To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that parcels sent by parcel post, from this country to Germany and Denmark cost for carriage 2s., whilst similar parcels from Germany and Denmark to this country cost only 1s. 5d.; whether he is aware that from Switzerland, in the centre of Europe, a parcel to Norway costs 1s. 5d., whilst a similar parcel from this country to Norway costs 2s., or nearly 50 per cent. more; whether he is aware that a parcel from Switzerland to this country costs 1s. 10d., and vice versa 2s. 6d.; whether the latest agreement with Japan provides for a cost of 4s., where Germany only pays 2s. 7d.; whether he is aware that German postal rates for parcels to seventeen European countries are only half of the average cost from this country; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The hon. Member's comparison of charges is misleading. There is in almost every case a triple scale of postage in force in this country for parcels sent abroad under which a light parcel costs less for postage than a heavy one. The comparisons given in the Question are correct so far as they go, but they are applicable only to heavy parcels, while in most cases the rates on light parcels compare very favourably with those on parcels of the same weight sent from the Continent to this country or to other destinations. Thus, to take some of the exchanges instanced, while light parcels, i.e., parcels not over three pounds, from this country to Germany and Denmark cost 1s., similar parcels from Germany and Denmark cost 1s. 5d.; a light parcel from this country to Norway costs 1s., but from Switzerland to Norway by the cheapest route 1s. 5d.; and on a light parcel sent from this country to Switzerland the postage is the same as in the reverse direction, namely, 1s. 6d. On the whole the triple scale of postage is not, I think, disadvantageous to the public in this country. As I have told the hon. Member, in answer to another Question, I have for some time been considering what improvements can be effected.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what amount is still owing to this country on account of the Pekin indemnity; and how long is it overdue. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The total indemnity payable by China was fixed at 450,000,000 taels. Of this total the British share is 50,620,545 taels. Under the terms of the Protocol the indemnity is to be paid by annuities extending over the period to 1940. These annuities are being paid punctually and fully, and no part of the sum is overdue.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received Memorials from ex-Volunteers in Gloucester and other towns praying that they may be allowed to do six or eight plain clothes drills a year and complete the course of annual musketry with the Territorial Army, on condition that they hold themselves liable for service with the Territorial Army in cases of emergency; and whether, in view of the reserve that could in this manner be formed for the Territorial Army without in any way taking possible recruits from it, he can see his way to grant the request of the memorialists. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. In view of the fact that the County Associations are at present fully engaged in the formation of the active portion of the Territorial Force it is considered expedient to finish this work before proceeding with the formation of a reserve. In any event it is impossible to take any steps without careful preparation.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether Fyfield Farm, in the parish of Enford, Wilts, fell vacant last Michaelmas; whether the farm is now let to a tenant who already farms about 4,000 acres of land in the district; whether there were several applications for small holdings from the neighbourhood when the farm fell vacant: and why steps were not taken to sub-divide, at any rate, part of the farm into small holdings. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This farm fell vacant last Michaelmas. It is now let to a tenant who farms a very considerable amount of land from the War Department. There were several applications for small holdings from the neighbourhood when the farm fell vacant. The whole question of making the arable part of the farm, about 62 acres, available for small holdings was fully considered, and it was finally decided that it was impossible to let the land for small holdings without interfering with the training facilities of the troops, and it has been found necessary to take a covenant from the present tenant to lay down the arable land in glass within the next two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for War on what date and for what consideration, were the right of common on Woolwich Common acquired by the War Office. What is known as Woolwich Common formerly consisted of two commons, Woolwich and Charlton, which were respectively acquired under two Acts of 1803. Under these Acts, commissioners were appointed to inquire into existing rights and ascertain the compensation to be paid, and their decrees were to be final. About £9,000 was paid over Charlton and £3,000 over Woolwich in extinction of commonable rights.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the inhabitants of Armoy, County Antrim, have no water supply of any kind, and that people are compelled to use the water of a well beside the Presbyterian burying ground which water has over and over again been condemned by the medical officer of health; that the Ballycastle Rural Council have not taken any steps to provide a proper water supply for the town, although representations have been made to them and to the Local Government Board for the past eight years asking them to take action in this matter; and whether he will put pressure on the Local Government Board to compel the local sanitary authority to remedy this grievance. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Complaints have been made from time to time that the arrangements for the water supply of the town are not satisfactory, and the Local Government Board have brought these complaints to the notice of the rural district council, whose duty it is to see that a proper water supply is provided. It appears that the council have made borings for two pumps, but apparently the supply obtained therefrom is not considered to be sufficient for the needs of the whole town. A formal complaint has recently been made to the Local Government Board under Section 15 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896, alleging that the rural district council have made default in the matter of providing a proper supply of water for the town, and this complaint is at present under the Board's consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the inspector deputed by the Estates Commissioners to make inquiries with the view to the restoration of Mr. John F. McQuade to the holding from which he was formerly evicted in the townland of Drumkirk, on the Irvine estate, County Fermanagh, has yet furnished his report; and, if so, do the Commissioners intend to take immediate steps to restore McQuade to his holding, seeing his case has been under consideration for more than three years. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have considered their inspectors' report upon this case, and have made an offer to the owner for the purchase of the holding from which McQuade was evicted. The Commissioners will endeavour to restore the applicant to his former holding, or in the alternative, to provide him with I another holding.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution, adopted by the North-East Cork Executive of the United Irish League, at a meeting held in Fermoy on the 6th instant, pointing out the necessity for copies of reports made by Estates Commissioners' inspectors on cases of evicted tenants and on non-judicial holdings being supplied to the parties concerned; and if he can see his way to invite the attention of the Commissioners to the matter. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The inspectors' reports are made for the-information of the Estates Commissioners and are confidential documents, and the Commissioners do not consider that it would be proper to communicate them to the parties interested.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Poor Law valuation on the Island of Rathlin is in many cases more than double the old rent, and more than treble the judicial rent of the holdings; whether he can state if, in fixing the valuation, any account was taken of the, hardships under which the islanders exist, or of the loss and danger to which the crops and live stock are exposed from wind and tide; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to a revision of the present valuation. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The Commissioner of Valuation informs me that he has no information as regards the statement in the first part of the Question, but that the total Poor Law valuation of the land in Rathlin Island is £791, which is equivalent to an average of 4s. 5d. per acre. The Answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative. There is no power, I understand, under the existing law to make a revaluation; but the fact that the valuations are above or below the rent does not affect the amount of local taxation paid by the individual taxpayer so long as all the valuations in the rating area are determined upon a uniform and proportionate basis.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in fifteen cases where judicial rents have been recently fixed on the De Vesci estate, Abbeyleix, Queen's County, appeals have been lodged by the landlord; and whether, in view of the fact that all those tenants are poor people, many of them being unable to provide the means of attending in Dublin with their witnesses, he will arrange for the appeals to be heard at Abbeyleix. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commission inform me that no sitting has yet been fixed for the hearing of the appeals referred to in the Question. The place for holding the sitting will be considered by the Commissioners with due regard to the public convenience.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Committee appointed by the Viceroy to inquire into complaints made by a number of officers on the general cadre of the Political Department, in respect of their position under the reorganisation scheme, will also be empowered to consider the complaints of the military officers in the Bombay Political Department as to their position and prospects. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) The Secretary of State has no information beyond that which has appeared in the Press as to the Committee referred to. As regards the Bombay Political Department, I understand that the Government of Bombay will shortly submit proposals for improving the position of military officers of the Department.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the injury to main roads caused by heavy motor traffic; and whether, in view of the fact that in many cases this injury is caused by heavy motors, the owners of which are not ratepayers in the county in which the injury is done, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to amend the law of rating, so that the burden of maintaining main roads should be more equitably distributed. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) My attention has been called to this matter. It will receive consideration in connection with the subject of local taxation generally, but it would not be practicable to introduce legislation with regard to it at the present time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the weight and value of line-caught fish landed in the Island of Lewis for each year during the last fifteen, years. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The following Table gives the information desired by my hon. friend, and I have

