Sitting of 31 July 1868

Preamble
The House met at half after One of the clock.
FRANCE, BELGIUM, AND HOLLAND.

  QUESTION.
  MR. OTWAYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has received any information as to a projected offensive and defensive alliance between France, Belgium, and Holland, or of any combination of those powers, for purposes hostile to Prussia and Germany?
  LORD STANLEYsaid, in reply, that he had yesterday seen the Belgian Minister upon the subject to which the Question related; and he, Baron Dujardin, was authorized by his Government to state, that so far as Belgium is concerned, there is no foundation whatever for the report to which the Question of the hon. Member referred. He understood no proposition of the kind comprised in the Question had been made by France or Belgium, either

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  officially or unofficially. He had received from the Hague a similar statement—namely, that the report was unfounded—but couched in more general terms.

METROPOLIS—THE PARKS.

  QUESTION.
  MR. ALDERMAN LAWRENCEsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether, for the convenience of Foreigners and other Visitors to London, he will cause at each of the park gates the name of the gate to he written legibly and conspicuously?
  LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, in reply, that he was not aware that any inconvenience had arisen to foreigners from the names of the gates not being painted up; but there would be no objection, when the notice boards required re-painting, to place the names of the different parks at their head.

POOR LAW ASSESSMENT.—QUESTION.
MR. ALDERMAN LAWRENCEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Poor Law Board, Whether he will take into his consideration the advisability of introducing a measure, in the next Session of Parliament, to compel the single parishes in the Metropolis to re-assess, in the same manner as the parishes in unions have been compelled to re-assess under the Union Assessment Act, in order that the contributions to the common fund may be levied throughout the Metropolis on a fair and equal basis?
SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHsaid, in reply, that it had been his intention to introduce a measure for the uniform valuation of the metropolis; but the same reasons that had prevented the progress of important measures which the Government desired to see passed had interfered to prevent him from doing so. He hoped to introduce such a measure next Session.

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.

  QUESTION.
  MR. ALDERMAN LAWRENCEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, with the sanction of the Treasury, have abandoned the scheme of forming a new wide street immediately opposite the Horse Guards, from Whitehall, through Whitehall Yard to the Thames Embankment, as planned by Mr.
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  Pennethorne, in his Report of the 24th April 1868, and stated by him to form a handsome approach to the Embankment from Buckingham Palace, the Park, and the Horse Guards, with the Public Offices South thereof, and to furnish fine sites available for the erection of public buildings, or for private houses and offices, and that the said street passes wholly through Crown property, the leases of which have all terminated; whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have so determined in consequence of the Metropolitan Board of Works having decided not to make the street opposite the Horse Guards at the expense of the Metropolis, but to make a thoroughfare to the Embankment through Whitehall Place; and, whether the Treasury is not of opinion that if the new street be formed through Whitehall Yard, as designed by Mr. Pennethorne, it would nearly double the present value of the Crown property through which it passes?
  MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, that his hon. Friend (Mr. Sclater-Booth) had left town, and that he was not able to answer the Question for him.

THE CIRCUITS.—QUESTION.
VISCOUNT MILTONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it is true that the Government do not intend to take into consideration the necessity of holding Assizes at some convenient place within the Southwestern Division of Yorkshire?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, he had answered two days ago a somewhat similar Question put to him by the noble Lord. A Commission was now taking into consideration all the circumstances connected with the discharge of judicial business, and, pending the inquiry by that Commission, he did not think it would be convenient to establish any new Assize town.
VISCOUNT MILTONsaid, he wanted to know whether the right hon. Gentleman would consider the question?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, he would defer the consideration of the matter pending the inquiry by the Commission.

LORD NAPIER'S PENSION.

  QUESTION.
  MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the

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  Treasury, Whether it would not be a desirable and appropriate completion of the provision made by Parliament for the support of the title conferred on Lord Napier of Magdala, if a pension equivalent to that already granted by Parliament was made to extend to Lady Napier, in case of any unforeseen contingency?
  MR. DISRAELIsaid, in reply, that the provision that had been made by Parliament on the recommendation of Her Majesty for Lord Napier of Magdala, in consideration of his eminent services, had been well considered by Her Majesty's Government with reference to all the circumstances; and therefore he could not hold out any hope that the matter would again be open to consideration.

