To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state what action is contemplated in regard to the Coastguard Service, in consequence of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee; and whether the Report will be laid upon the Table of the House. (Answered by Mr. Lambert.) I am afraid I can add nothing to the replies which have been given to numerous similar Questions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that some months ago an attack, which nearly had fatal consequences, was made upon a British subject in Spitzbergen, that British lives and property there were in serious danger, and that a message was sent requesting British assistance; if he can state whether any negotiations are in progress to have Spitzbergen placed under responsible national or international control; and whether he will consider the advisability of promoting some such arrangement. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) His Majesty's Government have received reports of an outbreak which took place in Spitzbergen last spring, in the course of which injuries were inflicted upon a British subject. The long interval that elapsed between the outbreak and the date when it became known here made it impossible for any British warship to reach the island in time to afford any help, even had the actual situation warranted such a step. In reply to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, His Majesty's Government cannot undertake to initiate negotiations with the object of instituting some kind of control over Spitzbergen Any British subject going to that island for trade or other purposes must do so at his own risk, and we cannot exercise any jurisdiction or assume any responsibility there.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the public proceedings taken and the penalties levied by the Board of Inland Revenue in the case of a firm of whisky dealers at Tullamore (there being no fraud on the revenue), he will state what were the steps taken and the penalties levied when, in or about 1901, it was found that over 1,000 gallons of spirits had been surreptitiously removed, without payment of duty, from a distillery in London; and what action was taken when irregularities were discovered at the same distillery in 1905. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The case in 1901 to which the hon. Member alludes was presumably one in which a deficiency of 1,000 gallons was discovered in the spirit store of a distillery. As the deficiency could not be satisfactorily explained, the Board of Inland Revenue exacted the penalty of £ 1 per gallon, prescribed by Section 44 of The Spirits Act, 1880. In this case no suspicion attached to the proprietors of the distillery. In 1905 at the same distillery an irregularity, but one of no very serious character, was detected on the part of some employees, and a penalty of £50 was imposed.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the supervisor in charge of the London distillery in which irregularities took place in or about 1901 was ordered to be removed, but, notwithstanding that order, was left in charge until 1905, when irregularities were discovered, this official being then retired; whether he had been a colleague at this distillery of the then Chief and Assistant Chief Inspectors of Excise; whether the then Chief Inspector was responsible for seeing that the supervisor was removed in 1901; whether he is aware that, when the supervisor was retired in 1905 or 1906, the officer appointed to succeed him was the close official friend of the Chief and Assistant Chief Inspectors, and was appointed on the recommendation of the former over the heads of about 100 of his seniors, contrary to the rules of the Department; and whether, having regard to the Answers given in this House last session in respect to this appointment, he will state what was the result of the examination of this official when he was allowed to compete at the last competition for inspectorship, contrary to the regulations. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am informed that no order for removed of the supervisor was given in 1901. He remained in charge till 1905, when he had passed the age of sixty, and the Board of Inland Revenue, not being satisfied that he remained thoroughly efficient, called upon him to retire. There was no imputation on his integrity. The circumstances connected with the appointment of his successor were fully explained in reply to a series of Questions put by the hon. Member for the Leix Division of Queen's County in February and March, 1906. There is no foundation for the suggestions conveyed in the present Question as regards relations between the officer in question and his superior officers. He was not amongst the successful condidates at the last competition for the inspectorship.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the contract for the reporting and printing of Hansard has been renewed to the present contractors for next session; if so, whether such conditions have been stipulated for as will prevent the recurrence of the oppressive overwork to which reference is made in the Report of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Reporting; and whether, if not too late, he will consult the present reporters as to the conditions which should be imposed with respect to the number of men to be employed in note-taking, the hours of duty, and the salaries usually paid for such work. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. It was not found possible, in the circumstances, to make any substantial modifications in the conditions of the contract, which is for the duration of next session only.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a statement by Mr. P. H. Bagenal, Local Government Board inspector, that the amount of out-relief in Halifax was too high, and that it ought to be reduced; whether Mr. Bagenal intended to refer to outdoor relief to the sick who were unable to pay for necessary medical attendance and other necessaries for their condition, to the deserving aged poor, and to widows with a dependent child or children whom they were bringing up respectably but were unable to support without Poor Law help; whether he had himself visited the homes of the poor in Halifax before making the above statement and suggestion; whether in the appendix to the 35th Annual Report of the Local Government Board there were any other reports of inspectors other than Mr. Hervey and Mr. P. Bagenal, in which the cost of in-maintenance was by mistake stated as the cost of in-relief; and whether any books or papers laid by the Local Government Board or its inspector before the Poor Law Commission had the same or a similar mistake. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have seen a newspaper paragraph on the subject referred to in the first part of the Question. Mr. Bagenal informs me that, when he addressed the Halifax Guardians he referred to the total amount spent on outdoor relief generally in their union as compared with that in some other unions. He made no specific allusion to the particular classes mentioned in the Question, nor had he visited the homes of the poor in Halifax. His object was to induce the guardians to make some alterations in their method of administering relief and to increase their staff of relieving officers. The term "indoor relief," or "in-relief," is not used as synonymous with "in-maintenance" in the reports of the other inspectors referred to in the latter part of the Question. I am not aware that it has been so treated in any books or papers laid before the Poor Law Commission by officers of the department, but I have no complete information on this point.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt in Dumfriesshire at the employment of police constables as water bailiffs; and what action he proposes to take. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The Secretary for Scotland has no power to interfere in this matter. The constables employed as water bailiffs are "additional" constables paid by the district fishery boards, who make arrangements with the county council.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fact that many of the platforms of important stations on the old London, Chatham, and Dover line are too short to accommodate an ordinary train, necessitating the train drawing up two or three times and consequently endangering the safety of the public, as well as wasting a great deal of time; and whether he can make representations to the railway company now controlling this line to lengthen the platforms and avoid the danger and inconvenience to the public. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The Board of Trade have communicated with the managing committee of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in this matter and have received the following reply:— "South Eastern and Chatham Railway," "General Manager's Office, "London Bridge Station, S.E. "14th August, 1907. "Sir,—I am in receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, R. 10187, enclosing notice of a Question which Mr. B. S. Straus proposes to ask the President in the House of Commons to-morrow (Thursday) relating to the platform accommodation at certain stations on the Chatham section of this railway. "In reply I would point out that Mr. Straus does not specify the stations to which he refers nor does he give the particular trains affected. "At the same time, I may say that at some of our stations it is undoubtedly impossible to lengthen the platforms owing to various circumstances arising at the particular places, i.e., in most cases it is either impossible to obtain the land requisite for the extension or to carry out the same without heavy and expensive works. "The trains, as you are aware, vary as to length, and the traffic at different seasons of the year, and especially at the present time, is very heavy, rendering unavoidable the addition of extra coaches." If my hon. friend furnishes me with particulars of the stations or trains he has in mind, I will consider whether further representations can usefully be made to the managing committee.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board intend to prohibit temporarily the importation of gooseberry bushes and standards on Ribes aureum stocks, in view of the danger of the further introduction into this country of the American gooseberry mildew on such imported plants. (Answered, by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Board are now considering the terms of an order prohibiting the importation of plants and bushes bearing edible fruit except by a licence to which conditions will be attached with the object of preventing the introduction not only of the gooseberry mildew but also of other pests injurious to horticulture.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the agitation in the Punjaub against the existing revenue assessment is due in a great measure to the fact that the land has, to a great extent, passed into other hands than those of the actual cultivators; whether the new landlords, who have replaced the original cultivators, object to the payment of the share due to the Government; and whether, in view of criticisms of the Government in this behalf, proceeding from representatives of such landlords, he will resist proposals to reduce the assessment now collected from the landlords for expenditure upon the general public, including the expropriated agriculturists. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Motley.) I am not aware of an agitation in the Punjaub against the revenue assessment. As I stated in the Answer which I gave to a Question on the 16th July, the amount of the land tax was mentioned as a grievance in the case of the disturbances as Rawal Pindi only, in which district the assessments had been recently revised. I am not able to say how far the objections to the revised assessments in that district were confined to new purchasers of land. The Local Government will, as I have stated, deal considerately with any genuine instance of over-assessment which may come to light, whether the complainants are agriculturists or otherwise.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what percentage of men who, during the last ten years have completed a service of seven years with the colours and five years in the Reserve, have been permitted to remain in the Reserve for a further period of four years. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I would refer the hon. Member to the figures given on page 110 of the General Annual Report [Cd. 3365], where the number of men re-enlisted or re-engaged in Section D during the last ten years are shown, and also the number of men discharged from the other sections of the Reserve on completion of engagement. It must be pointed out that these figures are not limited to men originally enlisted for seven years, and also that the numbers entering Section D include some men who go direct from the colours after the completion of twelve years service and consequently have no previous Reserve service.