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the cost of administration in the session 1907–1908 of the following two schools respectively, viz., Girls' High School, Glasgow, and Bridgeton Public School, Glasgow; and what was the number of pupils from each who took bursaries at the recent examination for bursaries in the Glasgow centre. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I have not the information required to enable me to reply to my hon. friend. The information would be more conveniently obtained by application to the school board.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether a new scheme for boy clerks is at present under consideration in Government Departments; whether the scheme provides for the payment to assistant clerks at twenty-five years of age of the salary of £85 per annum; and, if so, whether the Treasury will reconsider the scheme, so that the scale of salary may be made at least equivalent to the scale recently conceded to male sorters in the Post Office. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The Answer to the first two parts of the Question is in the affirmative. The recent concession to the male sorters in the Post Office was made on the recommendation of the Committee, of which I was Chairman, upon the ground that a sorter attains full efficiency after five years of service, which, of course, is not true of an assistant clerk. But sorters work longer hours, and the conditions of service in the two cases are so different as to make inapplicable the comparison suggested.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the Committee, of which Lord Farrer is Chairman, to inquire whether it is desirable that steps should be taken to encourage the present life insurance system of the Post Office, and, if so, what steps, has yet reported; and whether the Committee has considered the advisability of appointing a specially trained man to manage the life insurance business, the desirability of severing the insurance business from the savings bank system of accounts, and the advantage of the payment of premiums by means of stamps. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have received and am considering the Report of the Committee, presided over by Lord Fairer, appointed to consider the desirability of encouraging the life insurance system of the Post Office, but I am not yet prepared to make any statement with regard to the Committee's recommendations. I take this opportunity of publicly thanking the Committee for the great consideration they have given to the question.

To ask the Post-master-General if it is his intention to appoint a conciliation board composed of trade union representatives, staff and secretarial in equal numbers, to meet periodically for the decision of such questions as may arise; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of appointing such a board. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Answer is in the negative.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state the date upon which the classification of the Bexhill Post Office for the indoor staff will be announced; and whether, in the event of changes being made, the staff will receive the benefit of such changes as from 1st January, 1908. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Bexhill, which is a salaried sub-office under Hastings, falls naturally into the new Class V. for the scale of pay of the indoor force. This announcement was; made in a Post Office Circular, dated 8th July, 1908. The new classification dates from 1st January, 1908.

. To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of providing country postmen, who have long daily rounds to walk, with a thinner uniform in summer, as is now done in the case of the Metropolitan Police. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The whole question of the supply of uniform to Post Office servants is now under consideration. The point raised by the hon. Member shall have attention.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland if his attention has been called to the proceedings at Kildorrery Petty Sessions on the 8th instant, when a man named William Stackpoole was charged with an assault endangering life upon John Galligan on 22nd May; whether Stackpoole was arrested and sent to prison at the time, bail having been refused in consequence of Galligan's life being in danger; and if he will explain why the magistrates refused informations in this case, although the assault, the serious nature of which was not disputed, was clearly proved to have been committed by Stackpoole; and if he will take any action in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) My attention had not been called to this case, but I am informed that the facts are as stated in the first two paragraphs of the Question. Informations were refused by the majority of the bench, but I have no information as to the magistrates' reasons or as to the nature of the evidence given before them. I will call for a full report upon the case with the view of considering whether further proceedings are necessary.