CASE OF MR. GEORGE F. TRAIN.

  QUESTION.
  MR. REARDENsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the attention of the Irish Government has been called to a statement by Mr. George Francis Train's solicitor, that he applied to the Chief Clerk of the Court of Judge Miller, of Dublin, for leave to file an affidavit of Mr. Clark Bell, the solicitor, who paid Mr. Henry the Ebbw Yale Company's claim, being the debt for which Mr. Train is now detained in prison, in order that Mr. Train might be in time to make application on the 29th instant to Judge Miller for his discharge, being the last day on which Judge Miller would sit before the end of the long vacation in November next, and which application would be grounded on the affidavit then presented to him; but that the Chief Clerk in the most peremptory manner refused to receive the affidavit on the files of the Court, on the pretext that the same was not in proper form, and not written on paper prescribed by the rules of the Court; that the affidavit of Mr. Clark Bell was sworn to at Venice, Italy, by Mr. Train, before the British Consul; and whether, if such statement be correct, the Irish Government will recommend that the case of Mr. Train be referred to the Master of the Court of Exchequer in Ireland, in order that the facts and circumstances connected with Mr. Train's continued imprisonment may be inquired into, with a view to his discharge, should it appear that such imprisonment is unjust?
  THE EARL OF MAYOsaid, in reply, that neither his attention nor that of the
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  Irish Government had been called to this case. The hon. Member must be aware that the Executive Government had no power to interfere in the proceedings of Courts of Justice, and therefore it would be highly improper were the Government to institute any inquiry into the matter. He might, however, state that the hon. Gentleman must be labouring under some mistake, as he found that the case was set down for hearing for that day.

TAXATION OF MORTGAGES.

  QUESTION.
  MR. ALDERMAN SALOMONSsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, with regard to Benefit Societies, the sum at which mortgages would be taxable under the Inland Revenue Act would be £200 or £500?
  THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, in reply, that the effect of the Inland Revenue Act would take away the exemptions from taxation of loans by Benefit Societies to strangers, but the exemption would be continued in favour of advances not exceeding £500 made by those Societies to their own members.

ARMY—HOUSEHOLD BRIGADE.

  QUESTION.
  MR. NEATEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has made any inquiry into the circumstances to which he had drawn his attention the other day, of the Household Brigade being kept out in the heat on Wormwood Scrubs from eight in the morning until half past two o'clock in the afternoon, the result being that seven men had to be carried off the ground in vans, and seven or eight others had to be sent to the Hospital?
  SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, in reply, that he had made inquiries, and that he had been unable to obtain any confirmation of the rumour.
  In answer to Mr. OTWAY,
  SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, that the story of a number of the household cavalry having had to be sent home in cabs, and taken into the hospital after the field-day at Wormwood Scrubs on Tuesday week, was, so far as he could ascertain, without foundation.
  MR. OTWAY: Well, I can assure you that it is true.
  MR. NEATE: Will the right hon. Gentleman state of whom he made his inquiries?

ARMY—INSUBORDINATION AT THE WINDSOR REVIEW.—QUESTION.
LORD ELCHOsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in the first place, Whether he can state to the: House what has been the result of the inquiry instituted for the purpose of ascertaining whether any insubordination, had been shown by any of the Volunteers on their return from the Windsor Review; and whether, in the event of its being; proved that any insubordination had occurred, any steps have been taken to strike out of the Army the companies or company which had been guilty of such insubordination; and, secondly, whether it is the intention of the right hon. Gentleman during the Recess to take steps to ascertain whether the opinion held by some that the Volunteer Force could not be kept up to their present strength upon the present Parliamentary Capitation Grant is or is not well founded?
SIR JOHN PAKINGTON: Sir, in answer to the first part of the Question of the noble Lord, I have to state that in consequence of information I received in regard to the alleged insubordinate conduct of the Second Company of the First Administrative Battalion of the Hertfordshire Volunteers on the occasion in question, I called on the Commanding Officer for an explanation of the circumstance. I am sorry to say that the explanation I received was by no means satisfactory, and that it became my painful duty to advise that the Second Company of the First Hertfordshire should be removed from the Army List. A similar charge of insubordination on the same day has been made against the Ninth Essex Corps; but, as the inquiry has not yet been completed, it is not in my power to state the course which I shall pursue. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I am not prepared to institute a formal inquiry into the matter; but I shall always be open to any fresh facts which may be placed before me.

