To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the monthly Board of Trade Returns in the exports of new ships give displacement tons for war ships and gross tonnage for merchant ships, and these are added together and the total called gross tonnage; and whether the Board can see their way to giving only the total gross tonnage of merchant ships, leaving the displacement tonnage of warships separate. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The Monthly Trade and Navigation Accounts give the gross tonnage for all kinds of new ships exported, whether war or merchant vessels. It has not been the practice hitherto to insert the word "gross" in respect of the tonnage of war ships, but this will be done in future.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that there is overcrowding of passengers on the Metropolitan Railway between Baker Street and Harrow, owing to the reduction during the late morning and afternoon of the number of coaches, and that such overcrowding extends to carrying a number of persons on the guard's platform of the coaches of electric trains, preventing the ready ingress and egress of passengers; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made and an intimation to be given to the company expressing the disapproval of the Board of Trade of this practice. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The railway company inform me that it is their practice to reduce the length of the trains on the section of line referred to from six to three cars between the hours of 10.15 a.m. and 5 p.m., when the traffic is comparatively light, and that as trains are run at regular intervals of five minutes the accommodation afforded is found in ordinary circumstances to be quite sufficient. Trains of full capacity are, however, run throughout the day on Saturdays and on other occasions when the traffic is heavier than usual. As regards the conveyance of passengers on the carriage platforms the company have a regulation forbidding this practice, and they assure me that the trains between Baker Street and Harrow will be kept under close observation, and that, if necessary, special steps will be taken to deal with any case of persistent disregard of the regulation referred to.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that unavailing representations, with regard to a dangerous level crossing at Streetly station, have been made to the directors of the Midland Railway, and that they have refused to do anything, notwithstanding that there is a bridge already in existence which could be utilised; whether the Board of Trade have any power to insist on proper facilities being provided for passengers crossing the line in this and similar cases where danger to life exists; and, if not, whether he will take steps to procure for the Board of Trade the necessary statutory powers. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The Board of Trade have received representations from the Wallsall chamber of commerce with regard to the absence of a footbridge at this station, and have been in communication with the railway company on the subject. The company do not see their way to erect a footbridge, and the case is not one in which the Board of Trade have any compulsory powers. I may add that there is no record of any accident having occurred at the spot in the last five years.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in Portadown Post Office the established staff consists of seven Protestants and twelve Roman Catholics, and the un-established staff of three Protestants and four Roman Catholics; if he is aware that three Roman Catholics and one Protestant have recently been promoted to the established staff, and that one of these promotions is that of a man having a brother on the established staff and is, therefore, contrary to the general practice; will he say if P. Breen has passed the necessary Civil Service examination if he has been promoted over the ex-telegraph messengers employed at Portadown, and if he will state why the rule as to offering a soldier candidate an appointment was ignored in this instance and a suitable soldier passed over; and if it is intended in a Protestant community to reduce the numerical grievance under which Protestants in the Portadown Post Office suffer. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) It is not the practice to take into consideration the religious beliefs of candidates for appointments in the Post Office, and it would be undesirable to introduce such a practice. Inquiry is being made as regards the other point mentioned in the hon. Member's Question.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if, prior to the adoption of the scheme to reorganise the Victoria and Albert Museum as outlined by the Departmental Committee, the House of Commons can be given an opportunity of discussing the matter, in view of the proposal to revise the museum policy consistently followed for nearly fifty years. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I cannot undertake before the end of the present session to prophesy what will be the subject of debate in the earlier portions of next session; and it would, I think, be in the highest degree inexpedient to delay, for an indefinite period, as the hon. Member's Question would suggest, the transference of the magnificent collections at South Kensington to the new premises that have long been needed, and have at last been completed for them at great cost I must emphatically demur to the view expressed and implied in the concluding phrase in the Question. The purpose stated by the Department "nearly fifty years ago" to have been in view in the then rearrangement of the collections followed precisely the same lines as those set before the recent Committee by the Board of Education last February. The practical steps needed for securing a more complete fulfilment of those purposes have been carefully worked out by that Committee in the Report and Recommendations, the main lines of which have since been adopted by the Board, and will be carried out in the approaching rearrangement of the collections, with such minor modifications as may prove desirable on closer investigation. Unfortunately, as was pointed out by the 1897 Departmental Committee, of which the hon. Member was a member (see p. xxxv. of their Report), the Art Museum in subsequent years did not continue to develop under "the guidance of a consistent policy determined beforehand." I must, therefore, contest the accuracy of the view now expressed by the hon. Member in his Question, when he speaks of a policy having been "consistently followed for nearly fifty years"; this is in direct conflict with the Departmental Committee's statement on this point, and cannot accurately be said of the Art Museum. On the other hand, I may point out that the policy now being carried out by the Board is a consistent development both of the original museum policy and also of that laid down by the Department's Minute, dated 20th July, 1897, passed while the 1897 Departmental Committee, of which the hon. Member was a member, were sitting, and approved by that Committee. By that Minute the Art Museum was organised on a basis of sections classified according to material. It is true that the Departmental Committee (in their Report signed by the hon. Member in 1898) made no clear declaration of preference for this basis; but the reasons which they named for approving the particular organisation of the museum staff adopted by the Department in 1897 can only be read as strong arguments in favour of that basis of classification.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the rents to be charged to the small holders by the co-operative societies who have acquired land from county councils for the purpose of small holdings will be of such an amount as to enable these societies to pay a dividend to the shareholders, to pay the cost of manage- ment, and to provide for the formation of a reserve fund. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) It will rest with the elected committee of a co-operative land society to decide as to the rents to be charged to individual members for their holdings. The called-up capital will, as a rule, be small, and a nominal increase in rent should be sufficient to provide a dividend upon it. The expenses of management should also be small. The question of the provision of a reserve fund is one for the decision of the committee.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether any grant is made in Ireland for the purpose of improving the breed of cattle; and, if so, whether a similar grant can be made for Wales, in consideration of the fact that the meat of the United Kingdom is now chiefly supplied from foreign countries. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) I am unable to add anything to the replies which I gave on this subject on the 3rd and 11th instant to my hon. friends the Members for South Carnarvonshire and Merthyr Tydvil.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can now state what steps, if any, have been taken by the county council of Derbyshire to satisfy the 153 applicants for small holdings in the county of Derby; and, if no steps have been taken, whether the Board of Agriculture will take measures to inquire into the causes of the delay. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The county council are endeavouring to obtain land for the suitable applicants, and the Board have recently urged upon them the importance of doing so without any further delay.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of his communication to the Irish Lights Commissioners as to the desirability of that Board consulting the local pilots of Strangford and Portaferry on the subject of the proper position in which to moor the buoy recently run down off Strangford Bar; and whether he is aware that a distance of one and a half mile from the Bar mouth would serve coasting vessels and vessels making in or out of the Lough better than the old situation of six miles out. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The Commissioners of Irish Lights inform me that the buoy in question was placed for the benefit of vessels passing up and down the Channel, and not as a guide for coasting vessels making in or out of the Lough, and that if it were moved to a spot one and a half miles from the Bar mouth, it would not at all answer the purpose for which it was established.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what would be the approximate cost of a floating dock large enough to dock vessels of the "Dreadnought" class; and what approximate depth of water would be necessary in the place where such floating dock was stationed to enable vessels of the "Dreadnought" class to make use of the dock when the vessel is undamaged, and when one or more watertight compartments of the vessel are full of water. (Answered by Mr. MCKenna.) The Board have not had before them the detailed design of such a floating dock, and I should prefer not to quote an approximate estimate of cost. The Answer to the second part of the Question depends on the design of the dock and the amount of damage to the ship.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will issue some memorandum or return summarising the various decisions given in doubtful cases under the Old-Age Pensions Act which at present are only available in Departmental letters, Answers to Questions in Parliament, and the like. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I issued a circular on the 11th instant to local pension committees and sub committees informing them of the decisions arrived at upon some of the more prominent questions raised by the appeals made to the Local Government Board under the Act. The circular has been laid upon the Table, and will be in the hands of Members immediately.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he had been urged by the borough of Southwark to obtain Parliamentary sanction for the construction of subways at the Elephant and Castle so that the work might be proceeded with at once and some additional employment be given in a district where it is greatly needed; and, if so, will he state the grounds which prevented him from complying with that request. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Parliamentary sanction desired would necessitate a Bill, and the Government could not undertake to introduce a Bill to deal with a purely local matter. I have suggested to the borough council that they should approach the London County Council so as to ascertain whether the matter can be dealt with by means of a clause in a Bill promoted by them.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can state what amount of the Indian rupee debt standing on 31st March last at Rs.1,32,82,94,955 = £88,552,997 is held by natives of India; and what proportion of this rupee debt held by Indians consists of investments made by the Court of Wards, which is a department of Government, and of deposits which are made by Indian officials as security for their good behaviour. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) I have not the figure of holdings by natives of India on 31st March, 1908. But the division of the rupee debt on 31st December, 1906, was as follows—