To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been drawn to the danger and difficulty experienced by the people of Rathlin Island in conveying passengers, live-stock, and goods to and from the mainland, and to the comparatively high cost of transportation, owing to the class of boats employed; and whether he will consider the practicability of such transport accommodation as will enable the islanders to enjoy a safe, cheap, and regular means of communication with the mainland. (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) I am aware that the difficulties of transit to Rathlin Island are considerable. A better landing-place might be constructed at Rathlin at a comparatively reasonable expenditure, but the cost of providing a corresponding landing-place at Ballycastle on the mainland would probably run to £5,000 or more. A representative of the Department has visited the district in company with the piers committee of the county council, and it was decided, considering the difficulty mentioned, that present effort should be concentrated on Port Ballintoy, another harbour on the mainland opposite Rathlin which needs improvement. The cost of the minimum improvement at Rathlin would be £1,000, and the Department are prepared to consider such improvement if the county council will contribute to the cost. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the Bill now before Parliament will enable the council to increase their contribution.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the committee of the London Stock Ex- change are proposing new bye-laws which are restrictive in their character; and whether, with the view of safeguarding public interests and the exchange of business between financial centres, he will propose legislation. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I understand that the Stock Exchange Committee have certain new rules under consideration, but I am not aware of anything which would justify me in proposing legislative action in the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for War when the scheme for the future employment of quartermasters of the late Royal Engineer Volunteer Corps will be communicated to them. To ask the Secretary of State for War what decision, if any, has been reached as to the inclusion of quartermasters in the establishment of the Royal Engineer units of the Territorial Force; why the announcement of such decision has been so long delayed; whether the quartermasters of the late Royal Engineer Volunteer Corps will be permitted to attend the camp of their units and to receive pay and allowances this year; and what course will be taken as to the pay and allowances of those Royal Engineer quartermasters who have already this year attended the camp of their units. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The decision not to include quartermasters in the Royal Engineer units of the Territorial Force, other than certain corps for coast defence, was arrived at before the issue of the Special Army Order of 18th March, and they were not included in the establishment table in that Order. Since then the matter has been further considered and the previous decision was upheld. Accordingly, since 31st March there has been no such appointment as quartermaster in these units, and it is not understood how any persons could have attended the camps of such units as quartermasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for War when the Regulations for the Territorial Force will be issued. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The Regulations are being distributed as fast as they are supplied by the printers. The Yeomanry supply was despatched yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government contemplate withdrawing any of the British troops, now there, from South Africa, if so, what number of them and on what date; and whether, in the interest of economy, lie has considered the desirability of concentrating the troops in South Africa nearer the coast, and what, if any, are his plans in this respect. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) One regiment of cavalry and four battalions of infantry will be withdrawn from South Africa on dates commencing with 7th September and ending on 6th February. The future disposition in South Africa of the garrison is now under consideration.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been arrived at with reference to the number of men on the establishment of the Coastguard; and whether, if at any time it is decided to reduce the establishment, he can give an undertaking that no reduction will be made at those stations where the Coastguard are now employed in assisting in the saving of life at sea.

The further Report of the Inter-departmental Conference has not yet been received by the Admiralty, but in the meantime no reduction will be made of coastguard stations at which assistance in life-saving has hitherto been rendered.

Is it to be understood that no reduction will be made before next year's Estimates are introduced, or before the House has an opportunity of discussing any further reduction?

I cannot say what the results of the Conference will be. But no reduction will be made before next year, and I anticipate the House will have some opportunity of discussing it early next session.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor give a promise that there should be no further reduction until the House had had the opportunity of discussing it?

I will look into that matter. I am not familiar with the terms of the pledge.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what rule or practice governs communications sent by the Admiralty to the Press; who frames these communications, and who is the responsible authority for them; are they invariably sent to the Press generally, or only to certain newspapers; and, in the latter case, on what principle is the selection made.

Official communications to the Press, apart from advertisements, are placed in a room set apart for the purpose at the Admiralty, to which all newspaper representatives have access, or in the case of special communications, they are sent under cover to the principal Press agencies and newspapers which have offices in London. Special communications are framed by the Department which deals with the subject matter of the communication, and are issued with the authority of the Secretary of the Admiralty.

Are we to understand that all newspapers are treated on an equal footing by the Admiralty and that no editors or Press correspondents have special access to any official at the Admiralty?

I think my Answer is complete on the subject. I have told the House the full relations of the Admiralty with the Press.

Are we to take it for granted that the interests of our friend The Times are specially safeguarded? This is specially important.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the longest period spent in harbour at one time by the Mediterranean Fleet during the years 1907 and 1908 respectively.

The longest continuous period spent in harbour, as a Fleet, by the Mediterranean Fleet during 1907, was three months, and during 1908, one month; but individual ships are continually going out during such periods to perform gunnery and torpedo exercises.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will furnish a Return showing the amount of training at sea which the squadrons of the Home Fleet have received during the current year and the amount of fleet training.

As stated in answer to a similar Question put by the hon. Member for West Marylebone on 8th August last, the required information is not available at the Admiralty, and it would entail great labour to call for a precise Return from each of the large number of ships forming the Home Fleet.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers of Yeo-manry regiments must now obtain their supplies of hay and corn through Government contractors instead of by local purchase; whether he is aware that many commanding officers had, in 1907, made local contracts for the 1908 training, and will, in consequence of the new Regulation, be put to considerable expense in repudiating those contracts; and whether he can see his way in such cases to relax the Regulation.

It is the intention that the supply of forage to Yeomanry regiments during training should in future be made by contract or local purchase under War Office supervision on the same line as the supply to the Regular Army. Cases brought to notice of arrangements made regimentally by commanding officers for the supply of forage for the training during 1908 have been specially sanctioned. I will consider whether any, and what relaxation of the broad principle might be made, in order to admit of the advantage of local knowledge and influence of Territorial officers being obtained.

Will the War Office compensate those officers who have entered into contracts for 1908?

That will be considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one case last year, the commanding officer contracted locally at £410s., whereas the Government contractor is now asking £5 5s.?

Sometimes commanding officers did make a good bargain and the benefit went to the funds of the the corps. That is the kind of thing we want to eliminate now.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really mean that in order to obviate the possibility of the profit going to the corps fund, a higher price is to be paid to contractors?

We want to get the assistance and advice of Territorial officers for the benefit of the general system, and we relieve commanding officers of the responsibility for these things, and adopt the plan which obtains in the Army generally.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Kingston, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company have refused to provide special trains for the purpose of taking certain battalions of the Territorial Force to camp for training on 1st August, the reason given being that all the rolling stock is required for holiday traffic; whether the commanding officers consider it essential that the men should reach camp on the day named; and whether the Government propose to take any and what action in the matter.

Nothing is known at the War Office of this matter. I would remind the hon. and learned Member that I have no power to compel the company to carry those men in special trains.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make some recommendation with a view to inducing the company to comply with the request?

We will do the best we can.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of appointing as adjutants to the Territorial Force officers only who have been adjutants of their own regular units; and whether, should these appointments be confined to such officers, he would be prepared when their term had expired to recommend them where possible for positions on the Territorial divisional staffs.

