Sitting of 28 August 1907

Preamble
The House met at Twelve of the clook.
RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC.
  NATIONAL EDUCATION (IRELAND).
  Copy presented, of Appendix to the Seventy-second Report of the Commissioners, being for the year 1905–6. Section IV. [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  PUBLIC RECORDS (IRELAND).
  Copy presented, of the Thirty-ninth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and Keeper of the State Papers in Ireland, 1906 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES.
  Return presented, relative thereto [ordered 27th August; Mr. Harold Cor]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 359.]
  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
  Copy presented, of Regulations made by the Board of Trade under the Weights and Measures Act, 1904 [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 360.]
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CIRCULATED WITH THE VOTES.

  Equivalent Grant to Scotland for School Buildings.
  MR. MORTON: To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, with regard to the grant of £100,000 for school buildings in England and Wales, he will see that an equivalent grant is made to Scotland.
  (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) In view of this grant it will be my duty to consider what the further needs of Scotland are in respect of education and make representations to the Treasury accordingly, but I am not prepared to admit that we should be fettered by any system of exact equivalents.

  Equivalent Grant to Scotland for the Unemployed.
  MR. MORTON: To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will see that, in accordance with the principle of the equivalent grant, Scotland gets a fair share of the £200,000 grant for the unemployed.
  (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I shall certainly do my best to secure that what was done this year shall be repeated next year, viz., that the needs of Scotland in this respect shall be met.

  Condition of Piers on the Coasts of Sutherlandshire.
  MR. MORTONTo ask the Secretary for Scotland whether anything can be done to put the piers on the East and North coasts of Sutherlandshire in a better condition, so that the fishermen may carry on their business with some degree of safety.
  (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The duty of maintaining such piers lies, as my hon. friend knows, with local authorities, who will, no doubt, consider each case on its merits.

  Sale to Commissioners of the Estate of Mr. Franks of Mountrath.
  MR. FLAVIN: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mathew H. Franks, of Westfield, Mountrath, Queen's County, has offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners his lands situate in the parishes of Ardfert and Ballymacelligott, county Kerry; whether the lands or any portion of them have been inspected by Major Kenny for the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, with what result.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Mr. Franks has instituted proceedings for the sale of the estate in question to the Estates Commissioners. The Commissioners have directed an inspection, but have not yet received the inspector's report.

  Possession of Farm of Ballinamona, Mitchelstown.
  MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether the farm of Ballinamona, on the Kingston estate, Mitchelstown, is in the landlord's possession; if not, who is the present tenant or occupier: whether the claim of Mr. Thomas Kent for reinstatement in this farm has been inquired into by any inspector from the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, what is the result.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The farm in question is in the landlord's possession. Thomas Kent's application for reinstatement has been inquired into, and the inspector's report on the case will be considered by the Estates Commissioners in due course.

  Irish National School Teachers and the Workmen's Compensation Act.
  MR. GORDON: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any pro vision has been made, or will be made, by the Commissioners of National Education or the Government to meet any claims that may be made under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1907, by national school teachers in Ireland sustaining personal injury in the discharge of their duties.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I refer to the Answer given by my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury to the Question on this subject which was put by the hon. and learned Member for North Armagh on 27th June.†

  The Explosion at Lord Ashtown's House.
  Mr. JAMES O'KELLY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the principal police officers who inquired into the alleged outrage at Drumdoe have been recently rewarded by the police authorities for their exertions in this case; whether they proved that outrage was committed by somebody within the house; and whether he can see his way to recommend the appointment of these same officers to inquire into and report on the recent occurrence at Lord Ashtown's house in county Tipperary.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am not at present in a position to add anything to the replies which I gave to Questions on this subject on the 20th instant.†