To ask the Prime Minister, as Chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence, whether the post of Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence has yet been filled; and whether, in view of the importance of the duties, the salary will be continued at the same rate as was the case with its former occupant. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.) No vacancy will arise in the-office in question until October next, when Sir George Sydenham Clarke will take up his duties as Governor of Bombay.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, as the proposed torpedo range in Loch Long would be 7,000 yards long, with a breadth at the target end of only 200 yards on each side of the central line, whether the Admiralty can under take that torpedoes would never diverge from the central line sufficiently to pass from the range into the fairway.

I must refer my hon. friend to the printed reply to this Question on Tuesday last.†

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in the event of the radius of action of torpedoes being increased to six miles and of the proposed torpedo range in Loch Long being correspondingly lengthened, that range would extend down the loch from shore to shore; and whether, in the event of Loch Long being adopted as the site for the proposed torpedo range, the Admiralty would give an undertaking that neither the length nor the breadth of the torpedo range would be increased beyond the limits at present proposed.

My hon. friend will, I hope, excuse me from dealing with hypothetical problems as to what would happen in the event of the radius of torpedo action being increased. Such problems can be dealt with when occasion arises. I may add that Loch Long has been selected as the best site, with the most convenient facilities, for a torpedo

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty for what reason there was such a lengthy delay in repairing the recent injury to the propeller shaft of H.M.S. "Terrible."

As the vessel requires heavy repairs to boilers in addition to the replacing of the screw shaft, it was decided to take all the defects in hand at one time. Up to the present it has not been convenient to do this, as it would have entailed postponement in the dates of completion of the repairs of more important vessels. Preparatory work is in progress, and the ship will be taken in Land at an early date.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the fact that, owing to the recent Volunteer camps at West Tarring, Worthing, having been planned from an obsolete Ordnance Survey map, ground allocated for military purposes was discovered to be covered with houses and gardens, and great inconvenience was occasioned; and whether in future he will give instructions either that an up-to-date map be used or the ground be surveyed prior to being allocated for camp purposes.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief will be called upon to make a report on this subject which has not been yet brought to the notice of the Army Council.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the present deficiency of officers in the Volunteer force; how many resigned their commissions; and how many were appointed between 1st January and 31st July of the present year.

The present deficiency of officers amounts to 2,875. The number of resignations in the period mentioned was 473, and the number of appointments was 439.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the fact that some 50,000 engagements of Volunteers expire on the 31st October next, when the Volunteer year closes, and the men require time to consider as to whether they will renew them under the altered conditions of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, he can state what decision has been arrived at as to putting the Act into force.

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War, if officers or men joining the Volunteer forces after the 1st November will be requited to engage for a fixed period under penalties for default; if not, when this requirement will be enforced; and if officers and men already serving in the Volunteer forces will be required to reengage under new conditions if they continue to serve as Volunteers.

Until the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act comes into operation, it is not intended to alter existing conditions under which Volunteers enrol It is not anticipated that the Act will come into operation by 1st November next. Officers and Volunteers who may be serving when the Act becomes operative will be given the option of engaging under the new conditions under Section 29 (3) (a) of that Act.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would undertake to give as long notice as he could of his intention to bring the Act into force.

Yes. It is essential that it should be well known.

asked whether it is not the case that under present conditions, except on reaching the age limit, the engagement of a Volunteer does not expire unless by voluntary resignation.

I understand that is the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that George Bishop, quartermaster-sergeant of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Fusiliers, has been offered by the War Office compensation of £41 8s. for an injury received at class-firing at Bisley from a defective cartridge, which exploded in the chamber, carrying away the locking-piece and part of the shoulder of the rifle, lacerating three of Quartermaster-Sergeant Bishop's fingers, and destroying the drum of the right ear, permanently injuring the hearing; is he aware that Quartermaster-Sergeant Bishop has been paying for medical attendance since 25th May, and that at the present time he is paying 2s. a week as an outpatient of the Ear Hospital, Golden Square; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the compensation, representing 28 days at 3s. 6d. per day, given to this non-commissioned officer of twenty-five years service in the Volunteers, who through an injury inflicted by defective ammunition is now unable to perform properly his duties in the shop where he is employed.

I am not aware of this matter, but an inquiry shall be made into the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the survey party under Mr. Lilley, of the Indian Public Works Department, despatched by the Government of India from Bhamo in January last to report on the practicability or otherwise of the construction of a railway between Téng Yüeh and Tali Fu, in Yunnan province, has returned to Burma; whether they have reported favourably to the construction of a railway or not; and whether, in view of the interest taken by the mercantile community in this country in the question, their Report or an abstract of their Report will be made accessible to the public.

