Sitting of 6 April 1908

Preamble
The House met at a quarter before Three of the Clock.

NEW WRITS.
New Writs,—for the County of Kincardine, in the room of John William Crombie, esquire, deceased.—(Mr. Whitely.)
County of Derby (Western Division) right hon. Victor Christian William Cavendish, now the Duke of Devonshire, called up to the House of Peers.—(Sir Alexander Acland-Hood.)

PRIVATE BILL BUSINESS.

  PRIVATE BILLS [LORDS] (STANDING ORDERS NOT PREVIOUSLY INQUIRED INTO COMPLIED WITH.)
  Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Report from one of the examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, originating in the Lords, and referred on the First Reading thereof, the Standing Orders not previously inquired into, and which are applicable thereto, have been complied with viz.,—Camberwell and other Metropolitan Borough Councils (Superannuation) Bill [Lords]. Pontypridd Water Bill [Lords]. Audenshaw Urban District Council Bill [Lords]. Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Bill [Lords]. Merthyr Tydfil Corporation Bill [Lords]. North British and Mercantile Insurance Company Bill [Lords].
  Ordered, that the Bills be read a second time.
  Dartford Gas Bill,—read the third time, and passed.
  Herne Bay Pier Bill [Lords],—read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.
  Draycott Gas Bill, Gosport Gas Bill, Humber Commercial Railway and Dock Bill, Leeds Corporation Bill, Leicester Corporation Bill, Motherwell Burgh Extension, etc., Bill, North Eastern

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  Railway Bill, Wishaw Burgh Electricity, etc., Bill, as amended, considered, to be read the third time.
  Interoceanic Railway of Mexico Bill [Lords]; London County Council (Tramways and Improvements) Bill [Lords]. Read a second time and committed.
  Rhymney Railway Bill [Lords]. Read a second time, and committed.

PETITIONS.
  COAL MINES (EIGHT HOURS) (No. 2) BILL.
  Petitions in favour: From Britain Lodge Colliery; Broughton Moor; Camerton Pit; Denby; Heanor; Ilkeston; Marlpool; Outfield Pit; Ripley; Tupton Pit; Waingroves; and West Hallam; to lie upon the Table.
  FACTORS ACT (1889) AMENDMENT BILL.
  Petition from Huddersfield, in favour; to lie upon the Table.
  LICENSING BILL.
  Petitions against: From Arksey; Bacup; Balby (two); Bampton; Barnby Don (two; Barrow-in-Furness; Bentley (two); Berwick-upon-Tweed; Bolton-on-Dearne; Bradford-on-Avon (two); Braithwell; Bromsgrove; Coombe; Cassington; Chard; Conisborough; Deal; Devizes; Doncaster (three); Everton Bawtry; Hallamshire (two); Hammersmith; Handborough; Hatfield(two); Kidlington; Leicestershire; London; Luton (two); Marlborough; Marston; Micklebring; Misterton; Newark-on-Trent; Norham-onTweed; North Lonsdale; Nutwell Parkgate; Parkstone; Pewsey; Putney; Rotherham (five); Stainton; Stoke-sub-Hampdon; Sutton; Swindon; Taunton; Thornes; Tickill (two); Westbury; West Wilts; Wolvercote; Workington; and Yeovil; to lie upon the Table.
  LICENSING BILL.
  Petitions for alteration: From Bacup; Cleckheaton; Temperance Committee of the United Free Church of Scotland; Walker; and Westerhope; to lie upon the Table.

  LICENSING BILL.
  Petitions in favour: From Abercarn (two); Aberfeldy; Allenheads; Ayr;
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  Bailiffe Bridge; Batley; Bedford; Birkenhead; Brixton; Bury (three); Calstock; Cambuslang; Chalbury; Clapham; Clydebank (two); Creditor; Dalmuir; Dee-side; Dolton; Eccles; Elland; Elton Bury; Fakenham; Gotham; Halifax; Hayson Bridge; Heatherlands; Hightal; Hyson Green; Keswick (three); Laisterdyke, Larkhall (two); Leicester; Lemington; Lutterworth; Lytham; Maryport; Melton Mowbray; Milnathort (two); Minsterley; Newport(Mon.); Niggenhall; Oakengates; Pendoggett; Pitlochry; Poole; Portobello; Preston Brook; Radcliffe (two); Rishton; Rosneath; St. Columb Minor (two); St. Dogmaels; Sheffield (five); South Devon and East Cornwall; South Tottenham; Stapleton; Stockport; Streatham; Studham; Swindon; Styal; Shillington; Torrington; Trequite St. Kew; Wade-bridge; Wellington; West Bridgford; westerhope; West Kilbride; West Witton; Winchester; Witheridge; and Workington; to lie upon the Table.

  LIQUOR TRAFFIC (LOCAL OPTION) (SCOTLAND) BILL.
  Petitions in favour: From Aberfeldy; Culbokie; Eaglesfield; and Glasgow; to lie upon the Table.
  MERCHANDISE MARKS BILL.
  Petition from Huddersfield, in favour; to lie upon the Table.
  PUBLIC-HOUSE (EXCLUSION OF CHILDREN) (SCOTLAND) BILL.
  Petition from Lauder, in favour; to lie up the Table.
  SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS (AMENDMENT) (SCOTLAND) BILL.
  Petition of the Association of County Councils Soctland, against; to lie upon the Table.
  SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQOURS ON SUNDAY BILL.
  Petition's in favour: From Crosskeys; and, Kilburn; to lie upon the Table.
RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC.

  IRISH MAIL SERVICE.
  Copy presented, of Correspondence relating to the arrangement made in 1898 for the acceleration of the Irish Day

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  Mail Service and the revision of the same in the present year [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.

  IRISH MAIL SERVICE (KINGSTOWN HARBOUR).
  Copy presented, of Correspondence relating to the use of Kingstown Harbour by the Vessels of the London and North Western Railway Company [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  SUPERANNUATION ACT, 1884.
  Copies presented, of Treasury Minutes, dated 3rd April, 1908, declaring that George E. Bishop, lad, Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich; and Samuel Shannon, artificer, Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield; were appointed without a Civil Service Certificate through inadvertence on the part of the Heads of their Departments [by Act]; to lie upon the Table.
  GOVERNMENT INSURANCES AND ANNUITIES.
  Account presented, of all Moneys received and of the disposal thereof, and of all Contracts for the grant of Deferred Life Annunites and for Payments on Death made during the year 1907 [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 117.]
  IRISH LAND COMMISSION (RULES).
  Copy presented, of Rules dated 26th March, 1908, supplemental to and amending the Rules dated the 11th March, 1897, 19th March, 1900, 17th May, 1901, 14th March, 1902, and (Provisional Rules) 4th December, 1903 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  EAST INDIA (USE OF GOVERNMENT CHURCHES IN INDIA).
  Copy presented, of Papers relating to the use for Presbyterian Services of Garrison Churches in India which have been consecrated for the Services of the Church of England [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  ARMY (MILITARY WORKS).
  Copy Presented, of Approximate Estimate of Expenditure for the year 1908–9, under the Military Works Acts of 1897, 1899, 1901, and 1903 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  EDUCATION (SCOTLAND).
  Copy presented, of Memorandum on Nature Study and the Teaching of Science in Scottish Schools [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
  TELEGRAPH (CONSTRUCTION) BILL.
  Order [2nd July, 1907] for a Return relative thereto, and Orders that the said Return do lie upon the Table and be printed, read and discharged.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CIRCULATED WITH THE VOTES.

  Distress for King's Taxes.
  MR. MACLEANTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether collectors of Income-tax, Schedule A, and of house duty, have uncontrolled discretion to levy distraints for the nonpayment of these taxes; whether such collectors are practically independent of the control of the surveyors of their districts; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of issuing such regulations as will bring the collectors under the effective control of the surveyors, with the view of avoiding unnecessary levies of distraint on poor people such as at present occasionally occur.
  (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Collectors of taxes are not independent officials, but are responsible for the manner in which they perform their duties to the District Commissioners of taxes, to whom any complaints as to their conduct should be addressed. The only authority exercised by surveyors over collectors of taxes is the indirect one of reporting any complaint as to the conduct of any collector to the District Commissioners, who are required to summon a meeting for the consideration of the matter and to take whatever measures may be thought necessary. The collectors are expressly enjoined and required by the Commissioners' warrants to distrain in cases where payment of taxes is not made on duo demand, and the surveyor can only intervene where there is an objection to a charge on some specific ground rendering necessary an appeal to the District Commissioners. In view of the necessity for maintaining the independence of the District Commissioners, it is not desirable that their executive officers should be

  891
  placed under the control of the officials of the Board of Inland Revenue. I am not aware of the existence of "unnecessary levies of distraint on poor people," but any case of the kind would be a proper occasion for complaint to the Commissioners, who have full power to deal with it.

  Licensed Houses at Codicote.
  MR. BARNARD: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at what figure the "Sawyer's Arms" and the "Queen" beerhouses at C dicote were in Schedule A prior to their abolition under the 1904 Act; and at what figure are the same premises in Schedule A at the present time.
  (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Prior to the abolition of the licence, the Schedule A assessment was £18 in the case of the "Sawyer's Arms" and £12 in the case of the "Queen" The effect of abolishing the licence was to leave the assessment unaffected in the case of the "Sawyer's Arms," and to increase it from £12 to £19 in the case of the "Queen."

  Pay in Provincial Post Offices.
  MR. COURTHOPE: To ask the Postmaster-General whether the scale of pay in provincial post offices is fixed with reference to the gross volume of work at the office in question or the volume of work per member of the office staff; and whether he will so revise the scale that the volume of work per man is taken into account.
  (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The classification of provincial post offices for the purpose of scales of pay is based on the total volume of work at the office, modified where necessary by the cost of living. This arrangement is in accordance with the recomendation of the Select Committee on Post Office servants.

  Customs Lower Section Clerks.
  COLONEL SEELY: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what was the average increase in salary, during the last twelve months, on promotion of Customs lower section clerks to clerks upper section, and of assistants to second class examining officers, respectively; and whether any revision of the scale of pay is in contemplation.
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  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The average increase in salary, during the year ending the 31st ultimo, of clerks of the second class, lower section, promoted to the upper section, was £82. 6s., and of assistants promoted to second-class examining officers was £11 10s. No revision of the scale is in contemplation.

  Fife Coal Company.
  MR. T. F. RICHARDS: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the inquest upon the bodies of the three workmen who were killed by an explosion at the colliery of the Fife Coal Company, Scotland, and to the evidence given at the inquest by the fireman in charge of the district in which the explosion occurred, to the effect that he was only nineteen years of age, and had been employed at the colliery for three months; that it was part of his duty to start the electric motor, but that he had no knowledge of electricity; that he had no previous experience of a colliery in which locked safety lamps were used, and had not received any instructions upon the use of a safety lamp; and that he had not seen the Coal Mines Regulation Act, or the special rules in force at the colliery, and had no knowledge of them; and whether, having regard to these admissions, he will say what steps he proposes to take to protect the miners of this country from the dangers they are exposed to by the appointment of incompetent firemen?
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to this accident, and I have received reports from the mines inspector with regard to it. I am informed that McGinn, the man referred to in the Question, was not the regular fireman in charge of the district, but was asked in an emergency to make the inspection. McGinn was of the ago stated, but was in training for the duties of a fireman, and according to the information given me had experience of gas and safety lamps. No electrical knowledge was required for starting the motor, which was done by moving a switch handle. It does not appear that the employment of McGinn was the cause of the accident;

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  but the whole question of the competence of firemen is under the consideration of the Royal Commission on Mines who, I am informed, have taken a considerable body of evidence on the subject.

  Liquor Trade.—Mortality Statistics.
  MR. CHARLES ROBERTS; To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will grant the Return relative to Liquor Trade (Mortality Statistics), notice for which stands on to-day's Paper.
  (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I presume that my hon. friend desires this information as regards England and Wales only. If so, I think the best way will be that I should give him some particulars on the subject in the form of an Answer to an unstarred Question. I will communicate with him with regard to the matter.

  Landless Cottars.
  MR. WEIR: To ask the Secretary for Scotland in view of the fact that the Government have stated that they are fully alive to the desirability of improving the position of the landless cottars in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, will he state when it is proposed to take measures to attain that end, especially bearing in mind that cottars and fishermen were not mentioned in the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill.
  MR. WEIR: To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will consider the expediency of introducing an Amendment of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, so as to admit of Section 4 of the Act being so construed as if the improvement or rebuilding of dwelling-houses and other buildings in congested districts, and the constitution of new holdings and the enlargement of holdings in congested districts, were respectively purposes specified in that section.
  (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) In reply to my hon. friend's Questions, I can only repeat my reply of 2nd April, to which I would beg to refer. If by the latter part of my hon. friend's Questions he intends to imply that cottars and fishermen were not eligible to benefit by the provisions of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, I can only repeat the assurance already
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  given to him on numerous occasions that such apprehensions have no real foundation. Cottars and fishermen would have been eligible for benefit under the Bill equally with all other classes.

