's Question on this subject on Monday last.†

I beg to ask the the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of the balance of money appropriated by the Inter-Colonial Council to the Government of the Colony out of the loan authorised by the Transvaal Guaranteed Loan Ordinance, 1903, for the purposes of land settlement.

The Secretary of State has received a telegram from Lord Selborne stating that the balance is £58,637.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State to the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet arrived at any decision with regard to the Act recently passed by the Natal Legislature, which, if permitted to become law, would take away the municipal franchise from a large number of His Majesty's Indian subjects, many of whom are large ratepayers.

This matter is still under consideration.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under Section XIII. of the modus vivendi arranged by Lord Milner and the Portuguese Government on the 18th December, 1901, it is in the power of either party to the treaty to terminate it by one year's notice; and whether, if the Portuguese Government adheres to its determination to limit the recruiting of natives to a particular group of mine- owners, to the exclusion of the rest of His Majesty's subjects, His Majesty's Government will take steps to terminate the modus vivendi.

His Majesty's Government see no reason at present to contemplate this contingency.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have considered, in view of their determination to bring the employment of Chinese labourers to an end, the political and economic dangers likely to arise in the Transvaal if the supply of native labour for the mines is left, as it is at present, largely under the control of a particular group of mineowners acting under special arrangements with the Governor-General of Mozambique; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to protect the inhabitants of the Colony from those dangers.

His Majesty's Government believe that a satisfactory solution of the matter will be arrived at under responsible government. Meanwhile an inquiry is about to be held into the question of recruiting in Portuguese territory being conducted by one or several agencies.

I bog to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the modus vivendi agreed to between Lord Milner and the Portuguese Government in the 18th December, 1901, contained my provision involving or justifying the grant to a particular group of mineowners of a monopoly of recruiting natives in the province of Mozambique; and, if not, what warrant is there for the attitude of the Portuguese Government in declining to accede to the wishes of His Majesty's Government that the monopoly enjoyed by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association should be brought to in end.

There is no express provision on the point either in one direction or the other in the text of the modus vivendi agreement. But negotiations are in progress, and I have every expectation that they will reach a satisfactory conclusion.

said he believed the Portuguese Government had already consented to give notice of the termination of the present agreement.

Are the negotiations with Portugal carried on by them Colonial Office?

No, by the Foreign Office.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the modus vivendi agreed to between Lord Milner and the Portuguese Government on the 18th December, 1901, provided that the Portuguese Government should allow the engagement of native labourers from the Portuguese province of Mozambique for the Transvaal and Rhodesia, and that the Transvaal Government should re-establish the combined tariffs and classification of goods on the railway from Lorenzo Marques to Johannesburg, which were in force before the War; and, in view of the fact that these tariffs were detrimental to the trade of the British Colonies of the Cape and Natal, and of the attitude of the Portuguese Government limiting the engagment of native labourers, His Majesty's Government will revise the tariffs for the benefit of our own Colonies.

The question of the differential railway rates conceded to the Delagoa Bay route under the modus vivendi has formed the subject of negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Portuguese Government. His Majesty's Government do not now propose to take further action pending consideration of the matter by the new Government of the Transvaal.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if paragraph VII., Sub-section 4, of the instructions under the Royal Sign Manual to the Governor of the Transvaal, dated 6th December, 1906, prohibiting his assent to any law imposing differential duties, implies that the 25 per cent. preferential rebate in the Customs duties of the Transvaal upon imports the product of British labour, now given in common with CapeColony, Natal, the Orange River Colony, and Rhodesia, is to be withdrawn, and that in the future no lighter duties may be levied upon British goods than upon foreign goods; and, in such case, will he say why this provision, which is prejudicial to the workers in the Mother Country and the British Empire, and destructive of British trade, has been inserted.

The provision in the instructions does not sustain the hon. and gallant Member's apprehensions. It has been inserted in accordance with custom to prevent the coming into operation before the Secretary of State has had the opportunity of considering its provisions of a law which may conflict with treaty obligations.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies are there any and, if so, what precedents for the continuance in office of a Governor of a Colony who administered that Colony as a Crown Colony when the Colony thus administered by him has become a Colony with responsible government; and on what grounds, under these circumstances, has Lord Selborne been continued in his present position.

Yes, Sir, in seven out of eight cases of the grant of responsible government, the Governors who had been in office prior to the change retained the governorship. In the eighth case, the change of constitution happened to occur just as the Governor's term of office expired.

Have not all these been cases of Governors favourable to responsible government, and not opposed to it?

We have no records on that point.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the event of a return of a proposed Law of the Transvaal Legislature presented to the Governor by him with amendments which he may recommend, what will be the effect of the rejection in whole or in part of those amendments of the proposed law; is the Governor, in proposing such amendments, to act on the advice of his responsible Ministers or on his own responsibility; and, if on his own responsibility, to whom will he be accountable.