  Transfer of Local Auditor from Gibraltar to London.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the late local auditor at Gibraltar, who never passed a Civil Service examination for his position, with only seventeen years' service and a salary and allowances amounting to £486 per annum, was transferred back to the Colonial Audit Branch in London as chief examiner at his Colonial rate of £486 per annum; and, if so, seeing that £136 of this Colonial rate was a special local allowance for special work done at Gibraltar, and that his successor at Gibraltar now does this
  † See (4) Debates, clxxvii., 118–9.
  ‡ See (4) Debates, elxxxi., 477–9.
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  special work and draws this special local allowance for doing it, will he explain why this clerk is now paid more than £350 a year in London.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The officer in question was a member of the old Colonial Audit Branch and not liable to removal from Gibraltar. Arising out of the amalgamation of the Colonial Audit Branch with the Exchequer and Audit Department, it was decided, with the approval of the Colonial Office, as Colonial funds bear the charge, that he should suffer no loss of emoluments on a transfer to headquarters which was made in the interest of the public service.

  System of Promotion in the Exchequer and Audit Office.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether seeing that in the Exchequer and Audit Department Mr. Nicholls passed over Mr. Pearson for promotion, that subsequently Mr. Pearson passed over Mr. Nicholls for promotion, that this system of promotion by special selection was a usual thing in the Audit Office for many years past, and caused discontent leading up to the recent reorganisation of that Department, that since this recent reorganisation one of the examiners of the old class, who was asked to retire on pension, was subsequently promoted, that the present principal clerk of the Colonial Audit Branch was promoted over the heads of seven senior and equally efficient officers, that two chief examiners were promoted over the heads of throe senior and equally efficient officers, that two examiners were promoted over the heads of four or five senior and equally efficient officers, that one examiner was promoted to £200 per annum over the heads of nine senior and equally efficient officers, and that certain officials are now selected for future promotions irrespective of the claims of senior and equally efficient officers, he will explain how such a system is in the interests of the public service; and, seeing that such a system of promotion by special selection lends itself to favouritism, will he explain why seniority and equality of efficiency are not the standards adopted for promotion in this Department.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I have no reason to suppose that the system

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  of promotion in the Exchequer and Audit Department is different from that adopted in other public Departments. The question as to the relative efficiency of the members of their staff must be left to the judgment of heads of Departments.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether three clerks in the Colonial Audit Branch, who never passed Civil Service examinations for their positions, and who were on a scale of salary £70—£5—£100, precisely the same as the Second Division scale, were, with less than six years' service in I the case of one, and with less than two years' service in the case of the other two, promoted to be examiners with £100 per annum, as from 1st July, 1906; and, if so, will he say why such clerks, will he say why such clerks were thus promoted before the completion of the necessary eight years which a Second Division clerk has to serve before he can be promoted to the similar position of examiner.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply on the same subject of the 6th instant, † to which I have nothing to add.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether seeing that Messrs. Walker, A. W. Brown, Nimmo (temp.), Hall, Gemmell, Hudson, W. H. Sheppard, H. S. Brown, Thompson, Blunden, Marr (temp.), Chalmers (temp.), and Webb (temp.), who were appointed as Second Division clerks 3rd July, 1901, 15th July, 1901, 29th July, 1901, 8th August, 1901, 15th October, 1901, 10th December, 1901,1st March, 1902, 26th March, 1902, 26th April, 1902, 28th April, 1902, 8th July, 1902 5th August, 1902, and 17th November, 1902, respectively, were returned to the Civil Service Commission as being redundant on the recent reorganisation of the Exchequer and Audit Department, that Messrs. Collisson and H. St. J. Sheppard (temp.), who were appointed as Second Division clerks on lath November, 1901, and 19th July, 1902, respectively, were retained in the Colonial Audit Branch; that Messrs. Eyles and M'Fadden, who were appointed as Second Division clerks on 1st April, 1902, and 7th April, 1902, respectively, were retained in the Exchequer and Audit Department; that the Treasury
  † See (4) Debates, clxxix., 1810–1.
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  Minute of August, 1896, lays down that a reduction in the Second Division staff of a Department makes redundant those of its members most recently appointed to the division, not to the Department, and it is their names which should be furnished to the Civil Service Commissioners for the purpose of effecting transfers, he will explain how the retention of Messrs. Collisson, H. St. J. Sheppard (temp.), Eyles, and M'Fadden, who had less service than many of those returned to the Commission, did not contravene the Treasury Minute of August 1896.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The four clerks referred to were specially selected to fill vacancies on the new establishment, and the Treasury Minute referred to does not apply to such cases.