The Secretary of State has received a copy of Mr. Lilley's Reports of his investigations of the country between Téng Yüeh and Tali Fu; but in the present state of the question of railway construction in these regions, it would not be in the public interest to publish these Reports.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a recent resolution of the Natal Parliament to the effect that the time had arrived when the Government should take steps effectually to restrict and ultimately abolish Asiatic immigration to Natal, and that all Indians or other Asiatics who may arrive in Natal under indenture from 31st December, 1907, should, after the expiration of their indentures, be repatriated; and whether steps will be taken, by the Government of India to prevent indenturing under such conditions.

In order to carry the resolution, if such a resolution has been passed, into effect, it would be necessary for the Natal Government to induce the Government of India to consent to a revision of the terms of the contract with intending emigrants. Should any such application be made, my hon. friend may be sure that the question will be carefully considered. What precise steps ought to be taken needs a good deal of examination.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangement the Colonial Office is making to provide for the passage home, and for the future employment, of the members of the South African Constabulary who resigned good positions and prospects in His Majesty's services, and otherwise, to assist the State in the Government force in question, and now find themselves stranded upon the reduction of the constabulary to a minimum by the new Transvaal Government in a country where, owing to the labour difficulty and the repatriation, of Chinese miners, the Englishman can find no opening.

Men who enlisted in the South African Constabulary before the 4th January, 1904, are entitled to free passage home on the completion of five years service, and, if they have served with a good character, to a gratuity of one month's pay for every year of service. These advantages will of course continue to be given to men who are entitled to them, but the Secretary of State fears it is out of his power to provide employment for ex-members of the rank and file constabulary. With regard to officers, it has been found necessary from time to time during several years past to dispense with the services of those who become supernumerary to the gradually decreasing establishment. Efforts have been made to find further employment for these officers wherever possible, and such efforts will continue to be made, but the opportunities are necessarily limited.

May I ask if any facilities are to be given to members of the South African Constabulary who are not officers and are now dismissed owing to the reduction of the force to return home; whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a considerable number of them are likely to be stranded for want of means; and whether their names cannot be noted for employment in connection with Colonial forces in East Africa or elsewhere?

All that is a matter which requires very careful consideration. I should not like, in answer to a Question, to give a pledge which it would not be in the power of the Secretary of State to fulfil.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the British authorities take to satisfy themselves that the labourers engaged in the British West Indies to work on the Panama Isthmian Canal thoroughly understand the terms of their engagement before leaving.

The majority of the labourers from the West Indian Colonies working on the Panama Canal have gone to the Isthmus voluntarily in search of work, and without the cognizance of the Governments. As regards those who have been recruited under contract, the Secretary of State has no doubt that the local Governments assure themselves that the terms of any contract offered are fully understood.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what are the regular hours of work for labourers engaged in the British West Indies for employment on the Panama Isthmian Canal; and what system is in force to ascertain that these hours are not exceeded.

The matters to which the hon. Member refers come within the purview of the Canal Commission. The British Minister at Panama will be asked to obtain particulars.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the decision to take the Pacific Cable via Fanning Island instead of via Honolulu was made on strategic grounds; and, if so, whether any Report was at any time received from the Admiralty to the effect that a cable via Fanning Island would be easier to defend than a cable via Honolulu; and, if so, whether he will lay that Report upon the Table.

If the hon. Member will refer to paragraph 7 of the Report of the Pacific Cable Committee, which was presented to Parliament in Command Paper No. 9,247, in April, 1899, he will see that the Committee recommended the Fanning Island route on the ground that the Honolulu route would involve a departure from the principle of using only British territory for landing stations, a principle which had been formally endorsed by the Canadian and Australasian Governments.

said the right hon. Gentleman had not stated whether any Report had been received from the Admiralty to the effect that a cable by way of Fanning Island would be easier to defend than a cable by way of Honolulu.

Obviously that part of the Question should be addressed to the Civil Lord of the Admiralty.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Clause 13 of the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Bill, to the effect that the burden of proving that a person has not entered or remained in the Colony in contravention of this Act or any regulation shall, in any prosecution for such contravention, lie upon the ac cased person, would apply to coloured subjects of His Majesty who are unrepresented in the Transvaal Legislature; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter.

The Secretary of State apprehends that the Answer 10 the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. On the question of the position of His Majesty's Government regarding the Act, the Secretary of State has nothing to add to the statement made in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for East Leeds on the 12th instant.†

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the work already accomplished by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in combating tropical diseases, he can arrange for an increased grant to be made in order that the work may be further extended.

A further grant will be made of which the Secretary of St ate will be able to specify the amount after consultation with the Treasury.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, while under the Government of the Transvaal Republic, the £3 fee payable by Asiatics under Law 3 of 1885, as amended in 1886, was very generally not enforced, several thousand British-Indians, being I pre war residents, were, shortly after our annexation, compelled to pay £3 each for the privilege of remaining in the new Colony.

I am informed that the provision referred to was not

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to Clause 6 of the Immigration Restriction Bill recently enacted by the Transvaal Government, under which any person who may be deemed by the Minister, on reasonable grounds, to be dangerous to the peace, order, and good government of this Colony if he remain therein, may be arrested and removed from the Colony by warrant under the hand of the Minister, and, pending removal, may be detained in such custody as may be prescribed by regulation; and whether, when the measure is submitted for Imperial sanction, His Majesty's Government will represent to the Government of the Transvaal the advisability of withdrawing any clause which empowers Ministers to imprison and deport at their discretion and without trial in time of peace.

I have seen the clause referred to, but I have already indicated that no statement can be made as to the action which will be taken by His Majesty's Government until the Bill is received in its final form, reserved as it will be for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many indentured Chinese labourers in South Africa died during the month of July, 1907; how many were discharged for repatriation during that month; and what was the total number available for the mines on the 1st August, 1907.

I have no official information, but according to a Reuter telegram thirty-three died during the month of July, and one was struck off the strength, leaving 51,441 available for the mines on 1st August.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the total number of crimes committed in South Africa by Chinese coolies up to 31st July, 1907, and the number of convictions for such crimes.

The total number of convictions (for all classes of offences) up to 31st January, 1907, was 24,223. No later figures are available.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the cost of returning the time-expired Chinese labourers to their own country is being borne by the mine owners, or by whom.

By the mine-owners.

Can the Under-Secretary for the Colonies make arrangements for hon. Members to inspect the new regalia for the Orange River Colony?

said he had arranged, thanks to the courtesy of the Goldsmiths' Company, that the new Orange River Colony mace and regalia should be placed in the tea-room to-morrow for the inspection of hon. Members who desired to see them.

As the Crown jewels were stolen from Dublin Castle, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the same fate will not overtake the Orange River regalia?