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the total amount so far allocated to Ireland out of the moneys available for the working of the Unemployed Workmen Act; the proportion such amount bears to those similarly allocated in Great Britain; and the principle in accordance with which Ireland's share is calculated. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) No sum has been allocated to Ireland generally during the present year in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act. Each application for a grant is inquired into by the Local Government Board and submitted by them to the Treasury for consideration. Up to the present time formal applications from Belfast, Drogheda, and Dublin have been received and decided on, the following grants being made. Belfast, preliminary grant of £1,000; Dublin, £3,000; Drog-heda, £450. Applications made by the Ennis and Galway Committees are before the Treasury.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Edward M'Barron, of Agha-derryloman, County Fermanagh, to be restored as an evicted tenant; if so, whether his name has been entered on the list of suitable persons; and, if not, for what reason. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have decided, after due inquiry, not to take any action on M'Barron's application for reinstatement nor to provide him with land in addition to that which he now holds. It would be contrary to practice to state the reasons which actuate the Commissioners in the exercise of the discretion vested in them.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if the junior officer appointed to a divisional Army Service Corps command in the Territorial Force has been given a higher rank than the other officers, very senior to him, in a similar position are allowed to hold. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The officer first gazetted to the command of a divisional transport and supply column was given the rank of colonel. It was then decided that future appointments should be with the rank of lieutenant-colonel only. As this officer's appointment had been gazetted it was not possible to deprive him of the rank of colonel, but on the other hand, it was not considered desirable to bestow a rank which is now considered unsuitable for military reasons on other officers who are appointed to the command of these columns. The fact that he was junior in service to other officers afterwards appointed to similar commands was purely accidental.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the present procedure of the War Office to secure a reasonable standard of wages, hours and conditions of employment in respect of unorganised labour indirectly employed by sub-contracting of any portion of work to carry out Army contracts; whether he has considered the principle adopted in a standing order made by the Sheffield City Council on 10th April, 1907, that, in municipal contracts in respect of organised trades, the standard wages, hours, and conditions as generally recognised by the trade unions and the employers should be enforced, but that in respect of unorganised workers, where there are no such recognised standards, the council itself will prescribe reasonable standards of wages, hours, and conditions of employment in respect of any such sub contracted work under the municipal contracts; and whether the War Office, in offering any contracts in the carrying out of which unorganised labour is employed by subcontracting or otherwise, will adopt this principle and prescribe the rates of wages, hours of labour, and conditions of employment. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) These points are discussed in the Report of the Fair Wages Committee which will shortly be in the hands of hon. Members, and will receive full consideration by His Majesty's Government. It would therefore, I think, serve no useful purpose to supply the hon. Baronet with the mass of detail that would be necessary in order to answer fully this question as to present practice.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men are now employed at the new naval dock at Rosyth, and in what capacity.

Tenders have net yet been received for the new works at Rosyth, but they are due next week. No men are, therefore, employed on the naval dock, which is included in the contract.

When does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that serious operations will commence?

Until I receive the tenders I cannot say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the reason for the delay?

I am waiting for tenders.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admir- alty whether he can give any information as to the recent defects found in the guns of H.M.S. "Bulwark"; and what is the nature of the defects in question.

NO defects have been found in the guns of H.M.S. "Bulwark," but the riveting of the 12-inch gun slides has recently been reported by this ship as defective, and steps are being taken to make good this defect as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will state what, if any, shipbuilding work has been placed with the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company since the launch of the "Black Prince" in 1904.

