ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERSDRAFTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA. MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.): I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether thirty-seven recruits from the depot at Omagh are now being sent to South Africa to reinforce the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; if so, what are the ages of these recruits, have they had any experience in battalion drill, have they ever had any practical instruction in shooting, and have they only had four months' training. MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS: I believe these figures are substantially correct. In a certain number of cases partially trained soldiers have been sent with drafts to South Africa for service on the lines of communications and have been attached where possible to Militia battalions. The Secretary of State has recently given orders to discontinue sending drafts, having regard to the large number of men in each unit now in South Africa. POLICE RESERVISTS' PENSIONS. MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a circular was sent by the Home Office to the Cumberland County Council, to the effect that the time the police Reservists, who are absent with the colours, pass in South Africa should not count towards their pensions in the county police force; and whether he will reconsider this decision, and agree to the time passed in service by police Reservists being added to the police service qualifying for pension. SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.): I beg at the same time to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will consider the propriety of amending the regulation whereby Reserve soldiers, members of the police, who have been called out for active service, will have to serve for pension an additional period equivalent to the time of their absence upon such service. *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon): The answer to these questions is that a letter was sent by the Home Office to the Cumberland County Council giving the effect of the law as it at present exists. I am not satisfied that the law is right, and I hope to introduce a Bill to deal with the matter next session. PIERSHILL (EDINBURGH) CAVALRY BARRACKS. MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the cavalry barracks at Piershill, Jock's Lodge, near Edinburgh, are so constructed that the men have to sleep in lofts over the stables, which are only separated from the stables by old floor boards, the result being that the effluvia rising from the stables flows into the men's sleeping apartment; is he aware that on the east side of the barracks there are only two baths for the use of the 400 men quartered in the barracks, and that the cistern for supplying each bath is capable of holding only sufficient water to fill the bath twice; that the two baths on the other side of the barracks have been out of order and unfit for use for upwards of a year, and that the punishment for men not taking a bath is three days' confinement in barracks; and will he say who is responsible for this housing of our soldiers, and whether steps will be taken to render the barracks fit for human beings. MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS: No, Sir. The statements made in the question are not accurate. The men's rooms are not lofts, but regular upper storeys with sound floors and ceilings between them and the stables, which, the general officer commanding states, keeps the stable effluvia from the rooms. There are not only the two baths on the east side of the barracks, supplying hot and cold water, but six baths on the west side, similarly supplying hot and cold water. Over £2,000 has been spent on these barracks in the last two years, which are now reported as being in a thoroughly sanitary condition. DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, E.): Has the inquiry into the condition. of the buildings promised last session yet been held? MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS: Yes, Sir; it was held soon after the promise was given. MR. WEIR: In consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the state of these barracks. CHINA - DEFENCE OF THE PEKING LEGATIONS-DESPATCHES. SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the despatch of the officer commanding the British Guard of the Legation at Peking will be published, and what is the cause of the delay in publishing the official report from that officer of the operations resulting in the successful defence of the Legation. MR. A. J. BALFOUR: I entirely share my hon. and gallant friend's desire that the despatch in question, which reflects great credit for gallantry upon the small guard of Royal Marines in Peking, and which was received at the end of October, shall be published as soon as possible. I understand that arrangements have been made for it to appear in the London Gazette on Tuesday, and I regret that, owing to a misunderstanding as to the decision of the Board on the subject, it has not been done sooner. COL. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central), on behalf of MR. STUARTWORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information which he can give to the House concerning the position and the present custody of the Peking-Shan-hai-Kwan Railway. *VISCOUNT CRANBORNE : Majesty's Government have been given to understand that the present disposition of the forces of the Allies on this railway is of a purely temporary character; and we venture to think, as my right hon. friend would probably agree, would be served that no useful purpose at the present time by describing the The existing arrangements in detail. matter is engaging the close attention of Her Majesty's Government. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of the British delegate who attended the International Fisheries Conference held at Stockholm last year will now be published; will he state whether Great Britain proposes to take part in the investigations concerning the fishing industry which were recommended by the Conference; and will the correspondence which has taken place on the subject be laid upon the Table of the House. Her *VISCOUNT CRANBORNE : Majesty's Government cannot undertake to publish the Report of the British delegates. They have expressed their willingness to take part in the proposed Fishery Committee, the meeting of which has been postponed. The publication of the correspondence will be considered, when the scheme of investigations is further advanced. MACEIO AND PERNAMBUCO-CON SULAR TRADE REPORTS. MR. SCHWANN: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can explain why the Consular Report on the state of trade for 1899 in Maceio and Pernambuco has not been published yet; and whether the Report has been in the possession of the Foreign Office since May last; and can he state when it will be printed, as it is anxiously awaited in various commercial quarters. *VISCOUNT CRANBORNE: The Report in question has not reached the Foreign Office. Her Majesty's Consul was recently reminded of his omission. ARMENIA-DISTURBANCES IN BITLIS. EARL PERCY: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether disturbances of a serious character have occurred during the last four months in the Vilayet of Bitlis; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will reconsider their decision to withdraw the British Vice-Consul from Bitlis. court in a British colony, which is also a British fortress. It has also been stated on behalf of Her Majesty's Government that at the expiration of fifteen years from 22nd March, 1899, the English language will be substituted for Italian in *VISCOUNT CRANBORNE: At the end the courts, and it is believed that as a of July last a massacre of Armenians was understand Italian, and as, having been very small proportion of the Maltese now reported to have taken place at Spag- given the option of having Italian or hank in the Talori district of the Vilayet English taught to their children in the of Bitlis. Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at public elementary schools, no less than Van made inquiries into the matter, and from 85 to 100 per cent. of the parents although there were conflicting accounts and guardians in Malta, and 79 per cent. of what took place, he could ascertain no in Gozo have decided in favour of English, more than that a small band of revolu- it will be a great advantage and contionists took refuge in a church at Spag-venience to the majority of the populahank, from which they fired on the tion fourteen years hence that this change Turkish troops, and in which they were should be made. eventually killed. This intelligence was supplied by a person who had visited and carefully examined Spaghank, which is a BREAKING UP OF LONDON STREETS. small village of only six houses. There SIR HOWARD VINCENT: I beg have been no reports of any further dis- to ask the Secretary of State for turbances in the Vilayet of Bitlis. As the Home Department if, having remy predecessor informed my noble gard to the inconvenience caused to friend on the 22nd of March last, Her the public by the tearing up of Majesty's Government have not decided permanently to withdraw the British Vice-Consul from Bitlis, but the matter is under consideration. MALTESE LAW COURTS-OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fac, that dissatisfaction exists in Italy on account of the attempt of the Colonial Office to impose on the people of Malta the use of the English language in place of Italian in the courts of law; and in view of the irritation which this action has caused amongst the people of a friendly Power, will the Government consider the expediency of taking steps to annul the Order in Council of the 7th March, 1899. the streets of the metropolis by the London County Council, the borough councils, water and various companies, without any common plan, he will consider the desirability of introducing a short Amendment to the Metropolitan Streets Act, or other statute, making the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis an authority whose licence must be obtained before any street can be taken up and closed to traffic. *MR. COHEN (Islington, E.): Is the London County Council responsible in any instance for the inconvenience? *MR. RITCHIE: The inconvenience to which my hon. and gallant friend draws attention is certainly very great, and I notice with satisfaction that the question is engaging the joint attention of the MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN: My atten- London County Council and the borough tion has been called to the fact that councils. I will not lose sight of the certain Italian newspapers and matter. persons have commented adversely on the changes which it has been found necessary to make with regard to the use of the Italian language in Malta, but they appear to have been entirely misinformed as to the facts. The only change which has hitherto been made is that where British subjects are concerned they may choose English as the language in which the proceedings are to be carried on in a In response to the hon. Member for East Islington, I have to say I have no doubt that the London County Council is not responsible for many of the breakings-up. MERCANTILE SHIPPING IN IRISH plaints from Dundalk, Drogheda, and a number of port authorities in Ireland as to the mode of measuring ships, whereby dues are raised on tonnage far below the real weight of the cargo, and the authorities are deprived of the means of effectively carrying on the effective working of the ports over which they have jurisdiction; and will he state whether the Government intend to submit any legislation on the subject. THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central): My attention has been called to the complaints to which the hon. Member refers, and the Board of Trade are preparing instructions with the view of meeting them, so far as that is possible under the existing law. The whole subject is an intricate and difficult one, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to propose fresh legislation with regard to it. the practice referred to in the question, but I have no authority to give them any instructions in the matter. POST OFFICE-WEST CHEVINGTON MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware of the fact that Mrs. Lindsay, rural post messenger at West Chevington, in the county of Northumberland, has been compelled to retire through failing health after twenty-four years' service, and that in consequence of her retirement she is now lett without means of support other than the workhouse; and will he undertake to see that some more suitable provision is made for her either in the form. of pension or otherwise. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr AUSTEN CHAM MR. T. M. HEALY: Will the instruc-BERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.): There tions be made public? MR. GERALD BALFOUR: Yes, they will be issued shortly to the authorities concerned. would appear to be some misapprehension in regard to this matter. Mary Lindsay is reported to be in good health, is well able to perform her duties, and. states that she has no present intention. of giving up her employment. HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES MR. HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton): I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it is the practice of local authorities to charge upon the rents of working class dwellings erected by them under Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Housing Act, 1890, the sums necessary to repay in a term of years the capital cost of the whole or part of the land forming the site thereof; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions to the local authorities to assimilate their practice in these cases to that which they follow in the case of land acquired and let by county councils under the Small Holdings Act, 1892. THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. LONG, Bristol, S.) It rests with the local authorities to determine the basis upon which they will fix the rents of the houses provided by them under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts. I am not aware to what extent they adopt MENTS. MR. KEARLEY (Devonport): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General,, whether be has received complaints from the inhabitants of Keyham Barton, Devonport, as to the inadequacy of the postal facilities in this district, affecting both the lateness of the morning delivery of letters and general postal accommodation; and whether, in view of the fact. that a thousand new houses have recently been erected and occupied, he will arrange for a sub-office and pillar boxes to be more centrally placed in order to spare the residents the inconvenience occasioned by the existing arrangements. MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN : The Postmaster General has received complaints from the inhabitants of Keyham Barton respecting the postal facilities in the district, and inquiry is being made on the subject. The hon. Member shall be informed of the result as soon possible. as. ABERDEEN POST OFFICE. decision has been come to in reference to MR. PIRIE: I beg to ask the Secretary the inquiry into the grievances of the to the Treasury if he can state when the Customs boatmen, undertaken as long Government intend to commence building ago as last May, by his predecessor in the post office in Aberdeen ; and whether, office. in view of the time elapsed since the site was obtained, a substantial sum will be set aside in next year's Estimates, so that effective progress may be made with the work. MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN: The new post office buildings would by this time have been commenced, but the Corporation raised the question of widening the street, and this has led to further delay. After much negotiation, the Corporation has agreed to provide an equivalent in land to compensate for the loss of area by the street widening. Fresh plans, to meet the altered conformation of the site, will now be necessary; but the matter is being pushed on, and a sum on account will be inserted in the Estimates for the ensuing year. CUSTOMS WATCHERS' PAY. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state when the Customs watchers will receive the benefit of the concessions approved by the Lords of the Treasury in their letter of the 18th August, 1900, No. 13,833/1900; and whether he will give an assurance that the watchers will receive their back pay from the date of the Treasury letter. MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN: The increase of the overtime rate for watchers, when "hoarded," from 4d. to 6d. was introduced at once, and the increases of pay, when finally determined, will take effect as from the 18th August last the date of the Treasury letter which sanctioned them. The selection of the individual watchers who are to receive these increases cannot be made until a complete seniority list has been compiled, but I hope that it may be announced before Christmas. The completion of a contract for the supply of uniforms has necessarily occupied some time and the uniforms will not be issued till 1st February next. CUSTOMS BOATMEN'S GRIEVANCES. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN: It has been decided that boatmen employed at distant stations in London between midnight and 5 a.m. should be paid an allowance of 9d. a night for the combined charges of travelling and subsistence, and also that serge jackets shall be supplied to the officers at any port at which they may be considered necessary by the Board of Customs. SCOTTISH CROFTERS-SIR KENNETH MATHESON'S DEER FOREST. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that Sir Kenneth Matheson's deer forest at Attadale, Ross-shire, now let to Baron Schroder, was originally tenanted by 63 crofter families; and, seeing that since the eviction of these families the forest has been increased from 12,606 acres in 1891 to 18,689 acres in 1898, will he state what steps the Government propose to take to prevent the further extension of this and other deer forests in the Highlands. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire): The *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. Government do not propose to introduce special legislation on the subject of deer forests. SCONSER (ISLE OF SKYE) CROFTERS. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that Lord Macdonald's estate factor, when recently urging the crofters of Sconser, Isle of Skye, to remove from their present holdings to the depopulated lands of Boreraig and Suisinish, stated that the Congested Districts Board were prepared to erect houses and fences on the new holdings, and bear the expense of the removal; is he aware that this proposed removal of crofters has for its object the absorption of the crofter township of Sconser in the adjoining deer forest; and will he state whether the Board has authorised any such statement; if so, will he explain why the Board offered to undertake this expenditure in order to secure the extension of a deer forest. |