  Island of Vatersay.
  MR. EUGENE WASON: To ask the Lord Advocate whether he or his Department have done anything to encourage or sanction the alleged violation of law and order in the island of Vatersay; whether he advised the Secretary for Scotland that Lady Gordon Cathcart should take the remedies open in a civil court to prevent invasion of her rights in the island; and, in view of the charges made against him, whether the advice tendered was in accordance with precedent.
  MR. GULLAND: To ask the Lord Advocate whether Lady Gordon Cathcart was informed that the proper course, as advised by the law officers of the Crown in regard to the Vatersay squatters, was for her to proceed in the ordinary way by interdict against them; and whether her agent urged the authorities to take criminal proceedings, contrary to the advice received, in order to save her Ladyship trouble and expense.
  (Answered by Mr. Thomas Shaw) I propose to answer those two Questions together, and I have to ask the indulgence of the House in making a somewhat full reply. It is not usual to ask a Law Officer what advice he has given to a Department, and it would be irregular to enter upon the law of the case. In the special circumstances, and looking to certain charges made against the Government, I may be allowed, however, to say that it is the fact that the Secretary for Scotland was advised by the Law Officers of the Crown that the proper course to prevent invasion of civil rights in Vatersay was for the proprietor to take the remedy of interdict in a civil court with the consequent proceedings (in the event of the interdict not being obeyed) of a petition for breach thereof. The advice was completely in accord with precedent and, I may add, with practice. In the language of Lord Justice Clerk Moncreiff: "A proprietor is entitled to prevent strangers coming on his ground. That is his right; and persons who come

  895
  upon his ground must show their legal right to be there, otherwise he is entitled to exclude them. Trespass constitutes in the general case a civil wrong and not a criminal act, and the proprietor's remedy is by civil writ or action of damages." The present Lord Justice Clerk, while Lord Advocate, apprised this House of the same principle of administration in Scotland in this form: "That every man must defend his own property or we must turn every person sworn to be a trespasser into a criminal. The law in this free country (Scotland) says 'No' to that. It says that if a man trespasses on the property of another he can only be turned out on the operation of a civil court, and the owner of property has to suffer any damage done that may occur during the time necessary for that operation, because this is a free country, and because we believe that everybody will submit to the jurisdiction of those courts. "This law is elementary, and familiar to all acquainted with Scottish procedure; and it is difficult to understand the state of mind which, by reason of its being followed, has produced the totally baseless charge against the Government of encouraging or sanctioning violation of the law. With reference to the next Question, I have to admit that Lady Gordon Cathcart was informed by the Secretary for Scotland that he had been advised as above; and I deeply regret to have also to admit that she by her agent did bring forward the question of difficulty and expense to herself, and urged the Secretary for Scotland that the Scottish Office should proceed at once and criminally against squatters on her lands, although advised to a contrary effect by the Law Officers of the Crown. This course, which would have been one of the grossest impropriety, was declined. The House, perhaps, will allow me to add that a congestion of poor and landless people on this property, in close proximity to considerable tracts of land alleged to be available for small holdings, not unnaturally produces difficulties. Two recent facts increase those difficulties: (1) All private appeals and all the suggestions of public authorities to make land in Vatersay available for small holdings have, as the House will see from the White Paper (30), been refused by Lady Gordon Cathcart, but the rejection by the House of Lords of the Small Holders Bill, which would have
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  provided a remedy, increases the gravity of the position; (2) during the course of the correspondence the landlord has let the whole of Vatersay and two other islands—in all over 3,000 acres in extent—to one tenant on a lease of nineteen years, with a break at ten years. The interdict case, which, after much delay, has been proceeded with, is still sub judice, and it would be improper for me to make any comment upon it; but I may be allowed to express the earnest hope that all writs will be served, and these and the law in every respect obeyed, without disturbance, or attempt at, or threat of, disturbance. As to charges against the Lord-Advocate, I say nothing; most of them, it will be seen, arise from pure ignorance.

  Income Tax—Relief for Married Couples
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, in his next Finance Bill, carry out the promise made on 10th December, 1906, that he would give consideration to the suggestion that additional relief should be granted to married couples, and especially to married couples with families.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The promise referred to was given and fulfilled, in connection with the Budget of last year. The question is one which my right hon. friend will continue to bear in mind, but he cannot say anything on the subject of the forthcoming Budget.

  Estates of Deceased Persons.
  COLONEL LOCK WOOD: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the arrangement signed by Mons. Cambon and himself, regarding the estates of deceased persons in France and in England, which has been published in the Journal Office in Paris, has been published in England; and whether the six articles of the arrangement will be officially communicated to Parliament or not.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Instructions arc being given for the publication of the text of the Convention as a Parliamentary Paper at an early date.

  Irish Land Stock.
  MR. GEORGE FABER: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer

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  what steps he proposes to take in regard to financing Irish land purchase, in view of the Report of the Departmental Committee to the effect that further public issues of Irish Land Stock should not be made while the stock stands at its present discount; whether he can state how much of such stock has been purchased by the National Debt Commissioners for the Savings Banks; what is the amount of money temporarily lent by the Commissioners, out of cash balances in their hands, for the purpose of the Land Purchase Fund; and whether the income arising from the land purchased has proved sufficient to pay the dividends on the Land Stock issued and also the interest on the sums borrowed from the Commissioners.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) A statement will be made at an early date. The National Debt Commissioners at present hold £5,912,893 guaranteed 2¾ per cent. Stock for the Savings Banks funds, and have made temporary advances to the amount of £859,000. The income derived from tenants' purchase annuities has not hitherto been sufficient to pay he dividends on stock issued and the interest on money temporarily borrowed. It has been necessary to draw upon the Guarantee Fund to make good the deficiencies.

  Irish Land Purchase Finance.
  MR. LONSDALE: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether ho can state when he will be in a position to announce the conclusions of the Government in reference to Irish land purchase finance; and what opportunity the House will be given of discussing the matter.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) My right hon. friend is not yet in a position to fix a day, but an opportunity for full discussion will be afforded at an early date.

  Price of Sugar.
  MR. HAROLD COX: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the wholesale price of sugar has recently risen very greatly, and is now far in excess of any price reached during the last eight years except in the year 1905; and whether, in view of the burden which this high
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  price entails upon the poorest people of this country and upon great manufacturing industries, he will make provision in his next Budget for abolishing the sugar tax at an early date.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) My right hon. friend is aware that there has been a considerable increase recently in the market price of sugar, and he will not fail to take all relevant facts into consideration when the Budget is being prepared. He cannot, however, say anything at this stage with reference to the attitude of the Government to any particular proposal affecting taxation.

  Killyliss Evicted Tenant.
  MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received any application from John Dickie, evicted in 1884 from his farm in Killyliss, county Fermanagh, for reinstatement under the Evicted Tenants Act; and whether they have taken any steps to reinstate him.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Estates Commissioners received an application from John Dickie on 28th August last, but have not yet been able to consider the case, having regard to the priority of the numerous similar applications received. The Commissioners will inquire into the case in due course, but are not at present in a position to say at what date.

  Ballymote Evicted Tenant.
  MR. O'DOWD: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received from Mrs. Catherine Heally, of Ballymurray, Ballinacarrow, Ballymote, county Sligo, an application for reinstatement in the holding on the Percival estate from which her late husband was evicted in 1882; whether her case has been investigated by an inspector from the Estates Commissioners' office, and, if so, what steps, if any, are being taken in the matter.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Estates Commissioners have received and investigated the application in question, and have decided to take no action in the matter. The applicant is already in

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  possession of about twenty-five acres of the farm from which her husband was evicted, and the remainder is in occupation of another tenant.

  Clanricarde Tenancy.
  MR. JOHN ROCHE: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether be is aware that the planters or new tenants upon the Clanricarde estate are protesting against the delay in compensating them and rein stating the old tenants; whether the delay is due to Lord Clanricarde's appeal against Judge Wylie's decision; and whether the Government will take steps to expedite the hearing of the appeal, as otherwise the land will be useless for agricultural purposes for this year both to the present occupiers and the incoming tenants.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Estates Commissioners are unable to proceed further in this case until the questions of law involved in it have been disposed of. The matter is pending before the Court of Appeal in Ireland, and every effort will be made to have the case decided as soon as possible.

  Richmond Constabulary Barracks.
  MR. LONSDALE: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the auxiliary training depot for the Royal Irish Constabulary at Richmond Barracks is to be discontinued; and, if so whether he will state the reasons for this step and the nature of the arrangements to be made for the accommodation of the recruits in training.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The loan of quarters at Richmond Barracks was obtained in order to provide for the training of constabulary recruits specially enrolled for the purpose of augmenting the force in proclaimed counties, and as such training has now been completed the quarters will shortly be given up to the military authorities. There is sufficient accommodation at the constabulary depot for the training of recruits ordinarily enrolled.

  Manchester Estate Evicted Tenant.
  MR. LONSDALE: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the appli-
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  cation for the reinstatement of Samuel Rainey, an evicted tenant on the Manchester estate, county Armagh, has been before the Estates Commissioners for five years; whether two inspectors have reported that the case is a suitable one for reinstatement; whether there is any obstacle, except the opinion of the Estates Commissioners that the price asked by the present tenant of the holding is excessive; whether the Estates Commissioners are aware that the present tenant bought the farm at auction with the object of assisting Rainey to regain possession, and is willing to give it up if he is recouped the price he paid, although the farm would fetch considerably more in the market; whether the Estates Commissioners would be warranted in taking the whole or part of the purchase money from the reserve fund, in accordance with Mr. Justice Wylie's judgment of 25th February last in a similar case on the Clanricarde estate; and whether the Estates Commissioners will either restore Rainey to his former holding or provide him with a new holding of equal extent.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Answers given to his Questions on this subject on 10th and l7th July last, to which the Estates Commissioners have practically nothing to add. The Commissioners understand that the reserve fund can be applied to assist in the restoration of evicted tenants, but they must exercise their own discretion as to the amount which can reasonably be expended in effecting the restoration of any particular evicted tenant.

  Drumkeerin Tenantry.
  MR. MEEHAN: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware thas the tenants on the estate owned by Mrs. Tate, Miss Rutledge, and Mr. M'Loughry, and situated near Drumkeerin, in the county of Leitrim, had, after lengthened negotiations, agreed to purchase their holdings on terms offered by the agent, but that owing to one of the landlords refusing to accept the terms agreed upon the tenants were proceeded against by civil bill process and put to considerable expense; and whether, under the circumstances, the Estates Commissioners will intervene with the object of preventing further legal expense and

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  bringing about an amicable arrangement of sale.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of the matters referred to in the Question, which appear to relate to preliminary negotiations for sale and purchase between the landlords and tenants. The Commissioners do not appear to have been approached by any of the parties, but if they should be so approached they will consider whether the case is one in which they can usefully offer their services as conciliators under the Lord-Lieutenant's regulations.

  Claims adjudicated upon in undermentioned periods.

  Period.

  Number of claims.

  Amount awarded.

  Number of cases in which persons were made amenable.

  £

  1906

  500

  6,531

  36

  1907

  504

  10,538

  43

  March Quarter, 1908

  170

  7,480

  16

  Liability for Accidents on Irish Public Roads.
  MR. LARDNER: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that according to recent decisions of the Irish Courts county councils are responsible to persons using public roads

  Claims for Malicious Injury.
  MR. LONSDALE: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of claims for compensation for malicious injury to property adjudicated upon in Ireland during the years 1906 and 1907, respectively, and the three months ended 31st March, 1908; the total amount of compensation awarded and particulars of the injuries for which compensation was given; and whether, in respect of those cases, any persons were made amenable under the criminal law.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.)—
  in Ireland for accidents occurring to them through defects in the highway, and that if county councils insure against third-party risks the Local Government Board auditor surcharges the councillors authorising payment of the amount paid as premiums on such insurance; and will he inquire into this matter, the authority

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  for such surcharge, and take such steps as may be necessary to enable county councils in Ireland to obtain the benefit of the protection of third-party insurances.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Local Government Board have already advised the county councils of counties in which the contract system of road maintenance is in operation to insert a clause in the contractor's bond making him and his sureties responsible for any accident that may occur owing to the defective condition of the roads during the continuance of his contract. Where this is done the question of insuring against third-party risks would appear to be one for the contractor. In counties in which the roads are kept by direct labour the county councils are directly responsible, and it rests with them to consider whether they should protect themselves by insurance. The Local Government Board understand that the county councils are considering the matter, but the premiums to be paid in a large county would be so heavy that some of the councils seem more inclined to take the risk themselves than to pay the annual premiums. No surcharge of the nature referred to in the Question has yet been made.

  New Belfast University.
  SIR JOHN RANDLES: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that the new University in Dublin is to be under Roman Catholic control and with a Roman Catholic atmosphere, and that the new University in Belfast is to be under Presbyterian control with a Presbyterian atmosphere, what provision is proposed for the higher education of the Methodist community in Ireland, numbering about 70,000 persons.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) My right hon. friend asks me to say that the two new Universities to be created in Ireland will, like the existing one, be entirely open to Methodists, and my right hon. friend has no doubt that students of this denomination will be able to create an atmosphere of their own in any University to which they may go.

  Mansfield Estate, East Donegal.
  MR. C. MACVEIGH: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a dispute on the Mansfield estate, Killygordon, East Donegal, between George Diver and his landlord as to a part of his holding known as the Wood; whether the matter is now before the Commissioners; if so, will he direct that the inspector to be sent shall inquire into the past rent of this wood and who paid it for the last seventy years, and as to how and why it was taken away from George Diver; and whether, seeing that this wood is now lying waste will he take some steps to have Diver reinstated in this part of his holding, and compensated for the timber that was cut and carried away before the sale of the estate is completed.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings for the sale of the Mansfield estate are pending before them, and they have no information as to the dispute referred to in the Question.

  Sheffield Volunteer Artillery.
  MR. STUART-WORTLEY: To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether, as part of the Territorial Army scheme for the West Riding of Yorkshire, a proposal was privately or otherwise made to the officer commanding the Sheffield Volunteer artillery that Sheffield should provide three batteries of field artillery and one battery of horse artillery, with mounted brigade ammunition column; whether that officer's readiness to undertake the provision of such a force was ascertained; whether, in view of the fact that the Sheffield Volunteer artillery have, for many years past, had an establishment of four batteries armed and drilled as field artillery, and that this corps was eulogised by the Secretary of State for War on account of its high state of efficiency, testified to by General Lyttelton, Colonel May, C.B., C.M.G., and Colonel Wing, C.B., it is intended to carry into effect the proposal above described as communicated and accepted; and, if not, whether any other, and what, arrangement is to be made, and for what reason.

  905
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) When the provisional scheme for the Territorial Force was first issued the local military authorities discussed with the commanding officers the various ways in which the units might be raised, and, amongst others, Colonel Allen, the officer commanding 4th West Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery, was asked whether he would be prepared, if required, to raise the horse artillery battery. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, after fully considering the question, ascertained from Lord Fitzwilliam that he was prepared to raise the battery, and this proposal was endorsed by the County Associations unanimously. It is the policy of the Army Council to accept recommendations made in this manner as to the allocation of units. Colonel Allen is one of the ablest and most energetic of the Volunteer artillery commanding officers, and it is the desire of the military authorities to make the fullest use of his remarkable abilities. In order to complete the establishment of the new Territorial Field Artillery Brigade which he is to command, seven officers and 173 other ranks have still to be raised.

