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DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid): | Her Majesty's Government will do all they Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what he considers an inflammatory speech? Was the speech of the right hon. Gentleman last night an inflammatory speech?

MR. SPEAKER: Order, order!

NORTH SEA FISHERIES-AFFRAY BE-
TWEEN FRENCH AND ENGLISH
FISHERMEN AT RAMSGATE - COM-

PENSATION.

properly can to obtain compensation for British fishermen who suffered damage through the default of a Foreign Government. But I must remind my hon. Friend that where there are means of obtaining redress, it is not right for Her Majesty's Government to ask for compensation by direct diplomatic means. Her Majesty's Government have ascer tained from the Belgian Government that a remedy does exist, and that an action should be brought for damages sustained, by an action against the Local Authorities at Ostend. That has been pointed out to the parties con cerned; and I understand that one of them has taken proceedings against the Local Authorities. Should there be any failure to obtain a remedy in due course by law, which I have no reason to doubt, Her Majesty's Government will do all in their power to obtain it.

SIR EDWARD BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.) asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether any, and, if so, what amount of compensation was paid by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the fray between French fishermen belonging to Gravelines, and some English fishermen, &c., at Ramsgate Harbour on 7th October last year? THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth): Her Majesty's Government paid to the French Ambassador in London, the sum ARMY ESTIMATES-AN EXPLANATORY of £42 13s. 8d., as compensation to fishermen of Gravelines, for injuries sustained during the disturbances at Ramsgate on the 4th and 7th of October

last.

In reply to a further Question,

BARON HENRY DE WORMS said: The only other expenditure in connection with this matter was a small sum, as travelling and subsistence allowance to one of the Inspectors of Fisheries, who was directed to proceed to Rams gate for the purpose of elucidating the circumstances.

NORTH SEA FISHERIES-THE LATE
RIOTS AT OSTEND-COMPENSATION
FOR LOSS SUSTAINED BY ENGLISH

FISHERMEN.

SIR EDWARD BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.): I beg to ask my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government will use their utmost endeavours to obtain compensation for the loss sustained by English fishermen in the late riots at Ostend, in the same manner as the French Government have obtained compensation from the English Government on account of the slight affray at Ramsgate in October last?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.): I am safe in saying that

MEMORANDUM.

CAPTAIN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.,) asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in his Memorandum accompanying next year's Army Estimates, or in some other form, he will endeavour to furnish information as to the approximate total annual charges for the transport of troops, for the supply and conveyance of purely military stores, and for the maintenance of garrisons at each of our naval coal depôts abroad?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle): Before the next Army Estimates are prepared, I will see how far it may be practicable to give the information referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, either in a Memorandum attached to them, or in some other form.

NAVY ESTIMATES-AN EXPLANATORY

MEMORANDUM.

CAPTAIN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.,) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, in his Memorandum accompanying the next Naval Estimates, or in some other way, he will endeavour to give information corresponding to that on page 3 of the Memorandum which was furnished with this year's Army Estimates, so as to show approximately the estimated total annual cost, under all heads, of each of the

several branches of the personnel of the Naval Services, and of the administration, as distinguished from other charges?

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (A LORD of the ADMIRALTY) (Marylebone, E.) (who replied) said, it is intended to make a somewhat similar statement in next year's Naval Estimates to that which appeared in this year's Army Estimates.

BOARD OF TRADE (RAILWAY DEPART-
MENT) SPECIAL CARRIAGES FOR
LADIES.

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Mr. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's Co., Ossory) asked the Chief Secretary MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne) to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, asked the Secretary to the Board of Whether it is true that on the 16th of Trade, If any replies have been received August last, at Maryborough Prison, by that Department, from the Railway three warders were sent out in charge Companies, with reference to the Circular of 16 prisoners to work at the new recently addressed to them on the ques-cottages; that, later in the day, the tion of providing additional accommodation in railway trains for the exclusive use of females; and, if so, whether he will communicate to the House the nature of the replies?

THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth): The Board of Trade have received promises of replies from a large number of Railway Companies; but the Papers are not yet in a condition to be laid before Parliament.

INDIA-PURCHASE OF STORES

RESOLUTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

OF INDIA.

SIR LEWIS PELLY (Hackney, N.) asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he will place upon the Table of the House any Resolutions of the Government of India, with connected Correspondence between the Government of India and the subordinate Local Governments and between the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India, on the question of the purchase of stores and articles for the use of Government in England and in India respectively?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.) (who replied) said: If the hon. Member will move for the Resolution of the Government of India of the 10th of January, 1883, which contains the Rules now in force regarding the supply of articles of European manufacture re

Governor sent one of the three warders and seven of the convicts away into the country to work, leaving the two remaining warders in charge of the nine convicts; whether it is true that four of these nine convicts-namely, Thomas Manning, undergoing 10 years' imprisonment, Morgan O'Brien, 10 years, Patrick Daly, seven years, James Murphy, seven years, belonged to the class of convicts who ought not to be allowed outside the gate of the prison without an armed guard; whether, about 5 o'clock on the same day, convict James Murphy ran away and escaped; whether, in consequence, Warder O'Brien was called on to resign his post, on pain of dismissal, and this without any sworn inquiry being made; whether in other convict prisons a Military guard is employed; and, whether, taking into consideration the number of convicts who have escaped from Maryborough Prison since 1879, and the number of warders who in consequence have been dismissed or reduced in rank and pay, the Government will institute a sworn inquiry into the circumstances of the escape of Murphy and the virtual dismissal of Warder O'Brien ?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): It is not possible to deal with the details involved in this Question for some days, as it will be necessary to communicate with the Inspector who held the inquiry and with the Governor of the prison.

