Sitting of 6 August 1897

Preamble
House met at 10 a.m.
QUESTIONS.

  MILITIA COMMAND (LOUD CASTLEROSS).
  MAJOR RASCH: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War on what grounds Lord Castleross has been brought into the 4th Battalion R.M. Fusiliers as Commanding Officer; what was his previous Militia service, and the date of his resignation; and why the officer second in command has been superseded?
  THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,): Lord Castleross was appointed on the recommendation of the General Officer Commanding the District, the appointment being considered to be for the benefit of the battalion in every respect, and on account of ids Lordship's local connection with the country from which the recruits for the regiment are drawn. Lord Castleross served for six years in the Bucks and Worcester battalions of Militia, and resigned in 1886. The General Officer Commanding did not recommend the officer second in command for the appointment.

  IRISH MAIL SERVICE.
  MR. M. MCCARTAN: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that considerably the shortest way from Belfast and north of Ireland to London is by Killough, county Down, and Holyhead; that there is now a good railway service between Belfast and Killough, and that if a good harbour were made at Killough a saving of some hours each day could be made in the transmission of mails; and if he wall make inquiry into the matter with the view of seeing if anything can be reasonably
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  done to facilitate the carrying of mails and passengers, and to reduce the cost thereof between the north of Ireland and England?
  THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,): This Question seems to be mainly one for the Postmaster General. I have made inquiry as to the harbour at Killough, and am informed that it is a small, private harbour, dry at low water, and only to be entered by largo fishing boats at high water. This would not afford much promise that the scheme suggested in the Question could be carried out without an inordinate expenditure of money.
  MR. J. J. CLANCY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why parcels posted in London at 4 p.m., and arriving in Dublin at 7 a.m. the following morning, are kept in the Parcels Office in Dublin for 11 hours after arrival, and are not delivered in, say, Balbriggan (which is less than 20 miles distant from Dublin) till, after the lapse of 10 or 12 hours more; also why a parcel for Balbriggan, or any place between Drogheda and Dublin, posted in Belfast at night, and which actually passes Balbriggan at 4.30 in the morning, is brought on to Dublin, and is not delivered at its destination till late in the evening; and why, under the present arrangements, letters must be posted in Dublin before 5.35 p.m. to be delivered in Balbriggan or at any other place between Dublin and Drogheda, that same evening, whereas under the old arrangements the latest time was 10 minutes to 7; and whether steps will be taken to remove the public inconvenience caused by these arrangements?
  THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,): As the hon. Member has given me no notice of this Question, which only appeared on this morning's Paper, I cannot, of course, answer it.

  KASSALA.
  SIR CHARLES DILKE: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is intended, to take over Kassala in the course of the Recess?
  THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,): The question of the future arrangements as regards Kassala is under consideration, but events are not sufficiently advanced to allow of any statement being made.

  AFFORESTATION OF CROWN LANDS (NORTH WALES).
  MR. HERBERT ROBERTS: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the House any information as to the steps taken during the past year by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests with regard to the afforestation of Crown lands in North Wales?
  MR. HANBURY: No further steps have been taken during the past year with regard to the afforestation of Crown lands in North Wales for the reasons stated in the Report of the Commissioners of Woods for 1896 (page 8). But the Commissioner in charge of the Crown lands in Wales is in correspondence with an owner of land and of common rights over a Crown waste in Merioneth, with a view to making some arrangement, if practicable, for planting a part of the waste lands there.

  AGRICULTURAL RETURNS (WALES).
  MR. HERBERT ROBERTS: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by a large number of farmers in Welsh-speaking districts in Wales through their having to obtain a translation of the forms and schedules sent to them by the Board of Agriculture relating to Agricultural Returns; and whether, having regard to the representations made, he will take steps to remove the inconvenience complained of by printing the forms for the districts referred to in the Welsh language?
  THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,): In accordance with my promise to the hon. Member when the Estimates for last year were under consideration, a detailed inquiry was instituted into this question, the result of which went clearly to show that no special difficulties have been encountered by the Revenue Officers in
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  Wales in the collection of the Agricultural Returns. Indeed, the percentage of cases in which no Returns are made is smaller in Wales than in any other part of Great Britain. In those circumstances, I do not see my way to propose any change in the direction indicated by the hon. Member.

  LOUGH ERNE DRAINAGE DISTRICT.
  MR. P. C. DOOGAN: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the tenant farmers of the Lough Erne drainage district, have no representation on the local board of management; and in view of the fact that they pay such a large proportion of the drainage and maintenance rates, whether he will take steps to have this anomaly remedied?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The Lough Erne Drainage District having been formed before the Drainage Act of 1892, the tenants have no representation on the Drainage Board. The whole charge both of interest and sinking fund on the capital account, and also of maintenance is borne by the landowners. It is, therefore, incorrect to say that a large proportion of the drainage and maintenance rates is borne by tenant farmers. This is only true of tenant farmers who have purchased their holdings, and are, therefore, in the position of owners.

  ROAD CONTRACTORS (IRELAND).
  MR. D. MACALEESE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the cost of prosecuting defaulting road contractors in Ireland is made a charge upon the county cess, or upon the defaulting contractor; (2) in the case of failure to convict, by whom is the cost borne; and (3) can a statement be made of the approximate average cost of each case instituted?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: Civil proceedings in these cases are instituted by Grand Juries with the approval of the Attorney General, but there is no official information available that would enable me to reply to the last paragraph of the Question. Where the suit is successful the costs are borne by the defendant, where unsuccessful by the Grand Jury.

  TRESPASS CASE (CO. MONAGHAN).
  MR. MACALEESE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that John White, an evicted tenant, of Dernasell, County Monaghan, was committed to Dundalk gaol, in October last, for alleged trespass, and is still untried; whether he will soon be brought to trial or released; and is it in harmony with British law that a subject of the Crown should be kept eight months in prison without trial?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I replied to a similar Question addressed to me by the hon. Member on the 27th ult., and to that reply I have nothing to add.

  LEGEELAN POST OFFICE (BLACKLION).
  MR. J. P. FARRELL: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can stale if it has been decided to open a sub-post office at Legeelan, in Blacklion postal district, and has the memorial of Owen O'Brien in reference thereto been favourably considered?
  MR. HANBURY: The Postmaster General did receive a memorial asking for the establishment of a post office at the house of Owen O'Brien at Leegelan; but it was found that the correspondence for the neighbourhood was not sufficiently large to justify the establishment of an office. The Postmaster General has recently sanctioned arrangements for extending the official delivery of letters on two days a week to Leegelan and neighbourhood.

  QUEEN'S COLLEGE, GALWAY.
  MR. D. KILBRIDE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been directed to the numbers of students attending Queen's College, Galway, and to the extent to which that college serves as an educational endowment for Ulster students; (2) whether he is aware that while nearly 90 per cent. of Belfast Queen's College students are natives of Ulster, less than 50 per cent. of Galway Queen's College students are natives of Connaught; that out of 54 students in arts in Galway 30 are Presbyterians; and (3) whether he will advise such alterations in the statutes
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  of Queen's College, Galway, as will enable the Roman Catholic students of Con-naught to have a share in the advantages and endowment of that college without incurring the censure of their church?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I have not been able, in the short time since this Question was placed on the Paper, to verify the figures quoted in the second paragraph. As regards the third paragraph, the issue raised is one that would require much consideration, and I should not feel myself justified in expressing an opinion upon it.

  CORK POST OFFICE.
  MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the complaints as to the alleged under-staffing of the telegraphic department of the Cork Post Office, and as to the fact that much of the overtime duty is performed by the junior substitutes, many of whom have no appointment and no claim upon the Department; and whether, in view of the frequent complaints on these matters, steps will be taken by the postal authorities to remedy this condition of things?
  MR. HANBURY: The Postmaster General's attention has not been called to the complaints referred to; but he will have inquiry made on the subject.
  MR. J. C. FLYNN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the alleged grievances of the telegraph messengers in Cork Post Office in respect to long distances and Sunday work; has a boy messenger to walk with a message to Dunkettle Station (three miles) and back, a six miles distance, for a halfpenny, to Douglas and back, four miles, for same remuneration, and similarly in regard to other suburbs; and, whether any steps will be taken to deal with these grievances?
  MR. HANBURY: The Postmaster General's attention has not been called to the alleged grievances, and he is not aware of the circumstances alluded to. He has directed an inquiry to be made, but no boy with the knowledge of the Department would be required to do the work referred to for the remuneration mentioned by the hon. Member.

  DUNDALK POST OFFICE.
  MR. MCCARTAN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why the maximum, pay for second class sorting clerks and telegraphists at Dundalk post office is 44s. per week, whereas only 40s. per week is allowed to same class at Newry, County Down; whether a petition was presented by the Newry staff in April last, asking for a similar maximum to that of Dundalk; and, whether he will consider the desirability of complying with their request?
  MR. HANBURY: The pay of sorting clerks and telegraphists depends on the amount of business transacted at each office. A petition has been presented from the sorting clerks and telegraphists at Newry to be placed on the same scale of pay as the Staff at Dundalk, and inquiry is being made whether the business transacted warrants the higher scale.

  FUGITIVE SLAVES.
  MR. THOMAS BAYLEY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India (1) whether there exist treaties between Her Majesty's Government and Arab chiefs, such as the Sultan of Lahej, under which we undertake to surrender fugitive slaves; (2) whether the practice of surrender of fugitive slaves also continues at Muscat; and (3) whether, in the event of the practice not being known at the India Office, inquiry will be made?
  THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,): I am not aware of any treaties of the character described in the first Question. I do not know to what the hon. Member refers in the second Question. Certain difficulties have arisen in dealing with the slave traffic in certain harbours of the Sultan of Muscat and in the Persian Gulf, and on this subject I am in correspondence with the Government of India.

  IRISH LAND ACTS (ROYAL COMMISSION).
  MR. MCCARTAN: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to the resolutions of protest against the new Royal Commission on the working of the Irish Land Laws
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  adopted at a large and influential meeting of farmers held at Ballymoney, county Antrim, a few days ago; (2) whether he is aware that the greatest dissatisfaction exists among the farmers of Ulster both as to the appointment of such a Commission at present and also the personnel of the Commission appointed; and (3) whether it is the intention to examine the lay and legal Sub-Commissioners whose appointments are permanent, or to confine the Sub-Commission witnesses to the temporarily appointed Sub-Commissioners only?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I have received copies of resolutions passed at a meeting recently held at the place mentioned in first paragraph. I have no conclusive evidence that the fact is as suggested in the second paragraph, and as to the third paragraph, which concerns the procedure of the Royal Commission, the matter is one for the Commissioners themselves to determine.

  LOUGH CORRIB DRAINAGE WORKS.
  MR. W. O'MALLEY: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state who constitute the Board of the Lough Corrib Drainage Works; when and by whom were its members appointed; what powers they possess; whether the Board contains any representative of the people who have paid for the works; and whether he is aware that the people affected by the drainage scheme are dissatisfied with the constitution and workings of this Board?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The hon. Member only put this Question down on yesterday's Paper, and I have not had time to got the necessary report from Ireland.

  BANTRY UNION WORKHOUSE.
  MR. J. GILHOOLY: I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether the Bantry Board of Guardians as a sanitary authority can use their compulsory powers to acquire land for the purpose of laying pipes in connection with the proposed supply of water to the Bantry Union Workhouse?
  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. ATKINSON,): So far as the Local Government Board are aware, there is nothing to prevent the Bantry Board of Guardians,

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  acting as the rural sanitary authority, from taking steps to obtain a Provisional Order for the compulsory acquisition of land for the purpose mentioned in the Question.

  LITTLEDALE ESTATE, CO. WICKLOW.
  MR. JAMES O'CONNOR: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the farm of James Byrne, an evicted tenant of the Littledale estate, in the county Wicklow, is now in the occupation of a man named Ellison; whether the Land Commission are considering an offer by Ellison to purchase the holding; and whether the Land Commission have decided to advance money to Ellison, whilst the evicted tenant Byrne has offered, and is prepared to buy the farm at a reasonable price?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The Commissioners have no information as to who is in occupation at the present moment of the holding from which James Byrne was evicted. An application was received from Byrne under the 47th Section of the Land Act of 1896, but, as the landlord objected to the proceedings in the prescribed manner, Byrne's application fell through, as of course. No agreement for the purchase of the holding by Ellison has been received by the Commissioners.

  RICHMOND LUNATIC ASYLUM.
  MR. MICHAEL AUSTIN: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if his attention has been directed to the Report from the Portrane Visiting Committee, presented to the Governors of the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum, in which the Committee express their regret at the small progress made towards the completion of Block No. 3, and urge that all possible pressure should be put on the contractors to complete the work as soon as possible and also, regarding the permanent buildings, their disappointment that better progress had not been made; (2) whether he is aware that the contractors referred to are the same against whom allegations were made before the Select Committee on Government Contracts (whose Report has been presented recently) in not complying with the Fair Wages Resolution of this House; (3)
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  whether he is aware that the failure of the progress of the buildings is due to the fact that sufficiently skilled labour cannot be secured at the rate of wages offered; and (4) seeing the urgency of the Report presented to the Governors, what steps will be taken to complete the contract, having due regard to the Resolution of this House of February 1891?
  MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The hon. Member has been good enough to send me a newspaper report which is to the effect mentioned in the first paragraph. As the Question only appeared on the Paper this morning, I have not yet been able to complete my inquiries as to the statements in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs, to which the attention of the Board of Control has been called.

  CANADIAN MAIL SERVICE.
  MR. D. CRILLY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the contract for the proposed fast Atlantic mail service between this country and Canada is to be made between the Canadian Government and the Steamship Company alone, or if the British Government is to be a party to it; and, if so, will the contract be brought before this House for ratification?
  MR. HANBURY: The hon. Member has forgotten to give me proper notice of this Question, which appeared for the first time on this morning's Paper. I will have an answer sent him in writing.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

  CONSOLIDATED FUND (APPROPRIATION) BILL.
  On the Order of the Day for the Third Reading of this Bill,
  MR. G. C. T. BARTLEYsaid that he desired to enter his protest against the manner in which certain Supplementary Estimates had been presented to the House this Session, and been forced through by means of the final closure, without the House having had any opportunity whatever of discussing them. It was all very well to

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  present Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of providing funds for carrying out objects of which the House had already expressed its approval, but it was quite another thing when the House had had no opportunity of discussing those objects. He desired to refer especially to the Supplementary Estimate in connection with the Wallace Collection. We were now, in regard to that collection, making a new departure in the history of art and education in this country. The Committee which had been appointed to consider and report upon the subject of the collection had made their Report, from which, however, Sir E. Poynter, President of the Royal Academy, dissented. It appeared to him that, in making arrangements for the establishment of what would undoubtedly be the most important art gallery in the world, the House should have been consulted. In his opinion, when the House agreed to the new rules of procedure relating to Supply, it was never intended that large and important subjects, having a far-reaching effect, such as that to which he had referred, should be withdrawn from their consideration by means of the final closure. If the Government of the day were permitted to adopt the course that had been taken in regard to the subject, they might, by postponing the Supplementary Estimate until the day for the final closure, prevent the House from having an opportunity of discussing them. He should regard that as a great evil, and he trusted that the action of the Government would not be followed in the future. ["Hear, hear!"]
  SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid that he desired to refer to the very remarkable statement which was made yesterday at question time by the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Admiralty on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, in the course of which he said that it had been decided by the Admirals to prevent the Turkish war ships from entering the Bay of Canea, and that Her Majesty's Government did not disapprove of their action in the matter. He was not going into the question as to whether it was or was not desirable that the Turkish fleet should be prevented from entering into Cretan waters, because he was quite ready to admit that there might be good reasons for the decision at which the
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  Admirals had arrived; but, at the same time, he thought that the statement that was made public yesterday on the subject by the First Lord of the Admiralty was very unfortunate. He had for a long period deprecated a policy of hostility to the Porte, and he thought that the proper way of dealing with this matter would have been by private intimation instead of by public announcement in that House. Turkey had as much legal right to send its Fleet to Crete as we had to send the Fleet to any port in Ireland. The Cretan Mussulmans were now suffering the greatest misery and deprivations, cooped up as they were in the seaport towns and without the means of getting food for themselves and their families or pasturage for their cattle. The Turkish Government was doubtless greatly distressed at the sufferings of these Cretan Mussulmans, and it might be—though he did not know where the Turkish fleet was going—that it was going to afford some relief to these suffering Mussulmans. His point, however, was—that whereas the other European Powers in all their communications to the Sultan showed the utmost consideration and courtesy and made things as easy as possible for the Sultan and the Turkish Government to give way, by some unfortunate circumstances statements made by our Government were very often of an exceedingly offensive character, calculated to irritate Turkish and Mussulman feeling. He regretted that so much responsibility was thrown on the Admirals, and urged the Government to take some practical steps at once to settle the unfortunate condition of affairs in Crete.
  MR. C. J. MONKreferred to the question of the indemnity to be paid by Greece to Turkey. This had been variously stated at from 2½ million Turkish pounds to 4¼ millions. Now, if any such sum as four millions was demanded of Greece, the restoration of peace, politically as well as financially, would be deferred for at least 20 years. It was not in the power of Greece to pay any such war indemnity as four millions, and he hoped that would be considered by the Government in their negotiations for peace. He could not share the astonishment of the hon. Member for Sheffield that the people of this country should take the part of the Christian