Every endeavour is made to select the most suitable officers for these important appoint- ments, and when a candidate has already served as adjutant of his unit, that fact is given due weight in considering his suitability. At the same time the number of applicants would scarcely justify an undertaking that the appointments should be wholly restricted to officers with the suggested experience. Similarly in the selection of Regular officers for the divisional staffs, previous experience as an adjutant of the Auxiliary Forces has already been allowed to carry considerable weight, and this procedure will be followed in the future.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances attending the degradation for alleged disobedience of Private James Rennie, of the A. squadron of the Fife and Forfar Imperial Yeomanry at their animal training camp at Annsmuir, Ladybank, on 27th June; whether Rennie was taken under escort to the centre of the square and informed that he had been sentenced to be drummed out of the regiment, and was thereupon deprived of his cap and had the buttons and decorations cut from his tunic, and was thereafter marched outside the camp; what was the offence-for which this punishment was inflicted, and what opportunity had Rennie for defending himself; and what regulations authorise this form of punishment, without trial.

The facts of this case are substantially those described in the Question, with the addition that the commanding officer reports that Private Rennie was provided with a civilian overcoat and money necessary for his journey. The offence was disobedience of orders to his troop officer. The usual inquiry was held by his commanding officer and the summary of evidence forwarded to the General Officer Commanding with an application for the man's trial by court-martial. The general reports that as he received the application only on the day before the regiment left camp, he directed the commanding officer to deal summarily with the case. The commanding officer under the powers vested in him by Section 181 (6) of the Army Act dismissed the man. The procedure adopted by the commanding officer in dismissing the man was highly improper, and he has been so informed by the Army Council. This method of public marching out is obsolete in the British Army, and certainly should not have been adopted in this case. I must add that there is no reason to doubt that Rennie deserved to be dismissed from the regiment, or to question the sufficiency of the investigation.

Is it not the case that Rennie was refused his pay and travelling allowance for his horse, and had to borrow money to pay his train fare home; and were not the captain and sergeant-major both allowed to testify to the commanding officer against Rennie, while Rennie was not permitted to state his own case, or give evidence on his own behalf?

I have no knowledge of these circumstances, but if the hon. Member will put down a Question I will make inquiry. I would point out, however, that I am informed, and I have no reason to doubt it, that Rennie was provided with a civilian overcoat and the money for his journey.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a copy of the letter sent to Lord Lovat in connection with this case, in which all the facts I have stated are set forth?

I have not seen the letter, but if the hon. Member will put down another Question I will make inquiry.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any of the churches attached to the military stations in India which have been consecrated to the Episcopalian form, of worship have at any time been used by any other denomination for any other form of service; and, if so, where and when.

If the hon. Member will refer to the Memorandum prefixed to the Papers recently presented to Parliament (Cd. 4022), he will see that consecrated churches at military stations in India have frequently, with the consent of the Bishops, been used for Presbyterian and Wesleyan services, except for the celebration of the Communion.

At whose cost were those churches built? At the cost of the Anglicans or the Indians?

For the most part the cost came out of the Indian Exchequer.

That is, the Indian taxpayer?

Yes.

asked whether it would not be possible to use those churches now as had been done in the past, so that Scottish regiments could be moved about in India as the military authorities desired.

said he could not accept the statement that the movements of the Scottish regiments in India were impeded by anything the Government did at the present time.

asked whether it was not the fact that there was increased opposition on the part of the Anglican Church to giving Presbyterians the right to the use of those churches built by the State in India.

said the Memorandum contained the whole history of the question. He did not think it could be fairly said that since 1899 there had been any alteration or exacerbation of the attitude of the Anglican Church towards Nonconformists.

Will the hon. Gentleman bring influence to bear on the metropolitan to induce the bishops to consent to the extended use of these churches by Presbyterians?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Papers he will see that the Government have done everything they can to induce the metropolitan and other bishops to adopt the attitude which my hon. friend desires in regard to the use of these ehurches for the celebration of the most sacred rites of our religion.

Has consent ever been given by Anglican authorities for the use of these churches for Presbyterian services?

I have said so.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for India whether the net profit from Government irrigation works in the Punjab last year was roundly £1,000,000, or 13 per cent. on the capital invested; whether it was as high as 25 per cent. on the Chenab Canal system, which includes the Sikh Colonies; and whether, seeing that excessive irrigation rates have been judicially declared to be the chief cause of unrest amongst the Sikh population, he will say what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.

The figures given in the Question are approximately correct. There is no evidence, so far as the Secretary of State is aware, that the rates on the Chenab Canal are excessive, or that they are the cause of unrest. Proposals for raising existing rates on the Bari Doab Canal occasioned some discontent, but the new rates were not put in force, and the lieutenant-governor undertook to re-examine them. The Chenab rates, judging from the competition for land and its selling price, leave large profits to the cultivator.

Was it not mentioned and accepted by the judicial authorities that the riots were due to the excessive taxation of land?

Was not the judicial opinion that the ii crease of the rate induced the riots, and not that the rate itself was excessive?

I do not think there was any specific allegation that the irrigation rates on the Chenab Canal were excessive and were the cause of any unrest or trouble in the locality.

Was not the capital for the construction of this canal obtained by loan and do not the Sikh peasants, as taxpayers, contribute their share of the interest due on the money borrowed; and is it reasonable that these peasants should at the same time be charged these excessive rates? Is it fair?

Order, order. That is an argumentative Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the officials in the Uganda Protectorate are required to pay 10 per cent. duty on all articles of food, clothing, and other necessaries of life which, owing to the difficulty in obtaining local supplies, they are obliged to import; whether the Governor receives a special allowance to meet the import charges on all articles which he imports; and whether it is contemplated to make some similar allowances to the officials of the Protectorate.

In accordance with the practice formerly prevailing in most Colonies, the Governor of Uganda was until recently exempted from the payment of Custom duties. This exemption is now being abolished in the Colonies, and in Uganda a duty allowance has been granted to the Governor in lieu of it. It is not proposed to give allowances to other officials, who never enjoyed the exemption; but the cost of living in the Protectorate is naturally one of the factors considered in fixing their emoluments.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that one guinea is annually deducted from the salary of every administrative officer in the Uganda Protectorate as premium of an insurance against loss in the money transactions of those officers; whether the insurance office to which this premium is paid is the Crown Agent of the Colony; whether in cases of loss of money, notwithstanding the insurance with the Crown Agent, the officers concerned are required to make good the amounts lost; whether this one guinea premium is retained by the Crown Agent, notwithstanding that no loss has occurred; and whether it is intended that this system shall continue.

