To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- each, county and parish in Scotland, with the gross rental according to the valuation roll, for the year ending at Whitsunday, 1906. Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inspector to whom the application for reinstatement from James Gore, Mount Iress, Rathkenny, Slane, county Meath, was referred by the Estates Commissioners, has had any previous experience of such work or any commercial training. whatever; what was the date of his appointment as inspector, and by whom recommended; if the Estates Commissioners will call upon him for an explanation as to why he has not yet reported upon a farm visited by him about three months ago; and whether, considering the urgency of the evicted tenants question, will he suggest to the Commissioners the advisability of having their claims dealt with by inspectors who have some regard for business methods.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state whether there are any assistant clerks (new class) in the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy who are engaged on the same work as, and who share similar responsibilities with, the majority of the second division clerks; and, if so, whether, seeing that owing to the recent reorganisation in this Department promotion to the second division is stopped for an indefinite period, he will say what steps, if any, are being taken to ensure practical recognition of the service of such assistant clerks.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a battleship and three cruisers were sent from Devonport to Portsmouth for the Collard court-martial in order to comply with the Admiralty regulation that in the port where a court is held the admiral's flag or captain's pennant must be flying; and, if so, whether such regulation could be altered.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state the percentage of men in hospital, for the last twelve months, from the cavalry regiments in England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the defective postal service in Martinstown and in Glenravel, county Antrim; whether he is aware that although both offices are within a few minutes walk of railway stations, there is only one collection and one delivery on each week day, and no service on Sunday; that letters posted after six o'clock on Fridays are not delivered in Belfast until Monday; and that letters from England or Scotland, if they arrive in Belfast or Ballymena after the despatch of the morning mail, are delayed for a day; and whether, as there is no telegraph office within eight miles, he will give instructions to have a morning despatch, an evening delivery, and a Sunday mail in addition to the present service.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of offices in Ireland affected by the change of closing hours from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the number of officials affected thereby.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that public inconvenience and loss is caused to the fishing and butter industry by the want of a Sunday delivery of letters at Ballyduff, North Kerry; and whether he will accede to the request of the people by granting a Sunday delivery of letters at Ballyduff.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telegraph school at the Central Telegraph Office is greatly overcrowded, and that repeated complaints have been made by those responsible for teaching the male and female learners; whether the chief medical officer has inspected this part of the building since these complaints have been made; whether his Report can be made known; and whether he can state when the necessary alterations will take place.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether a pension would be granted to an officer who had served twenty-two years in an unestablished capacity, followed by four years established service, or whether it would be held that he was only entitled to a gratuity.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the time under repair given for different ships in Return No. 319 (Casualties to Ships on the Navy List) is taken from the data of the accident or the date on which repairs are actually commenced.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the scarcity of turf in certain school areas in Ireland, and the distance many children have to walk over mountainous roads in inclement weather to attend school in the winter season, he will place on the Estimates a sum of £24,000 to provide fires in all Irish national schools.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Newry national teachers urging that there should be an all-round increase of 50 per cent. in the salaries of Irish national teachers; whether an increase of 50 per cent. would put the salaries of Irish national teachers on an equality with those paid to English and Scottish teachers; whether he has received recommendations from the Commissioners of National Education on the same subject; and can he state whether these recommendations have been sanctioned by the Treasury.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to judgments delivered in Dublin on Monday last on nine appeal land cases from county Cavan; whether he is aware that five cases were confirmed, and in four cases rents were raised; did an assessor visit the lands in these cases; did the same assessor act in the nine cases; and, if so, what was his name, and do these decisions which bind the parties for fifteen years show a reduction equal to the average reduction obtaining in like cases in other and similar parts of Ireland.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inspector from the Estates Commission named Booth on the 28th November last, called upon Mrs. Molloy, a sub-tenant to Patrick Deegan, Garroon, Mountmellick, on the estate of the Earl of Drogheda, and, accompanied by the agent and bailiff of the estate, attempted to force Mrs. Molloy to sign an agreement and pay Deegan £5 for the privilege of being allowed to purchase; and seeing that subtenants are entitled to purchase, under the Act of 1903, will he take steps to protect Mrs. Molloy from being compelled by this official of the Land Commission into contracting unfair terms of purchase.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether under present regulations any special consideration with regard to increments and promotion can be granted by the Commissioners of National Education to teachers who are removed from small to large and important schools.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the number of calves that have died from the disease of hoose in West Clare, he will give instructions to the agricultural instructor of West Clare to show the small farmers in his circuit, who are unable to pay a veterinary surgeon, how to perform the intertracheal injection for hoose in calves, which is so rife in the district owing to the wet soil and humidity of the climate.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the total value of the contracts placed in connection with the large cruisers "Indomitable," "Inflexible," and "Invincible," laid down this year in private yards.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an assistant teacher was appointed since the 1st of July last in each of the following schools in Irish-speaking districts in the county of Galway: Selerna Boys, Selerna Girls, Spiddal Girls, Claregalway Girls, and Lackagh Boys, and that the teachers who were appointed had not the requisite oral knowledge of Irish referred to in the note to Rule of Commissioners re Regulations; if so, will he explain why the appointments were sanctioned in contravention of the rule; whether any applications were received from candidates who had the necessary knowledge; and, if not, what steps those responsible for the administration of primary education in Ireland intend to take to meet the demand for the services of suitable teachers for Irish-speaking localities. The commissioners of National Education inform me that all the appointments mentioned in the Question were made before 12th September, 1906, when the code for 1906–7, containing the footnote alluded to, was issued to the managers of national schools. These appointments were all made by the local managers, and the Commissioners have no information as to whether any applications were submitted for the positions by candidates possessing an oral knowledge of Irish. As regards the last portion of the Question, the Commissioners include Irish as an optional subject in the programme for admission to training colleges. In most of the colleges provision is made for the teaching of the Irish language. Prizes are awarded annually by the Commissioners to encourage the study of the language in the colleges, and facilities are afforded to teachers for attending