  Case of Michael Tierney of the Connaught Rangers.
  MR. DUFFY: To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the case of Michael Tierney, Athenry, county Galway, 5884, Connaught Rangers; whether he is aware that Tierney has been a Reservist since 1903; whether his pay has been stopped on the application of the local constabulary; and whether he will make inquiry into the circumstances, with a view of restoring to him the pension he is entitled to as a Reservist.
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This matter will be referred to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland, and the result of the inquiry will be forwarded to the hon. Member.

  Army Contracts Return.
  MR. A. L. STANLEY: To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Return, made by his Department, of contracts given abroad for the last financial year is com-
  906
  parable with that made in previous years, or whether the latest Return contains items which are for the first time included in that Return, though such articles have in the past actually been ordered from abroad; whether copper and condensed milk have, as a matter of fact, been obtained from abroad for some years past, though these articles appear for the first time in the Return made last year; and, if those articles have been so obtained, whether he can give any information showing to what extent they have been so obtained.
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As stated in the footnote, the Return was amplified to cover all foreign imported goods classed as manufactures in the Board of Trade monthly accounts of trade and navigation in the United Kingdom. Among the items consequently included for the first time are copper ingots and condensed milk. The value of the latter purchased from abroad in earlier years cannot be given without considerable investigation. The purchases of copper for the five years ending 31st March, 1907, amount to over £550,000 in value.

  Old Colonial Audit Branch of the Exchequer.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the nominated members of the old Colonial Audit Branch of the Exchequer and Audit Department had to undergo any educational test before being admitted to the branch; whether he can state what were the subjects of examination and standard of proficiency required; and what public authority examined them in these subjects.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The conditions of appointment to the old Colonial Audit Branch were fully explained to the hon. Member in the replies given to his Questions of 6th March, 1906.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the total number of candidates nominated for admission to the old Colonial Audit Branch of the Exchequer and Audit Department from the time of its formation to its recent amalgamation with the Exchequer and Audit Department, and the total numbers rejected

  907
  through inability to pass the medical test and the educational test, respectively.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Candidates were not nominated until they had satisfied the Comptroller and Auditor General as to their health and educational qualifications. The total number nominated was sixty-two. No record is kept of the number of applicants who failed to obtain nomination.
  MR. FIELD: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the nominated members of the old Colonial Audit Branch in London were admitted without passing a Civil Service examination or obtaining a Civil Service certificate, without pension rights, and on a scale of salary, £70—£5—£100, etc., the same as the Second Division scale; whether these members are now allowed to enter the newly-amalgamated Colonial Audit Branch and Exchequer and Audit Department as examiners with a Civil Service certificate without passing a Civil Service examination, with pension rights, and at such salaries as if they had originally entered at £100—£10—£200—£15—£350; whether he can explain who was responsible for initiating the granting of these privileges to the nominees of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, who originally entered without any claims to them; whether these facts were placed before the Treasury and the Colonial Office before such a scheme was sanctioned by those two Departments; whether the Treasury and Colonial Office officials are responsible for such sanction; whether the Second Division members of the old Exchequer and Audit Department, who entered by passing Civil Service examinations and obtaining Civil Service certificates, with pension rights, and on the same scale of salary, £70—£5—£100, etc., and who are now similarly serving in the newly-amalgamated departments as examiners, are allowed the same levelling-up of salaries as if they had originally entered at £100—£10—£200—£15—£350; whether these two old sets of officials will in future be interchangeable and employed on the same kind of work; whether he can say why the open competition men are treated differently from they men who entered through the
  908
  patronage of the Comptroller and Auditor-General; and whether he will now furnish information on this subject, apart from such an official defence as may be put forward.
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Members of the old Colonial Audit Branch were appointed with a view to service in the Colonies in posts carrying an initial salary of £300 a year with pension rights. The scale of £70—£5—£100 was that laid down for the training period, generally a short one, of service at headquarters prior to appointments in the Colonies. Under the scheme of amalgamation recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and approved by the Colonial Office and the Treasury, members of the old Colonial Audit Branch serving at headquarters were granted Civil Service certificates under Clause VII. of the Order in Council of 4th June, 1870, and if in receipt of a lower rate of pay were raised to the minimum of the new scale (£100). Those filling posts in the Colonies will, if they elect the new terms, be similarly certificated and have their salaries reassessed, as stated in the Question, the difference between the amounts thus arrived at and their present Colonial scales being treated as unpensionable local allowances. They will therefore have their pensions calculated on the Home scales of pay instead of, as heretofore, on the higher Colonial rates, and they will moreover, unlike Second Division clerks of the Exchequer and Audit Department, continue to be liable for service abroad. These circumstances therefore render their position dissimilar from that of the second division clerks of the Exchequer and Audit Department.

  Dublin Education Department Accounts.
  FIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the Comptroller and Auditor-General stated on two different occasions last year that the only duplicate books kept at the Audit Office were those relating to the Chancery Suitors' Fund Account (England), and that subsequently he admitted that duplicate books relating to Irish public accounts were also kept at the Audit Office, he will say why the latter information was suppressed on the first two occasions.

  909
  (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) If the hon. Member will refer to the Answer which I gave him on 30th July last, and to which, I presume, he alludes in the last past of his Question, he will find that I did not admit that the records kept by the Audit Office of the Dublin Education Department accounts were duplicate records. These records are the only statements of the accounts in question to which the Comptroller and Auditor-General has access, and from his point of view are not duplicates, inasmuch as he has no opportunity of seeing the originals. The case of the Chancery Suitors' Fund Account is different, as the Comptroller and Auditor-General has access to the original records in that case. It was for this reason that the Exchequer and Audit Department did not think it necessary to refer to the records of the Dublin Education Department in the Answers furnished to earlier Questions, and not, of course, from any intention of withholding information.

  Belfast Girl Labour Dispute.
  MR. DEVLIN: To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a case heard at the Belfast petty sessions on the 27th March, 1908, in which a number of female workers employed in a local hem-stitching factory sued the proprietor for a week's wages in lieu of notice and a discharge; whether it was proved that the girls had been employed on piece-work and that the size of the handkerchiefs had been increased without any increase in remuneration, and because these girls refused this extra work on the old conditions they were dismissed without notice; whether the bench decided the cases against the workers on the ground that, as the girls were engaged in piece-work, each piece of work was practically a contract in itself, and that it was open to the employer to vary the contract; and whether, in view of the hardship which such a decision moans to thousands of workers in Belfast, he will take steps to have the law amended in regard to such contracts.
  (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The facts are substantially as stated in the Question, except that the summonses were not decided against the workers, as stated, but were, by consent, withdrawn. The
  910
  Government are not prepared to introduce legislation to render employment by piece-work illegal, which would, so far as I can see, be the only method of providing the remedy which the hon. Member appears to desire.

  Bengal and Assam Judicial Services.
  SIR H. COTTONTo ask the Secretary of State for India when the separation of the subordinate judicial services of Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam will be carried out; and whether, in view of the existing inequality between the proportion of subordinate Judges and munsiffs in Bengal and Eastern Bengal, arrangements will be made to equalise the prospects of promotion in both provinces, so that no undue hardship may be caused to the subordinate Judiciary of East Bengal.
  (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I am not able at present to say when the proposals now under the consideration of the Government of India will take effect, or to give any details of the scheme; but the subjects mentioned in the Question will no doubt receive attention.

  Annalee Labourers' Cottage.
  MR. VINCENT KENNEDY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say whether the Local Government Board rejected the claim of William Walker for a labourer's cottage on the lands of James Shiels, J.P., Annalee, in No. 1 Cootehill Rural District Council; was the applicant living with Mr. Shiels when he lodged the representation; and will he state why this labourer was refused a cottage.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The application in question was rejected by the inspector because the applicant did not work in the rural district. The evidence showed that the applicant was living in the rural district, in a house belonging to Mr. Shiels, when the application on his behalf was lodged, but for two or three months previous to the inquiry he was living in the Cootehill urban district, and had actually been working therein for about seventeen months.

  Grants to Irish Hospitals.
  MR. RIDSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that an

  911
  annual grant of £15,850 to various Irish hospitals is divided according to an arrangement made over fifty years ago: whether the result of this ancient scheme is that one hospital (the Rotunda Lying-in Hospital) obtains an income above its expenditure; and whether, if the facts are as stated, he will consider the advisability of re-adjusting the grants.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. The Rotunda Hospital receives an annual grant of £700 from the Parliamentary grant of £15,850. I am informed that it is a mistake to suppose that the normal annual income of the hospital exceeds its expenditure. A large debt was incurred in recent years by the building, at a cost of over £8,000, of increased accommodation to provide for the great increase (nearly 40 per cent. in the last twelve years) of intern patients. For the reduction of this debt special donations have been given and secureties have been sold, and the annnal income of the hospital has thus been apparently increased. The last account of the hospital, namely, that for the year 1906–7, shows, however, that there was a balance due to the bank of £1,112, the deficit of estimated income in that year being £960. The Parliamentary Estimate for the year 1908–9 shows an estimated excess of expenditure over income, exclusive of the grant, of £672, and this is barely covered by the amount of the grant of £700. The estimated income, moreover, includes voluntary contributions and other items of a precarious character, amounting to over £3,000, which may not be fully realised. My hon. friend may not be aware that the Hospitals Commission, which, in 1887, reviewed the grants to all the Dublin hospitals participating in the Vote, described the Rotunda Hospital as pre-eminently a national institution worthy of support. Upon the facts as they have been reported to me, there do not appear to be any grounds for readjusting the Parliamentary grant to the detriment of this hospital.

  Eviction on Lord Oranmore's Estate.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an attempt was recently made by the employees of Lord Oranmore to evict a man named
  912
  William Carey, Ballindine, and part of the furniture was removed by these persons; whether on being asked by some neighbours for their legal authority to evict Carey they refused to show any, and were cautioned as to the illegality of the proceedings, and then withdrew from the place; and, if so, whether he will have instructions issued with a view to prosecuting the parties who attacked the house of this man.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a police sergeant and two constables attended an attempted eviction of a tenant named Carey, on the estate of Lord Oranmore, in Ballindine, county Mayo; if so, by whose instructions were they sent there; did they take any steps to ascertain whether the persons who were engaged in the work had the necessary legal authority for doing so; and, if not, why did they show such negligence in the discharge of their duty in connection with a matter that meant so much to the victims.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 24th February Lord Oranmore's steward and other employees proceeded to evict a Mrs. Hughes and her lodger, William Carey, at Ballindine. They removed Mrs. Hughes' property from the house, but Carey and his son prevented the removal of their own property. The steward called on the police to assist him in removing the Careys, but as no warrant or decree was produced the police declined to assist. The steward thereupon abandoned the proceedings, and replaced Mrs. Hughes' effects in the house. The police attended, by direction of the district inspector, for the purpose of preserving the peace. This was the only duty which they had to perform in connection with the proceedings, and they properly confined themselves to it. If the action of the steward was illegal, the ordinary legal remedies are open to the aggrieved persons. The case is not one for proceedings by the police.

  Royal Commission on Irish Congestion.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland have yet completed their Report; if not, why not, and

  913
  when will it be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons; whether it is the intention of the Government to pass any legislation this session, dealing with the operations of the Land Act of 1903 and other Acts of a similar nature in the West of Ireland and other congested areas; and, if so, what is the probable date on which a Bill based on the findings of the Royal Commission will lit introduced.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland are busily engaged upon their Report, and hope to sign it shortly after Easter. It would be premature to make any announcement as to intended legislation until the Report has been received and considered.

  Ballindine Evicted Tenant.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a widow named Mary Walsh was recently evicted from her holding near Ballindine, county Mayo, by Lord Oranmore, and no notice of his intention to evict was served on the Claremorris Guardians, and whether, as a consequence, there was no relieving officer present on the occasion; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to prosecute Lord Oranmore for his violation of the law in this respect.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell). In such case as is supposed in the Question it rests with the Board of Guardians, and not with the Government, to institute proceedings for the recovery of the penalty from the person in default. According to my information, however, there wore no eviction proceedings in the case in question, nor did any eviction take place; but Mrs. Walsh voluntarily gave up possession of a small dilapidated cabin which she occupied, in consequence, as Mrs. Walsh alleges, of a promise made by Lord Oranmore's representative that the place would be made habitable for her.

  Royal Irish Constabulary—Phœnix Park Depot Command.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether there is any regulation which disqualifies a Roman Catholic officer from fulfilling the position of commandant at the Royal Irish Constabu-
  914
  lary Depot, Phœnix Park, Dublin; if not, why have two senior Roman Catholic county inspectors been passed over, and County Inspector Ball, of Cork, appointed to the position; whether this County Inspector Ball is the same officer who ordered the police to fire on the people at Ballina, county Mayo, some years ago; and, if so, whether this is the qualification which entitles him to promotion over the heads of his seniors who have no such record; whether there has ever been a Roman Catholic commandant at the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot; what are the proportions of religious denominations there at present amongst the officers and rank and file; whether the Inspector-General and the Town Inspector, Belfast, are Protestants; and whether even one position of trust might be given to a Catholic.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) There is no regulation which prohibits the appointment of a Roman Catholic officer to the post of commandant. County Inspector Ball has been appointed to the post as being the officer best fitted for it. He is the same officer who when district inspector, twenty-six years ago, ordered the police to fire on a riotous mob at Ballina. This circumstance had no bearing whatever on his selection as commandant. The post in question has not been held by a Catholic since its creation in 1859. On 1st January last there were eleven Protestant and three Roman Catholic officers at the depot and sub-depot; and the rank and file there, including recruits in training, comprised 820 Catholics and 224 of other denominations. The Inspector General and the Commissioner of Belfast are Protestants, but it may be mentioned that the Deputy Inspector-General, who is second in command of the force, is a Catholic. In selecting officers for the staff of the Royal Irish Constabulary professional qualifications only are taken into account, and not religion.