An order for a torpedo-boat destroyer has recently been provisionally placed with the company. They have also contracted for the machinery of steamboats, the hulls of which were built by other firms; and have from time to time been given orders for replacing parts of machinery, etc.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty in view of the fact that it is of national moment that a fully-equipped shipbuilding yard should exist in the immediate neighbourhood of London, and that shipbuilding plant cannot be maintained in idleness, whether the Admiralty, in giving out their contracts for the next year's programme, will give full consideration to the claims of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company.

The Admiralty have always given full consideration to the lenders for shipbuilding contracts submitted by the Thames Ironworks Company, and will continue to do so in the future.

If unable to give these people a contract, will the Government, in the interests of the defence of London, lay a ship down and I build it themselves on the Thames?

We have no dock-yard there.

Hire it.

Is it not the fact that exactly similar arguments might be brought forward on behalf of Messrs. Armstrong, Vickers-Maxim, and Beardmore?

Yes. I understand similar arguments would be brought forward on behalf of those firms.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he contemplates any immediate action to facilitate the recruiting of Special Reserve subaltern officers; and, if not, how he proposes to deal with the increasing shortage.

My hon. friend is in error in supposing that the shortage is increasing. Since 22nd October there have been thirty-four first appointments. It is hoped that now that the Regulations have been published vacancies will gradually be filled up. It is not proposed to take any special measures.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the Special Reserve will be able to become acquainted with the use of the new rifle which would be the weapon they would have to use if required for active service; and if he would consider the advisability of deferring some of the six months training of the infantry recruits in the Special Reserve until such time as they can be provided for drill purposes with rifles they would have to use if called up for war service.

Recruits of the Special Reserve are at present trained in musketry with the short, rifle. It is anticipated that it will be possible to re-arm the infantry of the Special Reserve with the short rifle before the next annual training. I do not think, therefore, that the action suggested by my hon. friend would be expedient.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the desirability of withdrawing from issue the remainder of the obsolete-pattern cap with canvas, cover for infantry Special Reserves, improperly called the "Brodrick" by soldiers, having regard to its unpopularity with the men and the impossibility of making it look smart.

The cap in question is not confined to the Special Reserve and is still worn by certain Line units. To withdraw the remainder of these caps and replace them by those of the latest pattern would entail a heavy expenditure, which I think my hon. friend will agree with me could hardly be justified.

said some Line units would wear the cap though it might not be the most becoming for them.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the approximate cost per annum of the permanent and instructional staff assigned to the Special Reserve, and for what total number of Special Reservists is this staff sufficient.

The approximate annual cost of the Regular establishments of Special Reserve battalions, of the training brigades of Royal Artillery, and of the permanent staffs of Royal Reserve Artillery is £1,300,000. These staffs are considered to be sufficient to deal with the establishment of about 83,000 Special Reservists shown in the Estimates of this year; but the Regular establishments of Special Reserve battalions also handle recruits for the Line.

Will the sum of £1,300,000 cover the cost of the staff for both infantry and cavalry?

The Special Reserve battalions and the Artillery.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the reasons that his Department does not manufacture a portion at least of the boots and shoes required for the Army; and whether, having regard to the advantage of his Department, he will consider the advisability of the establishment by the Government of a manufactory for this purpose in or near some place where this class of labour can be found.

So long as the War Department can obtain all the boots that are required of good quality from contractors as at present, and can rely upon contractors to provide the extra quantities which might be required in emergency, there would appear to be no grounds for adopting the hon. Member's suggestion. In the interests of economy, I am not desirous of embarking on the trade of boot-making.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there exist any reasons for not giving effect to the recommendation in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Cables, issued in 1900, for instituting a system of deferred messages to and from India at reduced rates; if so, would he state them; and, if not, would the India Office be moved to take immediate steps to bring it about.

The introduction of a system of deferred messages to and from India at reduced rates rests with the telegraph companies that transmit the Indian traffic. The Secretary of State will refer the question of introduction to the boards of the companies concerned for their consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the expediency of appointing a small Depart- mental Committee to investigate this matter?

I should like notice of that.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the amount earned in 1907–8 by the Joint Purse, and what are the standard earnings which will automatically bring down the Indian telegraph rate to 1s. 6d. per word.

The amount earned by the Cis-India Joint Purse partners on traffic between Europe and India during 1907–08 was £363,531 3s. 7d. There is no standard of revenue, the earning of which would automatically bring down the Indian telegraph rate to 1s. 6d. per word.

Do the Government intend to reduce the rate, if possible?

We should like to reduce it, of course.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state the number of editors of newspapers and other journalists in India who are at present undergoing sentences of imprisonment or transportation; and how many Indian newspapers have been suppressed or temporarily suspended.

I hope early next session to present a Return, on the Motion of the hon. Member for Nottingham, showing the prosecutions for seditious speeches and Writings in India since 1st January, 1907. According to the reports received by the Secretary of State, the Newspapers Act of 1908 has been put into force against one newspaper, while proceedings in the case of another are pending.

Will the Return bring the facts up to date?

asked for notice.

asked whether the Return, if granted, would give the caste of the offender in each case?

said he did not think so.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would arrange for that being done, in order that the nature and character of this opposition might be shown.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the actual number of journalists now in prison?

I cannot.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the frequency of raids and dacoities committed in British districts on the North-West Frontier of the Punjab by independent tribesmen who are in possession of modern European firearms, and resulting in loss of life and property and in the abduction of women, Whose husbands are unable to defend them because of the prohibition of firearms by the Government of India, he can inform the House what steps have been taken or are proposed to be taken, to remove the feeling of insecurity that prevails in that province.

Does the Under-Secretary accept the implication that the maladministration or ignorance of the Government concerned has produced a feeling of insecurity in the Punjab?

No, Sir. The Government of India have under consideration the question of what improvements are required in the existing system of protecting the British districts adjoining the administrative border against tribal raids. The issue of arms to villages exposed to attack has been sanctioned in certain cases where it seemed necessary.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Sessions Judge at Allahabad has sentenced Babu Ram, the youthful editor of the newspaper called Swarajya, to seven years transportation on three separate charges of sedition; and, if so, what was the nature of the offences which were so punished; and what previous convictions, if any, stood on record against the prisoner.