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of students summoned to each training college for national teachers in Ireland in the year beginning September, 1906; the number of those so summoned in the various grades; the number in each college who, before entering, took Irish as an optional subject; the colleges that place Irish as an obligatory subject to qualify for entrance, and the colleges that place it as an optional subject.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, considering the general dissatisfaction given in Ireland to teachers and people by the Board of National Education, he would appoint a small committee to inquire into their work, policy, and constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now give information as to the fate of the master and crew of the "Alice Gertrude," who were arrested by the Uruguayan Government on a charge of illegal sealing.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the attention of the Colonial Office has recently been called to the continued decline in the Fijian population of Fiji, and to the high death rate among that portion of the population of the Colony; and whether he can state what fresh steps it is proposed to take to prevent the Natives, whose interest was alleged as a reason for annexation, being replaced by other Polynesian and by Indian immigrant labourers.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the instruction issued in the Post Office Circular, No. 1702, on 13th February, 1906, stating that memorials or appeals may be addressed to him either direct or through the postmaster or head of a department by the secretaries of any of the postal associations, is still in force; if branch secretaries of the various organisations are still at liberty to make representations relating to the service and affecting their class to postmasters and surveyors; whether the secretary of a branch of a postal organisationis liable to censure for addressing memorials to his surveyor and submitting them through his postmaster; and if a higher official is permitted to inform the secretary of a branch of a postal association that he would get himself into trouble for addressing memorials to his surveyor, oven if submitted through his postmaster.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, of fourteen men who are employed in D block, General Factory, Mount Pleasant, and are engaged on the ordinary trade wood-working machinery, only two are receiving the proper rate of wages, the remainder being much below the usual rate; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he can now state when a second delivery of letters will be established at Glenarm, in the county of Antrim, in accordance with the general desire of the inhabitants.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture whether in view of the fact that The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906, will be in force in a few weeks time, the Board of Agriculture, if they have not already done so, will will take immediate steps to frame regulations, as they are empowered to do, as to the manner in which the analyses under the Act should be made.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board of Agriculture realise that it is possible in many cases, for instance under sampling regulations, Section 6, sub-section 1 (iv), for the analyst to obtain the full amount of nitrogen or none, and that there are various ways, well known to experts, by which an analyst can, within limits, obtain any result he desires or thinks desirable unless he is directed to a well-defined and universal procedure; and if so, whether the Board will take steps to secure uniformity of procedure in regard to analyses throughout the country.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the duties of officers in Customs and Excise bonded warehouses are identical and governed by a common code of regulations; and if so, will he state why the wearing of uniform by officers in Customs warehouses is considered necessary in the public interest, whereas it is not so considered in the case of officers in Excise warehouses; and whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing the wearing of uniform by surveyors and examining officers of Customs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the discontinuance of the direct train service from the City to New Cross, via Rotherhithe and Deptford Road, and the consequent inconvenience to a crowded part of London which is lacking in any other means of communication, he will make representations with a view to having this service restored.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the discontinuance of the direct service of trains from the City to Shadwell and Wapping; and whether, in view of the fact that the railway is, during the winter, the only means of communication with Wapping, he will make representations with a view to having the service re-started.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many pilots hold certificates from the Board of Trade who are of foreign origin and allegiance; and whether he will state their several nationalities, and whether any of them hold commissions from or are in any way at the disposal of their respective Governments.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state in whom are vested stone quarries and gravel pits where a sale takes place directly between the tenant and landlord, under the Act of 1902; and whether the tenant has the power of selling or using a quarry or gravel pit for his own or other use.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many teachers completed their course of training in the various training colleges in Ireland during the years 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906; how many of those have since been employed in Ireland; how many have come to England; what is the cost of training each teacher; whether he has any official information showing that the exodus of trained teachers from Ireland is due to the rate of salaries paid in Ireland, and more especially to assistant teachers; whether it is proposed to consider the salaries of Irish teachers as a whole, and make them in some way proportionate to the importance of the work they discharge.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain why New Year's Day was given as a holiday in former years; if it was an irregular holiday, can he say what is meant by an irregular holiday; and whether he is aware that the denial of those privileges is one of the causes of the discontent existing amongst the staff.

To ask the Financial Secretary to the War

‡ See Col., 832.

Office whether he is aware that the supply of uniforms for the newly established Army Motor Reserve Corps is practically limited to one firm in London; will he say whether the War Office mention this firm only in their communications to the officers; whether he is aware that an officer who wished to give an order to a Dublin firm was unable to do so, by reason that the War Office stated that the pattern of uniform in question had not been approved, although the London firms had taken orders for supply of uniforms; and whether he will take measures to insure equal treatment to all tailoring firms who wish to tender.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to recommend that service with the Army shall count towards a qualifying time for Civil Service pension or bonus.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether new brick stables are to be built or whether the old corrugated ironstabling from Bulford is to be moved and used for cavalry at Tidworth Barracks; whether the old stabling would, if re-erected, be weather proof and water-proof; and also when the new stabling is to be begun, and when finished.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the cost of living is dearer in Weedon than in London, and that the rents of workmen's cottages in Weedon have increased by 2s. to 3s. per week during the last five years, he will reconsider the adjustment of the wages of foremen and artificers employed in the Government works, so as to bring the rate of pay more into accordance with the Resolution passed by the House of Commons on 6th March, 1893.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he will state what are the exact powers over the Crown woodlands exercised by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests and the Board of Agriculture respectively; whether he would consider the advisability of establishing a Board of Forestry for Great Britain under the Board of Agriculture; whether he would also consider the advisability, in view of the need for new industries, of establishing a similar Board in Ireland; and what is the entire amount expended on experimental forestry areas at the present time.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the rapid development of submarines has caused any material alteration in the shipbuilding programmes of this or other countries with regard to the size and number of battleships and cruisers; and whether in order to secure adequate protection to the hulls of war vessels from the attack of submarines, the Admiralty will consider the advisability of offering a substantial reward for the best design offered for this purpose.

So far as the Admiralty are aware, the reply to the first part of the Question is in the negative; and as regards the second part, the Admiralty are fully satisfied with their own design for this purpose.

I bog to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty

†See (4) Debates, clix., 160.

‡See (4) Debates, clxv., 1114.

whether the wages of workmen in His Majesty's dockyards are based on the number of hours per week they are actually engaged in work, and calculated on the rate of wages per hour of similar classes of workmen in private yards; whether by this method the workmen receive less wages per week in the dockyards than those in private yards; and whether the concession of a previous Government of the 48-hours week to men in such dockyards is no longer applicable, but the shorter hours are to be worked at a loss to the men.

The total number of hours worked per week and the hourly rate of wages for similar work in private yards are both important factors in determining the dockyard rates, but they are not the only points taken into consideration. In some cases, the total weekly wages are less than those in the private trade, where the week is five or six hours longer. The introduction of the 48-hours week has in no case resulted in a reduction from the weekly rates previously paid.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the total value of the contracts placed in connection with the large cruisers "Indomitable," "Inflexible," and "Invincible," laid down this year in private yards.

The total value of the main contracts were as follows:—"Inflexible," £1,224,808, "Invincible" £1,253,348 13s. 4d., "Indomitable," £1,248,072 5s. These figures do not include cost of gun mountings or armament, contracts for which were placed separately.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why no attempt was made to secure competitive tenders in the case of the three large cruisers "Indomitable," "Inflexible," and "Invincible."

I have already told the hon. Member, in reply to a previous Question on the 11th December,†that this matter was dealt with by the late Board, and I do not feel

†See Col. 116–7.

in a position to make any statement as to the reasons which may have led to their decision.

I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many tradesmen have settled at Ludgershall with the object of being better able to cater for the various wants of men in barracks at Tidworth; whether he is aware that whilst brigade passes into the camp have been granted to traders living as far away as Portsmouth and Swindon, the military authorities have refused passes to traders actually living and carrying on business in Ludgershall parish; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving the local rate paying traders preference over strangers, or at least of placing them on equal terms with them; and will he express such a desire to the proper quarters.

Traders who live and carry on business in the neighbourhood of Tidworth barracks are invariably granted passes provided that their character is satisfactory and that there is not already a large number of passes issued to others in the same way of business. Preference is always given to local tradesmen.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he received a petition last June from the cutters employed at the Army Clothing Factory at Pimlico, asking for an increase in their rate of wages equal to that paid by private contractors to their employees; and whether he can accede to that request; and, if not, what decision has he come to on the matter.

No such petition has been received by me. I understand that certain representations were made informally as to the rate of wages of cutters in the Clothing Factory at Pimlico, but nothing definite has yet come before me for my consideration or decision.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can now state the percentage for the last twelve months of men in hospital from the cavalry quartered in England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively.

I would refer my hon. friend to the Answer I gave on this subject yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrew's Burghs.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British troops are to be withdrawn from Dthala in the Aden Hinterland; whether, if so, the Amir of that place will be left unsupported against Turkish aggression; and whether the Frontier Delimitation Treaty, which assigned Dthala to the British sphere of influence, has been abrogated.

My hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I have already stated that the permanent location of troops in the Aden Hinderland has never been sanctioned either by the late or the present Government. The withdrawal of troops from Dthala, now that the delimitation proceedings are completed, is in accordance with the statement of policy made by Lord Lansdowne in the House of Lords on the 30th March, 1903, as to the demarcation, viz., that His Majesty's Government had never desired to interfere with the internal and domestic affairs of the tribes on the British side of the boundary, but had throughout made it plain that they would not assent to the interference of any other power with those affairs. The frontier defined by the Commission and accepted by the Turkish Government, has settled all questions of the boundary between the Turkish dominions and the territory of the Amir of Dthala, and this definition constitutes a firm guarantee against Turkish aggression. The agreement with the Turkish Government has not been in any sense or degree abrogated. I should add that a Political Officer remains for the present at Dthala, and our political supervision will be exercised in such manner as may be necessary for the discharge of our obligations.

†See Col. 1242.

I bag to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has received the views of the Government of India upon the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the Excise administration; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement upon this subject.

It has been decided to publish the Report in India without waiting until the Government have reviewed it, and I will lay it on the Table of the House as soon as the necessary copies are received from India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Excise Report of the Central Provinces to the effect that the revenue from country liquor during the year 1905–6 increased by 17 per cent.; whether he is aware that during the same period the Excise Revenue of the Punjabrose by Rs.413,503, the increased consumption in four districts alone amounting to over 98,000 gallons; and whether the Government of India contemplate taking immediate steps to arrest the spread of drinking habits among the people of these provinces.

Large changes have recently been made in the excise system of the Central Provinces and the increase in Excise Revenue in 1905–06, which is correctly stated by the hon. Member, is believed to be of a temporary character and in large measure due to the unsettlement caused by the changes. These have the object of increasing the control of the Government over the liquor trade, and it is too early yet to judge the results. The increase in the Punjab both in revenue and in recorded liquor consumption, was caused by an attempt to substitute licit for illicit supplies by the sale of cheaper liquor experimentally in certain areas. A Report on the experiment is, I understand, under consideration in India, and when it reaches me, I will lay it on the Table.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Bishop of Bombay has refused licence to the regiment of Royal Scots, now stationed at the Colaba barracks in Bombay, to worship according to the religious solemnities of the Church of Scotland in the Government garrison church at Colaba; whether he can state if the Presbyterian soldiers in that regiment attend in parade form at any other church; what arrangements will be made for them as to churches in the hot months of the year to save them from exposure to the sun; whether the Bishop of Bombay refuses licence to Wesleyan Methodist soldiers, whether Calvinistic or Arminian, for divine service in the said Colaba garrison church; and whether these Methodist soldiers are enabled to march to any other church with their officers in military form.

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 28th May last, † it was arranged that parade services for the Scottish troops should beheld in the garrison church at Colaba during the hot months—from May to October inclusive—while for the rest of the year it was understood that they would attend the Presbyterian Church in the fort at Bombay. So far as I am aware, this arrangement still holds good. As regards the Wesleyan Methodist soldiers, there is, I understand, a Wesleyan Church at Bombay which is attended by the soldiers stationed there. The precise arrangements have not been reported to me, and I will make inquiry as to thorn.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering the close connection of Scotland with India, the strong religious convictions of Scotsmen and Presbyterians, and the natural feeling of a gallant regiment, he did not think this was a case in which the remedy against prelatic unreason or mistake promised in 1900 by Lord George Hamilton ought to be applied, namely, pressure by the Civil Government.

replied that he must inquire further into the Question before answering that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether

†See (4) Debates, clviii., 64.

it is not the fact that the church which is being thus monopolised was built and is being maintained out of public money?

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what was the number of natives in each of the last five years who rendered compulsory labour to the Public Works Department of Natal, and what relation the wages at the rate of £1 per month and rations bear to the current rate of wages, as complaint has been made by the natives that they are compelled to work for less than half the current rate of wages.

The numbers of natives employed in Public Works Department of Natal and Zululand were:—1901, 6,708; 1902, 6,403; 1903, 6,175; 1904, 5,677. Total number employed in all departments in 1905 was 5,382. The number employed in Public Works Department is not stated. The wages of £1 per month and rations appears to be in excess of the wages for farm labour. The information at my disposal does not enable me to say what amount of justification there may be in the alleged complaint.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention bas been called to a resolution passed at a public meeting at Port-of-Spain, in October last, to the effect that, having regard to the sufferings of the middle and lower classes of this island, and the readiness of the West Indians to labour for a reasonable wage, as is evident by their recent departure to the Isthmus of Panama, in view also of the cane-farming industry being presently sufficiently well established in this island, the Trinidad Working Men's Association in public meeting assembled protested against any further appropriation of £70,000 per annum of public money to continue the importation of East Indian indentured immigrants to this Colony to compete with the West Indian labourer, and that such practice has tended not only to add to the Colony's commercial depression in its contribution to the impoverishment of the Colony and to be an obstacle to the relief of taxation, but was a standing menace to public peace and property in the island; and, if so, whether he is prepared to give instructions for an inquiry into the whole of the circumstances complained of to be held, and a Report presented thereon.

The attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to the resolution in question, but he cannot admit that it accurately sets out the facts relating to East Indian immigration. It is not the case that £70,000 of public money are annually applied to the introduction of immigrants. The East Indian immigrants (the majority of whom remain in the Colony after serving their indenture) and their descendants form a large and valuable element in the population of Trinidad; they contribute most materially to the revenue of the Colony and are in no way a menace to public peace and property. The Secretary of State is informed by the Governor that such distress as now exists in Trinidad is not among the agricultural labourers, and is not, therefore, the result of East India immigration. Lord Elgin sees no reason for ordering an inquiry to be held into the matter. The proposals which have been submitted by the Governor with a view to mitigating such distress as exists have been approved.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which exists amongst the whole of the grades of the service employed in the manipulation of the traffic on the Ceylon Government Railway; whether he is aware that the men have been for a period of two years seeking an interview with the responsible officials with a view to finding a remedy for their alleged grievances; and whether he can give to these British subjects the right of representation through their union to settle grievances which arise in connection with their employment.

The Secretary of State received a communication last month on behalf of the locomotive engine drivers employed on the Ceylon Government Railway. As it was not sent through the Colonial Government in accordance with the standing rule it was sent out to the Governor with a request for a full and early report upon the complaints contained in it. There has not yet been time for an answer, but the matter will not be overlooked. No complaints have been received at the Colonial Office on behalf of other grades of Ceylon railway employees.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the Question as to the right of the representation?

That is a large question of policy of which I ought to have notice. I certainly feel that all employees on railroads should have the right of representation. Perhaps the hon. Member will see me privately.

I shall be happy to do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any steps have been taken to secure British control over the section of the proposed Bagdad Railway from Killis to Bagdad, as well as over the section Bagdad to Koweit.

The Answer is in the negative.

Is there any foundation for the assumption in the last sentence of the Question that there is any British control over the Bagdad and Koweit section?

No, Sir; that is a German and not a British section.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will cause to be placed in the Library of this House a copy of the identic map of the Turco-Persian frontier zone delivered in 1869 and 1870 by the English and Russian Governments to Ottoman and Persian Governments respectively, together with a copy of any correspondence or documents necessary to elucidate the circumstances under which it was prepared, and the purposes it was designed to serve.

