Feeding Stuffs.

MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross): I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused to grain and other merchants by His Majesty's Customs requiring them to obtain from their customers a certificate that treacle, which has been sold and invoiced to be used for feeding stuffs only, has in fact been so used; and whether he will give instructions that, where a trader has given such a certificate, he shall not be further required to make inquiries from his

customers.

(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) Under Section 1 (1) of the Revenue Act, 1903, the Commissioners of Customs are authorised to impose such conditions as may be necessary, in their opinion, for the protection of the revenue, in connection with the duty-free importation of molasses intended to be used as food for stock. Regulations have accordingly been made under which an undertaking is required to be given by the importer or proprietor to produce, whenever called upon to do so, evidence to the satisfac

tion of the Commissioners of Customs that the molasses has been actually used as food for stock only, or in the preparation of articles which can only be used for that purpose. The Commissioners usually require such evidence to be in the form of a certificate that the molasses has been actually used for the prescribed purpose, and such certificates can obviously not be given by traders themselves in respect of molasses which they have sold to other persons. It therefore rests with 'the traders to make their own arrangements with their customers to provide themselves with the necessary certificates from the actual users for production to the Customs when required.

Sylviculture in Scotland.

MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith Burghs): I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, whether the Board is responsible for dealing with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Forestry in Scotland, or whether responsibility for sylviculture training in Scotland is shared

(Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries are generally responsible for dealing with the recommendations of their Departmental Committee, but forestry education and educational demonstrations are allied to agricultural education and therefore come under the control of the Scottish Office. Purely experimental work and research, on the other hand, even though carried on in Scotland, fall within the province of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. The two Departments are in constant consultation with one forestry interests are likely to gain rather another, and than suffer by the fact that both Departments are in some degree concerned.

Delays in Delivery of Scotch Mails. MR. HARMSWORTH: To ask the

Postmaster-General if he will state on what occasions, between 1st June and 31st October, 1903, the down night mails from London to Scotland by the West Coast Railways were late in being delivered at Carlisle, Perth, and Inverness, and the extent of the delays at these places respectively.

(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Between the 1st June and 31st October, 1903 (153 days), the down night mail train to Scotland by the West Coast Railways was more than fifteen minutes late in arriving at Carlisle on fifty-three days, at Perth on 130 days, and at Inverness on 115 days. The average lateness was at Carlisle fourteen minutes, at Perth twentyseven minutes, and at Inverness thirtyfour minutes. The railway companies have had some special difficulties to meet this year, especially in the tourist season, but, after making all due allowance for this, the working of the service cannot be regarded as satisfactory, although it shows improvement as compared with previous years. Frequent representations on the subject have been made to the companies concerned.

Resignations in the Postal Service.

MR. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield): To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will direct that a tabulated statement of resignations from all

(Answered by Lord Stanley.) It is undesirable to include additional tables in the Postmaster-General's Annual Report unless some strong reason exists for doing so. I do not think that any such reason can be shown in the case of the tabulated statement referred to by the hon. Member.

Unexpended Parliamentary Grants for Devonshire Schools.

MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton): To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state what were the amounts of the Parliamentary Grants unexpended on outstanding liabilities before the appointed day of schools not provided by school boards for the administrative county of Devon, specifying the total amounts paid to individual school managers and to associations of voluntary schools.

(Answered by Sir William Anson.) I am afraid that I cannot give the figures the hon. Member desires. All Parlia mentary Grants, due for periods previous to the appointed day, are in course of being paid over to the managers, except a part of the Aid Grant which is being paid over to certain associations of voluntary schools which have satisfied the requirements of the Act. The pay; ment of the grants will not be completed for some time to come; but in any case the Board have not the information as

to the liabilities of managers on the appointed day which would enable them to say how much of the Parliamentary Grants will remain over after these liabilities have been met. The Board cannot yet say how much the portion of the Aid Grant paid over to associations of voluntary schools will eventually amount to.

(Answered by Lord Balcarres.) No steps have actually been taken as to the erection of a statue of Queen Victoria in Westminster Hall since the Question of the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne was answered last July. † The matter is still under consideration. The First Commissioner regrets that at this stage it is impossible for him to make any definite statement on the subject.

Ringworm Hospital for Poor Law
Children.

SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston): To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether any hospital has been erected by the Asylums Board for the treatment of poor law children affected with ringworm; and, if so, will he state the number of cases at present in the hospital and the number that have been treated there each year, the cost of the building, and the annual expenditure for the maintenance of the institution.

Metropolitan Asylums Board have two (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The establishments for the reception and treatment of poor law children suffering and the other at Witham, Essex. They from ringworm-one at Sutton, Surrey, were purchased from the Managers of the South Metropolitan School District for for £88,261 and the other for £11,046). £99,307 (viz.: the Sutton establishment In addition, an expenditure of £13,650 was authorised in 1902 in respect of the provision of a laundry at Sutton. The number of children in these schools on 143; Total, 562. The total number of the 13th inst. was:-Sutton,419; Witham,

children admitted into the Sutton school from 26th February, 1903 (the date of opening) to the end of that year was 618. In the case of the other school, which was opened on 12th February, 1901, 316 children were admitted up to the end of 1902, and during 1903, 69 were admitted. The expenditure for the maintenance Michaelmas, 1903, was £5,004, and in the of the Witham school for the year ended case of the other school for the half year ending on that date £6,995.

MR. FIELD: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain the reason of the contribution in lieu of rates in respect of certain portions of Phoenix Park being discontinued; whether he is aware that the Dublin County Council passed a resolution upon the subject in the interest of their ratepayers; and whether, seeing that the financial returns from Phoenix

Park are much more remunerative than those from Brockwell Park, upon which the point was raised and a decision taken, he will, under the circumstances, advise the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to resume payment of the contribution paid for so many years to the local authority.

(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The contributions for Royal Parks in England, Scotland, and Ireland were discontinued on the ground that no rate would be payable if the parks were in other hands than those of the Crown and used for the same purposes as at present. I am aware of the resolution referred to. The financial returns from Phoenix Park are but a small percentage of the cost of maintenance and do not affect the principle involved.

Delay in Delivery of Eggs from Clare morris, County Mayo.

MR. FIELD: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that consignments of eggs from Claremorris, in Mayo, frequently were delayed for nine days before they reached their destination, Leigh in Lancashire, about eleven miles from Manchester; and whether he will cause the Department of Agriculture in Ireland to inquire into and report upon the matter.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham). No complaint has been made to the Department of Agriculture in respect to this matter, but any definite representations on the subject made by aggrieved persons will be duly inquired into.

Rent Dispute on Wetherell Estate,
County Longford.

MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the LordLieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at a recent quarter sessions in Longford, complaint was made that Mr. Alexander W. Percival, a receiver under the Land Judges' Court, had compelled a widow named Mary Heally, living on the Wetherell Estate in Ballincurry, county Longford, to pay two years rent, although he had only receipted her for one year's rent; and notice of the Judge, with a view to his whether he will bring these facts to the removal from the post of receiver in that

Court.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) An ejectment for non-payment of rent was. brought against this tenant at the Longford Quarter Sessions, in April, 1903. The amount claimed to be due was found. on examination to be correct, but it appears that the agent, Mr. Percival, had been in the habit for several years previously of giving a receipt for a halfyear's rent in advance of that actually paid. The tenant was thus under the impression that she owed a half-year's rent less than the amount actually due.. With his consent a half-year's rent was subsequently struck off and credit was allowed to the tenant for this amount in the decree which was subsequently obtained against her. There is nothing in

as suggested.

Promotion of Irish National School

Assistant Teachers.

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many assistant teachers in Irish national schools have been promoted from third to second grade since the introduction of the new rules.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Three assistant teachers have been promoted to the second grade since the date mentioned, in pursuance of Rule 195 (f). Ninety-three assistant teachers have been promoted to the second grade on appointment as principal teachers since the same date, pursuant to Rule 200, III.

Case of Late Private Norris.

MR. J. P. FARRELL: To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether any moneys were due, or effects unclaimed, to the credit of the late Private P. Norris, No. 6694, 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, who was killed at Modderfontein on 29th January, 1901; whether, in view of the circumstances of this man's parents, any recommendation has been made on their behalf to the Royal Patriotic Fund; and whether some relief or gratuity will now be paid to them.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary ArnoldForster.) The sum due to the estate of the late No. 6694, Patrick Norris, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, amounted to £16 3s. 5d. The whole of this sum has been paid to the late soldier's father. The father's application for assistance has been twice brought before the Royal Patriotic Fund Commissioners, but they have not seen their way to granting any monetary assistance. There is no fund at the disposal of the Secretary of State from which help can be given.