Administrative officers in Uganda are secured under an agreement with the Law Guarantee and Trust Society, Limited, for £200 each at annual premiums of £1 each. The agreement is to protect the Government against the risk of its being unable to recover from an officer moneys lost by his default, and does not protect the officer from having to make good such moneys. The premiums are paid over to the insurance company, and are not retained by the Crown Agents, who are simply the agents through whom the money is paid to the company by the Protectorate Government. The question of modifying the system of securities now in force in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now been made acquainted with the provisions of the Natal Indemnity Bill.

No, Sir. The Natal Ministry has been under reconstruction owing to the retirement of a member from ill-health, and the settlement of this and other matters has, no doubt, been delayed in consequence.

What will occur if this House declines to give the indemnity?

That is a hypothetical Question.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a petition recently presented to the House of Commons by the Zulu chief, Tilonko, who is now undergoing a term of ten years imprisonment with hard labour in St. Helena, under sentence of a court martial passed upon him in Natal on 17th August, 1906, more than a month after the passing, by both Houses of the Colonial Legislature, of the Natal Indemnity Act of that year, but before such Act had received the Royal assent; and whether in view of the fact that under the provisions of that Act no appeal is allowed from the sentence of any court martial held in Natal previously to the passing thereof, and that Tilonko is thereby debarred from all legal remedy by way of appeal either to the Privy Council or to the Supreme Court of Natal, he will consider the desirability of advising the Crown to exercise the prerogative of mercy in this case.

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this Question. I have seen the petition referred to. A similar petition was recently presented to His Majesty, and on the advice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies was referred to the Governor of Natal for such action, if any, as he may be advised to take. No further action in the matter is at present possible.

Is not the Government prepared to consider all the facts with a view to advising the exercise of the prerogative of mercy?

I have said that no action is at present possible.

asked was it not the fact that the exercise of the prerogative would be on the advice of the Natal Government, under whose system of martial law this chief was condemned to a long term of imprisonment.

asked if the Prime Minister would give his personal attention to the matter, as many persons believed the man to have been illegally convicted.

said he would be happy to do so, but he could not hold out any expectation that the result would be other than that referred to in the answer giv by his hon. and gallant friend.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French have occupied the town of Azimur in Morocco, and on so doing forced the governor to proclaim Mulia Abd El Assiz sultan, the said governor being appointed by Mulia Hafid; and, if so, whether this constitutes an infraction of the Act of Algeciras, which provides that there shall be no interference with the internal affairs of the country.

It appears from the information which has reached me that French troops did not occupy Azemour, and that the reconnaissance towards that town was only undertaken in connection with the pacification of the Shawia district, into which large supplies of arms were being passed through Azemour. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the text of Article 45 of the Persian Constitution provides that the Royal Firmans will be sanctioned only when they have received the signature of a responsible minister, and in that case the minister will be responsible for them; will he ascertain whether the military operations which resulted in the sacking of the Persian Parliament House and the suppression of the Parliament were conducted by Colonel Liakhoff and other Russian officers, and, if so, whether the orders executed by them were sanctioned by a responsible minister; and whether, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, it is in accordance with the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement that military officers lent by Russia to the Persian Government shall direct the suppression by force of arms of the rights guaranteed to the Persian people by their Constitution.

This is practically the same Question as the hon. Member asked me two days ago, and I am not prepared to give any other reply than I gave then. I have been dealing by telegram with the points which were most urgent in connection with the recent crisis at Teheran; and I cannot form an opinion, and still less say whether it is necessary to express an opinion, upon other matters connected with the proceedings of the Shah and officers in his service till I receive full Reports.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is estimated to be the total expenditure out of the Exchequer, or out of taxes raised by the authority of Parliament, upon purely Scottish purposes in the year 1908–9.

The total expenditure on Scottish services in 1908–9, as provided for in the Budget, is estimated at £6,608,000.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for purely Welsh purposes?

I must ask for notice.

How much was raised by taxation in Scotland?

I must ask for notice of that also.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether complaints have been brought to his notice of the length of time certain prison officers known as trade instructors are compelled to stand on small platforms overlooking prisoners under their charge; and whether, having regard to the fact that several of these officials have suffered considerably from swollen veins and legs caused by such long periods of standing, he will cause stools to be provided for those who take this special kind of duty.

No complaints of this nature have been brought to the notice of the Commissioners. Trade instructors do not stand on platforms, but walk about instructing prisoners. It would be quite impossible for them, or for any other officers, to carry out their duties properly if seated on stools. No reports of officers suffering from swollen veins or legs have been received for a very long time.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the Hitchin Division of Herts, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that on Tuesday a witness for the Crown named Calcutt, who is at present undergoing a term of imprisonment in one of His Majesty's gaols, was brought into Court for the purpose of giving evidence in a case now proceeding at the Central Criminal Court without having received any food since he began work at 5.30 a.m., and that the Judge adjourned the case in consequence; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

The facts are not quite accurately stated. The prisoner was employed in cleaning from 6.5 to 6.50. Breakfast was provided for him at 7.0, but he refused to eat any. He was not put to any further work before leaving for the Court. Although it was his own fault that he had no breakfast, I do not think the arrangements were wholly satisfactory, and instructions have been given to ensure his being properly fed at a later hour before he gives his evidence. He will not do prison work while his examination is going on, and will also have special opportunities for exercise.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state when the annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories is to be published.

The Stationery Office informs me that the Report will be issued to-morrow.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the number of drowning accidents which have recently occurred in the West Cheshire district due to the unprotected state in which disused clay and other pits are left; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to so amend the provisions of The Quarry (Fencing) Act, 1887, as to empower local authorities to require that dangerous pits accessible to the public shall be properly fenced.