  Loughglynn Public Works.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a ganger named Stephen Flanagan, in the employment of the Congested Districts Board at Loughglynn, has been reported for the employing of men, who were supposed to be working for the Board, in connection

  915
  with his own private work; and, if so, what steps have been taken to have him removed to some other district.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that Stephen Flanagan, who is manager of the Congested Districts Board's saw-mill at Loughglynn, has not been reported for any such offence as is mentioned in the Question. He is regarded as a most trustworthy man, and has always given satisfaction to the Board.

  Lord Oranmore's Tenantry.
  MR. JOHN O'DONNELL: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the tenants of Lord Oranmore, at Ballindine, county Mayo, have asked the landlord to sell their holdings to them under the Land Act of 1903; whether they have placed the matter in the hands of the Congested Districts Board; that congestion of an acute nature exists in portions of this estate; is he aware that there is a considerable quantity of grazing land on it which, if divided, would enable each tenant to occupy an economic holding; whether the Congested Districts Board has entered into negotiations with the landlord; if so, what is the number of years' purchase demanded by him and offered by the Board, if any; and whether, if he persists in his refusal to sell, steps will be taken to deal with this estate on similar lines to those taken on the estate of Lord Clanricarde in county Galway.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The estate in question was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board in January last. Particulars of the estate, however, were not obtained nor was any price mentioned on either side, because the Board were obliged to inform the owner that owing to the insufficiency of their funds for improvement works they wore unable to proceed at present with the purchase of any further tenanted estates.

  De Montalt Estate, Evicted Tenants.
  MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the rural district council of Cashel has forwarded a resolution to the Estates Commissioners, asking them to allot a portion of the untenanted land of the de Montalt
  916
  estate, county Tipperary, to the labourers of the locality; and whether, in view of the provisions of Section 4 of the Land Act of 1903, as to sanctioning the rural council as trustees to obtain an advance under that Act to enable them to acquire land, and in view of the desire of the council to satisfy the needs of the labourers, the Estates Commissioners will sell to the council a portion of this untenanted land for the purposes of the section referred to.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners received the resolution in question, and replied that, if the council should obtain the consent of the Local Government Board and prepare a scheme, the Commissioners would be prepared to consider the advisability of selling the land to them for the purpose of the Labourers Act.

  Westmeath Evicted Tenants.
  MR. DELANY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what steps have been taken to reinstate or otherwise provide for Mrs. Mary Wilson, who was evicted from two farms in the county of Westmeath, near Tyrrellspass, one on Colonel Smyth's estate, at Gaybrook, and the second on that of Mr. Boyd Rocliford's; and can he say if the Estates Commissioners propose to acquire the non-residential grazing farm of Newtown, estate of Major Murphy, situated in the vicinity, seeing that there are other evicted tenants in the locality as well as Mrs. Wilson unprovided for.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have referred the case of Mrs. Wilson to an inspector with the object of providing her with a holding if possible. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the untenanted land referred to in the second part of the Question, but if furnished with the name and address of the owner and particulars of the land they will consider the question of acquiring it.

  Boyle Labourers' Cottage Scheme.
  MR. JAMES O'KELLY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an inquiry was held in December last year, under the

  917
  Labourers Act, into a scheme submitted by the Boyle No. 1 District Council for the erection of labourers' cottages; whether the land on which it is proposed to build the cottages is being held over pending the decision of the Local Government Board; whether the Report of the latter upon the scheme has yet been submitted; and, if not, whether he can state the cause of the delay.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The scheme in this case embraced 448 plots of land and 408 cottages. Apart from the fact that the scheme was a very large one, some delay was caused by the fact that alternative sites were offered in a number of cases, and it was necessary that the written consents of the persons interested should be obtained. The inspector's order has now been signed, and copies will be sent to the council as soon as they are received from the printer.

  Hillstreet Disturbances.
  MR. JAMES O'KELLY: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that sixteen young men belonging to the district were brought up at Roscommon in July of last year charged with riotous conduct at Hillstreet on the 28th May previous; that on the affidavit of the Crown Solicitor the venue was changed to Dublin; and that the traversers were tried in November last with the result that the jury disagreed; whether several of the traversers are now restrained from leaving the country through being under bail to come up for trial when called upon; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter to relieve the bailees of their responsibilities and to restore the traversers to freedom of action.
  (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Crown does not intend to take any further action in this case. The traversers are free to leave the country if they so desire. No action will be taken against the bailees in the event of their doing so.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

  Armour-Piercing Projectiles.
  MR. PIKE PEASE: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the increase of penetrative
  918
  power, due to the invention of soft-metal caps for armour-piercing projectiles, renders it practicable to effect a corresponding reduction in the calibre and weight of all guns, mountings, and ammunition designed for the attack of the heaviest armour.
  THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. LAMBERT,): The Answer is in the negative.
  MR. PIKE PEASE: Has not this invention of Colonel English been of great value to the Admiralty?
  MR. LAMBERT: I think I ought to have notice of that, as it is an expert's question.

  Naval Battle Practice.
  VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if any naval courts of inquiry sat to inquire into the results of the gunnery of any ships of the Home Fleet before or after the recent battle practice; if so, will he state the reasons for holding such courts of inquiry; and whether the "Hannibal" was one of the ships in question.
  MR. LAMBERT: Whenever the results of a firing are such as to throw doubts on the capacity of the gun layers or the supervision of the officers, a court of inquiry is held. Such courts have been held either before or after last year's battle practice in all the fleets except China and Mediterranean. The "Hannibal" was one of the ships affected.
  VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGHwas understood to ask for a more definite statement in regard to the "Hannibal."
  MR. LAMBERTreplied that what was done in that case was quite usual.
  VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH: Was the inquiry held before or after the battle practice?
  MR. LAMBERTasked for notice.

  Armour-Piercing Projectiles.
  MR. PIKE PEASE: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any person is officially recognised as the inventor of soft-metal caps for use with armour-piercing projectiles.
  THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,): Lieutenant-Colonel T. English (late R.E.) was the officer who, in conjunction with the late General Inglis, in 1878, first suggested to the War Department the use of a cap for increasing the penetration of armour-piercing projectiles; trials were made, but it was not considered that any advantage was gained by using the cap, as the low velocity of the guns of that date did not give any advantage to the use of the capped projectile. Recent improvements in guns and armour have, however, changed the conditions, and the cap has been found to possess certain advantages which have led to its adoption. It must be pointed out that Colonel English's suggestion arose out of an official experiment, and was a deduction therefrom of such a nature as might reasonably be expected from an officer selected for the important duties with which he was at the time charged. But although it was not at this time, nor for many years after, of any use, every credit is due to him for making it.

  Attestation Forms.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the description register into which each soldier's attestation is written, and in which his name, his age, his height, the colour of his hair, where he was born, his trade, where he was enlisted, and other particulars are preserved, can in future be ultimately kept at the Record Office rather than with the regiments, which are always moving about.
  MR. HALDANE: These description registers are an obsolete form of register, and if not required for the purposes of the record office of the grouped regimental district should be returned to the War Office for transmission to the Public Record Office, where a large number of similar registers are preserved. Under no circumstances should they be retained with the regiments. I am obliged to the hon. Member for drawing my attention to the matter.

  The Scottish Horse.
  MR. BOWERMAN: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has been furnished with a report from the General Officer Commanding-in-
  920
  Chief concerning the statement that recruiting for the Scottish Horse is left in the hands of the troopers, who can object to and prevent the recruiting of any individual on account of social inequality; and whether such report corroborates the complaint recently made that a young fellow who desired to join the regiment was rejected on the ground that he was badly dressed, and was not in the habit of wearing a collar and tie.
  MR. HALDANE: I have made inquiries into this matter. The result is to show that in the opinion not only of the recruiting officer, but of the men in the regiment, the candidate in question was not suitable to be recruited, and he was consequently rejected in accordance with paragraph 196 of the Recruiting Regulations.
  MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON: Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to the effect that this recruit had been twice previously convicted before a magistrate? Who was the officer responsible for his rejection?
  MR. HALDANE: I have no information.

  Territorial Army Regulations.
  COLONEL LOCKWOOD: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the new pocket book dealing with questions affecting the status and responsibility of the Territorial Army will be published; and if copies can be placed in the Vote Office for the convenience of Members.
  MR. HALDANE: The expression "pocket book" was not used by me in connection with the Territorial Force in the speech to which the Question refers. What is proposed is (1) to publish the regulations for the Territorial Force as soon as they are complete; (2) to publish a small hand-book dealing with the Territorial Force from a legal and constitutional point of view, and giving full information as to the responsibilities and liabilities of members of the Force, and (3) to issue in pamphlet form the substance of the regulations in popular language.
  COLONEL LOCKWOOD: Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this encyclopadia is likely to be ready?
  MR. HALDANE: Like all encyclopædias it is a pity to hurry its preparation.

  Yeomen and the Territorial Army.
  VISCOUNT HELMSLEY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Yeoman enrolled before 18th August 1901, and not under the Act of that year, will be allowed to engage in the Territorial Army for one year at a time, or whether, after 31st March 1909, they will be required to sign for four years if they wish to remain members of the Territorial Force.
  I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether yeoman serving under the Act of 1901, and having completed three years' service or their period of re-engagement, as the case may be, will be permitted to engage in the Territorial Army for one year, and so on from year to year, or whether they will be compelled, if they wish to join the Territorial Army, to bind themselves to serve for four years.
  MR. HALDANE: In reply to these questions will the noble Lord kindly refer to my very full reply to similar Questions put by my hon. and gallant friend the Member for Southampton on 1st April.

  Ranges for the Territorial Artillery.
  MR. ASHLEY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to

  Establishment.

  Strength.

  Surplus.

  Deficit.

  Home and Colonies

  157,958

  153,755

  —

  4,203

  India

  72,692

  72,751

  59

  —

  230,650

  226,506

  —

  —

  Net deficit

  4,144

  It will be time to consider raising the home establishment when the strength of units at home has reached the present establishment. The Army Council, as the hon. Member is doubtless aware, has
  provide ranges for the Territorial Artillery.
  MR. HALDANE: The General Officers Commanding-in-Chief have been instructed to place themselves in communication with the County Associations in reference to possible artillery ranges.
  MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER: Have any funds been set aside for the provision of these now ranges?
  MR. HALDANE: No money has been taken in the Estimates.
  MR. ASHLEY: Then what will the now force do for ranges?
  MR. HALDANE: We shall do the best we can for them with the existing ones.
  MR. ASHLEY: But are they not all fully occupied?
  [No answer was returned.]

  Regular Army Establishment.
  MR. ASHLEY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men are required at the present time to bring the Regular Army up to establishment; and whether, when the strength as been brought up to establishment, it is his intention to raise the establishment of infantry battalions at home and on the British establishment abroad from 720 to 800 rank and file.
  MR. HALDANE: The figures for the 1st March only are at present available and are as follows—
  readjusted the terms of service, and it is estimated that the enlistments, which are being made on the new terms, will before long get rid of the existing shortage.

  Volunteer Officers and the Long Service Medal.
  MR. FIENNES: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of granting a long service medal to those officers who have not I served for not loss than ten years in the Auxiliary Forces and who do not transfer to the Territorial Army.
  MR. HALDANE: The question of granting the Volunteer Officers' Decoration to officers who do not transfer to the Territorial Force and who have not completed the necessary twenty years service is under consideration, and I hope to be able shortly to announce that we can make some concession on this point. As regards Militia and Yeomanry Officers the question does not apply.

  Pimlico Army Boot Stores.
  MR. T. F. RICHARDS: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the amount of boots and shoes in stock at the Pimlico Department which have not been made during the past four years; whether most of these are sizes 10-4 fitting and 10-3 fitting; whether any, and, if so, how many, were made for use during the South African War; and whether, if he has no further use for them, he will consider the advisability of disposing of them.
  MR. HALDANE: There are 42,000 pairs of ankle boots and 28,000 pairs of Highlanders' shoes in stock which have not been made during the last four years. Of these 15,000 pairs of boots and 1,100 pairs of shoes are of sizes 10-3 and 10-4. These were ordered during the South African War. Certain quantities of the larger sizes which will not be required within a reasonable period have been and are being disposed of by sale as opportunity offers.

  Army Boots.
  MR. T. F. RICHARDS: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain Army contractors are permitted to send in to the Pimlico depot Army boots that have been closed by machinery, whereas the specification calls for counters back seam and side seam to be stabbed; whether he is aware that to close the side seams with the
  924
  machine renders the boot less durable, and gives the favoured manufacturer an advantage over his smaller competitor; and whether he will insist upon the specifications being adhered to.
  MR. HALDANE: The specifications permit contractors to have the alternative of supplying hand closed or machine closed boots. The experiment of asking for hand closed hoots only was tried for a few months last year, but the Department has now reverted to the alternative of hand or machine closing, which is found to work quite satisfactorily.
  MR. T. F. RICHARDSsuggested that the specification should be altered.

  Army Manœuvres in the New Forest.
  MR. ASHLEY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War with reference to the proposed Army manœuvres in the New Forest, in what form the commoners and the Court of Verderers of the New Forest have signified their friendly agreement to the proposals of the Army Council.
  I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the proposed Army manœuvres in the New Forest, by what means commoners of the Forest can obtain compensation for injury done by manœuvres conducted otherwise than under The Military Manœuvres Act, 1897.
  MR. HALDANE: In reply to these questions I will give the House an account of what has taken place. The Commissioner in charge of the New Forest attended the last Verderers' Court on 16th March and laid before them the applications he bad received from the General Officer Commanding the Southern Division for holding manœuvres. At the desire of the Verderers one of these applications was declined, and the Commissioner then arranged to come down again with a representative of the War Department to discuss the arrangements for safeguarding the interests of the commoners and for payment of compensation for any damage which might be caused. Subsequently, the Official Verderer wrote to the Commissioner declining to meet him and the representative of the War Office on the ground that the proposed manœuvres

  925
  were unlawful unless held under the Military Manœuvres Act, 1897. The Commissioner is advised that this is a mistake and has renewed his proposal that he and a representative of the War Department should confer with the Verderers as soon as possible. Arrangements for manœuvres on a smaller scale have been made in this way year by year for many years past and have worked smoothly and satisfactorily. I am proposing to ask the Verderers to meet me shortly in order to discuss with them how best to settle questions of compensation and similar matters that may arise out of the manœuvres.
  MR. ASHLEY: What legal means are there for a commoner to get compensation against the Government, supposing the right hon. Gentleman does not hold these manœuvres under the Act of 1897?
  MR. HALDANE: We have done it over and over again. We have made arrangements for that purpose. I am prepared to appoint a private committee on which both sides shall be represented to arrange these matters of compensation. I am in favour of settling these things amicably in connection with manœuvres, and no difficulties arise if good temper and tact are shown on both sides.
  MR. ASHLEY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Act of 1897 was expressly passed in order to get rid of this trouble, and to give an expeditious and cheap way of assessing damages?
  MR. SPEAKER: That does not arise out of the Answer. It is a matter of argument.