The Answer to the first Question is in the affirmative; the sentences run concurrently. The charges against the accused were brought under Section 124a of the Indian Penal Code, and had reference to several articles published in the newspaper mentioned; it is not known whether there were any previous convictions.

What is the age of this man?

I do not know.

Old enough to know better.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of suspending the further operation of the Summary Jurisdiction Act until the reform scheme has been proclaimed and passed into law.

As I explained in reply to a question on Monday, the Act in question is already in force. The Secretary of State does not think it desirable to take the peculiar action suggested by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will say when, in view of the blocking Motions placed on the Paper regarding the unrest in India, he will take the long-promised steps to prevent the House from being deprived of its constitutional right to discuss freely all matters of urgent national and imperial purport.

Before the Prime Minister answers this Question, will he say whether the House, as distinguished from a very small section thereof, does desire to discuss this subject at the present time?

As I have frequently stated, I am prepared, if there is satisfactory evidence of general consent, to ask the House to adopt the recommendation of the Select Committee over which I presided. But no such evidence is so far forthcoming.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange for the distribution of White Paper Cd. 4538 among the head-teachers of our schools and the leaders of our different sects.

I share my hon. friend's desire that the Paper to which he refers should have as wide a circulation as possible since it contains a fine record of the united labours of Government officials and Roman Catholic and Church of England clergymen in relieving the distress caused by the recent famine in a part of the Uganda Protectorate. But I fear that the gratuitous distribution of the Paper in the manner which my hon. friend suggests would prove an inconvenient and expensive precedent.

May I ask if the cause of the famine was the existence of enormous herds of wild beasts in the Protectorate?

That hardly arises out of the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the public land sold in the Straits Settlements during 1907; and whether the leasing of public lands at revisable rents usual in the Federated Malay States could be with advantage adopted in the Straits Settlements also.

The system to which my hon. friend refers is already in force in the Straits Settlements. Except in very special cases, the statutory grants by which Crown Land is alienated are issued subject to a provision that rents are to be revised at intervals of thirty years. My hon. friend will find full details in the Straits Settlements Ordinance No. II. of 1886.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the 1907 Report on the Straits Settlements, whether the increase in the charges on account of public debt from $24,000 to $194,000, shown under the head of expenditure, was due to the nationalising of the docks; and, if so, why revenue from these docks does not appear on the revenue side of the account.

No, Sir. The loan was raised for certain public works in addition to the acquisition of the docks, and the charge to which my hon. friend refers is in respect of that portion of the loan allocated to the former purpose. The revenues of the Dock Board provide the interest for such part of the loan as was devoted to the acquisition of the docks.

Has the money been spent on remunerative works, and will future accounts show the revenue therefrom?

The question of what should be charged to capital or to revenue account is too wide a subject to discuss by way of Question and Answer across the floor of the House.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the statutory grants mentioned on page 27 of Cd. 3729 (Straits Settlements) are in the nature of alienations in fee simple or of leases; and, if the former, will he take steps to prevent the increasing alienation of public land in Malacca and Penang.

These Grants are of the nature of leases. Grants in fee simple are prohibited by Straits Settlements Ordinance No. XII. of 1903, except in the case of an exchange of Crown land for other land already held in fee simple. As I have just informed my hon. friend, the terms on which Crown land is now alienated include provision for periodical revision of rent.

Would it not be better to have statutory grants or leases in these cases?

was understood to say that point would be considered.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the treatment of a British subject named Robert Harris, who was not allowed to land at the Port of Sydney, New South Wales, when endeavouring to visit London, and who has written fully, explaining the circumstances, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and whether he has made the necessary inquiries concerning this case, and, if so, can he say what action, if any, his Department intends to take in the matter.

The Secretary of State recently received a Memorial from Mr. Harris, and he has asked the Commonwealth Government to be good enough to furnish him with a Report on the circumstances of the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information regarding the progress of the Baghdad Railway.

No further progress has been made with the construction of the railway since the last Question was answered in the House.

Does the hon. Gentleman know whether the Young Turks, under the new constitution, have accepted the exceedingly onerous contract with regard to the kilometric guarantee of this undertaking?

I have no information on that subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the advisability of appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into the working of the Adulteration of Hops Act, 1733, the Hop Trade Act, 1800, and the Hop Trade (Prevention of Fraud) Act, 1866, with a view to ascertaining whether and how far the provisions of these Acts operate advantageously or disadvantageously to the British as compared with the foreign hop trade.

As a Committee only recently inquired into the condition of the hop industry, I am of opinion a further Committee would not serve any useful purpose.

Was the matter mentioned in the question particularly inquired into by that Committee?

They must have considered the question before coming to the conclusion they did.

Will the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made as to the working of existing legislation in Germany and Australia, whereby the use of hop substitutes is prohibited?

Yes.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the duty leviable at the Customs houses at our ports upon imported methylated spirits per proof gallon and per gallon 66 degrees over proof; what are the Excise duties charged on spirit manufactured in Home distilleries per proof gallon and per gallon 66 degrees over proof; and if he will state what is the advantage calculated to be afforded to the domestic producer under this tariff.

So far as I am aware, there is no importation of methylated spirits to this country. If any importation took place, the spirits would be chargeable with duty at the rate of 11s. 5d. per proof gallon, or 18s. 11d. per bulk gallon at a strength of 66 overproof. The Excise duty on British spirits is 11s. per proof gallon, or 18s. 3d. per bulk gallon, at a strength of 66 over-proof. Having regard to the conditions affecting home production, I am not satisfied that there is any substantive advantage to the domestic producer at these rates.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to remove the pauper disqualification from the Old-Age Pensions Act during the next session of Parliament.

I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Arising out of that Answer, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a most important question for the constituencies, and can I press him to give a more favourable hint? It is very important for the Government.

The hon. Gentleman was not in the House when the Prime Minister made a statement on the subject. If he has time to look it up, he will find it is rather more friendly than he thinks.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to several instances of persons being held to be disqualified for old-age pensions for having received outdoor relief since 1st January, 1908, although members of their families have voluntarily repaid to the guardians the whole of the sums thus paid in outdoor relief; whether, where the guardians have themselves enforced such repayment by members of the family, the applicant would under the Act and the regulations be entitled to a pension; and whether, having regard to this, he will issue a circular to pension committees urging them to accept as qualified for a pension persons whose relatives have thus voluntarily repaid any sums paid in outdoor relief as if the guardians had enforced such repayment.