This subject is now under negotiation between the Powers concerned. In these circumstances it would not be desirable to publish maps and papers, which would no doubt be of historical interest, but which relate to a frontier in which British territory is not concerned.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been directed to the rules and regulations for the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act which have been issued by the United States Department of Agriculture and are to come into force on 1st January next, and to the effect such enforcement may have upon the transactions which take place in whisky between this country and the United States owing to the want of any recognised standard in this country; and whether he can do anything to secure a suspension of such rules until the question now sub judice is decided.

The Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington has been instructed to furnish a Report on the matter. On receipt of this Report, His Majesty's Government will consider what action, if any, they can take in the interests of British trade.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has sufficient information to form an opinion if mining royalties and way leaves are fit subjects for taxation, and the annual income derived by the owners there from; whether, seeing these owners contribute nothing towards local taxation, and only pay income-tax on minerals actually wrought, and nothing on the capital value of unworked minerals, and that some royalty owners refuse, owing to increasing value, to work or let their minerals, he will consider the desirability of taxing this unearned wealth.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the Report of the Royal Commission, signed by the hon. Member for Rhondda and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Morpeth, in which it was stated that such a system of royalties had not interfered with the general development of the mineral resources of the United Kingdom.

Yes, Sir, I am familiar with that Report. In my opinion all the necessary information for forming an opinion on this matter is available. I cannot at present make any statement as to the future, except that suggestions for new sources of revenue are always welcome to a Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, seeing the burden placed on the coal, iron, steel, and allied trades due to way leaves and royalties, he will, in view of the millions of persons dependent on these trades, consider the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to report on the effect of these burdens on trade in relation to wages and foreign competition, and what taxation could be derived from these sources, seeing that no taxation is paid by mineral owners for unworked minerals, either for imperial or local purposes, though their value is continually increasing.

As my hon. friend may be aware, a very exhaustive inquiry was recently made into the economic operation of the royalty system. The Royal Commission which undertook the inquiry reported in 1893, and, in view of the mass of information collected by it, I doubt if it is necessary or advisable to institute another inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commission of 1893 reported that in royalties and way leaves no less than £4,000,000 annually of blackmail was levied on the coal industry alone of this country?

And is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Report does not deal with way leaves?

said he believed the Chancellor of the Exchequer considered that he had all the information that he desired on this subject.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that, according to an ancient law of Scotland, these mineral royalties were the property of the State, and whether he would take steps to have that law enforced.

I have no doubt that if it is an old Scots law it is probably a very good law.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether docks, wharves, and quays are registered for the purposes of inspection with reference to safety, and, if so, what means are employed for inspection; whether in view of the fact that the number of docks, wharves, and quays subject to factory inspection under Section 79 of Factory Act are 3,067, and the number of inspectors' visits totalled 2,147 only annually, steps will be taken to ensure an annual minimum number of visits to each place registered under the regulations; whether he will give authority to inspectors and staffto tabulate in classified form accidents aboard ship, quay, shed, or warehouse; whether gears and plants are dealt with by regulations and inspected, and, if so, what steps are taken to ensure periodical inspection; and whether inspectors are experienced men in ship cargo gearing and plant for discharging and loading purposes.

Yes, docks, wharves, and quays are registered, and are inspected regularly, as part of their general work, by the factory staff. The total number of visits paid to docks other than docks forming part of factories or workshops in 1905 was 4,787, not 2,147 as stated in the Question. Many of those unvisited in the course of the year would be small canal wharves. As I have stated more than once this session, steps have been taken by me to strengthen the staff with a view to improving still further the inspection at docks. Arrangements have already been made to classify in more detail the accidents at docks. Gear and plant are dealt with by the Home Office regulations which are enforced by the inspectors. The testing and periodical examination of chains and other gear is provided for by the regulations. Special inspectors are not appointed for docks, but the staff is carefully selected with regard to the nature of the duties they will be called upon to perform.

May I point out that the figures quoted in the Question are those given by the right hon. Gentleman himself earlier in the session as the probable number of visits, but those did not include the canal wharves, a totally different thing.

I will inquire into that.

Does the Answer apply to wharves in course of construction, whore, of course, dangerous machinery is employed?

I think so; if not, I will let the hon. Member know.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that there are about forty Licensing Acts now in force, commencing from the year 1660, affecting the sale or control of intoxicating liquors, many of which contain the perplexing system of legislation by reference, and of the number of important judicial decisions thereon, and in view of the difficulty caused thereby in their construction and administration, he will promise that the new Bill to be introduced next year upon this subject shall be one of consolidation.

I am fully alive to the importance of consolidating the Licensing Laws, and I have been considering it for some time past. But I cannot at present make any statement as to next year's legislation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of recent inquiries into the sweating system, he proposes to take steps to obtain reports on the remedies which have been applied by the legislation of Colonial States, such as the Wages Board Acts of Victoria.

Before that Question is answered may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will also make inquiry as to the alleged sweating of women and young girls employed by religious institutions expelled from France, and now domiciled in England?

Yes, Sir. In view of the importance of this subject and the interest of the measures taken in several of the Australasian States to deal with the evils of the sweating system, I propose sending a Commissioner to investigate and report upon the effects of the Wages Board and Compulsory Arbitration Acts in force in Australia and New Zealand. The opportunity will be taken of obtaining information at the same time on the results of the legislation to secure the earlier closing of shops which has been adopted in certain of the Australasian States. In answer to the supplementary Question, I am afraid that I cannot add anything to Answers I have already given, although I must say that it seems to me it is as far a cry to Australasia as the subject of this Question is apart from that on the Paper.

But may I—

The Question is not relevant.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the conditions of service in the police force are such as to prevent police officers from using their civil rights in all respects; whether the conditions preclude a member of the force from writing to the public Press commenting upon matters connected with the terms of service; and, if so, will he issue an order instructing that there shall be do undue restraint upon police officers in these matters.

The members of the Metropolitan Police, like other public officers, are necessarily subject to certain restrictions in the exercise of their civil rights. They cannot, for instance, sit in this House or on county or borough councils, nor can they act as directors of companies. They are also prohibited from communicating with newspapers on police matters without the consent of the Commissioner. The last is a restriction similar to that imposed on all Civil servants, and is clearly necessary in the public interest. I have no reason to think that any undue restriction is imposed.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he contemplates granting an Order in Council to the Boston Pilot Trust for the purpose of reducing the regular pilotage charges of the Boston pilots; and, if so, will he permit the Pilots' Association to lay their views before him before any definite action is taken.

As stated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Limerick on the 14th November,†the Boston Pilot Commissioners have applied for an Order in Council to confirm a new by-law made by them dealing with the pilotage rates at Boston. Public notice of the application has only within the last few days been given by advertisement, and I am not in a position at present to say whether the by-law is one which it is desirable to submit to His Majesty in Council for confirmation by Order in Council. I have already received the views of the United Kingdom Pilots' Association by letter, and should they wish to discuss the matter with me personally, I shall be happy to meet them.

I beg to ask the Presi-

†See (4) Debates, clxiv., 1493–4.

dent of the Board of Trade whether the Commissioners of railways and canals are paid at the rate of £100 for each day on which they sit; and whether he will state on how many days they sit in the course of a year.