  Transfer of Son of Private Secretary to Comptroller and Auditor-General to Gibraltar.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the son of the private secretary to the Comptroller and Auditor-General, who never passed a Civil Service examination for his position and who has only sixteen years service, was transferred from London, where his salary was about £270 per annum, to Gibraltar, with annual emoluments amount I ting to £436; and, if so, seeing that the object in transferring him to Gibraltar was in order to re-transfer him back to London later on on promotion as chief examiner at his Colonial rate of pay over the heads of officers with twice his service, will he say whether the Imperial Government paid the expenses of this official from London to Gibraltar and also the expenses of the official who was instructed to return from Gibraltar to London in order to make room for him.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The officer referred to was selected for the post in question with due regard both to seniority and efficiency, and the statement in the second part of the Question is without foundation. The expenses referred to have not been borne by Imperial funds.

  Transfer of Audit Offcials from Colonies to London.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the re-transfer

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  back to London of local auditors in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates at their local rates of pay abroad is part of the amalgamation scheme of the Exchequer and Audit Department and Colonial Audit Branch; and, if so, seeing that these local rates are in many cases very high owing to local conditions, will he consider the advisability of giving instructions to the effect that such high local rates should be revised on the re-transfer back to London of any of the local auditors abroad.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Under the new scheme by which auditors and assistant auditors for the various Colonies are to be selected from the Exchequer and Audit Department, it is in contemplation that while serving abroad they will receive their home rates of pay plus a local allowance. On returning to duty at home they will drop the local allowance.

  Appropriations in Aid in Respect of Colonial Audit Branch in London.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will explain why no Appropriations-in-Aid for 1907–8 are to be received from the Crown Colonies and Protectorates in respect of the housing accommodation, fire, and light of the Colonial Audit Branch in London; and why such Appropriations-in-Aid have not been received in respect of previous years.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) It has not hitherto been considered necessary to raise any claim against the Colonies and Protectorates for indirect charges of this nature.

  Rates of Leave and Annual Allowances in the War Office Audit Department.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether seeing that the rates of leave and annual allowances permitted to examiners and chief examiners in the Exchequer and Audit Department compare unfavourably with the leave and allowances permitted to corresponding ranks in the War Office, he will explain the difference in the conditions of service in the two Departments which gives rise to this difference in leave and allowances.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I have nothing to add to my previous Answer on this Question.

  Treasury Allowance to Upkeep of Audit Department Luncheon Room.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether seeing that £300 profit is now in the hands of the managers of the luncheon room in the Audit Office, he will explain the requirements which necessitate a Treasury allowance of £76 a year towards the upkeep of this luncheon room.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I have nothing to add to the previous Answers on this Question.

  Position of Assistant Clerks in the Customs Statistical Office.
  MR. FIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether a further memorial has been received from the assistant clerks in the Customs Statistical Office, pointing out inaccuracies in the Treasury reply to a previous memorial; and. whether, before a further Treasury reply is sent in answer to this later memorial, he will instruct the responsible Treasury officials to study the conditions of service of these assistant clerks and give practical expression to them.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I must refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 22nd inst. to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Hoxton Division of Shoreditch. If the memorial is forwarded to the Treasury it will, of course, receive careful consideration.
  The following Questions and Answers were circulated on Monday, 2nd September, 1907:—

  Naval Courts-Martial—Loss of Ships.
  MR. BELLAIRS: To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the name and class of any ship lost since the passing of the Naval Discipline Act in 1866, when the custom of the Navy to hold a court-martial, as laid down ill Article 91 of the Naval Discipline Act, was not carried out, giving only the cases where there were survivors on whom to hold a court-martial, together with the rank of the senior survivors.
  (Answered by MR. Lambert.) The only exceptions to the custom referred to have been the "Fanny," coastguard cruiser,