My attention has been called to cases of the kind referred to; but I am advised that subsequent repayment, by whomsoever it may be made and whether made voluntarily or compulsorily, does not remove the disqualification. The disqualification is statutory, and I have no power to issue instructions in the sense suggested in the Question.

Will boards of guardians be advised to take action in case such an applicant is disqualified?

Answer was inaudible.

Does the reply cover a case in which the guardians bring an action to recover relief by a loan to the pauper?

I should like notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the stud tramway system in the Mile End Road, E., certified by the Board in June last, animals and persons have been injured by live studs; whether he can state the number of live studs and accidents during the working of the system and the amount paid by the London County Council in claims for injured horses or persons; and whether the Board's certificate is still in force with regard to this stud system.

Accidents to two persons and five horses have been reported to the Board of Trade as occurring on the tramway in question through coming in contact with live studs. The tram service was withdrawn in July last and the period covered by the Board's certificate expires on the 23rd instant. I have no official information as to any amounts paid by the London County Council for injury either to persons or to horses.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the suicide at sea of a fireman named Altorallee Ariff Meah on the steamship "Kassanga," of London, on 6th of September, 1908; whether any inquiry was held, whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship, and whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported upon the ventilation of the stokehold; if he can state the amount of coal the fireman and trimmers were required to work in each twenty-four hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance amongst stokehold hands have occurred on this ship.

Yes, Sir. Inquiry was held by the Shipping Master at Chittagong. The man was engaged at Calcutta and had previously served as fireman, but I am not aware whether he had been medically examined. As the vessel has not returned to this country since she sailed on her first voyage, the Board of Trade surveyors have not had an opportunity since the date of the occurrence of reporting on the ventilation of the stoke-hold. The consumption of coal was thirty-six tons per twenty-four hours, and the number of firemen and trimmers was eighteen. No previous case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance in this vessel has been reported.

Is it likely natives of India commit suicide on account of want of ventilation in stokeholds?

Is it not the fact that a considerable number of firemen do commit suicide?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the practice of the Salford Hundred Court of Record in issuing writs from that Court to persons residing in distant parts of the country, whereby it is well-nigh impossible for them to defend such actions; if he can state the number of writs issued during the present year by such Court for sums under £5, under £10, and under £20, respectively; whether he is aware that this Court is extensively used by moneylenders; and whether he proposes to take any steps by legislation or otherwise, to curtail the jurisdiction of this Court in cases where the defendants reside at a distance and where Judges of County Courts have power to try such cases.

My attention has been called to the hardships caused by the practice to which the hon. Member refers, and I have consulted the Lord Chancellor, who states that the proper course to be adopted by the council of any borough, or the ratepayers of any parish, whose inhabitants are aggrieved at the action of the Salford Hundred Court of Record, is to petition His Majesty in Council as prescribed in Section 7 of the County Courts Act, 1888, that the jurisdiction of that Court may be excluded.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of men at work in the Penrhyn Slate Quarries for the year ending 31st December, 1907; how many were employed inside and outside respectively; and what was the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents that occurred to inside and outside workers during the same period.

The figures asked for are as follows: 889 employed inside; 1,060 employed outside; total, 1,949. One fatal and 13 non-fatal accidents inside; one fatal and 15 non-fatal accidents outside.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of prosecutions for time-cribbing in cotton mills during the present year; the number of convictions and the amount of fines inflicted; whether any inspector's assistants are engaged in that work; and, if so, how many, and the districts to which they are attached.

482 informations have been laid against thirty-four occupiers, resulting in 481 convictions. The fines imposed amounted to £540 1s., and the costs to £208 7s. 6d. Four inspector's assistants assist in the work of detecting time-cribbing; they are attached, one to the Manchester district, one to the Blackburn district, one to the Preston district, and one to the Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton and Stockport districts.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the factory department have concluded their investigations regarding better ventilation in cardrooms in cotton mills; Whether he is satisfied that more efficient apparatus can now be affixed for taking away the dust, etc., which is caused by the stripping and grinding of carding engines; and, if so, Whether he is prepared to issue an order making it compulsory on all employers to adopt such improved methods on an early date.

The subject has been engaging the attention of both the manufacturers and the inspectors. A number of different appliances for removing the dust are being tried, and the results already obtained are such as to show that the dust can be successfully removed without undue cost. The matter is still in the experimental stage, and further experience as to the respective efficiency of the various methods is necessary before a definite requirement can be imposed. The inspectors, however, have instructions to keep the matter before the manufacturers, and I hope that in the course of a few months sufficient progress may have been made to enable the Department to take definite action.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that in some country districts rural district councils have been in the habit of keeping on old men of long service from charitable motives at higher wages than they were really worth, and that they are now about to reduce their wages to the point at which they are eligible for the full 5s. pension, he will say if these men will be entitled to receive pensions.

The facts to which the hon. Member calls attention would not, in my opinion, render these persons ineligible for pensions under the Old-Age Pensions Act. The circumstances of each case would, of course, have to be onsidered.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the fact that a committee of the guardians of the Depwade Union, Norfolk, are holding a meeting on Thursday next at the Railway Tavern, Tivetshall; and if he proposes to take any steps to prevent guardians meeting in a licensed public-house for the transaction of public business.

I have made inquiry on the subject, and am informed that a special committee of the guardians propose to meet to-morrow at the Railway Hotel, Tivetshall, for the purpose of conferring with the medical officers of the union in the hope of settling an outstanding difference with regard to vaccination arrangements. Tivetshall was selected because several of the medical men have to come by rail, and would desire to return by the next train, which could not be done if the meeting were held at the workhouse, and there is no other suitable place at Tivetshall where the meeting could be held. The occasion seems to be altogether exceptional, and I do not think it necessary to take any action with regard to the matter. I may add that I fully agree with the view I understand my hon. friend to entertain, that the holding of meetings of local authorities on licensed premises is in general open to great objection.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the total number of persons registered in the employment registers of the local labour exchanges in London since 31st March, 1908; what is the number of labour exchanges or bureaux or employment registers started or utilised by distress committees in the provinces, and what has been the total number of persons registered since that date in such exchanges and employment registers; what has been the number of situations filled through the agency of such exchanges and employment registers since 31st March in London and in the provinces; whether any satisfactory system of intercommunication has been established, and is in actual operation, between the central exchange of London and the provincial labour exchanges and bureaux; and whether the number of skilled workmen provided with situations through these agencies is increasing or not.