Each of the two appointed Railway and Canal Commissioners receive a fixed salary of £3,000 a year. The average number of days in the year on which the Court of the Railway and Canal Commission has held public sittings has been about thirty-two. The Commissioners also hold private sittings, of which there is no record. I may also refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 28th ultimo, to the effect that the newly-appointed Commissioner is to give his whole time to the public service, and will be available for public work generally in addition to his ordinary duties as a member of the Commission.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the long hours being worked by the drivers and firemen at the Midland Railway locomotive depot, Leeds; whether he is aware that these men are frequently working thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen hours per day because of an inadequate relief staff; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the matter with a view to securing a reduction of these long hours.

Representations have been received in regard to the hours of work of the men at this depot, and inquiry is being made.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his Department on 12th October refused to make a grant to the Swansea Distress Committee, and informed that body that if it anticipated that it would be requisite to provide temporary work during the forthcoming winter, it must rely upon voluntary contributions for meeting the cost, and in that case every effort should be made by means of public appeals and otherwise to obtain the contributions required; and, if so, whether, with a view to encourage local contributions, he is now prepared to make a grant to Swansea and other distress committees similarly circumstanced.

The first part of the Question appears to refer to a circular which I sent to some of the distress committees, including that for Swansea, on the 12th October last, in which I stated that on the information before me I did not propose to make any payment to them out of the grant. I have not since received any communication from the Swansea Distress Committee. The object of the grant is not that a payment should be made out of it to every distress committee, but to enable this to be done in those localities in which the need for assistance in providing or contributing to the provision of temporary work is of a clearly exceptional character. It is only where this is the case that I am prepared to consider an application for a share of the grant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Swansea there are 800 unemployed men on the register, that there are no local funds to deal with them, and that unless a grant is made nothing can be done for these destitute workmen?

I shall be pleased of course to receive any application from the Swansea Distress Committee, and it should not only embody the number of unemployed on the register, but indicate any useful works of public utility upon which they could be employed. I can assure the hon. Member the letter will be promptly answered.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any complaint from the Local Distress Committee as to the action of a contractor in the locality in advertising for men when he has no work to give them, thereby increasing the distress there?

I am sorry to hear that any contractor should have done that. I have received no communication on the subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has suggested certain lines for Distress Committees to follow in respect to finding employment, and made the carrying out of particular schemes a condition of granting a share of the.£200,000; whether his Department has taken any action in cases where local authorities have not put the Unemployed Act into operation; whether he is aware of the diminished voluntary subscriptions in relief of distress due to unemployment; and whether he contemplates a more speedy distribution of the Government grant, the greater part of which is still unused.

I issued a circular to some of the Distress Committees stating the particulars which they should furnish if they desired to apply for assistance from the Grant. One of the particulars asked for was a statement of the work to be provided. The Unemployed Workmen Act required that distress committees should be appointed in certain circumstances, and appointments have been made in all such cases. I am aware that in some instances voluntary subscriptions have diminished. All applications for assistance from the Grant are dealt with as speedily as possible, and where I am satisfied that a case for assistance has been made out, a payment is made at once. We are, however, at present only in the early part of the winter, and it is important that a due amount of the Grant should be kept in hand to meet any claims that may arise during the remainder of it.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the syllabus of religious instruction issued by the Board of Education provides for the daily use of the Lord's Prayer; and whether in the provided schools the Lord's Prayer is usually said daily.

The functions of the Board of Education are certainly very varied, but they do not include, I am glad to say, any duty or any power to issue any syllabus of religious instruction, this being left to the local education authority in provided schools and to the foundation managers, acting under trust, in voluntary schools. In reply to the concluding paragraph, I can only say that I have no information beyond that contained in the Parliamentary Return recently issued; but I should imagine the reply is in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that there is not a post office with a money order or savings bank department within five miles of Pelden, Essex, he will arrange to add such to the existing post office in that village.

A guarantee has been given for the transaction of Money Order and Savingss Bank business at the Pelden Sub-Office, and the necessary arrangements are being made.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a large number of Christmas supernumeraries are being employed at Mount Pleasant and other sorting offices on night attendance, viz., 12 midnight to 8 a.m., for a wage of £1 per week; and whether, seeing that these men are paid less than sixpence per hour for all night work, he will undertake to see that they receive treatment at least equal to that given for a similar class of labour by the London County Council and other municipal bodies.

I will look into the matter.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if in any changes he may make in the post office of the House he will so arrange that receptacles may be provided for such Members as desire them in which their letters may be placed and that such receptacles may be placed in such a position that the Members may see them from the lobby, so as to save the time of the officials in sorting over a large number of letters when a Member asks if there are any letters for him.

As my hon. friend is aware, with the co-operation of the First Commissioner of Works, I have made considerable improvements in the postal arrangements of the House of Commons for the convenience of Members, both in regard to greater counter space, and also in regard to a larger and more convenient number of pigeon holes for their letters, and in other ways. There is no available space, apart from other difficulties, in which to carry out the suggestion made by my hon. friend.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board of Agriculture has received any Reports that the instruction sent out by the Board, with a view to the prevention of gooseberry disease, have had a good effect, or whether it is deemed necessary for more definite action to be taken.

It is too soon to say whether the recommendations issued by the Board will prove sufficient to prevent the introduction or spread of the disease. The position is being carefully watched, and if it should appear that further powers are necessary to deal with the disease, the Board will not hesitate to ask for them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board have endeavoured to complete the toe-end of the slip at Boat Cove, Glen, county Kerry, by using, against expert local advice, creosoted balk instead of concrete, which they had used for the rest of the slip; that, having found that the balks would not stand the high tides and gales, they have now taken the work to pieces; and whether, in view of the fact that the fishermen of the neighbouring fishing stations have been enabled to secure catches of from 20,000 to 30,000mackerel weekly, whilst the Boat Cove fishermen have only secured about 1,600, owing to the want of proper landing facilities, the Congested Districts Board will now use concrete for the completion of this slip.

I am informed that the work in question can only be executed at low spring tides. The work had been satisfactorily advanced at the recent low spring tides when an exceptionally severe gale caused the demolition of the work before the concrete part of it had time to set. The method of construction employed is, in the opinion of the Board's engineer, the only possible one. Mass concrete such as was used for the original structure would not be suitable for the extension to deeper water. No expert advice, local or otherwise, was tendered to the Board. The work will be completed, weather permitting, next spring. The extension will have the effect of allowing fishermen to haul up their boats from half-an-hour to an hour sooner than at present, in the case of low tides. In the Board's opinion, it is quite impossible that its presence or absence can materially affect the result of the fishing. It will be an occasional convenience, but nothing more.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that, on the Darcy Hilliard estate, in Dunkip, Manister, Croom union, county Limerick, preparations are being made by the lady who owns the estate and by the agent to let out the untenanted lands to the tenants as it may best suit their own views; and will he and the Estates Commissioners, through their inspector, put themselves in communication with the owners, so as to acquire the untenanted lands in the interest of the labourers and the poorer tenants of the estate.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are considering the question of purchasing the Dunkip portion of the estate referred to, and, with a view of making an offer for purchase, have directed their inspector to furnish a Report upon the property. If the Commissioners should acquire the property they will, when distributing the untenanted lands, pay due regard to the claims of persons in the locality.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, as President of the Local Government Board, why the Local Government Board inspector, Mr. Barnewall Crofton, refused to give a house and allotment on the untenanted lands of Dunkip, in the last scheme of the Croom District Council under the Labourers Act, to Patrick Maguire, Abbeyville electoral division, considering that this man has no claim to the house in which he and his mother live, with no other alternative to getting the house but emigration to America.