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  Powers against the author of the Armenian massacres. He believed Lord Salisbury and the Government had done everything in their power to bring the peace negotiations to a successful issue. He had every faith in the desire of the Government to support Greece and to restore the little kingdom to the position it held before its most unwise and foolish action with regard to Turkey. From first to last the Sultan had done his best to thwart the Great Powers in obtaining autonomy for Crete, and now, at the last moment, he was sending an ex-Grand Vizier to carry on the same resistance to reforms which had received his own hesitating but formal acceptance. ["Hear, hear!"]
  THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. CURZON,): I hope I may, without disrespect to either of the hon. Gentlemen who have spoken, be allowed to answer them in a few sentences. As regards my hon. Friend who has just sat down (Mr. Monk), I may say that we are grateful for his assurances of confidence in the intentions of the Government. ["Hear, hear!"] Concerning the question of the indemnity, I can add nothing to what I said yesterday except this—that the question of the amount of the indemnity has been practically examined by the board of financial experts appointed by the various Powers, on which board this country has been represented by a gentleman who has probably a greater familiarity with Greek finances and resources than any other Englishman; and I can assure the House that in fixing the figure the desire has certainly been not to put it higher than the resources of Greece will enable her to meet. ["Hear, hear!"] As regards my hon. Friend below the Gangway, with one point of his remarks I think everybody in the House will agree when he dwelt upon the advisability, if possible, of what I may describe as centralising the authority of Europe in Crete in the hands of a single person. That is a matter which has been under the serious consideration of the Government, and, I hope, will continue to receive their earnest attention. ["Hear, hear!"] In another respect, I think my hon. Friend did an injustice to the First Lord of the Admiralty. He spoke of the statement made by the First Lord yesterday, in
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  reply to a Parliamentary question, as if it were a superfluous and unnecessary statement. Now, what were the circumstances of the case? The First Lord, in answer to a question on the Paper, gave the House information of which they were already in possession from other sources, and which was, therefore, a matter of public notoriety. He gave information which he had been asked as a responsible Minister of the Government to give in this House, and that there should be found anything superfluous or unnecessary in his doing so I cannot understand.
  SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT, interrupting, said he referred to the answer to the supplementary question.
  MR. CURZON: Very well. A supplementary question deserves a reply equally with the original question. ["Hear, hear!"] I must say that in my opinion there is nothing in the reply of the First Lord in the least deserving the description which my hon. Friend has applied to it. ["Hear, hear!"] After all, the point of the observations of my hon. Friend is that the Admirals, the Powers and their representatives, were doing wrong in conveying such an intimation to the Turkish authorities as they have done with reference to the threatened presence of additional Turkish troops in Crete.
  SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: I am afraid the right hon. Gentleman, no doubt unintentionally, is misrepresenting my point. I expressly said I would not enter on the question of the desirability or the undesirability of the presence of the Turkish Fleet in Cretan waters. What I objected to was the way in which the British Government made their answers upon these subjects unnecessarily (in my opinion) offensive to the Turkish Government. And I may say that I did not refer only to the First Lord's answer, though that was the occasion of my remarks, but I had in my mind other statements also.
  MR. CURZON: I confess that the explanation of my hon. Friend still leaves me in obscurity as to his meaning. ["Hear, hear!"] I certainly understood him to protest against the representation made by the Admirals acting on behalf of their Governments as to preventing the reinforcement of the Turkish troops in Crete. But I now understand that his

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  objection is limited to the manner in which that representation has been made. But my hon. Friend has not seen the official comunication—["hear, hear!"]—nor have we ourselves. What happened was this. The Admirals met in consultation and decided to make an announcement to the Turkish commander-in-chief that the presence of further Turkish warships in Cretan waters would not be permitted by them. In doing that they acted with the consent of their respective Governments, and they will continue to be supported. ["Hear, hear!"] But there was nothing in the manner in which their decision was communicated to the Turkish commander-in-chief, nor in the manner in which the statement was made in the House of Commons, in the least unusual or in the least likely to be irritating to the susceptibilities of Turkey, or in the least deserving of the remarks of my hon. Friend. He has dispensed me by his last remark from the necessity of defending the action of the Admirals; therefore I will not occupy the time of the House by doing so. ["Hear, hear!"] But as I believe he does not object to the action itself, and as I believe it will be accepted by the House as the natural and inevitable corollary of the steps taken by the Powers since February last when they took Crete into their hands as a deposit pending the future settlement of that country—["hear, hear!"]—I do not think the House at this time will desire me to enter more fully into the matter. ["Hear, hear!"]
  MR. E. H. PICKERSGILLdesired to call attention to a matter relating to the Civil Service which he refrained from raising on the Second Reading of the Bill at the request of the Secretary of State. The case to which he wished to refer was one connected with the Post Office, but it raised issues which seriously affected the Civil Servants of the Crown generally. They were called a permanent establishment, but if the line of policy of which this case was an example was to be continued, the word "permanent" would become little better than a mockery and a snare. A clerk in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office, who was in receipt of £350 a year, had just been compulsorily retired at the ago of 53, after 30 years' service, upon three months' notice, on the alleged ground of inefficiency, with a
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  pension of £162 15s. The officer, confident in the strength of his case—on which he pronounced no opinion—brought a petition of right; but the Home Secretary had advised her Majesty to withhold her fiat. Under these circumstances, so far as the law was concerned, the matter was brought to an abrupt conclusion; and there was no resource but to appeal to the House. He might state that he had no professional connection with the case. He contended that what had been done in this case was not in accordance with either practice or precedent. There was a series of cases, of which this was one, which were entirely novel in the history of the Civil Service. Formerly there were great abuses in the granting of pensions, and in consequence the Superannuation Act of 1859 was passed, providing that no pension should be granted to any Civil Servant under 60 years of age except upon medical certificate of permanent incapacity. Since the passing of that Act the practice had been not to pension before 60 except on medical certificate, nor to dispense with a man's services without a pension except for misconduct. He did not think that was at all unreasonable, considering the circumstances which govern the Civil Service, the members of which had a right to expect, after passing the ordeal of examinations and probation, that their tenure would be, not only in name but in reality, of a permanent character. In 1887 another Superannuation Act was passed which contained what he always considered a very insidious clause, as follows:—
  "When a Civil Servant is removed from office on account of his inability to discharge efficiently the duties of his office, the Treasury may grant such a retiring allowance as they think proper."
  This clause caused great uneasiness among the Civil Servants of the Crown. But they were not without friends in that House, and he hoped they never would be. ["Hear, hear!"] Strong representations were made to the Government, and to safeguard the interests of existing servants of the Crown a clause was introduced which was now Section 10 of the Act:—
  "Nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to interfere with the rights existing at the passing of this Act of any Civil Servant then holding office."

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  As a lawyer he thought the clause utterly worthless. But that was no answer to the charge of bad faith which he brought against the Government, because whatever the legal value of the clause might be, there were Gentlemen sitting on the Treasury Bench who knew perfectly well that a strong opposition to the Bill was bought off on the understanding that Section 10 would effectually safeguard the interests of then existing servants of the Crown. The officer to whose case he was referring was one of those servants whose rights were supposed to be protected by that Section. How had he been dealt with? A Treasury Minute stated that the Lords of the Treasury had had before them a report from the Post Office to the following effect:—
  "Since 1883 this officer has become inefficient, and although he has been afforded by trial in different branches every opportunity of proving his fitness for the position he occupies, each of the officers under whom he has been placed has formed an unfavourable opinion of his efficiency."
  According to that statement, from 1883 forwards this officer had been inefficient. But the facts were that in every year between 1883 and 1893 this officer had regularly received an increment to his salary. In 1890 he was actually promoted from the class in which he then was to a higher class. He cited a somewhat similar case in New South Wales, which had been taken into the Courts, and there was an appeal to the Privy Council. He thought it was clear that the Treasury afforded no protection to officers like the gentleman of whom he was speaking, because the Department had accepted without challenge a Report from the Post Office which was inconsistent and insincere.
  MR. J. G. WEIRcalled attention to the importance of a better postal service being provided to and from the Island of Lewis.
  THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,), said that any one listening to the speech of the hon. Member as to permanent Civil Servants would assume that an officer, having once entered the service, whatever his conduct, could not be got rid of by any power on the part of the Crown. This was an impossible position to take up. The hon. Member himself showed the error of that assumption by quoting
  530
  the Act of Parliament which gave the power to get rid of officers who were unable to do their duty. If in this case any fault had been committed, the error had been in giving the man a larger pension than he deserved, and if he had been in private employment, this officer would have received no pension at all. This gentleman entered the Civil Service in 1865, and up to 1883 his conduct was good. In 1883 complaints began to be made about his inefficiency, dulness, and utter inability to perform the duties of his office. He practically admitted that he was out of place in his department, because in 1886 he asked to be removed elsewhere. This gentleman was moved from one branch of the Post Office to another, in order to give him some opportunity of being of use. But in every department to which he was removed he had failed, and he went from bad to worse, until in the end it was absolutely necessary to get rid of him. Not only could he not do his work himself, but he had to get other men to help him. He had retired on a pension of £162 a year, which was only 10 per cent. less than if he had been one of the most efficient servants in the public service.
  MR. PICKERSGILL: My complaint is that he was practically discharged.
  MR. HANBURYsaid that this was the case, and he richly deserved it. The Treasury had, if anything, erred on the side of leniency in granting a pension which no private employer would have granted. It was a fact that for several years this man, in spite of his conduct, had been allowed to receive an annual increment, and that he was promoted in 1890 when a reorganisation of the office took place. No doubt sufficient attention had not been paid to his case, and he wished it could be a lesson to the heads of Departments that they should be a great deal more careful than they were in carrying out the Order in Council and in not allowing these annual increments unless officers had rendered good and efficient service. Although this man received an annual increment in 1890, he had a statement from the officer who allowed him to receive it, in which it was stated that probably "nothing short of very severe measures will meet the justice of the case"; that the official record was bad; and that there was a thoroughly

  531
  unsatisfactory performance of his duties. There was strong evidence to show that the inability was not due to ill-health or failure of power, but largely due to faults of his own.
  SIR WILFRID LAWSONcalled attention to the conduct of the Inland Revenue authorities in dealing with the illegal sale of drink. [Ironical cheers.] Not long ago he read a prosecution of a wretched man who for selling half a pint of beer was fined £10. But in the House of Commons the Attorney General had declared that the sale of drink as carried on in its precincts was in his opinion quite illegal. [Ironical laughter.] Seeing that there was no prospect of this illegal sale of drink being stopped he wrote to the Chairman of the Inland Revenue, and, quoting the words of the Attorney General, asked him whether he could not take any steps with reference to the sale of drink in the House—[laughter]—and the Chairman replied that he would do nothing of the kind. [Laughter and ironical cheers.] That apparently gave satisfaction to hon. Members opposite, but it did not give him satisfaction because he held that the law ought to be observed without distinction of persons. He wanted to know to whose credit the profit of this illegal sale of drink went. He also asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer would give instructions to the Inland Revenue to act impartially towards all persons who carried on the illegal sale of drink, either in that House or anywhere else, and whether the noble Lord (Lord Stanley) intended to go on breaking the law next Session as he had this.
  THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,)observed that the hon. Baronet was naturally somewhat, chagrined at his position. He had placed himself in the position of a common informer—[laughter]—upon whose information the authorities did not act. [Laughter.] All he could say was that he believed the Inland Revenue authorities were perfectly right, and he hoped that they would not depart from their present attitude next Session. Until that time, of course, the question would
  532
  not arise again. In reply to the hon. Baronet's other questions, he had to say that the profits of this illegal performance benefited the taxpayers of the country, and possibly the hon. Member himself, as one of those who frequented the dining-room of the House. [Laughter.] His noble Friend, he might remind hon. Members, had been very zealous in his endeavour to remedy the defect in the law, and his efforts would have been successful but for the opposition of the hon. Baronet himself. ["Hear, hear!"]
  SIR WILFRID LAWSONrose, but was met with cries of "Spoke!"
  MR. SPEAKERunderstood that the hon. Baronet desired to make a personal explanation. ["Hear, hear!"]
  SIR W. LAWSONsaid that all he had done was to insist that the House should be given an adequate and full opportunity of discussing the Bill introduced by the noble Lord. Had such an opportunity been given, he would have been satisfied.
  Bill read the Third time.
  Sitting suspended at Twenty minutes past Eleven a.m.
  Sitting resumed at Half-past Two p.m.

  COMMISSION.
  Message to attend the Lords Commissioners. The House went, and the Royal Assent was given to Bills which had passed both Houses. [For list, see proceedings of House of Lords of this date.]
  The House having returned, Mr. SPEAKER, standing at the Clerk's Table, read aloud Her Majesty's Gracious Speech.
  Members present then filed past the Chair, and shook hands with Mr. Speaker.
  End of the Third Session of the Fourteenth Parliament of Her Majesty.
  The following Tables are Re-produced by Special Permission of the Comptroller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office from the Volume of Public General Acts Passed in the 60th and 61st Years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Published by Authority.