The total number of persons registered by the local labour exchanges in London since 31st March last up to the 11th instant is 115,195. The number of situations filled by the exchanges in London in the same period is 18,172. For the provinces, I cannot give such precise figures, but it appears that during the eight months following 31st March last there were thirteen labour bureaux maintained by distress committees (apart from some other exchanges worked by town councils), and that the total number of new applicants at the bureaux of these thirteen distress committees was 28,403, out of which number 3,893 were provided with situations. Some intercommunication takes place between London and the provinces as regards the operations of labour exchanges, but there is no organised system for the purpose. I am informed that in London the exchanges are daily becoming more used in respect to both registering and supplying skilled workmen, and that many large factories now draw the whole of their hands from them.

Do I understand that the intercommunication between London and the provinces will be looked into by the Local Government Board and will be more fully organised?

The subject of labour bureaux is being considered at this moment in concurrence not only with my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade, but with the Government as a whole.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate giving further Returns covering recent months?

Yes. We trust to be able to issue before June a Report which will be an improvement on that of June last.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the curtailment of postal facilities in the town of Scarborough, which he has announced, is part of a general scheme of reduction; if so, whether he will state what other towns have been or will be affected; whether any exceptions to the rule are being made; and whether, before coming to a final decision, he will take steps to ensure that local opinion and convenience are consulted.

The time during which a post office is open to the public is arranged according to the business done, and is not curtailed unless the business at the end or beginning of the period is insufficient to warrant the employment of the staff required to deal with it. The question of extension or curtailment of the hours of counter business is one which is taken up at the periodical revisions of force carried out at all offices. It is the practice in cases in which there is any question of permanent curtailment to consult the local authorities if it is thought that the change is likely to provoke much opposition. The case of Scarborough is still under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that local opinion in Scarborough is considerably averse to the proposed curtailment?

That, I think, is highly probable, because whenever it is proposed to curtail the hours there is naturally some local opposition, and it is really a question of the merits of the particular case. As I have said, Scarborough is still under consideration, and I may say that I desire to give every consideration to local opinion in these matters.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before this decision is arrived at?

I cannot say off-hand.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education what proportion of the £11,260 voted for 1908–9 as the art purchase grant for the Victoria and Albert Museum has been expended during the first eight months of the financial year.

The noble Lord's Question is based on a misapprehension as regards the money to which he refers. The £11,000 is not given by the Exchequer to be spent in the financial year; it is a grant-in-aid—unexpended balances not surrendered—placed regularly to the credit of the Art Museum for purchasing such objects as it may from time to time be expedient to procure to strengthen particular sections of the museum exhibits, or to secure some specially desirable object that happens to be for sale. During the last few months I have thought it expedient, in the best interests of the museum, to direct that the officials should refrain from making any purchases at all except in the case of such few objects as presented exceptional opportunities that ought not to be missed. I did so, and am still doing so, in order that there might thus be accumulated a substantial sum with which to start the museum upon the important new stage in its career that will commence when the occupation of the large new premises is proceeded with. The sorting and rearrangement of the various objects of the museum collections in the extended new galleries and courts will demonstrate in a way hitherto impossible which of the various departments of the museum are most in need of development by careful purchasing, and in which of them the needs are less pressing. For this purpose the accumulations now in hand resulting from the savings of the last two years, amounting to some £11,000, will then be at our disposal.

But how much of the money voted this year has been actually spent?

I cannot give the exact amount. There was a balance carried forward from last year, and we have made purchases to the amount of £2,900 this year.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if, prior to the adoption of the scheme to reorganise the Victoria and Albert Museum as outlined by the Departmental Committee, the House of Commons can be given an opportunity of discussing the matter, in view of the proposal to revise the museum policy consistently followed for nearly fifty years.

The reply to the hon. Member's Question is necessarily of some length; and if he will permit me, I will hand it in at the Table to be printed, sending him a copy; as this will, I think, better meet the convenience of the House.

I am only asking that Parliament may have a voice in the policy reversing the uniform practice of the last fifty years.

I cannot admit that there has been a departure from uniform practice, or that there has been any uniform practice of that period. Any Question as to the disposition of the time of the House must obviously be addressed to the Prime Minister.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of works whether a plan is in existence for the redecoration of the picture gallery at Holyrood Palace; if so, whether he will exhibit it; and whether he will make provision in next year's Estimates for the work to be carried out.

The question of redecorating the picture gallery at Holyrood Palace has frequently been discussed; but I have not as yet been able to submit any definite plan to the King. I am not, therefore, making any provision in the Estimates for next year.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Government will consider the propriety of introducing a Bill next session making it compulsory for foreign-fed meat exposed for sale in this country to be marked as foreign-fed.

I am not in a position to make any statement as to what legislation, if any, will be initiated by the Board next session.

May I ask whether under the circumstances free competition does not amount to protection in favour of the foreigner.

That is a matter of opinion.

I beg to ask the Lord-Advocate whether he is aware that one of the recently-appointed sheriffs in Scot and is an ordinary director in the Century Insurance Company, and that thot company is frequently engaged in litigation in the jurisdiction of the sheriff; and, if so, will he say whether this has the sanction of his Department, or whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter.

Sheriff Lorrimer is a director of this Company. The remainder of the Question is founded on error. The company is not frequently engaged in litigation in that sheriffdom; indeed I am informed that during the whole twenty-three years of the Company's existence it has never once had a case there which fell to be tried by the sheriff.

What is the course adopted in cases where sheriff's companies come into litigation? Does the sheriff vacate his seat and who takes his place?

That would be an important question when such a case arose, but I have not heard of one.