The Local Government Board's inspector found that there was no necessity for the cottage applied for on behalf of Patrick Maguire. The house in which Maguire has been living for the past seven years was not medically condemned as unfit for human habitation, and no complaint as to its unfitness was made. No suggestion was made at the inquiry that the applicant would have to emigrate if he should not obtain the cottage applied for; on the contrary, the applicant gave evidence that there was plenty of work for him in the locality, and that his mother also obtained employment.

The man has had to get the loan of a house from a charitable lady. He could get no other although he had work in the locality.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will authorise, as far as possible, the employment of natives of Ireland in official positions in that country instead of strangers.

I am quite in sympathy with my hon. friend's evident desire that Irishmen should have full opportunities of finding a career in their own country. But if, for example, a Yorkshire man should be found to be the most fitting candidate for a certain post in Ireland, my hon. friend would scarcely say that he should be debarred because of his place of birth. My hon. friend will agree with me in thinking that it would be a great misfortune for England were she not to receive the benefit of the services of Irishmen and Scotsmen.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the case of Denis Ward, who claimed through John Ward, deceased, who was evicted from his holding on the estate of Lady Alice Hayes, Drumboe, near Stranorlar, county Donegal, on 19th January, 1891; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have an inspector sent down immediately to inquire into the matter.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received the application in question and have referred it to their inspector in county Donegal for inquiry and report. The inspector will doubtless inquire into the matter when he reaches the district in which the holding is situate. It would obviously greatly impede the inspector in making his inquiries into the numerous cases referred to him if he were sent hither and thither to inquire specially into particular cases.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the average salary of assistant teachers in England, Scotland, and Ireland; what is the number of assistants in Irish schools; what is the percentage of assistants in England, Scotland, and Ireland who have obtained a teacher's certificate; and whether any steps can be taken to increase the salary given to the Irish assistant teacher.

I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps are being taken to improve the position of the assistant teacher in Irish national schools; whether he is aware that, owing to the salaries given and the poor prospects of promotion, the best men are leaving the service, to the detriment of education, and that the salary given in Ireland is little more than half what it is in Scotland; and whether steps will be taken to give assistant teachers of ten years efficient service second-grade salary.

May I also ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether assistant teachers in Ireland, though serving the same apprenticeship and passing the same examination as principal teachers, can never go higher than third grade either in salary or pension, no matter how long or efficient their service may be; whether he is aware that the maximum salary for men is about £80 per annum, and the average about £63; and whether steps will be taken to place on the Estimates of next year such a sum as will give second-grade salary to all assistants of ten years efficient service.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the average salaries (omitting fractions) of assistant masters and mistresses, respectively, are:—In England, £112 and £80; in Scotland, £120 and £73; and in Ireland £73 and £58. As I have said in reply to previous Questions, the Commissioners are of opinion that the larger salaries in Great Britain are due to the greater amount of local aid given, and to the fact that the schools are generally larger than in Ireland. On 31st December, 1905, there were 4,338 assistant teachers in Irish national schools, viz., 1,219 men, and 3,119 women. The Commissioners have no information as to teachers' certificates in England and Scotland. In Ireland, all assistant teachers have been trained in training colleges, or have passed the prescribed examinations, or are University graduates. The Commissioners are aware that there is a decrease in the number of male candidates for entrance to training colleges, but they have no statistics to show that the best teachers are leaving the service. Under the Commissioners' rules, assistant teachers appointed since 1st April, 1900, are ineligible for promotion beyond the third grade, save in exceptional circumstances. The maximum salary of men assistants is £77; but in addition, assistants receive residual capitation grants, as well as bonuses under the Act of 1892, The Commissioners do not propose to give assistants of ten years service second grade salary. They have, however, submitted proposals which would have the effect of improving the position of assistant teachers, and these are now under consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will inquire if negotiations for the purchase of a portion of the estate of the late Major Healy, Folkscourt, county Kilkenny, have been entered into; if he is aware that, while a portion of the tenants have been induced to purchase at the price demanded by threats of legal proceedings for rent and arrears, another portion whose holdings are interspersed through the estate are not allowed to purchase at any price; will he inquire why, while three-fourths of the tenants in the village of Johnstown on the said estate are allowed to purchase, the other quarter are not allowed; that those who hold under middle landlords, who are willing to accept reasonable compensation, are also debarred from doing so; and will he see that an investigation into all the circumstances stated will be held, and that no sale is sanctioned until all the tenants are given an opportunity of purchase.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the Question. Portion of the estate of Major Healy has already been sold to the tenants, and the Commissioners have no information as to any negotiations for the sale of the remainder which may be in progress. If full particulars should be furnished to them they will have the matter inquired into.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of evicted tenants in the county of Wicklow (West Division) on 1st January, 1904; how many of them have applied to the Estates Commissioners for restoration to their former holdings; how many of them have been restored to their holdings; and whether any of them have been provided with farms on untenanted land.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that their records are not kept by Parliamentary divisions, but by counties. The Commissioners have no information as to the number of evicted tenants in county Wicklow, but they have received applications from seventy-eight persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants in that county. Up to the present, four applicants have been restored to their former holdings, but none have been provided with holdings elsewhere.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able before the House rises to give any further information as to the action of the Estates Commissioners in regard to the reinstatement of evicted tenants?

I am afraid it will not be possible for me to do so. I saw one of the Commissioners the other day and he told me the work was proceeding rapidly, but he was afraid it would not be possible to go into details.

Has the progress been considerably accelerated since the question was last before the House?

Oh yes; we have more inspectors at work.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the claim of Hugh Byrne, of Cavan Lower, to a portion of land said to be wrongly in occupation of Edward Bogan, on the estate of Miss Stewart, near Killygordan, county Donegal, which estate is now sold to the tenants; and whether he will direct that an inspector be sent down to inquire fully into the claim of Hugh Byrne before the sale of the estate is completed.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received from Hugh Byrne an application for reinstatement, and have referred it to their inspector for inquiry and report.

I bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that, when Colonel O'Grady, of Kilballyowen, Bruff, county Limerick, was arranging for the reinstatement of his evicted tenants through the medium of the Land Purchase Commission, who purchased in the interest of the tenants some four years ago, the representatives of the late John P. Carroll, of Ballyvranna, were deprived of the greater part of his farm; and will he see that the Estates Commissioners through their inspector will open communications with Colonel O'Grady for the restoration of the farm to the rightful owner.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the Question, and have received no application for reinstatement from the representatives of John P. Carroll.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sub-Commissioner McElligott who has recently heard land cases to have fair rents fixed at Bantry, Castletown, Berehaven, is the gentleman whose judicial conduct in Longford gave such dissatisfaction as to have his removal called for; and whether, seeing that he owes his original appointment to the Earl of Kenmare, and that the Earl of Kenmare has a large estate, convenient to the sphere of Mr, McElligott's duties, he will suggest his removal from that district.

Mr. McElligott was originally appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant as an Assistant Land Commissioner so far back as 1896, and he has since been continuously so employed. The Land Commission inform me that they are not aware that Mr. McElligott's work has caused dissatisfaction, though, of course, it is not unusual for both the landlord and the tenant to be dissatisfied with the rent fixed, the one being of opinion that it is too low and the other that it is too high. The Land Commission have no information as to the circumstances in which Mr. McElligott; was originally appointed, and do not believe that any such circumstance as is alleged in the Question would in any way influence him in the performance of his duties.