The regalia will be adequately guarded.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the ratio of white to coloured men now employed at the Transvaal mines; what was the number of whites employed for every thousand tons of ore raised in July, 1907; and how does this compare with the number employed before the introduction of Chinese labourers.

The official figures for June and July are not yet available. For the month of May, the proportion of whites to coloured employed in the Transvaal gold mines was 1 to 10·5, as compared with 1 to 5·9 for the month of May, 1904, immediately before the introduction of the Chinese. The number of whites per thousand tons of ore hoisted was, for May, 1907, 10·1; and for May, 1904, 15·9.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have yet accepted the demarcation of that part of the Sino-Burmese frontier known as Scott's line.

The Answer is in the negative, and the matter is still under discussion.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the sums paid in Egypt for exemptions from military service in the first four months of 1907 have amounted to £E124,520, as against £E62,580 for the same period of last year; and whether, in view of this drain upon the resources of the poorest inhabitants, any, and what, reform is contemplated in the law of conscription.

I have nothing to add to the Answer returned to the Question asked on this subject by the hon. Member on 21st February last.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Miss Board and Miss Broderick, of the Sanieh Girls' School, Cairo, and Miss Bingham, of the Abbas Girls' School, Cairo, have sent in their resignations to the Egyptian Ministry of Education; if so, whether he can state the grounds of the resignations; whether they are to be replaced by three lady teachers from England; and, if so, whether the latter possess any knowledge of Arabic.

This is a detail of administration which must be left to the Egyptian Government, and in which I cannot interfere. The question of a knowledge of Arabic is always taken into account when possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, by an arrangement between the Egyptian Ministries of Public Works and Finance, it has been decided to offer a monthly allowance of £E10 per month to students entering the School of Agriculture who have obtained primary certificates, and £E12 to those who have obtained the secondary certificate, in order to encourage entries into the school; and whether this subsidising of students is resorted to because the fact that all instruction in the School of Agriculture is given in English has the effect of deterring those who would otherwise enter.

I will inquire as to the facts referred to, but with regard to the assumption in the last part of the Question I must point out that it is quite contrary to the general policy of the Egyptian Government, which has been to give instruction in English where it satisfies a demand, not where it would do the contrary.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any Reports as to the proceedings of the Turco-Persian Joint Commission for the purpose of delimiting the frontier between Turkey and Persia; and whether, in view of the fact that more than a year has now elapsed since the arrival on the spot of the first Commission, and that the delay has been attended by serious border warfare, he will now endeavour, in pursuance of the policy followed in this question since 1843, to bring about a speedy settlement of the dispute in conjunction with the Russian Government.

I have no further information. I understand that the Turkish members of the Commission are still at Mosul, and it is stated, though not officially, that they are to proceed to the scene of the recent disturbances to make a joint inquiry with the Persians. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople has been acting in the matter in consultation with his Russian colleague.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the result of representations to the Porte with reference to the incursion of troops on the Persian frontier.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I returned yesterday to the hon. Member for West Nottingham.†

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to communicate the terms of the new general Act adopted by the Permanent Committee of the Brussels Sugar Convention: and whether this Act will have to be ratified by Parliament.

The Answer is in the negative in both cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs-whether he has official information of the release of Kaid Sir Harry Maclean.

May I also ask the Secretary of State for

The Answer is in the negative. As stated in my Answer of the 12th instant, His Majesty's Minister at Tangier is doing all he can to obtain Sir H. Maclean's release. But we have not yet heard that it has been accomplished.

Is our Minister in direct communication with the chief who is holding the Kaid, or are the negotiations being made through the Moorish authorities?

He is taking whatever steps he can to secure the release of the Kaid.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if the ransom paid to the Turkish brigands for the release of Mr. Abbott has been repaid by the Turkish Government; and, if not, when it is expected it will be repaid.

The culprits have been arrested, and a considerable part of the ransom recovered, and I have every reason to hope that a satisfactory settlement of the question will be reached. But I am unable to say more than this at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been directed to the fact that a concern called Platinum Substitutes, Limited, has started a factory at East Road, Hoxton, in which 30 crippled girls supplied by the Ragged School Union and paid at the rate of 3s. to 5s. a week, plus an allowance for meals, are employed in a process of enamelling copper strips with a coating of glass; whether he can state if those cripples are employed for normal factory hours, whether the certifying surgeon has certified the girls to be fit for such employment; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the exploitation of cripples in the interests of a joint stock company.

The Medical Inspector of Factories has furnished me with a report upon the place mentioned in the question. 31 crippled girls and young women are employed in fusing thin pieces of glass on copper strips by means of a blow-pipe flame. The rate of wages paid is, I understand, as stated in the question, except that no allowances are made for meals. Some irregularities in the hours worked occurred when the place was first opened, but the hours, prescribed by the Act are now being observed, and all the girls have been certified by the certifying surgeon. Further inquiries are being made by the Lady Inspectors.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience and annoyance caused to passengers using motor omnibuses by the frequent breaking down of such vehicles; whether the remedy for such inconvenience and annoyance is for the passengers to demand the return of the fares they have paid, or to insist upon being conveyed to their destination by another omnibus belonging to the same company; and whether the police, if appealed to by such passengers, are in a position to insist, upon either of these alternatives being given effect to.

Only one complaint has reached the police of the conductor of an omnibus which had broken down refusing to return the fare. The complainant was referred to a solicitor. The police have no power to decide disputes of this character, or to require either the return of the fare or the continuance of the journey in another omnibus.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience caused to traffic by the number of motor omnibuses, continually breaking down, especially in the more crowded thoroughfares, within the Metropolitan district, thereby obstructing other vehicular traffic in many cases for lengthened periods; whether any special instructions have been given to the police whereby a speedy removal from the streets of such derelict omnibuses may be effected; and, if not, whether he will consider the propriety of taking some action in a matter so greatly affecting the convenience of the community at large.

Motor omnibuses, like all other forms of motor vehicles, occasionally break down, and no regulations can prevent this. No special instructions have been given to the police as to the removal of derelict omnibuses from the streets, but the companies concerned endeavour to minimise the resulting obstruction by employing travelling engineers to remedy defects expeditiously. The omnibuses are carefully inspected before being licensed, and, moreover, as machinery improves, breakdowns are likely to become less frequent.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Gisuppi Farnaro, a prisoner, who was convicted in May, 1894, by Mr. Justice Hawkins at the Central Criminal Court, has broken down in health; and whether he will consider the question of ordering his immediate release.

The prisoner is in poor health, and is receiving treatment in association in the prison hospital. He is weak minded, though he cannot be certified as insane, and, like other prisoners classed as weak minded, is not subject to the ordinary prison discipline. I regret that, in view of the nature of his crime and his mental condition, I do not feel justified in advising his release.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering that regulations now in force in His Majesty's prisons prevent members of the staff' attending the annual conference of the Ex-Naval and Military Civil Servants Association, he can see his way to grant prison officials similar facilities as are given in other Goverment Departments.