The effect of the rejection of the amendments of the proposed law will obviously be that they will not become law. The Governor will act upon the advice of Ministers. A similar provision will be found in Section 58 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in continuing Lord Selborne as Governor of the Transvaal in the position of paramount chief over all the chiefs and natives in the Transvaal Colony, regard has been had to the circumstance that Lord Selborne was a member of the British Cabinet which sanctioned the Labour Importation Ordinance, 1904, and who subsequently, as Governor of the Transvaal, administered that Ordinance and suggested many objections to the repatriation of the Chinese indentured labourers.

All the circumstances of Lord Selborne's public and official career have always been and will always be considered by His Majesty's Government in regard to all matters in which his services are employed.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the practice for a member of a British Cabinet to vacate that position for the purpose of carrying out as Governor of a Crown Colony a line of policy adopted by the Cabinet of which he was a member in that Colony; what precedents, if any, are to be found in support of that practice; whether it is the practice for a Colonial Governor, appointed by a Cabinet of which he was himself a Member to carry out a certain policy, to remain on a change of administration in the same office at the request of another Cabinet to carry out a different line of policy; what precedents, if any, are to be found in support of this practice; and on what grounds has Lord Selborne, under such circumstances, been retained in his present position in South Africa.

The circumstances in which Lord Selborne was appointed to his present position in South Africa were quite exceptional, and I am not aware of any precedent which exactly applies to those circumstances. The only part of the hon. Member's Question which touches the responsibility of His Majesty's present Government is the last, and in regard to that the Answer is that the grounds on which Lord Selborne retained office were that, as the representative of His Majesty, and thereby removed from all active participation in politics, he was willing to serve after the change of administration, and that His Majesty's present Government desired that he should continue in office.

Do I understand that Lord Selborne, having been a member of the late Cabinet, went out to a Crown Colony to administer a certain policy there, and when that policy was reversed he remained to administer the new policy?

I do not think that is a sufficiently complete description of the situation.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the appointments of members of the Transvaal Land Settlements Board will be made by the Governor on the advice of his responsible Ministers, or will be made by this Governor on his own initiative and responsibility; and, if these appointments are to be made by the Governor on his own initiative and responsibility, what is he reason for the distinction in the method of making these appointments from the method of making appointments to the membership of Legislative Councils subsequent to the first Legislative Council, which is to be not by the Governor alone, but by the Governor in council; and to whom is the Governor responsible in the making of these appointments.

The appointments will be made by the Governor, and not by the Governor on the advice of his responsible Ministers. The appointments to the Land Board, which is only to last five years, will, like the first appointments to the Legislative Council, be made by the Governor, the object being to ensure that the Land Board shall not be open to any political influence. The Governor in this matter is responsible to the Secretary of State.

Will the Governor first submit the names to the Secretary of State?

All appointments will be approved from here.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, will Lord Selborne, under the Transvaal Constitution, summon on his own initiative every member of the Legislative Council, or will that summons, or the selection of members therein mentioned, be made on any responsible motion, and, if so, who will be the advisers; and whether, having regard to the power of the Legislative Council in the control, alteration, and rejection of measures passed by the elected Legislative Assembly, and the political leanings and antecedents of Lord Selborne, the effects of entrusting him with the nomination of one of the legislative bodies created by the Letters Patent establishing the Constitution has been considered.

The Legislative Council will be nominated by the Governor, who will be instructed to consult the Secretary of State before making any appointment.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the forest concession recently granted in Uganda, the rights of the Natives to obtain wood for building purposes and for fuel are fully secured; and if every precaution will be taken to protect the Natives against the tsetse fly in that part of the concession where it prevails.

The rights of the Natives in the Mabira Forest are, in the Secretary of State's opinion, adequately safeguarded by Sections 18 to 20 of the Agreement with the Mabira Forest Rubber Company. The Secretary of State regrets that he is not aware of any means by which Natives can be effectually protected against the tsetse fly either in the Mabira Forest or elsewhere.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Commonwealth Premier has emphatically denied the statement to the effect that the New Hebrides Convention was not signed till the views of Australia and New Zealand had been consulted and an acquiescence, albeit reluctant, had been obtained; whether he can give any explanation on this point; and whether His Majesty's Government can promise that no appointment of officials will be made in the New Hebrides without the concurrence of Australia and New Zealand.

I have seen a Press report of remarks attributed to Mr. Deakin to the effect that my Answer to the hon. Member's Question of the 31st October†was technically correct, but actually misleading. I am still of opinion that no more exact or appropriate description of the situation could have been given; but the correspondence which will be shortly laid before Parliament will enable all persons to judge for themselves. As regards appointments in the New Hebrides, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 14th November to a Question by the hon. Member for Gravesend.‡

asked if that reply was to the effect that Australians and New Zealanders would be eligible?

Yes.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to the effect that in German South West Africa the insurgents received reinforcements from British territory.

There have been some complaints as to natives crossing the border into German territory, but no representations have been made as to anything that could properly be called "reinforcements" being received by the insurgents from British territory. There have also been occasions when the border has been crossed by German troops into British territory and the recent raid by Ferreira from German into British territory is no doubt in the hon. Member's recollection. But none of these incidents have been treated by either Government as evidence of an unfriendly disposition on the part of the authorities on either side.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations are in progress between this country and the Congo State as to the concession of a strip of territory for the Cape to Cairo Railway.

