for one calendar month, with hard whether the present accommodation for labour; whether he will inquire whether Roman Catholic Divine service in the the evidence showed that any obstruc- Military Prison, Arbour Hill, Dublin, was tion was intended or took place; and reported by Field Marshal Lord Roberts whether he will consider the remission in February, 1897, as totally unsatisfacof the sentence? tory; whether the War Office, upon receipt of this report, directed that a

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.): My right honourable Friend has asked me

to

answer this Question. Improvement is
tion referred to, but it had to be excluded
considered desirable in the accommoda-
from this year's Estimates in favour of
It will be con-
more urgent services.
sidered with next year's Estimates.

HOME DEPARTMENT: I had already chapel should be provided for Roman made inquiry into Catholic worship; and what steps have this case. The since been taken to carry out this order? prisoner was convicted under the Highway Act, after a long and careful hearing, and was sentenced to pay the maximum fine of 40s., with costs, or in default a month's imprisonment. He elected to go to prison. It is the case that meetings have been previously held at the same place by this body, but, as I am informed, the annoyance and obstruction caused by them had grown to such an extent that the Watch Committee were compelled to take action. It was open to the prisoner to appeal, and if he was dissatisfied with his conviction or sentence, that would have been the right course for him to take. Whatever opinion I might form of the sentence passed, I do not see my way, in view of this right of appeal, and on a general consideration of the circumstances, to recommend any interference.

MR. HARRINGTON: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether a communication was forwarded to him Catholic chaplain of Arbour Hill Military on 28th August, 1897, from the Roman Prison, Dublin, denying and disproving a statement affecting him in a Report of Colonel Garsin, Deputy Inspector of Military Prisons, to the War Office; whether the reverend gentleman demanded that CUSTOMS COLLECTORSHIPS. this statement affecting him should be MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverwithdrawn; and whether there has been pool, Exchange): I beg to ask the Secre- any acknowledgment of his communicatary to the Treasury whether, in inquir-drawal of the statement in question, or tion, or any step taken to secure the withing into the case of the outdoor depart substantiate it by evidence? ment of Her Majesty's Customs, he proposes to deal with the question of promotion to collectorships; and, if so, whether he will hear the case that can be stated by the outport clerks, superintendents, and collectors who will be affected thereby?

MR. HANBURY: I understand that a scheme affecting the organisation of the Collectors' Branch is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners of Customs. In connection therewith, due regard will be paid to the interests of those officers whom it may affect.

CATHOLIC CHAPEL IN THE DUBLIN
MILITARY PRISON.

MR. HARRINGTON: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War Mr. Field.

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS: I will ask my honourable Friend to postpone this Question till Friday. I am not sure that the communication has not been dealt with by Lord Roberts.

JUBILEE POSTAL REFORMS.

MR. J. J. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether any steps have yet been taken to carry out the undertaking given last year that a house to house delivery of letters would be instituted in every part of the three kingdoms; and, if not why not?

MR. HANBURY: It was stated at the time the concession was expressly

made that the work would necessarily by striking her with a whip. It is a fact occupy a considerable time. Arrange that she was attended by the medical ments have, however, already been made gentleman named, but, as the case will for bringing no fewer than 14 millions of form the subject of investigation before letters a year into the free delivery. It the magistrates in petty sessions towas estimated, roughly, that there were morrow, it is not advisable at present to only about 16 millions of letters to be make any further statement in reference dealt with. There is reason to think that to the matter. this number was an under-estimate, and that the work of affording a free delivery to every house was greater than was anticipated last June. The work is proceeding with all possible despatch.

INSPECTORS OF MINES.

MR. JOHN WILSON (Falkirk Burghs): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give the names of the six inspectors of mines who are to receive an additional allowance of £100 each per annum, and the reasons for such addition to their annual salaries?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT: The six allowances referred to have been assigned to Mr. Wardell, Dr. Foster, Mr. Hall, Mr. Scott, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Robson. In selecting the inspectors for the allowances I had regard to the special duties some of them perform, the specially large and difficult districts under the charge of others, and generally the length and value of the services they have rendered.

SKIBBEREEN ASSAULT CASE.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the police authorities of Skibbereen have knowledge of a girl named Mary Collins, a domestic servant, having been assaulted (as she alleges) on the 20th instant by her employer; whether the girl, who was wounded in the head, was attended by Dr. Roycroft, and what was his conclusion; and whether the police have instituted a prosecution in this case, or intend to do so?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: In this case it is alleged by Mary Collins that her employer assaulted her on the 20th April

INFRINGEMENT OF THE FACTORY
ACTS AT SOUTHAMPTON.