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  and the "Ariel," torpedo-boat destroyer. In the latter case a court of inquiry was held. The senior survivor of the "Fanny" was the chief quartermaster and of the "Ariel" the lieutenant in command.
  MR. BELLAIRS: To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Parliament in 1866 passed the Naval Discipline Act for the government of the Navy; whether he is aware that Article 91 refers to a ship being deemed to remain in commission after she has been lost, wrecked, or destroyed until a court-martial shall have been held pursuant to the custom of the Navy in such cases to inquire into the cause of the wreck, loss, destruction, or capture of the said ship; and whether this article, together with Articles 92 and 93, providing for the trial of the whole of the surviving officers and crew by one or more courts-martial have been interpreted for many succeeding years to uphold the past custom of the Navy invariably to convene a court-martial when a ship is lost.
  (Answered by Mr. Lambert.) Section 91 of the Act is not correctly quoted in the Question. The section contains an alternative. The ship is to remain in commission until either the crew shall be regularly removed into some other of His Majesty's ships or a court-martial shall have been held, pursuant to the custom of the Navy, to inquire into the cause of the wreck, loss, destruction, or capture. It has not been the invariable custom to convene a court-martial when a ship is lost, but there have been only two exceptions since the passing of the Act.
  MR. BELLAIRS: To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that an Order in Council has been drawn up, revising all existing regulations as to naval courts-martial, and to come into operation on 1st April, 1908; whether he is aware that Article 663 in the proposed Order in Council lays down the duties of the officer convening the court and orders that he is not to convene a court-martial until he has satisfied himself that the evidence, if uncontradicted or unexplained, will probably suffice to insure a conviction; and whether, seeing that this provision contravenes Article 92 of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, providing that where no specific charge shall
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  be made against any officer, or seaman, or other person in the fleet for or in respect of the wreck, loss, destruction, or capture of his ship, it shall be lawful to try all the officers and crew, or all the surviving officers and crew, of any such ship, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter in order to safeguard the principle of holding a court-martial whenever a ship is lost or surrendered.
  (Answered by Mr. Lambert.) The 663rd Article is not correctly quoted, the first and governing words being omitted, viz., "When it is proposed to try a person on any charge." The Article does not deal in any way with trials under Section 92 of the Naval Discipline Act, of which the first and governing words are "When no specific charge shall be made against any officer or seaman, etc." The 663rd Article in no way contravenes Article 92 of the Naval Discipline Act. The two deal with different subjects.

  Promotion in Glasgow Telegraph Office.
  MR. WATT: To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the Glasgow telegraph staff on account of the passing over of admittedly capable officers; whether officers of long service have thereby been constrained to ask for their retirement papers; and whether he will have full inquiry made into the matter.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Two appeals have recently been made to me by officers who were not promoted. I am satisfied that on each occasion the officers actually selected were the best qualified of the eligible officers.

  Coastguard Service—Men Short or Withdrawn.
  MR. NIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the changes which are being made in the personnel of the coastguard service, he will be prepared to grant a Return giving the names of the stations from which coastguardsmen have been withdrawn.
  (Answered by Mr. Lambert.) List of coastguard station, showing variations from former complements—

  Name of station or detachment.

  Number of former complement on 1st August, 1907.

  Eastern District:—

  Seahouses

  1

  Newbiggin

  1

  Seaham Harbour

  1

  Hawthorne Hive

  1

  Robin Hood Bay

  2

  Withernsea

  1

  Barton

  1

  Stallingboro'