I beg to ask the Lord-Advocate whether his attention has been called to the interdict cases raised by certain proprietors in Peebleshire prohibiting a number of Lanarkshire miners from having access to the banks of the Tweed and mulcting them in heavy expenses; and whether, in view of the unrest and indignation caused by this interference with immemorial custom, he will consider the advisablity of introducing legislation to secure right of access to river banks and freedom to fish for trout.

My attention has not been drawn to the cases referred to. On behalf of the Prime Minister I received a deputation upon the subject of Tweed fisheries during the autumn recess, and I cannot at present do more than assure my hon. friend that the question is not being lost sight of by the Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that many of the funds under the adjudication of the Scottish Churches Commission have been long ago allotted to the churches interested but have not been paid over, and that much inconvenience is thereby produced to the causes for which the money was given; and whether he will represent to the Commission the advisability of making forthwith a considerable, if not a complete, payment.

I am not quite sure that I understand the full purport of this Question. My hon. friend is aware that I have no power to interfere, and that the Commissioners are in all probability well acquainted with the circumstances. Such matters are left to their discretion and I am not at present disposed to make any such representation to the Commission as my hon. friend suggests.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his Department has tested samples of cement manufactured in Ireland and found any suitable for building labourers' cottages; and, if so, whether he will have the results communicated to the Local Government Board and to local bodies engaged in building cottages for labourers.

My right hon. friend the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture informs me that there is only one cement factory in Ireland, and this is situated at Drinagh, near the town of Wexford. The Department have not carried out any tests on the cement manufactured at Drinagh. They are, however, advised that the cement in question is of good quality, and is suitable for use in the building of labourers' cottages and other work.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state when and how the appointment of Miss Parr as instructress of domestic economy was terminated by the Department in the County Roscommon; up to what date was she paid salary; and what reason was assigned for refusing the sworn inquiry demanded by her into the conduct of a certain official in the employment of the Roscommon County Committee, a portion of whose salary is paid by the Department.

My right hon. friend the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture informs me that the lady referred to was employed by the County Roscommon Committee of Technical Instruction, and her appointment was determined by them and not by the Department. As regards the remaining part of the Question, I have to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question of the 1st instant, in which it was stated that there has never been any information or evidence which would call for the Department's interference with the discretion of the Committee in the matter.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland or the local sanitary authorities have power to require dispensary medical officers to furnish a certificate of the specific cause of each death in their respective districts, and, when a dying person has been attended by another medical practitioner, to require a similar certificate from the latter; and, if such power exists will it be put in operation.

The matter is not regulated by Orders of the Local Government Board but by the Births and Deaths Registration Act (Ireland), 1880, which requires every registered medical practitioner to give a certificate as to the cause of the death of any person whom he has been attending.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the promoters of the anti-tuberculosis campaign in Ireland have yet had specimen labourers' cottages in actual occupation inspected by tuberculosis experts with a view to improving the prevalent designs in the interest of health, especially as regards damp, light, and air-space; and, if not, whether this will be done forthwith, in view of the large number of cottage schemes now in contemplation.

The Local Government Board are not aware that there has been any such inspection of labourers' cottages. Before issuing their model plans and specifications for cottages to be built under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, the Board took into full consideration the matters indicated in the latter part of the Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what reason and justification the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland offer for suspending the promotion to first grade of men who have thoroughly earned promotion, according to rules.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have not suspended the promotion of men who have earned it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Commissioners of National Education for Ireland are now preparing new rides and regulations; whether he, remembering past friction in connnection with their rules, will ask them, before finally adopting new rules, to submit drafts of them to representatives of the respective organisations of managers and of teachers; when do the Commissioners propose to pay the supplementary grant for the year ending 31st March, 1909; do they intend to give annual increments of salary instead of triennial as at present; what is their intention regarding the quicker promotion of teachers; and will they enable teachers to reach the maximum of first-of-first grade before completion of thirty-six years of service.

The rules of the Commissioners of National Education are revised annually. The Revised Code for 1908–9 is now being circulated. I do not propose to make any suggestion to the Commissioners as to the method of revision. The supplementary grant for the year ending 31st March, 1909, cannot be paid until after that date. The Commissioners do not intend to give annual increments of salary, they desire to accelerate promotion in suitable cases, and they would also be glad to enable deserving teachers to reach their maximum sooner, but the necesssary funds are not at present available for the purpose.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state in how many cases of applications under Section 1, subsection (1), of the Land Purchase Act, 1903, did the Estates Commissioners in the years 1906 and 1907 make, or direct to be made, inquiry into matters affecting the security.

It is not the practice of the Estates Commissioners to inspect for security holdings in respect of which applications have been lodged under Section 1, subsection (1) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, but such holdings may have to be inspected for other purposes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are alone responsible for estimating the total amount of purchase money under the Land Act of 1903 at £183,568,396; whether they consulted the Registrar-General as to the various descriptions of land included in the tenement valuation of £10,061,667 on the basis of which the estimated amount of purchase money for unsold land was calculated; and, if so, will he lay upon the Table a copy of the correspondence that passed between the two Departments.

The Estates Commissioners are responsible for the estimate of the total amount of purchase money under the Act of 1903. They consulted the Registrar-General as to the point referred to in the Question, but no correspondence passed between the two Departments.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have placed Henty Hosford in possession of untenanted land at Rafeen, County Cork; whether he is aware that in reply to a letter the Estates Commissioners informed the Parliamentary Member for the Division that they had fully inquired into the claim made by the Hosfords and had decided not to purchase the farm for them, as they had no title to the land; whether he is aware that the people claiming this land have already in their possession three large farms, one of these being a farm near Kinsale from which a farmer had been evicted, and for which the son of the evicted tenant has made a claim; and, whether in view of these facts and in the interest of peace in the district, the Commissioners will refuse to advance the purchase money.

The Estates Commissioners purchased this farm in 1907. They at first intended it for a tenant from another estate, but ultimately decided to give it to the Hosfords, on whose behalf the hon. Member had approached them. The farm has now been sold to Henry Hosford, who is in possession. The Commissioner are aware that his stepfather holds other lands, but cannot say whether they include an evicted farm.

Did not the hon. Member for South-East Cork inform the Commissioners by letter that he had proof the Hosfords had no title to the land, and that the persons who recommended him had stated that they had been grossly deceived? Will the Commissioners reconsider their decision?