  Cordite.
  LORD BALCARRES: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether exhaustive tests of cordite have lately been made; and, if so, what make of cordite has given the best results.
  MR. HALDANE: Exhaustive tests have been made, and will continue to be made, as to the conditions of cordite in the service. All cordite is made to the same specification, and has to pass the same tests.
  LORD BALCARRES: Have the results of the tests been communicated to the firms concerned?
  MR. HALDANE: I must have notice of that Question.

  Fife Territorial Field Artillery.
  MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the converted 15-pounder gun will be supplied to the Fife Territorial Field Artillery Battery.
  MR. HALDANE: One gun was issued early in March to the 1st Highland Brigade of which one battery is supplied by the 1st Fife Artillery. This gun was sent to Forfar. Up to the present it has only boon possible to issue one gun per brigade, but further issues will be made as quickly as possible, and I hope that the Fife battery may receive a gun at an early date.
  MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY: Will it be before the training?
  MR. HALDANE: If not I have no doubt other arrangements will be made. We are pushing the matter on.
  MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY: But will they have the two guns before the training?
  MR. HALDANE: I hope so, but I do not want to give any undertaking.

  Residence for War Office Officials.
  MR. LONSDALE: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is in contemplation to provide official residences in the vicinity of the War Office for the Secretary of State for War and the Chief of the General Staff.
  MR. HALDANE: I am not aware that any such buildings are contemplated. The suggestion is one which I personally greatly admire, but I rather think that there are yet more pressing demands on the purse of my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Civil Servants and the Territorial Force Camps.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for

  927
  War whether it is proposed to give special facilities to Civil servants who are members of the Territorial Force to attend camp; whether a Civil servant who attends the annual training in camp, will, in addition to the number of days leave to which he is entitled as a Civil servant, be granted extra leave according to the number of days spent in camp, and, in the event of the Territorial Force being called up for six months consecutive training, what will be the position of Civil servants in relation to their civil duties; and, if there are any exceptions to be made, can he say in what Departments.
  THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN,): The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Special leave up to a maximum of fifteen days will be granted for the purpose of attending camp subject to the discretion of the head of the Department to which the Civil servant belongs, and to the requirements of the service. I do not think it necessary or desirable to lay down any rule with regard to the arrangements to be made in the event of the Territorial Force being called up for six months' consecutive training until that contingency arises, nor can I make any general statement as to any exceptions that may have to be made. I may add that the Treasury hopes in this matter to set a good example to other employers.

  Dinizulu's Position in Zululand.
  MR. MACKARNESS: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Dinizulu is a British subject who was, in 1898, established as a Government induna in Zululand, under a guarantee from the Imperial Government that the position then assigned to him should not be withdrawn without the approval of the Secretary of State; whether this chief was, early in December last, arrested without any definite charge being made against him, and has since that date been imprisoned and examined in secret without being charged with any specific offence; and whether the Secretary of State has been made aware of any conduct on Dinizulu's part disentitling him to the fulfilment of the guarantee given by the Imperial Government, and, if not, what steps he proposes to take.
  THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,): The reply to the first paragraph of the Question is in the affirmative; as to the second, Dinizulu has been charged with treason and other offences, and the Natal Government is proceeding against him in a manner which they are advised is in accordance with the law of the Colony. On the remainder of the hon. and learned Member's Question I can only say that the Secretary of State's opinion has already been expressed, and I am not in a position to add anything to any answers to similar Questions.
  SIR GILBERT PARKER; Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the opinion of the Secretary for the Colonies?
  MR. CHURCHILL: It will be found in the Papers to be laid.

  Native Administration in Zululand.
  MR. MACKARNESS: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Native Affairs Commission in Natal, which reported in July last, came to the conclusion that the existing system of native administration in Zululand indicated, on the part of the Natal Government, lack of knowledge, poverty of resource, and erroneous methods, and that the law applied to the natives exhibited a total disregard of native feelings and morals; whether anything has been done to remedy this state of things, except to impose martial law upon the natives; and whether the Secretary of State is aware of any other steps being taken to give effect to the recommendations made by the Commission.
  MR. CHURCHILL: The statements cited by my hon. friend in the first part of his Question are certainly sustained by some passages of the Report of the Natal Native Affairs Commission. The Natal Ministers have informed us that they have given effect to certain administrative measures designed to carry out in part the recommendations of the Report, and that they contemplate legislation of similar character. We are not, however, yet apprised of the specific measures adopted or contemplated, and the Natal Parliament does not meet until the 8th May.

  Natal Administration.
  MR. MACKARNESS: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the total electorate in the Colony of Natal amounts to only 23,688 voters; whether the total number of votes given for all the four members of the present Natal Government was under 2,000; whether this Government has proclaimed, and for many months maintained, martial law in the Colony against the wishes of the Governor and the Imperial Government; whether a petition and declaration of rights has been signed by over 8,000 adult colonists, declaring that responsible government has been practically superseded by an oligarchy, that the incidence of taxation is grievously unjust, and that an absolute confusion has arisen in the relations between the white and black population; whether an amendment of the constitution has been asked for; and, if so, what stops the Secretary of State proposes to take.
  MR. CHURCHILL: A movement for a redistribution of seats in Natal has been proceeding for some time past, and I am aware of the statements with regard to the electoral conditions in this Colony referred to in the Question which have been made in the course of it. The matter is a domestic one which must be left to the people of the Colony. I cannot add anything to the statements which I have already made as to martial law.

  Martial Law in Natal.
  MR. MACKARNESS: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it was recently decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council that the only justification for proclaiming martial law in a Colony was the existence there of a condition either of actual war or of rebellion: whether that decision is binding in the Colony of Natal; what evidence is in the possession of the Secretary of State to show that such a condition of things exists in that Colony; and, if there is no such evidence, what steps he proposes to take to restore to British subjects living under the Government of that Colony the civil rights of which they have been deprived by the imposition of martial law.
  MR. CHURCHILL: My hon. and learned friend refers no doubt to the
  930
  judgment on the petition of Tilonko for special leave to appeal from a judgment of a court martial at Pietermaritzburg. It is there pointed out that martial law does not exist by virtue of a proclamation, but that if there is war there is a right to repel force by force. The Ministers who are responsible for the government of Natal, and who must justify their action before the Natal Parliament, hold that martial law cannot be pro forma withdrawn until an Act of Indemnity has been obtained, but I am informed that it is, and has been for some time, practically in abeyance.
  MR. MACKARNESS: When will the Act of Indemnity be likely to pass?
  MR. CHURCHILL: The Natal Parliament does not meet until May, and it cannot therefore be passed until after that date. Then the Act will have to come over here for the sanction of the Secretary of State.
  AN HON. MEMBER: Will facilities be given for discussing this matter in the House before the assent of the Government is given to the Act of Indemnity?
  MR. CHURCHILL: My hon. friend must address that Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  MR. SWIFT MACNEILL: Will the right hon. Gentleman remind his colleagues that the Governor of Natal has protested against the continuance of martial law?
  [No Answer was returned.]

  White Unskilled Labour in the Transvaal Mines.
  MR. FIENNES; I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the experiment in white unskilled labour on one of the Robinson mines has been commenced; and, if so, what measure of success has been obtained.
  MR. CHURCHILL: The experiment as far as I know has not been begun.
  MR. FIENNES: Did not the right hon. Gentleman make this statement to the House on 31st July—
  MR. SPEAKER: It is contrary to order to make a quotation at Question time.
  MR. WEDGWOOD: Has the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to obtain for the House a Report of the Committee which recently sat in the Transvaal on white employment in the mines?
  MR. CHURCHILL: The Report is on its way to this country, and while one cannot say anything about a document in advance, I certainly think it very desirable that it should be brought to the notice of this House. I will ask the Secretary of State whether it can be published.

  Colonial Office Records.
  LORD BALCARRES: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature of the documents removed from the Colonial Office for the destruction of which authority is now being sought by an additional rule under 40 and 41 Vic., c. 55, and 61 and 62 Vic., c. 12.
  MR. CHURCHILLThe documents referred to are those which are not of sufficient public value to justify their preservation in the Public Record Office. The object of the additional rule is to enable such documents to be transferred to Colonial Governments, if so desired in any case, instead of being destroyed under the provisions of the existing rules.

  Labour in the Transvaal Mines.
  MR. FELL: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, approximately, 1,000 white men are employed in the Transvaal mines for every 10,000 Chinese employed there, and 1,000 white men for every 15,000 Kaffirs employed.
  MR. CHURCHILL: The last official returns—those from January—give 16,700 whites, 123,000 natives, and 33,800 Chinese. The proportions suggested in the Question, which would give 11·580 whites, do not therefore appear to be correct. I may add, however, that I was drawn unwittingly into an error, in reply to a Supplementary Question by the hon. Member for Gravesend on 31st March, when I stated that
  932
  Lord Milner had predicted that 1,000 white men would be employed for every 10,000 Chinese. What Lord Milner really said was that he was prepared to stake his reputation on the prediction that for every 10,000 coloured labourers, 10,000 whites including women and children would be added to the population within three years. This was 1904, and although between the dates of the arrival and the first departures of the Chinese there was an increase of 87,800 coloured labourers, the population of Johannesburg according to the latest returns has remained stationary.

  Dinizulu's Trial.
  MR. HERBERT: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the meaning attached by His Majesty's Government to its acknowledged obligation to guarantee Dinizulu fair trial is that such trial shall be in accordance with the elementary principles of justice; whether evidence collected in Zululand by the Natal Government, which is the prosecutor, is being adduced against Dinizulu, while at the same time the Natal Government precludes the advisers of Dinizulu from all possibility of testing this evidence by cross-examination by prohibiting them from collecting any evidence in Zululand; and whether His Majesty's Government, in dealing with this matter, has appreciated the fact that evidence which is false or inaccurate may be relevant and admissible.
  MR. CHURCHILL: Dinizulu is not yet committed for trial, but the Natal Government have promised to give the defence the usual opportunities of obtaining evidence before the trial comes on. The English law of evidence has been applied to Natal by statute, and it will be for the Supreme Court of the Colony which will try the case to weigh the value of the evidence produced.
  MR. HERBERT: Would it not be open to the prosecution at the trial to refer witnesses to the depositions they have made at the preliminary examination, to caution them to be careful, and in effect to threaten them with prosecution for perjury if they do not swear up to the evidence in their depositions which it has been impossible to test by cross-examinations?
  MR. CHURCHILL: I could not say without notice what actually will be the procedure in the Supreme Court in Natal, but I think it fair to assume that it will be fully in accordance with the principles and traditions of justice, and if injustices or improprieties have been committed at the earlier stages of the proceedings, these injustices or improprieties will be to the advantage of the prisoner.
  MR. FLYNN: I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at the proceedings before the Supreme Court of Natal on the 2nd instant, Mr. Renaud, counsel for Dinizulu, applied for an interdict restraining the magistrate from continuing the preliminary examination and alleged grave irregularities, such as terrorising the witnesses and other scandalous conduct; and whether the Colonial Office authorities keep themselves fully informed as to the course of proceedings in the trial of this native chieftain.
  MR. CHURCHILL: The Secretary of State has as yet received no official information as to the proceedings mentioned. The Press telegram states that the Supreme Court has reserved judgment. The Governor is keeping the Secretary of State fully informed as to the course of the proceedings from time to time.
  MR. FLYNN: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is an intense feeling in this House and in the country generally that Dinizulu should get a fair trial?
  MR. CHURCHILL: I am not only aware of it, but I share it very strongly myself.

  Jamaica Bananas.
  MR. HAROLD COX: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the recent discussion upon the subsidy now paid for the introduction of Jamaica bananas at the annual meeting of the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades Associations, and to the statement made in the course of that discussion that, when there was a big crop of English strawberries or other home-grown fruit, the supply of bananas
  934
  did a great deal to spoil the market for them, and to the further statements that the banana trade was the only branch of the fruit trade that was artificially propped up, and that other branches were able to hold their own without artificial aid; and whether he will at the earliest moment give notice that it is the intention of the Government not to renew this artificial aid to a Colonial industry at the expense of the British taxpayer, and to the injury of competing home industries.
  MR. CHURCHILL: The attention of the Secretary of State has not been called to the discussion to which the hon. Member refers; but I may observe that the subsidy paid under the contract of the 15th of April, 1900, is not paid solely on account of the carriage of bananas, but also secures a direct service of mail and passenger steamers and that only one half is paid by the United Kingdom, the remaining half being paid by Jamaica. The contract has been laid before Parliament as Cd. Paper 175 of 1900.
  EARL WINTERTONasked if it was not the case that the importation of these bananas furnished cheap and nutritious food for the people.
  MR. ALDENasked if it was not a fact that nearly all the Jamaica bananas came from South America.
  [No Answer was returned.]

  Persian Customs Service.
  MR. WEDGWOOD: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the Persian Government either contemplate, or actually are, replacing the Belgians now in the Persian Customs service by Germans.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: My right hon. friend has nothing to add to the Answer which he returned to the Question asked by the hon. Member on this subject on the 1st instant.
  MR. WEDGWOOD: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Answer on 1st March was to the effect that the German

  935
  Government did not wish to have Germans in the Persian service?
  MR. RUNCIMAN: Yes sir, I answered the Question myself.

