of the Navy Estimates, 1904-5 [by Com- he is aware that British imports into mand]; to lie upon the Table. Prices of Sugar in London and on the SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee): To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the retail prices of white granulated sugar per lb. in London, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, on 1st January, 1902, and 1st January, 1903, respectively. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The retail prices of white granulated sugar, as sold in large retail establishments in London, Paris, and Berlin, on the 1st January, 1902 and 1903, were approximately as follows: Natal for the year 1903 show an increase of only 3.7 per cent., as compared with 1902, whereas the import of German goods shows an increase of 448, and American 42.7 per cent.; and can he state how these figures compare with the year 1892. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The Board of Trade have not yet received official particulars of the trade of Natal with different countries in 1903. The official Returns of the United Kingdom show a decline of about 1 per cent. in exports of British produce from the United Kingdom to Natal in 1903 as compared with 1902. Damage to Port of [Ness Breakwater, Isle of Lewis. MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty): To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the nature of the recommendations contained in the report relative to the Port of Ness, Island of Lewis; and what damage sustained by the breakwater at action he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray. Mr. Shiel's Report has already been of any suggested remedies are therein set circulated to the House, and the nature forth, but the expenditure involved in the repair to the breakwater and harbour of Portness, taken as a whole, is so large and out of proportion to the advantage to be gained, that it is not intended to take further action in the matter. any Construction of Protecting Wall for Skigersta Pier, Isle of Lewis. MR. WEIR: To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether any progress has yet been made with the construction of a protecting wall for the Skigersta Pier, Island of Lewis. (Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) The Congested Districts Board are still without reply from the promoters, but I understand that they are, nevertheless, keeping the question of the grant open. Applications for Postmastership of Ilfracombe. CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.): To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will state the date and number of the incurring the additional expense necesPost Office Circular in which applications sary for affording the desired accomwere invited for the postmastership of modation. Ilfracombe; and whether he will state the number of applications for the position. MR. COGAN (Wicklow, E.): To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are three or four deliveries daily of letters within the greater portion of the urban district of Wicklow, but that there is only one delivery daily at 6.30 a.m. in the part of the urban district called Bolarney, and that therefore letters arriving by the 7.20 a.m. train are not delivered until the following morning; and, if so, whether he will cause such steps to be taken as will ensure a morning delivery of all letters arriving the same morning to every resident within the urban district, and to those who reside adjacent to the urban boundary. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) I have made inquiry on the question of afford ing a second delivery in the day in Bolarney, but I regret to find that, owing to the small number of letters Telephonic Communication between Ballymena and Londonderry. MR. GORDON (Londonderry, S.): To ask the Postmaster-General if he can state what progress has been made towards establishing telephonic communication between Ballymena and Londonderry with branch lines to Coleraine and Limavady; and when the construction of such system will be commenced. (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The Post Office trunk wire system has been extended from Belfast to Ballymena, and exchanges have been opened at Antrim, Ballymena, and Kells. I hope to be able to arrange for a further extension to serve Coleraine, Limavady, and Londonderry, when additional funds are available for the development of the Post Office telephone system. A Bill to authorise further capital expenditure for this purpose will be presented to this House at an early date. Russo-Japanese war-Coal as Contraband MR. RUNCIMAN (Dewsbury): To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether coal has been declared by the Russian or Japanese Government to be contraband of war, or has coal been treated by the belligerents as contraband. (Answered by Earl Percy.) His Majesty's Government have not learned that any declaration on the subject has been made by either of the belligerents. Collection of County Rates in Ireland. SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Local Government Board for Ireland will agree to allow collectors of county rates to close their account, on 1st May and 1st November instead of on 31st March and 30th September, where it can be shown. that the collection of the rates will be thereby facilitated. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) I would similar Question put to me on Monday | Blessington system; and whether he will last by the hon. Member for South order an official inquiry into this matter. Wexford. t Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act Suggested Amendment. SIR THOMAS ESMONDE: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will introduce a Bill to amend the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1893, as far as Ireland is concerned, so that the analyses of artificial manures be stamped on the bags, so much of nitrogen, potash, and phosphates, the use of all other terms to be prohibited; that it be compulsory on the merchant to sell to a policeman or officer authorised to take samples by the Department of Agriculture or county committees of agriculture and technical instruction; that samples be taken by a sampling pale or spear; and that, as regards feeding stuffs, merchants be obliged to give an analysis of the exact composition, and any departure therefrom to constitute an offence. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The payment of dividends on the guaranteed capital of the Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway and the payment of any deficit in working expenses on the line are guaranteed by the counties Dublin and Wicklow. The net payment by each county in the period covered by the Question was £4,596 7s. 11d. There were Treasury contributions amounting to £3,830 1s. 2d. in respect to each county during the same period. The extension to Poulaphouca is worked by the Dublin and Blessington Tramway at a lower rate and is allowed exceptional terms in the way of rebate on traffic. I am not aware that there are any reasons for an inquiry as suggested. Irish Children and Gardening- : MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the English Board of Agriculture gives grants for the subject of gardening; and whether, in view of the familiar with the habits, growth, and food desirability of children being made of plants, he will take steps to secure that the Irish Board of Agriculture shall also give grants for the subject of gardening. (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) I understand the English Board of Agriculture makes grants to certain institutions for