A TABLE OF THE TITLES OF THE PUBLIC GENERAL ACTS
PASSED IN THE THIRD SESSION OF
THE TWENTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
60 & 61 VICTORIA.—A.D. 1897.
1. AN Act to amend as to qualifications for Elections to Parish Councils and as to the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting. (Local Government.)
2. An Act to amend the Law relating to the Appointment of Surveyors in the county of Dublin. (County Dublin Surveyors.)
3. An Act to provide, during twelve months, for the Discipline and Regulation of the Army. (Army (Annual).)
4. An Act to apply certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the years ending on the thirty-first day of March one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, and one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight. (Consolidated Fund (No. 1).)
5. An Act to provide for a Grant out of the Exchequer in aid of Voluntary Elementary Schools, and for the Exemption from Rates of those Schools, and to repeal part of Section nineteen of the Elementary Education Act. (1876). (Voluntary Schools.)
6. An Act to amend the Military Lands Act, 1892. (Military Lands.)
7. An Act to provide for defraying the Expenses of certain Military Works and other Military Services. (Military Works.)
8.An Act to amend the Trusts (Scotland) Act 1867, Amendment Act, 1887. (Trusts (Scotland).)
9. An Act to amend the Law as to the Endowment of the Archdeaconry of Cornwall. (Archdeaconry of Cornwall.)
10. An Act to remove doubts as to the power of the Secretary of State in Council of India to grant Superannuation and Compensation Allowances in certain cases to Officers on his Establishment. (East India Company's Officers Superannuation.)
11. An Act to make provision for the transfer of the Assets, Liabilities, and Management of the Regular Widows' Fund and of the Elders' Widows' Fund to the Secretary of State in Council of India, and for other purposes in relation thereto. (Regular and Elders' Widows' Funds.)
12. An Act to provide Superannuation Allowances for the Assessor of Railways and Canals in Scotland, and the Clerks and other Officers permanently employed by him. (Railway Assessors (Scotland) Superannuation.)
13. An Act for transferring the right of Presenttation to the Professorships of Botany and Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. (Edinburgh University (Transfer of Patronage).)
14. An Act for enabling the Metropolitan Police Courts to be closed on Special Bank Holidays. Metropolitan Police Courts (Holidays).)
15. An Act to amend the Navy and Marines (Wills) Act, 1865. (Navy and Marines (Wills.)
16. An Act to amend Section Ninety-seven of the Elementary Education Act, 1870. (Elementary Education.)
17. An Act to provide for an appeal in Ireland in Cases stated by Justices in certain Civil Matters. (Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland).)
18. An Act to permit Juries to separate in cases of Felony. (Juries Detention.)
19. An Act to amend the Law regarding Preferential Payments in the case of Companies. (Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy Amendment.)
20. An Act to provide for the relief of Jurors from unnecessary attendance at Courts of Quarter Sessions in Ireland. (Quarter Sessions Jurors (Ireland).)
21. An Act to make rules for Preventing Collisions in the Sea Channels leading to the River Mersey. (Mersey Channels.)
22. An Act to amend the Provisions of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1883, so far as they relate to Market Gardens. (Market Gardeners Compensation (Scotland).)
23. An Act to remove doubts arising under the Extraordinary Tithe Redemption Act, 1886. (Extraordinary Tithe.)
24. An Act to grant certain Duties of Customs Inland Revenue. (Finance.)
25. An Act for the Acquisition of Land for the Extension of the Patent Office, and for purposes connected therewith. (Patent Office. (Extension).)
26. An Act for transferring the Expenses of Police Courts to the Metropolitan Police Fund, and for making provision with respect to the Courts of the Stipendiary Magistrate of Chatham and Sheerness. (Metropolitan Police Courts.)
27. An Act for the Acquisition of a Site for Public Offices in or near Whitehall, and for other purposes connected therewith. (Public Offices (Whitehall) Site.)
28. An Act to amend the Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act, 1896, as respects Female Nurses appointed after the commencement of the said Act. (Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act Amendment.)
29. An Act to amend the Law with respect to the borrowing of Money by Guardians and Managers of District Schools and Asylums, and to explain the Metropolitan Poor Act, 1867. (Poor Law.)
30. An Act to make further provision with respect to the disposal of Property in the Possession of the Police. (Police (Property).)
31. An Act to permit Local Authorities to provide Cleansing and Disinfection for Persons infested with Vermin. (Cleansing of Persons.)
32. An Act to provide for Expenses incurred by School Boards in relation to School Board Conferences. (School Board Conference.)
33. An Act to remove doubts as to the applicability of the Church Building Acts and New Parishes Acts to the Isle of Man. (Isle of Man (Church Building and New Parishes).)
34. An Act to enable Returning Officers at Municipal Elections in Scotland to take the use of certain rooms free of charge. (Municipal Elections (Scotland).)
35. An Act to make further provision for the Construction of Works in the Kingdom and elsewhere for the purposes of the Royal Navy. (Naval Works.)
36. An Act to make temporary provision for the Relief of Distress in Ireland. (Out-door relief (Ireland).)
37. An Act to amend the Law with respect to Compensation to Workmen for Accidental Injuries suffered in the course of their Employment. (Workmen's Compensation.)
38. An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Public Health in Scotland. (Public Health (Scotland).)
39. An Act to constitute the Ridings of Yorkshire separate Counties for all purposes of the Coroners Act. (Yorkshire Coroners.)
40. An Act to amend the Local Government Act, 1894, with regard to Joint Committees for the purpose of the Burial Acts. (Local Government (Joint Committees).)
41. An Act to make provision with respect to the Delivery of Telegrams, Guarantees by Parish Councils in Scotland, and the Pensions of certain persons employed in the Telegraph Service. (Post Office and Telegraph.)
42. An Act to extend the powers of the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District. (Metro-tan Police (Borrowing Powers).)
43. An Act to facilitate Military Manœuvres. (Military Manœuvres.)
44. An Act for giving facilities for a Pure Water Supply in Rural Districts. (District (Water Supply Councils Facilities).)
45. An Act to make further provision for the Endowment of the Archdeaconry of London. (Archdeaconry of London (Additional Endowment).)
46. An Act to Legalise the use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System. Weights and Measures (Metric System.)
47. An Act to declare the Effect of the Provisions of the Volunteer Act, 1863, with respect to Rules for Volunteer Corps. (Volunteer.)
48. An Act to extend the Jurisdiction of Stipendiary Magistrates in Scotland. (Stipendiary Magistrates Jurisdiction Scotland).)
49. An Act to make better provision for filling up Casual Vacancies in Parish Counclis iu Scotland. (Parish Councils Casual Vacancies (Scotland).)
50. An Act to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Acts, 1828 to 1887. (Licensing Amendment (Scotland).)
51. An Act to grant Moneys for the purpose of certain Local Loans and to amend the Law respecting the Local Loans Fund and Loans made thereout and for other purposes relating to Local Loans. (Public Works Loans.)
52. An Act to extend the Age under which the Employment of Young Persons in Dangerous Performances is prohibited. (Dangerous Performances.)
53. An Act to provide for the Administration of Sums available for the Improvement of Congested Districts in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. (Congested District (Scotland).)
54. An Act to continue various Expiring Laws. (Expiring Laws Continuance.)
55. An Act to make provision with respect to advances for the benefit of Wicklow Harbour. (Wicklow Harbour Advances.)
56. An Act to amend the Law respecting the Metropolitan Water Companies. (Metropolis Water.)
57. An Act to amend the Law for the Better Protection of Infant Life. (Infant Life Protection.)
58. An Act to give power to make Regulations with respect to Cotton Cloth Factories. (Cotton Cloth Factories.)
59. An Act to amend the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, with respect to the power of detention for undermanning. (Merchant Shipping.)
60. An Act for the Prevention of Accidents by Chaff-Cutting Machines. (Accidents).)
61. An Act to remove certain Exemptions from Compulsory Pilotage. (Merchant Shipping (Exemption from Pilotage).)
62. An Act to amend the provisions of Section Sixty-seven of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, in regard to the additional grant to School Boards, and to provide out of the Exchequer an aid grant for Voluntary Schools in Schools in Scotland, and for the Exemption from Rates of those Schools. (Education (Scotland).)
63. An Act to prohibit the importation of Foreign Prison-made Goods. (Foreign Prison-made Goods.)
64. An Act to amend Sections Four and Eight of the Constabulary (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1865. (Constabulary (Ireland).)
65. An Act to establish a Real Representative and to amend the Land Transfer Act, 1875. (Land Transfer.)
66. An Act to amend the Judicature (Ireland) Acts, 1877 to 1888, and to provide for the union and consolidation of the Court of Bankruptcy in Ireland with the Supreme Court and for other purposes connected therewith. (Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) (No. 2).)
67. An Act to apply a sum out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the year ending on the thirty-first day of March one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament. (Appropriation.)

A TABLE OE THE TITLES OF THE PUBLIC ACTS OF A LOCAL CHARACTER
PASSED DURING THE SESSION
WHICH ARE PLACED AMONGST THE LOCAL ACTS.
60 & 61 VICTORIA.—A.D. 1897.
i. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890 relating to Lands in the Parish of St. George the Martyr Southwark. (London (Borough Road Southwark) Provisional Order Confirmation.)
ii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State for improving an area situated in the Parish of St. Pancras in the County of London. (London (Churchway St. Pancras) Provisional Order Confirmation.)
iii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the Metropolitan Police Act 1886 relating to lands in the Parish of St. James Westminster. (Metropolitan Police Provisional Order Confirmation.)
iv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Leyton and Walton upon Thames. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
lvii. An Act to confirm Provisional Orders made by the Local Government Board for Ireland under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 relating to the Urban Sanitary District of Kilkenny and the Rural Sanitary District of Scariff. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
lviii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892 relating to Paisley Waterworks. (Paisley Waterworks Provisional Order Confirmation.)
lix. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State for improving an Area situated in the Parishes of St. Mary-le-Strand, St. Clement Danes, St. Giles-in-the-Fields, and St. Martin-in-the Fields in the County of London. (London (Clare Market Strand) Provisional Order Confirmation.)
lx. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867 and the Acts amending the same relating to Clackmannan (Alloa and Tillicoultry) Water Supply. (Clackmannan (Alloa and Tillicoultry) Water Order Confirmation.)
lxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Garston, Hoylake and West Kirby, Ipswich Morley, Wilmslow and Wrexham. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
lxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Darwen, Dundalk, Lincoln, Ton-bridge, Ventnor and Wimbledon. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
lxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Brighouse, Bury St. Edmunds, Dudley, Farnworth, Kearsley, Southampton and Watford. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
lxiv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 to 1890 relating to Leith. (Electric Lighting Order Confirmation (No. 4).)
lxv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Ambleside, Ballymena, Dorking, Llandrindod Wells, Redditch and Reigate. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation No. 5).)
lxvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Barking Town, Morecambe, Rams-bottom, Swadlincote and Wallasey. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 6).)
lxvii. An Act to annul an Order in Council confirming a Scheme relating to the Foundation known as the Berriew School. (Berriew School.)
lxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Buxton, Kingston-upon-Hull, Plymouth, Ramsgate (two), Southampton Southend-on-Sea, Wallasey and West Ham. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
lxix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Auckland-Shildon-and-Willington, Bucklow, Hogley-and-South Crosland and Wath-Swinton-Greasborough-and-North Rotherham United District. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No.4).)
lxx. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bacup, Burnley. Middleton, Rhyl and Tiverton. (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 5).)
lxxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Biggleswade, (Rural)Bredbury-and-Romiley, Carlisle (Rural) Cheadle-and-Gatley, Cricklade-and-Wootton-Bassett (Rural), Exmouth, Heston-and-Isleworth, Liverpool, Mailing (Rural) and Settle (Rural). (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 6).)
lxvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Chelmsford, Nelson, Southend-on-Sea and West Bromwich. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 7).)
lxxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Counties of Buckingham and Stafford. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 8).
xxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bath (two), Leatherhead, Luddenden-Foot, New-Windsor, Ogmore-and-Garw and West Ham, (Local Government Board Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 9).)
xxv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Counties of Bedford, Denbigh, Flint, Hereford, Hertford and Worcester. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 10).)
lxxvi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870 and the Public Health Act 1875 relating to Droitwich. (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (Gas).)
lxxvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Parishes of Saint George the Martyr Southwark and Saint James Westminster. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation Poor Law).)
lxxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Anstruther, Deal, Hunstanton, and St. Andrews. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
lxxix. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Killala. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
lxxx. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Ilfracombe, Llandudno, and Scrabster. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 5).)
lxxxi. An Act to confirm Provisional Orders made by the Local Government Board for Ireland under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, relating to the Sanitary Districts of Limavady and Carrickmacross. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
lxxxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Lurgan, Clonmel, and Thurles. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
lxxxiii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland, relating to the Borough of Waterford. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 4).)
lxxxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Limerick and Navan, and the Unions of Roscommon and Midleton. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 5).)
lxxxv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland, relating to the Ballyshannon Union. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 6).)
lxxxvi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Belfast. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 7).)
cxxxvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Brigg, Harrogate, Newport (Salop), Oswestry, Plymouth, Winslow and Worcester. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
cxxxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Hartlepool, Totnes and West Hartlepool. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation) No. 11).)
cxxxix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Counties of Derby, Parts of Holland, Leicester and Norfolk, and to the Borough of Margate. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 12).)
cxl. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Clare-and-Bumpstead, the Luddenden-Foot, and the Pennybont United Districts and to the Ports of Harwich, Milford and Wisbech. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 13).)
cxli. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Chorley, Dover, East Stonehouse, Harrogate, Saint Helens, Scarborough and Tunbridge Wells. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 14).)
cxlii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bradford (Yorks), Heywood, Liverpool, Nelson and Wigan (two). (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 15).)
cxliii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board, relating to Aberystwith, Barrow-in-Furness, Birmingham, Bootle and Swansea. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 16).)
cxliv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Hastings. (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 17).)
cxlv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Blackburn (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 18).)
cxlvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Acts, 1870 to 1893, to enable the School Boards for East Barnet, Linthwaite, Pembroke, Swansea United District and Willesden, to put in force the Lands Clauses Acts. (Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (East Barnet, &c).)
cxlvii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under Elementary Education Act 1870, to enable the School Board for London to put in force the Lands Clauses Acts. (Education Department, Provisional Order Confirmation (London).)
cxlviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Bangor, Clacton, Poole, Tenby and Walton-on-the-Naze. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
cxlix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Annan, Clacton and Whiting Bay. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 4).)
cl. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Donegal. (Pier and Harbour Order Confirmation (No. 6).)
cli. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Blackpool Corporation Tramways, Manchester Carriage and Tramways Company's Tramways, Manchester Corporation Tramways, Moss Side Tramways and Withington District Tramways. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
clii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Great Grimsby Street Tramways Extension, Huddersfield Corporation Tramways, Morecambe Urban District Council Tramways, Perth and District Tramways (Extensions), and Stirling and Bridge of Allan Tramways Extension. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
cliii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Thornby Tramways, Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramways Extension, and York Tramways. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
cliv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Hoylake and West Kirby Gas, Killamarsh Gas, Sedbergh and Westburn Gas. (Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
clv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Cradley Heath Gas, Harrogate Gas and Wimborne Minster Gas. (Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
clvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Barton-upon-Humber Water, Bridge of Allan Water, Frith Hill, Godalming and Farncombe Water, Gosport Water,
Newmarket Water, Royston Water and Steyning and District Water. (Water Orders Confirmation.)
clvii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 relating to Rosslare (Pilotage District of Wexford). (Pilotage Order Confirmation.)
clviii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867 and the Acts amending the same, relating to Borrowstounness Water Supply. (Borrowstounness Water Order Confirmation.)
clix. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867 and the Acts amending the same relating to Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Supply. (Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Order Confirmation.)
clx. An Act to confim a certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Denton, Droylsden, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Stretford and Withington. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 7).)
clxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Bangor, Bexhill, Epsom, Galway, and Northwich. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 8).)
clxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to (1) St. George's-in-the-East, Mile End Old Town and Limehouse (2) Holborn, Liberty of Charterhouse and Shoreditch (3) Fulham and (4) Westminster. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 9).)
clxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Newmarket and Poole and Branksome. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 10).)
clxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lights Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Blackheath and Greenwich District and Newington. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 11).)
clxv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890, relating to Lands in Green Street in the Parish of St. George the Martyr. (London (Green Street Southwark) Provisional Orders Confirmation.)
clxvi. An Act to enable Her Majesty's Postmaster-General to acquire Lands in London, Brighton, Norwich, Plymouth, Southampton, Oban and Cork for the Public Service and for other purposes. (Post Office (Sites).)

A TABLE OF THE TITLES OF THE LOCAL AND PRIVATE ACTS
PASSED DURING THE SESSION
60 & 61 VICTORIA—A.D. 1897.