  The Arrest of Mr. Luxenburg.
  MR. LAIDLAW: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained from the Russian Government any reason for their arresting Mr. Luxenburg.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The charge on which Mr. Luxenburg was arrested was that of revolutionary propaganda. The Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs has promised His Majesty's Ambassador in St. Petersburg further details in regard to the case, and, in response to an inquiry made yesterday by Sir Arthur Nicholson, will endeavour to hasten the communication of further information.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been able to obtain from the Russian Government any evidence or statement justifying or purporting to justify Mr. Luxenburg's arrest.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Eastern Renfrew.

  Mines (Eight Hours) Bill.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will enumerate the chambers of commerce, mercantile associations, and similar bodies which have memorialised the Department against the Mines (Eight Hours) Bill to date.
  LORD R. CECIL: I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deputations have waited upon him in opposition to the Mines (Eight Hours) Bill; what industries they represented; what was the amount of capital involved; and the number of men employed in the represented industries.
  THE SECRETARY or STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLAD-STONE,): I received a deputation from the Mining Association
  936
  of Great Britain in January, and I have since received four other large deputations consisting of bodies most of which were in opposition to a bank to bank eight hours Bill. Besides the Mining Association of Great Britain, thirteen associations concerned in the manufacturing and transport industries of the country, and a large number of chambers of commerce were represented. The amount of capital and employment represented by these deputations was very great, but I cannot undertake to calculate it. I have also received numerous memorials and resolutions in writing, but there would be no advantage in the lengthy enumeration of these, as it may be taken for granted that all large consumers of coal are opposed to any measure which they think would bring about a material and permanent increase in price. It will be for Parliament to decide whether such an increase is probable or possible.

  Punishment of the Lash.
  MR. SWIFT MACNEILLasked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been directed to the fact that Mr. Justice Lawrence sentenced at the Assizes at Cardiff, last week, no fewer than eleven persons to the punishment of the lash, in addition to terms of imprisonment; whether any of the floggings had been inflicted; and whether the sentences would be considered by the Home Office, with a view to the remission or reduction of the punishment, particularly in view of the Criminal Appeal Act which would come into operation in a few days, and also that these punishments were in the discretion of the Judge and were not fixed by law.
  MR. GLADSTONE: I have not had the opportunity of making myself acquainted with the circumstances, beyond the fact that the offences of which these men were convicted were offences of robbery with violence. The sentences were passed by a most careful and humane Judge, and I have no reason to think there is any ground for interference.
  MR. SWIFT MACNEILL: But if these floggings have not been inflicted, and in view of the Act shortly to come into force, does the right hon. Gentleman decline to review the sentences?
  MR. GLADSTONE: I see no ground for interfering.
  MR. LUPTON: Is not the tendency of barbarous punishments to cause barbarity?
  MR. SPEAKER: Order, order; that is a matter of opinion.
  MR. SWIFT MACNEILL: Does the right hon. Gentleman decline to inquire into the infliction of these savage punishments?
  MR. GLADSTONEI have nothing to add to what I have said.

  Castle Street Disaster.
  LORD R. CECIL: May I ask the Home Secretary if he can give the House any information about the terrible accident this morning in Castle Street?
  MR. GLADSTONE: I regret I cannot give the noble Lord any details at present.

  Lead Poisoning Rules.
  MR. WEDGWOOD: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any representatives have been nominated by the potters' operatives to serve on the Departmental Committee on the new lead poisoning rules.
  MR. GLADSTONE: The matter is still under consideration.

  Licensing Bill.
  MR. SEARS: I bog to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say what number of licences would be likely to lapse annually under the Government Licensing Bill; how this compares with the number of licences annually transferred from one licence-holder to another, and new licences granted during the years 1900 to 1906; what number of licences were transferred or granted to new applicants; and whether preference could be given under the Bill in the case of transfers and new licences to those whose licences would lapse under that measure.
  MR. GLADSTONE: If the estimate of the probable reduction under the Bill, viz., some 30,000 or 32,000 licences is
  938
  correct, and if the reduction is distributed evenly over a period of fourteen years, the annual reduction would be between 2,100 and 2,300. I have no information at present as to the number of transfers effected annually. The annual average of new licences granted in the years 1900 to 1907 was about 140, but only fifty-nine in the last three years. The chances of a licence-holder who has been displaced by the extinction of his licence obtaining another licence by transfer or new grant must depend entirely on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the licensing authority. It is not possible to give by statute a preference to any such licence-holder.

  Transfer of Licences.
  MR. CHARLES ROBERTS: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of transfers of licences for the sale of intoxicating liquor for the latest year for which figures are available in the cities of Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol, respectively; and whether any estimate has been framed or can be framed of the total number of transfers annually in England and Wales.
  MR. GLADSTONE: I have not the particulars for which my hon. friend asks either as regards the places named, or as regards the country at large; but I will consider whether any information can be obtained.

  Wheat Price Returns.
  MR. BOWLES: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the average price of wheat per quarter for each year, as returned on page 273 of the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom, is obtained by adding together the average price for etch of the twelve months and dividing the total by twelve, without regard to the quantities of wheat sold at each price; if so, will he take steps to substitute for the average of averages thus obtained an average arrived at by dividing the total sum paid for the wheat of the year by the total number of quarters for which it was paid, or can he substitute in any other way a more accurate average of the year's price than that now given as affecting to be such; is the same system of arriving at a so-called average adopted in all the Board of

  939
  Trade and Customs Returns; and, if so, will ho take steps to alter it and so to provide more accurate statistics.
  THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,): The average price of wheat per quarter for each year published in the Statistical Abstract is not calculated by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in the way suggested, but by adding together the weekly averages of the weeks included in each year, and dividing the total by the number of weeks in each year. This method of calculation is laid down by the Corn Returns Act, 1882, under which Act the records of sales are obtained, and it cannot be varied without legislation. Generally speaking, the Answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.
  MR. BOWLES: Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of inserting in the abstract a note explaining the rules on which the averages are arrived at?
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: There is a Committee considering the whole matter, and I will refer that point to it.

  Prices of Imported Articles.
  MR. BOWLES: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the average prices of imported articles, given on page 228 of the Statistical Abstract of the United Kingdom, are arrived at by reference to the prices at which the articles are actually sold, or by a calculation based on returns made by importers of their opinion of the value of the article at the time of its importation; if the latter, is he aware that there is often a difference between the opinion of the value entertained by the importer at the time of import and the actual price realised at the time of sale; will he in future refrain altogether from giving returns of opinions as returns of prices; and will he take steps to ascertain whether it is possible to substitute for them returns of the actual prices at which the articles in question change hands.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: The average values in question are calculated from the total quantities imported and the
  940
  total values declared by importers. The values which importers are required to give on Customs entries are, in the case of goods invoiced at a quoted price, the prime cost with the freight and insurance added; in the case of goods consigned for sale, the latest sale value of such goods. I am not prepared to take any steps to alter these requirements.

  Strike Prevention in Canada.
  VISCOUNT HELMSLEY: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an Act passed by the Federal Parliament of Canada in 1907, dealing with the prevention of strikes; whether he can state in how many cases the Act has been put into force, and with what results; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing similar legislation for this country.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: My attention has been called to this Act. It relates primarily to mines and industries connected with public utilities, but disputes arising in other industries or trades may be brought under its provisions by agreement of the parties concerned. The Act came into force on 22nd March, 1907, and from that date up to 15th February, 1908, twenty-eight cases affecting mines and public utilities had been dealt with under its provisions in addition to one case referred by consent. In twenty-eight of the cases, strikes were either averted or ended, while in the remaining case the application of the Act failed to avert a strike. I have much sympathy with legislation with the object of strengthening the powers of the Board of Trade to deal with this class of disputes. The importance of the Canadian Act has not escaped my attention and its operation will be carefully watched.

  Census of Production Act.
  MR. SMEATON: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can inform the House what progress has been made in collecting the material required by the Census of Production Act; whether he has any hopes of being able to present comparative statistics of similar production in

  941
  selected foreign countries; and when the first census is likely to be completed.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: The only inquiry schedules at present issued are those relating to coal and ironstone mining. Other Schedules will be issued shortly, and it is hoped that practically the whole of the Returns to be made under the Act will be received by the autumn. It is impossible to say definitely at present how soon it may be possible to publish preliminary results of the inquiry. As regards comparisons with foreign countries, I have at present nothing to add to the reply that I gave to my hon. friend on 3rd July, last.

  Company Voting Proxies.
  MR. WATT: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the abuse by directors of companies, and especially of unsuccessful companies, of the power of proxy; and if so, will he introduce legislation either limiting or abrogating that power.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: The power of voting by proxy has been recognised by the Companies Acts since the first Act of 1862, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to introduce legislation to abrogate that power. There have, doubtless, been cases from time to time where the power has been abused, but, on the materials at present before me, I incline to the opinion that a greater evil might be created by preventing shareholders from voting on their own affairs unless they were able to be present at the meeting of the Company.

  Imported Hops.
  MR. FELL: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the shipments of American hops which have arrived and are due to arrive during this week, and to the prices at which such hops are being sold; and if, under the special circumstances, he can prevent the next shipment from being cleared through the Custom House until the Committee now sitting has reported on the action necessary to be taken in the matter.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: The quantity of hops imported into the United Kingdom from the United States of America during the week, 27th March to 2nd April, both dates inclusive, amounted to 34,058 cwts. I am informed that the latest average market prices for American hops grown in 1907 range from 35s. to 42s. per cwt. There is no power to detain importations of hops pending the Report of the Committee now inquiring into the matter.
  MR. FELL: Having regard to the fact that the Colorado beetle and other pests are introduced by these ships, could not the right hon. Gentleman have these hops examined microscopically?
  [No Answer was returned.]

  Australian Tariff.
  MR. LONSDALE: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether articles produced in non-British countries and finished by British labour are given a preference under the Australian tariff, and whether he can state the proportion of value representing British labour which is required to be certified to secure this privilege.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: Exporters of goods from the United Kingdom desiring to obtain the advantages of the Australian preferential tariff are required to furnish a certificate to the effect that a substantial portion of the labour of the United Kingdom has entered into the production of every manufactured article included in the invoice to the extent of not less than one-fourth of its value in its condition ready for export. The form of certificate was published in the Board of Trade Journal for 30th January last.

  Medical Examination of Engine-Drivers.
  MR. LONSDALE: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the Report of Lieutenant Colonel Yorke that the collision on the London and North-Western Railway near Atherton Station was due to the debilitated condition of the driver, and to the fact that he was in the last stage of a fatal complaint; and whether he

  943
  intends to take any measures to secure the more frequent medical examination of engine drivers.
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: I am already in communication with the principal railway companies on the subject of the medical examination of engine-drivers, and I am now calling their special attention to Colonel Yorke's Report on the accident near Atherton.
  MR. WARDLE: Is it not the fact that the regulator in this case was stiff, and may that not have had something to do with the accident?
  MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: Colonel Yorke is clearly of opinion that the state of the health of the engine-driver was responsible for the accident.

  Alleged Cruelty by a Mail Contractor.
  COLONEL LOCKWOOD: I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of John Dixon, who was convicted at Swindon Borough Police Court on 23rd March of cruelty to a horse employed to draw the Post Office mails from Winter-borne Monkton to Swindon; and what steps he proposes to take.
  THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (MR. SYDNEY BUXTON,): I have received a Report on this subject; but I am not yet in a position to say what steps should be taken in the matter. When a decision is arrived at, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

  Complaint against a Post Office Doctor.
  MR. J. DEVLIN: I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of D. J. Long, a sorter at the South-Western District Post Office, London, who presented himself for examination on 27th February last to Dr. Brabant, the official doctor, who told him that there was not much wrong with him; is he aware than on 29th February, Long was taken ill, and that on 2nd March, Dr. Carmichael certified that Long was suffering from bronchial catarrh, and that Dr. Carmichael's certificate was refused by the Post Office officials, and
  944
  Long informed that he must see the official doctor at once; whether he is aware that Dr. Carmichael thereupon certified that Long was unable to leave his room, and called in Dr. Charlesworth, who, on 6th March, certified Long as suffering from phthisis, and that on this certificate being forwarded by the postmaster, Mr. Carew, to Dr. Brabant, the latter reported that Long had had a sudden attack the previous week, due to tuberculosis, and that the diagnosis was not good at the time of writing; whether he is aware that Dr. Brabant neither examined Long on 27th February nor visited him at his home, that Long complained to his friends that Dr. Brabant took no interest in him whatever and did not care to see him, and that in January last Long was certified as unfit for work by Dr. Carmichael, whose certificate was not accepted, and two days' pay stopped from Long in consequence, which pay was recently refunded; whether any explanation has been asked of Dr. Brabant in regard to his conduct in the case; and whether any compensation will be made to Long's parents by the Department.
  MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I am making inquiry into the matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

  Canadian Education Rating System.
  MR. WILLIAM REDMOND: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state, for general convenience, the system in Canada under which rates are allocated for educational purposes to public and denominational schools.
  THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. MCKENNA,): I have drawn the attention of the High Commissioner of Canada to various points of importance essential to an understanding of the system of separate rating which were not explained in the general outline of the educational systems in Canada contained in Vol. IV. of the Special Reports on Educational Subjects, published in 1901. The High Commissioner has kindly undertaken to request the Provincial Governors of Quebec and Ontario

  945
  for the requisite information and I am awaiting this reply. I hope that facts ascertained will enable me to lay a Paper on the Table in due course.

  Bromley Education Dispute.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to a recent case in Bromley where a man, named George Gooch, was summoned for refusing to send his daughter to a non-provided school two miles from his residence, since he was not permitted to send her to another non-provided school situate within 200 yards of his house; and whether steps can be taken to prevent such hardships, which arise owing to conflicts between neighbouring local authorities.
  MR. McKENNA: My attention has been called to the case referred to. I understand that negotiations are proceeding between the local education authorities for Beckenham and Penge as to the apportionment of the cost of educating children attending schools outside the area in which they reside. It is, in my opinion, extremely desirable that the two authorities should conic to an agreement, and the Board are doing all in their power to assist them in securing this result.