I have given instructions that members of this Association who are in the prison service should be allowed, subject to the needs of the Service, special leave, without pay, to attend the annual conference of the Association, and that they may also, subject to the same condition, use part of their annual leave for this purpose.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in a recent case tried before the Bath magistrates, a witness who claimed to affirm was denied the right to do so by the chairman, who is also chairman of the Watch Committee who were the prosecutors; whether the Home Office proposes to take any action in this matter; and whether he will take steps by legislation or otherwise to prevent the chairman of a prosecuting committee taking the chair on the bench when cases from the committee are being tried.

My attention was called to this matter on the 14th instant, and I communicated with the Bath magistrates. I am informed that the witness in question claimed to affirm, but as he declined to state either that he had no religious belief or that taking of an oath was contrary to his religious belief, the conditions prescribed by Section 1 of the Oaths Act, 1888, were not complied with, and the magistrates therefore declined to allow him to affirm. In a previous case tried on the same day the witness had taken the oath without any objection. The prosecution in this case was not ordered by the Watch Committee. I see no ground for any action on my part in the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the letter he sent to justices throughout the country, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief I Justice in August, 1906, recommending that in minor offences they should not detain poor prisoners in prisons pending trial, but should release them on their own recognisances, has been generally acted upon or ignored by the justices; whether he will have a Return made of the length of time between committal to quarter sessions or assizes and trial in all cases during the past twelve months in which bail has been refused and the accused detained in prison with special note of those cases in which the accused has been acquitted; and whether, in cases where his recommendations have been persistently disregarded by benches of magistrates, and accused persons have been unnecessarily imprisoned in consequence, he will place the facts before the Lord Chancellor with a view to further steps being taken in the matter.

I issued such a circular as the hon. Member describes, but it referred to poor prisoners who were not of the "criminal, vagrant or homeless class." Offenders of this class are numerous, and to release them on their own recognisances would, of course, be equivalent to discharging them without trial or punishment. Tables are included every year in the Criminal Statistics showing the number of prisoners released on bail, and the numbers detained in prison, and the numbers of both classes acquitted. To give these tables for broken portions of a year would involve much useless labour and expense, but the figures for 1906 will be published in the autumn and will show, I anticipate, an appreciable improvement. I have no reason to think that my recommendations have been disregarded by the magistrates.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to the speech of Earl Grey at Halifax, Nova Scotia, declaring that the natural geographical advantages of the Dominion were destroyed by the colossal Imperial blunder of subsidising mail steamers to New York; and whether His Majesty's Government will intimate to the Cunard Company that they are willing to permit that company to substitute a Canadian port for New York in the existing contract.

I have seen a brief telegraphic summary of a speech by Earl Grey to which my honourable friend doubtless refers. As regards the last part of the question I shall be happy to submit my honourable friend's scheme to the informal Committee which is examining practical proposals for the establishment of an all-British steamship service and I have no doubt that it will be carefully considered together with other schemes having a similar object.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was in a position to tell the House what subsidy it was proposed to give by the Treasury to the all-red route.

thought that question was rather premature.

asked if it was not a fact that an alteration in the present mail service would not be justified unless a fast bi-weekly steamship service to Canada were established on a scale equivalent to that afforded by the Cunard Company's present service.

Who is responsible for what is described by Earl Grey as "the colossal Imperial blunder in subsidising mail steamers to New York"?

I do not think that those were the words used by Earl Grey. My recollection is that he was denouncing the Cunard subsidy, and with that I cordially agree.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he has made further inquiries into the action of those insurance companies who issue policies to persons who have no assurable interest in the policies; and if he will consider during the recess whether, by a commission of inquiry or otherwise, this practice can be stopped.

I promised the hon. Member, in reply to a Question he asked me last month to consider any definite information that he could furnish on this point. He has-supplied me with some newspaper cuttings, but I do not find in them such evidence of the existence of the practice complained of as would justify action on the part of the Board of Trade.

Seeing that this practice is most injurious to that class which is least able to protect itself cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to forbid it?

I would do so if I had sufficient evidence.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the fact that, under the new Australian preferential tariff, British goods heretofore admitted free of duty, e.g., saws, iron pipes cartridges, &c., will in future be liable to heavy duties calculated entirely to exclude them from Australia; and if he will communicate with Sir William Lyne on the subject, reminding him of the solicitude for British export trade expressed by Mr. Deakin and himself at the Colonial Conference.

I am not yet in possession of the complete new Australian tariff and I am consequently unable to form a final opinion in regard to its effect on British trade. I understand, however, that certain articles (including those mentioned in the Question) which were previously free, are now to be subjected to duty.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Patent Office fees yield a profit of nearly 100 per cent. over the cost of maintenance, and that the American Patent Office issue patent protection for seventeen years for fees less than those charged by the British office for fourteen years' protection; and, having regard to all the circumstances, will he bring about a reduction of fees in this country in the interest of poor inventors.

I am aware that of late years the Patent Office fees have yielded a considerable profit, but at the present time whilst the office expenses are rapidly increasing and new duties are being thrown on the office by the Patents and Designs Bill I can give no undertaking to reduce them; nor do I believe that it would be to the interests of poor inventors to substitute for our present fees those chargeable in the United States which would benefit the comparatively small number of successful inventors at the expense of the much larger number of unsuccessful inventors who can less afford to pay. I will cause to be printed with the votes a statement showing the comparative cost of patents in the United Kingdom and United States respectively.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Canadian Government have communicated the extent of the financial support they are prepared to render to the project of an all-red route from Great Britain to Australia across Canada; and whether any statement can yet be made in reference to the proposal.

I am unable at the present stage to add anything to what I have already stated to the House on this subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if there has been any increase in the amount of sugar refined in this country since the Sugar Convention came into force; and, if so, can he give the number of additional persons employed in the industry for each year since the Convention.

There are no official records of the quantity of sugar refined in this country prior to the Sugar Convention coming into force. Since that date the quantities have been as follows:—

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether there is any regulation of the Local Government Board forbidding boards of guardians from letting rooms in union offices, subject to a reasonable rental, for the accommodation of trade unions or friendly societies who may wish to hold meetings of their branches or lodges on other than licensed premises.

There is no such regulation. On the contrary, the Local Government Board, whose sanction would be necessary to the letting, have expressed their willingness to give their sanction, subject to the guardians reserving to themselves the power to determine the arrangement should it be found to interfere with the use of the building for poor law purposes.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General, with reference to the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office Wages, which recommends that London postmen's wages should range from £49 to £91 a year, whether he is now aware that the Berlin postmen's wages range from £63 to £93 a year; and whether, in view of the fact that German wages generally are lower than British wages, he will level up British postmen's wages to a proper standard. I beg also to ask the Postmaster-General if his attention has been directed to the fact that, although the London postal porters maximum wages of 30s. per week have not been increased since 1882, or during a period of rather more than 25 years, the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office Wages does not recommend that an increase in that maximum should now be made, while it states that its recommendations are sufficient for a considerable period; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the consequent real decrease in wages sustained by the postal porters, he can see his way to increase the maximum to at least £100 a year.