DEATHS IN COLDBATH FIELDS PRISON.

  QUESTION.
  MR. M'CULLAGH TORRENSsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his
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  attention has been called to several cases of persons dying in Coldbath Fields Prison during the period of their incarceration, and that the verdicts of the Coroner's Inquests were such as to warrant further inquiry; and, if not, whether he will institute an inquiry into the subject?
  MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, in reply, that he had made inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of a statement that several prisoners had died in Coldbath Fields Prison under circumstances that had induced the Coroner's Juries to return verdicts which called for further inquiry. He was informed that one adverse verdict had been given, and he intended to make further inquiry into the matter.

UNITED STATES—ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.—RESOLUTION.
Mr. SPEAKER Mr. SPEAKER acquainted the House, That, in pursuance of a Resolution of the Congress of the United States of America, a Volume containing the expressions of condolence and sympathy communicated to the United States Government on the subject of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States of America, and the attempted Assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary, on the evening of the 14th of April 1865, has been transmitted to the House of Commons as a testimonial of the grateful appreciation by the People of the generous expressions of condolence and sympathy in the late national bereavement communicated by the House of Commons to the Department of State of the United States.
LORD STANLEYsaid, he rose to move a Resolution of Thanks from the House to the Congress of the United States of America for the gift of a volume in reference to the late President Lincoln, and that the Resolution be forwarded to Mr. Secretary Seward for presentation to Congress.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolved, That this House accepts, with much gratification, the Volume transmitted to them in pursuance of the Resolution of the Congress of the United States, and hereby directs that the said Volume be placed in the Library of the House; and that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Mr. Secretary Seward with a request that he will communicate the same to the Congress of the United States.—(Lord Stanley.)

ITALY—CONSULAR CHAPLAIN AT NAPLES.—QUESTION.
MR. HARDCASTLEsaid, in the abscence of his hon. Friend (Mr. Hubbard), he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the stipend of the Rev. Pelham T. Maitland, Consular Chaplain at Naples, has been withdrawn; and, if so, then upon what grounds, and especially whether the reasons for such withdrawal affect in any degree the high character Mr. Maitland has always maintained at Naples as a Clergyman of the Church of England?
LORD STANLEY: Sir, what has happened at Naples is this. Very acrimonious disputes having arisen amongst the English congregation, and the parties concerned having refused to abide by the decision of the Ecclesiastical authorities, I thought it was not seemly that Her Majesty's Government should be mixed up with the affair, and I therefore felt it my duty to withdraw the grant which had been made under the Consular Act. I am glad, however, to have it in my power to state that what has occurred does not in the slightest degree affect the personal character of Mr. Maitland, whom I have always heard spoken of in the highest terms.

CHINA—TREATY OF TIEN-TSIN.

  QUESTION.
  COLONEL SYKESsaid, he was desirous of learning, Whether the noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has had any communication from the Envoy of China with regard to the Treaty of Tientsin?
  LORD STANLEYsaid, he had received no such communication. He was not aware when the gentleman referred to was expected in this country.

REPEAL OF THE UNION WITH IRELAND. —LEAVE.
MR. REARDEN MR. REARDEN moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the amendment of the Act of Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland, the establishment of a Federal Parliament and independent Legislature in Ireland, the separation of the National Debts and Revenues of the two countries, and the responsibility of each Country for its own debt and its reduction.
No hon. Member seconding the Motion, it was not put from the Chair.

PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT.
Message to attend The LORDS COMMISSIONERS.
The House went: and the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
And afterwards a Speech of The LORDS COMMISSIONERS was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by The LORD CHANCELLOR.
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which,
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the Eighth Day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Eighth Day of October next.

