33. Bury and District Joint Water | reception which I experienced throughBoard, out my journey. 34. Preston, Chorley, and Horwich Tramways. 35. Salford Corporation. 36. Shropshire and Worcestershire Electric Power. 37. North Western Electricity and Power Gas. 38. Hastings Harbour. "More recently the President of the French Republic has been My guest. His visit has given rise to a striking exhibition of the feelings of mutual goodwill which prevail between the two countries. "The situation in the European pro 39. Hastings Harbour District Rail- vinces of Turkey continues to be a sub ject of general anxiety. My Government, acting in concert with those of AustriaHungary and Russia and the other Signatories of the Treaty of Berlin, have used their best efforts to restrict the area of disturbance, and to impress upon those concerned the necessity of selfrestraint and moderation. "I earnestly hope that the scheme of reforms pressed on the Porte by the two Powers most nearly concerned, and strongly supported by My Government, may effect some improvement in the condition of all classes of the population in Macedonia. "The ratifications of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation concluded. with China in September, 1902, have now been exchanged, and portions of the Treaty will come into immediate operation. "I have also concluded with His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia a Convention which will place the commercial relations of the two countries on a more secure and satisfactory basis in the future. "In the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies the work of resettlement and pacification has made great progress. The recently constituted Legislative Councils, containing unofficial members representing the various interests and sections of the community, have held their first session, and have rendered valuable services in preparing and passing Government of My new Colonies. A the measures necessary for the good Customs Convention, which includes preferential treatment for imports from the mother country, has been ratified by the Legislatures of all the Colonies of British South Africa, the union of which, for fiscal purposes, is an important and necessary step in the direction of their ultimate political federation. the "In My Indian Empire the return | ments towards the continued residence of of favourable seasons and the improve- landowners among their countrymen, and ment of the finances have enabled provides facilities for improving important reductions of taxation to be conditions of life in the poorer districts of given, which, I trust, will perceptibly the West. ameliorate the condition of the people. Agriculture and trade continue to exhibit signs of sustained progress, while the most recent information as to the present season's rainfall and the promise of the crops is generally re-elementary education, which was applied assuring. "The operations conducted by My forces in Somaliland for the protection of certain tribes who had suffered from the depredations of the Mullah Abdullah have not yet been concluded; but the flight of the enemy's forces from his original position in a north-easterly direction will enable a further movement to be undertaken against him under more favourable conditions. "I am glad to have been able, within the last few months, to visit My people both in Scotland and Ireland. The expressions of goodwill with which I was everywhere received have greatly touched Me. warm "In Ireland My visit to the Capital, to Belfast, the chief centre of industrial enterprise, to Londonderry, through Connemara to Galway, and to Cork, enabled Me to realise how much is being attempted, and by how many agencies, to improve the housing accommodation of the working population, to stimulate commercial activity, to alvance the methods of agriculture, to develop technical education, and to provide for the sick and infirm. Much remains to be done, but it was with feelings of the deepest gratification that I noticed signs of increasing concord between all classes in Ireland, presaging, as I hope, a new era of united efforts for the general welfare. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,— "I thank you for the liberality with which you have made provision for the services for the year. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "A measure to expedite the conversion of agricultural tenancies into occupation ownerships throughout Ireland has been passed in a form which offers induce This reform, by removing ancient causes of social dissension, will, heartily trust, conduce to the common benefit of all My Irish subjects. "The scheme for co-ordinating and improving our system of secondary and to the rest of England and Wales by the completed by its extension to London. enactment of last year, has now been I am hopeful that great advantage will be derived from this far-reaching educational reform. "Although the measure for making the Port of London adequate, under modern conditions, to the commercial needs of the Metropolis, has not passed through all its stages, the time expended on it has not been lost; and I trust it will become law at an early period of next session. "I congratulate you on passing an Act enabling My Government to carry into effect My engagement to co-operate with other Powers in bringing about the abolition of bounties on sugar. "The law relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors in Scotland has been consolidated and greatly improved. "I have gladly given My assent to legislation for regulating the employment of children, for controlling the use of motor-cars, and for reorganising the administration of the Patriotic Fund. labours may be assured by the prothat the results of your tection and blessing of Almighty God." Then a Commission for proroguing Parliament was read. After which the Lord Chancellor said- By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's name, and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Monday the Second day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Monday the Second day of November next. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Friday, 14th August, 1903. The House met at Ten of the Clock. RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC. LIGHT LOAD LINE. Communicated Paper [presented 13th August]; to be printed. [No. 356.] BOILER EXPLOSIONS ACTS, 1882 Copy presented, of Report to the Secretary of the Board of Trade upon the working of the Boiler Explosions Acts, 1882 and 1890, with Appendices [by Command]; to lie upon the Table. JOINT STOCK COMPANIES. Return presented, relative thereto [ordered 13th August; Mr. Gerald Balfour]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No 357.] TEACHERS' PENSION FUND Copy presented, of Report on the Valuation of the Teachers' Pension Fund (Ireland) on the 31st December 1900 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table. PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table, List of the Bills, Reports, Estimates, and Countries. Accounts and Papers printed by order of the House, and of Papers presented by Command, Session 1903, with a General Alphabetical Index thereto, 27th Parliament, Fourth Session, 3rd Edward VII., 17th February, 1903, to 14th August, 1903; to be printed. [No 358.] QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CIRCULATED WITH THE VOTES. Shipments of Welsh Coal to the Far East. MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil): To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the shipments of Welsh coal for last month and the corresponding month of 1902 to Japan, China and Hong-Kong, and Colombo and Singapore respectively, and also the shipments to the same countries and ports for the first seven months of 1903 and 1902; can he say, under shipments, to which country the coal is entered in the monthly Board of Trade Returns in cases where a charter party contains the option of several ports of destination, and is the exporter required to declare a specific destination. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The following figures give the information asked for so far as it can be supplied. Quantities of Welsh coal exported to the undermentioned countries during the months of July 1902 and 1903, and also the quantities exported during the seven months ended 31st July 1902 and 1903, respectively Japan. China and Hong-Kong Ceylon and Straits Settlements 11,004 The place of destination is required to | be stated in the Customs Export Entries. In the comparatively few cases in which more than one port is stated, the coal is credited to the country in which the first-mentioned port is situated. Produce of United Kingdom Supplied for War Purposes in South Africa. MR. WHITLEY THOMSON (Yorkshire. W.R., Skipton): To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state for the years 1900, 1901, and 1902 what are the amounts of the produce and Condition of Artillery Horses exposed to weather at Trawsfynydd Camp, Merionethshire. manufactures of the United Kingdom supplied for war purposes in South Africa which are included in the Board of Trade Returns for these years. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) I am not able to supply the hon. Member with the required information. The Question should be addressed to the Board of Trade. Commissions in King's African Rifles for Volunteers. MR, CORRIE GRANT (Warwickshire, Rugby): To ask the Secretary of State for War whether any commissions in the King's African Rifles have been given to Volunteers under Home District Order No. 2, of 18th March, 1903; and, if so, how many. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) No officer of the Volunteer Forces has yet been selected for appointment to the King's African Rifles. Veterinary Doctors and the Army Veterinary Department. MR. WILLIAM M'KILLOP (Sligo, N.): To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the leaders of the veterinary profession have advised their recent graduates not to join the Army Veterinary Department under the existing warrant; will he state how many men the Department are in want of, and how many men were up at the last examination, and how many passed; and also if the Report of the Committee on the Army Veterinary Department is yet signed; and, if so, will he give the date of signing, and lay it upon the Table of the House. MR. OSMOND WILLIAMS (Merionethshire): To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the Artillery horses in the camp at Trawsfynydd, Merionethshire, during the four weeks of rain in the month of July, when they were exposed to the weather without any covering; and, if so, whether he will take steps to remedy this condition of things. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) No Report has been received at the War Office of the matter mentioned. The General Officer Commanding may safely be relied upon to take such steps as may be necessary in such cases. Autumn Cruise of Channel Squadron. MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.): To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state what arrangements have been made for the cruise of the autumn; and whether it is part of the Channel Squadron during the ensuing visit Lough Foyle on its cruise. arrangements that the Squadron is to (Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) The programme proposed for the autumn cruise of the Channel Fleet has not yet been received from the Vice-Admiral Commanding. The Vice-Admiral has been directed to consider the question of including a visit to Lough Foyle in the programme for the cruise, should the convenience of the Service allow; but I cannot yet state definitely whether it will be found possible to comply with the wishes that have been expressed on this point. Foyle. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) I am aware that veterinary surgeons have been advised in certain publications not to enter the Army Department; but the Erection or Buoy on Tuns Bank, Lough heads of the veterinary college disclaim any such advice. The number of vacancies is now forty. At the last examination there were four candidates, and two failed medically and the other two failed to qualify. The Report was signed on the 8th April. It is not proposed to publish it; but action is being taken with regard to it. MR. O'DOHERTY: To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the gaslighted sounding buoy promised by him on behalf of the Irish Light Commissioners some months ago to be erected at the Tuns Bank entrance to Lough Foyle has as yet been placed in position; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the buoy referred to by the hon. Member has not yet been placed in position. Special buoys have to be constructed, and gasworks for charging them erected, all of which are being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. formed by the British postal authorities that no compensation was possible, and that an inquiry could not be instituted because under the regulations of the International Telegraph Convention a complaint of a delay of an extra European telegram is not referred from one administration to another unless the delay amounts to six days; and, if so, whether he will endeavour to remedy this state of things, and Alleged Deserters from Steamship "Rom- reduce the six days limit to one of six ford" at Madagascar. MR. ROBSON (South Shields): To ask the President of the Board of Trade seamen hours. into cases of delay unless the delay is such (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) whether his attention has been called to The telegram in question was ordered by the circumstances under which eleven the sender to be forwarded via Turkey, were left behind as alleged and although duly despatched from this deserters from the steamship "Romford," country it appears to have subsequently of London, at the port of Vohemar, sustained the delay of which complaint Madagascar, on the 12th December last was made. Under the present regulaif so, whether he can state the amount of tions of the International Telegraph Conwages due to these men and the amountvention, inquiries are not, as a rule, made expended by the owners in hiring substitutes in the place of men so left behind; whether the balance of the wages due to the said eleven men has been paid over to the Consolidated Fund as provided for by the Merchant Shipping Act; and whether, seeing that the master of the steamship "Romford," before leaving the men behind, failed to obtain a certificate from a Consul or two merchants stating the circumstances under which the men were so left behind, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) My attention has been directed to this case, but wages accounts have not been rendered, nor have the Board of Trade any information as to the expenses incurred by the owners in hiring substitutes. No balances have been paid over by the owners, and the question of claiming from them repayment of expenses incurred by the Government for the seamen is now under consideration. as to constitute a claim to refundment of the charge. In the case of Extra European telegrams this delay is fixed at six days; but under the revised regulations which were adopted at the recent International Telegraph Conference, and which will come into force on 1st July, 1901, this period will be reduced to three days. Approximate Values of British MR. LAMBERT: (Devonshire, South Molton): To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if there are any estimates, and, if so, would he give them, of the approximate annual values produced by British farmers of wheat, barley, oats, other grain, beef, mutton, pork, Lutter, cheese, and milk, respectively. (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) Returns are collected annually by the Delay in Telegram to Colombo. Board of the estimated production of MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canter wheat, barley, oats, beans, peas, potatoes, bury): To ask the Postmaster-General roots, hops, and hay in Great Britain, whether his attention has been called to and Returns of the prices of the three the fact that a telegram sent to Colombo principal cereals are also obtained under on the 21st March last did not reach the the Corn Returns Act, 1882. The person to whom it was addressed up to total quantity of wheat, barley, and oats the evening of the 24th March when he estimated to have been produced in sailed away from that island; that on Great Britain in 1901, valued at the applying for redress the sender was in-average of official prices returned during |