The Answer is in the negative.

Is not the price of this land the silence of His Majesty's Government on the Congo atrocities?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information that the Congolese troops have yet evacuated the disputed posts in the Bahr-el-Ghazal.

My right hon. friend has no official information on the subject. But there is no doubt that the provisions of the agreement will be carried out.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of affairs with reference to the proposed increase in the Turkish Customs.

The negotiations on this question between the Powers and the Ottoman Government are still proceeding, and it is not possible to make any statement at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the increase in the number of fatal accidents in factories for October 1906 compared with the same month of last year; whether he can say how many of the seventy-two deaths were attributable to dangerous machinery or structures as to which the Factory Act empowers the enforcement of means of prevention; and whether he can give the number of non-fatal accidents in factories for the ten months ending 31st October 1908.

Yes, I am aware that the figures referred to in the Question, which are compiled in my Department, show for factories and workshops an increase of eleven, of which six are accounted for by falls, over those for the corresponding month in 1905. The monthly figures, however, are liable to fluctuations from a variety of causes, and it would not be safe to draw any inference from the present increase. The figures for the preceding and succeeding months were in each case lower than those for the corresponding months of 1905. I cannot give the number of fatal accidents attributable to dangerous machinery or structures in regard to which the Factory Act empowers the enforcement of means of prevention, but the number due to machinery moved by power was twenty-six. The number of non fatal accidents in factories and workshops during the first ten months of the year would be between 78,000 and 79,000.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any additional steps have been taken since August last to put down time-cribbing in factories; what the results of such efforts have been; and whether he has availed himself of the help of the full staff of factory inspectors by authorising the assistant inspectors to deal with this matter in conjunction with their other duties.

The number of firms successfully prosecuted by the Department during the last four months was forty, the number of informations laid being 457.Fines were imposed to the total amount of £397, and costs to the total amount of £204. In the case of only one firm were proceedings unsuccessful.I hope these satisfactory results of the action taken by the Department will be found to have a deterrent effect. As regards the last part of the Question, arrangements are being made to utilise the services of the inspectors' assistants in the Lancashire districts in the prevention of time-cribbing.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a boy sentenced by the Scarborough magistrates to detention in a reformatory for five years; whether he is aware that the boy bad no felonious intent in taking the tools of his employer; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, he will consider the desirability of revising the decision of the magistrates.

This boy stole various articles from three different places, and when he was brought before the magistrates his uncle, who is his guardian, said that he was beyond control and refused to be bound over for his good behaviour. I am, however, in communication with the magistrates respecting this case, and I will acquaint the hon. Member with the decision at which I arrive.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at certain European ports emigrants are examined by a medical officer of the United States Government before embarkation with a view to prevent rejections on arrival in America, and avoid the trouble and expense of reshipment to Europe; and whether any proposals for a similar examination at certain ports in this country have reached him.

I have no information as to the practice which prevails at Continental ports, but in this country emigrants have not, I believe, been inspected by United States officers since 1900. No proposals respecting the reintroduction of this inspection have reached me.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade have laid down a general rule that they will not sanction transfers of Electric Lighting Orders except in cases where special authority for the transfer is conferred by a provision in the Order; if so, under what statutory authority have the Board laid down this general rule; what is the reason and purpose of the rule; and whether the Board will consent to relax the rule as regards existing Orders (as in the cases of Grangemouth and Denny in Stirlingshire), and save the ratepayers the cost of obtaining fresh Orders.

The Board of Trade have not made a rule in the matter referred to by my hon. friend, but they are advised that without a transfer clause there can be no transfer which will relieve the undertakers of their liabilities to the public, though there might be clauses in an agreement for the exercise under certain conditions of the powers of the undertakers by the contractors party to the agreement. In the two cases referred to by my hon. friend, a power to transfer was not asked for when the applications for the Orders were made, and the Board of Trade, therefore, have no power now to sanction a transfer.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if the four flag stations on the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway will be opened for passenger traffic as well as for goods and minerals, by all trains, in the same manner as formerly, as the closing of those stations means a loss to the ratepayers in the guaranteeing area, who have to pay a rate of 1s. in the pound; will he see that men working on the line will be carried by the trains to and from their work, so that less men may be required to do the work of the line, and, thus save further expense; and, in view of the fact that a guarantee was given by the directors, when the line was being constructed, that those flag stations would be erected for the convenience of the people in the different districts, will the Board of Trade see that this arrangement is carried out.

The railway company with whom the Board of Trade are in correspondence in this matter, state that they are unable to reply fully on the points raised in the Question pending the careful consideration of the whole subject by the directors at a meeting to be hold on the 27th instant. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon after that date as may be practicable.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a large proportion of the foreign cements introduced into this country is imported in the bags of home firms, with British trademarks attached, and sold to the home trade as British manufactured cements; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking legal proceedings against such firms under the Merchandise Marks Act.