A TABLE OF THE TITLES OF THE LOCAL AND PRIVATE ACTS

  LOCAL ACTS.
  The Titles to which the Letter P. is prefixed are Public Acts of a Local Character.
  ROYAL ASSENT, 29th March 1897.
  P. i.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890, relating to Lands in the Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark. (London (Borough Road, Southwark) Provisional Order Confirmation).
  P. ii.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State for improving an Area situated in the Parish of St. Pancras in the County of London. (London (Church way St. Pancras) Provisional Order Confirmation).
  P. iii.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the Metropolitan Police Act 1886, relating to lands in the Parish of St. James Westminster. (Metropolitan Police Provisional Order Confirmation.)
  ROYAL ASSENT, 8th April 1897.
  P. iv.An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Leyton and Walton-upon-Thames. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  v. An Act to alter the Qualification for Directors of the South Metropolitan Gas Company. (South Metropolitan Gas.)
  vi. An Act for the granting of further powers to the Grays Gas Company. (Crays Gas.)
  vii. An Act to enable the County Council of the County of Dunbarton to borrow money for the purpose of erecting and enlarging County Buildings, and for other purposes. (Dunbarton County Buildings.)
  viii. An Act for the abandonment of parts of the Railways authorised by the South Yorkshire Junction Railway Act 1890, and for other purposes. (South Yorkshire Junction Railway.)
  ix. An Act to enable the Edinburgh American Land Mortgage Company Limited to convert their present uncalled Capital into Preference Stock, and for other purposes. (Edinburgh American Land Mortgage Company, Limited.)
  ROYAL ASSENT, 3rd June 1897.
  x. An Act for enabling the Trustees of the Harbour of Aberbrothwick to reconstruct their finances and to create and issue stocks for compounding their existing debts, and for other purposes. (Aberbrothwick Harbour Finance.)
  xi. An Act for rendering valid certain Letters Patent granted to William John Whiting for Improvements in Revolver Firearms. (Whiting's Patent.)
  xii. An Act to empower the Great Western Railway Company to make new railways in the county of Cornwall, and for other purposes. (Great Western Railway (Truro and Newquay Railway).)
  xiii. An Act to confer on the Provident Life Office further powers with respect to the accumulation and distribution of profits, and for other purposes. (Provident Life Office.)
  xiv. An Act to extend the objects and business of the Railway Passengers Assurance Company, and for other purposes. (Railway Passengers Assurance.)
  xv. An Act to make provision with reference to the winding up of the North London Commercial Permanent Building Society. (North London Commercial Permanent Building Society.)
  xvi. An Act to authorise the making and laying out of a new Park in the City of Dublin to be called Saint Patrick's Park, to vest the Park in the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the City with power to maintain and regulate the same, and for other purposes. (Saint Patrick's Park (Dublin).)
  xvii. An Act to provide for the distribution of surplus capital of the Assam Railways and Trading Company Limited, and for other purposes. (Assam Railways and Trading Company.)
  xviii. An Act to enable certain alterations to be made in the Scheme of Arrangement of the affairs of the London Bank of Australia Limited, and for other purposes. (London Bank of Australia Limited.)
  xix. An Act for rendering valid certain Leases, Sales and Conveyances made by the Trustees of Sir Josiah Mason's Almshouses and Orphanage without the consent of the Charity Commissioners. (Mason's Orphanage.)
  xx. An Act for incorporating Mason University College, and for other purposes. (Mason University College.)
  xxi. An Act to extend the time for the construction and completion of the Pier authorised by the Mumbles Railway and Pier Company and Pier Act 1889. (Mumbles Railway and Pier.)
  xxii. An Act to extend the time for the completion of the authorised Works for enlarging and improving the Port and Harbour of Neath. (Neath Harbour.)
  xxxiii. An Act to empower the Corporation of the Borough of Torquay to acquire lands for the purposes of their Water Undertaking, and for other purposes. (Torquay Corporation Water.)
  xxiv. An Act for incorporating the Trustees of the Deed of Mortification by the deceased John Strachan of Craigcrook, Writer to the Signet, for enlarging the powers of the Trustees and for other purposes. (Craigcrook Mortification.)
  xxv. An Act to re-constitute and to re-incorporate the Governing Body of the Crichton Royal Institution, and for other purposes. (Crichton Royal Institution.)
  xxvi. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the County Borough of Huddersfield to work their Tramways, to construct street and road improvements, and to make further provision for the good government of the Borough, and for other purposes. (Huddersfield Corporation.)
  xxvii. An Act for granting additional powers to the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Waterworks Commissioners, and for other purposes. (Dumfries and Maxwelltown Waterworks (Additional Powers).)
  xxviii. An Act to confer further powers upon the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Loughborough with respect to their Water Undertaking, and for other purposes. (Loughborough Corporation.)
  xxix. An Act for granting further powers to the Taunton Gas Light and Coke Company. (Taunton Gas.)
  xxx. An Act to enable the Wigan Junction Railways Company to raise further capital, and for other purposes. (Wigan Junction Railways (Capital).)
  xxxi. An Act to extend the periods limited by the Clyde Navigation Act 1894 for the Compulsory Purchase of Lands and for the completion of the railway authorised by the Clyde Navigation Act 1891. (Clyde Navigation.)
  xxxii. An Act to authorise the Lord Provost, Magistrates and Council of the City of Edinburgh to widen and improve Streets, to construct new Tramways, to acquire Tramways by agreement, to provide a new Fire Brigade Station, to acquire Lands, to transfer the Portobello Gasworks to the Edinburgh and Leith Corporation Gas Commissioners, to confer further powers on the said Commissioners, to amend Acts, and for other purposes. (Edinburgh Corporation.)
  xxxiii. An Act to authorise the Great Eastern Railway Company to construct additional works in connection with Lowestoft Harbour, and for other purposes. (Great Eastern Railway (Lowestoft Harbour).)
  xxxiv. An Act to extend the period for the completion of the railway authorised by the Bray and Enniskerry Light Railway Act 1886, and for other purposes. (Bray and Enniskerry Railway.)
  xxxv. An Act for enabling the London and South Western Railway Company to construct new railways and to widen their Farnham, Alton and Winchester Railway in the county of Southampton, and for other purposes. (South Western (Meon Valley) Railway.)
  xxxvii. An Act to authorise the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company Limited to extend their Tramways and to confer further powers upon that Company. (Bristol Tramways.)
  xxxvii. An Act to empower the Governors of the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum to borrow money and to create and issue Stock, and for other purposes. (Richmond District Asylum.)
  xxxviii. An Act to empower the Tynemouth Gas Company to raise Additional Capital, and for other purposes. (Tynemouth Gas.)
  xxxix. An Act to revive and extend the powers of the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway Company, and for other purposes. (Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway.)
  xl. An Act to confer further powers upon the Great Northern Railway Company with respect to their own and other undertakings, to provide for the incorporation of a Joint Committee of the Great Northern Railway Company and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company, the vesting
  in that Committee of an authorised Passenger Station at Nottingham, and for other purposes. (Great Northern Railway.)
  xli. An Act for conferring further powers upon the London and North Western Railway Company in relation to their Chester and Holyhead Railway, and for other purposes. (London and North Western Railway (Wales).)
  xlii. An Act for conferring further powers on the Epsom Downs Extension Railway Company for the construction of works and otherwise in relation to their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Epsom Downs Extension Railway.)
  xliii. An Act for extending the limits of supply of the Weymouth Consumers Gas Company and for conferring further powers on the Company for the raising of money and otherwise in relation to their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Weymouth Consumers Gas.)
  xliv. An Act for repealing certain provisions of the Devonport Waterworks Act 1893 and for conferring further powers on the Devonport Water Company for the construction of works and otherwise in relation to their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Devonport Waterworks.)
  xlv. An Act to authorise the Glasgow Harbour Tunnel Company to raise additional capital to confer on them further powers with reference to their surplus lands and properties, and for other purposes. (Glasgow Harbour Tunnel (Further Powers).)
  xlvi. An Act to authorise the Birmingham Tame and Rea District Drainage Board, to acquire lands and construct works for sewage and and drainage purposes, to borrow moneys, and for other purposes. (Birmingham Tame and Rea District Drainage Board.)
  xlvii. An Act to authorise the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the city of Chichester to purchase the undertaking of the Chichester Waterworks Company and to supply water throughout the city and adjoining places. (Chichester Corporation Water.)
  xlviii. An Act for enabling the Great Eastern Railway Company to construct new Railways in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and for other purposes. (Great Eastern Railway (New Lines in Norfolk and Suffolk).)
  xlix. An Act to authorise the construction of a Quay at the Harbour of Perth and a Bridge over the River Tay and other Works and also new Gasworks, to make provision for the regulation of the office of Town Clerk, and for other purposes. (Perth Harbour City Improvements and Gas.)
  l. An Act to empower the Corporation of Plymouth to acquire Lary Bridge, to extend the Boundary of the Borough, and for other purposes. (Plymouth Corporation.)
  li. An Act to provide for the transfer of the undertaking of the Cowes Gas Company to the Cowes Urban District Council and to authorise the Council to supply Gas, and for other purposes. (Cowes Urban District Council Gas.)
  lii. An Act to authorise the Ashford Urban District Council to supply Gas and to provide for the transfer of the undertaking of the Ashford Gas and Coke Company Limited to the said Council, and for other purposes. (Ashford Urban District Gas,)
  liii. An Act for conferring further powers upon the London and North Western Railway Company in relation to their own undertaking and other undertakings in which they are interested jointly with other Companies, and for other purposes. (London and North Western Railway.)
  liv. An Act to enable the Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company to make new Railways, to confer further powers upon that Company, the Cheshire Lines Committee, and the North Wales and Liverpool Railway Committee, to make further provision with reference to a Joint Station at Nottingham with the Great Northern Railway Company, to alter the name of the Company, to provide for the conversion of the Company's Ordinary Stock, and for other purposes. (Great Central Railway.)
  lv. An Act to empower the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Neath in the County of Glamorgan to purchase the Tramway Undertaking authorised by the Neath and District Tramways, Order 1873, to construct additional Tramways, and for other purposes. (Neath Corporation Tramways.)
  lvi. An Act to authorise the Lancashire Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Company to construct Branch Railways, acquire additional Lands and raise additional Capital in connection with their Chesterfield and Lincoln Separate Undertaking, and for other purposes. (Lancashire Derbyshire and East Coast Railway.)
  P. lvii.An Act to confirm Provisional Orders made by the Local Government Board for Ireland under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, relating to the Urban Sanitary District of Kilkenny and the Rural Sanitary District of Scariff. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  P. lviii.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892, relating to Paisley Waterworks. (Paisley Waterworks Provisional Order Confirmation.)
  P. lix.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State for improving an Area situated in the Parishes of St. Mary-le-Strand, St. Clement Danes, St. Giles-in-the-Fields, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields in the County of London. (London (Clare Market, Strand) Provisional Order Confirmation.)
  P. lx.An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867, and the Acts amending the same relating to Clackmannan (Alloa and Tillicoultry) Water Supply. (Clackmannan (Alloa and Tillicoultry) Water Order Confirmation.)
  ROYAL ASSENT, 15th July 1897.
  P.An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Garston, Hoylake and West Kirby, Ipswich, Morley, Wilmslow and Wrexham. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  P. lxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Darwen, Dundalk, Lincoln, Tonbridge, Ventnor and Wimbledon, (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. lxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888 relating to Brighouse, Bury St. Edmunds, Dudley, Farnworth, Kearsley, Southampton and Watford. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
  P. lxiv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 to 1890, relating to Leith. (Electric Lighting Order Confirmation (No 4))
  P. lxv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Ambleside, Ballymena, Dorking, Llandrindod Wells, Redditch and Reigate. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 5).)
  P. lxvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Barking Town, Morecambe, Ramsbottom, Swadlincote and Wallasey. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 6).)
  P. lxvii. An Act to annul an Order in Council confirming a Scheme relating to the Foundation known as the Berriew School. (Berriew School.)
  P. lxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Buxton, Kingston - upon - Hull, Plymouth, Ramsgate (two), Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Wallasey and West Ham. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. lxix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Auckland-Shildon-and-Wellington, Bucklow, Honley-and-South-Crosland, and Wath - Swinton - Greasbrough - and - North - Rotherham United Districts. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 4).)
  P. lxx. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bacup, Burnley, Middleton, Rhyl and Tiverton. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 5).)
  P. lxxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Biggleswade (Rural), Bredbury - and - Romiley, Carlisle (Rural), Cheadle-and-Gatley, Cricklade-and-Wootton-Basset (Rural), Exmouth, Heston-and-Isleworth, Liverpool, Mailing (Rural), and Settle (Rural). (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 6).)
  P. lxxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Chelmsford, Nelson, Southend-on-Sea and West Bromwich. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 7).)
  P. lxxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Counties of Buckingham and Stafford. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 8).)
  P. lxxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bath (two), Leatherhead, Luddenden-Foot, New-Windsor, Ogmore-and-Garw, and West Ham. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 9).)
  P. xxv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Counties of Bedford, Denbigh, Flint, Hereford, Hertford and Worcester. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 10).)
  P. lxxvi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870 and the Public Health Act 1875, relating to Droitwich. (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (Gas).)
  P. lxxvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Parishes of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, and St. James, Westminster. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (Poor Law).)
  P. lxxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Anstruther, Deal, Hunstanton and St. Andrews. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  P. lxxix. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Killala. (Pier and Harbour Order Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. lxxx. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Ilfracombe, Llandudno and Scrabster. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 5).)
  P. lxxxi. An Act to confirm Provisional Orders made by the Local Government Board for Ireland under the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, relating to the Sanitary Districts of Limavady and Carrickmacross, (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. lxxxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board for Ireland, relating to Lurgan, Clonmel and Thurles. Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 3).)
  P. lxxxiii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to the Borough of Waterford. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 4).)
  P. lxxxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Limerick and Navan and the Unions of Roscommon and Midleton. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 5).)
  P. lxxxv. An Act to confirm, a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to the Ballyshannon Union. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No.6).)
  P. lxxxvi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Belfast. (Local Government Board (Ireland) Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 7).)
  P lxxxvii. An Act to amend the Liverpool Corporation Loans Act 1894 to confer further Powers on the Corporation of the City of Liverpool with respect to the Northern Hospital, and for other purposes. (Liverpool Corporation Loans.)
  lxxxviii. An Act for incorporating and conferring powers on the Arundel Gas Company. (Arundel Gas.)
  lxxxix. An Act for conferring further powers on the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company for the construction of works, the raising of money and otherwise in relation of their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Vale of Glamorgan Railway.)
  xc. An Act to increase the Share Capital of the Cordoba Central Railway Company Limited and to vary its regulations with regard to division of profits, and for other purposes. (Cordoba Central Railway Company (Ltd).)
  xci. An Act to remove doubts as to the power of the National Provident Institution to alter and add to its rules in certain respects. (National Provident Institution.)
  xcii. An Act to authorise the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Bournemouth to acquire certain lands as a site for municipal and other buildings and to take a lease of certain adjacent lands and to confirm an agreement relating thereto, and for other purposes. (Bournemouth Corporation.)
  xciii. An Act to provide for the winding up and dissolution of the Guild of Literature and Art, and for other purposes. (Guild of Literature and Art (dissolution).)
  xciv. An Act to empower the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Halifax to construct Tramways in the Borough, and for other purposes. (Halifax Corporation Tramways.)
  xcv. An Act to confer further powers upon the Great Eastern Railway Company to authorise them to acquire the undertakings of the Downham and Stoke Perry, Thetford and Watton, and Watton and Swaffham Railway Companies and for other purposes. (Great Eastern Railway (General Powers).)
  xcvi. An Act to authorise the Luton Water Company to raise Additional Capital, and for other purposes. (Luton Water.)
  xcvii. An Act to enable the Tower Subway Company to sell their Subway under the Thames from Tower Hill to the opposite side of the River, and to dissolve the Company. (Tower Subway.)
  xcviii. An Act to empower the Commissioners of the Burgh of Borrowstounness to form and lay out a new road or street within the Burgh, to confer powers on the Caledonian Railway Company with respect to parts of the North British Railway, and for other purposes. (Borrowstounness Town Improvement and Harbour.)
  xcix. An Act to consolidate the Townships within the County Borough of Birkenhead and to transfer the Township of Rock Ferry from the Wirral Union to the Birkenhead Union, to confer further powers on the Corporation of the Borough in relation to Ferries and Tramways and other matters, to authorise the Corporation to amend some of the Provisions of the Local Acts in force within the Borough, and for other purposes. (Birkenhead Corporation.)
  c. An Act to authorise the Corporation of Birkenhead to purchase the Ferries across the River Mersey known as Rock Ferry and New Ferry, and for other purposes. (Birkenhead Corporation (Ferries).)
  ci. An Act to confer powers upon the Urban District Council of Hoylake and West Kirby, for the construction of Parades and a Marine Lake and for the Improvement of the Hoyle Lake, and to make better provision for the local government, health and improvement of the district, and for other purposes. (Hoylake and West Kirby Improvement.)
  cii. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Sheffield to construct Street and Road Improvements and additional Tramways and, for other purposes. (Sheffield Corporation (Streets and Tramways).)
  ciii. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the City of Bristol to construct for the purposes of their Dock Undertaking Railways and other Works in connection with the Harbour Railway of the Great Western Railway Company, and to confer powers on that Company with reference to the construction, maintenance, and use of certain of the said Railways, and for the conveyance of Traffic to and from their Harbour Railway, and for other purposes. (Bristol Dock.)
  civ. An Act to authorise the Corporation of the City of Liverpool to acquire the Undertaking of the Liverpool United Tramways and Omnibus Company to confer powers on the Corporation for improving and working the undertaking and for borrowing money, and for other purposes. (Liverpool Corporation Tramways.)
  cv. An Act to confer further powers upon and amend the Acts relating to the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company, and for other purposes. (Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway.)
  cvi. An Act to make provision for the establishment, management, and maintenance of the Dublin Eye and Ear Hospital, being the amalgamation of St. Mark's Ophthalmic Hospital and Dispensary and the National Eye and Ear Infirmary, Ireland, all in the City of Dublin, and for other purposes. (Dublin Eye and Ear Hospital.)
  cvii. An Act for making a Railway from the Tunbridge Wells and Hastings Branch of the South Eastern Railway at Crowhurst to Bexhill, and for other purposes. (Crowhurst, Sidley and Bexhill Railway.)
  cviii. An Act to confer further powers on the Manchester Ship Canal Company with respect to their Surplus Lands, and for other purposes. (Manchester Ship Canal.)
  cix. An Act to confer powers upon the Corporation of Carnarvon in relation to the Ferry between Carnarvon and Anglesea, the construction of a Pier and other Works for the purposes thereof, and for the construction of a Swing Bridge over the River Seiont, and for other purposes. (Carnarvon Corporation.)
  cx. An Act to confer further powers on the Lowestoft Water, Gas, and Market Company, to change the name of the Company, and for other purposes. (Lowestoft Water and Gas.)
  cxi. An Act to confer further powers upon the Liverpool, St. Helens and South Lancashire Railway Company, and for other purposes. (Liverpool, St. Helens and South Lancashire Railway.)
  cxii. An Act to revive, extend and vary some of the powers of the Hastings Harbour Commissioners, to confer further borrowing and other powers upon them, and for other purposes. (Hastings Harbour.)
  cxiii. An Act for the commutation of the annual and other sums payable by the Corporation of the City of Liverpool and by the Churchwardens of the Parish of Liverpool in respect of certain Churches in the City, for the investment and application of the Commutation Moneys, for the removal of the Churches of Saint George and Saint John and re-uniting their respective Districts to the Parish of Liverpool, and for making other provisions consequential on and relative to the above matters. (Liverpool City Churches.)
  cxiv. An Act to empower the Rathmines and Rathgar Improvement Commissioners to purchase and work certain Tramways of the Dublin United Tramways Company and to confer further powers on the Commissioners with respect to street widenings the acquisition of lands, the borrowing of moneys, and for other purposes. (Rathmines and Rathgar Township Tramways and Improvement.)
  cxv. An Act to dissolve the Hunstanton Water Company Limited and the Hunstanton Gas Company Limited and to re-incorporate the proprietors therein as a new Company for the supply of Water and Gas to Hunstanton and adjoiniug places in the county of Norfolk. (Hunstanton Water and Gas.)
  cxvi. An Act to incorporate the Committee of Railway Companies associated under the Railway Clearing System and to enlarge the powers vested in that Committee, and for other purposes. (Railway Clearing Committee Incorporation.)
  cxvii. An Act for incorporating the Crowborough District Water Company and empowering them to construct works and supply water, and for other purposes. (Crowborough District Water.)
  cxviii. An Act to enable the Caledonian Railway Company to construct new Dock Works at Grangemouth and new Railways in the Counties of Lanark and Stirling, to confer further powers on them in respect to the acquisition of lands and other matters connected with their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Caledonian Railway.)
  cxix. An Act to authorise the Easton and Church Hope Railway to issue New Preference Stock in substitution for existing First and Second Preference Shares, and for other purposes. (Easton and Church Hope Railway.)
  cxx.An Act to incorporate the Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund Association and to extend the objects of that Association, and for other purposes. (Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund Incorporation.)
  cxxi. An Act to make further Provision with respect to the Supply of Water by the Corporation of the City of Dublin, and for other purposes. (Dublin Corporation.)
  cxxii.An Act to enable the Barry Railway Company to construct new Railways, and for other purposes. (Barry Railway.)
  cxxiii. An Act to enable tbe Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway Company to construct New Railways, Widenings and other Works, to confer further Powers with reference to the General Undertaking of the Company and with reference to the Separate Undertaking of the City of Dublin Junction Railways and for other purposes. (Dublin, Wieklow and Wexford Railway (Shillelagh Extension &c.).)
  cxxiv. An Act for conferring further powers on the Eastbourne Waterworks Company for the construction of works and otherwise in relation to their undertaking, and for other purposes. (Eastbourne Waterworks.)
  cxxv. An Act to authorise the New Hunstanton Urban District Council to supply Water and Gas and to acquire the undertakings of the Hunstanton Water Company Limited and the Hunstanton Gas Company Limited. (New Hunstanton Water and Gas.)
  cxxvi. An Act to authorise the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Comity Borough of Southampton to acquire the undertaking of the Southampton Tramways Company, and for other purposes. (Southampton Corporation Tramways.)
  cxxvii. An Act to confer further powers upon the North British Railway Combany in connexion with their undertaking to amalgamate the Glasgow Yorker and Clydebank Railway Company and the Anstruther and St. Andrews Railway Company with the Company, and for other purposes. (North British Railway (General Powers).)
  cxxviii. An Act to empower the Midland and South Western Junction Railway Company to convert and consolidate their Debenture Stocks, and for other purposes. (Midland and South Western Junction Railway.)
  cxxix. An Act to empower the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Company to construct new Railways, and for other purposes. (Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.)
  cxxx. An Act for conferring further powers on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to provide for the transfer to that Company of the undertakings of the West Lancashire Railway Company and the Liverpool Southport and Preston Junction Railway Company, to repeal certain powers granted to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company over those undertakings and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and for other purposes. (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.)
  cxxxi. An Act for the incorporation of Commissioners for Stromness Harbour Commissioners, for empowering them to construct new works, and for other purposes. (Stromness Harbour.)
  cxxii. An Act to authorise the Sheffield District Railway Company to construct Branch Railways in Sheffield connecting with the Midland Railway, and for other purposes. (Sheffield District Railway.)
  cxxxiii. An Act for the dissolution of the Commission of Sewers of the City of London and to provide for the execution of the powers, authorities and duties of the Commissioners by the Common Council of the City, and for other purposes. (City of London Sewers.)
  cxxxiv. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Bolton to construct additional Tramways in and adjacent to the Borough, to construct Highway and other works, to borrow Additional Moneys, and for other purposes. (Bolton Tramways and Improvement.)
  cxxxv. An Act to confer further powers on the Great North of Scotland Railway Company as to the classification of their Ordinary Stocks and the provision of a Hotel. (Great North of Scotland Railway.)
  cxxxvi. An Act to authorise the Urban District Council of Malvern Link to supply Gas and to provide for the transfer of the undertaking of the Malvern Link Gas Company Limited to the Council. (Malvern Link Gas.)