  Castle Morton Schoolroom.
  MR. GOULDING: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the denial by the chairman of the Primrose League meeting recently held in the schoolroom of Castle Morton, Worcestershire, that the vicar took the chair; and also that lads were present or refreshments supplied to young persons; and whether he would ascertain the facts.
  MR. McKENNA: No, Sir; my attention has not been called to the statement referred to. Steps would, of course, be taken to ascertain the facts before the Board took any action in the matter.
  MR. GOULDING: Will the right hon. Gentleman see the necessity of making inquiry at once in view of the grossly unfounded attacks which have been
  946
  made on the vicar owing to the Answer the of the right hon. Gentleman?
  MR. McKENNA: Nothing I have said or done has caused that. I understand the hon. Gentleman now gives the same publicity to the denial as was given to the original assertion.
  MR. GOULDING: Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the facts were not as stated by the Gentleman who put the original Question?
  MR. McKENNA: In my Answer I assumed that they were true and I stated the position in regard to the school trust.
  MR. MOORE: Does the right hon. Gentleman now withdraw his statement?
  MR. McKENNA: No, Sir, the statement I made was strictly accrate.
  MR. LONSDALE: Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiry?
  MR. McKENNA: Nothing I have said necessitates that. It is not the duty of the Board of Education to make such inquiries.

  Southampton Catholic School.
  MR. BOLAND: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is now prepared to receive a deputation from the local education authority of Southampton with reference to the Board's treatment of the Catholic secondary school in Southampton.
  MR. McKENNA: If the local education authority still desire it I am prepared to receive a deputation.

  Legal Advisers to the Education Department.
  SIR EDWARD SASSOON: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the duties performed by the advising counsel to the Board, the salary attached to the post, by whom it is now held, how long it has been held by the present occupant, and who his predecessor was.
  MR. McKENNA: The post of advising counsel to the Board is now merged in that of the Principal Assistant Secretary in charge of the Legal Branch, Mr. H. M. Lindsell, C.B., whose salary is £1,500 per annum. The duties are to advise the Board on legal questions arising in the course of their administration. Mr. Lindsell was appointed advising counsel on 29th September, 1884. Mr. Lindsell's predecessor was Mr. Hodgson.
  SIR EDWARD SASSOON: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the duties performed by the temporary barristers at the Board of Education, the salaries attached to such posts, the numbers so employed, and the number of appointments made since January, 1906.
  MR. McKENNA: The duties performed by temporary barristers are such duties as may be allotted to them by the principal assistant secretary in charge of the legal branch. The salary payable to a temporary barrister is one guinea per working day. The number employed at present is six. The number appointed since January, 1906, is seventeen.

  Training Colleges and Religious Instruction.
  LORD R. CECIL: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education, whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the number of training colleges in which no religious instruction is given.
  MR. McKENNA: I do not think that the present moment would be an opportune one for considering a change of policy on the part of the Board in the direction indicated.
  LORD R. CECIL: Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it of great importance in view of the educational proposals of the Government to ascertain which of the teachers have some religious knowledge and which have not?
  MR. McKENNA: My predecessors at the Board of Education have never
  948
  thought it desirable to make such an inquiry as the noble Lord suggests.

  Swansea School Dispute.
  LORD R. CECIL: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education what is now the position with regard to the salaries of the teachers in the non-provided schools at Swansea; and whether the Board of Education have been since 26th August, 1907, in possession of receipts for the amounts paid by the managers for the arrears of salaries under the agreements since 1st April, 1907.
  MR. McKENNA: The question referred to is now under consideration by the Legal Department of the Board. The vouchers forwarded by the managers on 26th August, were returned to them on 17th October. Certain receipts subsequently sent to the Board are still in their possession.
  LORD R. CECIL: Will the right hon. Gentleman say how long the legal advisers of the Board are likely to take?
  MR. McKENNA: I will endeavour to get the opinion from them as soon as I can, but the matters submitted to them are of extreme difficulty.

  Education Summonses.
  MR. BOWLES: I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he is aware that members of the local education committees which issue summonses to parents under the Education Acts are frequently also members of the local bench of magistrates which adjudicates upon them; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no appeal from the bench's decision in such cases, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent these gentlemen from acting in future as final judges in their own cause.
  SIR W. ROBSON: Members of the Local Education Committee are not disqualified for sitting, but it is very undesirable that they should act as magistrates in cases in which they are concerned as members of the education authority, and I have no reason to suppose that they do so.
  MR. BOWLES: If I bring such a case to the notice of the hon. and learned Gentleman will he inquire?
  SIR W. ROBSON: Certainly.

  Sunday Entertainments in Clubs.
  VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH: I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain Liberal and Radical Clubs are in the habit of giving dramatic, variety, and other entertainments on Sunday mornings and evenings; and, if so, whether he is prepared to recommend prosecutions in such cases.
  SIR W. ROBSON: No, Sir.
  VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH: Will the hon. and learned Gentleman endeavour to use his influence with his colleagues who hold official positions in these clubs with a view to removing, if possible, a scandal which has found its way into the newspapers?
  SIR W. ROBSON: I do not know the colleagues to whom the noble Lord alludes; and I am not aware that my influence would be effective in the matter at all.

  Civil Service Estimates.
  SIR WILLIAM BULL: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what has been the cause of delay in circulating his Memorandum on the Civil Service Estimates.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The Memorandum was circulated on the 1st instant. I regret that it was not possible to place it in the hands of hon. Members at an earlier date, but I cannot admit, in view of the dates on which the Memorandum has been circulated in previous years, that there has been any unusual delay.

  Royal London Friendly Society.
  MR. O'GRADY: To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware of the attempt now being made by the committee of management of the Royal London Friendly Society to convert the society into a mutual insurance society under the Companies Acts; and, having regard to the methods
  950
  recently employed by the committee of management in the conduct of the annual meeting of the society held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on 25th February of this year, he will instruct the Registrar General to take action as provided in Section 76 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, in the event of the committee of management of the said society deciding to call further conversion meetings.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies in forms me that he has no information on the subjects raised in the hon. Member's question. No application has been made to him under Section 76 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, and the provisions of the section do not come into force until such application is made.

  Collecting Friendly Societies.
  MR. O'GRADY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that there is a tendency for some of the committees of management of the collecting friendly societies to convert those institutions into proprietary or mutual companies; and, having regard to the injury such conversions would cause to the interests of the members, as well as being subversive of their rights, whether he will appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the whole question of the collecting friendly societies with a view to recommending Amendments of the Friendly Societies Acts.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: I understand that the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society has established a subsidiary company to carry on the business which under the Friendly Societies and Collecting Societies Acts it cannot perform itself. The society, however, still exists in its original form. With this exception, if this can be called an exception, the Chief Registrar informs me that he has no knowledge of the tendency to which the hon. Member alludes, nor is he aware that the tendency, if it did exist, would cause injury to the interests of the members or would be subversive of their rights. But in any case he regards his existing powers as fully sufficient to enable him to deal with any danger that may arise from this source.

  951
  In these circumstances I do not think there is any need to appoint a Committee.

  Clyde Herring Fishing.
  MR. WATT: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, if he will state when a full inquiry was last held as to the advantage or disadvantage of the use of the seine net to the herring fishing in the Clyde; and what evidence he requires before authorising a further inquiry to be made into the present state of the case, and into the opinion of the fisherman on the question.
  THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. Sinclair,): The last formal inquiry into questions affecting the herring fishery in the Clyde area was held in December, 1902, but since then investigations have been conducted in connection therewith, and the local fishery officers have also furnished reports thereon from time to time. A lengthy Report on the subject by the Scientific Superintendent is contained in Part III. of the Board's Report for 1906, but the investigations have not yet been concluded, and, pending their conclusion, no good purpose would be served by holding another inquiry, particularly in view of the fact that there is a sharp conflict of opinion among those interested in the matter on the various points involved.

  Case of Alexander C. Burrows, Dublin Stockbroker.
  MR. MULDOON: I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether Alexander C. Burrows, lately a stockbroker in Dublin, had been accused of misappropriating a large sum of money; whether a warrant was out for his arrest; what is the charge made against him in the warrant, and when it was issued; when was Burrows last seen in Dublin; and when the police hope to bring the accused to trial.
  THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. CHERRY,): In 1906 several warrants were issued against Alexander C. Burrows for misappropriating sums of money amounting in all to over £5,000. The first of those warrants was issued
  952
  on 6th October, 1906, that is, three days after Burrows was last seen in Dublin. The police have made every effort to trace the accused, but so far without effect.

  Woodford Malicious Burning Claim.
  MR. JOHN ROCHE: To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that a man named Michael Mahon, Woodford, County Galway, applied for £20 compensation for alleged malicious burning of his house, that the claim included an item of four £1 notes which he swore were in a tin box and burned, and that the police proved that the paper burned was a piece of foolscap, upon which the case was dismissed by the County Court Judge; whether he is aware that Mahon appealed to a Judge of Assize, and swore that a few nights before the appeal was heard, a threatening notice had been posted upon his door, having a picture of a coffin upon it, and stating that if he went to assize he would be doomed; whether the police proved that the notice was writted by Mahon himself; and what action the Crown intend to take in the matter, and, if any, will it be taken immediately lest he may evade a prosecution.
  MR. CHERRY: The facts of the case referred to in the Question as reported to me are as follows:—Mahon applied for £20 compensation for the malicious burning of his house on the night of 9th September, 1907. The claim included an item of £4 for four £1 notes which he swore were in a tin box in the house and were burned. The police secured the tin box in which were the burned ashes of paper, but were unable to form any opinion as to what kind of paper the ashes originally were. The claim was dismissed by the County Court Judge. Mahon appealed to the Judge of Assize, and on the hearing of the appeal swore that he had found a threatening notice on a window sill outside the house. Evidence was given on behalf of the police to show that this notice was prepared in the house. The decision of the County Court Judge was affirmed by the Judge of Assize. The Crown do not propose to take any action in the matter.
  MR. JOHN ROCHE: I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether Michael Mahon has eluded justice by leaving the country.
  MR. CHERRY: I am informed that Michael Mahon sailed for America from Queenstown on 26th March last.
  MR. JOHN ROCHE: And you let him go.

  King's Plates for Irish Horse Races.
  MR. RIDSDALE: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a sum of £1,563 appears in the Estimates (Class 7, Miscellaneous) to be devoted to prizes for horse races in Ireland; whether any other sums for racing prizes are included in any of the Estimates; and whether opportunity will be afforded of challenging any of these items.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. This item can be discussed like any other in the Estimates.

  The Kingstown Pier Dispute.
  MR. MOONEY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the action now pending as to the right of the London and North Western Railway Company to use the Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, he will, until a decision has been given, restrict the use of Kingstown Harbour by the London and North Western Railway Company to the Victoria Wharf; whether he is aware that the London and North-Western Railway Company have already used this wharf for berthing their steamers with perfect safety and convenience; and whether he is aware that the Victoria Wharf has been used for a considerable time past by the line of steamers plying between Kingstown and the Isle of Man, to whom permission was refused to use the Carlisle Pier.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: I understand that the Victoria Wharf is connected with the railway only by a single-line siding, inconveniently situated to the main line. There is no platform accommodation at the wharf, nor adequate means
  954
  of shelter for passengers; and no proper facilities for transferring passengers and mails between trains and steamers. It is the case that the London and North Western Railway Company have been obliged to use this wharf recently, but only as a lie-by berth when owing to the deliberate obstruction of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company no berth at Carlisle Pier was available. The weather fortunately has been favourable, but in certain conditions the use of the wharf even for this purpose might be attended by grave risk as well as inconvenience. In some conditions of weather it is difficult and dangerous to approach the wharf; in other conditions it is unsafe to lie at it, and in vet other conditions it is difficult, if not impossible, to get away from it. The statements contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question do not accurately represent the facts. Formerly, excursion steamers, belonging to the Isle of Man Company, used occasionally to visit the wharf, but this was found to be so inconvenient that the Company applied for permission to use the Carlisle Pier. When this application was refused they ceased to use the port at all and their steamers now always run to the North Wall.
  MR. PATRICK O'BRIENasked why, if approach to the Victoria Wharf was so risky, the late Queen Victoria and the King were able to get ashore there on their visits to Ireland?
  MR. RUNCIMANsaid these were isolated cases of the use of the wharf under favourable conditions. His answer referred to the daily use.
  MR. CLANCY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, before the Government granted the London and North Western Railway Company permission to use the Government harbour at Kingstown for its passenger steamers at a nominal charge, they were aware that the reason why Parliament in 1902 decided that the company should pay the charges now fixed for all steamers alike, was that it had been proved before Committees of the two Houses, that the company had reduced to little or nothing the register

  955
  tonnage of its vessels by using for that purpose the peculiar measurement rules then in force; whether they were aware that largely to accommodate this company the Dublin Harbour authority had expended large sums of money in dock works; and, if the Government were not aware of those facts, if they will now cancel the arrangement by which the free use of Kingstown Harbour is given to the company at the expense of the revenues of the Port of Dublin.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The Answer to the first two Questions is in the negative. With regard to the last Question I see no reason for cancelling the permission given to the London and North Western Railway Company, which has been granted in the interests of the public.
  MR. CLANCY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to the permission given to the London and North Western Railway Company to use the Government harbour at Kingstown for their passenger steamers at a nominal charge, whether he is aware that in 1902 Parliament, by the Dublin Port and Docks Board Act of that year, decided that the company should in future pay the charge on its steamers now fixed by the Dublin Harbour authority; whether the Government, by now allowing the company to use Kingstown Harbour practically free of charge, are enabling it to evade compliance with the decision of Parliament; and, if so, whether there is any precedent for such, action on the part of the Government.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The Act of 1902 does not refer specifically to the dues, payable by the passenger steamers of the London and North-Western Railway Company. In any case the Act only affects steamers that enter the jurisdiction of the Dublin Port and Docks Board. Section 70 of the Act provides that nothing in the Act shall render it obligatory on the Commissioners of Kingstown Harbour to levy any rates or, dues on, amongst other classes, vessels carrying His Majesty's mails, and vessels engaged exclusively in passenger traffic The London and North Western Railway steamers now running between Kingstown and Holyhead come under both of these
  956
  categories. The London and North Western Railway Company enjoyed the same facilities at Kingstown Harbour as have lately been given to them in respect of the landing and embarking of passengers at the Carlisle Pier, during the years 1859, 1860, and part of 1861. The dues then paid were 5s. per trip per steamer. In those years the Company ran a daily service of express steamers between the Carlisle Pier and Holyhead.
  MR. SWIFT MACNEILL: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if he will explain why the London and North Western Railway Company has been given permission to use Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, at a nominal charge for their passenger steamers; and what is the estimated yearly gain to the company by reason of this permission, which involves a loss of revenue to the harbour authority.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: As I have already informed the hon. Member for North Dublin, the permission was given to the London and North Western Railway Company in the interests of the travelling public. I have no information as regards the last part of the hon. Member's Question.
  MR. CLANCY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the nominal charge of 5s. per trip for the use of the Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, by the steamers of the London and North Western Railway Company is the sole consideration for such use; and, if not, what other consideration has been given or promised by the company.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The dues charged for the use of the pier and certain other expenses which will be incurred by the Commissioners of Kingstown Harbour are the only consideration paid by the London and North Western Railway Company.
  MR. CLANCY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to the permission given to the London and North Western Railway Company to use Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, for their passenger steamers at a merely nominal charge, whether he is aware that the reason given by Lord Stalbridge, chairman of the company, for seeking such

