made of the Commissioners in the matter. THEATRES, &c., METROPOLIS-CAPTAIN SHAW'S REPORT TRADE AND COMMERCE -THE SUGAR MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.) asked BOUNTIES THE INTERNATIONAL the Secretary of State for the Home DeCONFERENCE-APPOINTMENT OF Apartment, Whether he will order the DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any further steps have been taken by the police authorities in the City of Cork to bring to justice the men who were guilty of gross misconduct and drunkenness on a recent occasion in the Cork Theatre; whether their respective names Fitzgerald, son of the Knight of Glynn, and Hussey, son of Samuel Hussey, the well known land agent; and, whether their statement that they were magistrates, and if the address given by them, the County Cork Club, is correct? were THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): I am afraid I have no information to give the hon. Gentleman. DR. TANNER: When am I to get an answer? Is it in consequence of these gentlemen being friends of the right hon. Gentleman, and of high social position, that he will not inquire into the matter? MR. SPEAKER: Order, order! VOL. CCCXXI. [THIRD SERIES.] publication of Captain Shaw's Report on London Theatres ? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, the Report was confidential, and he would consult with the Lord Chamberlain and the Metropolitan Board of Works as to whether it could be published with public advantage. THE MAGISTRACY (ENGLAND AND WALES)-THE DARTMOUTH MAGISTRACY. MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the reports in The Western Morning News of 28th July, and in The Dartmouth Chronicle of 29th July last, of an action for assault (Cleland v. Owen) tried at the Assizes at Exeter, from which it appears that on a Sunday afternoon two Justices of the Peace of the Borough of Dartmouth and County of Devon engaged in a personal encounter on a public road, near Dartmouth, and gave each other black eyes; whether the Lord Chief Justice, who presided at the trial, observed, with regard to the sworn evidence of one of the parties, that he "could not be depended on in a question of fact;" and, what action the Lord Chancellor proposes to take in the matter? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, the Lord Chancellor had made inquiries with reference to the subjectmatter of this Question; but he had not yet been able to arrive at a decision. WAR OFFICE THE TOWER GARDENS. MR. FISHER (Fulham) asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has yet come to a decision as to the Memorial for the opening of the Tower Gardens to the public? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle): I am glad to say that Her Majesty has approved of the opening, as an experiment, of the gardens of the covered way R of the Tower of London, under Rules he is aware that William Delany has now being framed. MR. H. J. WILSON (York, W.R., Holmfirth) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it has been reported to him that the Reverend H. Dolamore has been "Boycotted" by the members of the Methodist New Connection, of Priesthill, near Hillsborough, County Down, on account of his opinions as a Liberal and Home Ruler; whether he is aware that Mr. Dolamore has been obliged to resign his position; and, what steps he proposes to take in this case? no residence at Cardiff, and no source of income there or in any part of England; that he is in the employment, at a small salary, of cattle shippers, in the City of Cork, who send him with their live stock to Cardiff; whether it is on the assumption of his being the owner of these live stock that he has been assessed with payment of Income Tax, which assessment should be made against his employers, if at all; and, under the circumstances, how long it is intended to keep him in prison? THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds N.): Yes, Sir; William Delany has been arrested for non-payment of Income Tax due for the last three years, and is liable to be kept in prison, without bail, until he pays the duty in arrear with costs, or gives security for payment. As to the additional points which the hon. Member has added to the Question inform myself; but I presume that to-day, time has not permitted me to Delany has had the same opportunity of appeal as anyone else against the assess ment to Income Tax. DR. TANNER: Am I to understand from the hon. Gentleman that though he has got no money to pay he is to be kept in prison for an unlimited time? MR. JACKSON: I hope he will not be kept in prison for an unlimited time. It is quite open to any of his friends to take him out on bail. I had better not go into the case; but I think there is some whether he is able to pay or not. difference of opinion as to DR. TANNER said, there was some misunderstanding about this man. His employer was a large cattle dealer; but he was not himself at all a wealthy man. THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): I understand that the rev. gentleman referred to, who was appointed to the charge of a Methodist church near Hillsborough, County Down, in June last, had dealt with political opinions in the pulpit which were objectionable to his congregation, the large majority of whom ceased to attend the church, and that he has in consequence resigned his position. The Government do not see anything in the matter calling for inter-miralty is prepared to increase the ference on their part. INLAND REVENUE-ARREST OF W DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he is aware that William Delany, of Cork, has been arrested at Cardiff for non-payment of Income Tax; whether GREENWICH HOSPITAL-AGE PENSIONS. MR. GENT-DAVIS (Lambeth, Kennington) asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Board