  1

  Skegness

  1

  Morton

  1

  Lowestoft

  1

  Aldeburgh

  1

  Woodbridge Haven

  2

  Harwich

  1

  Clacton-on-Sea

  1

  Shoeburyness

  1

  Gravesend

  1

  Isle of Grain

  1

  Scrapsgate

  1

  Eastchurch

  1

  Sea Salter

  2

  Swale Cliff

  1

  Birchington

  1

  Margate

  1

  Kingsgate

  1

  Pegwell Bay

  1

  St. Augustines

  1

  Sandwich

  1

  St. Margarets

  1

  Southern District—

  Hythe

  4

  Littlestone

  1

  Pett

  2

  Hastings

  1

  Pevensey

  1

  Rottingdean

  1

  Blackrock

  1

  Southwick

  1

  Kingston-on-Sea

  1

  Littlehampton

  2

  Felpham

  3

  Thorney

  1

  Chichester Harbour

  1

  Hayling Island

  2

  Eastney

  1

  Southsea

  1

  Warsash

  1

  Sandown

  1

  Ventnor

  2

  Blackgang

  1

  Atherfield

  1

  Marchwood

  1

  Beaulieu River

  1

  Pitts Deep

  2

  The Pacific Cable—Landing at Honolulu.
  Mr. HAROLD COX: To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty at any time recommended on strategic grounds that the Pacific cable should be landed at Fanning Island instead of Honolulu.
  (Answered by Mr. Lambert.) The Answer to the Question is in the negative. No strategic value was attached to the landing of the cable either at Fanning or at Honolulu.

  Leave of Postal Officials.
  SIR GEORGE KEKEWICH: To ask the Postmaster-General whether the question of the leave granted to officers of the Post Office has been further considered, having regard to the terms of the Order in Council of the 15th August, 1890, so as to place them on an equal footing with officers of similar rank in other departments.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton) I have not yet come to a decision in the matter.

  Limerick Competitions.
  MR. BYLES: To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he has received numerous protests from the proprietors of the more responsible newspapers against the encouragement of gambling by the toleration of what are called Limerick competitions.
  (Answered by Sir John Walton.) I have received several.

  Re-addressing of Lodgers' Letters.
  Mr. REES: To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can arrange for the re addressing of lodgers' letters upon the same terms as apply in the case of householders.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The Question put by the hon. Member is practically the same as that put to me on the 16th April last by the bon. Member for Portsmouth, and my Answer must, I fear, be the same as I then gave, viz., that I do not see my way to extending the scope of official redirection. The work of redirection is already a considerable hindrance to the ordinary work

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  of the postmen, and, if it were extended to lodgers' letters, serious delay and inconvenience would be caused. There is not the same need for official redirection in the case of lodgers as in the case of householders. In any case in which good grounds are shown for requiring the assistance of the Post Office in the matter, official redirection is, as far as practicable, undertaken.

  Expenditure on the Teluk Ayer Quay at Singapore.
  MR. CLAUDE HAY: To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the large amount of money the Government propose to expend upon the Tanjong Pagon Dock and Quays at Singapore recently acquired by the Government, he is aware that the mercantile community of Singapore have expressed themselves at meetings and otherwise as strongly opposed to the construction of the Teluk Ayer Quay recently commenced; whether the unofficial members of the Legislative Council have protested against the expenditure of one million of money upon the Teluk Ayer Quay as wasteful; and what steps the Government propose to take, if any, to meet the wishes of the commercial interests involved.
  (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) This question has been fully considered, and the decision to include the proposed works in the Government programme was carried in the Legislative Council by a large majority. The unofficial members were divided in opinion. The Secretary of State has approved the proposals, and a contract has been entered into for carrying out the works.

  Pay of Post Office Adult Night Messengers.
  MR. NOLAN: To ask the Postmaster-General, with reference to his statement to the deputation from the Trade Union Congress on the 23rd February, 1906, that he would investigate the claims for increased payment made on behalf of the adult night messengers, and as the recommendations of the Select Committee are concise regarding the class of adult night messengers, will he state if the recommendations of the Select Committee regarding this class of Post Office servants will be carried out on an early date.
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  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants are being considered by the Government, and their decision will be announced in due course.

  Payment of Wages in Post Offices.
  MR. NOLAN: To ask the Postmaster-General if he will issue instructions to the postmasters of the five Scotch offices and Newcastle-on-Tyne to arrange that the adult night messengers be paid their weekly wages when leaving off duty on Saturday morning.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The rule of the Department is to pay the weekly wages on the completion of the week's work. I will inquire if this rule is being followed at the offices referred to.

  Postmen and Rule 276 (A).
  MR. NOLAN: To ask the Postmaster General if Rule 276, paragraph A, in the book of rules for head postmasters, is applicable to postmen wholly employed on indoor duties and who do not effect a delivery on Sunday morning.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The rule applies to all postmen performing a full duty, whether indoors or not.