My attention has been called to a recent case of drowning in a disused clay pit in West Cheshire. The Quarry (Fencing) Act provides for the fencing of dangerous quarries situate in open or unenclosed land within fifty yards of a public place, and gives power to a local authority to enforce the requirement. Some amendment of the provisions of the Act with a view to securing greater safety for the public is perhaps desirable, and the point has been noted for consideration in connection with the next amendment of he law relating to quarries.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the statement made to the House on 4th April, 1906, to the effect that negotiations were proceeding with Germany with a view to an arrangement being arrived at under which each country would accept load-lines assigned by the other, if he is in a position to state the result of such negotiations; whether such negotiations had anything to do with the altering of the load-line; and whether the men engaged in the mercantile marine were at all consulted in the matter.

The negotiations with Germany as to the freeboard regulations of each country being treated as equally effective as their own by the other are almost concluded, and I have every hope that the result will be satisfactory to both countries. These negotiations were not entered into until after the revision of the British Load-Line Tables had been completed. This revision was the outcome of representations and conferences which had been in progress since 1899 between the Board of Trade and the other assigning bodies; and in the course of that revision the German Regulations of 1903 were duly considered. As the matter was one purely for technical experts it was not considered necessary to consult representatives of officers and seamen with regard to it.

Is the old load-line to be restored?

I am unable to forecast the decision of the Committee.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued overcrowding which still takes place on most of the trains of the District Railway in spite of the assurances of the company to Parliament that they were closely watching the traffic and making arrangements accordingly; if his attention has been called to the fact that, except during certain hours in the mornings and evenings, the District trains consist of not more than two ordinary and one first-class carriage; and whether, considering the great overcrowding which takes place on these three-carriage trains, he will see that at any rate a fourth carriage is provided on such trains.

The Board of Trade are informed that the railway company are at present putting all their rolling stock through the shops for thorough overhaul and for the removal of the pneumatic arrangements controlling the carriage doors, and the substitution of latches. The company expect that this work will be finished by the autumn and they then intend to increase the number of carriages on their trains. In the meantime they state that they do no anticipate that there will be any cause for complaint with regard to overcrowding as during the holiday season the traffic on their line is considerably decreased.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that on the Circle line every train was composed of four carriages, and that every train was full. Might he assure him that the overcrowding on the District Railway went on every day, as Members of the House could testify?

asked whether four carriages could not be put on every train on the District Railway at certain hours every day.

Has the right hon. Gentleman contemplated, in the event of an accident, the serious results which might follow from this overcrowding?

said he would address the railway company on the subject, and acquaint them with the statements made in the House; but the information he had given was that which had been furnished by the company.

The right hon. Gentleman has been quite deceived by the reply of the company.

I hope it is not so bad as all that.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade has set up a Department to deal with International Exhibitions, with an honorary director for art sections, British art; whether he will give the names of the members of the new Department and of the director; and whether he proposes to appoint an Irish director for the supervision of Irish art.

In reply to my hon. friend, I beg to state that the Board of Trade have established a new branch of their Commercial Department to deal with matters arising out of the possible participation of Great Britain and Ireland in future international exhibitions. Mr. U. F. Wintour has been appointed officer in charge of the Exhibition Branch, Sir Isidore Spielmann, C.M.G., has also been appointed Honorary Director for British (including Irish) Art at International Exhibitions. When the necessary arrangements are being made for particular exhibitions care will be taken that the interests of Irish art and industry shall intimately be studied, but I am not advised that the appointment of a permanent officer is necessary.

I beg to ask the President of he Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to certain prosecutions for the purpose of restraining the British manufacturers of cigars from using boxes with labels printed in Spanish as being contrary to the law of merchandise marks; whether his attention, has also been drawn to the fact that cigars in boxes, with labels printed in Spanish, are imported from countries where Spanish is not more commonly spoken than it is in Great Britain; and whether he proposes, in view of the handicap which this places upon the British manufacturer, to equalise the administration of the law between British manufacturer and foreign importer.

My attention has been called to the prosecutions referred to. I entirely agree with the hon. Member that there should be equality in the administration of the law between British and foreign manufacturers, and I am now in communication with the Customs on the subject.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether letters directed by Members of Parliament to public officials or departments, such as the Irish Land Com missioners, are entitled to go stamp free.

Members of Parliament have no special postal privileges. Generally speaking, any letter on official business, which is directed to a Metropolitan Government Department, such as the Irish Land Commission, or to one of the chief officials of such a Government Department at his official address, may be posted without a stamp.

inquired if letters addressed to Government Departments in Ireland, with which hon. Members had to communicate very frequently, needed to be stamped.

replied that the Metropolitan Departments would cover London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.

Then I have paid a lot of money unnecessarily—money which I could ill afford.

I am afraid I cannot undertake to refund any money paid.

Can letters to the Estates Commissioners be sent without stamps?

was understood to reply in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the salary of third-class clerks in the Stores Department, Dublin, is £15 a year less than the same class in London; whether the candidates for this class in both cities have to pass the same competitive examination and are performing identical duties; whether, seeing that the Hob-house Committee has recommended equality of treatment, he will say whether this recommendation has been acted on in connection with the second division, assistant, and women clerks employed at the Dublin Post Office; and, if so, whether he can say why an exception has been made in the case of third class clerks in Dublin.

I do not know what recommendation of the Hobhouse Committee the hon. Member refers to. The pay of the third class clerks has been fixed on the analogy of that of third class clerks in engineering offices, for whom the Select Committee recommended a difference in emoluments to the extent of £15, in favour of those employed in London. The recommendations of the Committee did not cover second division and assistant clerks as such officers belong to classes not exclusively employed in the Post Office. As regards the women clerks the Committee recommended a somewhat lower scale for women clerks in Dublin and Edinburgh than for those employed in London.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has been taking action upon complaints recently sent, to him from betting agents, whose headquarters are on the Continent, alleging that members of the Pout Office staff are guilty of malpractices in connection with the transmission of bets through the post; whether he has taken steps to protect postmen, otherwise than by punishing those who have been found guilty, from the temptations placed in their way by the advertisements of these betting agents; and whether he has taken any steps to make it difficult for these agents to use the Post Office for their purposes.