of Ad amount given from the funds of Greenwich Hospital for age pensions; and whether it proposes to improve the investments of the Greenwich Hospital Fund? MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (A LORD of the ADMIRALTY) (Sheffield. Ecclesall): Under the present Admi nistration the amount distributed in Greenwich Age Pensions has been in creased from £71,256 to £78,650, an | right of entry to the prisons now increase of over £7,000. The expenditure on special pensions has also been largely increased. Within the past year the income of Greenwich Hospital has been increased by £4,000 a-year by the re-investment of £580,000. POST OFFICE (IRELAND)-POST OFFICE AT CARLOW. COLONEL THE O'GORMAN MAHON (Carlow) asked the Postmaster General, Whether his attention has been directed to the character and condition of the post office in the town of Carlow; whether representations have been made by the Town Commissioners and by the traders of Carlow to the effect that the present post office building there is totally unsuited to the requirements of the district; and whether the Inspector of the post office has expressed his concurrence in those representations; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to provide, without delay, the increased accommodation necessary? THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University): Better accommodation is required for the Post Office business at Carlow. For some time past the Postmaster has been looking out for other premises, but, hitherto, without success. It is now under consideration whether the present office cannot be adequately enlarged and improved at a moderate expense. MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.): Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster has only to cross to the opposite side of the street to find ample accommodation? MR. RAIKES: I understand some accommodation may be obtained in Carlow, but at a price entirely out of the question for the Post Office to agree with. LAW AND JUSTICE-HIGH SHERIFFS. MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.) (for Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.) asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether a High Sheriff has the right to enter prisons and visit prisoners within his bailiwick? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight), in reply, said, that a High Sheriff had no right to enter prisons, or visit prisoners, within his county or shire. The only possessed by the Sheriff was in connection with the execution of the sentence of death. Perhaps he should add that a High Sheriff could not act as a Justice of the Peace during his year of office. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE (IRELAND) ACT, 1887-7TH AND 11TH SECTIONS-NOTICE IN THE "DUBLIN WEEKLY NEWS." MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth) asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to a statement in The Weekly News, a newspaper alleged to be the property of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who is a Member of this House, which, after referring to the 7th and 11th sections of the Crimes Act, which enable the Lord Lieutenant to ordain it to be unlawful to publish the proceedings of certain Associations, and that any person publishing such proceedings renders himself liable to six months' imprisonment, proceeds to give the following notice: "We, therefore, give notice to all whom it may concern that if any branch of the National League be ordered out of existence by continue to meet, as we are satisfied they ought the Viceroy, and if its Committee or Members to do, we shall publish reports from them sent to us by their secretaries or other authorized officers, precisely as if no Coercion Act ever existed; and, whether, since the proprietor of this paper is a Justice of the Peace, Her Majesty's Government intend to take any steps in the matter? THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster): The attention of the Government has been called to the notice referred to by my hon. Friend. It is believed that The Weekly News belongs to Mr. T. D. Sullivan, who is a Member of this House, and who is, as Lord Mayor of Dublin, an ex officio Justice of the Peace. If any such action as is referred to in the notice is taken, the Government will take such steps as are necessary to vindicate the law. ACTS OF PARLIAMENT - PRINTING AND PUBLICATION. MR. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.) asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he is aware that it is generally impossible for the public to obtain printed copies of an Act of Parliament for weeks after it has received the Royal Assent; and, if, in Circular to the provisions of the Truck order to avoid this inconvenienco, ho Act. will be good enough to give directions that the Acts passed this Session shall be printed and published with as little delay as possible? THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster): We are fully alive to the importance of placing Acts of Parliament as cheaply and as quickly as possible in the hands of the public. The price has this year been much reduced, and if anything can be done to hasten delivery I will do all in my power to insure it; but it does not appear, on inquiry, that any undue delay has occurred recently. LAW AND JUSTICE (ENGLAND AND COAL MINES REGULATION ACT. MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in view of the new duties imposed upon Inspectors of Mines by the Coal Mines Regulation Act, and on Inspectors of Factories by the Truck Act, he would communicate. to them a summary of the two Acts? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.): Certainly; I shall be reconsidering the instructions given to the Inspectors of Mines in consequence of the change in the law; and I shall take care that tho matters referred to by the hon. Member are brought under their notice. PUBLIC HEALTH (SCOTLAND)—POLLU- had any pollution of Loch Lomond? MR. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.) MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton) asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If, in view of the discussions that have asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he taken place this Session on legal pro-to the House with reference to the further communication to make ceedings actually pending in the Courts of Law, and of the recent ruling of the Chairman of Ways and Means that he has no power to stop such discussions, the Government will propose a Rule of Procedure next Session to prohibit such discussions on pending proceedings, except where the Privileges of the House are affected thereby? THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster): The question raised by the hon. Member will be carefully considered during the Recess by Her Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the authorities of the House. TRUCK ACT. MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he would direct the special attention of the Procurators Fiscal to the provisions of the Truck Act, with a view to their being properly carried out? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Audrew's Universities): It is not, as a general rule, necessary to call the special attention of Procurators Fiscal to their duties. I shall, however, be issuing a Circular in connection with the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act, and I shall be very glad to call their attention in the MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. An- BOARD OF TRADE (RAILWAY DEPART MENT)-RAILWAY PASSENGERS. MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.) asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether, having regard to the practical difficulties of complying with the Circular as to separate oarriages for ladies, and to the dangers to passengers generally in the present system, he would urge on the Railway Companies the advisability of their voluntarily providing for all passenger trains efficient means of communication between the passengers and the servants of the Company in charge of the train, such as they were now compelled, under Section 22 of the Act of 1868, to provide for trains which travelled more than 20 miles without stopping? COLONEL NOLAN: If the right hon. Gentleman finds the statement is true, will he see that the hon. Member for North-East Cork receives proper treatment? MR. A. J. BALFOUR: Of course, Sir. So far as I can I will see that any untried prisoner is properly treated. THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY tion has not been called to the stateDE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth), ment, nor am I aware of the fact stated in reply, said, he had only just received by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. the Question of the hon. Member. He was not prepared to admit the accuracy of the first part of the Questionnamely, that there were practical difficulties in complying with the Circular issued by the Board of Trade to Railway Companies as to separate carriages. He had no information to that effect. With regard to the suggestion in the second part of the Question, he thought, in the absence of the receipt by the Board of Trade of the answers to the Circular, it would be premature on the part of the Department to suggest at present any further means for the safety of passengers. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE (IRELAND) ACT, 1887 IMPRISONMENT OF MR. W. O'BRIEN, M.P. COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention had been called to the statement quoted in The St. James's Gazette, to the effect that the hon. Member for North-East Cork (Mr. W. O'Brien) was lodged in a cell 9 feet by 4 only, and badly lighted; and if he would take steps to see that a Member of that House, as an untried prisoner, should, at any rate, get reasonable accommodation? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): My atten COLONEL NOLAN: But will the right hon. Gentleman exert himself a little for the sake of a Member of this House? [No reply.] IMPORTATION OF DESTITUTE ALIENS. THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster) said, that Her Majesty's Government was fully alive to the importance of placing some restriction on the importation of destitute foreigners into this country; but there were many serious difficulties in the way of dealing with it, among them the right of asylum in this country. It would be unwise for him to say more than that the GoVernment would give the matter their most serious consideration. PRISONERS UNDER THE CRIMINAL MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's Co., Ossory) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which he had given him private Notice, Whether in view of the answer which he gave yesterday, that persons who might be imprisoned under the Crimes Act would not be allowed to see their friends for three months, special care would be taken that persons so imprisoned should not seriously suffer in health; and, whether the precedent set by the late Mr. Forster would be followed, in accordance with which prisoners who had so suffered were released from prison? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.): The Prison Rules, under which sentences will be carried out under the Crimes Act, will be precisely identical with the Prison Rules used under other circumstances. No special system of release for prisoners |