  ROYAL ASSENT, 6th August 1897.
  P. cxxxvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Governmemt Board relating to Brigg, Harrogate, Newport (Salop), Oswestry, Plymouth, Winslow and Worcester. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
  P. cxxxviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Hartlepool, Totnes and West Hartlepool. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 11).)
  P. cxxxix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the counties of Derby, Parts of Holland, Leicester and Norfolk, and to the Borough of Margate. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 12).)
  P. cxl. An Aet to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Clare-and-Bumpstead, the Luddenden-Foot and the Penybont United Districts, and to the Ports of Harwich, Milford and Wisbech. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 13).)
  P. cxli. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Chorley, Dover, East Stonehouse, Harrogate, St. Helens, Scarborough, and Tunbridge Wells. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 14).)
  P. cxlii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Bradford (Yorks), Heywood, Liverpool, Nelson and Wigan (two). (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 15).)
  P. cxliii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to Aberystwyth, Barrow-in-Furness, Birmingham Bootle and Swansea. (Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 16).)
  P. cxliv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Hastings (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 17).)
  P. cxlv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Blackburn. (Local Government Board's Provisional Order Confirmation (No. 18).)
  P. cxlvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Acts 1870 to 1893, to enable the School Boards for East Barnet, Linthwaite, Pembroke, Swansea, United District and Willesden to put in force the the Lands Clauses Acts. (Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (East Barnet, &c.).)
  P. cxlvii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act 1870, to enable the School Board for London to put in force the Lands Clauses Acts. (Education Department Provisional Order Confirmation (London).)
  P. cxlviii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Bangor, Clacton, Poole, Tenby and Walton-on-the-Naze. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
  P. cxlix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861 relating to Annan, Clacton and Whiting Bay. (Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation No. 4.)
  P. cl. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act 1861, relating to Donegal. (Pier and Harbour Order Confirmation (No. 6)
  P. cli. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Blackpool Corporation Tramways, Manchester, Carriage and Tramways Company's Tramways, Manchester Corporation Tramways, Moss Side Tramways and Withington District Tramways. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  P. clii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Great Grimsby Street Tramways Extension, Huddersfield Corporation Tramways, Morecambe Urban District Council Tramways, Perth and District Tramways (Extensions), and Stirling and Bridge of Allan Tramways Extension. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. cliii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act 1870, relating to Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Thornaby Tramways, Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramways Extension, and York Tramways. (Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 3).)
  P. cliv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Hoylake and West Kirby Gas, Killamarsh Gas, Sedberg and Westbury Gas. (Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 1).)
  P. clv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Cradley Heath Gas, and Wimborne Minster Gas. (Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 2).)
  P. clvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act 1870, relating to Barton-upon-Humber Water, Bridge of Allan Water, Frith Hill, Godalming and Farncombe Water, Gosport Water, New-market Water, Royston Water and Steyning and District Water. (Waters Orders Confirmation.)
  P. clvii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, relating to Rosslare (Pilotage District of Wexford). (Pilotage Order Confirmation.)
  P. clviii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867, and the Acts amending the same relating to Borrowstounness Water Supply. (Borrowstounness Water Order Confirmation.)
  P. clix. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1867, and the Acts amending the same relating to Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Supply. (Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Order Confirmation.)
  P. clx. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Denton, Droylsden, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Stretford and Withington. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 7).)
  P. clxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Bangor, Bexhill, Epsom, Galway and Northwich. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 8).)
  P. clxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating (1) St. George's-in-the-East, Mile End Old Town, and Limehouse (2) Holborn, Liberty of Charterhouse and Shoreditch (3) Fulham and (4) Westminster. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 9).)
  P. clxiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Newmarket and Poole and Branksome. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 10).)
  P. clxiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts 1882 and 1888, relating to Blackheath and Greenwich District and Newington. (Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 11).)
  P. clxv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State under the the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890, relating to Lands in Green Street in the Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark. (London (Green Street, Southwark) Provisional Order Confirmation.)
  P. clxvi. An Act to enable Her Majesty's Postmaster-General to acquire Lands in London, Brighton, Norwich, Plymouth, Southampton, Oban and Cork for the Public Service, and for other purposes. (Post Office (Sites).)
  clxvii. An Act to confer further powers upon the London and South Western Railway Company with respect to their own undertaking and to confirm an Agreement for the working by the Company of the Torrington and Okehampton Railway and to confer upon the Company and the Waterloo and City and the London Brighton and South Coast Railway Companies further powers with respect to undertakings in which they are jointly interested, and for other purposes. (South Western Railway (Various Powers).)
  clxviii. An Act to confer further powers upon the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Newport with respect to Waterworks, and for other purposes. (Newport Corporation.)
  clxix. An Act to authorise the abandonment of the Llandilo Loop and the Construction of new Railways in the counties of Pembroke and Carmarthen, and for other purposes. (North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway.)
  clxx. An Act to confer further powers upon the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and for other purposes. (Mersey Docks.)
  clxxi. An Act for incorporating the Glasgow and South Western Company and authorising the construction of Railways in the Counties of Renfrew, and Lanark, and for other purposes. (Glasgow and Renfrew District Railway.)
  clxxii. An Act for couferring further powers on the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company for the construction of works and the acquisition of lands for consolidating and converting their Preference and Ordinary Stocks, and for other purposes. (Glasgow and South Western Railway.)
  clxxiii. An Act for incorporating and conferring powers upon the Tuxford and District Gas Light and Coke Company. (Tuxford and District Gas.)
  clxxiv. An Act for making a Light Railway between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge in the County of Cardigan, and for other purposes. (Vale of Rheidol (Light) Railway.)
  clxxv. An Act to authorise the construction of Railways in the county of Renfrew. (Paisley and Barrhead District Railway.)
  clxxvi. An Act to authorise the Newry Navigation Company to consolidate and convert their Mortgage Debt and for other purposes. (Newry Navigation.)
  clxxvii. An Act to empower the Taff Vale Railway Company to construct a new Railway and other Works and acquire Lands, and for other purposes. (Taff Vale Railway.)
  clxxviii. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Deal and the Urban District Council of Walmer to acquire the undertaking of the Company of Proprietors of the Deal Waterworks to vest such undertaking partly in a Joint Board and partly in each of the said Local Authorities, to authorise the said Authorities respectively to supply their own districts and the neighbourhoods thereof respectively, and for other purposes. (Deal and Walmer Water.)
  clxxix. An Act to empower the Callander and Oban Railway Company to construct new Railways and Works in the county of Argyle, and for other purposes. (Callander and Oban Railway.)
  clxxx. An Act to authorise the Urban District Council of Cirencester to purchase the undertaking of the Cirencester Waterworks Company Limited and to supply water throughout the district and the adjoining parish of Stratton. (Cirencester Water.)
  clxxxi. An Act for making further and better provision in regard to the Water Supply and the improvement, health, and good government of the Borough of Colne, and for other purposes. (Colne Corporation.)
  clxxxii. An Act to empower the Midland and Great Northern Railways Joint Committee to construct a Railway at Great Yarmouth and other Works and to acquire lands and for other purposes. (Midland and Great Northern Joint Committee.)
  clxxxiii. An Act to confer additional powers upon the Midland Railway Company for the construction of Works and the acquisition of Lands to empower that Company and the London Tilbury and Southend Railway Company, to guarantee the capital of the Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway Company to authorise agreements between the Midland Railway Company, the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Company, and the Sheffield District Railway Company, and to vest in the Midland Railway Company the undertaking of the Kettering, Thrapston, and Huntingdon Railway Company, to authorise the re-arrangement and consolidation of the existing capital of the Midland Railway Company, and for other purposes. (Midland Railway.)
  clxxxiv. An Act to extend the powers of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Newark with respect to their supply of Water, and for other purposes. (Newark Corporation Waterworks.)
  clxxxv. An Act to empower the Llandudno Urban District Council to acquire the undertaking of the Great Orme's Head Marine Drive Company to make further provisions for the good government of Llandudno and for other purposes. (Llandudno Urban District Council.)
  clxxxvi. An Act for supplying with Water the Parishes of St. Neot's and Eynesbury in the County of Huntingdon. (Saint Neot's Water.)
  clxxxvii. An Act to authorise the Swadlincote District Urban District Council to supply Gas and to provide for the transfer of the undertaking of the Swadlincote Gas and Coke Company Limited to the said Council, and for other purposes. (Swadlincote District Gas.)
  clxxxviii. An Act to provide for the surrender of the lease of the Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway Company's Undertaking to the Newport (Alexandra) Dock Company Limited and to authorise the transfer to the Company of the Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway, and for other purposes. (Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway.)
  clxxxix. An Act to confer further powers on the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners. (Belfast Water.)
  cxc. An Act to enable the North London Railway Company to improve the access to the Poplar Dock, and for other purposes. (North London Railway)
  cxci. An Act to empower the Great Western Railway Company to make new Railways and Works at Bristol, and for other purposes. (Great Western Railway (Bristol Lines).)
  cxcii. An Act for incorporating the Brompton and Piccadilly Circus Railway Company and for empowering them to construct an Underground Railway from Piccadilly Circus to South Kensington, and for other purposes. (Brompton and Piccadilly Circus Railway.)
  cxciii. An Act to extend the powers for the purchase of land and the time for the completion of the Railway authorised by the Great Northern and City Railway Act 1892, and to amend some of the provisions of the Act. (Great Northern and City Railway.)
  cxciv. An Act to extend the time for the completion of the Pier and Works authorised by the Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier 1893, and for other purposes. (Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier.)
  cxcv. An Act for making a Railway from Skipton to Grassington in the West Riding of the County of York, and for other purposes. (Yorkshire Dales Railway (Skipton to Grassington).)
  cxcvi. An Act to constitute a Conservancy Board for the Port and Harbour of King's Lynn to transfer to, and vest in such Board the powers of the Corporation of King's Lynn relating to the Port and Harbour, and all the Powers and Property of the Harbour Mooring, or Pilot Commissioners of the Port, and of the body known as Select Trustees, appointed under the Eau Brink Act 1831, and for other purposes. (King's Lynn Conservancy.)
  cxcvii. An Act for enabling the City and Burgh of Dundee to borrow additional money for their Gas undertaking, and to extend their Electric Lighting area, and for amending and extending the improvement and other Acts applicable to the city and burgh, and for other purposes. (Dundee Corporation.)
  cxcviii. An Act to authorise the East London Waterworks Company to execute further works, and to raise further money in order to enable them to fulfil their statutory obligations relating to the supply of water or otherwise, and to meet the increased demand for water within their district, to confer further powers upon and make further provision with respect to the undertaking of the Company, and for other purposes. (East London Waterworks.)
  cxcix. An Act to empower the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Leeds, to acquire Lands for the purpose of protecting their waters and waterworks from pollution, for the construction of Tramways and Street Improvements, and for other purposes. (Leeds Corporation.)
  cc. An Act to empower the Corporation of Nottingham to construct additional Waterworks, and for other purposes. (Nottingham Corporation Water.)
  cci. An Act to enable the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway Company to construct Railways between New Ross and Waterford in the Counties of Kilkenny and Waterford, and for other purposes. (Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway. (New Ross and Waterford Extension).)
  ccii. An Act for making a Railway in and near the Town of Hastings, and a Parade or Roadway and Seawall, and for other purposes. (Hastings Harbour District Railway.)
  cciii. An Act to extend the time for the compulsory purchase of Lands for and for the Completion of the Birmingham, North Warwickshire, and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway, and for other purposes. (Birmingham, North Warwickshire, and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway.)
  cciv. An Act to make provision with respect to the construction and purchase of Piers by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, and in regard to the health, local government, and improvement of the said borough, and for other purposes. (Great Yarmouth Corporation.)
  ccv. An Act to confer upon the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Pwllheli powers in regard to the Harbour, Markets and Water Supply of the said borough, and for other purposes. (Pwllheli Corporation.)
  ccvi. An Act for extending the limits of supply of the Company of Proprietors of the Weymouth Waterworks, and for conferring further powers on that Company, for the construction of Works, and the raising of Capital, and for other purposes. (Weymouth Waterworks.)
  ccvii. An Act for empowering the Bute Docks Company to construct certain Railways, for conferring upon that Company certain running powers, for empowering them to construct a Low Water Pier, for changing the name of the Company, and for authorising the Company to raise additional Capital, and for other purposes. (Cardiff Railway.)
  ccviii. An Act to authorise the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) to construct Tramways and Tramroads from Sutton to Howth, to acquire and maintain Hotels and Refreshment rooms, and for other purposes. (Great Northern Railway (Ireland).)
  ccix. An Act for empowering the Tyne Improvement Commissioners to create and issue Stock and for the completion of works, and for amending certain of the provisions of the Tyne Improvement Acts 1850 to 1890, and for other purposes. (Tyne Improvement.)
  ccx. An Act to empower the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Tynemouth in the County of Northumberland to supply water to the Borough of Tynemouth and adjacent places, to acquire the undertaking of the Company of Proprietors of the North Shields Waterworks, and for other purposes. (Tynemouth Corporation (Water).)
  ccxi. An Act to authorise the sale of the Church of Christchurch, and the sale of the Church of St. Peter with the school thereof, (all in the city of Birmingham) and the application of the proceeds of sale to the provision of new Churches and schools in the suburbs of Birmingham, to merge the Ecclesiastical Parishes or Districts of Christchurch and St. Peter in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Philip, to amend the St Martin's Rectory, Birmingham Act 1893, and for other purposes. (Birmingham Churches.)
  ccxii. An Act to enable the Gravesend and Milton Waterworks Company to raise additional Capital, and for other purposes. (Gravesend and Milton Waterworks.)
  ccxiii. An Act to confer further powers on the Didcot, Newbury, and Southampton Railway Company. (Didcot, Newbury, and Southampton Railway.)
  ccxiv. An Act to confirm an Agreement for the transfer of the Undertaking of the East Warwickshire Waterworks Company to the Urban District Council of Nuneaton and Chilvers Coton, and to enable the Council to construct additional Waterworks, and for other purposes. (East Warwickshire Waterworks).
  ccxv. An Act to enable the Corporation of Glasgow to effect further improvements within the city, to lease and work the Vale of Clyde or Govan Tramways and the Glasgow and Ibrox Tramway, to construct now Tramways and for other purposes. (Glasgow Corporation (Improvements and General Powers.).)
  ccxvi. An Act to authorise the Highland Railway Company to construct Railways being partly doubling or widening of their existing Railway, to acquire additional lands, to revive the powers and extend the time limited by certain Acts for the completion of Works, to raise further capital, and for other purposes. (Highland Railway (Additional Powers).)
  ccxvii. An Act to confer further powers upon the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway Company. (Invergarry and Fort Angustus Railway.)
  ccxviii. An Act to extend the limits for the Supply of Gas and Water by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the County Borough of Leicester, and to make further and better provision in relation to the local government of the said borough and for other purposes. (Leicester Corporation.)
  ccxix. An Act for incorporating the Lochearnhead, St. Fillans, and Comrie Railway Company and authorising the construction of a Railway from Lochearnhead to Comrie in the County of Perth, and for other purposes. (Lochearnhead, St Fillans, and Comrie Railway.)
  ccxx. An Act to regulate the expenditure of Money by the London County Council on Capital Account during the current financial period and the raising of Money to meet such expenditure. (London County Council (Money).)
  ccxxi. An Act for making a Railway in the County of Fife to be called the Newburgh and North Fife Railway, and for other purposes. (Newburgh and North Fife Railway.)
  ccxxii. An Act to confer further powers upon the Governor and Company of the New River brought from Chadwell and Amwell to London commonly called the New River Company, for the execution of New Works and the raising of further Money, and for other purposes.
  ccxxiii. An Act to confer additional powers upon the North Eastern Railway Company, for the construction of Dock Works at Middlesborough, new Railways and other Works and the acquisition of additional lands, and for other purposes. (North Eastern Railway.)
  ccxxiv. An Act to empower the London County Council to make a Subway under the River Thames between Greenwich and Milwall, and for other purposes. (Thames Tunnel (Greenwich to Milwall.).)
  ccxxv. An Act for the making and maintaining of the Woodhouse and Conisbrough Railway, and for other purposes. (Woodhouse and Conisbrough Railway.)
  ccxxvi. An Act for conferring further powers upon the Swansea Improvements and Tramways Company, with respect to their Tramways undertaking, and for other purposes. (Swansea Improvements and Tramways.)
  ccxxvii. An Act for conferring further powers on the South Eastern Railway Company, and for other purposes. (South Eastern Railway.)
  ccxxviii. An Act to enable the Benefices of Baldock and Bygrave in the diocese of St. Albans to be united. (Baldock and Bygrave Benifices Union.)
  ccxxix. An Act to extend the Period for the completion of the Waterworks authorised by the Rhymney Valley Gas and Water Act 1892. (Rhymney Valley Gas and Water.)
  ccxxx. An Act to extend the City and County of Bristol, and for other purposes. (Bristol Corporation.)
  ccxxxi. An Act to constitute and incorporate a Joint Water Board consisting of representatives from the Councils of the Borough of Blackpool and the Urban Districts of Fleetwood, Lytham, and St. Anne's-on-the-Sea, all in the County Palatine of Lancaster, and to transfer to and vest in such Board the undertaking of the Fylde Waterworks Company, and for other purposes. (Fylde Waterworks Transfer.)
  ccxxxii.An Act for conferring further powers on the Harrogate Waterworks Company for the construction of works and the raising of capital, and for other purposes. (Harrogate Waterworks.)
  ccxxxiii. An Act to confirm an agreement made between Albemarle Cator and others and the South Eastern Railway Company. (South Eastern Railway (Confirmation of Cator Agreement).)
  ccxxxiv. An Act for incorporating the Lincoln and East Coast Railway and Dock Company, to transfer to the Company some of the powers of the Lancashire, Derbyshire, and East Coast Railway Company, to construct and maintain Railways and works, and to transfer to the Company certain portions of the undertakings of the said company, including the North Sea Fisheries (East Lincolnshire) Harbour and Dock, together with the powers of the Lancashire, Derbyshire, and East Coast Company in relation thereto, to confer additional powers upon the Company with reference to the portions of the undertaking transferred to them, and for other purposes. (Lincoln and East Coast Railway and Dock.)
  ccxxxv. An Act to empower the Dublin United Tramways Company to construct new Tramways, and for other purposes. (Dublin United Tramways (New Lines).)
  ccxxxvi. An Act to authorise the use of Electrical Power on the Tramways of the Dublin United Tramways Company, and for other purposes. (Dublin United Tramways (Electrical Power).)
  ccxxxvii. An Act to authorise the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Harrogate to purchase the undertaking of the Harrogate Waterworks Company, and for other purposes. (Harrogate Corporation (Waterworks Transfer).)
  ccxxxviii. An Act to confer further powers upon the Corporation of Nottingham with respect to Street Improvements, Tramways and various matters of local government, and for other purposes. (Nottingham Improvement.)
  ccxxxix. An Act for empowering the North Metropolitan Tramways Company to construct New Tramways in the Counties of London, Essex, and Middlesex, for confirming certain Agreements between that Company and the London Street Tramways Company, and the London County Council with respect to the sale and purchase and leasing, working and using of Tramways, and for other purposes. (North Metropolitan Tramways.)
  ccxl. An Act for incorporating the Weston super-Mare Tramways Company and authorising them to make and maintain Tramways and other Works at Weston-super-Mare, and for other purposes. (Weston-super-Mare Tramways.)
  ccxli. An Act to confer further powers upon the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of Manchester in the County of Lancaster for the construction of Works and the Acquisition of Lands to enable them to work and use their Tramways by means of electrical or other mechanical power, to enlarge their powers as to the supply of electricity, to alter their corporate title, and for other purposes. (Manchester Corporation.)
  ccxlii. An Act to empower the London County Council to make a new Street and Street Improvements in the Administrative County of London. (London County Council (Improvements).)
  ccxliii. An Act for incorporating the Dearne Valley Railway Company and for other purposes. (Dearne Valley Railway.)
  ccxliv. An Act to confer certain powers upon the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company. (Southwark and Vauxhall Water.)
  ccxlv. An Act for incorporating the Hull and South Yorkshire Extension Railway Company, and for other purposes. (Hull and South Yorkshire Extension Railway.)
  ccxlvi. An Act to incorporate the Coventry Electric Tramways Company and to empower that Company to make and maintain Tramways and for other purposes. (Coventry Electric Tramways.)
  ccxlvii. An Act for empowering the Metropolitan District Railway Company to construct an Underground Railway from near Earls Court Station to the Mansion House Station, City, to authorise them to work that Railway and their existing railway by electricity, to extend the time limited for the completion of the Acton Junction Railway of the Company and for the compulsory purchase of lands for and for the completion of the Ealing and South Harrow Rail way, and for other purposes. (Metropolitan District Railway).
  ccxlviii. An Act for conferring further powers upon the Great Western Railway Company in respect of their own undertaking and upon that Company and the London and North Western Railway Company in respect of undertakings in which they are jointly interested, and upon the Lambourn Valley Railway Company in respect of their undertaking for amalgamating the Buckfastleigh, Totnes, and South Devon, Kington and Eardisley, Woodstock, Banbury and Cheltenham, Direct Pembroke and Tenby, Nantwich and Market Drayton, Minehead and Great Marlow Railway Companies with the Great
  Western Railway Company and for other purposes. (Great Western Railway (Additional Powers).)
  ccxlix. An Act for extending the Boundaries of the City and County of Kingston-upon-Hull, for conferring on the Corporation power to construct a new Bridge over the river Hull and power to make new Streets, and further powers with respect to a Crematory, Rating, the supply of Gas and other matters, for consolidating the provision of the Water Acts and Orders now in force in the City and County and for other purposes. (Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation.)
  ccl. An Act to authorise the acquisition of Lands known as Churchyard Bottom Wood, Highgate, for the purposes of a public open space. (Highgate Woods Preservation.)
  ccli. An Act for incorporating the Watford, Edgware, and London Railway Company and for empowering them to construct Railways from Watford in the County of Hertford to Edgware in the County of Middlesex, and for other purposes. (Watford, Edgware, and London Railway.)
  cclii. An Act to empower the London County Council to make certain Street Improvements and to purchase Lands for various purposes, to make provision for contributions in certain cases by Local Authorities and as to the admission of Sewage into the Metropolitan Main Drainage System from a portion of East Ham in the County of Essex, and for other purposes. London County Council (General Powers).)
  ccliii. An Act for authorising the City of Birmingham Tramways Company Limited, to construct additional Tramways, and for other purposes. (City of Birmingham Tramways.)
  ccliv. An Act to Incorporate the Norwich Electric Tramways Company and to empower that Company to make and maintain Tramways, and for other purposes. (Norwich Electric Tramways.)
  cclv. An Act to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the County Borough of Salford to construct additional Tramways, to make a Street Improvement, and to raise additional Moneys by mortgage, and by the creation and issue of Stock, and to make further provisions with respect to Booth's Charities and for the good government of the Borough. (Salford Corporation.)
  cclvi. An Act for incorporating the Harrow and Uxbridge Railway Company, and authorising them to construct a Railway in the County of Middlesex, and for other purposes. (Harrow and Uxbridge Railway.)
  cclvii. An Act for making a Railway to be called the Whitechapel and Bow Railway, and for other purposes. (Whitechapel and Bow Railway.)
  cclviii. An Act to incorporate Harbour Commissioners for the Harbour and Roads of Cowes in the Isle of Wight, to define the limits of the Harbour and Roads, to vest the Harbour in the Commissioners, and to confer upon them powers for the improvement, maintenance, and regulation of the Harbour and Roads, and for other purposes. (Cowes Harbour.)
  cclix. An Act for conferring further powers on the Urban District Council of Colwyn Bay and Colwyn, and for making further and better provisions for the improvement, health, and local government of the Urban District of Colwyn Bay and Colwyn, and for other purposes. (Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Urban District Council.)
  cclx. An Act to authorise the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Bradford in the County of York, to construct additional Tramways, to consolidate the Townships in the City, to extend the Bradford Union, to make better provision for the health, local government, and improvement of the city, and for other purposes. (Bradford Tramways and Improvement.)