It is obviously necessary to investigate complaints which impute malpractices to members of the Post Office staff, and to take action according to the result of such investigations. Illegal advertisements of betting agents are stopped if they are posted in open covers; but I have no power to open or detain closed letters, on the suspicion that they contain such circulars. I have recently taken steps to withhold in such cases facilities for prepayment of postage in money. I may add that the whole question of lottery and other circulars is under the consideration of a Joint Committee of both Houses, and my Department have given evidence before the Committee.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that some years ago it was arranged, as a provision in case of accident or illness of Members or others persons in the Houses of Parliament, that a properly-equipped medicine chest would be provided, and also a room in which those needing prompt medical attention could be treated; whether he is aware that on a recent occasion, when a Member of the House required medical aid, it was found that the so-called medical chest consisted of a small basket less than twelve inches square, which did not contain the most ordinary first-aid requirements, some of which had to be obtained from a neighbouring hospital; whether he can explain this state of things; and will he invite some of the medical Members of the House to suggest what necessary medicines and medical appliances should be provided, and see that they are available in the shortest possible time in case of accident or sudden illness.

The Sergeant-at-Arms has for many years generously placed his room at the disposal of Members when medical attention is required. I much regret to hear that the medicine chest on a recent occasion was found to be insufficiently equipped, but I am informed that the material required was available in the box attached to the ambulance if that had been examined. I shall take immediate steps to obtain the best gratuitous advice from the medical Members of this House as to what is required, and see that it is provided and is easily and immediately available in case of emergency.

asked who was responsible for not having examined the alleged medicine chest on this particular occasion.

The whole matter is very complicated. It was decided two years ago that it would be impossible to bear the expense of such a service on any of the Votes. Therefore we are indebted to the generosity of the hon. Member for Edinburgh University for the provision of the medicine chest. When it required to be replenished a year ago, owing to the difficulty that faced me in view of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, I was compelled to ask the same hon. Member to replenish it at his own expense. I have made arrangements recently by which I hope to be able to supply the necessities of al Members.

Will you have to get an outdoor medical relief order?

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he could state whether any extra pay is allowed the workmen employed, either by day or contract work, while employed painting and cleaning the dangerous parts of the palm house or pagoda in the Royal Gardens at Kew; and, if so, how much.

The reply to the first paragraph is in the negative. The contractors, however, pay a heavy premium upon the insurance of workmen engaged on this work, amounting to 40s. per cent., which is considerably above the ordinary rate.

On behalf of the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether lie will publish the next result list of the preliminary examination for the elementary school teachers' certificate, with the names in order of merit, and indicate those who have stated their desire to enter a training college. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of paying the grants for the maintenance of training colleges and hostels in respect of individual students selected according to the order of merit, as shown by the preliminary examination for the elementary school teacher's certificate, instead of paying grants in respect of whichever students the colleges choose to admit.

The preliminary examination, as at present organised, is designed to establish a standard rather than to afford a test of comparative merit. There are serious objections to the adoption of the scheme suggested in these Questions. A considerable number of colleges have been, or are being, provided by local education authorities, who naturally desire to give preference to candidates residing in their own areas, and for other colleges connected with Universities certain special educational qualifications will always be needed. To require that candidates should be admitted to the training colleges strictly in an order of merit based on the single examination test suggested would lower the educational standard of the colleges and discourage local authorities from any further efforts to provide for the training of their teachers. It would also, I imagine, preclude the acceptance by the Board of any examination other than the preliminary as qualifying for admission to a training college. Moreover, a single examination, especially when attended by 20,000 candidates, is generally admitted to be an unsatisfactory test by itself. In the opinion of the Board, the authorities of training colleges, with a view to selecting the most suitable students, ought to be at liberty to supplement the examination results by reports from the authorities of the schools at which the candidates have been educated. These reports, in the opinion of the Board, are decidedly more valuable than the evidence obtained from a competitive examination.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state by whose authority a large quantity of choice hardy shrubs and herbaceous and alpine plants were removed from the Royal Gardens, Kew, to No 4, Branston Road, Kew; whether any workmen from the Royal Gardens were employed on this private work; whether such action is contrary to the rules of the Gardens; and, if so, what action, if any, he intends to take in regard to the matter.

A number of surplus shrubs and plants were with the authority of the director moved by the employees at the Gardens to the residence of the Assistant-Director, who has recently been appointed. The Board are informed that a similar practice has always obtained when a new officer takes up his duties at Kew.

Did not the hon. Gentleman say a short time ago that no privileges were allowed to the Assistant-Director or Director at Kew?

I must ask for notice of that.

I will certainly give it.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Crewe Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether his attention has been directed to the scheme for clergy pensions recently inaugurated by the Commissioners; whether he is aware that one-third of the parochial clergy, viz.: assistant stipendiary curates, are excluded from the benefits of the scheme; will he say whether this exclusion is due to any limitation by Statute of the Commissioners' powers; and, if so, whether the Commissioners will consider the advisability of applying to Parliament for powers to enable them to extend their scheme so as to include the most necessitous class of the clergy.

Having regard to the limitations imposed by Statute upon the application of the Common Fund of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners the scheme for pensions to aged or infirm incumbents recently inaugurated by the Commissioners cannot without fresh legislation be extended to unbeneficed clergymen.

Arising out of the reply, I observe that the hon. Gentleman has not replied to the latter part of the Question, viz.: whether the Commissioners will consider the advisability of applying to Parliament for powers to enable them to extend their scheme so as to include the most necessitous class of the clergy. If he has no reply ready on the spur of the moment, will he kindly confer with the Commissioners on the subject?

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are constantly considering questions such as this, and have considered the Question of the hon. Gentleman. I am afraid that they feel that no useful purpose would be served by applying to Parliament for fresh powers to extend the application of their funds in the direction desired by the hon. Gentleman.

Am I to understand that poor curates are entirely excluded from the benefit of the scheme?

Yes, Sir; I understand that retired curates do not come within the scope of the application of the surplus revenue of the Commissioners. The application of the surplus revenue in the hands of the General Commissioners is limited to the "Cure of Souls"—and a pension to a retired curate does not fall within that limit. Subventions to retirement can be made only to incumbents of benefices, and in order to prevent the stipend of a benefice being unduly reduced by the pension of the retiring incumbent and to enable worn-out incumbents to make way for more effective men.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will take any steps to obtain a reconsideration of the exceptional circumstances of the case of a Clyde pilot tried on 15th May last at Glasgow before the Sheriff of Lanark, who sat without the assistance of nautical assessors, although the case rested entirely on points of practical navigation and local pilotage knowledge.