  957
  permission was to evade the payment of the dues fixed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board for all such steamers equally; whether the gain to the company by the concession made by the Treasury will amount to several thousands of pounds a year; and, if so, whether there is any precedent for Government action involving the deprivation of a harbour authority of revenue for the benefit of a railway or other company.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: I have no information as to the reasons which influenced the London and. North Western Railway Company to transfer part of their passenger service to Kingstown, or as to the saving which is effected by the transfer; but I understand that legal proceedings are pending between the Dublin Port and Docks Board and the company with regard to the rates charged at Dublin. As regards the latter part of the Question I cannot say whether any similar case has occurred elsewhere; but I may remind the lion. Member that special provisions were inserted in the Dublin Port and Docks Act of 1902, with the assent of the Dublin Port and Docks Board, concerning the dues chargeable on passenger vessels at Kingstown.
  MR. JOHN REDMOND: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will cause to be laid upon the Table of the House forthwith all correspondence that has passed on the subject of the use of the Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, by vessels other than the mail steamers, between the Treasury and the Commissioners of Public Works, the Commissioners of Kingstown Harbour, the London and North Western Railway Company, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, and any other steamboat company, or any individual or individuals, or Government Department, between 1st January, 1907, and the present date; [and whether he will now publish all the correspondence and papers dealing with the agreement come to in 1898, when it was agreed by the Treasury to pay £6,500 per annum for the acceleration of the day mail service,]and the correspondence relating to the altered arrangements now made between the Treasury or the Post Office and the London and North Western Company.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: As I have already stated I am considering what Papers ca be laid.

  Irish Primary Education Grant.
  MR. J. MURPHY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is now in a position to state the amount of the increased grant to be made in connection with Irish primary education; if this money is to be allocated by the Commissioners of National Education in pursuance of a scheme already fixed upon and approved by the Treasury, or whether they will be free to decide themselves on the method of the expenditure after the money has been received by them.
  MR. RUNCIMAN: The hon. Member doubtless refers to my statement on 12th March, in answer to Questions by the hon. Member for Waterford. The proposed increase of grant to which I referred was in respect of teachers' salaries only. The details of the scheme and the total amount involved are still under consideration.
  MR. JOHN REDMOND: Will the hon. Gentleman take whatever steps are necessary to make the increase effective this year?
  MR. RUNCIMAN: Yes, Sir.

THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,): Mr. Speaker, since the House rose on Friday, His Majesty the King has been pleased to accept from the Prime Minister the resignation of his office, and the Government is now without a head. This is not the occasion on which it would be possible or appropriate for me to attempt to do justice to the great qualities of our revered and trusted chief, or to enlarge on his long and splendid services to the State. For the moment I will not trust myself to do more than to say that in the annals of our country there is no man who, after long years spent in the thick of public contention, ever laid down the highest

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office under the Crown more universally or more deservedly beloved. There is not, I believe, a single Member in any quarter of the House who has not come down here to-day feeling himself under the shadow of not merely a political, but a personal loss. In these conditions it is clearly impossible that the House can for a time proceed effectually with public business; and in the circumstances it must, I apprehend, take some little time before the necessary arrangements can be completed. That being so, it is my duty to move now two Resolutions. The first is: "That all Committees have leave to sit, notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, until the adjournment for the Easter Recess." The second Resolution is: "That this House do now adjourn until Tuesday, 14th April." I may, perhaps, add that it is necessary to sit on that day for the purposes of a Royal Commission and also possibly for other business of a formal character; and when that is transacted I should imagine that the House would then be asked to adjourn for the Easter Recess.
MR. A. J. BALFOUR: I do not imagine that by the forms of the House it is at all necessary that there should be a seconder for either of the two Motions which the Leader of the House has just made. But I rise to say 011 behalf of my friends and myself that, of course, we shall be glad to do any thing in our power to facilitate the course of public business, and to render easier the task which has fallen upon the Members of the Government in consequence of the event of which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been good enough to give us information to-day. I do not propose to deal with the subject which is necessarily in the thoughts of every man I am addressing. If I did desire to deal with it, I could not add anything to the admirable words which have fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I associate myself with those words to the fullest extent, and I desire to say on behalf of my friends and myself how deeply we regret the cause which has rendered it necessary for the Prime Minister to resign his high office and how deep is our sympathy with him on the present occasion.
MR. JOHN REDMOND: I hope the House will not grudge me the opportunity of saying in one or two brief sentences how deeply my colleagues and I feel the loss of the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister. We have had long experience of the right hon. Gentleman; and during the many long years during which we have worked in connection with him in the cause of Ireland we have had again and again convincing proofs that he was a sincere friend of Irish liberty and Irish rights. The right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke of this as not only a political loss, but a personal one. Those of us on these benches who have been brought into personal contact with the Prime Minister—and I am one of those who have been brought a good deal into personal contact with him—will certainly echo that sentiment. We all feel that in his disappearance, Ireland has suffered a loss second only to the loss she suffered when Mr. Gladstone retired from the post of Prime Minister of this country. Knowing the right hon. Gentleman's sentiments of friendliness to our cause and country, I am sure he will be pleased to hear the expression of our view and that we have always regarded him as the consistent, brave, and sincere friend of Ireland and her cause. I believe there is no Nationalist living in any part of the world who will not deeply deplore the fact that he has been taken away from the arena of public life. I am glad the House has allowed me the opportunity of saying these few words and of associating myself most heartily with what has fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

COMMITTEES.
Ordered, That all Committees have leave to sit, notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, until the adjournment for the Easter Recess.—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)

ADJOURNMENT.
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn until Tuesday, 14th April.—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)
Adjourned accordingly at two minutes before Four o'clock till Tuesday, 14th April.

BARON HOTHAM.
Petition of Frederick William, Baron Hotham, in the Peerage of Ireland, claiming a right to vote at the elections of Representative Peers for Ireland, read, and referred to the Lord Chancellor to consider and report thereupon to the House.

PRIVATE BILL BUSINESS.
The LORD CHANCELLOR acquainted the House, That the Clerk of the Parliaments had laid upon the Table the Certificates from the Examiners that the further Standing Orders applicable to the following Bills have been complied with:—Finchley Urban District Council; Bury and District Joint Water Board; Dublin and South-Eastern Railway; Seaham Harbour Dock; City of Glasgow.
The same was ordered to lie on the Table.
Alliance and other Assurance and Insurance Companies Bill [H.L.]; Wath-upon-Dearne Urban District Council Gas Bill [H.L.]. (Petition for additional Provision.)—Examiners' Certificates of non-compliance with the Standing Orders referred to the Standing Orders Committee on Thursday next.
Bognor Gas Light and Coke Company Bill [H.L.].—Reported, with Amendments.
Swansea Valley Gas Bill [H.L.].—Reported from the Select Committee, with Amendments.
Cardiff Railway Bill [H.L.].—Read 3*, and passed, and sent to the Commons.
Hull and Barnsley Railway Bill; Dartford Gas Bill.—Brought from the Commons, read 1*, and referred to the Examiners.
Herne Bay Pier Bill [H.T.].—Returned from the Commons agreed to.

PETITIONS.
  LAND VALUES (SCOTLAND) BILL.
  Petition in favour of: Of Glasgow Liberal Council; read, and ordered to lie on the Table.
RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC.
  EDUCATION (SCOTLAND).
  Memorandum on nature study and the teaching of science in Scottish schools.
  Correspondence relating to the use of Kingstown Harbour by the vessels of the London and North-Western Railway Company.
  IRISH MAIL SERVICE.
  Correspondence relating to the arrangement made in 1898 for the acceleration of the Irish Day Mail Service, and the revision of the same in the present year.
  TRADE REPORTS: ANNUAL SERIES.
  No. 3968. Belgium (Antwerp).
  INDIA (USE OF GOVERNMENT CHURCHES IN INDIA).
  Papers relating to the use for Presbyterian services of garrison churches in India which have been consecrated for the services of the Church of England.
  ARMY.
  Approximate estimate of expenditure under the Military Works Acts of 1897, 1899, 1901, and 1903.

  IRISH LAND COMMISSION (RULES).
  Rules dated 26th March, 1908, supplemental to and amending the Rules dated 16th March, 1897, 19th March, 1900, 17th May, 1901, 14th March, 1902, and (provisional rules), 4th December, 1903.
  Presented (by command), and ordered to lie on the Table.

  CRIMINAL APPEAL (RULES, 1908).
  Additional rule made, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, by the

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  Lord Chief Justice and the Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

  SUPERANNUATION.
  Treasury Minutes, dated 3rd April, 1908, declaring that: (1) Samuel Shannon, artificer, Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield; (2) George G. Bishop, lad, Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich, were appointed without Civil Service certificates through inadvertence on the pact of the heads of their respective departments.

  GOVERNMENT INSURANCES AND ANNUITIES.
  Account of all moneys received on account of contracts for the grant of deferred life annuities and for payments on death, and of the disposal thereof; and of the contracts made for the year ended 31st December, 1907.
  Laid before the House (pursuant to Act), and ordered to lie on the Table.

LOTTERIES AND INDECENT ADVERTISEMENTS.
Message from the Commons that they have ordered that the Committee appointed by them to join with the Committee of this House to consider and inquire into the law on the said subject, do meet the Lords Committee in the Chairman of Committee's Committee Room, To-morrow at Three o'clock, as proposed by their Lordships.
COMMITTEE OF SELECTION.
Leave given to the Committee of Selection to report from time to time. First Report with an Appendix made, and to be printed. (No. 47.)
STANDING COMMITTEE.
Report from the Committee of Selection for the Standing Committee that they have added the Earl of Stamford to the Standing Committee. Read, and ordered to lie on the Table.

THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of RIPON): My Lords, it is my sad task to inform your Lordships that the Prime Minister has considered it his
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duty, owing to the prolongation of his grave illness, to resign his office, and that the King, under the circumstances, has been graciously pleased to accept his resignation. I am sure that all your Lordships will share my deep regret that the career of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman as Prime Minister should be thus suddently brought to a close. This is not the occasion to recount his services to the country or his claim to public gratitude. His short career as head of the Government has been remarkable for the singular influence which he obtained over the House of Commons. Other eminent statesmen have exercised great influence in that Assembly, none more so in recent years than Mr. Gladstone. But Mr. Gladstone's power was based upon his commanding eloquence and his vast experience of public affairs, and was mingled, if I mistake not, with a certain feeling of awe; whereas the influence of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was, if I may say so, of a tenderer kind. His perfect temper, his earnest sympathy with the feelings and principles of his Party, his unfailing courtesy to his opponents gave him an unrivalled hold on the most critical Assembly in the world. By these qualities and by their results he will be best remembered by the public. But we who have been his colleagues for two years and a half are bound to him by yet closer ties; for his constant fairness, his untiring patience, and his considerate guidance have won for him the gratitude and affection of all those whom he associated with himself in the immense responsibilities attaching to the Government of this great Empire. I ought to say that, after the Army (Annual) Bill has been read a third time and passed, I propose to move that this House do adjourn until Tuesday, the 14th of this month. It is proposed to meet then in order that the Royal Assent may be given to the Army (Annual) Bill. That, I think, is in accordance with precedent. The Government is no longer constitutionally in existence. The retirement of the Prime Minister puts an end in that sense to the Government of the time; and I do not think that any persons holding their office on so slight a tenure ought to take on themselves the conduct of any important business in Parliament.
THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE: My Lords, the noble Marquess need not be afraid that any jarring note will be sounded upon this side of the House. We all of us greatly regret that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, owing to considerations of health, should find it necessary to vacate a position which he has earned by many years of honourable exertion, and without any adventitious aids. He has filled that position, as we know, to the entire satisfaction of his own followers; and he has filled it not only without giving offence to his opponents, but in such a manner as to attract to himself a great deal of sympathy and admiration on account of that invariable good temper and courtesy to which the noble Marquess referred just now, and on account of his sound knowledge of our Parliamentary traditions. We all of us sympathised with Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman when last year his health broke down, partly, no doubt, owing to an overwhelming private sorrow, partly owing to the strain and stress of official life. We all of us rejoiced when for a time he was able to resume the burden of office and of public work; and now we all of us feel for him when the moment has come when he finds it inevitable that he should lay aside that burden. It is, I may say, the universal hope of this House that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman may be spared to enjoy during the declining years of his life a share of that repose for which we know he has so often yearned, and to which, I am afraid, he has been so complete a stranger.

ARMY (ANNUAL) BILL.
Read 3a, and passed.

ADJOURNMENT.
THE MARQUESS OF RIPON: My Lords, I move that this House do now adjourn until Tuesday, 14th April. I may as well say that after that formal meeting I shall propose that the House do adjourn until Tuesday, 5th May, as originally proposed.
House adjourned at twenty minutes before Five o'clock, till Tuesday, 14th April.