I will answer these two Questions together. I have already informed my hon. friend that the Report as a whole is receiving my most careful consideration; and I do not think it would be advantageous to enter upon a discussion of particular points in regard to it. But, as he makes a specific comparison between Berlin and London it may be well, in order to avoid misapprehension, to point out that the comparison is inaccurate, and the figures are therefore misleading. Before a Berlin postman can reach the minimum to which my hon. friend refers, he has, I understand, to perform nine or ten years' unestablished service on much lower pay. After a similar length of service the London postman would have arrived at or near the top of his scale. Moreover, the London postman, in addition to the maximum, is eligible for stripe allowances, up to an amount of 6s. a week. Thus the maximum remuneration recommended by the Committee is 41s. a week or about £107 per annum in the case of the Central London postman. In addition there are pension rights, uniforms, boot allowance, sick pay, &c. The hours of the London postman are forty-eight a week; those of the Berlin postman are, I understand, considerably longer.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the fact that telegraphists in the postal service who attend the annual camp training of their Volunteer battalion have either a week's pay deducted or lose a week's leave; and whether he will take steps to place these telegraphists, when attending such annual camps, on the same footing as other members of the Civil Service.

In accordance with a general Treasury ruling, leave with pay is not granted to officers of the Post Office for the purpose of attending Volunteer camps. I have no power to modify these arrangements.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what sums have been paid for the carriage of mails to and from the West Coast of Africa during each of the last three years; and what average rate this represents per pound carried.

The sums paid for mails sent in both directions were as follows:—

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what shipping companies received payments for carrying mails to the West Coast of Africa during the last completed financial year; and how much each company received.

The particulars are as follows:—African Steamship Company, £7,224; British and African Steam Navigation Company (1900) Limited, £10,936. These amounts include payment for the mails in both directions.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is satisfied that the salaries due to the teachers of the Catholic school at Mortomley are now actually paid by the local authority of the West Riding.

I understand that the salaries due will be paid forthwith.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will state what will be the constitution and personnel of the medical bureau to be attached to the Board of Education, with the view to giving guidance and advice to the medical officers to be appointed by local education authorities to undertake the medical inspection of the children in public elementary schools.

I am in communication with the Treasury on this matter, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in October, 1905, the Board of Education sanctioned the use of the endowment of Christopher Wharton's foundation for the erection of a non-provided school at Stamford Bridge, and that on the faith of that sanction, land was conveyed as a site for the school; whether, in June of this year, the Board of Education withdrew their sanction, alleging as a reason altered circumstances; and, if so, why the Board changed the decision which they had in their quasi-judicial capacity arrived at in 1905.

The Board of Education did not in October, 1905, or at any other time, sanction, whether in a quasi-judicial capacity or otherwise, the use of this endowment for the erection of a non-provided school. The Board did, however, inform the trustees of the endowment in December, 1905, that the-proposals made by them—which involved the use of the endowment money for the purposes of the rebuilding, but, so far as the Board were then aware, not the enlargement of an existing non-provided school—could only be carried out on the authority of a scheme; and in January, 1906, the Board, in order to assist the trustees, drafted a scheme under Section 75 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, which the trustees might, if they thought fit, submit for the Board's approval. The trustees took exception to certain provisions of the suggested draft scheme, and it was not until April, 1907, that they adopted it as their own, and submitted it for the approval of the Board. In the meantime it had appeared that the proposals of the trustees involved a substantial enlargement in the numbers of school places provided in the school, which was not before the Board in the original proposal. Moreover, circum stances affecting the position and prospects of non-provided schools in the Kingdom generally, which are as familiar to the noble Lord as to myself, had occurred which, in the view of the Board, rendered it undesirable in the interests of the Foundation itself that eudowment money should be sunk in the provision of public school accommodation in non-provided schools.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what rent has been agreed to be paid to the Crown for that portion of the Walpole House Farm in Norfolk which is to be converted into small holdings?

The amount of rent is £697 10s. 0d. per annum for the first two years and £775 per annum thereafter, and in addition the lessees will pay interest at four per cent. on the expenditure (estimated at about £3,800) that may be made by the Crown in providing the necessary houses, buildings, fencing, etc.

How many acres have been converted into small holdings?

Roughly speaking 560; 360 are to be let with the old building.

What was the previous rent?

The rent now will be the same as before.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the loss, if any, upon last year's working of the all-red Pacific Cable, and how much of that loss, if any, falls upon the taxpayers of this country.

The accounts of the Pacific Cable for the year 1906–7 have recently been published (Parliamentary Paper No. 250). These accounts are drawn, as required by the Act, to include among the working expenses of the cable the terminable annuity of £77,544 18s., which will repay the capital outlay on the cable in a term of fifty years. On this basis the accounts show a deficiency for the year of £54,923 12s. 2d., of which the portion payable by the taxpayers of the United Kingdom is £15,256 11s. 2d. If the cable were charged merelywith the interest payable on the borrowed capital, namely, £60,000 a year, instead of being charged with the annuity for repayment, the total deficiency would be reduced to £37,378 14s. 2d., and the British share would be reduced in proportion. It may be pointed out, also, that the working expenses include a sum of £33,000 carried to renewal account.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Second Division clerks appointed prior to the Order in Council of 21st March, 1890, are, almost without exception, allowed leave to the extent of twenty-eight days per annum; whether the maximum leave of Second Division clerks appointed subsequent to that Order is twenty-one days per annum and whether he will consider the desirability of amending the regulations in any future Order in Council by allowing, after ten years service, a maximum of twenty-eight days leave for all Second Division clerks.

I have no information as to the number of Second Division clerks appointed prior to the Order in Council of 21st March, 1890, who are allowed twenty-eight days leave per annum; the maximum amount of ordinary annual leave allowed by that Order in Council is twenty-one days in addition to Christmas Day, Good Friday, the King's Birthday, and, subject to the convenience of the public service, the four Bank Holidays, and a half holiday on alternate Saturdays. I am not prepared to recommend any extension of this maximum.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, with reference to the annual fee grant of £40,000, the amount of the Scottish share of the Customs and Excise which, by Section 2 (ii) of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, is to be applied in relief of the payment of school fees of children in State-aided schools in Scotland, together with the annual balance of the Local Taxation (Scotland) Account referred to in Section 2 (6) of The Education and Local Taxation Account (Scotland) Act, 1892, which by that Act is to be applied as a supplement to that fee grant in Scotland, and is to be distributed accordingly, and which amounted to more than £37,000 in the last financial year; if he can state for what reason and under what authority these revenues, instead of being expended annually as fee grants, have been accumulated to such an extent that the credit balance of the Fee Grant Account, at the end of the last financial year, amounted to more than £113,000; and whether he can say to what purposes it is intended to devote these accumulated funds.