BILLS DEALT WITH IN SESSION 1897.
Title of Bill.

Progress.

Aberbrothwick Harbour

Royal Assent, June 3.

Access to Mountains (Scotland)

Read 1°, Jan. 22

Accountants

Withdrawn, June 1.

Accountants (Scotland)

Withdrawn, June 1.

Agricultural Holdings

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Agricultural Produce (Marks)

Read 2°, and Committed, April 7.

Agriculture and Industries (Ireland)

Withdrawn, May 24.

Alexandra and Newport (South Wales) Docks and Railway

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Aliens

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Allotments (London)

Read 1a, April 5.

Appeal in Certain Civil Matters (Ireland)

Royal Assent, June 3.

Appointment of High Sheriffs (Ireland)

Read 1°, Feb 26.

Archdeaconry of Cornwall

Royal Assent, June 3.

Archdeaconry of London (Additional Endowments)

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Army Annual

Royal Assent, Mar. 29.

Arundel Gas

Royal Assent, July 15.

Ashford Urban District Gas

Royal Assent, June 3.

Assam Railways and Trading Company

Royal Assent, June 3.

Assistant County Surveyors (Ireland)

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Bakehouses

Read 1°, Mar. 9.

Baldock and Bygrave Benefices Union

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Barry Railway

Royal Assent, July 15.

Belfast Water

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Benefices

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Benefices (No. 3)

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Berriew School

Royal Assent, July 15.

Betting Act (1853) Repeal

Read 1°, June 1.

Bicycles (Ireland)

Withdrawn, July 26.

Birkenhead Corporation

Royal Assent, July 15.

Birkenhead Corporation (Ferries)

Royal Assent, July 15.

Birmingham Churches

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Birmingham City Tramways

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Birmingham, North Warwickshire, and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway

Royal Assent, Aug. 6.

Birmingham, Tame, and Rea District Drainage Board

Royal Assent, June 3

Boards of Guardians and Labourers (Ireland)

Debate on Second Reading, April 7.

Boiler Inspection and Registration

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Bolton Tramways and Improvement

Royal Assent, July 15.

Borough Funds

Read 1°, Jan. 22.

Borough Justices' Clerks

Read 1°, Feb. 17.

Borrowstounness Town and Harbour

Royal Assent, July 15.

PUBLIC BILLS.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 29th July 1897;—for
RETURN "of the Number of PUBLIC BILLS, distinguishing Government from other Bills introduced into this House, or brought from the House of Lords during the Session of 1897, showing the Number which received the Royal Assent; the Number which were Passed by this House, but not by the House of Lords; the Number Passed by the House of Lords, but not by this House; and distinguishing the Stages at which such Bills as did not receive the Royal Assent were Dropped or Postponed and Rejected in either House of Parliament (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 0.163, of Session 1896).—(Dr. Farquharson.)
[SESSION 1897.]

BILLS WHICH RECEIVED THE ROYAL ASSENT.
N.B.—Bills marked thus (*) are Government Bills.

TITLE OF BILL.

TITLE OF BILL.

*Appeal in Certain Civil Matters (Ireland).

*Metropolitan Police (Holidays).

*Archdeaconry of Cornwall.

*Metropolitan Water Companies.

*Archdeaconry of London (Additional Endowments).

*Military Lands Act (1892) Amendment.

*Military Manœuvres.

*Army (Annual).

*Military Works (Money).

*Berriew School.

*Municipal Elections (Scotland) [Lords].

*Burials Joint Committees.

*Naval Works.

Chaff Cutting Machines Accidents.

*Navy and Marines (Wills) Act (1865) Amendment.

Cleansing of Persons changed from Verminous Persons.

*Out-door Relief (Ireland).

*Congested Districts (Scotland).

Parish Councils (Scotland) (Casual Vacancies).

*Consolidated Fund (Appropriation).

*Patent Office Extension.

*Consolidated Fund (No. 1).

*Police Property.

*Constabulary (Ireland) [Lords].

*Poor Law.

*Cotton Cloth Factories.

Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act (1896) Amendment.

*Dangerous Performances.

*District Councils (Water Supply Facilities).

*Post Office and Telegraphs (Facilities and Pensions)

*East India Company's Officers Superannuation.

*Edinburgh University (Transfer of Patronage).

*Post Office Sites.

*Education (Scotland).

Preferential Payments in Bankruptcy Act (1888 Amendment).

*Elementary Education Act (1870) Amendment.

*Expiring Laws Continuance.

*Public Health (Scotland).