agricultural purposes, including gardening. Grants for the teaching of gardening have also been made by the Irish Department through the county committees of agricultural and technical instruction. QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. Naval Training Ships-Stornoway's Claim. MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty): 1 MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Terenure (Dublin) to Blessington steam tram line has been working at a loss to the county Wicklow guaranteeing baronies of over £9,000, from the year 1887 to the 30th of June, 1901, equal to £600 a year; and also that the Blessing-beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the ton to Poulaphouca line, an independent Walpole Commission in their Report, and unguaranteed enterprise, is worked dated July, 1890, recommended the estab partly at the expense of the Terenure and lishment of a training ship for the Royal Navy at Stornoway; and will he say ↑ See (4) Debates., cxxix, 1308. whether the Board of Admiralty can see their way to adopt the proposal. Armed Political Mission to Thibet. THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Wood-grounds upon which the Government of bridge): The Admiralty are aware of the recommendations of the Walpole Commission, but cannot see their way to establish a training ship at Stornoway. North Sea Fisheries Wireless Telegraphy with the Faroe Islands and Iceland. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the proposals contained in the Report of the International Conference on Scientific Investigations in the North Sea, the question of securing communication with the Faroe Islands and Iceland by wireless telegraphy has yet been considered. THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY, Kensington, S.): As my predecessor stated on the 25th of June last,† the point raised cannot be considered apart from the larger question of the general use of wireless telegraphy. On this subject no definite decision has yet been arrived at. Thibet-Chinese Envoy to Lhassa, India decided that the present armed political mission to Thibet is not a contravention of the Act of 1858; and whether he will lay Papers before Parliament containing a report of the proceedings of the Supreme Executive Council of India at which this conclusion was arrived at, together with the opinions then given upon the question. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford): The fact that an escort accompanies the political mission does not necessitate any action under Clauses 54 and 55 of the Government of India Act, to which I presume the hon. Member refers. The question is not one for the consideration of the GovernorGeneral's Council, and there are no Papers to be presented. Indian Railways. MR. HERBERT ROBERTS: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether Parliament will be supplied at an early date with copies of the Indian Government's recommendations, founded on Mr. Thomas Robertson's Report, regarding the work MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Under-ing of the Indian railway system, with his Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if suggestions as to new lines. he will state whether the Chinese Envoy MR. BRODRICK: The views and who left Pekin in December, 1902, on a recommendations of the Government mission to Lhassa, for the purpose of of India on Mr. Thomas Robertson's arranging with the Thibetans a solution Report are now under my consideration. of the questions which the British Com- I cannot present any further Papers at missioner has been charged to discuss, present. has yet reached his destination; and, if not, will he consider the expediency of communicating with the Chinese Government with a view to ascertain the cause of the delay. SIR Calcutta High Court. MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, referring to the answer given by his predecessor to a Question by the hon. Member for the Frome Division of Somerset on the 13th November, 1902,† if he will state the result of the inquiry instituted. MR. BRODRICK: I am informed by the Government of India that the suggestion that there has been any undue regard to the admission of Chinese labour so as to include the points suggested by the Chinese Minister for further safeguarding the interests of the immigrants, especially as regards corporal punishment. delay in the disposal of criminal work in the Calcutta High Court is entirely unfounded; that if the criminal work before the Court is found at any time to be more than one Bench can deal with, arrangements are always made for constituting a second criminal Bench to deal with the excess; and that the Judges, after careful search, are unable to trace that any case has occurred in which a person on a short term of imprisonment who has appealed and not been released on bail, has served his term before his appeal could be heard. Convict Labour in the Colonies. MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether convicts, native or otherwise, have ever been let out for hire in any of our self-governing or Crown colonies except in the case of the Transvaal. *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON, Warwick and Leamington): As I stated in reply to another Question on Monday,† 1,200 convicts are employed at Kimberley in the mines. This is in virtue of a contract between the Government and the De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, MR. EUGENE WASON: That is not an answer to my Question. *MR. LYTTELTON: If the hon. Gentleman thinks it worth while pursuing the matter I will make further inquiries and endeavour to obtain the information he wants. MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.): Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that convict labour is employed on Robben Island? MR. CROOKS (Woolwich): Are there any white men among these 1,200 convicts? [No answer was returned.] Transvaal Labour Ordinance. MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Transvaal Government is prepared to alter the Ordinance with + See (4) Debates, cxxix, 1320 Council of the Transvaal having been *MR. LYTTELTON: The Legislative adjourned, the amendment of the Ordinance is not practicable, but I anticipate no difficulty in meeting the suggestions of the Chinese Minister under the power to make regulations which is given by the Ordinance. shire, Forest of Dean): Will the sugges*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestertion in regard to the appointment of a Consul or of Consuls be agreed to? *MR. LYTTELTON assented. Employment of Native Convicts in the Transvaal. MR. WHITLEY (Halifax): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what is the total number of native convicts in the Transvaal Colony; and how many are supplied for purposes of labour to private persons or companies. I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will state how many of the 850 native convicts supplied to the Transvaal gold mines have been convicted for minor offences, such as walking on the side-walk, intoxication, or petty thefts. *MR. LYTTELTON: I have given the hon. Member all the information in my possession, in replying to him on Monday,t excepting that I have also learnt that the employment of convicts with the mining companies was arranged, not to oblige them, but because there was insufficient accommodation in the gaols, with overcrowding and danger to health. I will make further inquiry as to the details which the hon. Member desires. MR. WHITLEY: Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the total number of convicts in the colony? *MR. LYTTELTON: Yes, Sir. + See (4) Debates, cxxix, 1320. |