  Fine for Non-Vaccination at Watlington.
  MR. MORRELL: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the report of a case recently heard by the magistrates at Watlington, in Oxfordshire, in which a working man was fined 15s. for not having his child vaccinated; whether he has inquired into the circumstances of the case; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have made inquiry, and I am informed that the man in question applied to the Watlington magistrates on the 17th April for a certificate of exemption from vaccination, but could give no reason for his application or even state that he conscientiously believed that vaccination would be prejudicial to the health of his child; and that, in these circumstances, the four magistrates present were unanimous in declining to grant a certificate. As I have frequently explained, I have

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  no authority to interfere with the discretion in this matter which is given to the magistrates by statute. When the man was subsequently, on the 14th August, summoned before the Watlington Bench for not having had his child vaccinated, the magistrates acted within their powers in imposing a penalty of 15s., which included the costs as well as the fine. I am informed, further, that they allowed the defendant time in which to pay.

  Representation of Imperial Institute of Southern India and the Madras Presidency on the India Committee.
  MR. REES: To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider, when occasion arises, the propriety of obtaining representation upon the Indian Committee of the Imperial Institute of Southern India and of the Madras Presidency, as well as of Bengal and Bombay.
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The arrangements for the administration of the Imperial Institute have been under revision. Under the new scheme, final approval of which will not be long delayed, the Indian Committee will cease to exist.

  Pushing of the Indian Indigo Trade.
  MR. REES: To ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to raise funds for pushing the sale and increasing the consumption of natural indigo by means of a cess similar to that sanctioned by the Government of India in respect of tea; and whether he will entertain favourably such a proposal should it come before him.
  (Answred by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have not received such a proposal. I must reserve my decision until I have a scheme before me and learn how it is supported by the Indian indigo trade.

  MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.
  That they have agreed to—Transvaal Loan (Guarantee) Bill, Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, Public Works Loans Bill, without Amendment. Amendments to Amendments to—Public Health Bill, Small Holdings and Allotments Bill, without Amendment.
QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

  Uganda—Sleeping Sickness Mortality.
  MR. REES: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the weekly number of deaths from sleeping sickness in Uganda; and whether the Government will take special measures to prevent the spread of this scourge southwards to Nyassaland.
  THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,): I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's Question. The (question of the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of sleeping sickness is not one for this Government alone, but for all the Governments in whose African possessions the disease unfortunately exists, and the only prospect of dealing with it effectively appears to be by international cooperation. The International Conference which met in London in June last has already taken some steps in this direction, and when it meets again in November next it is hoped that it will be possible to arrive at a definite agreement on the whole question of the investigation and control of the disease. I should, however, add that the problem of controlling an epidemic of this kind affecting vast areas in the heart of Africa is one which presents enormous difficulties, and that, while every exertion will be made, too much must not be expected, even from international co-operation.
  MR. REES: Is it the case that the mortality is appalling, as to which information reaches me from trustworthy sources?
  MR. CHURCHILL: Yes, it is very serious indeed.

  British Central African Mails.
  MR. REES: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Blantyre Chamber of Commerce regarding the inadequacy of the mail service between British Central Africa and London; whether he will consider this question during his approaching visit to the East Coast of

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  Africa, in view to improving the mail service, which is inferior now to that existing twenty-five years ago, when a fortnightly service existed at Quilimane; and whether the question of providing a British service for the coast of East Africa will engage his attention.
  MR. CHURCHILL: No copy of the resolution in question has been sent to the Secretary of State. The whole question of communication with the East Coast of Africa has been and is receiving attention, but the Secretary of State is not ill a position to make any announcement on the subject at present.

The Lado Enclave.
MR. FELL: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, on his approaching visit to Uganda, he proposes to visit the Lado enclave and look into the question on the spot of the existing lease of that country to the King of the Belgians for the Congo Free State, and how the terms of that lease are being carried out.
MR. CHURCHILL: Questions relating to the Lado enclave do not fall within the province of the Colonial Office. They are matters for the Foreign Office and the Egyptian and Soudanese Governments, and I am not sure that my intervention would be welcomed.