*Extraordinary Tithe.

*Public Offices (Whitehall) Site.

*Finance.

*Public Works Loans.

*Foreign Prison-made Goods.

*Quarter Sessions Jurors (Ireland).

Infant Life Protection [Lords].

Railway Assessors (Scotland) Superannuation.

*Isle of Man (Church Building Acts) [Lords].

*Regular and Elders Widows' Fund.

Juries Detention.

*Schools Boards Expenses.

*Land Transfer [Lords].

*Stipendiary Magistrates Jurisdiction (Scotland).

Licensing (Scotland) Acts Amendment.

*Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) (No 2).

Local Government (Elections).

Surveyors (County Dublin).

Market Gardeners' Compensation (Scotland).

*Trusts (Scotland).

*Merchant Shipping (Exemptions from Pilotage) [Lords].

*Voluntary Schools.

*Volunteers.

*Merchant Shipping (Undermanning).

*Weights and Measures (Metric System).

Mersey Channels.

*Wicklow Harbour (Advances).

*Metropolitan and other Police Courts.

*Workmen (Compensation for Accidents).

*Metropolitan Police (Borrowing Powers).

Yorkshire Coroners.

PROVISIONAL ORDER BILLS WHICH RECEIVED THE ROYAL ASSENT.
TITLE OF BILL.

TITLE OF BILL.

*Borrowstounness Water Provisional Order.

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 16).

*Local Government Provisional Order (No. 17).

*Local Government Provisional Order (No. 18).

*Clackmannan (Alloa and Tillicoultry) Water Supply Provisional Order.

*Local Government Provisional Order (Gas).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (Poor Law).

*Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Provisional Order.

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 1).

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 2).

*Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (East Barnet, &c.) [Lords].

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 3).

*Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (London) [Lords].

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 4).

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 5).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 1).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 2).

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Order (No. 6).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 3).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 4).

*Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Order (No. 7).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 5).

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 6).

*London (Borough Road, Southwark) Provisional Order.

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 7). [Lords].

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 8). [Lords].

*London (Churchway, St Pancras) Provisional Order.

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 9).

*London (Clare Market, Strand) Provisional Order.

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 10). [Lords].

*London (Green Street, Southwark) Provisional Order.

*Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 11)

*Metropolitan Police Provisional Order.

*Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 1) [Lords].

*Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 2) [Lords].

*Paisley Waterworks Provisional Order.

*Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 1).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 1).

*Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 2).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 2).

*Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 3).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 3).

*Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 4).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 4).

*Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 5). [Lords].

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 5).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 6).

Pilotage Provisional Order.

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 7).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 8).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 9).

*Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 1) [Lords].

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 10).

*Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 2) [Lords]

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 11).

*Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 3).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 12).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 13).

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 14).

*Water Orders Confirmation. [Lords].

*Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 15).

Government Bills, 54; Provisional Order Bills, 62; other Bills, 15 TOTAL 131.

BILLS WHICH WERE INTRODUCED INTO, BUT NOT PASSED BY, THE COMMONS.
TITLE OF BILL.

Stage at which they were DROPPED, POSTPONED or REJECTED, ETC.

Access to Mountain (Scotland)

Second Reading dropped.

Accountants

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Accountants (Scotland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

*Agriculture and Industries (Ireland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Agricultural Holdings.

Second Reading dropped.

Agricultural Produce (Marks)

Reported from the Select Committee without Amendments.

Aliens

Second Reading dropped.

Appointment of High Sheriffs (Ireland)

Second Reading dropped.

Assistant County Surveyors (Ireland).

Second Reading dropped.

Bakehouses

Second Reading dropped.

Benefices

Second Reading dropped.

Benefices (No. 2).

Second Reading dropped.

Betting Act (1853) Repeal

Second Reading dropped.

*Bicycles (Ireland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Boards of Guardians and Labourers (Ireland).

Adjourned Debate on Amendment to Second Reading dropped.

Boiler Inspection and Registration

Second Reading dropped.

Borough Funds

Second Reading dropped.

Borough Justices' Clerks

Second Reading dropped.

Building Feus and Leases (Scotland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

*Burial Grounds Loan (Scotland)

Order for Committee discharged.

Burials

Second Reading put off for six months,

Canals and Navigable Rivers (Ireland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Canals Protection (London)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Cemeteries Rating

Second Reading dropped.

Church Patronage Transfer

Second Reading dropped.

Coal Mines Regulation.

Second Reading dropped.

Colonial Solicitors

Second Reading dropped.

Commons (Regulation)

Second Reading dropped.

Congested Districts Board (Ireland) (Compulsory Purchase Powers).

Second Reading dropped.

Corn Sales

Second Reading dropped.

Coroners' Inquest (Railway Fatalities)

Second Reading dropped.

Cottage Homes

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Cotton Cloth and other Factories

Committee dropped.

County Councils Advances

Second Reading dropped.

County Councils (Qualification of Women)

Second Reading dropped.

County Councils (Qualification of Women) (Scotland).

Order for Second Reading discharged.

County Courts

Second Reading dropped.

County Government (Ireland).

Second Reading dropped.

County Secretaries Superannuation (Ireland).

Order for Second Reading discharged.

County Surveyors (Ireland) Amendment

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Court of Criminal Appeal

Adjourned Debate on Motion for committal to a Select Committee dropped.

Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act (1886) Amendment.

Second Reading dropped.

Education Acts Amendment

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Educational Endowments (Ireland) Act (1885) Amendment.

Committee (Progress) dropped.

Election Petitions

Order for Committee discharged.

Electric Lighting Acts Amendment

Second Reading dropped.

Elementary Education (Continuation Schools)

Second Reading dropped.

Elementary Education (Permissive Rates Aid)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

Employers' Liability Act (1880) Amendment

Second Reading dropped.

Employers' Liability Act (1880) Amendment (No. 2).

Second Reading dropped.

Employers' Liability for (Foreign Shipowners) Amendment.

Second Reading dropped.

Employers' Liability for Injuries to Workmen

Second Reading dropped.

Estates Tail

Second Reading dropped.

Evicted Tenants (Ireland)

Second Reading dropped.

BILLS WHICH WERE PASSED BY THE LORDS, BUT NOT BY THE COMMONS.
TITLE OF BILL.

Stage at which they were DROPPED, POSTPONED, or REJECTED, ETC.

Church Patronage Transfers

Second Reading dropped.

Copyright (Amendment)

Not read a first time.

*Fisheries Acts (Amendment)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

*London University Commission

Order for Second Reading discharged.

*Lunacy

Order for Second Reading discharged.

*Post Office Consolidation

Order for Committee discharged.

Retirement of Vestrymen and Auditors (London).

Not read a first time.

Working Men's Dwellings

Second Reading dropped.

Government Bills, 4; other Bills, 4—TOTAL, 8.

PEOVISIONAL ORDER BILL PASSED BY THE COMMONS, BUT NOT BY THE LORDS.
TITLE OF BILL.

Stage at which DROPPED.

Industries (Ireland)

Order for Second Reading discharged.

GENERAL SUMMARY.
Total Number of Bills which received the Royal Assent:

(1.) Introduced into this House

63

(2.) Brought from the Lords

6

(3.) Provisional Order Bills

62

131

Total Number of Bills introduced into, but not passed by, the Commons

184

Total Number of Bills brought from the Lords, but not passed by the Commons

8

Total Number of Bills passed by the Commons, but not by the Lords

1

TOTAL

324

Public Bill Office,

6 August 1897.

PRIVATE BILLS.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 27 July 1897:—for,
RETURN "of the Number of PRIVATE BILLS introduced and brought from the HOUSE OF LORDS, and of ACTS passed in the Session of 1897, classed according to the following Subjects:—Railways; Tramways; Tramroads; Subways; Canals and Navigations; Roads and Bridges; Water; Gas; Gas and Water; Improvement; Police and Sanitary Regulations; Corporations, &c. (not relating to Police and Sanitary Regulations; Ports, Piers, Harbours, and Docks; Churches, Chapels, and Burying Grounds; Markets and Fairs; Inclosure and Drainage; Estate; Divorce; Naturalization; and Miscellaneous:"
"Of all the PRIVATE BILLS, and Bills for Confirming Provisional Orders, which, in the Session of 1897, have been treated as Opposed Bills, specifying those which have been classified in Groups by the Committee of Selection, or by the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills; together with the Names of the Selected Members who served on each Committee; the First and also the Last Day of the Sitting of each Committee; the Number of Days on which each Committee sat; the Number of Days on which each Selected Member has served; the Bills the Preambles of which were reported to have been Proved; the Bills the Preambles of which were reported to have been Not Proved; and in the case of Bills for confirming Provisional Orders, whether the Provisional Orders ought or ought not to be confirmed; the Bills referred back to the Committee of Selection, or to the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills, as having become Unopposed; and the Bills Withdrawn, or not proceeded with by the Parties:"
"And of all PRIVATE BILLS which, in the Session of 1897, have been referred by the Committee of Selection, or by the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills, to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means; together with the Names of the Members who served on each Committee; the Number of Days on which each Committee sat; and the Number of Days on which each Member attended (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 0,162, of Session 1896)."—(Dr. Farquharson.)

NUMBER OF PRIVATE BILLS WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE ROYAL ASSENT.
Railways

68

Tramways

15

Tramroads

—

Subways

2

Canals and Navigations

2

Roads and Bridges

—

Water

23

Gas

11

Gas and Water

4

Improvement

4

Police and Sanitary Regulations

7

Corporations, etc. (not relating to Police and Sanitary Regulations)

21

Ports, Piers, Harbours and Docks

11

Churches, Chapels, and Burying Grounds

3

Markets and Fairs

—

Gaols and other County Buildings

1

Inclosure and Drainage

2

Estate

2

Divorce

4

Miscellaneous

22

TOTAL

202

Private Bill Office,
Felix H. Webber.
7 August 1897.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF RETURNS RELATING TO PRIVATE BILLS FOR SESSION 1897.
(A.)—

The Number of Private Bills introduced in the House of Commons

128

(B.)—

The Number of Private Bills brought from the House of Lords (originating in that House under Standing Order 70)

129

(C.)—

Estate Bills, etc., brought from the Lords

2

Divorce Bills

3

Naturalization Bill

0

TOTAL

262

(D.)—

The Number of Private Bills which have received the Royal Assent

226

(E.)—

The Number of Private Bills which have been treated as Opposed, or classified in Groups by the Committee of Selection, or by the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills

74

(F.)—

The Number of Private Bills referred to the Chairman of "Ways and Means by the Committee of Selection, or by the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills

128

C, E. Austen Leigh,
Principal Clerk of Committees.
House of Commons
August 1897.

SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 29 July 1897;—for,
RETURN "of the Number of Days on which the House sat in the Session of 1897, stating, for each Day, the Date of the month, and Day of the Week, the Hour of the Meeting, and the Hour of Adjournment, and the Total Number of Hours occupied in the Sittings of the House, and the Average Time; and showing the Number of Hours on which the House Sat each Day, and the Number of Hours after Midnight, and the Number of Entries in each Day's Votes and Proceedings (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 0.160, of Session, 1896)."—(Dr. Farquharson.)

Month.

Day

House met.

House adjourned.

Hours of Sitting.

Hours after Midnight.

Entries in Votes.

1897.

H.

M.

H.

M.

H.

M.

H.

M.

Jan.

19

Tu.

2

0

11

45

9

45

-

-

82

Jan

20

Wd.

12

0

5

35

5

35

-

-

19

Jan

21

Th.

3

0

12

1

9

1

0

1

35

Jan

22

Fr.

3

0

11

57

8

57

-

-

169

Jan

25

M.

3

0

12

0

9

0

-

-

37

Jan

26

Tu.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

38

Jan

27

Wd.

12

0

5

40

5

40

-

-

28

Jan

28

Th.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

26

Jan

29

Fr.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

26

Total

9

-

-

-

-

75

18

0

21

460

Feb.

1

M.

3

0

12

45

9

45

0

45

40

Feb.

2

Tu.

3

0

12

40

9

40

0

40

30

Feb.

3

Wd.

12

0

5

55

5

55

-

-

33

Feb.

4

Th.

3

0

1

0

10

0

1

0

141

Feb.

5

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

137

Feb.

8

M.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

41

Feb.

9

Tu.

3

0

7

5

4

5

-

-

23

Feb.

10

Wd.

12

0

5

40

5

40

-

-

80

Feb.

11

Th.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

26

Feb.

12

Fr.

3

0

11

50

8

50

-

-

44

Feb.

15

M.

3

0

12

25

9

25

0

25

53

Feb.

16

Tu.

3

0

12

33

9

33

0

33

32

Feb.

17

Wd.

12

0

5

55

5

55

-

-

48

Feb.

18

Th.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

43

Feb.

19

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

25

Feb.

22

M.

3

0

12

25

9

25

0

25

52

Feb.

23

Tu.

3

0

10

15

7

15

-

-

30

Feb.

24

Wd.

12

0

5

35

5

35

-

-

41

Feb.

25

Th.

3

0

12

45

9

45

0

45

39

Feb.

26

Fr.

3

0

9

5

6

5

-

-

36

Total

20

-

-

-

-

162

28

5

8

994

Month.

Day.

House met.

House adjourned.

Hours of Sitting.

Hours after Midnight.

Entries in Votes.

1897.

H.

M.

H.

M.

H.

M.

H.

M.

May

3

M.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

89

May

4

Tu.

3

0

4

50

1

50

-

-

36

May

5

Wd.

12

0

5

50

5

50

-

-

89

May

6

Th.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

70

May

7

Fr.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

41

May

10

M.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

110

May

11

Tu.

2

0

12

2

10

2

0

2

65

May

12

Wd.

12

0

5

50

5

50

-

-

71

May

13

Th.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

74

May

14

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

42

May

17

M.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

0

96

May

18

Tu.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

74

May

19

Wd.

12

0

5

50

5

50

-

-

54

May

20

Th.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

74

May

21

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

51

May

24

M.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

113

May

25

Tu.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

56

May

26

Wd.

12

0

5

40

5

40

-

-

54

May

27

Th.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

73

May

28

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

70

May

31

M.

3

0

12

15

9

15

0

15

114

Total

21

-

-

-

-

172

42

2

42

1,516

June

1

Tu.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

75

June

2

W.

12

0

5

50

5

50

-

-

61

June

3

Th.

3

0

12

35

9

35

0

35

123

June

4

Fr.

12

0

1 30pm

1

30

-

-

24

June

17

Th.

3

0

11

45

8

45

-

-

85

June

18

Fr.

3

0

7

50

4

50

-

-

47

June

21

M.

3

0

8

15

5

15

-

-

51

June

23

W.

2

15

4

20

2

5

-

-

13

June

24

Th.

3

0

10

5

7

5

-

-

41

June

25

Fr.

3

0

12

5

9

5

0

5

29

June

28

M.

3

0

7

30

4

30

-

-

57

June

29

Tu.

3

0

12

10

9

10

0

10

46

June

30

W.

12

0

5

50

5

50

-

-

87

Total

13

-

-

-

-

82

40

1

0

730

SUMMARY
MONTH.

Number of Days Sitting.

Number of Hours Sitting.

Number of Hours after Midnight.

Number of Entries in Votes.

H.

M.

H.

M.

January

9

75

18

0

21

460

February

20

162

28

5

8

994

March

23

195

12

13

52

1,169

April

13

101

5

4

55

847

May

21

172

42

2

42

1,516

June

13

82

40

1

0

739

July

23

209

30

16

35

1,342

August

5

34

45

1

45

203

TOTAL

127

1,033

40

46

18

7,270

AVERAGE LENGTH OF SITTING, DAILY, 8 Hours 8 44/127 Minutes.
William H. Ley.
August 1897.
Clerk of the Journals.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
[SESSION 1897.]
(DAYS OCCUPIED BY GOVERNMENT AND BY PRIVATE MEMBERS.)
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 29th July, 1897;—for,
RETUBN "showing, with reference to the Session 1897:—

(1.) The Number of SITTINGS on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at which GOVERNMENT BUSINESS had Precedence;

(2.) The Number of SITTINGS on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at which PRIVATE MEMBERS had Precedence;

(3). The Number of OTHER SITTINGS at which, in accordance with the STANDING ORDERS of the HOUSE, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS had Precedence;

(4.) The Number of SITTINGS at which GOVERNMENT BUSINESS had Precedence under a SPECIAL ORDER of the HOUSE;

(5.) The Number of SATURDAY SITTINGS;

(6.) The Total Number of SITTINGS at which GOVERNMENT BUSINESS had Precedence;

(7.) The Total Number of DAYS on which the HOUSE Sat;

(8.) The Total Number of MOTIONS for ADJOURNMENT of the HOUSE on a MATTER of URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE; and

(9.) The Number of DAYS in SUPPLY;

(In continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 353, of Session, 1896)."