I have no information, but it looks as if the hon. Member had better have left the matter alone.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. John Beirne, having had his cattle driven more than once from his grazing farm at Tonlagee, near Ballinasloe, and after the Estates Commissioners had on 15th November, 1907, informed him that upon inspection they estimated the price of the farm at £3,090, exclusive of bonus, intimated his readiness to sell; that six months afterwards he was informed that the above-mentioned price was inclusive and not exclusive of the bonus, thereby reducing the price by £370; that on 23rd October, 1908, the Estates Commissioners informed him they were only prepared to give him £2,759 for the farm, or a sum of £700 less than the original sum at which they valued the farm; and, whether in view of the prevailing circumstances of the locality, the payment of the sum originally proposed will be made to Mr. Beirne.

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that the cattle have not been driven off this farm, but on one occasion cattle on their way to the farm were dispersed. Owing to a clerical error in the office of the Estates Commissioners the word "exclusive" was used instead of "inclusive" in communicating their estimate of price. The owner's solicitor was informed of the mistake as soon as it was discovered. The correct amount was stated in the formal offer to purchase, and the Commissioners are not prepared to increase it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the recent action of the Royal Dublin Society in refusing to admit to its library a book by Mrs. John Richard Green, entitled "The Making of Ireland and its Undoing;" whether he is aware that this book has been acclaimed in the world of culture as the most important contribution to Irish history published in recent years, and is in circulation in the National Library in Dublin, and in many other public libraries in Ireland and Great Britain; and whether he can state the grounds on which it was excluded by the Royal Dublin Society. The hon. Member had the following other Questions down on the same subject— I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Members of the Royal Dublin Society enjoy the privilege of borrowing from the National Library books purchased with public money, and of retaining these books for an indefinite period in their own homes, to the inconvenience of the Dublin reading public; and whether he will make such alterations in the Charter as will deprive members of that society of the privilege of inconveniencing those citizens of Dublin who make use of the National Library for purposes of study. I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Royal Dublin Society was originally instituted by Royal Charter for the promotion not of literature but of agriculture; whether its chief public functions are three public shows every year of horses, sheep, pigs, and fat cattle; whether it enjoys any endowment from public funds; and, if so, whether, in view of its recent manifestation of political prejudice, he will take steps to withdraw such portion of the funds as is devoted to the maintenance of a literary censorship, for which no provision is made in the Charter of the society. I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of recent events, he will make such alterations in the Charter of the Royal Dublin Society as will limit the activities of that body to the improvement of agriculture. I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland who is the present President of the Royal Dublin Society; whether the Lord-Lieutenant is a vice-patron; and whether the action of the society in excluding important works on Irish history from its library was taken in consultation with the Lord-Lieutenant, and is to be regarded as enjoying his approval.

The Royal Dublin Society was founded in 1731 for the promotion of husbandry and other useful arts and sciences. It does not receive any contribution from public funds, and I have no power to limit its action in the manner suggested. Lord Ardilaun is its President, and the Lord-Lieutenant its vice-patron. The selection of books for its library is not a matter which comes under the notice of His Excellency, and I have no information on the subject. In virtue of the agreement under which the society handed over its books and collections to the Government in 1877, members of the society elected before 1878 can borrow books from the National Library for one month. That agreement cannot be altered.

asked if the banishment of a book from a library was not the surest way to provide a circulation for it.

I know nothing about that.

May I ask when the Estimate under which certain sums were paid to this Society for promoting the breeding of cattle was altered?

Surely there is no connection between that and grants for the library.

But so long as money is voted for any purpose whatever to the Royal Dublin Society, surely the right hon. Gentleman has some power over that body?

said his information was, and it was not likely to be incorrect, that the Royal Dublin Society did not receive contributions from public funds. He could exercise no authority over the book committee of a lyceum or society of this kind.

asked if there was any truth in the report that a Member for an Irish constituency was about to be brought before an Irish Judge on a charge of having published news in a newspaper concerning a matter of public importance.

Proceedings are being taken in the King's Bench Division of the High Court against a Member of the House, in reference to a publication of matter in a newspaper belonging to him. The case will be proceeded with on Monday or Tuesday next.

asked under what statute, and was it for publishing public news of local public interest.

Under the statute of Ed. III. and Common Law. I am afraid I cannot give the hon. Member any further information.

Is it the fact that the Irish Government are entering into competition with the Indian Government in the prosecution of newspapers?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the announcement that in the new year the steamers of the London and North-Western Railway Company sailing to Kingstown from Holyhead will start from that port at 4.10 p.m. instead of at 7.10 p.m., as at present, and that the incoming steamer will arrive at Holyhead at 2.30 p.m. instead of 5.10 p.m.; and whether, in view of the fact that if this alteration is made the steamers of the London and North-Western Company would arrive at Kingstown within the interval of the arrival at Kingstown of the day mail steamer and the departure of the night mail steamer, and owing to the limited accommodation might thereby impede the punctuality of the mail service, he will have careful inquiries made and have all necessary steps taken to prevent the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company being interfered with or prevented from carrying out the terms of their mail contract.

I am informed that the London and North-Western Railway Company do not contemplate any such alterations in the times of their steamer service between Kingstown and Holyhead.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, when introducing legislation to give the Board of Agriculture a paid Under-Secretary with a seat in Parliament, he will, at the same time, consider the advisability of creating an Agricultural Department for Scotland with separate Parliamentary representation.

At the same time may I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing an Under-Secretary for Scotland who, in addition to administrative duties, would be responsible for Scottish business in the other House from that in which the Secretary for Scotland is a Member.

All these suggestions will receive consideration, but I can say nothing as to how they will ultimately be decided.

referring to Standing Order 18, asked Mr. Speaker if he was right in supposing there was no machinery provided for the return of a Member to the House after his suspension under subsection (2). Formerly, before February, 1902, the suspension was for a certain length of time.

The hon. Member is quite correct. Until the Rule is altered or rather completed, no period is fixed for the time of suspension, but there has been one case or more of a Motion being made for the return of a Member after the lapse of a certain time, and that course might be followed.

said he supposed it would be too late now, but he would take the earliest opportunity to move for the readmission of the hon. Member for the Colne Valley division.