So far as the Question relates to Warder | Hanover Square): In answer to the O'Brien, the decision of the Prison hon. Gentleman's Question, I can only Board was arrived at on his own evidence, which showed that the escape of convict Murphy arose from culpable and admitted neglect on the part of Warder O'Brien. A statement of the whole case, with the minutes of evidence taken at the inquiry, was laid before the Government, and the Lord Lieutenant confirmed the action of the Prison Board.

CRIME AND OUTRAGE (IRELAND)

OUTRAGES IN CLARE COUNTY.

repeat what has already been stated in this House. A sum of rather over £3,000 per annum has hitherto been given by Her Majesty out of her Civil List to Queen's Plates. The object of the gift was to encourage the breed of horses. Her Majesty has been pleased to signify her intention to give the bulk of this money in future not in plates to be raced for, but in prizes to be competed for at agricultural shows, this being regarded as a better means of promoting the avowed object-the encouragement of horse breeding; and the Government have undertaken to

contribute out of the Estimates the com.

MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland, Whether the perpetrators of the 10 several outrages in paratively small sum necessary to make County Clare, reported in the Dublin up Her Majesty's gift to £5,000, which Daily Express of 30th August, six being gives them a locus standi and a certain by fire arms discharged into dwelling-responsibility in constituting the Adhouses, one an attempt to blow up a ministering Board. bridge by dynamite, one the savage beating of three labourers, one a notice LOCAL GOVERNMENT threatening death, and one of "Boycotting," have been traced and brought to justice, and what are the facts of the cases as ascertained; and, whether Her Majesty's subjects travelling in those districts may expect to travel safely?

BOUNDARIES ACT-BOUNDARIES OF UNIONS.

MR. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.) asked the President of the Local Government Board, If local inquiries will be held by the Assistant Commissioner under the new Local Government Boundaries Act THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A.J. in every case where the boundaries of BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): The outrages Unions overlap those of counties; if were correctly reported in The Daily Ex-proper notice will be given of such in press. I am not aware how many persons have been made amenable-very few, I am afraid, in proportion to the number of outrages. I should imagine that those of Her Majesty's subjects who are in danger are the residents in the county, and not stray travellers through it.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF HORSE BREED-
ING-APPROPRIATION OF £5,000.

MR. STEPHENS (Middlesex, Hornsey) asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the proposed appropriation of £5,000 for the encouragement of horse breeding, Whether, as horse breeding is a complicated pursuit demanding for success much individual resource and thrift, he will adhere, as strictly as possible, to a policy of laissez faire, and decline to allow Government interference with the industry of horse breeding in England, or to subsidize it with public money?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's,

quiries by advertisement in the local newspapers; and, if the public will have a right to be present and give evidence at such inquiries?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's): It will rest with the Commissioners appointed by the Act to determine as to the arrangements in connection with local inquiries as regards the overlapping of the county boundaries by Unions. The Commissioners will, no doubt, provide for local inquiries being held wherever they deem it necessary, and that notice should be given of the inquiries before they are held.

TREATY OF BERLIN-ARTICLE LXI.-
ARMENIA.

MR. A. M'ARTHUR (Leicester) asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, last year, Her Majesty's Government sent to Sir Edward Thornton at Constantinople various Memorials and Petitions setting forth the lamentable

state of affairs in Armenia, and praying that the promised reforms might be executed; and, whether Her Majesty's Ambassador made any representations to the Porte on the subject; and, if so, what was the nature of the official reply?

THE UNDER SECRETARY or STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.): Two Memorials representing grievances were received by Her Majesty's Government, and were sent to Her Majesty's Ambassador in Constantinople in 1885. A further communication was made to him in 1886, and brought to the notice of the Porte. No formal reply was made; but he was informed that certain reforms were in contemplation and being gradually carried out.

of Trade by the General Lighthouse Authorities for the erection of new lights, the establishment of fog signals, and the improvement of existing lights, have been refused, on the ground that the present state of the Mercantile Marine Fund will not warrant such expenditure; and, whether the Board of Trade will initiate a Bill to provide for the maintenance of the Lighthouse Service out of the Imperial taxes, instead of the Mercantile Marine Fund, a tax levied solely on shipowners?

THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth): I cannot, within the limits of a reply to a Question, answer fully the inquiry of the hon. Member; but I may state that the expenditure for no necessary works has been refused. All the circumstances connected with the condition of the Mer

RAILWAYS (IRELAND)—THE KILLINEY cantile Marine Fund are now under in

FORESHORE.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.) (for Sir THOMAS ESMONDE) (Dublin Co., S.) asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Why the recent proceedings against parties drawing gravel from Killiney foreshore were taken in his name, and not in the name of the Dublin, Wick

low, and Wexford Railway Company, who were the parties interested; whether it is true that the public have been drawing sand from the foreshore from time immemorial, long before the railway line was made; and, whether it is true that the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway Company have been drawing gravel from the foreshore since the injunction has been granted against other parties?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR

IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON) (Liverpool, Walton), in reply, said, that as the Court had granted a decree in the case it would be improper for him to express any opinion on the facts. With regard to the last paragraph of the Question, he had got no information.

MR. CLANCY asked if the expenses would be paid by the Crown?

MR. GIBSON said, the costs would not fall on the Crown.

quiry; but there is no intention of providing for the maintenance of the Lighthouse Service out of Imperial

funds.

LAW AND JUSTICE (IRELAND)— ARREST OF MR. W. O'BRIEN, M.P. MR. BYRON REED (Bradford, E.) asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether it is customary, and, if customary, whether it is proper, for police officers who are in charge of prisoners arrested under magisterial warrant to give the said prisoners facilities for addressing public meetings whilst they are in custody, and for otherwise conducting themselves as though no legal restraint had been put upon them?

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DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid): Before that Question is answered, Mr. Speaker, I beg to call attention to its terms, and to ask your opinion whether it is right for the words "whether it is ask that with a certain amount of conproper to appear in the Question? I fidence, in consequence of those words having, on a recent occasion, been struck out of a Question I addressed to the House.

MR. SPEAKER: I see no harm in the Question, nor anything that is unParliamentary or improper in it.

DR. TANNER: The words were

BOARD OF TRADE-THE LIGHTHOUSE struck out in my case, Sir.

SERVICE.

MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.) asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, What applications made to the Board

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight): It is not customary, and is, in my opinion, highly improper, for police officers

who are in charge of prisoners arrested under warrant to give the prisoners facilities for addressing public or any meetings while they are in custody, or for conducting themselves as though no legal restraint had been put upon them.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member

for Mid Cork (Dr. Tanner) complains

that certain words were struck out of a Question of his. Of course, that all depends upon what the context was.

DR. TANNER: They were struck out in consequence of being an expression of opinion.

CRIME AND OUTRAGE

hon. and gallant Gentleman will, I am sure, upon consideration, see that the Question is at present premature. But the Government is not aware of any precedent in the direction indicated, nor are they aware that there is any fund out of which compensation should be made.

TRADE AND COMMERCE—THE SUGAR

BOUNTIES-THE INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE.

MR. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale) asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether Her Majesty's Government have as yet received fur(IRELAND)ther replies to the invitations to the pro

THE FATAL RIOT AT MITCHELS-
TOWN.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton) (for Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastleupon-Tyne) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government propose to appoint a Commission, or otherwise to institute a public inquiry, into the circumstances of the loss of life at Mitchelstown, as was done in the case of the Belfast riots

in 1886?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the Belfast inquiry was conducted under an Act of Parliament, and without such an Act no sworn inquiry can take place. The proceedings at Mitchelstown will probably be made the subject of judicial investigation; and it will be highly inconvenient and prejudicial to the ends of justice to have two concurrent inquiries on the same subject carried on at the same time. It is obvious that the case of Belfast is in no way analogous to the case of Mitchelstown; and an inquiry into the deplorable events which occurred at the latter place would necessarily take the form of a criminal investigation, conducted by a tribunal created ad hoc, which, I think, the hon. Member would hardly recommend.

COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.) asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government would consider the advisability of compensating those among the injured at Mitchelstown who have not been proved guilty of any illegal act, and also of providing for the families of those killed?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster): The

posed International Conference on Sugar Bounties; and, whether it is yet decided when and where that Conference will be held?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.) (who replied) said: Since the answer was returned to the hon. Member's Question on the 26th ultimo Portugal has replied. She declines the invitation, as she has no interest in the question. In the invitation London was proposed as the place of meeting. No date has yet been fixed, or can be proposed, until all the Powers principally concerned have accepted; but the invitation, which was dated July 2, stated that Her Majesty's Government attached great importance to an early decision being arrived at.

CHARITY COMMISSIONERS-CHARITY

RENT-CHARGES.

SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston) asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether he will grant a Return of the Charities of which the rent-charges or other payments have been withheld, or attempted to be withheld, to the knowledge of the Charity Commissioners during the last 10 years?

THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir WIL LIAM HART DYKE) (Kent, Dartford): The same objections will in great measure hold good to granting the Return in the form now suggested, as I mentioned in replying to a similar inquiry a month ago; and I am further informed that it would be by no means easy to make a complete or satisfactory Return. I will, however, cause further inquiries to be

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