SUMMARY.— [SESSION 1897.]
(1.)

(2.)

(3.)

(4.)

(5.)

(6.)

(7.)

(8.)

(9.)

The Number of Sittings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at which Government Business had Precedence.

The Number of Sittings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at which Private Members had Precedence.

The Number of other Sittings at which, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House, Government Business had Precedence.

The Number of Sittings at which Government Business had Precedence under a Special Order of the House.

The Number of Saturday Sittings

The Total Number of Sittings at which Government Business had precedence.

The Total Number of Days on which the House Sat.

The Total Number of Motions for Adjournment of the House on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance.

Number of days in Committee of Supply

TOTALS - 54*

21 †

51

50

1

106 ‡

127 §

7

26

* 19th January, the first day of Meeting not included.

† Of which 1 was an Evening Sitting only.

‡ Of which 1 was a Morning Sitting only.

§ Sunday, 20tn June not included; this being the day on which, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of the 17th June, Mr. Speaker and the Members assembled in the House and proceeded thence to St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, where, in celebration of the Sixtieth Year of Her Majesty's Reign, a Sermon was preached before the House by the Very Reverend The Dean of Canterbury.

William H. Ley,
1st November 1897.
Clerk of the Journals.

DIVISIONS OF THE HOUSE.
RETURN of the Number of DIVISIONS of THE HOUSE in the SESSION of 1897; stating the Subject of the Division, and the Number of Members in the Majority and Minority, Tellers included; also, the AGGREGATE NUMBER in the House on each Division, distinguishing the DIVISIONS on PUBLIC BUSINESS from PRIVATE; and also the Number of, Divisions before and after Midnight (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 0.159, of Session 1896).

SUMMARY OF DIVISIONS.
Number of Divisions on PUBLIC BUSINESS before Midnight

312

Number of Divisions on PUBLIC BUSINESS after Midnight

43

Number of Divisions on PRIVATE BUSINESS before Midnight

12

Number of Divisions on PRIVATE BUSINESS after Midnight

0

TOTAL Number of Divisions in Session 1897

367

ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER No. XVII.
RETURN "of MOTIONS for ADJOURNMENT under STANDING ORDER NO. XVII., showing the Date of such Motion, the Name of the Member proposing, the definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance, and the Result of any Division taken thereon, during the Session of 1897 (in the same Form as, and in continuation of, Parliamentary Paper, No. 351, of Session, 1896)."

SUMMARY.
MOTIONS POR ADJOURNMENT.

Session 1897.

I.—Leave of the House signified without a Call upon Members to rise in their places

3

II.—Leave of the House signified by not less than Forty Members rising in their places

4

III.—Leave of the House given on Division

0

IV.—Leave of the House refused by less than Forty Members rising in their places

0

V.—Motions for Adjournment not allowed by Mr. Speaker to be submitted to the House

0

NUMBER of Times Members asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House in each of the following Years:—

1882

4

1883

5

1884

9

1885

4

1886

4

1887

11

1888

10

1889

7

1890

6

William H. Ley,
Clerk of the Journals.
1st November 1897

CLOSURE OF DEBATE (STANDING ORDER 25).
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 29 July 1897;for
RETURN "respecting APPLICATION of STANDING ORDER 25 (CLOSURE of DEBATE) during SESSION 1897 (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 352, of Session 1896)."

SUMMARY.
Session.

Name of Member by whom Closure Moved, and Number of Times Moved.

Total Number of Times Closure Moved.

Number of Times Closure Moved in House.

Number of Times Closure Moved in Committee.

Number of Times Assent given to Closure by Mr. Speaker.

Number of Times Assent withheld by Mr. Speaker.

Number of Times Assent given to Closure by the Chairman.

Number of Times Assent withheld by the Chairman.

Number of Times Closure Carried on Division.

Number of Times Closure Negatived on Division.

Number of Times Closure Agreed to without a Division.

Number of Times Closure not in Order.

1897

Mr. Michael Austin (1)

75

34

41

14

20

34

7

43

1

*4

0

Mr. Balfour (39)

Mr. Faithfull Begg (1)

Mr. Carson (1)

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer (1)

Mr. Channing (1)

Mr. Cohen (1)

Lord Alwyne Compton (1)

Major Dalbiac (1)

Mr. Wingfield-Digby (1)

Sir F. Dixon-Hartland (1)

Mr. Duncombe (6)

Sir William Hart Dyke (1)

Sir James Fergusson (1)

Admiral Field (1)

Mr. Flannery (1)

Mr. Hanbury (2)

Mr. William Johnston (3)

Mr. Lafone (1)

Sir Thomas Lea (2)

Mr. Maclure (1)

Mr. Paulton (1)

Mr. Pickersgill (1)

Major Rasch (1)

Mr. Richards (1)

Colonel Sandys (1)

Colonel Saunderson (1)

Mr. R. G. Webster (1)

* Including three Original Questions claimed to be put in accordance with the Standing Order.

1st November 1897.

William H. Ley, Clerk of the Journals,

PUBLIC PETITIONS.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 29 July 1897;—for,
RETURN "of the Number of PUBLIC PETITIONS Presented and Printed in the Session of 1897, with the total Number of Signatures in that Year (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 0.164, of Session 1896)."

YEAR.

Number of Petitions Presented.

Number of Petitions Printed.

Total Number of Signatures.

1897

3,079

73

97,808

William H. Ley
1st November 1897.
Clerk of the Journals.

MEMBERS ELECTED TO HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE BEGINNING OF SESSION 1897.
Greville, Captain the Hon. Ronald Henry Fulke

Bradford, East

Reed, Henry Byron, deceased.

Allhusen, Augustus Henry Eden

Salisbury

Hulse, Edward Henry, Manor of Northstead.

Sinclair, Captain John

Forfarshire

White, James Martin, Chiltern Hundreds.

Sinclair, Louis

Essex, Romford

Wigram, Alfred Money, Chiltern Hundreds.

Woods, Samuel

Essex, Walthamstow

Byrne, Edmund Widdrington, Q.C., one of the Judges of the High Court.

Cameron, Sir Charles

Glasgow, Bridgeton

Trevelyan, Sir George Otto, Manor of Northstead.

Leigh-Bennett, Henry Currie

Surrey, Chertsey

Combe, Charles Harvey, Chiltern Hundreds.

Billson, Alfred

Halifax

Shaw, William Rawson, Manor of Northstead.

Pease, Alfred Edward

Yorkshire, N.R., Cleveland

Pease, Henry Fell, deceased.

Nicholson, William Graham

Hants, Petersfield

Wickham, William, deceased.

Hayden, John Patrick

Roscommon, South

Hayden, Luke Patrick, deceased.

Preamble
House met at 11 a.m.
JUDICIAL BUSINESS.
Ordered, That this House do meet on Thursday the 11th day of November next, at Eleven o'clock, for the purpose of hearing and determining Appeals and matters connected therewith, pursuant to the provisions of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 and that during such meeting of the House leave be given to the Appeal Committee to meet.

CONSOLIDATED FUND (APPROPRIATION) BILL.
Brought from the Commons and Read 1a; Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX. having been suspended) Bill Read 2a Committee negatived; Bill Read 3a, and passed.
House adjourned during pleasure.
House resumed.

COMMISSION.
The following Bills received the Royal Assent:—
Alexandra and Newport (South Wales) Docks and Railway.
Archdeaconry of London (Additional Endowments).
Baldock and Bygrave Benefices Union.
Belfast Water.
Birmingham Churches.
Birmingham City Tramways.
Birmingham, North Warwickshire, and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway.
Borrowstounness Water Provisional Order.
Bradford Corporation Tramways and Improvement.
Bristol Extension.
Brompton and Piccadilly Circus Railway.
Burials Joint Committee.
Bute Docks, Cardiff.
Callander and Oban Railway.
Chaff-cutting Machines (Accidents).
Cirencester Water.
Cleansing of Persons.
Colne Corporation.
Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Urban District Council.
Congested Districts (Scotland).
Consolidated Fund (Appropriation).
Constabulary (Ireland).
Cotton Cloth Factories.
Coventry Electric Tramways.
Cowes Harbour.
Dangerous Performances.
Deal and Walmer Water.
Dearne Valley Railway.
Didcot, Newbury, and Southampton Railway.
District Councils (Water-supply Facilities).
Dublin United Tramways (Electrical Power).
Dublin United Tramways (New Lines).
Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway (New Ross and Waterford Extension).
Dundee Corporation.
Duntocher and Dalmuir Water Provisional Order.
East London Water.
East Warwickshire Water.
Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (East Barnet, etc.).
Education Department Provisional Orders Confirmation (London).
Education (Scotland).
Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 7).
Electric Liahting Provisional Orders, (No. 8).
Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 9).
Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 10).
Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 11).
Expiring Laws Continuance.
Foreign Prison-made Goods.
Fylde Water (Transfer).
Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 1).
Gas Orders Confirmation (No. 2).
Glasgow Corporation Improvements.
Glasgow and Renfrew District Railway.
Glasgow and South-Western Railway.
Gonne Estate.
Gravesend and Milton Water.
Great Northern and City Railway.
Great Northern Railway (Ireland).
Great Western Railway (Additional Powers).
Great Western Railway (Bristol Lines).
Great Yarmouth Corporation.
Harrogate Corporation (Water Transfer).
Harrogate Water.
Harrow and Uxbridge Railway.
Hastings Harbour District Railway.
Highgate Woods Preservation.
Highland Railway (Additional Powers).
Hull and South Yorkshire Extension Railway.
Infant Life Protection.
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway.
Isle of Man (Church Building Acts).
King's Lynn Corporation.
Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation.
Land Transfer.
Leeds Corporation.
Leicester Corporation.
Licensing (Scotland) Acts Amendment.
Lincoln and East Coast Railway and Dock.
Llandudno Urban District Council.
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 3).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 11).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 12).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 13).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 14).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 15).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 16).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 17).
Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 18).
Lochearnhead, St. Fillans, and Comrie Railway.
London County Council (General Powers).
London County Council (Improvements).
London County Council (Money).
London (Green Street, Southwark) Provisional Order.
London and South-Western Railway (Various Powers).
Manchester Corporation.
Merchant Shipping (Exemptions from Pilotage).
Merchant Shipping (Undermanning).
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
Metropolitan District Railway.
Metropolitan and other Police Courts.
Metropolitan Police (Borrowing Powers).
Metropolitan Water Companies.
Midland and Great Northern Railways Joint Committee.
Midland Railway.
Military Manœuvres.
Municipal Elections (Scotland).
Naval Works.
New River Company.
Newark Corporation Water.
Newburgh and North Fife Railway.
Newport Corporation.
Newry Navigation.
North-Eastern Railway.
North London Railway.
North Metropolitan Tramways.
North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway.
Norwich Electric Tramways.
Nottingham Corporation Water.
Nottingham Improvement.
Out-door Relief (Ireland).
Paisley and Barrhead District Railway.
Parish Councils (Scotland) (Casual Vacancies).
Patent Office Extension.
Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 3).
Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 4).
Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 6).
Pilotage Provisional Order.
Police (Property).
Poor Law.
Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act (1896) Amendment.
Post Office (Sites).
Post Office and Telegraphs (Facilities and Pensions).
Public Health (Scotland).
Public Offices (Whitehall) Site.
Public Works Loans.
Pwllheli Corporation.
Rhymney Valley Gas and Water.
Salford Corporation.
School Boards' Expenses.
Sinclair's Divorce.
South-Eastern Railway.
South-Eastern Railway (Confirmation of Cator Agreement).
Southwark and Vauxhall Water.
Stipendiary Magistrates Jurisdiction (Scotland).
St. Neot's Water.
Swadlincote District Gas.
Swansea Improvements and Tramways.
Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland).
Taff Vale Railway.
Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 1).
Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 2).
Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 3).
Tyne Improvement.
Tynemouth Corporation (Water).
Thames Subway (Greenwich to Millwall).
Tuxford and District Gas.
Vale of Rheidol Light Railway.
Vanston's Divorce.
Volunteers.
Water Orders Confirmation.
Watford, Edgware, and London Railway.
Weights and Measures (Metric System).
Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier.
Weston-super-Mare Tramways.
Weymouth Water.
Whitechapel and Bow Railway.
Wicklow Harbour (Advances).
Woodhouse and Conisbrough Railway.
Workmen (Compensation for Accidents).
Yorkshire Coroners.
Yorkshire Dales Railway (Skipton to Grassington).
The Lords' Commissioners were the LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY), the Duke of NORFOLK (Postmaster General), Viscount CROSS (Lord Privy Seal), and Lord ASHBOURNE (Lord Chancellor of Ireland).
House adjourned at half-past Eleven o'Clock.
House resumed at half-past Two p.m.
THE LORD CHANCELLORstated that Her Majesty the Queen, not finding it convenient to be present, had appointed a Commission for the prorogation of Parliament.
The Reading Clerk having Royal read the Commission,
THE LORD CHANCELLORannounced that Her Majesty had given her Royal Assent to the Pills named on page 505.

QUEEN'S SPEECH.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR: We are commanded to read HER MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH in Her Majesty's own words:—
MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,
At the close of a Session during which there has been disturbance and conflict in Europe, I am glad to be able to inform you that the cordiality of my relations with Foreign Powers remains unchanged.
The uuited influence of the Six Powers Signatories to the Treaty of Paris, was earnestly exerted early in the year to dissuade the King of Greece from the war upon which he unhappily desired to enter. Though they failed in this endeavour, they were able to bring about an early suspension of hostilities between the two belligerents, and to open negotiations for peace. These proceedings have been protracted, and a formal Treaty has not yet been signed. But there is good ground for believing that all the more important matters in controversy have been adjusted, and that, in return for an adequate indemnity, the territory conquered by Turkey will, with a slight modification of frontier, be restored to Greece.
I have given notice to the King of the Belgians and the German Emperor to terminate the Treaties of Commerce of 1862 and 1865, by which I am prevented from making with my Colonies such fiscal arrangements within my Empire as seem to me expedient.
In consequence of the infraction by the Chinese Government of certain stipulations of the Convention of 1894, a fresh Convention has been concluded, establishing a frontier between Burmah and China more advantageous to my Empire, and opening the West River in China to European commerce.
I have concluded a Treaty of Commerce and Friendship with Menelik, the Emperor of Abyssinia.
The presence of the Representatives of the Colonies and of the Indian Empire at the ceremonies held in celebration of

511
the sixtieth year of my reign has contributed to strengthen the bond of union between all parts of my Empire, and an additional proof of the attachment of the Colonies to the Mother Country has been furnished by the fiscal legislation of Canada, and by the contribution which the Cape Colony, following the example of Australasia, has offered to our naval defence.
The famine which, to my profound grief, has prevailed throughout large portions of my Indian dominions since the autumn of last year has taxed severely the resources of that country. I gladly acknowledge the energy and self-sacrifice of my officers of all ranks, both Europeans and natives, and of many private persons, who, with untiring zeal, and with an anxious desire to avoid offence to native feeling, have laboured to save life and to relieve suffering. An appeal to the sympathy of my subjects in all parts of my Empire has been responded to in a most generous manner; and I rejoice to learn that, owing to a satisfactory rainfall, there is now every prospect that the area of distress will be very greatly diminished.
The Plague, which caused a large number of deaths in certain districts in India during the earlier part of the year, has now almost disappeared. This improvement is mainly due to the energetic and judicious steps which were taken by the Local Governments to prevent it from spreading. Every precaution will be adopted in view of the possibility of its recurrence, but at present there is a steady decrease both in its prevalence and in its fatal effects.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
I am grateful to you for the liberal provision to which you have assented for increasing the maritime forces of my Empire.
MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,
It has given me great pleasure to sanction the arrangements you have made for enlarging the important harbours of
512
Dover and Gibraltar, and for strengthening the military defences of the Empire. I anticipate that the facilities you have given for the practice of military manœuvres will conduce to the greater efficiency of the army. The assistance which your legislation has given to the support of necessitous schools will secure an adequate provision for education in the localities where it is most required, and will, I trust, close for some time a difficult and anxious controversy. The Measure which you have passed for the compensation of workmen who are injured by accidents in the course of their employment will confer great benefits on a large section of the population.
I recognise with satisfaction the steps you have taken to facilitate the transfer of land, to protect the interests of the consumers of water in the metropolis, to relieve distress in the congested districts of Scotland, and to reform the law of public health in that country.
I am rejoiced that you have been able to provide a more efficient and economical system for the judicial institutions of Ireland.
I pray that the fruit of your labours may be assured by the protection and blessing of Almighty God.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:
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 Saturday the 23rd day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Saturday the 23rd day of October next.