Mortality among Natives on the Rand Mines.
MR. FELL: To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the Report just published that the rate of mortality among the Chinese labourers in the Rand mines is less than half the rate of mortality among the natives employed there; and if he has received any explanation of the causes of this high death rate among the natives.
MR. CHURCHILL: The hon. Member will see by reference to page 25 of Cd. 2786 that most of the native mortality on the Rand is due to the susceptibility of the native to chest diseases, and especially to pneumonia. The death-rate has, however, fallen from 43·59 per 1,000 in 1904 to 31·661 for the first three months of the present year.
[COMMISSION.]
Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.
The House went, and having returned,
MR. SPEAKERreported the Royal Assent to a number of Acts. (See p.425.)
And afterwards His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord High Chancellor (in pursuance of His Majesty's Commands).
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Gentlemen,—
By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name, and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next.
End of the Second Session of the twenty-eighth Parliament of the United Kingdom and Ireland in the Seventh Year of the Reign of His Majesty King Edward VII.

RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC.
  NATIONAL EDUCATION (IRELAND).
  Appendix (Section IV.) to the Annual Report of the Commissioners, for the year 1905–1906.

  PUBLIC RECORDS (IRELAND).
  Thirty-ninth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Records, for the year 1906.
  Presented (by Command), and ordered to lie on the Table.

  WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
  Regulations made by the Board of Trade under the Weights and Measures Acts, 1904. Laid before the House (pursuant to Act), and ordered to lie on the Table.

  ROYAL COMMISSION.
  The following Bills received the Royal Assent:—

  1. Prize Courts.

  2. Criminal Appeal.

  3. Limited Partnerships.

  4. Advertisements Regulation.

  5. Isle of Man (Customs).

  6. Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister.

  7. Evicted Tenants (Ireland).

  8. Public Health.

  9. Patents and Designs.

  10. Patents and Designs (Consolidation).

  11. Factory and Workshop.

  12. Public Health (Regulations as to Food).

  13. Education (Administrative Provisions).

  14. Judicature (Ireland).

  15. Sea Fisheries (Scotland) Application of Penalties.

  16. Qualification of Women (County and Borough Councils).

  17. Small Holdings and Allotments.

  18. Council of India.

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  19. Transvaal Loan (Guarantee).

  20. Employers Liability Insurance Companies.

  21. Irish Land (No. 2).

  22. Cabs and Stage Carriages (London).

  23. Vaccination (Scotland).

  24. Public Health (Scotland) Amendment.

  25. Lights on Vehicles.

  26. Vaccination.

  27. Merchant Shipping (Tonnage Deduction for Propelling Power).

  28. Companies.

  29. Qualification of Women (County and Town Councils) (Scotland).

  30. Expiring Laws Continuance.

  31. Public Works Loans.

  32. Whale Fisheries (Scotland).

  33. Notification of Births.

  34. Sheriff Courts (Scotland).

  35. Dumbarton Burgh and County Tramways Order Confirmation.

  36. Dumbarton Burgh Order Confirmation.

  37. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 1).

  38. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 2.)

  39. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 3).

  40. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 4.)

  41. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 5).

  42. Local. Government Provisional Orders (No. 6).

  43. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 7).

  44. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 8).

  45. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 9).

  46. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 10).

  47. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 11).

  48. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 12).

  49. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 13).

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  50. Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 14).

  51. Local Government Provisional Orders (No 15).

  52. Caledonian Railway Order Confirmation.

  53. Kilmarnock Corporation Water Order Confirmation.

  54. Inverness Royal Academy Order Confirmation.

  55. Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation.

  56. Lanarkshire County Council Order Confirmation.

  57. Metropolitan Water Board (Charges, &c.).

  58. Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway (Additional Capital, &c.).