Compensation for Injury to Gunner
William Murphy.

MR. J. P. FARRELL: To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in consequence of an accident at gunnery practice in county

been an inmate of Longford Union Hospital for nine months; and whether, seeing that this man was only granted 12s. by way of remuneration for the accident, he will direct an inquiry into this man's case with a view to having him paid compensation for the injuries received.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary ArnoldForster.) The hon. Member has been misinformed. This gunner broke his leg through slipping on the flooring of his tent and not while at gunnery practice. He was admitted to hospital where, as he was considered to have been injured on duty and not to have been to blame for his accident, hospital stoppages were remitted. He was discharged from the hospital at his own request on 22nd September, and was admitted to Longford Union Infirmary on 13th October. Gratuity for injuries is not issued concurrently with maintenance at the public expense, and he accordingly received a gratuity of 12s. a week for the period 22nd September to 13th October only, amounting to £1 14s. 3d.'in all. If on leaving the infirmary he is found incapacitated from earning his living, application for a further gratuity will be considered; but it must be added that a medical officer who visited him there reported that he had recovered from the fracture and did not seem inclined to use the leg.

Estate of the Late James M'Gowan.

To ask the

MR. J. P. FARRELL: Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the late James M'Gowan, alias James M'Gavan, alias James Murray, who died in Rhodesia in 1897, possessed of an interest in the Lendy Estate, which has since been realised, was at the time of his death in possession of a sum of £25 Os. 10 d. in cash for which no account has been rendered; and will he, following the example of the late Colonial Secretary, request the Master of the Higher Court to report on the whereabouts of this sum.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I

White British Born Labour in the
Transvaal.

MR. PLATT-HIGGINS (Salford, N.): To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if steps can be taken to ascertain the number of white British born workmen in actual employment in the mines, railways, and manufactories in the Transvaal on any one day at the present time.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am asking Lord Milner to furnish this information so far as it is practicable to do so.

Employment of Convicts in the South African Mines.

MR. LEVY (Leicestershire, Loughborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state upon what terms and under what conditions convicts

are employed in the mines in South Africa; whether any payment is made for their services; if so, upon what basis and to whom made; whether they are under the inspection of a Government official when at work; and whether they are living in compounds with other natives or in compounds set apart for convicts.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I have already given the information at my disposal on the subject of the convicts employed in the Transvaal mines in reply to Questions recently addressed to met. I have asked for full particulars. The employment of convicts in the Kimberley mines takes place under the provisions of an Act of the Cape Colony, No. 23, of 1888, Section 52.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

New Service Rifle.

MR. OSMOND WILLIAMS (Merionethshire): On behalf of the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk I beg to ask the

Secretary of State for War if it is

+ See (4) Debates, cxxix., 1320.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mг. BROMLEY DAVENPORT, Cheshire, Macclesfield): A wind gauge back sight is being fitted to the new rifle.

Devonport Dockyard Blacksmiths. MR. CROOKS (Woolwich): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that recently a number of blacksmiths at Devonport Dockyard were offered the option of resigning or accepting the post of hammermen, at a reduced rate of pay, in consequence of a falling off in the demand for blacksmiths, he will arrange that, in the event of their transfer or discharge, they shall have their full title of blacksmith, as they were originally engaged, and not of hammermen, in which capacity they are now employed.

THE SECRETARY ΤΟ THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Woodbridge): The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed with regard to this matter, as no incident of the kind has occurred recently at Devonport Dockyard. Cases, however, do sometimes occur in which, on a reduction of hands, smiths are offered the option of resigning or accepting employment as hammermen, and in all such cases it is the rule for the men on discharge to be given their full title of smith.

MR. CROOKS: I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. My information was to the contrary. I will let him see the

letter.

Royal Naval Reserve Station at Ullapool.

MR. LEVESON-GOWER (Sutherland): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, after considering the respective advantages of Ullapool and Lochinver, the former has been chosen as a Royal Naval Reserve Station; whether he is aware that the greater number of Reservists are from the neighbourhood of Lochinver, and Ullapool has been chosen, will he state from the north of it; and, if so, if what measures the Admiralty propose to