MR. H. J. TENNANT (Berwickshire): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a drapery firm in Southampton, who, for working three girls all night, and for seven hours without an interval, were fined 1s. and costs in each case; whether such a transgression of the Factory Acts constitutes, as stated by the Mayor, but a technical offence; and whether he will consider the advisability of remonstrating with the Southampton bench of magistrates?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT: My attention has been called to this case. The women were employed for 22 hours continuously, and from midnight to seven in the morning without even an interval for a meal. The only explanation given was that there was an urgent order, that the women were individually asked if they wished to work without an interval, and that they were allowed to rest next day.

The same firm had been convicted last year of a similar offence. The fine imposed in each case was 1s., but, including costs, the total penalty was £2 17s. The amount of the fine is left by the Act in the magistrates' discretion, but I have written to them strongly expressing my opinion that they were not justified in treating the violation of the Factory Acts in this case as a merely technical offence.

SANITARY CONDITION OF POST

OFFICES.

on a charge of wilful murder, which the Crown have now withdrawn; whether he is aware that in the case of William MR. F. MADDISON (Sheffield, BrightHabron, who was convicted in August, side): I beg to ask the Secretary to the 1876, of wilful murder at Whalley Range, Treasury, as representing the Postmaster Manchester, and sentenced to death--a General, whether he will state who is sentence commuted to penal servitude for responsible for the supervision of the life-Lord Cross, who was Home Secre- sanitary condition of post offices; tary at the period, on 3rd April, 1879, on whether the officers in charge of the Habron's innocence having been estab- buildings are not permitted to allow the lished, stated in the House of Commons local sanitary authorities to visit the that the Government intended to pro- premises; and whether he will direct pose a Supplementary Vote to Parliament that when the members of the postal for the sum of £1,000 as compensation and telegraph staffs complain of the to Habron; and whether, seeing that in inadequate arrangements made for safeHabron's case the sufferings endured were guarding health in post offices, the local the effect of a mistaken verdict of a jury, sanitary inspector or factory inspector whereas the sufferings in Miss Browne's shall be permitted to investigate the case are due solely to the action of the cases, being accompanied in the visitaExecutive Government in instituting the tion by a member of the staff? prosecution against her, he will advise the Government to consider the advisability of granting some compensation to Miss Browne?

:

MR. HANBURY: All post offices which are not provided by the department itself are subject to inspection by the local sanitary authorities. Crown THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR post offices-i.e., those provided by the IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, Department-are, like other buildings, N.) I am aware of the facts stated in the property of the Government, exempt the Question in reference to the case of from inspection by the local sanitary Habron. But the case of an innocent authority. The Postmaster General is person like Habron, who was wrongly responsible for the supervision of the convicted, bears no possible analogy to sanitary condition of these offices; and that of a person like Miss Browne, who by his direction the sanitary arrangewas arrested under circumstances of the ments are under constant supervision gravest suspicion and discharged from by the officers in charge, as well as by prison the moment evidence was given the local medical officers to the departto explain the facts which bore against ment; they are also supervised by the her. I greatly regret that this lady, professional officers of the Board of whom I believe to be quite innocent, Works. When a sanitary inspector has been caused any inconvenience or desires to visit one of these offices, the suffering, but an investigation was im- officer in charge is instructed to obtain perative, and the police would have acted authority for him to do so. Whenever improperly had they refrained from the staff of any office complain of inadearresting her at the time they did. Cases quate arrangements for safeguarding of the kind occur frequently both in this their health, the complaint is immedicountry and Ireland, and there is no pre-ately investigated, and steps are taken cedent for awarding the compensation to apply any remedies that may be found

asked for.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL: Is it the fact that on the third remand of this lady before the police magistrate her solicitor implored the magistrate to hear evidence on her behalf, and the reply was that he could not unless the Crown closed their case? Did the Crown refuse to produce their witnesses then?

MR. ATKINSON: I believe that statement is an exact reversal of the facts.

Mr. MacNeill.

necessary and practicable. In the circumstances, it is not at present considered necessary that the local sanitary inspector, or factory inspector, should have further facilities for investigation.

PLAGUE AT CALCUTTA.

SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any later information

than has been communicated to the Press | before Parliament, and communicate with respecting the outbreak of the plague at me, I shall be happy to give him informaCalcutta; and whether, in dealing with tion on any point. it, every care will be taken not to excite the religious antagonism of the natives!

for War whether he is aware that the uni- | Home Department whether his attention form of the Carabiniers has been already has been called to the report of an changed from red to blue, and is now to be changed from blue to red (serge); and if he will give the reason for the alteration?