In view of the grave complaints made against this official from various parts of Ireland will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the advisability of reappointing him?

said he was not aware that there were complaints of a general character. There were individual cases, no doubt, in which people were dissatisfied. The whole subject of the appointment of these Commissioners would shortly have to be considered.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will issue a Return giving particulars of the services, qualifications, and records of the sorting clerks and telegraphists who applied for the position of postmaster of Killucan, to which he has recently appointed a messenger in the secretary's office in Dublin; and whether, seeing that the rank of messenger is inferior to that of sorting clerk and telegraphist, he will state what opportunity a man of this rank has to qualify himself for the duties of postmaster.

The messenger whom I appointed to be postmaster of Killucan was formerly employed in the parcel office, and had a good knowledge of sorting and parcel work. He had also acquired a knowledge of telegraphy in his own time and at his own expense. All the applications were carefully considered, and I am not prepared to give the Return suggested.

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 reports that American blight or mildew and black, currant mite were imported into England by plants from Ireland; whether he is aware that the disease was imported from England into Clare by the Department of Agriculture sending gooseberry and black currant plants that were full of mildew or blight and mite to farmers who planted fruit trees under the Department scheme, as farmers who received them can testify; and whether he will instruct the Department to have an export to examine small fruit plants before importing them into Ireland from English nurseries in future, and arrange that the same export shall examine apple trees, so as not to allow cancerated and stunted trees being imported into Clare like those sent there three years ago.

So far as the Board are aware there is no evidence which suggests that the diseases referred to in the hon. Member's Question were imported either into Ireland from England or into England from Ireland, but in any case the institution of precautionary measures against the introduction of disease into Ireland is a matter that would fall to be dealt with by the Irish Department of Agriculture.

I am aware of cases in which it has been imported into Clare.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of allaying the agitation in Scotland, he will take into consideration the desirability of placing on the Estimates for next year an instalment of the sum stated to be necessary by the Secretary for War for the housing of two cavalry regiments in Scotland.

No undertaking can be given as to next year's Estimates. My right hon. friend has not before him the materials for a decision.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can give an opportunity, before the session closes, for the discussion of the proposed new Standing Order which appears on the Paper in the name of the Member for Halifax.

Either my friend who puts the Question or the other friend who has the notice on the Paper must be of a very sanguine disposition. I am afraid no opportunity can be found this session.

Would to-morrow or Thursday not be available for the purpose?

I think in the present exhausted state of Members of Parliament, it would be undesirable to commence consideration of this large subject.

in moving, "That, in view of the experimental and undeveloped condition of radio-telegraphy, this House regards with apprehension any engagements hampering the complete freedom of action of the State, and asks His Majesty's Government to grant a Select Committee to inquire into the proposals embodied in the Berlin Convention previous to ratification," said he felt convinced that His Majesty's Government were fully alive to the far-reaching potentialities of wireless telegraphy, and that the House as a whole was deeply grateful to the Prime Minister for affording an opportunity of discussing the matter at a time of political stress. The Motion spoke for itself. Although the Papers relating to the subject had not been in the hands of Members for long, he thought that those who had followed the course of the discussion in Berlin must have found it comparatively easy to assimilate the literature, to penetrate the true inwardness of that extraordinary document, and to disentangle the main and salient principle at issue. That principle was no less than the maintenance of our wireless system entirely unhampered by engagements with foreign nations, at any rate until such time as fresh developments and further knowledge might justify His Majesty's Government in adopting a forward policy. In that broad and general proposition he thought he had the cordial acquiescence of hon. Gentlemen in every part of the House. Before he concluded his arguments he hoped to convince the House that this country had played second fiddle to Germany and to her automaton voters at the Conference. The special representative of an eminent journal in this country, devoted to the views of hon. Gentlemen opposite—the Daily Chronicle—who had special opportunities of gauging the pulse and feelings of members of the Conference in Berlin, wrote to that paper—

"As far as important business is concerned, with the exception of the British delegates themselves, the Conference is of opinion that Germany has gained all along the line."

In bringing forward this subject he was not in any way actuated by Party motives. The interests at stake were far too precious to permit of Party calculations, sordid and squalid as they would be in this connection, being brought into play. Neither had he any ulterior motive in bringing forward the Motion, because he knew nothing of the internal economy of wire- less telegraphy nor of its constituent elements, nor had he the remotest personal interest in any shape or form in the future prosperity of the system in use by us. His right hon. friend and he, together with the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Forest of Dean, had before now stood in the breach against the unfair treatment meted out to the public and the Press by cable companies, and he therefore hoped the House would acquit him of any leanings towards monopolists; on the contrary, he had always advocated that no contracts for any lengthy period should be entered into with the British organisation, so that the hands of the State should be entirely unhampered to revise those contracts, or, if necessary, to acquire the undertaking in the public interest. They on that side of the House did not question either the soundness or the wisdom of the policy of sending our delegates to Berlin, for he believed the late Government were themselves inclined to accept the invitation from Berlin. His contention was that delegates having been sent to Berlin and the Conference having concluded its labours, it was of the utmost consequence that no agreement tying the hands of the State, indeed of the Empire—for, be it remembered, there was not a single representative of the Colonies at theConference—no instrument involving even the remotest risk to our delicately organised wireless system, or operating in restraint of the entire freedom of our maritime system, should be sanctioned unless and until Parliament, in the plenitude of its judgment, had had full and ample opportunity of addressing itself to and pronouncing upon the main bearings of the problem. That was the whole question in a nutshell. He did not propose to enter into the scientific aspects of the question for the simple reason that he was wholly ignorant of the technicalities with which it bristled. But there was the business aspect and the non-technical side—the principle of working and the method of administration—which was most important. By common admission this country possessed the most efficient and reliable system of wireless telegraphy extant. The department over which his right hon. friend presided for many years declined to enter into a contract with the organisation which now worked the wireless telegraphy service in this country. The Admiralty, after still greater deliberation, threw their ægis over that association. How it was that the Admiralty delegates in Berlin deviated from that attitude after having entered into such an arrangement seemed to him wholly inexplicable. Again Lloyds had entered into a fourteen years agreement, and Canada and Newfoundland had both signed contracts, after a great deal of circumspection, to accept the service of our present system. His first contention was, therefore, that having the most efficient and most reliable system we ought not, in an outburst of altruistic benevolence, to deprive ourselves of that unquestionable initial advantage. If the House would bear with him for a few minutes he should like to read a few extracts from two or three influential newspapers in Berlin commenting upon the action of the Conference and its results. The first quotation was from the Vossiche, September, 1906:

"The German industry has indeed found Incrative occupation in the construction of apparatus, but apart from a small beginning, it has shown little interest in exploitation.…It is evident that the difficulties of competition have grown very much, and it will need an arduous straining of all available energy and efficiency to counteract a supremacy which England is aspiring to.…The English tenacity, supported by remarkable capacity for organisation, shows itself here prominently. Where is there a prominent point of any importance and suitable for the erection of wireless stations that does not belong to England, or is not under English influence?…

Alluding to our own organisation it said—

"However gratifying this progress may be from the standpoint of civilisation and the augmented safety of navigation, it is regrettable that German capital takes such a small share in this advance. At any rate with the exception of England and Italy all the other Powers have an urgent and a pressing interest to see that the British service falls, as it cripples their industrial competition and grants to England a rather dangerous influence from this system of communication."

The Reichstote stated—

"It would be even more impossible for the other States to admit a British supremacy over atmosphere than the British supremacy over seas."