The Prime Minister has requested me to answer this Question, and I have only to say that after full consideration I have nothing to add to my Answer of 6th July to the effect that a rehearing of the case is not legally competent, and as to reduction of penalty I do not see my way to interfere.

The unsatisfactory Answer I have received in regard to this case has caused a great deal of unrest among the pilots of the United Kingdom, and I hope they will go to a higher authority than this House—to the King himself.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what is the cause of the delay in the publication of the result of the inquiry into the labourers' scheme of the Limerick (No. 2) District Council held last March.

The inspector's order was signed on the 10th instant, and copies have now been forwarded to the rural district council.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, on the night of the 3rd July instant, the sergeant in charge of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in Riverstown, County Sligo, entered the yard rented by the local band committee and ordered a baton charge; and, if so, will he state under what law police are empowered to enter the private rented premises of any band committee.

The police authorities inform me that it is not the fact that the sergeant or any of the police entered the premises of the band committee at Riverstown on the occasion in question. It was necessary that the police, in the discharge of their duty, should keep the band and its followers under observation because of their intimidatory conduct towards the owners of grazing farms whose cattle had been driven. The crowd assumed a threatening attitude towards the sergeant, who ordered the police to draw batons, but there was no necessity to use them as the crowd thereupon withdrew quietly. The incident occurred upon the public road.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland will he state the grounds on which the Lords Justices issued a proclamation declaring the county of Sligo to be in a disturbed state; whether such proclamation was due to depositions made by certain civilians in the district of Riverstown, in that county; and, if so, can he give the names of these persons.

The county of Sligo was proclaimed by the Lords Justices as being in a state of disturbance upon information furnished by the responsible police authorities to the effect that cattle-driving and other forms of intimidation were prevalent in the county. No depositions were made in the matter.

Arising out of the reply, may I ask the light hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that in his charge to the Grand Jury at the recent Sligo Assizes, Judge Johnson made no reference whatever to the alleged disturbed state of the county; and whether he is aware that the foreman of the Grand Jury, who is a Unionist and also Lord-Lieutenant of the county, absolutely refused to make any representations to his Lordship on the subject.

Notice should be given of that Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Catherine Cogan, of Riverstown, County Sligo, has repudiated all knowledge of boycotting and intimidation having been directed against her; and, if so, will he say whether this was one of the reported cases used as a justification for having extra police drafted into a peaceable district.

I am informed by the police authorities that Mrs. Cogan's name has never appeared on the list of persons who are subject to boycotting and intimidation. The case, therefore, has had no bearing upon the appointment of additional police to County Sligo.

Arising out of the reply, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that in May last a meeting was held in an out-of-the-way Mayo village, between the Vice-President of the Local Government Board and the representative of the Landowners' Association, and whether it was in consequence of this meeting that the county was proclaimed?

said he had no knowledge of such a meeting.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Government have yet considered the Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland; if so, whether it is intended to carry out the recommendations of the Commission by legislation, and, if so, when; and in the meantime what provisions, if any, have been made to enable the Congested Districts Board to continue their land-purchasing operations.

The Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland is under the consideration of the Government, and, as I have already announced, it is proposed to introduce legislation on the subject in the coming autumn. The question of increasing the statutory income of the Congested Districts Board cannot be dealt with apart from that legislation, and consequently the Board cannot in the meantime incur fresh liabilities by proceeding with the purchase of estates generally. The hon. Member, however, will be aware, from my Answer to the hon. Member for East Mayo on 7th instant, that arrangements are under consideration whereby the Board may at once be placed in funds for proceeding with the improvement of estates already purchased.

May I ask whether the question of increasing the income of the Congested Districts Board and the question of enabling them to carry on the work for the time being are not entirely distinct questions? And am I right in gathering from the right hon. Gentleman's Answer that, pending the consideration of legislation in the autumn, no provision is to be made to enable the Congested Districts Board to carry on its work in the meantime?

What is now under consideration is a loan to the Board to enable it to carry on its work in the meantime.

Its land purchase work?

No, its general work.

Do the Government intend to suspend the operation of land purchase in the meantime.

The Congested Districts Board have recently decided to purchase eight large estates on, my advice and there is no reason to increase further their purchases of land within the next few months.

Will this loan enable the Congested Districts Board to purchase selected estates for which negotiations have been going on for the past twelve months?

The Congested Districts Board under my advice some months ago agreed to negotiate for the purchase of several very large estates amounting to enormous sums of money. These will be proceeded with. The loan is to enable the Board, pending the consideration of increasing their statutory income, to proceed with improvements.

Will this loan obviate the threatened dismissal of the workmen under the Board?

I cannot quite answer; that Question until the amount of the loan is determined.

Will steps be taken by the right hon. Gentleman to press upon the Government as a whole the extreme seriousness of the situation if these men are all dismissed and the whole work of the Board brought to a standstill?

The whole object of the loan is to prevent the operations of the Board being brought to a standstill. I am fully alive to the importance of that.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what provision he proposes to make for the University education of Catholics in Ulster, who form half the population of that province, seeing that no facilities are given to them in the Irish Universities Bill, whilst two colleges, Belfast and Magee, are provided for Presbyterians, who form only one-third of the population of Ulster.

I do not propose to make any further provision for University education.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of providing a college for West Ulster where most of the Catholics are?

I cannot do more fit the present moment than promote the interests of the University of Belfast, and I hope they will attend there.

Will the Catholics there not have the same privileges as the non-Catholics of Cork and Dublin?

Precisely so.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if there is a Regulation of the National Board of Education requiring the two chief inspectors of national schools to hold conferences to discuss questions relating to primary education with the inspectors, some thirty in number, subordinate to each chief inspector; and, if so, whether this Regulation has been frequently disregarded in recent years; and if he will ascertain what action the Commissioners of Education have taken or propose to take.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that their instructions require that the chief inspectors shall hold at least one conference in the year with the inspectors of each circuit, and that these instructions are strictly followed.

I beg to ask the. Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of applications from evicted tenants upon the Clanricarde Estate for reinstatement in their holdings, and how many have been reinstated up to date.