The credit balance in question has fluctuated from year to year, owing to the variation in the amount received under the Act of 1892, which amount was in some years actually nil. In view of this circumstance, it has not seemed desirable hitherto to raise the fee grant beyond the rate of 12s. per child in average attendance. Now, however, that the balance has attained the figure named by the hon. Member, it is a question whether this rate might not be somewhat increased.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can say how many persons landed and embarked at Arrochar Pier, Loch Long, in 1906.

I have no responsibility with reference to this pier, and have no information which is not equally accessible to my hon. friend.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the nature of the intricate questions as regards the reasonable amount of advance proposed by the Dundee City Council to be given to the policemen of that city; what are the rates of pay of similar police forces as compared with Dundee; and what is the amount of advance approved by the Department.

Questions involving increase of pay have to be considered in the light of the pay and advantages enjoyed by other forces in a more or less similar position. The advance recently accorded to the Dundee Police place them in a position of equality with the best paid forces outside those of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the immediate vicinity of these towns. If the hon. Member desires further particulars I shall be happy to supply them for his personal information.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland upon what principle does the Scottish Department base their grant of 40 per cent. of the cost of police clothing, and what are the regulations as regards the price and quality of the cloths supplied, as it is asserted that the Dundee contractors are unable to compete for the police clothing owing to the conditions fixed by the Scottish Department.

The percentage of grant varies from year to year, the amount available for distribution being fixed and the amount of outlay which it has to meet being variable. The auditors admit charges for the various items required for police clothing up to a fixed maximum. For information as to the regulations regarding police clothing, I may refer the hon. Member to the rules issued in 1892 of which I shall be happy to give him a copy. In reply to a further Question.

said he understood that a maximum price was fixed for each article of clothing, but the authorities were given full discretion as to how and where to obtain them.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he has read a leading article in the Edinburgh Evening Despatch of 3rd August, in which it was stated that policemen's batons were most effective arguments in the Musselburgh tramway strike, and whether in view of this direct incentive to violence, he could use his good offices among the men on strike to maintain law and order.

I think such statements are greatly to be deprecated, and I am willing to do all I can in the direction desired.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Lord-Chancellor of Ireland has arrived at any conclusion with reference to the continuance of Mr. Timothy Rorke upon the Commission of the Peace.

The Lord-Chancellor informs me that he has suspended Mr. Timothy Rorke from sitting as a magistrate until further order, and he is still under that suspension.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any persons have been made amenable for the offence of shooting and wounding Thomas Corcoran, junior, of Benmore, near Loughrea, on the night of 21st July, and, if not, what is the reason for the failure to bring the perpetrators of this outrage to justice.

Three persons were arrested for this offence. The case was heard by the resident magistrate at Loughrea, on the 9th instant, when the accused were discharged owing to the insufficiency of the evidence.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has perused the official report of the speech delivered by the hon. Member for North Westmeath at Strokestown, county Roscommon, on Sunday, when the hon. Member said that the cattle ought to be driven off the ranches, and that the people of Strokestown ought to relieve the pressure on the people of other parishes by giving some occupation to the police thereabouts; and whether he proposes to take action with reference to such incitements to lawless conduct.

The transcript of the shorthand writer's notes in this case has not yet reached my hands.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Sir Antony MacDonnell has assured the Rev. Mr. Martin, of Ballintubber, that if the United Irish League would give him a guarantee that there would be no further disturbance in the district he would withdraw the extra police who are in the district for the protection of the cattle on the Fohenagh farm, and would see that this farm was divided at the earliest moment; and, if so, under whose instructions Sir Antony MacDonnell was acting when he entered into negotiations with the United Irish League, and what differentiates the Fohenagh farm from others from which cattle have been driven that the Government should adopt this course of negotiation, instead of attempting to vindicate the law by prosecuting those supposed to be guilty.

I am aware that a report to the effect mentioned in the first part of the Question appeared in a newspaper, but Sir Antony MacDonnell informed me at the time that the report was incorrect. The Rev. Mr. Martin asked Sir Antony MacDonnell to have the police removed from the farm in question, and Sir Antony replied that he would like to have an assurance that the cattle would not be driven off again. Father Martin said he could give no absolute guarantee, but would do all in his power to prevent further interference with the farm, and he believed there would be none. As a result the large force of police at the farm was reduced. No reference to the United Irish League was made by either Sir Antony or Father Martin. Full measures for vindicating the law in this case have been taken. The Attorney-General sent up a Bill against a number of persons at the last assizes, and an adjournment was obtained in order to move for a change of venue. The case is pending.

asked whether it was the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to abdicate the powers of the Government where assurances could be received from local influential people.

No, Sir; I never abdicate.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he proposes to continue the present system under which assistant inspectors first report on claims for reinstatement by alleged evicted tenants and are then required to supervise any sanctioned reinstatements in the same districts and make payment to them of authorised grants and advances from the reserve fund, or whether he will consider the advisability of arranging that these important duties should be discharged by different officers.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the system referred to in the Question was a good one, and worked satisfactorily, and I am not aware of any reason why it should not be continued. I may, however, mention that the special staff of assistant inspectors for evicted tenants' cases has recently been dispensed with, and the expenditure of free grants and advances from the reserve fund is now supervised by the ordinary staff.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the reports of assistant inspectors, appointed to investigate claims of alleged evicted tenants, are subjected to any system of checking before being adopted by the Estates Commissioners.

The reports of assistant inspectors are carefully examined and checked before being adopted by the Estates Commissioners, but, of course, a second inspector is not sent to the locality to inquire afresh into the case unless some special necessity should arise.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say if the Jacob tenants, South Wexford, and their landlord have agreed regarding the purchase of the estate by the tenants; and if the agent, Mr. G. L. Taylor, Fethard, has refused to entertain the claim of Mrs. Marshall, evicted tenant, to purchase her farm.

No proceedings for the sale of this estate have been instituted before the Estates Commissioners, and they have no knowledge of any negotiations for sale. No application for reinstatement has been received from Mrs. Marshall.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he had received any information with reference to the attempt to murder Lord Ashtown by blowing up his residence at Glenahira, county Waterford, on Tuesday night; whether he knew that the explosive was placed directly beneath the room which Lord Ashtown was occupying; what number of police were stationed in the vicinity, and what personal protection did the police afford Lord Ashtown while he was at Glenahira.