MINUTES
PUBLIC BILLS—Royal Assent—Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 85]; Sir Robert Napier's Annuity [31 & 32 Vict. c. 91]; Liquidation [31 & 32 Vict, c. 68]; Land Writs Registration (Scot-
1936
land [31 & 32 Vict. c. 64]; University Elections (Voting Papers) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 65]; Turnpike Trusts Arrangements [31 & 32 Vict. c. 66]; Metropolitan Police Funds [31 & 32 Vict. c. 67]; Fairs (Metropolis) [31 &32 Vict. c. 106]; Libel (Ireland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 69]; Railways (Ireland) Acts Amendment [31 & 32 Vict. c. 70]; Promissory Oaths [31 & 32 Vict. c. 72]; County Courts (Admiralty Jurisdiction) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 71]; Revenue Officers Disabilities Removal [31 &32 Vict. c. 73]; Poor Law and Medical Inspectors (Ireland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 74]; Petit Juries (Ireland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 75]; Admiralty Suits [31 & 32 Vict. c. 78]; Railway Companies [31 &32 Vict. c. 79]; Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Court [31 &32 Vict. c. 77]; Contagious Diseases Act(1866) Amendment[3l & 32 Vict. c. 80]; Army Chaplains [31 & 32 Vict. c. 83]; Assignees of Marine Policies [31 &32 Vict. c. 86]; County General Assessment (Scotland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 82]; Entail Amendment (Scotland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 84]; Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings [31 & 32 Vict. c. 130]; Court of Justiciary (Scotland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 95]; Ecclesiastical Buildings and Glebes (Scotland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 96]; Lunatic Asylums (Ireland) Accounts Audit [31 &32 Vict. c. 97]; Railway Companies (Ireland) Advances [31 & 32 Vict. c. 94]; Vaccination (Ireland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 87]; Courts of Chancery and Exchequer (Ireland) Fee Funds [31 & 32 Vict. c.88]; Tithe Commutation, &c. Acts Amendment [31 &32 Vict. c. 89]; Public Departments Payments [31 &32 Vict. c. 90]; New Zealand Assembly's Powers [31 & 32 Vict. c. 92]; New Zealand Company [31 &32 Vict. c. 93]; Clerks of the Peace, &c. (Ireland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 98]; Militia Pay [31 &32 Vict. c. 76]; Hudson's Bay Company [31 & 32 Vict. c. 105]; Indorsing of Warrants [31 &32 Vict. c. 107]; Bankruptcy Act Amendment [31 & 32 Vict. c. 104]; Burials (Ireland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 103]; Compulsory Church Rates Abolition [31 &32 Vict. c. 109]; Court of Session (Scotland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 100]; General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act Amendment [31 & 32 Vict. c. 102]; Municipal Elections (Scotland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 108]; Marriages Validity (Blakedown) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 113]; West Indies [31 & 32 Vict. c. 120]; Ecclesiastical Commissioners [31 &32 Vict. c. 114]; Larceny and Embezzlement [31 & 32 Vict. c. 116]; Sanitary Act (1866) Amendment [31 &32 Vict. c. 115]; Titles to Land Consolidation (Scotland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 101]; Sale of Poisons and Pharmacy Act Amendment [31 &32 Vict. c. 121]; Regulation of Railways [31 & 32 Vict. c. 119]; Expiring Laws Continuance [31 & 32 Vict. c. 111]; Electric Telegraphs [31 &32 Vict. c. 110]; Public Schools [31 & 32 Vict. c. 118]; District Church Tithes Act Amendment [31 & 32 Vict. c. 117]; Poor Relief [31 &32 Vict. c. 122]; Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 123]: Inland Revenue[31 &32 Vict. c. 124]; Election Petitions and Corrupt Practices at Elections [31 &32 Vict. c. 125]; Danube Works Loan [31 &32 Vict. c. 126]; Saint Mary Somerset's Church, London [31 &32 Vict. c. 127]; Colonial Governors Pensions Act Amendment [31 &32 Vict. c. 128]; Colonial Shipping [31 & 32 Vict.c. 129]; Registra-

1937
tion (Ireland) [31 &32 Vict. c. 112]; Turnpike] Acts Continuance [31 & 32 Vict. c. 199]; Portpatrick and Belfast and County Down Railway Companies [31 &32 Vict. c. 81]; Lee River Conservancy [31 &32 Vict. c. 154]; Tain Provisional Order Confirmation [31 & 32 Vict. c. 155]; Poor Law Board Provisional Order Confirmation [31 & 32 Vict. c. 150]; Land Drainage Provisional Order Confirmation [31 &32 Vict. c. 156]; Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Supplemental (No. 2) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 157]; Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Supplemental (No. 3) [31 &32 Vict. c. 157]; Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Supplemental (No. 4) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 158]; Local Government Supplemental (No. 3) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 152]; Local Government Supplemental (No. 6) [31 & 32 Vict. c. 153].

PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT

  SPEECH OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS.
  The PARLIAMENTwas this day prorogued by Commission.
  The LORDS COMMTSSIONERS—namely, The LORD CHANCELLOR; LORD PRIVY SEAL (The EARL OF MALMESBURY); The DUKE OF BEAUFORT (Master of the Horse); The DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM (Secretary of State for the Colonies); and The EARL OF DEVON (President of the Poor Law Board)—being in their robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack; and the COMMONS being come, with their Speaker, the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
  Then THE LORD CHANCELLOR delivered the SPEECH of the LORDS COMMISSIONERS as follows:—
  "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  "I AM happy to be enabled to release you from your Labours, and to offer you My Acknowledgments for the Diligence with which you have applied yourselves to your Parliamentary Duties.
  "MY Relations with Foreign Powers remain friendly and satisfactory. I have no Reason to apprehend that Europe will be exposed to the Calamity of War, and My Policy will continue to be directed to secure the Blessings of Peace.
  "I ANNOUNCED to you at the Beginning of this Session that I had directed an Expedition to be sent to Abyssinia to liberate My Envoy, and others of My Subjects, detained by the Ruler of that Country in an unjust Captivity.
  "I FEEL sure that you will share in My Satisfaction at the complete Success which has attended that Expedition. After a March of 400 Miles, through a difficult and unexplored Country, My Troops took the strong Place of Magdala, freed the Captives, and vindicated the Honour of My Crown; and by their immediate Return, without One Act of Oppression or needless Violence, proved that the Expedition had been undertaken only in obedience to the Claims of Humanity, and in fulfilment of the highest Duties of My Sovereignty.
  "THE Cessation of the long-continued Efforts to promote Rebellion in Ireland has for some Time rendered unnecessary the Exercise by the Executive of exceptional Powers. I rejoice to learn that no Person is now detained under the Provisions of the Act for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus, and that no Prisoner awaits Trial in Ireland for an Offence connected with the Fenian Conspiracy.
  "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
  "I HAVE to thank you for the liberal Supplies which you have voted for the Public Service.
  " My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  "I HAVE had much Satisfaction in giving My Assent to a Series of Measures completing the great Work of the Amendment of the Representa-

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  tion of the People in Parliament, which has engaged jour Attention for Two Sessions.
  "I HAVE seen with Satisfaction that the Time necessarily occupied by this comprehensive Subject has not prevented you dealing with other Questions of great public Interest, and I have gladly given My Sanction to Bills for the better Government of Public Schools, the Regulation of Railways, the Amendment of the Law relating to British Sea Fisheries, and for the Acquisition and Maintenance of Electric Telegraphs by the Postmaster - General; and to several important Measures having for their Object the Improvement of the Law, and of the Civil and Criminal Procedures in Scotland.
  "BY the Appointment of a Comptroller-in-Chief in the War Office a considerable Reform in Army Administration has been commenced, which, by combining at home and abroad the various Departments of Military Supply under One Authority, will conduce to greater Economy and Efficiency both in Peace and War.
  "IT is My Intention to dissolve the present Parliament at the earliest Day that will enable My People to reap the Benefit of the extended System of Representation which the Wisdom of Parliament has provided for them. I look with entire Confidence to their proving themselves worthy of the high Privilege with which they have thus been invested; and I trust that, under the Blessing of Divine Providence, the Expression of their Opinion on those great Questions of public Policy which have occupied the Attention of Parliament
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  and remain undecided, may tend to maintain unimpaired that Civil and Religious Freedom which has been secured to all My Subjects by the Institutions and Settlement of My Realm."
  Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
  After which,
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
  My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the Eighth Day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Eighth Day of October next.