  59. Barry Railway.

  60. Metropolitan Water Board (Various Powers).

  61. London County Council (General Powers).

  62. York (Micklegate) Strays.

HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
And afterwards His Majesty's most gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of His Majesty's Command) as followeth—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
The recent visit of the King and Queen of Pen mark, who are closely related to Me, gave great pleasure to the Queen and Myself, and cannot fail to improve the friendly relations existing between the two countries.
I was much gratified at receiving the visit of His Imperial Highness Prince Fushimi, who had been sent on a Special Mission by My Ally, the Emperor of Japan, to convey His Majesty's thanks for the Order of the Garter, bestowed upon him during the Mission of My nephew, Prince Arthur of Connaught, to Japan in 1906.
My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
My Government, animated by the desire to contribute in every possible way
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to the maintenance of peace, have concluded an Agreement with the Spanish Government for the preservation of their respective interests in that part of the Mediterranean and Atlantic with which both countries are concerned. The terms of this Agreement have been already laid before you. In response to an invitation from the Russian Government, I appointed Delegates to take part in the International Conference now sitting at the Hague. I trust that its deliberations may result in the conclusion of Agreements that will tend to mitigate the evils of war and secure the peace of the world.
In the great Dependency of India, certain passing difficulties have not discouraged My Government in framing plans for improving the machinery of administration. These plans have been laid before you, and practical steps have already been taken for securing the presence and advice of Indian Members in the Council of India.
The meeting of the Prime Ministers and other leading Statesmen of My Dominions beyond the Seas with the Representatives of the Imperial Government was a source of deep satisfaction to Me, and I note with gratification the arrangement for future meetings at fixed intervals, under the title of "Imperial Conferences," for the free discussion of questions of common concern.
The grant of full self-government to the people of the Orange River Colony has been completed, and will, I trust, conduce to their welfare and contentment.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I thank you for the liberality with which you have made provision for the needs of the public service and for the reduction of national indebtedness.
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
I have recently reviewed the newly-constituted Home Fleet, and was profoundly impressed by the efficient condition and admirable appearance of My ships, and the fine bearing and discipline of the officers and men of all ranks.
Attention has been directed to the problem of the reorganisation of the Forces of the Crown. The broad principles for the reorganisation of the Regular Forces at home into six great divisions

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have been successfully put into operation. The reorganisation of the Auxiliary Forces into a Home or Second Line Army has been provided for in the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, which has received My assent. In this Act provision has further been made for filling up serious gaps in the Regular or Field Army of the First Line.
An important measure has received My sanction for facilitating the acquisition of Small Holdings and Allotments in England and Wales, which will afford opportunities of advancement to the rural population, and will, I hope, act as some check on migration to the towns.
I trust that the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal will confirm still further the confidence of the public in the administration of justice.
I have also given My assent to a measure for the amendment of the existing Law relating to Patents and Designs, with a view especially to restraining the abuse of monopolies and to strengthening the provisions in regard to the revocation of British patents which are worked abroad, but which are not adequately worked in this country.
A Bill has also been passed into law for the amendment of the Companies Acts, which, by affording fuller information concerning public companies and by other provisions, will secure a greater degree of protection to creditors, share-holders, and the public generally.
I have also sanctioned an Act which will secure certain administrative improvements in public education, and introduce a system of medical inspection of school children.
I have given My assent to a measure for the purpose of accelerating the process of providing farms for evicted tenants in Ireland.
I have assented to a measure for codifying and in several important particulars altering and improving the whole procedure of the Sheriff Courts in Scotland.
Important measures affecting the public health have been passed into law, providing, among other things, for the more efficient protection of the community against injurious food-stuff's, whether imported or home produced, and for the better notification of births.
A grievance of long standing is removed by the passing of the Act for legalising Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister.
Further measures have been passed for enabling women to serve on Local Bodies in England and Scotland, for giving My Courts a discretionary power to place offenders under the care of probation officers instead of committing them to prison, for the better regulation of the hours and conditions of labour of the women and girls employed in laundries, for protecting the interests of the producers and consumers of butter, for amending the Vaccination Laws in England and Scotland, and for regulating Whale Fisheries in Scotland.
I thank you for the zeal which you have devoted to your arduous labours, and I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend their results.
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next.