I have received a telegraphic report, but full details are not yet to hand. It is the fact that an explosion took place yesterday morning at Lord Ashtown's shooting lodge at Waterford. The explosive was contained in a metal pot placed on the sill of the window immediately below the room in which Lord Ashtown was sleeping. The window was blown in and the furniture damaged, but I am glad to say that Lord Ashtown and the servants escaped injury. Some paraffin bottles containing oil were found by the police, who are pursuing their inquiries. Lord Ashtown has declined to receive personal protection, but the police are affording him protection by means of patrols. The question of extending the protection is being considered by the police authorities.

On whose evidence was this information—on Lord Ashtown's?

It is derived from an inspection of the spot made by the police.

asked whether the inquiries would be continued, bearing in mind the revelations as to a certain Constable Sheridan, so as to ascertain that the outrage was not committed by some such agent provocateur.

asked whether the damage caused by the explosion was so great that the mantelpiece in the bedroom of Lord Ashtown was detached from the wall.

asked whether Lord Ashtown had not stated in an interview that he knew it was an outrage before he left his bedroom.

said that he would road the telegraphic despatch, which was as follows:—"The injury to Lord Ashtown's lodge was caused by placing a metal pot containing, it is believed, a large quantity of blasting powder on one of the window sills of the drawing-room directly beneath his lordship's bedroom. The pot had a metal cover which was flattened down by an iron band with nuts on end. There were four holes in the cover for the purpose of inserting a fuse. Three broken bottles, which contained paraffin oil, were found on the ground. The window and the shutter of the same where the pot was placed were blown into the room, curtains, etc., caught fire, and some articles of furniture were broken, as well as a quantity of the woodwork. The glass of three other windows was also broken, walls were slightly cracked in many places, and the mantelpiece in Lord Ashtown's bedroom partly torn from the wall. Lord Ashtown and four servants were sleeping in the lodge, but none were injured."

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience is occasioned to those members of the postal staff in Belfast who have to deliver letters, by reason of the fact that they are frequently detailed to a district remote from their own residences and are in consequence unable, or have very little time, to get to and from their homes for meals in the intervals between their spells of duty; and whether arrangements could be made whereby men should the detailed, as far as possible, for duty in districts convenient to their homes.

I am having inquiry made on the subject and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether any conclusion has yet been arrived at with reference to the establishment of a telegraph office at Rosslare pier; and whether any progress has been made regarding the giving of a second delivery at those villages in South Wexford through which the Rosslare line passes.

I hope that arrangements will shortly be made with the railway company for opening a telegraph office at Rosslare pier. My inquiries with regard to further improvement of the postal arrangements at places in the neighbourhood of the Rosslare Railway in South Wexford, have made considerable progress, but they affect a large district and it has not yet been possible to complete them. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am able to arrive at a decision.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the delegates of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, representing more than 300,000 members, requesting the Government that when they deal with the question of taxing land values they will take into consideration the desirability of exempting friendly societies from the operation of such Act; whether he is aware that many other friendly and building societies hold large investments in land values; and whether he can give any general assurance which will remove the alarm that has been created by the proposals made by some of his supporters.

No, Sir, I have not received the resolution in question. I shall always be glad to give any assurance in my power which may tend to remove alarm in whatever quarter it may exist; and my hon. friend is quite free to make it known that His Majesty's Government will endeavour in this and other matters to act with justice and consideration.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, before appointing another Judge to the King's Bench Division, he will take stops to have the present circuit system re-organised.

The Address from the House to the King, as well as the Address from the other House, was founded on the urgent state of business in the High Court. It would not be consistent with the course taken by Parliament to delay the appointment of the Judge.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he has expressed agreement with the proposals recently brought before him by a deputation of London Liberal Members, including proposals for a wider extension of the area of the county of London; whether he contemplates dealing with the question of extension by means of a Government Bill; and whether, before coming to a decision on the matter, he will take steps to ascertain, by public inquiry or otherwise, the opinion of the inhabitants and local authorities of the districts which it may be proposed to bring into the London area.

A wider extension of the area of the county of London was one of the many objects brought before me by a deputation of London Members, and I agree with them that it is a desirable object, but the Government have come to no conclusion as to the time at which or the form in which it may be best attained.

asked if the Prime Minister could give him the assurance he had asked for in the latter part of the Question.

replied that naturally the views of the population in the districts concerned would be an important factor in the situation.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would see that the feeling of the inhabitants of the suburban districts, in respect of the drastic and far-reaching changes proposed, was not overlooked?

If the suburban Members come to me in the same way that the London Members have done, I shall be happy to receive them.

asked as to the business for next week.

said that to-morrow, after the Third Reading of the English Land Bill, some of the smaller orders on the Paper would be taken. On Monday, the Second Reading of the Transvaal Loan Bill would be taken; on Tuesday, the Report Stage of the Scottish Land Values Bill; and on Wednesday, probably the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill would be taken. The Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill would be put dawn as first order on Monday.

said that it was the ordinary practice for the work of the session to conclude with the Appropriation Bill, which gave opportunity for the discussion of urgent public questions. He suggested that the Third Reading of the Bill should be reserved, as there were several outstanding questions which the hon. Members would like to discuss.

asked when the relics of the late Evicted Tenants Bill would be taken.

(St. George's, Hanover Square) pointed out that by arrangement with the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury the preliminary stages of the Transvaal Loan Bill had been regarded as purely formal on the distinct understanding that the whole day would be given for the Second Reading. That arrangement would not be fulfilled if the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill as put down as first order on Monday.

said that he understood that it was necessary that the Appropriation Bill should be in another place on Monday, and that the Third Reading would be a purely formal stage If it were not he agreed that it could not be taken as first order on Monday, but that the Transvaal Loan Bill must have precedence.

asked why it was necessary to send the Appropriation Bill to another place on Monday.

said that the money was wanted for the public services. The Royal Assent ought to be obtained at the latest on Tuesday.

asked whether any day would be given for the Motion which stood on the Paper for an address to annul the rule relating to the appointment of a Public Trustee. The rule had already lain on the Table for half the required thirty days.

I not only fear, but I am certain that the exigencies of public business will not allow us to give such a day.

asked whether the Act of Parliament which conferred on the House the right to discuss this most important matter could be defeated by the exigencies of Party interest.

said that in ordinary circumstances it would have been possible for the hon. Member to raise a discussion after 11 o'clock at night; but the House had passed a Resolution that on the conclusion of Government business the Speaker should declare the House to stand adjourned. By passing that Resolution, the House had deprived itself of the power of discussing such a Motion as the hon. Member desired to bring forward. It was open to the hon. Member to have voted against the Resolution on that ground.

No doubt I shall have an opportunity on the Appropriation Bill.

The hon. Member, in putting down his Motion, has himself pat down a blocking notice.