He apologised to the House for the length of those extracts, but he thought they would be convincing. He desired to know whether the Committee of Defence, which they owed to the patriotic sagacity of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, were of one mind on the subject, because rumour had it to the contrary. His second contention was that our Colonies had had no means of taking cognisance of the proposals or of the difficulties of enforcing the regulations discussed in Berlin. The House as a whole did not realise the magnitude of the Canadian and Newfoundland interests in the matter. Canada and Newfoundland together had a coast line of not less than:3,400 miles, whereas the whole of the British coast line from Dover to Land's End barely exceeded 280 miles. The reproach could not be levelled at Canada, still less at the Laurier administration, of desiring to strangle the competitive systems. Their view seemed to be that, until this science emerged from its experimental stage, it was best to leave well alone. His third contention was that in any agreement providing for the interchangeability of messages between different systems indiscriminately there must be the danger of these waves being shot through ether promiscuously, and in the welter and confusion that would be thereby created it was by no means improbable that our own messages which we had to send to our reserve stations on these shores would be blurred, obliterated, or intercepted, with the general result that the whole of our service would be dislocated. His fourth contention was that, unlike the cable and telegraphs, where they required an international understanding in order to lay ends of cables and wires at certain fixed points on the coasts, wireless telegraphy scorned all geographical limitations and barriers and know no frontiers. Therefore he thought that, until such time as arrangements with foreign Powers were considered necessary for our system, this country ought to be allowed to carry on the service which suited it best, and which, so far, had worked admirably. His fifth contention, and it was the last and most important, related to the status, utility, and general economy of our own organisation as compared with the organisation of foreign nations, notably that of Germany, in so far as any reliable comparison could be instituted with regard to their respective capabilities; for, while we were the common carriers at so much a word, the bulk of the people abroad were merely manufacturers of instruments. This was the second time that attempts had been made to draw us into international agreements, and, it might be presumed, judging from the anxiety that had been displayed, that their aim was to fortify the German position and the position of other Powers, which were untenable except with our adherence. He had no doubt that was an object of great use to the foreign Powers, because what they desired was to secure the establishment of their own systems upon our shores. Should we permit that object to be carried out? He would say certainly, if any such service could be conducted, and did not involve the principle of division of authority and competition between tbe different authorities, with the corollary of the joint use of the same stations. His right hon. friend knew the difficulties inherent in the domain of international cable agreements and how difficult it was to secure the introduction of even the smallest reform. The House was aware that the telegraph services in this country were under a central authority. What would the Postmaster-General say if the different makers of telegraphic instruments were to wish to co-operate with him in the conduct of his enterprise? What would the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster have said in the early days of the telephone if it had been suggested that he should allow communication with every single instrument to be effected through the central exchange? He would have said it would mean chaos. It would be more irksome and intolerable in the case of a wireless service between ship and shore or shore and shore. Let them take a simple case, and assume that two foreign ships were approaching our station. The House would easily see that if those ships were equipped with different instruments confusion would be the inevitable result. Our own delegate, Mr. Babington Smith, in proposing to the Conference that each State should have the right to reserve certain stations on its territory from the obligation to intercommunicate, urged that the well-organised service in this country would be subject to great jeopardy from the effect of messages transmitted under the provisions of the Convention. If the service would suffer disturbance from mere attempts at communication by ships not under the control of our stations imagination staggered at the prospect of a service which would be compounded of a far greater number of conflicting elements, ships worked by shipping companies, ships worked by wireless companies, shore stations worked by Government, shore stations worked by wireless companies, and the reserve stations worked in such a way that they were sure to be crowded out. He thought the result would be confusion worse confounded. Was it worth while, even in times of peace, to do anything that would, remotely even, disturb our well-conducted wireless service? What was the advantage of it? If foreign stations had at least as good a system as our own he could have understood the sense of entering into some arrangement in the direction of international convention; but so far as he could see the result of the Convention would be to encourage foreign Governments to collect information as regards the disposition of our own wireless arrangements round our coasts. We were the largest maritime Power in the world, and if anybody was to call the tune for the rest of the world we were the people who ought to do it. The difficulty of patent rights would constantly be cropping up, and it would be a matter of the utmost difficulty to adjust and reconcile the protection of these rights. They were told that the tendency of the Convention would be to advance and benefit science. He could not conceive a diplomatic instrument more calculated to hinder and check the progress of science; for it practically said to the inventor and the patentee, "Your patent will not be usable until every single State in the Convention agrees to use it," and even then he would probably get very short shrift for his rights. As a last resort they were told that unless the Convention was passed they would be working towards the creation of a monopoly. Whatever might be the drift of services abroad, there was no such thing as a monopoly in this country, and the suggestion merely created a false prejudice in the public mind. We had enough ships and wireless stations all over our dominions to keep our present system busy throughout the twenty-four hours; and if foreign nations wished to communicate with us, let them do so by all means; but let them use the instruments that we considered best, so that they might not disturb and unnecessarily injure the working of our present organised system. The Convention bristled with regulations the enforcement of which would be, if not practically impossible, so difficult, so harassing, and so irksome, that it should really cause any Government to withdraw from it if it unfortunately entered into it. We were on friendly terms with the nation that had been so conspicuous in initiating this Conference, but we could not overlook the colossal sacrifices she was making to build up her powerful Navy—a state of things that was bound to affect our Navy Estimates. Whether those sacrifices were for purposes of offence or defence the question was one which could not be overlooked. Wireless telegraphy was fast becoming an indispensable element in naval equipment. For other nations it might be more or less of a toy; for us it was the very breath of our nostrils. Were we to forget that "charity begins at home," and to go out of our way to stimulate the efforts of other nations at the cost of a possible injury to ourselves? If our naval programme was to be increased, the first section of the community to suffer would be the working classes, and he therefore appealed to the Labour Members to look upon the question as one specially affecting them. He did not know whether he might appeal to hon. Members from Ireland. He knew certain aspirations of theirs unfortunately circumscribed the range of their political vision, but he felt certain that the hon. and learned Gentleman who so brilliantly championed the cause of the Nationalists was animated by sentiments larger than mere local patriotism. He would be glad, therefore, if the hon. and learned Gentleman would help in disentangling these questions, if only on grounds of expenditure. He would remind the Irish Members that the brilliant and gifted inventor of our system of wireless telegraphy was a son of Erin, and that a considerable portion of the capital, labour, energy, and brain that went to build up that powerful undertaking came from Ireland. Whatever the results of the appeal which he made to the Government to mark time as against a policy of immediate and forward action—or rather he should say a leap in the dark—it could not afterwards be said that respectful remonstrance shad not been addressed to them. Theirs was the responsibility. Might it not prove to have been exercised at the risk and peril of two of the most cherished interests of this country, imperial and industrial defence. He begged to move.

in seconding the Motion, said his interest in the matter arose from the fact that he had had to consider it in reference to communication between lightships and the shore. It was to Mr. Gerald Balfour that the use of wireless telegraphy for this purpose, and with the happiest results to life saving, was due. There were two aspects of this question. Of the commercial aspect he would only say that it would be unwise, at the bidding of a Conference, composed as it was, to standardise an industry so completely in its infancy. He would say no more about the commercial aspect of the question. Nor was it necessary to deal with the fact that the Marconi Company had very nearly a monopoly in this country. We gave this monopoly of our own free will for our own purposes, and if we did not like monopolies our proper course was to buy the company out, stock, lock, and barrel. But from the strategical aspect the matter was of supreme, vital, overwhelming importance. In time of peace it was but a fractional percentage of the electrical communication of the world that was sent by wireless telegraphy.

Because it is undeveloped.